Search
Search results
JT (287 KP) rated Argo (2012) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
Does making a film based on a true story make it any more endearing to the Oscar big wigs? Possibly, but one thing is for sure, Ben Affleck’s third film Argo is an outstanding piece of film making with exceptional attention to detail and sense of realism.
In 1979 Iran was overrun by Iranian revolutionaries, these revolutionaries stormed the American embassy taking several Americans hostage. Six of those managed to escape to the official residence of the Canadian Ambassador where the CIA was eventually ordered to get them out of the country by whatever means necessary.
Led by Tony Mendez (Affleck) a CIA expert in exfiltration he puts together an elaborate plan to go in as a film producer and rescue the six who’ll pose as a film crew on a location hunt for new sci-fi flick, Argo. Even if this was fiction it would be a pretty daring plan in an environment that was so hostile for its time they’re hanging people by cranes in the street, and women carry machine guns!
In order to make the film seem as real as possible Mendez enlists the help of John Chambers (John Goodman) a Hollywood make-up artist whose helped the CIA out before and film producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin). Between them they put the film into fake production, concoct false identities for the six and set about taking them out directly though the Iranian airport in a daring escape.
Affleck gets the cinematography spot on, creating a grainy perspective for that era and using some real footage as well. It all helps convey the narrative and plot that this was one of the most dangerous missions of its time and one what would live long in CIA and American history.
Goodman and Arkin add a humorous element to the proceedings “if it’s going to be a fake film I want it to be a fake hit” Lester claims when he’s approached about the project. The other side feels like a 70s version of 24 with the political suits in boardrooms arguing about the best way to execute the plan.
The tension is built slowly with everything climaxing to a pulsating last act which will have your heart pounding and seat gripped. Personally I didn’t endear to any of the six escapees, their stories are not built up enough other than they’re all unsure if they can trust Mendez to get them back on home soil safely.
Argo got the best picture Oscar over a lot of other seemingly worthy nominees, but you couldn’t deny Affleck his moment in the spotlight and cementing him as one of the best actor to director transitions. While the film might not be entirely accurate, Affleck just wants to get to the heart of this espionage thriller and does so while finding a perfect balance between comedy and drama.
In 1979 Iran was overrun by Iranian revolutionaries, these revolutionaries stormed the American embassy taking several Americans hostage. Six of those managed to escape to the official residence of the Canadian Ambassador where the CIA was eventually ordered to get them out of the country by whatever means necessary.
Led by Tony Mendez (Affleck) a CIA expert in exfiltration he puts together an elaborate plan to go in as a film producer and rescue the six who’ll pose as a film crew on a location hunt for new sci-fi flick, Argo. Even if this was fiction it would be a pretty daring plan in an environment that was so hostile for its time they’re hanging people by cranes in the street, and women carry machine guns!
In order to make the film seem as real as possible Mendez enlists the help of John Chambers (John Goodman) a Hollywood make-up artist whose helped the CIA out before and film producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin). Between them they put the film into fake production, concoct false identities for the six and set about taking them out directly though the Iranian airport in a daring escape.
Affleck gets the cinematography spot on, creating a grainy perspective for that era and using some real footage as well. It all helps convey the narrative and plot that this was one of the most dangerous missions of its time and one what would live long in CIA and American history.
Goodman and Arkin add a humorous element to the proceedings “if it’s going to be a fake film I want it to be a fake hit” Lester claims when he’s approached about the project. The other side feels like a 70s version of 24 with the political suits in boardrooms arguing about the best way to execute the plan.
The tension is built slowly with everything climaxing to a pulsating last act which will have your heart pounding and seat gripped. Personally I didn’t endear to any of the six escapees, their stories are not built up enough other than they’re all unsure if they can trust Mendez to get them back on home soil safely.
Argo got the best picture Oscar over a lot of other seemingly worthy nominees, but you couldn’t deny Affleck his moment in the spotlight and cementing him as one of the best actor to director transitions. While the film might not be entirely accurate, Affleck just wants to get to the heart of this espionage thriller and does so while finding a perfect balance between comedy and drama.
Ultimate Zmanim
Utilities, Lifestyle and Stickers
App
Ultimate Zmanim is the premiere zmanim app for iOS, now with even more features. iOS Features: -...
Face Charts - Continuity Software
Lifestyle and Photo & Video
App
Face charts. As makeup artists, they are an essential part of our day. Lose the folder full of...
Debbiereadsbook (1678 KP) rated Memory Lane (Pine Cove #5) in Books
Mar 13, 2021
I loved that everyone plays a part here!
I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 5 in the Pine Cove series, and while not necessary to have read the other 4, I would personally recommedn that you do. It will give you a better feel for Pine Cove, and more importantly, for the people who live in it, and just why what happens here is NOT the norm for this town.
Jay is Robin's brother. Angel is his best friend from childhood and Jay has loved Angel since that day on the bridge, 16 years ago. Now having Angel so close, Jay is struggling to keep his feelings hidden. Then when Angel has an accident at work, and loses some memory, Jay steps up to look after Angel and puts himself in a world more hurt. Angel, on the other hand, remembers Jay. Jay is the first thing he says when he wakes up, and he remembers all the places that he and Jay went to as kids. ALL his memories revolve around Jay. Everything he feels, revolves around Jay. Is he attracted to Jay?
I enjoyed this, I really did but it doesn't pack the punch that the first three books carry.
Oh don't get me wrong, it's a wonderfully written, well told book, but it doesn't sucker punch you quite so much and I kinda missed that.
The love Jay has for Angel is palable, right from the start, and that carries right through the book, even if it thought it might cost him their friendship. Angel's feeling for Jay are a little less. . . . romantic but nonetheless intense. It just takes Angel time to filter all the noise in his head from his ex, to see what he really feels for Jay; how MUCH he feels for Jay.
I loved the fact that it's on the bridge, when Jay fell in love with Angel, that Angel lets his feelings really come out!
I could see what had happened to cause the accident coming at me, just as soon as the instigator makes themselves known causing trouble. I didn't think they quite go as far as they do though!
I loved that everyone plays a part here. Robin and Dair; Scout and Emery, Swift and Micha, and Ben and Elias: they all take part to some degree or other. Kamran too, and something happens here that makes me wonder what is going on with him!
And halle-flipping-lujah! Ava and Peyton finally FINALLY admit, out loud, in front of everyone, what they mean to each other and I still want them to have a story!
So from this book, I want two more: Kamran's story and Ava/Peyton's! Greedy? Moi?? I don't know what you mean!
A great read, though, all in all!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elewhere**
This is book 5 in the Pine Cove series, and while not necessary to have read the other 4, I would personally recommedn that you do. It will give you a better feel for Pine Cove, and more importantly, for the people who live in it, and just why what happens here is NOT the norm for this town.
Jay is Robin's brother. Angel is his best friend from childhood and Jay has loved Angel since that day on the bridge, 16 years ago. Now having Angel so close, Jay is struggling to keep his feelings hidden. Then when Angel has an accident at work, and loses some memory, Jay steps up to look after Angel and puts himself in a world more hurt. Angel, on the other hand, remembers Jay. Jay is the first thing he says when he wakes up, and he remembers all the places that he and Jay went to as kids. ALL his memories revolve around Jay. Everything he feels, revolves around Jay. Is he attracted to Jay?
I enjoyed this, I really did but it doesn't pack the punch that the first three books carry.
Oh don't get me wrong, it's a wonderfully written, well told book, but it doesn't sucker punch you quite so much and I kinda missed that.
The love Jay has for Angel is palable, right from the start, and that carries right through the book, even if it thought it might cost him their friendship. Angel's feeling for Jay are a little less. . . . romantic but nonetheless intense. It just takes Angel time to filter all the noise in his head from his ex, to see what he really feels for Jay; how MUCH he feels for Jay.
I loved the fact that it's on the bridge, when Jay fell in love with Angel, that Angel lets his feelings really come out!
I could see what had happened to cause the accident coming at me, just as soon as the instigator makes themselves known causing trouble. I didn't think they quite go as far as they do though!
I loved that everyone plays a part here. Robin and Dair; Scout and Emery, Swift and Micha, and Ben and Elias: they all take part to some degree or other. Kamran too, and something happens here that makes me wonder what is going on with him!
And halle-flipping-lujah! Ava and Peyton finally FINALLY admit, out loud, in front of everyone, what they mean to each other and I still want them to have a story!
So from this book, I want two more: Kamran's story and Ava/Peyton's! Greedy? Moi?? I don't know what you mean!
A great read, though, all in all!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elewhere**
Darren (1599 KP) rated The Pining (2019) in Movies
Sep 26, 2019
Characters – Joe is a disabled photographer, he used to be an athlete before his accident too, this saw his life change overnight with him still feeling the effects of what happened to him, he has built up a reputation for his skills with a camera too and just when he starts getting help, he starts to see unusual things happen to him too. Father William is the man that held the support group meeting, he is trying to help people get over the trauma in their lives, but he becomes one of the suspects when the bodies start piling up. Detective Harris has been investigating the bodies, some seem like clear murders, others look like accidents, she believes there is a connection between the support group meeting and wants to get to the bottom of it.
Performances – Diogo Hausen is the best of the performers, he does show us how the character does feel like he has been a victim and showing the strength to carry on. Tom Sizemore is an actor we expect so much more from, he doesn’t get a chance to shine in this one, while Jackie Dallas does well with her scenes.
Story – The story here follows a string of cases that involve the members of a support group being involved in murders or strange accidents, we see how one detective is trying put the pieces together, while trying to save one of the final living members of the group. This is an interesting spin on the idea of victim selection, it does work for making the characters seem like they have been selected to play into their strengths and weaknesses. With this strong idea, comes a weaker way of telling the story, which doesn’t seem to make many of the scenes feel connected, or get to a targeting moments, which could bring about motivation to light until way too late in the film. This is a story that could be a lot more intense only it fails to capture the moments well enough.
Thriller – This film does try to keep us guessing to what will happen next, the problems comes with the fact we only have one scene that feels unpredictable with most just being a cut and dry version of the incidents.
Settings – This film is set in one city where the victims have all been around one locations which could make them the potential latest victim to what is going on, it shows how people don’t know everybody’s stories in life.
Scene of the Movie – Grace’s bad date.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The film spends too much time on Joe, when it seems like we should be investigating the murders.
Final Thoughts – This is a thriller that doesn’t manage to hit the levels it could do, it has an interesting idea, only it never gives it the full focus it should.
Overall: Thriller that misses the edgy side.
Performances – Diogo Hausen is the best of the performers, he does show us how the character does feel like he has been a victim and showing the strength to carry on. Tom Sizemore is an actor we expect so much more from, he doesn’t get a chance to shine in this one, while Jackie Dallas does well with her scenes.
Story – The story here follows a string of cases that involve the members of a support group being involved in murders or strange accidents, we see how one detective is trying put the pieces together, while trying to save one of the final living members of the group. This is an interesting spin on the idea of victim selection, it does work for making the characters seem like they have been selected to play into their strengths and weaknesses. With this strong idea, comes a weaker way of telling the story, which doesn’t seem to make many of the scenes feel connected, or get to a targeting moments, which could bring about motivation to light until way too late in the film. This is a story that could be a lot more intense only it fails to capture the moments well enough.
Thriller – This film does try to keep us guessing to what will happen next, the problems comes with the fact we only have one scene that feels unpredictable with most just being a cut and dry version of the incidents.
Settings – This film is set in one city where the victims have all been around one locations which could make them the potential latest victim to what is going on, it shows how people don’t know everybody’s stories in life.
Scene of the Movie – Grace’s bad date.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The film spends too much time on Joe, when it seems like we should be investigating the murders.
Final Thoughts – This is a thriller that doesn’t manage to hit the levels it could do, it has an interesting idea, only it never gives it the full focus it should.
Overall: Thriller that misses the edgy side.
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated Eternal Love in Books
Aug 3, 2020
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Wi7amb">Wishlist</a>; | <a
<a href="https://diaryofdifference.com/">Blog</a>; | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diaryofdifference/">Facebook</a>; | <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryDifference">Twitter</a>; | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaryofdifference/">Instagram</a>; | <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/diaryofdifference/pins/">Pinterest</a>;
#1 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2720127654">Eternal Soul</a> - ★★★
#2 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3275169496">Eternal Love</a> - ★
<img src="https://diaryofdifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Book-Review-Banner-37.png"/>;
Eternal Love is the second book in the Eternal Soul series by Karimah Colden. We follow the story of Reign, who recently found out she has some magic powers.
The first book, Eternal Soul, focused on Reign finding herself in this new world, with the new powers she has. It was also an adventure of staying out of danger while also protecting her friends.
Eternal Love continues in the same spirit. Reign is living a normal life, until one day, her neighbour is killed and it seems that Reign was the actual target.
<b><i>I cannot say I enjoyed this book!</i></b>
Reign didn't develop or grow as a character throughout the book. Her powers didn't become stronger and she made some questionable decisions. Sometimes, she didn't make any decisions at all. Torn between two men, one-sided friendships and bad life priorities were a few things that bothered me.
<b><i>"You carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You can't let the shortcomings that are guaranteed to happen drag you down too. If you did that, you'd never be able to stand."</i></b>
The writing was very inconsistent. Sometimes, I would encounter beautiful paragraphs. Furthermore, I also noticed so many grammar and spelling errors that really annoyed me. On top of this, I could also see a lot of spacing between sentences, as if someone pressed the space button too many times before they continued writing. Like this. And it annoyed me a lot. I am sorry.
<b><i>"We are not the sins of our parents, we are each of our own mind and soul."</i></b>
The ending of Eternal Love didn't have any conclusion of closure to it, apart from solving the mystery behind Reign's family past. Throughout the whole book, Reign is torn between two potential love interests, and we don't get a conclusion to this either. It seems like the ending was a preparation for yet another book.
Eternal Love felt vert unprepared, not edited properly (or at all) and definitely unfinished. I didn't enjoy it and I cannot recommend it to you. I don't think I will be continuing the series, however I will still keep an eye on future releases from the author.
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Wi7amb">Wishlist</a>; | <a
<a href="https://diaryofdifference.com/">Blog</a>; | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diaryofdifference/">Facebook</a>; | <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryDifference">Twitter</a>; | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaryofdifference/">Instagram</a>; | <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/diaryofdifference/pins/">Pinterest</a>;
<a href="https://diaryofdifference.com/">Blog</a>; | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diaryofdifference/">Facebook</a>; | <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryDifference">Twitter</a>; | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaryofdifference/">Instagram</a>; | <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/diaryofdifference/pins/">Pinterest</a>;
#1 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2720127654">Eternal Soul</a> - ★★★
#2 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3275169496">Eternal Love</a> - ★
<img src="https://diaryofdifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Book-Review-Banner-37.png"/>;
Eternal Love is the second book in the Eternal Soul series by Karimah Colden. We follow the story of Reign, who recently found out she has some magic powers.
The first book, Eternal Soul, focused on Reign finding herself in this new world, with the new powers she has. It was also an adventure of staying out of danger while also protecting her friends.
Eternal Love continues in the same spirit. Reign is living a normal life, until one day, her neighbour is killed and it seems that Reign was the actual target.
<b><i>I cannot say I enjoyed this book!</i></b>
Reign didn't develop or grow as a character throughout the book. Her powers didn't become stronger and she made some questionable decisions. Sometimes, she didn't make any decisions at all. Torn between two men, one-sided friendships and bad life priorities were a few things that bothered me.
<b><i>"You carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You can't let the shortcomings that are guaranteed to happen drag you down too. If you did that, you'd never be able to stand."</i></b>
The writing was very inconsistent. Sometimes, I would encounter beautiful paragraphs. Furthermore, I also noticed so many grammar and spelling errors that really annoyed me. On top of this, I could also see a lot of spacing between sentences, as if someone pressed the space button too many times before they continued writing. Like this. And it annoyed me a lot. I am sorry.
<b><i>"We are not the sins of our parents, we are each of our own mind and soul."</i></b>
The ending of Eternal Love didn't have any conclusion of closure to it, apart from solving the mystery behind Reign's family past. Throughout the whole book, Reign is torn between two potential love interests, and we don't get a conclusion to this either. It seems like the ending was a preparation for yet another book.
Eternal Love felt vert unprepared, not edited properly (or at all) and definitely unfinished. I didn't enjoy it and I cannot recommend it to you. I don't think I will be continuing the series, however I will still keep an eye on future releases from the author.
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Wi7amb">Wishlist</a>; | <a
<a href="https://diaryofdifference.com/">Blog</a>; | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diaryofdifference/">Facebook</a>; | <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryDifference">Twitter</a>; | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaryofdifference/">Instagram</a>; | <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/diaryofdifference/pins/">Pinterest</a>;
Darren (1599 KP) rated The Mule (2018) in Movies
Dec 10, 2019
Verdict: Simple & Enjoyable
Story: The Mule starts as Earl Stone (Eastwood) a horticulturist that has spend too much of his life on the road away from his family, missing the major events in his family’s life. After he doesn’t cope with the changes in the market, he is left with nothing and looking like failing his granddaughter Ginny (Farmiga), only for her fiancée Mike (Freeman) offer him a chance to just drive.
With Earl taking the job, it turns out he has been transporting drugs, with Agent Colin Bates (Cooper) and Agent Trevino (Pena) trying to track down anyone smuggling drugs across the border. How long can Earl keep this up before he gets caught, even though he is spending the money on helping the community.
Thoughts on The Mule
Characters – Earl is a horticulturist, he has spent his whole life in this business, which has seen him sacrifice major family events, making him distant to most of his family. He loses his job and is given a chance to become a driver for a cartel, which he soon becomes the most successful in the industry he even gives the money back to the community he has seen struggle for years. Mary is the ex-wife that has finally become tired of the let downs that Earl has left the family with. Ginny is the granddaughter that has been promised money and doesn’t care as long as her grandfather is willing to be there for her on the big days. Agent Bates is fresh to the force he is tasked to try and stop the smuggling and spends most of the time trying to learn about the new mysterious mule for the cartel.
Performances – Clint Eastwood is a joy to watch in this film, he comes off like an everyday older person that just wants to be willing to help people around his life, even though he is filled with regret about his family life. Bradley Cooper doesn’t really get too much time to shine or do anything in his role, while the rest of the cast don’t seem to get that much time to show off their characters.
Story – The story here that follows a retirement aged, he has worked his whole life and ends up becoming a drug mule for a cartel, which sees him becoming one of the most wanted men in America. This is based on a real man that took this role because he enjoyed driving, he isn’t like anybody else they have worked for, but his style makes him harder to track down. The story does use the themes of regretting losing time in life which is clear in the behaviour from Earl along the way. We do have a few plot holes with how the cartel carry out their jobs, because this just seems to end, without any consequences, why would they give up the success they were having too.
Crime – The crime side of the film does feel like just somebody casually taking part in the drug mule business, he is only ever put to a test once he needs to decide his own future.
Settings – The film uses the settings to show the locations that Earl stops along the way, which does make him harder to track.
Scene of the Movie – The last run.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Nothing seems to happen to the cartel.
Final Thoughts – This is an easy to watch crime story that shows just how one person can casually commit crimes without anybody noticing them.
Overall: Easy Watch.
Story: The Mule starts as Earl Stone (Eastwood) a horticulturist that has spend too much of his life on the road away from his family, missing the major events in his family’s life. After he doesn’t cope with the changes in the market, he is left with nothing and looking like failing his granddaughter Ginny (Farmiga), only for her fiancée Mike (Freeman) offer him a chance to just drive.
With Earl taking the job, it turns out he has been transporting drugs, with Agent Colin Bates (Cooper) and Agent Trevino (Pena) trying to track down anyone smuggling drugs across the border. How long can Earl keep this up before he gets caught, even though he is spending the money on helping the community.
Thoughts on The Mule
Characters – Earl is a horticulturist, he has spent his whole life in this business, which has seen him sacrifice major family events, making him distant to most of his family. He loses his job and is given a chance to become a driver for a cartel, which he soon becomes the most successful in the industry he even gives the money back to the community he has seen struggle for years. Mary is the ex-wife that has finally become tired of the let downs that Earl has left the family with. Ginny is the granddaughter that has been promised money and doesn’t care as long as her grandfather is willing to be there for her on the big days. Agent Bates is fresh to the force he is tasked to try and stop the smuggling and spends most of the time trying to learn about the new mysterious mule for the cartel.
Performances – Clint Eastwood is a joy to watch in this film, he comes off like an everyday older person that just wants to be willing to help people around his life, even though he is filled with regret about his family life. Bradley Cooper doesn’t really get too much time to shine or do anything in his role, while the rest of the cast don’t seem to get that much time to show off their characters.
Story – The story here that follows a retirement aged, he has worked his whole life and ends up becoming a drug mule for a cartel, which sees him becoming one of the most wanted men in America. This is based on a real man that took this role because he enjoyed driving, he isn’t like anybody else they have worked for, but his style makes him harder to track down. The story does use the themes of regretting losing time in life which is clear in the behaviour from Earl along the way. We do have a few plot holes with how the cartel carry out their jobs, because this just seems to end, without any consequences, why would they give up the success they were having too.
Crime – The crime side of the film does feel like just somebody casually taking part in the drug mule business, he is only ever put to a test once he needs to decide his own future.
Settings – The film uses the settings to show the locations that Earl stops along the way, which does make him harder to track.
Scene of the Movie – The last run.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Nothing seems to happen to the cartel.
Final Thoughts – This is an easy to watch crime story that shows just how one person can casually commit crimes without anybody noticing them.
Overall: Easy Watch.
Collins Italian-English Translation Dictionary and Verbs
Reference and Education
App
Over 95,000 translations • Conjugates thousands of Italian and English verbs • Hundreds of...
MobileStudio
Productivity and Business
App
MobileStudio is a full-featured file manager that lets you create, view, and edit files on the go!...
Document Writer for Microsoft Office - Word & PDF
Productivity and Business
App
THE BEST DOCUMENT EDITING AND MANAGEMENT SUITE FOR IPHONE AND IPAD. + Create and Edit Rich Text...