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Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated A.M.I. (2019) in Movies
Dec 10, 2019
Wow
368. A.M.I. Around the same time Countdown popped into theaters, a movie about a cell phone app that tells you when you die, this movie popped onto Netflix. I'll have to eventually get to the other one to see how bad that one is but this one here, epic. Of the, so bad, it's good genre. Centers around a high schooler named Cassie, her vapid friends, and her douche bag boyfriend Liam. We are introduced to Liam being drilled by the football coach, he needs extra training time after regular practice because, he's the kicker. Oh my. Anyways, a few years ago Cassie's mom was killed in a car accident, Cassie was driving. Since then, Cassie hasn't been too stable. And when her friend starts talking about a creepy app called A.M.I., in which you become best friends with artificial intelligence, coincidentally enough, Cassie finds a cell phone in a park while jogging, takes it immediately to the lost and found, oh wait, no she doesn't. Cassie takes the phone home and tries this A.M.I. app out herself, and why not, because it seems to be already installed, up and running just waiting for Cassie to personalize it, to sound just like, her dead mom. The A.I. then does what it can to be the perfect mother, and to totally disapprove of her friends, especially Liam. So much so, that Cassie may have to take them out with an ax. Complete with a perfect ending that just feels right. Oh yea, must see!!
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Gretel & Hansel (2020) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Grim not Grimm
396. Gretel & Hansel. Do you remember the tale of Hansel and Gretel by the the Grimm Brothers? Well throw it away, because it's 2020 and Girls Rule so Gretel's name is first! Hell, Hansel didn't even make the movie poster! And maybe because its her fault for getting kicked out of their mother's house for not getting a damn job cause times are tough, so get out, and take your brother with you. Thanks mom! At this point, it seems instead of going towards civilization they go further into the woods, tripping on shrooms at one point. After walking for a bit, hunger kicks in, so they break into a house, nice, cause there's a table with a bunch of food to be seen. They get busted of course by the owner, Holda, who takes pity on them and invites them in and feeds em. Too fatten em up to eat them right? Like I said this is 2020, not 1812!! This time Gretel learns the ways of the witch, there's creepy figures in black roaming the woods at night Hansel learns to chop down trees, he's in a trance, whats going on?? In the end, I think it's an arthouse movie about a young girl coming of age, equipped with first period and all, shot like those old Christopher Lee horror movies of the 70's. Also suffers from the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves curse, everyone has the same accent, except the freaking star of the movie Gretel! HaHa! Filmbufftim on FB
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Honey Boy (2019) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
392. Honey Boy. A story about a boy, who's dad made a living off him, by pimping him out to Hollywood, ensuring he would grow up to be a weirdo, the Shia LeBeouf story. Ok, it's written by him, oh and it stars him as Tom Cruise's character from Born on the Fourth of July, only he's not in a wheel chair, he has a son. Dad, James and son, Otis live in a motel, close by the movie studios where Otis is a child actor, doing child actor things...insert Corey Feldman stories here... while his dad, lives off him, and doing other shady things and not being a good dad, and how the two deal with that. Movie also tells the tale of twenty-something Otis, and his adult acting life is... insert Shia LeBeouf stories here... where he relives the memories we are watching. Guy who plays older Otis, Lucas Hedges, has LeBeouf's super annoying way of aggressive, spit-talking and mannerisms down pact, even though it's not supposed to be him in the first place...ooops. I really did enjoy the movie I just felt there were several places where I felt the filmmakers were patting themselves on the back, saying to themselves 'yea man, this is deep. stretch this out a little longer, man, really show that this 12 year old boy's relationship with the prostitute across the way is beautiful, not creepy in any way at all.' Worth the watch, check it out! Filmbufftim on FB
JT (287 KP) rated The Possession of Hannah Grace (2018) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
If there was ever somewhere befitting of a horror film it’s in a morgue. But unlike the terrifying Autopsy of Jane Doe which, uses the location in a dark and gothic manner, The Possession of Hannah Grace feels overworked and desperate to please.
When an exorcism goes horribly wrong the body ends up within the confines of a Boston hospital morgue three months later. There, ex-cop Megan (Shay Mitchell) who is recovering from her own personal trauma, takes a job working the graveyard shift. The setting had so much potential it’s annoying that the film just saunters along, relying on cheap jump scares to capture audience attention.
As Megan walks about with not much to do until the eventual arrival of Hannah Grace’s disfigured corpse, she spends the time familiarising herself with the creepy surroundings. Megan’s backstory is far more interesting. Suffering from PTSD after watching her partner get gunned down, she battles an addiction to pills and now has the thankless task of having to battle a demon – hardly job satisfaction.
The setting had so much potential it’s annoying that the film just saunters along, relying on cheap jump scares to capture audience attention.
In fairness to director Diederik Van Rooijen, he has chosen a tried and tested subgenre. And he isn’t helped by Brian Sieve‘s poor script. There is the odd positive moment, mainly when Hannah’s twisted body offers a glimpse at something more sinister lurking inside her. But that’s about it.
“When you die, you die. End of story,” says Megan – and after 85 minutes we’re pleased it did.
When an exorcism goes horribly wrong the body ends up within the confines of a Boston hospital morgue three months later. There, ex-cop Megan (Shay Mitchell) who is recovering from her own personal trauma, takes a job working the graveyard shift. The setting had so much potential it’s annoying that the film just saunters along, relying on cheap jump scares to capture audience attention.
As Megan walks about with not much to do until the eventual arrival of Hannah Grace’s disfigured corpse, she spends the time familiarising herself with the creepy surroundings. Megan’s backstory is far more interesting. Suffering from PTSD after watching her partner get gunned down, she battles an addiction to pills and now has the thankless task of having to battle a demon – hardly job satisfaction.
The setting had so much potential it’s annoying that the film just saunters along, relying on cheap jump scares to capture audience attention.
In fairness to director Diederik Van Rooijen, he has chosen a tried and tested subgenre. And he isn’t helped by Brian Sieve‘s poor script. There is the odd positive moment, mainly when Hannah’s twisted body offers a glimpse at something more sinister lurking inside her. But that’s about it.
“When you die, you die. End of story,” says Megan – and after 85 minutes we’re pleased it did.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Crypt Suzette in Books
Feb 25, 2020
Halloween Hit and Run
Val Deniston’s granddad has taken on another boarder, a young woman named Suzette Cripps. Suzette spends most of her time in her room, but she is planning to participate in the literary themed costume contest to celebrate the town’s new bookstore. The morning after the contest, Suzette is dead, killed by a hit and run driver. The police are investigating, but they think it was an accident. Val can’t help but think it was more than that. Is she right?
The mystery starts out quickly, and it is easy for us to share Val’s suspicion that this wasn’t an accident. There are plenty of suspects, and I felt like it took a little while for me to keep them all straight. This is a minor complaint, however, as they did get developed as the book went along. I’m in awe at how the clues were sprinkled into the book, and as Val used them to piece things together at the end, I felt foolish for not picking up on them myself. The book is set at Halloween, and the fall atmosphere is a lot of fun. We get a creepy Halloween inspired scene near the end as well. Val’s granddad is a hoot, and I really enjoyed his sub-plot involving ghost hunting. There are five more five-ingredient recipes at the end of the book. While it would be fun to read this book at Halloween, it works well at any season of the year. I enjoyed it in February, after all.
The mystery starts out quickly, and it is easy for us to share Val’s suspicion that this wasn’t an accident. There are plenty of suspects, and I felt like it took a little while for me to keep them all straight. This is a minor complaint, however, as they did get developed as the book went along. I’m in awe at how the clues were sprinkled into the book, and as Val used them to piece things together at the end, I felt foolish for not picking up on them myself. The book is set at Halloween, and the fall atmosphere is a lot of fun. We get a creepy Halloween inspired scene near the end as well. Val’s granddad is a hoot, and I really enjoyed his sub-plot involving ghost hunting. There are five more five-ingredient recipes at the end of the book. While it would be fun to read this book at Halloween, it works well at any season of the year. I enjoyed it in February, after all.
Dead of Night: A World Book Day Book 2017
Book
Set in the alternative World War II scenario of his Front Lines novels, Michael Grant, author of the...
While the Women are Sleeping
Book
Celebrated as one of the greatest writers of his generation, Javier Marias is best known for his spy...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Black Box (2020) in Movies
Nov 23, 2020
I was pleasantly surprised by Black Box, even it does feel overly familiar.
The concept revolves around a man, Nolan, still suffering from amnesia, six months after he was in a car accident that killed his wife, and left him to raise their young daughter on his own. He eventually ends up taking part in an experimental procedure designed to help people like Nolan dive deep into their subconscious to directly confront their memories, and in turn, restore what they have lost.
It's a neat, if very Black Mirror-esque premise, with a hint of discount Get Out hypnosis for good measure.
There are plenty of plot turns scattered throughout, and when the inevitable big twist hits, it's lands an emotional punch. Some people I'm sure will argue that the twist is easy to see early on but it's elevated by some great performances, even if that is the case.
Lead actor Mamoudoe Athie is fantastic throughout, and is supported by decent turns from Phylicia Rashad, Tosin Morohunfola, and Charmaine Bingwa. Amanda Christine, who plays Nolan's daughter is great as well, and the chemistry between her and Athie really adds to the overall film.
Black Box won't set your world on fire, but it's a competent and tight thriller with a few creepy moments sprinkled here and there and It's comfortably the best of the recent Amazon Original-Blumhouse offerings, even if it does borrow liberally from other (and better) movies. It's not for everyone, but worth checking out.
The concept revolves around a man, Nolan, still suffering from amnesia, six months after he was in a car accident that killed his wife, and left him to raise their young daughter on his own. He eventually ends up taking part in an experimental procedure designed to help people like Nolan dive deep into their subconscious to directly confront their memories, and in turn, restore what they have lost.
It's a neat, if very Black Mirror-esque premise, with a hint of discount Get Out hypnosis for good measure.
There are plenty of plot turns scattered throughout, and when the inevitable big twist hits, it's lands an emotional punch. Some people I'm sure will argue that the twist is easy to see early on but it's elevated by some great performances, even if that is the case.
Lead actor Mamoudoe Athie is fantastic throughout, and is supported by decent turns from Phylicia Rashad, Tosin Morohunfola, and Charmaine Bingwa. Amanda Christine, who plays Nolan's daughter is great as well, and the chemistry between her and Athie really adds to the overall film.
Black Box won't set your world on fire, but it's a competent and tight thriller with a few creepy moments sprinkled here and there and It's comfortably the best of the recent Amazon Original-Blumhouse offerings, even if it does borrow liberally from other (and better) movies. It's not for everyone, but worth checking out.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Death Be Told (Terra Vane #5) in Books
Jun 29, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
97 of 250
Kindle
Death Be Told ( Terra Vane book 5)
By Katie Carys
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
My name is Terra, and I’m a Psychic. I have visions, but my gift is getting more dangerous and I’m starting to worry. Though the team are continuing the pursuit of the escapees, my own hunt has taken a different course now a psychopathic serial killer has taken an interest in me.
Obsessed with fairytales, he’s kidnapped a young woman, and I've seen what he intends to do. I can’t let it happen – I won’t let her go through that pain. But I need to address my own pain too, and that means confronting the hard truth of who I want to be with, face-to-face.
Right now, I feel like both the predator and the prey but one thing’s for certain, I won’t be letting the killer have his happy ending.
These books just get better and better! I think the characters and story are just so good.Karen is just all man! He’s finally getting his girl! Fingers crossed. I adore Terra too. This story was so good and creepy with one of their demon prisoners possessing the soul of a serial killer it was just so interesting watching her work with Grady and hopefully he will say yes to the job! He will definitely be an asset to the team. Plus for some reason I don’t think we have seen the last of Cole and his jealousy.
Kindle
Death Be Told ( Terra Vane book 5)
By Katie Carys
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
My name is Terra, and I’m a Psychic. I have visions, but my gift is getting more dangerous and I’m starting to worry. Though the team are continuing the pursuit of the escapees, my own hunt has taken a different course now a psychopathic serial killer has taken an interest in me.
Obsessed with fairytales, he’s kidnapped a young woman, and I've seen what he intends to do. I can’t let it happen – I won’t let her go through that pain. But I need to address my own pain too, and that means confronting the hard truth of who I want to be with, face-to-face.
Right now, I feel like both the predator and the prey but one thing’s for certain, I won’t be letting the killer have his happy ending.
These books just get better and better! I think the characters and story are just so good.Karen is just all man! He’s finally getting his girl! Fingers crossed. I adore Terra too. This story was so good and creepy with one of their demon prisoners possessing the soul of a serial killer it was just so interesting watching her work with Grady and hopefully he will say yes to the job! He will definitely be an asset to the team. Plus for some reason I don’t think we have seen the last of Cole and his jealousy.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) Dec 10, 2019 (Updated Dec 10, 2019)