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Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
1954 | Horror
6.7 (10 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Number four would be the Creature from the Black Lagoon. That one, of course, was split up; two actors played him. Ricou Browning was the Gill-man in the water, and Ben Chapman was the Gill-man out of the water, on the land. The most memorable imagery for me would be Ricou in those underwater sequences, when he’s swimming underneath Julie Adams. She’s innocently having a swim in her little white bathing suit, like “la la la,” having no idea that this thing is lurking underneath her. But that underwater performance of his has channeled its way into my own creatures. I’ve played two fish-men now in my career, so I think that the Creature from the Black Lagoon actually left a huge thumbprint on me from that."

Source
  
Jaws (1975)
Jaws (1975)
1975 | Thriller
EPIC
Best Shark Movie Ever

Aminity Island which is a small island getaway is approching it's speak visitor month which is july get visited by a Great White Shark that starts picking off swimmers one by one. The chief enlists the help of a Marine Biologist and gets the local Top fish killer involved in going to take out the shark. They end up on a wild boat ride trying to kill one of the earth longest living eating machines that is not willing to just roll over and die.


Roy Schider, Richard Dryfus and Robert Shaw give an amazing performance in this suspenseful ocean tale.


One great piece of movie history from this movie is that the line "You're gonna need a bigger boat" was improvised and done on the first take. It is part of AFI's 100 greatest quotes.
  
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Austin Garrick recommended Fish Tank (2010) in Movies (curated)

 
Fish Tank (2010)
Fish Tank (2010)
2010 | International, Drama
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"One of the best of the past decade. I love that Criterion has already championed this, as it truly deserves to be among many of the classics in the collection. This is one of those rare movies that have the power to make you forget you’re even watching a movie in the first place, instead making you feel you’re witnessing someone’s life unfold. The main character (played by an actress who is so underrated for this sole role of hers) reminds me a lot of a cousin of mine when she was at that age, enough so that for me, watching it almost seems like personal insight into where her head was at in those years. Fish Tank also contains one of the most real, unique, and effective uses of classic hip-hop in a film that I’ve ever seen."

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Big Fish (2003)
Big Fish (2003)
2003 | Comedy, Drama
Whimsical, Fantastical and Entrancing
Looking for a charming, fantastical diversion that will whisk you away from this world for 2 hours? Look no further than the heartwarming father/son story BIG FISH.

Set in the unmistakable stylings of idealic living from the mind of Tim Burton, BIG FISH tells the tale of a father by the name of Ed Bloom (the great Albert Finney) who's son, Will Bloom (Billy Crudup - fresh off of ALMOST FAMOUS) has separated himself from his father for he is sick of the "tall tales" that his father tells about his life. Most of the movie is the reconciliation of father and son set against the backdrop of these fantastical stories (the younger Ed Bloom is played with whimsical wonder by Ewan McGregor).

And...it is the telling of these stories where Director Tim Burton really shines. It is a perfect match of Director, tone and style to tell the story. He uses a primary color palate (much the same way he used it in Edward Scissorhands) punctuated by "steam punk blacks and grays" that creates a world that is a wonder to look at and is instantly recognizable not only by what is familiar but also by how it is UN-familiar. If overused, this type of stylings could be a detriment to the storytelling, but in BIG FISH, Burton paints the canvas perfectly.

As I stated, McGregor is whimsical as the young Ed Bloom. You can see a young man exploring and drinking in all the world has to offer. On the other side, Albert Finney shows that he has a twinkle in his eye (even though the older Ed Bloom is battling a chronic disease). He sparkles when he tells his stories. Finney's performance draws you in while McGregor's keeps you there.

As does the performances of such terrific actors like Steve Buscemi, Helena Bonham Carter and Danny DeVito (as individuals that Ed meets along the way). They "get" what Burton is going for and embrace the charm and whimsy of it all. "Back in the real world" - a (then) unknown Marion Cotillard is engaging as Will Bloom's pregnant wife and Jessica Lange shines as Ed's wife who has "heard it all" and is still charmed by it all after all these years. There is a scene later in the film between Finney and Lange (and a bathtub) that shows that these 2 veteran actors can throw their fastball when asked.

I was entranced by the tall tales told in this film and I think you will be to.

Letter Grade: A-

8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
  
FO
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
After going through a transition, Talia finds herself working at her friend Bea’s fish and chips restaurant again. When a neighboring shop owner is murder and the police start to focus on Bea, Talia decides to start looking for the real killer.

This is the first in a series, and a lot of people seemed to love it, but it felt like it needed another draft to polish things up. The characters weren’t quite as well developed as they could have been, and the plot has some serious pacing issues. It wasn’t a bad debut, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in hopes that I would review it.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-fillet-of-murder-by-linda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Shape of Water (2017) in Movies

Mar 12, 2018 (Updated Mar 12, 2018)  
The Shape of Water  (2017)
The Shape of Water (2017)
2017 | Drama, Fantasy
Fish porn :D - not Del Toro's finest
I'm possibly in the minority when I say I didn't particularly enjoy this film though I really appreciated the themes explored such as prejudice, otherness, and boundless love. Not to mention, highlighting disability, racism and homophobia.

However, as a big fan of @Pan's Labyrinth (2006), @The Devil's Backbone (2001) and @Cronos (1994) - this felt like it had a bit of Hollywood stardust and Guillermo Del Toro seemed to dumb down his usual style i.e. turning to good versus bad.

Although Michael Shannon acted well, he was a bit of caricature of a villain. But I did like the flipside of the Soviet scientist being the hero. And at the end of it, it did appear like a non-comedic, Rated-R version of @Splash (1984). Not my cup of tea.
  
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Woof (Bowser and Birdie #1)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Bowser is thrilled when Birdie and her Grammy pick him to be their new dog. The trio has just returned from the shelter when they discover that Grammy’s prize marlin is missing. The stuffed fish was only worth sentimental memories. Or was it? Rumors of a treasure map spark Bowser and Birdie’s interest. Can they solve the mystery?

Like Spencer Quinn’s series for adults, this middle grade novel is narrated by Bowser the dog. That part of the story is cute and feels right, although it can get over done, especially as the good reaches the end. The human characters are just as well drawn and lovely. Unfortunately, the plot is very uneven with a slow start and a rush to wrap things up that leaves a major plot thread unanswered.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-woof-by-spencer-quinn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
1984 | Action, Comedy, Mystery
Axel Foley
If you were to look up the phrase "fish out of water movie", this film would have to be one of the top movies on the list.

After a Detroit police's officer's friend is murdered, he relocates himself to Beverly Hills, California to investigate only to discover law enforcement operates under quite different principles out there.

Alhough Eddie Murphy had made both "48 Hours" & "Trading Places" before this film was released in 1984, this one was definitely his breakout hit.

His crass, foul demeanor juxtaposed against the prim and proper by-the-book procedureness of the CA cops lent itself to many hilarious and memorable moments. His partners Judge Reinhold and John Ashton worked extremely well with Murphy who had really come into his own as a leading man comic actor for this role.

Still one of my all-time favorite comedies.
  
The Pisces
The Pisces
Melissa Broder | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
There are so many underlying feminine undertones that pull the story together (1 more)
There is almost a fairytale mixed with erotica that many women crave
Have Women Given Up On Men And Turned To Fish ?
Lucy has been stuck in a dead relationship and only when it ends, does she spiral and go stay at her sisters and join a humorous addiction to love therapy group. It’s at night though that she befriends a swimmer, who she eventually finds out is a merman. While they boldly engage in lustful sexual activity, the feminine undertone plays out again. Lucy says, “his come in my mouth didn’t taste bitter, like some men, but it wasn’t exactly sweet either...It felt as though I had eaten his pussy...” Ultimately, Lucy is faced with learning about love, lust, and the obsessive love that forces her to realize the life she has to live presently.
  
Verdant Skies
Verdant Skies
Role-Playing, Simulation
Great And Relaxing Game
In Verdant Skies you are playing as a colonist on another planet. You have to plant crops, forage, fish, and help build a colony. Think Stardew Valley in space. If you like games like Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon you will enjoy this game. There is a lot of exploration, building, and of course building friendships and romances with your fellow colonists. You can take your time with the game. There's a very relaxed vibe and you can do tasks for others, farm, clone animals like space cows, and help to build and grow your colony. There is wonderful diversity and representation among the characters and it is easy to see how much love, thought, and care went into this game. It is a lot of fun to play and there is a lot to do in it as well.