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Jeremy Workman recommended Blast of Silence (1961) in Movies (curated)
Suswatibasu (1702 KP) rated His Bloody Project in Books
Jul 25, 2017
Well written, realistic penny dreadful
The author has done quite a spectacular job of researching this piece of historical fiction, bringing to life a gruesome episode in 1800s Scotland. Expect to read a documentary type book and not a particularly suspenseful thriller. It took a long time to get into this book, mostly because the performance was quite dry and dull, hence I struggled to concentrate. During the crux of the story, in which Roddy is in court, the story picks up slightly, sounding more like a courtroom drama. He attempts to explore the idea of moral insanity, but falls short mostly because of the lack of understanding they would have at the time the book is set.
Well written and researched but a bit bland.
Well written and researched but a bit bland.
The Craggus (360 KP) rated Free Solo (2018) in Movies
Mar 7, 2019
The best view comes after the hardest climb. Free Solo (2019) Review
In a world of ever-increasing strip-mining of existing properties for prequels and spin-offs, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine someone would set out to make a whole movie about the opening sequence of “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier”.
Of course, that was fantasy and “Free Solo” is reality and although the climbing of El Capitan is the film’s crowning glory, the real hook of the documentary is in its exploration of what drives Alex Honnold to do what he does, proving that there’s so much more to the compulsion to climb a mountain than ‘because it’s there’...
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusFreeSolo
Of course, that was fantasy and “Free Solo” is reality and although the climbing of El Capitan is the film’s crowning glory, the real hook of the documentary is in its exploration of what drives Alex Honnold to do what he does, proving that there’s so much more to the compulsion to climb a mountain than ‘because it’s there’...
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusFreeSolo
Awix (3310 KP) rated Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story (2019) in Movies
Apr 2, 2019 (Updated Apr 2, 2019)
Hugely affectionate and enjoyable portrait of Chris Sievey, who became a cult figure as the hapless, anarchic, peculiar all-round entertainer Frank Sidebottom. Sievey/Frank is probably best known outside the UK thanks to the movie he inspired with Michael Fassbender wearing the head; this documentary makes it quite clear just how much stranger and more entertaining than fiction reality was in this case.
Definitely a portrait of Sievey rather than his creation, but still hugely entertaining: the film doesn't skimp on detailing the troubles that he encountered throughout his life, but you still come away with a definite sense of a life well lived, and an immensely creative mind ceaselessly at work. A worthy memorial to a unique individual.
Definitely a portrait of Sievey rather than his creation, but still hugely entertaining: the film doesn't skimp on detailing the troubles that he encountered throughout his life, but you still come away with a definite sense of a life well lived, and an immensely creative mind ceaselessly at work. A worthy memorial to a unique individual.
Interesting, but nothing much happens
Don't expect this to be a true crime series. The blurb leads you to believe this may be a murder investigation. It is not.
What S-Town is, is an in-depth look at a troubled man in rural Alabama, who desperately wants some attention and for someone to care about the same things as him. He sees things happening locally that he is not happy with and is struggling to do anything about it.
The documentary series is a well structured analysis of a man with a head full of knowledge and a heart of gold, but with so many internal issues that hold him back.
Interesting, for sure, but not what you might be led to expect.
What S-Town is, is an in-depth look at a troubled man in rural Alabama, who desperately wants some attention and for someone to care about the same things as him. He sees things happening locally that he is not happy with and is struggling to do anything about it.
The documentary series is a well structured analysis of a man with a head full of knowledge and a heart of gold, but with so many internal issues that hold him back.
Interesting, for sure, but not what you might be led to expect.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Them! (1954) in Movies
Feb 19, 2018 (Updated Feb 19, 2018)
Granddaddy of atomic bug movies works incredibly hard to stay credible as a drama; mostly succeeds. Government agents discover giant mutant ants on the rampage; can they contain the threat and keep the secret until the ants can be destroyed? Not quite documentary-style realism, but close enough; hard edged, takes itself impressively seriously.
Notable for featuring some relatively famous faces early in their careers - also for its use of full-scale ant puppets rather than animation or trick photography. Atom-fear angle is underplayed for the most part; this still stands up well as an SF thriller. The climax, with machine guns and flamethrowers battling snapping mandibles and exoskeletal monsters in the sewers under Los Angeles, was surely an influence on Aliens.
Notable for featuring some relatively famous faces early in their careers - also for its use of full-scale ant puppets rather than animation or trick photography. Atom-fear angle is underplayed for the most part; this still stands up well as an SF thriller. The climax, with machine guns and flamethrowers battling snapping mandibles and exoskeletal monsters in the sewers under Los Angeles, was surely an influence on Aliens.
ierce Fighters: Predators Nature's Toughest Go Head to Head by Lee Martin, and Paul Beck is a neat documentary on animals that brings their characteristic and put them face to face. The photographers who captured these magnificent creatures in these brief moments did a wonderful job of showcasing that predatory instinct that makes your skin shiver knowing you are about to be on the bottom of Mother Nature’s food chain.
The reader is provided a wealth of information; such as, the battles and animal statics along with where the various creatures live, their habitats. The reader learns about animal weapons, as in their body parts, which help them attack or defend themselves.
This is a great book for children who love animals and facts about animals.
The reader is provided a wealth of information; such as, the battles and animal statics along with where the various creatures live, their habitats. The reader learns about animal weapons, as in their body parts, which help them attack or defend themselves.
This is a great book for children who love animals and facts about animals.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated The Monster of Mangatiti (2015) in Movies
Aug 9, 2018 (Updated Aug 9, 2018)
This story in Netflix is a true story account of a woman who was duped into going to a man's farm to work as a tutor for his son but was actually kept there as a slave and abused mentally, physically and sexually. The acting in this was pretty good and the film work was decent. The story was not fast paced but told A LOT in a short time. This was one womans account of what happened to her but the man had done it to many others. It was well told and would be of interest to those who like true crime documentary style movies. Nothing too graphic but the content probably isn't for kids. Worth a watch.
Erika (17789 KP) rated They Shall Not Grow Old (2018) in Movies
Dec 22, 2018
Wow. This documentary was amazing. The restoration work, and the care that was taken with the footage is awe-inspiring. The Fathom Event showing had a short 30 minute program afterwards where Peter Jackson gave more insight into what all was done.
At first, it's all in black and white, when the colorization portion started, there was a collective gasp in the full theater. It was definitely reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, in terms of the overall reveal.
The use of the actual veterans talking about life during the Great War were really interesting to hear, and though they used dozens of people, they were blended together seamlessly. I absolutely loved it, and can't wait until I can purchase it.
At first, it's all in black and white, when the colorization portion started, there was a collective gasp in the full theater. It was definitely reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, in terms of the overall reveal.
The use of the actual veterans talking about life during the Great War were really interesting to hear, and though they used dozens of people, they were blended together seamlessly. I absolutely loved it, and can't wait until I can purchase it.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Daisy Jones & the Six in Books
Jan 2, 2020
Superb as an Audio-book
A brilliantly narrated audiobook with a full cast creating an immersive experience. Listening to this came across as you would expect a very well produced radio documentary into the history of a significant band.
Following the rise and the split of a 70s band, we get multiple POVs from band members and those around them recounting the history of the band. It was all very believable, almost too much to the point that it was rather predictable because it so easily could be true. I’m not sure this would have done much for me if I’d read the book but it would of certainly of been a unique reading experience; I was easily caught up in the audiobook.
Following the rise and the split of a 70s band, we get multiple POVs from band members and those around them recounting the history of the band. It was all very believable, almost too much to the point that it was rather predictable because it so easily could be true. I’m not sure this would have done much for me if I’d read the book but it would of certainly of been a unique reading experience; I was easily caught up in the audiobook.
