Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Rian Johnson recommended The Sting (1973) in Movies (curated)

 
The Sting (1973)
The Sting (1973)
1973 | Classics, Comedy, Drama

"And then, I guess, The Sting is the next one I gotta say. This was for me, and probably for a lot of people, at least of our generation, our first exposure to con men movies was from The Sting. It really holds up. Like a lot of the movies on this list, it holds up because of the central relationship, because of the Newman-Redford thing. Watching those two guys together, even though at this point, plotwise, I would be fairly… Well, I don’t know. I wonder, if someone saw The Sting clean for the first time today, now with all the movies that have imitated it in the years since, whether anyone would actually kind of say “Oh my God” at the end of it. I don’t know, but I don’t know that it would matter, because I think the fun of the film is in the game playing, and specifically in the way that these two guys play off of each other. It seems like something that’s particularly vulnerable, just because of the twist, the nature of the end. But like I said, that’s not really what makes the movie tick, oddly enough. It holds up just as a really fun ride."

Source
  
The Grudge (2020)
The Grudge (2020)
2020 | Horror
Thankfully doesn't skimp out on the gore (some real solicitously nasty, gushy butchery on display - it's far and away the star of the show) but misses out on nearly everything else that made this concept so watchable. A bunch of people sitting around and sulking about stupid bullshit the entire time, who gives a rat's ass? Doesn't help that the demon design is pure crap and not a single actor - save for the always superlative Lin Shaye (who is seriously one of the best new horror actors in the game right now) - even wants to be here to begin with; and it shows in these fucking intolerably drab performances. The structure is actually kind of neat, though it peddles all but nothing. In fact the whole product has a clever method of execution but shits the bed on actually doing anything with it. Also its unintentionally funny in the worst possible way, these tropes are so tired (blink and you miss them predictable jump 'scares', dumbass characters, competent but uninspired visuals, morose and generic police procedural elements being poorly mixed into a much more interesting horror story, etc.) beyond belief. Barely 93 minutes and feels like forever, has okay moments but *not* worth the sit.
  
There's Something About Mary (1998)
There's Something About Mary (1998)
1998 | Comedy
I remember trying to watch this about 11 or so years ago, and turning it off after about an hour because of how middling it was - suffice to say my thoughts haven't really changed. Can't even begin to fathom what people think this has over 𝘋𝘶𝘮𝘣 & 𝘋𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳. I admit there's a pretty terrific analog in here about all these deplorable, delusional men coming together in their shittiness while trying to fool this poor woman into loving them with increasingly ludicrous schemes - but it isn't funny enough to justify waiting until the last act to realize that, especially with this crawling runtime. Let me clarify: Ben Stiller beating up the coked-out dog was *hysterical*, and it does have a handful of other notably funny moments but they're spread thin. The title character is given absolutely nothing to work with besides Diaz's capable talent despite having "something about" her, but I think that inadvertently works given how she's effectively a nonentity template for these guys to project their naïve sociopathic fantasies onto. Sure as hell won't knock the cast though, they're all game playing a troupe of model Farrelly goofballs. Honestly there are just... better comedies out there, dudes - even by these guys.
  
Doctor Who: The Death of Art
Doctor Who: The Death of Art
2
2.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Time for some troof! I tried reading this back when it first came out. I found it $2.95 at a used book store in the U.S. (Philadelphia, to be exact). The premise seemed neat and I saw a mention of Ace in the first few pages, so I felt I was on board. Yeah, no.

Jump ahead to now, I have been re-visiting key 7th Doctor NAs (sorry, but anyone who thinks NuWHO is groundbreaking or mentally stimulating, needs to read some of these and re-evaluate that statement. Just steer clear of this one!). This one was next on my list, as I wanted to give it a second chance, as my mind is so much more freer these days.

Unfortunately, my original opinion still stands for me: this book is rubbish! The beginning is interesting, but then goes so far out of the loop with that Chapter about alien race the Quoth. When Simon Bucher-Jones is on his game, he is A-MAZ-ING, not unlike Brian Michael Bendis when he writes his own creations, but when he sucks like this? <b>PEEEEE-YOOOO!</b>

By all means, do not waste any time, energy, etc. trying to endure this! Your mind will hate for years to come!
  
Faithless (Grant County, #5)
Faithless (Grant County, #5)
6
6.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Having struggled with the previous couple of books in this series this one seemed to up the game again; although still not back to the highs of the first two books in the series I did enjoy this one.

We are back in good old Grant County with Sara and Jeffery stumbling across a body whose last moments on earth were truly horrific. A difficult investigation follows with the girl belonging to a very religious family. It’s an interesting case if a bit of a slow burner of a book as a whole.

Sara and Jeffery carry on like Sara and Jeffery: bicker, argue, kiss rinse repeat but somehow Jeffery doesn't annoy me as much as he did in the last few books. Even Lena seems to be more of a character that I don’t need to just slap for making poor decisions, don’t get me wrong I’m still waiting to see any evidence of her being the “great cop” we keep getting told she is but she was a lot less of a car crash of annoying in this book.

Only one more book in this series to go and I’m really hoping it all ends on a return to the highs of the beginning of this series.
  
Ready or Not (2019)
Ready or Not (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Horror, Mystery
Fun Horror-Comedy
354. Ready or Not. An entertaining comedy horror flick. Wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but decent. I thought it was going to be a darker comedy, was more slapstick. We find ourselves at a rich folks wedding, and as the actual wedding dies down the real event takes place. The new bride plays a game with her new family, because that's where the family got their cash, games. Most of the games are harmless, except one: Ready or Not. Nope, its Hide and Seek. Guess what card the bride, Grace, draws? Ready or Not? Nope, it's Hide and Seek. Grace's new husband, Alex, lets her in on the details, Grace doesn't quite get it, until the arrows start flying. So, they hunt her down, not to kill her, but wound her, because they need her for a ritual to perform at dawn, that said, ya know she's gonna make it until dawn. What happens at the ritual? Her sacrifice to Satan of course. What happens if the family doesn't succeed in the kill? They are not really sure, they think they'll die, but who knows, they're just following tradition. Like I said I expected a darker vibe than it has, but a fun watch nonetheless. Filmbufftim on FB
  
40x40

Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Resident Evil 7 biohazard in Video Games

May 4, 2020 (Updated May 4, 2020)  
Resident Evil 7 biohazard
Resident Evil 7 biohazard
2017 | Action/Adventure
Horror (3 more)
Graphics
New characters
Survival horror
A triumphant return to it's dark roots
Contains spoilers, click to show
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard was a resounding success that managed to draw back gamers who were becoming a little weary of the franchise's somewhat failing previous titles with it's introduction of this first person survival horror that introduces you to "the baker family".
Admittedly that's not a very unnerving name but the family in question may make you rethink your choice In neighbours (you know the peace loving Jones's two doors down).

Completely flipping the idea box upside Down there hasn't really been a great RE: game since RE:4 until now, pitting you against the psychotic members of the baker family (& zoe?...who is so scary, she literally does nothing) & grandma??? (Seriously, she's the creepiest character..who manages to do less than zoe!?)

You play as newcomer Ethan, who has received a message from his fiance who's been missing for 3 years (and who's hair is exactly the same length as it was 3 years ago- that's right I'm calling them out on this one) who goes in search of her, leading him to a rundown mansion in rural Louisiana, USA, eventually things take a sinister turn as you come face to face with the Baker family.
  
Entropy (Tessa Avery #3)
Entropy (Tessa Avery #3)
Lucy Roy | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
142 of 250
Kindle
Entropy ( Tessa Avery book 3)
By Lucy Roy

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

Just how much pain can someone experience before they break? How much more loss can they suffer when there's no end in sight?

In the wake of unimaginable tragedy, chaos reigns. Not only have the stakes gone higher with Cronus and his allies attacking from all sides, but there's a new player in the game. Someone I trusted and cared about, someone I called a friend. Not only has he betrayed me, but he's also responsible for taking my best friend prisoner.

As we tirelessly search for answers, Earth has become a battleground. Each day, it seems the moment we get close to solving one problem, another crops up greater than the last, leading us to something not even the Olympians could see coming.

This was just absolutely brilliant! I even felt a tear run down my cheek at the memorial! This trilogy has been such a pleasure to read with amazing characters! I love the idea behind it and love reading what people to with the legendary Greek gods and titans! Would thoroughly recommend!
  
Destiny Kills (Myth and Magic #1)
Destiny Kills (Myth and Magic #1)
Keri Arthur | 2011 | Contemporary, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
184 of 250
Book
Destiny kills ( Myth and Magic book1)
By Keri Arthur

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

 
Desire calls. Danger Lurks.
But...

When Destiny McCree wakes up beside a dead man on an Oregon beach, she knows only this: she has to keep moving, keep searching, and keep one step ahead of the forces that have been pursuing her from the heart of Scotland to this isolated spot. Why? The death of her lover has left her alone, with little memory of her past. A glimmering serpent-shaped ring is the one clue she has - and a bargaining chip in a most dangerous game.

Enter Trae Wilson, a master thief with a sexy, knowing grin and a secret agenda of his own. Destiny and Trae both have powers far beyond the human - and both are running for their lives. Together they're riding a tide of danger, magic, and lust.but with killers stalking their every move, they must use any means necessary, even each other, to survive - until the shocking secret of one woman's destiny finally unravels..


Keri Arthur is one of my favourite writers I absolutely love all her books. This was no exception dragon shifters are my absolute favourite and this book didn’t disappoint.
  
The Hating Game
The Hating Game
Sally Thorne | 2017 | Contemporary, Humor & Comedy, Romance
1
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
15 of 235
Book
The Hating Game
By Sally Thorne
⭐️

Now a film starring Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell, globally bestselling author Sally Thorne's hilarious workplace comedy is all about the fine line between love and hate.

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman sit across from each other every day . . . and they hate each other.

Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. HATE. Lucy can't understand Joshua's joyless, uptight approach to his job and refusal to smile. Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy's overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and desire to be liked.

Now they're up for the same promotion and Lucy, usually a determined people-pleaser, has had enough: it's time to take him down. But as the tension between Lucy and Joshua reaches its boiling point, it's clear that the real battle has only just begun . . .

I can’t even try! The only reason I continued was because I had already DNFd 2 books this month. I don’t trash books as we all like different things but my hod my brain was numb! It should not have taken me this long to read a basic book. I’m so sorry to anyone who finds this not to their liking but I’m glad it’s over!