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David McK (3377 KP) rated The Martian in Books
Jan 28, 2019
OK ... I'll admit it: I wasn't sure whether I would like this book or not.
I've been burned in the past with books that have been turned into movies where (IMO) the source material just wasn't really all that great.
I also have to make clear - I haven't actually seen the film yet, so can't compare the two, but I did wonder how interesting a story told almost entirely from one person's perspective - with that person also entirely on his own, kinda like a modern-day/near future Robinson Crusoe could be.
Now that I have read it, I must admit: i did find this a gripping read, even if there are passages that just seem to drag on a bit. The story, for anyone who doesn't know, is about astronaut Mark Watney, who has been left behind on the planet Mars by his crew-mates, who believe he has died, and the efforts he goes to to survive, while NASA do their best to formulate a rescue plan (as do his crew-mates when they discover he is still alive, and now the only man on the planet for an entire 2 years or so).
The ending, though, is also a bit anti-climactic: what happens next??
I've been burned in the past with books that have been turned into movies where (IMO) the source material just wasn't really all that great.
I also have to make clear - I haven't actually seen the film yet, so can't compare the two, but I did wonder how interesting a story told almost entirely from one person's perspective - with that person also entirely on his own, kinda like a modern-day/near future Robinson Crusoe could be.
Now that I have read it, I must admit: i did find this a gripping read, even if there are passages that just seem to drag on a bit. The story, for anyone who doesn't know, is about astronaut Mark Watney, who has been left behind on the planet Mars by his crew-mates, who believe he has died, and the efforts he goes to to survive, while NASA do their best to formulate a rescue plan (as do his crew-mates when they discover he is still alive, and now the only man on the planet for an entire 2 years or so).
The ending, though, is also a bit anti-climactic: what happens next??
David McK (3377 KP) rated The Blade Itself in Books
Jan 28, 2019
So, 'The Blade Itself'.
Like some other of these sprawling epic fantasies, this was a novel that, while I'd heard of it and had heard good things, I'd never actually got round to reading: put off, perhaps, by the sheer size of it?
That is, I'd never read it until now.
Following a group of disparate characters who eventually, by the end of the novel, more-or-less come together (in the same geographical location) or, at least, very obviously heading towards doing so, I have to say that I did quite enjoy it.
While I was initially concerned that the book may drag a bit (again, due to the sheer size ...), thankfully this did not prove to be the case. OK, there may have been certain sections that (IMO) it would have been better where they pruned somewhat, overall the story did move along well enough, and did hold my attention.
Like a heavy dinner, however, I think I may need a break before moving onto the next ([b: Before They Are Hanged|902715|Before They Are Hanged (The First Law, #2)|Joe Abercrombie|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1179318094s/902715.jpg|2116927]): two back-to-back is one too many!
Like some other of these sprawling epic fantasies, this was a novel that, while I'd heard of it and had heard good things, I'd never actually got round to reading: put off, perhaps, by the sheer size of it?
That is, I'd never read it until now.
Following a group of disparate characters who eventually, by the end of the novel, more-or-less come together (in the same geographical location) or, at least, very obviously heading towards doing so, I have to say that I did quite enjoy it.
While I was initially concerned that the book may drag a bit (again, due to the sheer size ...), thankfully this did not prove to be the case. OK, there may have been certain sections that (IMO) it would have been better where they pruned somewhat, overall the story did move along well enough, and did hold my attention.
Like a heavy dinner, however, I think I may need a break before moving onto the next ([b: Before They Are Hanged|902715|Before They Are Hanged (The First Law, #2)|Joe Abercrombie|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1179318094s/902715.jpg|2116927]): two back-to-back is one too many!
Mothergamer (1539 KP) rated NOS4A2 in TV
Jul 22, 2019
I have read the book and the book itself is pretty good and has some great moments in it. I was curious about the TV show so I checked it out. It's not bad, but it's not as strong as it could be. Zachary Quinto does an excellent job as the villain of the story Charlie Manx and Ashleigh Cummings does a great job as Vic Mcqueen. The rest of the cast is good as well. However, the TV show concept is very clunky in places and in some spots is kind of boring. There were opportunities for it to be scary because Charlie is supposed to be scary, but it falls flat and sometimes feels tedious and causes the story to drag out. The age makeup they did for Zachary Quinto is fantastic and the makeup for the children is well done as well. Honestly, the writing for the show is pretty weak which is unfortunate for a story that is about a macabre and surreal story. This is a case where the book is definitely better.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Fast and furious presents: Tango & cash
Ok so I was one of those people excited for this movie as I'm a big Statham/Johnson fan and wanted to see these characters work together after previously seeing their onscreen chemistry, although remained at ease as I've been duped by Hollywood before.
The movie starts by showing how different and alike the 2 characters are before throwing in some very welcome surprises.
During the movie, Statham shows how very comical he can be which is great to see but Johnson's attempt at being comical came across a little dry but was still entertaining.
This movie needs to stay far away from F&F as both are way too over the top and can only drag each Other down.
Aside from being what seems to be an odd attempt at combining F&F with the MCU, this was a great action movie none the less.
The back and forth Alpha male macho- testosterone filled competition between the two, with is worth the coin even if the story isn't you thing.
Quick note: this movie is very similar to the classic frenemy cop movie Tango and cash.
The movie starts by showing how different and alike the 2 characters are before throwing in some very welcome surprises.
During the movie, Statham shows how very comical he can be which is great to see but Johnson's attempt at being comical came across a little dry but was still entertaining.
This movie needs to stay far away from F&F as both are way too over the top and can only drag each Other down.
Aside from being what seems to be an odd attempt at combining F&F with the MCU, this was a great action movie none the less.
The back and forth Alpha male macho- testosterone filled competition between the two, with is worth the coin even if the story isn't you thing.
Quick note: this movie is very similar to the classic frenemy cop movie Tango and cash.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Thoroughbreds (2017) in Movies
Apr 28, 2020
A little pretentious
This film had a limited run when it was released at the cinema, and I’ve been interested to see it ever since. I’d heard good things about it, however I’m afraid to say it didn’t live up to expectations.
This is what I’d class as a pretentious arty type film, and I’m really not a big fan of films like this. There’s lots of overly dramatic music that sometimes works, but sometimes just seems ridiculously out of place. There’s also a lot of lingering shots of the characters doing barely anything that would be fine for a minute, but instead drag out for far too long. Despite this, this film does have some good points. The acting is fantastic, and the script is very smart and clever and surprisingly funny at times - the scene with the girls and Tim in the car was especially funny. The plot is a basic one, although I do feel like the story wasn’t entirely unpredictable although it was enjoyable. And fortunately it has a very short run time, which I was grateful for with all the irritating pretentious music and shots,
Overall this film was watchable, but I think it could’ve tried to be a little less pretentious.
This is what I’d class as a pretentious arty type film, and I’m really not a big fan of films like this. There’s lots of overly dramatic music that sometimes works, but sometimes just seems ridiculously out of place. There’s also a lot of lingering shots of the characters doing barely anything that would be fine for a minute, but instead drag out for far too long. Despite this, this film does have some good points. The acting is fantastic, and the script is very smart and clever and surprisingly funny at times - the scene with the girls and Tim in the car was especially funny. The plot is a basic one, although I do feel like the story wasn’t entirely unpredictable although it was enjoyable. And fortunately it has a very short run time, which I was grateful for with all the irritating pretentious music and shots,
Overall this film was watchable, but I think it could’ve tried to be a little less pretentious.
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