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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Happiness for Humans in Books
Jan 17, 2019
Bonkers, but hugely entertaining
My manager gave me this book to read, and I’m not entirely sure if she was trying to tell me something, or just trying to cheer me up. The situation the main character Jen finds herself in right at the start of this book is so similar to my own experience (right down to the name of her ex), that I couldn’t help but connect with this book. Admittedly I don’t have an AI named Aiden trying to sort out my romantic life, but maybe one day...
It’s not everyday you’d read a romantic comedy novel about AIs, but I’m pleased to say this is a highly entertaining read. It’s funny and has some great endearing and humanly flawed characters (even the AIs). The plot is bonkers, and gets even crazier towards the end, and you do have to suspend your disbelief at times. I did prefer the first half of the story, when it was mainly AI matchmaking rather than the darker (and crazier) side, but it was still all very enjoyable. Not one that’s going to win any literary prices, but still well written and very entertaining. I’m holding out now for my own personal matchmaker AI.
It’s not everyday you’d read a romantic comedy novel about AIs, but I’m pleased to say this is a highly entertaining read. It’s funny and has some great endearing and humanly flawed characters (even the AIs). The plot is bonkers, and gets even crazier towards the end, and you do have to suspend your disbelief at times. I did prefer the first half of the story, when it was mainly AI matchmaking rather than the darker (and crazier) side, but it was still all very enjoyable. Not one that’s going to win any literary prices, but still well written and very entertaining. I’m holding out now for my own personal matchmaker AI.

Sarah (7800 KP) rated What We Do in the Shadows- Season 1 in TV
Jul 8, 2019
Hilariously wacky
When I first heard they were making a tv show out of the film, I was worried. The film is comedy genius, and I was concerned this wouldn’t meet my high expectations. However my worries were completely unfounded, as this show is a revelation.
Firstly, it has been created and produced by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi so you know it’s in good hands. And right from the start you can see how similar this show is to the film - same title music, same documentary style, and the same style of humour and ridiculously silly main characters. Despite the massive similarities though this is very much it’s own show and very good and hilarious in it’s own right. The cast are fantastic, I’ve loved Kayvan Novak since Four Lion and he’s a brilliant choice alongside Matt Berry. I can’t express how funny and clever this show is, and my favourite episode was by far the one with the Vampiric Council. I was downright hysterical watching this and some of the cameos in this are sheer brilliance (including some very familiar faces). And at 25 minutes an episode, nothing ever drags and in fact I actually wanted more.
I really hope they make more series of this, it’d be a crime not to!
Firstly, it has been created and produced by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi so you know it’s in good hands. And right from the start you can see how similar this show is to the film - same title music, same documentary style, and the same style of humour and ridiculously silly main characters. Despite the massive similarities though this is very much it’s own show and very good and hilarious in it’s own right. The cast are fantastic, I’ve loved Kayvan Novak since Four Lion and he’s a brilliant choice alongside Matt Berry. I can’t express how funny and clever this show is, and my favourite episode was by far the one with the Vampiric Council. I was downright hysterical watching this and some of the cameos in this are sheer brilliance (including some very familiar faces). And at 25 minutes an episode, nothing ever drags and in fact I actually wanted more.
I really hope they make more series of this, it’d be a crime not to!

Elli H Burton (1288 KP) rated Fifty Shades Freed (2018) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
The chemistry between the leads is non existent. (1 more)
Misses important parts from the books so feels rushed.
It's alright.
I am one of those that actually enjoyed the books. Take THEM scenes away and I kind of love the story. Despite not being written great, I still looked forward to the films like everyone else.
This one is alright and I'll watch it again but it's so forced. Jamie Doran seems to have the same 3 Expressions in this film, he doesn't use his limited dialogue to the best he could have done it's just monotone and said because it's an actor saying his lines not the character talking like it should be.
Some forced comedy, which was probably forced from lack of enthusiasm from the cast and the deviation from the books. In the books theres some genuinely sweet, funny moments which in the films just feel wrong.
Dakota Johnson gets a bit more range in this and tries but honestly i think the fault lies with poor direction.
Scenes that are so important to the plot are cut short and really important story lines have been completely cut out the franchise which is why i much prefer the books.
This one is alright and I'll watch it again but it's so forced. Jamie Doran seems to have the same 3 Expressions in this film, he doesn't use his limited dialogue to the best he could have done it's just monotone and said because it's an actor saying his lines not the character talking like it should be.
Some forced comedy, which was probably forced from lack of enthusiasm from the cast and the deviation from the books. In the books theres some genuinely sweet, funny moments which in the films just feel wrong.
Dakota Johnson gets a bit more range in this and tries but honestly i think the fault lies with poor direction.
Scenes that are so important to the plot are cut short and really important story lines have been completely cut out the franchise which is why i much prefer the books.

Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Jingle All the Way (1997) in Movies
Dec 12, 2019
Put The Cookie Down
Jingle All The Way- is a fantastic excellent christmas movie. So much comedy, so much action, so much Arnold. It is such a classic movie. Every time, i watch it, i love it more. Its so hilarious, it has such a great message within the movie.
The Plot: Workaholic Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) wants to make things up to his son, Jamie (Jake Lloyd), and wife, Liz (Rita Wilson). He promises to get Jamie the hottest toy of the season, Turbo-Man -- even though it's Christmas Eve and the toy is practically sold out. As Langston hunts down the elusive gift, he runs into mailman Myron (Sinbad), another father on the same quest. With the clock winding down, Langston's moral code is tested as he starts to learn the real meaning of Christmas.
Yes thats right Jake Llyod is in this movie, this movie came out before episode 1 so thats good, i think. Sinbad is hilarious in this movie. Such a odd parring, with Arnold and Sinbad but it works. It was like when Arnold and Danny DeVito worked togther such a odd parring but it worked.
Jingle All The Way- is phenomenal, a classic, and overall a excellent christmas movie for the whole family to watch.
The Plot: Workaholic Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) wants to make things up to his son, Jamie (Jake Lloyd), and wife, Liz (Rita Wilson). He promises to get Jamie the hottest toy of the season, Turbo-Man -- even though it's Christmas Eve and the toy is practically sold out. As Langston hunts down the elusive gift, he runs into mailman Myron (Sinbad), another father on the same quest. With the clock winding down, Langston's moral code is tested as he starts to learn the real meaning of Christmas.
Yes thats right Jake Llyod is in this movie, this movie came out before episode 1 so thats good, i think. Sinbad is hilarious in this movie. Such a odd parring, with Arnold and Sinbad but it works. It was like when Arnold and Danny DeVito worked togther such a odd parring but it worked.
Jingle All The Way- is phenomenal, a classic, and overall a excellent christmas movie for the whole family to watch.

JT (287 KP) rated I Love You Phillip Morris (2010) in Movies
Mar 23, 2020
Good performances (1 more)
Genuine emotion
Carrey and McGregor on top form
Jim Carrey is an up and down sort of an actor, one minute he’s displaying comedic or dramatic genius and the next he’s falling flat on this face out of his depth. Thankfully this turn is one of his best and was arguably one of the funniest films of 2009.
Carrey is in his element playing con artist Steven Russell who after coming to terms with his sexuality following a freak car crash ends up in prison and in the arms of the loveable Phillip Morris.
Writer/directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa who also penned another dark yet hilariously funny comedy Bad Santa keep the script tight. The jokes are well thought out and areas such as company fraud and anal sex are highlighted in detail, but tastefully done.
The more serious areas of the film are attacked with compassionate subtly and I don’t think anyone would be offended, no lines have been crossed at all.
Through all the humour there are definitive dramatic performances from both Carrey and McGregor which create lots of genuine emotion, let’s not forget this is a love story. It’s a great return to form from Carrey and well worth a watch.
Carrey is in his element playing con artist Steven Russell who after coming to terms with his sexuality following a freak car crash ends up in prison and in the arms of the loveable Phillip Morris.
Writer/directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa who also penned another dark yet hilariously funny comedy Bad Santa keep the script tight. The jokes are well thought out and areas such as company fraud and anal sex are highlighted in detail, but tastefully done.
The more serious areas of the film are attacked with compassionate subtly and I don’t think anyone would be offended, no lines have been crossed at all.
Through all the humour there are definitive dramatic performances from both Carrey and McGregor which create lots of genuine emotion, let’s not forget this is a love story. It’s a great return to form from Carrey and well worth a watch.

Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Bring it on, Ghost in TV
Jul 17, 2020
Park Bong-pal can see ghosts, he uses this ability to make money as an exorcist. On one of his jobs he meets Kim Hyeon-ji, a ghost who can't remember her own death. Park Bong- pal agrees to help Kim Hyeon-ji find out about her past if she helps him exorcise the evil ghost but Kim Hyeon-ji isn't the only one with a mysterious past and Park Bong-pal's might just kill both of them.
Bring it on, Ghost is a Korean, horror, romance, comedy romance series on Netflix. Each episode is a 'Monster of the week' type of story with also builds up the story of Park Bong-pal and how he gained the ability to see ghosts and what it means to his future.
The horror aspect of the series is quite tame, some of the ghosts are creepy but the show focus's on Park Bong-pal and Kim Hyeon-ji's relationship and works on building up the over aching series story line.
Being about ghosts there are the occasional episodes that touch on suicide and child abuse but these are handled well and manly focus on the effect such actions have on the survives and are not glorified or used for shock value.
Bring it on, Ghost is a Korean, horror, romance, comedy romance series on Netflix. Each episode is a 'Monster of the week' type of story with also builds up the story of Park Bong-pal and how he gained the ability to see ghosts and what it means to his future.
The horror aspect of the series is quite tame, some of the ghosts are creepy but the show focus's on Park Bong-pal and Kim Hyeon-ji's relationship and works on building up the over aching series story line.
Being about ghosts there are the occasional episodes that touch on suicide and child abuse but these are handled well and manly focus on the effect such actions have on the survives and are not glorified or used for shock value.

Fred Durst recommended Taxi Driver (1976) in Movies (curated)

A.O. Scott recommended Grandma (2015) in Movies (curated)

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Yummy (2019) in Movies
Nov 10, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
First of all, this is marketed as a horror comedy, which is arguably misleading. Bar a couple of throw away gags near the start (and an obligatory dismembered penis), Yummy plays things pretty straight, as it violently hurtles towards it's bleak (as fuck) conclusion.
The lack of laughs isn't a bad thing by any means. There are plenty of zombie comedies already out there (granted, there are plenty of zombie movies in general to choose from) but as this particular sub genre refuses to die, the serious entries may as well be half decent, which Yummy certainly is.
It's has some great set pieces, some nice camera work, and a good cast.
Maaike Neuville and Bart Hollanders are a likable lead duo, and give us a pair of sympathetic characters to root for, and are a huge asset to this movie.
For zombie fans, have no fear, it doesn't take long for the shit to hit the fan, and the gore comes thick and fast when things start tumbling downhill. The practical effects are fantastic, the CGI effects are painfully average, but overall it gets the job done.
Yummy is a genuinely solid entry into the vast Zombie Horror catalogue. It's bloody, it's morbid, and it's hectic, which is good enough for me.
The lack of laughs isn't a bad thing by any means. There are plenty of zombie comedies already out there (granted, there are plenty of zombie movies in general to choose from) but as this particular sub genre refuses to die, the serious entries may as well be half decent, which Yummy certainly is.
It's has some great set pieces, some nice camera work, and a good cast.
Maaike Neuville and Bart Hollanders are a likable lead duo, and give us a pair of sympathetic characters to root for, and are a huge asset to this movie.
For zombie fans, have no fear, it doesn't take long for the shit to hit the fan, and the gore comes thick and fast when things start tumbling downhill. The practical effects are fantastic, the CGI effects are painfully average, but overall it gets the job done.
Yummy is a genuinely solid entry into the vast Zombie Horror catalogue. It's bloody, it's morbid, and it's hectic, which is good enough for me.
