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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Shot in the Dark in TV
Nov 25, 2017 (Updated Nov 26, 2017)
Great for the first few episodes
For fans of @Nightcrawler (2014), this is the real-life version following the journeys of three stringers, competing to out-shoot each other. From fires, crashes to shootings and industrial accidents, it's life and death on a daily basis, but at what cost?
Howard Raishbrook of RMG News attempts to ward off competition from his more successful counterparts Scott Lane of LoudLabs and Zak Holman of OnScene, in this cutthroat industry where morals seem sparse. While not as completely corrupt as Jake Gyllenhaal's character in Nightcrawler, Scott and Zak seem closer to his personality, with nothing off the table. In between are internal battles with Raishbrook's twin brother becoming a news story himself, the monopoly of the industry squeezing out smaller companies such as RMG, and how close each of them get to sudden death every night.
It's a great series, but after four episodes it begins to wear you down quite quickly and the images end up appearing no different to one another (I should know, we used to use stringers in the newsroom every day). As a result, it has a desensitising effect, and the series' initial lure begins to wear thin. The show could have been cut down by four episodes to remain interesting.
Howard Raishbrook of RMG News attempts to ward off competition from his more successful counterparts Scott Lane of LoudLabs and Zak Holman of OnScene, in this cutthroat industry where morals seem sparse. While not as completely corrupt as Jake Gyllenhaal's character in Nightcrawler, Scott and Zak seem closer to his personality, with nothing off the table. In between are internal battles with Raishbrook's twin brother becoming a news story himself, the monopoly of the industry squeezing out smaller companies such as RMG, and how close each of them get to sudden death every night.
It's a great series, but after four episodes it begins to wear you down quite quickly and the images end up appearing no different to one another (I should know, we used to use stringers in the newsroom every day). As a result, it has a desensitising effect, and the series' initial lure begins to wear thin. The show could have been cut down by four episodes to remain interesting.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Jigsaw (2017) in Movies
Jan 11, 2018
Just let this franchise rest in peace
Okay I can honestly say after the second movie I really wasn't expecting much all I really asked for in a Saw movie is creative deaths and a hell of a lot of blood and with this last installment I didn't get either one of them.
I really don't know what they thought they were doing with this movie or what the actors thought they were doing because the whole thing was just a jumbled mess. None of the acting was believable in the slightest bit and it frankly came off incredibly cheesy 99% of the time, storyline felt like they were just making a movie to make a movie and didn't really think any of it out.
Usually the twist endungs tend to be kind of interesting for me but this one did nothing and I wasn't really surprised at the end either mainly because I was just so uninterested in the whole plot that I kind just went "huh I guess this means they're going to beat this dead horse some more."
The only thing I really gave them is what I dubbed the flower death at the end but still I feel like this movie was missing a lot of blood... especially for a Saw movie.
Please just let this franchise die.
I really don't know what they thought they were doing with this movie or what the actors thought they were doing because the whole thing was just a jumbled mess. None of the acting was believable in the slightest bit and it frankly came off incredibly cheesy 99% of the time, storyline felt like they were just making a movie to make a movie and didn't really think any of it out.
Usually the twist endungs tend to be kind of interesting for me but this one did nothing and I wasn't really surprised at the end either mainly because I was just so uninterested in the whole plot that I kind just went "huh I guess this means they're going to beat this dead horse some more."
The only thing I really gave them is what I dubbed the flower death at the end but still I feel like this movie was missing a lot of blood... especially for a Saw movie.
Please just let this franchise die.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Perfect Death (Detective John Stallings #3) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Let me begin by saying that this book introduced me to a wonderful author who I can not wait to read more of!! I love when I can say that about any book, especially a book that I won from First Reads!
The Perfect Death was non-stop action & suspense from page one. It truly started off to hook the reader & it worked for me! The plot felt incredibly real particularly the parts dealing with the Jacksonville Sheriffs & how police handle investigations. The fascinating part was not how the characters handled the police work, but how they interacted with each other. It seemed like a real life workplace with honest to God co-workers.
The plot itself deals with a serial killer who has been on the hunt in North Florida. He finds young, naive victims & strangles them with a cord. As the story continues you find out that he is using them to complete his "work of art." He is a glass blower & blows jars in which he traps his victims' last breaths before he proceeds to strangle them to death.
This book is a fascinating look into real police work & the mind of a serial killer. A person no one thought to take a second glance at until it was too late. I really do look forward to reading more from this author in the future!!!
The Perfect Death was non-stop action & suspense from page one. It truly started off to hook the reader & it worked for me! The plot felt incredibly real particularly the parts dealing with the Jacksonville Sheriffs & how police handle investigations. The fascinating part was not how the characters handled the police work, but how they interacted with each other. It seemed like a real life workplace with honest to God co-workers.
The plot itself deals with a serial killer who has been on the hunt in North Florida. He finds young, naive victims & strangles them with a cord. As the story continues you find out that he is using them to complete his "work of art." He is a glass blower & blows jars in which he traps his victims' last breaths before he proceeds to strangle them to death.
This book is a fascinating look into real police work & the mind of a serial killer. A person no one thought to take a second glance at until it was too late. I really do look forward to reading more from this author in the future!!!
Colin Campbell (25 KP) rated Braveheart (1995) in Movies
Apr 28, 2019
Action (2 more)
Swordplay
Freedom
Historically inaccurate (1 more)
Gibson's accent
Hold... Hold... HOOOLLLLDDDD!
Contains spoilers, click to show
As a story this is a great film, unfortunately people who have limited or no knowledge of Scottish History take this film as a portrayal of all things Scottish around this time.
So to save some confusion:
Longshanks died well after Wallace
The French Princess did not exist
The Bruce wasn't a traitor
Wallace wasn't the leader until after Stirling Bridge
Woad hadn't been worn for about 1000 years
It didn't start with the death of his wife
So now I have this off my chest, to the film itself. It is an epic and one of the films that you must see before you die, just like Shawshank, High Noon and Inside Out.
The story of the one group persecuting another, and a man coming back to his village after spending time abroad learning taking revenge on the death of his secret wife cumulating in open rebellion and war is a common story told many times in cinema history. What makes this is the scenery and the cinematography.
The fight scenes show the brutality and barbarity of war in this era in history. This does it expertly!
If you want something more historically accurate look at Rob Roy with Liam Neeson, if you want a chill film this is the one for you.
So to save some confusion:
Longshanks died well after Wallace
The French Princess did not exist
The Bruce wasn't a traitor
Wallace wasn't the leader until after Stirling Bridge
Woad hadn't been worn for about 1000 years
It didn't start with the death of his wife
So now I have this off my chest, to the film itself. It is an epic and one of the films that you must see before you die, just like Shawshank, High Noon and Inside Out.
The story of the one group persecuting another, and a man coming back to his village after spending time abroad learning taking revenge on the death of his secret wife cumulating in open rebellion and war is a common story told many times in cinema history. What makes this is the scenery and the cinematography.
The fight scenes show the brutality and barbarity of war in this era in history. This does it expertly!
If you want something more historically accurate look at Rob Roy with Liam Neeson, if you want a chill film this is the one for you.
Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated The Hills Run Red (2009) in Movies
Mar 28, 2018
Awesome kills (2 more)
William Sadler is AMAZING as usual
Pretty good story line
Indie Horror that kicks Mainstreams Ass
Going in to an indie film. I kinda hold my breath for the possibility that it could suck big time.
But, with this movie I was shockingly surprised with what transpired here.
Knowing a head of time the outcome of this film, because I have big mouthed friends, i was able to breathe comfortably and enjoy this movie.
It got right in to the death and disturbing story. It got all gross and disturbing just how I like them.
The only thing that truly bothered me about this movie is the incestual storyline that, while it made sense to the overall outcome of the film, it kind of put a damper on the last 30 minutes of the movie.
Incestual characters have been a staple in horror. From the Sawyers to the Wrong Turn mountain men. All of which provided amazing franchise horror movies.
The fact that this movie almost beats to death that Dollface is the product of incest is kind of annoying.
But all in all, this movie is fun, gross, disturbing and ultra cool.
All praise indie films folks, without them there would be almost no good horror films to view for sickening individuals such as myself.
But, with this movie I was shockingly surprised with what transpired here.
Knowing a head of time the outcome of this film, because I have big mouthed friends, i was able to breathe comfortably and enjoy this movie.
It got right in to the death and disturbing story. It got all gross and disturbing just how I like them.
The only thing that truly bothered me about this movie is the incestual storyline that, while it made sense to the overall outcome of the film, it kind of put a damper on the last 30 minutes of the movie.
Incestual characters have been a staple in horror. From the Sawyers to the Wrong Turn mountain men. All of which provided amazing franchise horror movies.
The fact that this movie almost beats to death that Dollface is the product of incest is kind of annoying.
But all in all, this movie is fun, gross, disturbing and ultra cool.
All praise indie films folks, without them there would be almost no good horror films to view for sickening individuals such as myself.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Seeds of Revenge (A Greenhouse Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Megan Sawyer sees a woman stranded during a winter storm, she offers her a ride to town. The woman is Becca, who is coming to Winsome to spend the upcoming Christmas holiday with her aunt. However, when she goes to drop off Becca, Megan witnesses a confrontation between Becca and her very estranged father, Paul. When Paul dies a few days later, Becca quickly becomes the chief suspect. But Megan thinks there is more to his death, especially since it mirrors an unusual death in one of Megan’s aunt Sarah’s books. Is the killer using the book to send a message?
The Christmas setting is in contrast to the plot of this book. In fact, it makes it seem darker as a result. This is a plot that will stay with you for a while after you are done. Little things that appear to mean nothing come into clearer focus when we reach the climax of the tightly plotted story. I enjoyed seeing the returning characters again, but the new characters really steal the show. They are very strong, even Paul, which is unusual for a murder victim.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-seeds-of-revenge-by-wendy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The Christmas setting is in contrast to the plot of this book. In fact, it makes it seem darker as a result. This is a plot that will stay with you for a while after you are done. Little things that appear to mean nothing come into clearer focus when we reach the climax of the tightly plotted story. I enjoyed seeing the returning characters again, but the new characters really steal the show. They are very strong, even Paul, which is unusual for a murder victim.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-seeds-of-revenge-by-wendy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sue (5 KP) rated The Coroner in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Emily Hartford seems to be doing well for herself with a promising surgical career in Chicago and having been recently engaged to a third-year surgical resident. Her world is turned upside down when she receives a call telling her that her estranged medical examiner father has suffered a major heart attack and she must come home.
Upon arrival at her hometown of Freeport, which she fled over 12 years ago after the mysterious death of her mother, Emily is pulled into an investigation. With her ME father unable to assist, Sheriff Nick Larson (Em’s old high school flame) asks her help in finding out if the sudden unexplained death of a Senator’s teen daughter was an accident or murder.
This book is engaging with several different stories going on at once. The first story is the mystery of the Senator’s daughter who was an equestrian, good student, and all around loved individual. How and why was she killed? The second story is about the relationship between Emily and her father. They once were so close, but with the mysterious accident her mother suffered leaving her dead, daughter and father have a rocky relationship. The third story is of Emily and trying to find out what she really wants in life.
The is a true mystery-suspense drama with a very surprising ending.
Upon arrival at her hometown of Freeport, which she fled over 12 years ago after the mysterious death of her mother, Emily is pulled into an investigation. With her ME father unable to assist, Sheriff Nick Larson (Em’s old high school flame) asks her help in finding out if the sudden unexplained death of a Senator’s teen daughter was an accident or murder.
This book is engaging with several different stories going on at once. The first story is the mystery of the Senator’s daughter who was an equestrian, good student, and all around loved individual. How and why was she killed? The second story is about the relationship between Emily and her father. They once were so close, but with the mysterious accident her mother suffered leaving her dead, daughter and father have a rocky relationship. The third story is of Emily and trying to find out what she really wants in life.
The is a true mystery-suspense drama with a very surprising ending.
David McK (3369 KP) rated Superman: The Final Days of Superman in Books
Jan 30, 2019
"Superman is dying"
There's just something about those words, isn't there? Maybe it'sthe fact that he's the most famous Superheor of them all, or the fact that he is oftne portrayed as (effectively) a benign God-among-men, but those 3 words immediately hook you in.
Of course, we all know that it's not going to be permanent: perhaps it would be fairer to say "This incarnation of Superman is dying"!
Also, unlike [book:The Death of Superman|154795], this time his death is not caused by (essentially) being-hit-really-hard (Doomsday), but is instead an equivalent of cancer caused by a combination of events he has been through (none of which I had read): this Superman has the time to say his goodbyes over the course of this story arc: an arc that sees him slowly succumbing at the same time as another (Super)man appears, a man who claims to be Clark Kent and has all the same abilities.
It's hard, I think, to write a good Superman story: after all, the Man of Steel is virtually indestructible, so any approach that humanizes him is a good thing. Of course, that's not to say there's not lots of fighty-punchy within this (a Superman story without such? Nah!), but it's still interesting (morbid?) to see how he finally succumbs, even if it does leave several plot thread hanging!
There's just something about those words, isn't there? Maybe it'sthe fact that he's the most famous Superheor of them all, or the fact that he is oftne portrayed as (effectively) a benign God-among-men, but those 3 words immediately hook you in.
Of course, we all know that it's not going to be permanent: perhaps it would be fairer to say "This incarnation of Superman is dying"!
Also, unlike [book:The Death of Superman|154795], this time his death is not caused by (essentially) being-hit-really-hard (Doomsday), but is instead an equivalent of cancer caused by a combination of events he has been through (none of which I had read): this Superman has the time to say his goodbyes over the course of this story arc: an arc that sees him slowly succumbing at the same time as another (Super)man appears, a man who claims to be Clark Kent and has all the same abilities.
It's hard, I think, to write a good Superman story: after all, the Man of Steel is virtually indestructible, so any approach that humanizes him is a good thing. Of course, that's not to say there's not lots of fighty-punchy within this (a Superman story without such? Nah!), but it's still interesting (morbid?) to see how he finally succumbs, even if it does leave several plot thread hanging!
The Secret Worlds of Stephen Ward: Sex, Scandal and Deadly Secrets in the Profumo Affair
Anthony Summers and Stephen Dorrill
Book
The Profumo Affair was the political scandal of the twentieth century. The Tory War Minister, John...
Cicero: Letters to Friends: v. 1
Marcus Tullius Cicero and D.R. Shackleton bailey
Book
Cicero was a prodigious letter writer, and happily a splendid treasury of his letters has come down...