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Awix (3310 KP) rated Village of the Damned (1995) in Movies
Nov 16, 2019
Thumpingly unsubtle SF remake turns up the horror dial but doesn't seem aware that sometimes less is more. After a strange town-wide blackout, the citizens of Midwich (do they really have 'villages' in Northern California, anyway?) discover ten women have simultaneously become pregnant. They give birth to eerily similar children who seem to have psychic powers.
Released in 1995, this is very much The Midwich Cuckoos for the X Files generation, but ends up just another signpost marking the decline of John Carpenter as a film-maker worth paying attention to. The sad thing is that he really does seem familiar with both the original British film and the source novel (elements of the book missing from the 1960 film reappear here) and is obviously trying to do his best to honour them, but where John Wyndham is chillingly subtle and understated, John Carpenter is just walloping the audience with a succession of predictable set-piece 'shocks'. Reasonable CGI but overall it looks cheap and unconvincing; some reasonable performances from an interesting cast, but there's a limit to what they can do with such a duff script.
Released in 1995, this is very much The Midwich Cuckoos for the X Files generation, but ends up just another signpost marking the decline of John Carpenter as a film-maker worth paying attention to. The sad thing is that he really does seem familiar with both the original British film and the source novel (elements of the book missing from the 1960 film reappear here) and is obviously trying to do his best to honour them, but where John Wyndham is chillingly subtle and understated, John Carpenter is just walloping the audience with a succession of predictable set-piece 'shocks'. Reasonable CGI but overall it looks cheap and unconvincing; some reasonable performances from an interesting cast, but there's a limit to what they can do with such a duff script.
Nikki Massey (8 KP) rated The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing in Books
Feb 7, 2019
Disappointing, dreary book
This book came with high acclaim and good reviews. Maybe that upped my expectations but I came away feeling quite disappointed and unsatisfied.
The writing felt very immature - a throwback to how I used to write when I was in primary school; he said "this" and she said "that".
There were very little descriptors about the settings and characters; everything felt flat and definitely not technicolour.
I had kept an open mind when I was reading the first section, the character was young, so perhaps she'd develop and the writing style would advance with it. No such luck.
I didn't warm to the characters at all and found I was grateful when I finished the book. Like a rubbish film, you have to get to the end just to make sure what you imagined actually happened.
The comparisons to Bridget Jones' Diary are too high a praise for this book. I thought, especially with the title, that she might be on a voyage to independence and develop into a strong woman but actually, it was very sexist and I felt quite frustrated by the outdated and misogynistic views of women. Disappointing read and I'd not recommend. Try it if you want, but that's my pennies worth...
The writing felt very immature - a throwback to how I used to write when I was in primary school; he said "this" and she said "that".
There were very little descriptors about the settings and characters; everything felt flat and definitely not technicolour.
I had kept an open mind when I was reading the first section, the character was young, so perhaps she'd develop and the writing style would advance with it. No such luck.
I didn't warm to the characters at all and found I was grateful when I finished the book. Like a rubbish film, you have to get to the end just to make sure what you imagined actually happened.
The comparisons to Bridget Jones' Diary are too high a praise for this book. I thought, especially with the title, that she might be on a voyage to independence and develop into a strong woman but actually, it was very sexist and I felt quite frustrated by the outdated and misogynistic views of women. Disappointing read and I'd not recommend. Try it if you want, but that's my pennies worth...
Hermeneutic Humility and the Political Theology of Cinema: Blind Paul
Book
This book revisits the tradition of Western religious cinema in light of scholarship on St. Paul's...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2480 KP) rated The Bullet Catch (An Eli Marks Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Eli’s high school friend Jake is in town making a movie about a magician who dies during a performance of the dangerous bullet catch illusion. Only Jake thinks that someone is going to kill him when they film that scene, and he asks Eli, a magician, to help prevent that from happening. Meanwhile, Eli reconnects with his high school crush, Trish, as their reunion only to have Trish’s husband be murdered the next morning. Can Eli solve the crime?
With two mysteries happening at once, this book never slows down. Both stories feature some great twists along the way to a logical conclusion. The book is filled with outstanding characters as well, both returning and new. About the only thing that bothered me was Eli’s crippling fear of heights, which never seemed to bother him at home.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-bullet-catch-by-john.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
With two mysteries happening at once, this book never slows down. Both stories feature some great twists along the way to a logical conclusion. The book is filled with outstanding characters as well, both returning and new. About the only thing that bothered me was Eli’s crippling fear of heights, which never seemed to bother him at home.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-bullet-catch-by-john.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Consumer Vulnerability: Conditions, Contexts and Characteristics
Kathy Hamilton, Susan Dunnett and Maria G. Piacentini
Book
Consumer vulnerability is of growing importance as a research topic for those exploring wellbeing....
Nanook of the North from 1922 to Today: The Famous Arctic Documentary and its Afterlife
Book
Robert Flaherty's Nanook of the North is one of the best-known documentaries of the silent era and...
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
Zac Efron seems to be perfectly cast as Ted Bundy and there is an uncanny resemblance to him, he portrays the serial killer very well and keeps the unnerving feel of Bundy throughout the film.
The rest of the cast also works well in this production based on the based Elizabeth Kendall’s book “The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy“, the film also stars Kaya Scodelario (THE MAZE RUNNER trilogy) as Carole Anne Boone, Haley Joel Osment (THE SIXTH SENSE) as Liz’s Co-Worker Jerry, Angela Sarafyan (WESTWORLD) as Joanna, Jim Parsons (TV’s THE BIG BANG THEORY) as Florida Prosecutor Larry Simpson and John Malkovich (DEEPWATER HORIZON) as Judge Edward D. Cowart.
The rest of the cast also works well in this production based on the based Elizabeth Kendall’s book “The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy“, the film also stars Kaya Scodelario (THE MAZE RUNNER trilogy) as Carole Anne Boone, Haley Joel Osment (THE SIXTH SENSE) as Liz’s Co-Worker Jerry, Angela Sarafyan (WESTWORLD) as Joanna, Jim Parsons (TV’s THE BIG BANG THEORY) as Florida Prosecutor Larry Simpson and John Malkovich (DEEPWATER HORIZON) as Judge Edward D. Cowart.
Erika (17789 KP) rated The Shining (1980) in Movies
Nov 25, 2018 (Updated Nov 25, 2018)
I just watched this film for the first time yesterday. I don't typically watch horror films/scary movies because I have an overactive imagination and don't need any other nightmare fuel.
I was finally convinced after a conversation with a co-worker when we were talking about how sometimes people just snap, and he emphasized how Jack Torrance's actions were completely fitting with a psychological break. I had also seen various references to the film, such as the extended scene in Ready Player One, and a South Park Halloween episode when Randy Marsh buys a Blockbuster and the same situation happens.
I wouldn't actually deem this as a straight-up horror film, it was definitely more of a psychological thriller. It was so well done (haven't read the book, nor will I ever, not a fan of Stephen King). The music fitting with the cinematography and creating the mood and overall tension in the film. It's definitely one of the best films I've watched as of late, and I'm glad I finally got around to it.
I was finally convinced after a conversation with a co-worker when we were talking about how sometimes people just snap, and he emphasized how Jack Torrance's actions were completely fitting with a psychological break. I had also seen various references to the film, such as the extended scene in Ready Player One, and a South Park Halloween episode when Randy Marsh buys a Blockbuster and the same situation happens.
I wouldn't actually deem this as a straight-up horror film, it was definitely more of a psychological thriller. It was so well done (haven't read the book, nor will I ever, not a fan of Stephen King). The music fitting with the cinematography and creating the mood and overall tension in the film. It's definitely one of the best films I've watched as of late, and I'm glad I finally got around to it.
WJEC GCSE Film Studies: Study and Revision Guide
Jackie Newman, Dave Fairclough and Jackie Dearden
Book
Matching the revised specification first examined in June 2013, it is designed to support WJEC GCSE...
Alli Lamb (4 KP) rated Five Feet Apart (2019) in Movies
Mar 20, 2019
Young adult film that makes you fall in love
Contains spoilers, click to show
What if you couldnt touch the one you loved? I havent read the book yet but I cant wait to read it, I thought the movie was great! Stella suffers from CF (cystic fibrosis) she likes to be in control. Will also has CF and he is very care free he knows life is short and wants to experience it outside hospital walls. Together they give each the thing they need to see life in a new light.
Since Will isnt eligible for new lungs cause of a bacteria, stella needs to stay at least 6 five apart so she doesnt get his bacteria. But with how this disease stole so much from them they want to take one foot back.
While on their date they are at a pool and it's such an intimate moment between them without any physical touching. I hope there is a similar moment in the book if not something that goes into more detail.
I highly enjoyed this film and I was engaged the whole time. Rooting for them so much hoping they would get their happily ever after.
Since Will isnt eligible for new lungs cause of a bacteria, stella needs to stay at least 6 five apart so she doesnt get his bacteria. But with how this disease stole so much from them they want to take one foot back.
While on their date they are at a pool and it's such an intimate moment between them without any physical touching. I hope there is a similar moment in the book if not something that goes into more detail.
I highly enjoyed this film and I was engaged the whole time. Rooting for them so much hoping they would get their happily ever after.