Search
Kim Pook (101 KP) rated Brahms: The Boy II (2020) in Movies
Jun 2, 2022
From the start, the movie does have a different feel to the first movie. It's brightly lit and doesn't have that eerie look that the first movie did, but do prepare for the first jump scare literally minutes into the movie.
Anyway after a traumatic event at their home, a family decide to rent a house in a new location. During a walk in the woods, their now mute son Jude finds a doll buried in the woods and decides to keep it. The family clean it up and go to bed, it is soon obvious that something is inhabiting the doll as we see it's eyes and head move, and Jude appears to be communicating with the doll, which if you've seen the first movie literally makes no sense. The mum eventually realises there's something odd about the doll, but is it too late?
Despite the I continuity from the first movie and the so many plot holes, I did enjoy it but I hope there's a 3rd movie to explain the connection between both movies.
Anyway after a traumatic event at their home, a family decide to rent a house in a new location. During a walk in the woods, their now mute son Jude finds a doll buried in the woods and decides to keep it. The family clean it up and go to bed, it is soon obvious that something is inhabiting the doll as we see it's eyes and head move, and Jude appears to be communicating with the doll, which if you've seen the first movie literally makes no sense. The mum eventually realises there's something odd about the doll, but is it too late?
Despite the I continuity from the first movie and the so many plot holes, I did enjoy it but I hope there's a 3rd movie to explain the connection between both movies.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated An Unwanted Guest in Books
Mar 11, 2019
Eerie read with a rather tidy ending
Mitchell's Inn is a lovely lodge far away from the hustle and bustle of it all--there's no wifi, just a relaxing setting, good food, and comfortable rooms. But this particular weekend, things go awry when a bad storm hits, covering the Inn in ice and knocking out the power: there's no phone service or the ability for anyone to leave the premises. Then, by morning, one of the guests is dead. It could be an accident, but no one can say for sure. And when the second guest dies, it's certain: they are trapped with a murderer. There's no power, no contact with the world, and someone is slowly killing them off. Is someone else next and how do the remaining guests stay safe?
"It feels like they're playing at something, some sort of parlor game, or murder mystery evening, with the lights out. Only no one's having fun."
Believe it or not, I've never read a book by Shari Lapena, but I was drawn to this one due to the Agatha Christie comparisons, as I'm a sucker for anything similar to Christie. And this one definitely had some likenesses, with the guests trapped in the Inn, limiting our pool of suspects (and victims). Weirdly enough, my brain kept occasionally going to the movie Clue too - silly, I know, but something about the setting!
This book draws you in from the beginning; the first death happens fairly quickly. There are a lot of characters to keep track of: most are in pairs, and I found myself flipping back a page or two trying to remember who was attached to whom for a while. The narration style is in very short paragraphs, each from the perspective of a different guest. This gives you a bit of whiplash feel at times, as you never really get to fully immerse yourself in anyone's point of view. Still, while I did feel things slowed slightly after the first death, for the most part it keeps things moving fairly quickly and lets you see things from a variety of sides.
Lapena is also very descriptive and sets the scene well. It's easy to picture this lovely Inn--which quickly turns dark and disastrous. The book is actually creepy and eerie at times; I won't go into detail as to why, to avoid spoilers, but I definitely found myself a little spooked. In fact, I was surprised the guests were so calm in the beginning, what with a dead woman and no power! (Don't worry, it won't last.) The novel allows you to think how you'd feel in that particular situation. It certainly doesn't encourage you to go vacation at a remote Inn anytime soon.
I was certainly completely perplexed at whodunnit, so kudos to Lapena for that. With such a limited cast of characters (and getting slimmer every moment), that's quite a feat. I thought the ending was a bit tidy and I was left feeling oddly letdown; I'm not sure I can even explain why.
Overall, I enjoyed this one even I didn't wildly love it. It does have a bit of a Christie feel to it, and it kept me guessing. The scene setting is excellent, and I liked the eerie, trapped sense I felt while reading. It wraps up a tad neatly, but I'd still recommend it.
"It feels like they're playing at something, some sort of parlor game, or murder mystery evening, with the lights out. Only no one's having fun."
Believe it or not, I've never read a book by Shari Lapena, but I was drawn to this one due to the Agatha Christie comparisons, as I'm a sucker for anything similar to Christie. And this one definitely had some likenesses, with the guests trapped in the Inn, limiting our pool of suspects (and victims). Weirdly enough, my brain kept occasionally going to the movie Clue too - silly, I know, but something about the setting!
This book draws you in from the beginning; the first death happens fairly quickly. There are a lot of characters to keep track of: most are in pairs, and I found myself flipping back a page or two trying to remember who was attached to whom for a while. The narration style is in very short paragraphs, each from the perspective of a different guest. This gives you a bit of whiplash feel at times, as you never really get to fully immerse yourself in anyone's point of view. Still, while I did feel things slowed slightly after the first death, for the most part it keeps things moving fairly quickly and lets you see things from a variety of sides.
Lapena is also very descriptive and sets the scene well. It's easy to picture this lovely Inn--which quickly turns dark and disastrous. The book is actually creepy and eerie at times; I won't go into detail as to why, to avoid spoilers, but I definitely found myself a little spooked. In fact, I was surprised the guests were so calm in the beginning, what with a dead woman and no power! (Don't worry, it won't last.) The novel allows you to think how you'd feel in that particular situation. It certainly doesn't encourage you to go vacation at a remote Inn anytime soon.
I was certainly completely perplexed at whodunnit, so kudos to Lapena for that. With such a limited cast of characters (and getting slimmer every moment), that's quite a feat. I thought the ending was a bit tidy and I was left feeling oddly letdown; I'm not sure I can even explain why.
Overall, I enjoyed this one even I didn't wildly love it. It does have a bit of a Christie feel to it, and it kept me guessing. The scene setting is excellent, and I liked the eerie, trapped sense I felt while reading. It wraps up a tad neatly, but I'd still recommend it.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Best Day Ever in Books
Jan 21, 2018
Creepy, eerie narration (2 more)
Unreliable narrator
Tense and terrifying writing
Creepy, twisted tale
Paul Strom has the perfect life. He's a successful, wealthy advertising executive with a gorgeous wife, Mia, and two young sons. They live happily in a beautiful house and all is well. Paul is even taking Mia away for a romantic weekend to the couple's lake home--just to celebrate how good they have it. But the day starts off poorly--they are delayed when Paul takes a phone call, seemingly annoying Mia, and it's clear there is tension between the perfect couple. As they drive toward the lake, it appears as if nothing as is good and wonderful as it seems.
I'd heard a lot of good things about this book and was excited to receive it for Christmas. I have to say that Rouda definitely nails the unreliable narrator. The book is told entirely from Paul's perspective, and the result is an eerie, creepy tale. At first he seems like a slightly overbearing husband whose focus is on providing for his family. But as the story progresses, Paul drops a lot of clues that something (perhaps a lot of somethings) is off and more and more comes to light as the story unfolds that all is not as it seems with Paul and Mia.
As for Mia, we basically see her only from Paul's point of view, which is interesting. Is she truly this obedient wife, submitting to her husband's every whim? And is Paul truly fooling Mia as much as he thinks he is? We're along for the ride, subject to Paul's arrogance and forced to read between the lines as he tells us his tale.
In a way, not much happens in this novel, which basically covers one day--Paul and Mia's "best day ever" away at their lake house--and it can get slow at times. I kept waiting for some explosive surprise or reveal, but that never really materialized. Instead, the strength here is in the tense and terrifying writing and the characterization of Paul, which was beyond superb. As the hours tick by, you'll be on the edge of your seat and sucked into Paul's delusions. I sort of loved his machinations and was totally drawn into his sick little world. He reminded me a bit of Joe from You - just a great, albeit sick, character.
I'd heard a lot of good things about this book and was excited to receive it for Christmas. I have to say that Rouda definitely nails the unreliable narrator. The book is told entirely from Paul's perspective, and the result is an eerie, creepy tale. At first he seems like a slightly overbearing husband whose focus is on providing for his family. But as the story progresses, Paul drops a lot of clues that something (perhaps a lot of somethings) is off and more and more comes to light as the story unfolds that all is not as it seems with Paul and Mia.
As for Mia, we basically see her only from Paul's point of view, which is interesting. Is she truly this obedient wife, submitting to her husband's every whim? And is Paul truly fooling Mia as much as he thinks he is? We're along for the ride, subject to Paul's arrogance and forced to read between the lines as he tells us his tale.
In a way, not much happens in this novel, which basically covers one day--Paul and Mia's "best day ever" away at their lake house--and it can get slow at times. I kept waiting for some explosive surprise or reveal, but that never really materialized. Instead, the strength here is in the tense and terrifying writing and the characterization of Paul, which was beyond superb. As the hours tick by, you'll be on the edge of your seat and sucked into Paul's delusions. I sort of loved his machinations and was totally drawn into his sick little world. He reminded me a bit of Joe from You - just a great, albeit sick, character.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated As Good as It Gets (1997) in Movies
Apr 20, 2020
I have no idea what I just watched. Seriously, I feel like I wasted 2 hours of my life on a run around film that made literally no sense. Not only was Melvin just a horrible person, but he was also racist, and homophobic, and sexist, and THAT'S the ending they went with? I'm so confused.
You ever just watch those films and you get an eerie feeling because you know it didn't age well? This is one of those. I can't imagine it did that good when it came out, but now? Now it's just painful and bad. I'm so confused as to how this film has an 8. Someone, please explain where they saw an 8 in this movie. Did we watch the same one? God help me.
Also, Jack Nicholson looks like he could be Helen Hunt's dad. I have some questions for the casting director, the writers, the director, honestly the whole staff. Did they think this film was going to be good when they made it? The dog was the best part of the film. I feel like that's saying something.
You ever just watch those films and you get an eerie feeling because you know it didn't age well? This is one of those. I can't imagine it did that good when it came out, but now? Now it's just painful and bad. I'm so confused as to how this film has an 8. Someone, please explain where they saw an 8 in this movie. Did we watch the same one? God help me.
Also, Jack Nicholson looks like he could be Helen Hunt's dad. I have some questions for the casting director, the writers, the director, honestly the whole staff. Did they think this film was going to be good when they made it? The dog was the best part of the film. I feel like that's saying something.
Rasputin: The Biography
Book
A hundred years after his murder, Rasputin continues to excite the popular imagination as the...
Amazing Fishing Stories - Incredible Tales from Stream to Open Sea
Book
A wonderful collection of tales of adventure with rod and line. This eclectic collection includes...
Haunted Hikes: Real Life Stories of Paranormal Activity in the Woods
Book
Strange things happen in the woods-paranormal sightings along rarely used dirt paths through the...
Spooky New England: Tales of Hauntings, Strange Happenings, and Other Local Lore
Paul Hoffman and S.E. Schlosser
Book
A collection of folktales highlighting famous and not-so-famous New England ghosts, mysterious...
Spooky New Jersey: Tales of Hauntings, Strange Happenings, and Other Local Lore
Paul Hoffman and S.E. Schlosser
Book
A collection of 40 folktales highlighting famous and not-so-famous New Jersey ghosts, mysterious...
The Four Dimensional Human: Ways of Being in the Digital World
Book
This book is the winner of the Jerwood Prize. A constellation of everyday digital phenomena is...