David McK (3562 KP) rated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) in Movies
Jan 3, 2021
Much has been made of this movie, and of it's soundtrack and attempt to portray comic-book panels on-screen: bot of which, I have to say, I found to be headache inducing rather than the (supposed) 'fresh and vibrant' I had read they were.
TheDefunctDiva (304 KP) rated The Boondock Saints (1999) in Movies
Sep 26, 2017
Connor and Murphy (played by Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus), fall into the
profession of murdering bad guys quite by accident. Initially, the fact that they killed a Russian crime lord, and his associate, after a bar fight seems a coincidental act of self-defense. They are hailed, at first, as heroes. They somehow continue to avoid prosecution, though from the beginning they are being pursued by FBI agent Paul Smecker. They start targeting the crime lords on purpose, and they eventually end up being hunted by a more ominous figure, the legendary hitman Il Duce.
Willem Dafoe gets an A for awesome in my book for his performance as FBI agent Paul Smecker. Smecker is a homosexual, and he is not apologetic about it. In fact, he draws attention to his orientation in many scenes. Particularly memorable is the moment where he corrects an officer’s use of the word “symbology” by hissing a pronounced s: “ssssymbolism.” Later in the film, Dafoe even gets the opportunity to use his feminine wiles by dressing in drag, a visual experience which I promise is as disconcerting as it sounds.
The presentation of Smecker’s crime scene explanations was particularly impressive. The crime scene was shown first, and the events that created it unfolded in retrospect as Smecker described the scene. Enhanced by the intensity of the score, Dafoe offered a memorable narration of an epic shootout, during which he resembles an insane conductor.
The writing in this film was great, with witty one-liners throughout to break the tension. There were several moments in the film where one wonders if the brothers’ success is due to dumb luck or divinity. The MacManus twins certainly seem to believe that their cause is a righteous one.
I must also acknowledge the score, by Jeff Danna, which beautifully compliments the opening sequence and the rest of the film. The score even includes a variation of a hymn, infused with a beat you can dance to.
I love a good revenge film, and this is one for the ages. To sum up my complex feelings about the vigilante-style justice in this film, I must end with a quote by Connor MacManus: "I'm strangely comfortable with it."
Citizen Kane
Book
With the approach of the 75th anniversary of Citizen Kane in May 2016, Harlan Lebo has written the...
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Therapy: A Novel in Books
Sep 24, 2017
The ending has a twist on top of the climax which leaves you spiralling. An eerie but good mystery.
Harry's Arctic Heroes: Walking with the Wounded on the Expedition of a Lifetime
Mark McCrum and Harry
Book
In April 2011, four soldiers - each a veteran of recent conflicts, who suffered devastating injuries...
London's Night Buses: v. 1
Book
Unseen by many Londoners, the network of night buses that begins work as the daytime routes wind...
International Horror Film Directors: Global Fear
Danny Shipka and Ralph Beliveau
Book
Horror films have for decades commanded major global audiences, tapping into deep-rooted fears that...
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
7.4
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Movie
When his beloved grandfather leaves Jake clues to a mystery that spans different worlds and times,...
Fantasy children's book to film
AJaneClark (3975 KP) rated Everything, Everything in Books
May 6, 2020
Well worded and written it allows you to imagine and form your own images from the words on the pages. Loved it. Will be ordering more from Nicola Yoon.
Blithe Spirit (1945)
6.5
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Movie
Blithe Spirit, David Lean’s delightful film version of Noël Coward’s theater sensation...