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Nick Friesen (96 KP) rated Fight Club (1999) in Movies
Jul 15, 2017
Brad Pitt & Edward Norton, What a Duo! (2 more)
One of David Fincher's Best
Dark Humor with a Satisfying Twist
The Twist that Hits Harder than Any Punch
Fight Club is a classic at this point, itself a riveting adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's also classic novel. The first time you watch it, the twist hits harder than any punch thrown in the movie. The second time you watch it, it's fun to try and catch all the signs pointing to the twist. It's crazy good, mostly driven by Edward Norton and Brad Pitt's strangely powerful bro chemistry and director David Fincher's excellent vision. It is understandable that the casual movie-goer may be turned off by Fight Club however, as it is dark and a bit too nihilistic in places for its own good.
Gloria (27 KP) rated Prison Break - Season 1 in TV
Jul 18, 2017
No Escaping The High Ratings
I've never been so into a show as this one. My binge-watching addiction commenced with this series. Truly addicting and irresistible. If I had to choose between all the shows I've watched, this is one of the BEST! Innovative and creative. It contains clever inventions of escape that never fail to amaze. I'm not a nail-biter, but this is the show that can cause one to start. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. I didn't watch this show as it aired, I watched it on NETFLIX, I cannot imagine the viewers who actually had to wait years for the upcoming seasons because each episode has cliffhangers that leave you itching for more. It contains a great story line. Sharp plotting. It's excellent, suspenseful, and intriguing. Overall, an unpredictable thrill ride.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Heirs of the Blade in Books
Sep 13, 2017
For me this was the standout book of the whole series. It could be that there was more action and mysticism involved (more akin to your common sword and sorcery) or just that it was more self-contained. Tynisa journeys to the Commonweal to ease her conscience and tell of Prince Salme's death and becomes embroiled in his family's battles with other families and royalty. Overall, the book doesn't add a great deal to the series' storyline, other than having the space to explore Tisamon's needs from beyond the grave and Che and the Empress' link and abilities developing.
An excellent piece of fantasy fiction and the best of the whole series.
This marks something of an end to the second phase of the series in my view, the journey from here on being focused on the end-game.
An excellent piece of fantasy fiction and the best of the whole series.
This marks something of an end to the second phase of the series in my view, the journey from here on being focused on the end-game.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Ritual (2017) in Movies
Apr 25, 2018
OK, this film isn't trying to do anything new. A bunch of friends decide to head off hiking and take a wrong turn/short cut into the woods. Luckily for us, they don't meet James Corden singing, instead they start to feel like they're being followed, have weird dreams and are eventually stalked by a strange giant monster (which is gradually revealed over time).
This does have a feel of the blair witch but benefits from not having that annoying "found footage" aspect where people running for their lives insist on filming the event.
The film builds tension brilliantly, has some particularly creepy moments and doesn't fall down for trying to explain what is happening too much. Rafe Spall is excellent and none of the characters make any stupid illogical decisions that cause you to shout at the screen.
This does have a feel of the blair witch but benefits from not having that annoying "found footage" aspect where people running for their lives insist on filming the event.
The film builds tension brilliantly, has some particularly creepy moments and doesn't fall down for trying to explain what is happening too much. Rafe Spall is excellent and none of the characters make any stupid illogical decisions that cause you to shout at the screen.
Awix (3310 KP) rated If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) in Movies
Feb 23, 2019 (Updated Feb 24, 2019)
Barry Jenkins' follow-up to Moonlight manages to be utterly gorgeous and profoundly moving while also being serious and thoughtful. A young black man is arrested for a crime he couldn't have committed (but you try telling the authorities that); the film backtracks to show his relationship with his girlfriend and details her life after his imprisonment, when she learns she is pregnant with his child.
A film of extraordinarily restrained anger and tremendous tenderness and delicacy; the non-linear storytelling structure and emphasis on character and atmosphere over plot may not be to everyone's taste, but every frame of this movie has clearly had serious thought devoted to it, and the performances are uniformly excellent. Would have been a vastly more worthy Oscar nominee than most of the films on the 2019 Best Picture shortlist.
A film of extraordinarily restrained anger and tremendous tenderness and delicacy; the non-linear storytelling structure and emphasis on character and atmosphere over plot may not be to everyone's taste, but every frame of this movie has clearly had serious thought devoted to it, and the performances are uniformly excellent. Would have been a vastly more worthy Oscar nominee than most of the films on the 2019 Best Picture shortlist.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Halloween (2018) in Movies
Feb 28, 2019
Michael Myers is back but unfortunately for him so is Laurie Strode!
Contains spoilers, click to show
I was on board with this as soon as I saw the trailer showing a more grizzled badass Laurie and that really is the highlight of this film. There are 2 twists in this film. 1 is quite unnecessary but leads to quite a glorious head squash which is the standout bit of gore. The second twist is excellent, paying homage to the original we get scenes similar to those from the first but roles reversed so that Laurie takes Michael's place and is stalking him showing her evolution from victim to prepared survivor/hunter. So yeah not a perfect film but a really solid effort. Hopefully leads to a new run of films with Laurie and her brood.
ALilLacey (2 KP) rated After Impact (After Impact #1) in Books
Mar 4, 2019
After Impact was a great start to a new thought provoking series. Avalon brought interest to a new look of how the world may handle an asteroid destroying life on earth. I liked actually reading a book where a younger girl actually acted appropriately for her age and that she was intelligent. The book keeps you wondering how society will not only function being the last few thousand alive on earth and waking from cryo-sleep hoping to find the outside earth environment liveable. In addition to that, we work through a mysterious illness and disappearance of some of the lower class residence. Of course we also have a good mix of love interests too. Overall an excellent young adult book and it's a clean read! Definitely recommended. I can't wait to read the next in the series.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Line Of Duty - Season 4 in TV
May 13, 2019
Excellent yet again
To say that I’ve binge watched the first 4 series of Line of Duty in less than month says a lot about how good it really is. And what’s better is that the standards just never seem to drop, which is pretty impressive.
Can’t say much without revealing any spoilers, but this is an engrossing and entertaining series. There isn’t as much ambiguity in this as there is in some of the earlier series, but it’s still fascinating to watch it all unfold. And to have Thandie Newton guest star is a real bonus, she’s fantastic as Roz Huntley. The plot itself only further expands and unveils new mysteries as well as wrapping up some earlier characters and storylines. My only issue is that I have no idea what I’m going to watch after seeing the next series!
Can’t say much without revealing any spoilers, but this is an engrossing and entertaining series. There isn’t as much ambiguity in this as there is in some of the earlier series, but it’s still fascinating to watch it all unfold. And to have Thandie Newton guest star is a real bonus, she’s fantastic as Roz Huntley. The plot itself only further expands and unveils new mysteries as well as wrapping up some earlier characters and storylines. My only issue is that I have no idea what I’m going to watch after seeing the next series!
Jess (1 KP) rated Darkest Hour (2017) in Movies
Jan 16, 2018
The emotional side of a story you already know
We all know about Winston Churchill. Whether that be through sitting in a history lesson and being told of how he won the war for us or having your grandparents tell you all about it over Christmas dinner. He was a truly iconic man and this film did an excellent job of showcasing that and more. Nobody can imagine the amount of pressure on that man's shoulders, stepping into take charge of the country at such a critical time, being constantly told you were doing it all wrong. In the end, it shows how just hat little bit of confidence and support can spur you on to do what you truly think is best. If you need to feel uplifted, I highly recommend the film.
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Girl on the Train in Books
Mar 15, 2018
A gripping thriller by an excellent author. Girl on the Train doesn't fail to excite you the whole way through, with twists and turns around every corner!
Rachel is a troubled, and somewhat annoying and nosey, character who leads us through her bland existence which begins unravelling due to events she would have been better keeping her nose out of, but you'll be glad she did! This story comes at you thick and fast, entertaining anybody who reads it.
Though I predicted most of the end of the book by about halfway in, that didn't take any of the excitement away from the story and it actually made want to keep turning the pages to see how things were going to turn out.
A book I've recommended highly to many family and friends, be sure not to miss this off your reading list!
Rachel is a troubled, and somewhat annoying and nosey, character who leads us through her bland existence which begins unravelling due to events she would have been better keeping her nose out of, but you'll be glad she did! This story comes at you thick and fast, entertaining anybody who reads it.
Though I predicted most of the end of the book by about halfway in, that didn't take any of the excitement away from the story and it actually made want to keep turning the pages to see how things were going to turn out.
A book I've recommended highly to many family and friends, be sure not to miss this off your reading list!