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The Intellectual Property Holding Company: Tax Use and Abuse from Victoria's Secret to Apple
Jeffrey A Maine and Xuan-Thao Nguyen
Book
Many companies that have become household names have avoided billions in taxes by 'parking' their...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Wrong Turn (2003) in Movies
Mar 4, 2021
Wrong Turn is pretty standard early-2000s cannibal/slasher horror, but manages to be memorable thanks to a decent cast playing tolerable characters.
The cannon fodder teenagers in this are also pretty standard, with the exception of the two leads played by Eliza Dushku and Desmond Harrington. They don't come across as the usual empty headed victims that make stupid decisions, and as a result, it's easy to become invested in their fight for survival.
This first entry in the franchise is a far cry from the more digital looking, torture porn leaning sequels, and boasts some decent practical gore. The designs of the mountain men are suitably unsettling, thanks to Shane Mahan and Stan Winston, and it's easy to see why Thee Finger became something of a horror icon following this film's release.
Wrong Turn won't set your world aflame, but it's a competent and watchable horror that stands well on its own, and is a pretty fun, especially when compared to it's plethora of shitty sequels (the second one isn't too bad to be fair...)
The cannon fodder teenagers in this are also pretty standard, with the exception of the two leads played by Eliza Dushku and Desmond Harrington. They don't come across as the usual empty headed victims that make stupid decisions, and as a result, it's easy to become invested in their fight for survival.
This first entry in the franchise is a far cry from the more digital looking, torture porn leaning sequels, and boasts some decent practical gore. The designs of the mountain men are suitably unsettling, thanks to Shane Mahan and Stan Winston, and it's easy to see why Thee Finger became something of a horror icon following this film's release.
Wrong Turn won't set your world aflame, but it's a competent and watchable horror that stands well on its own, and is a pretty fun, especially when compared to it's plethora of shitty sequels (the second one isn't too bad to be fair...)
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Ginger Snaps (2001) in Movies
Mar 22, 2021
Ginger Snaps is certainly a product of it's time. A couple of decades later and it's so painfully 2000s, however, it still offers something fresh to the werewolf sub genre.
The allegory of burgeoning womanhood and simultaneously turning into a force of nature is an effective one, and is realised well, thanks to its well written characters and solid cast. Katharine Isabelle and Emily Perkins do a fantastic job in carving a realistic portrayal of sisterhood and a challenging time in life. Mimi Rogers is great on her supporting role as well.
For a film that has some potential to be silly, Ginger Snaps plays the whole ordeal pretty straight and sticks the landing for the most part. Nothing comes across as goofy.
There's plenty of impressive practical gore on display and some decent creature effects to top it all off.
This movie has a huge following for a reason, and although it's a little dated these days, it's still an enjoyable horror with a surprisingly emotional centre.
The allegory of burgeoning womanhood and simultaneously turning into a force of nature is an effective one, and is realised well, thanks to its well written characters and solid cast. Katharine Isabelle and Emily Perkins do a fantastic job in carving a realistic portrayal of sisterhood and a challenging time in life. Mimi Rogers is great on her supporting role as well.
For a film that has some potential to be silly, Ginger Snaps plays the whole ordeal pretty straight and sticks the landing for the most part. Nothing comes across as goofy.
There's plenty of impressive practical gore on display and some decent creature effects to top it all off.
This movie has a huge following for a reason, and although it's a little dated these days, it's still an enjoyable horror with a surprisingly emotional centre.
Jackjack (877 KP) rated The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020) in Movies
Sep 13, 2020
Brilliant film!
Where do I start, I personally don't have a problem with low budget films, especially qwerky comedy/horror's like this one. It all started when a young man stayed awake to see what his babysitter got upto whilst he sleeps, turns out the hot fun babysitter called Bee (better known as samara weaving who played a brilliant rill in the comedy horror ready or not!) is part of a blood cult, a deal with the devil and tries to perform a ritual but this scared kid reeks havoc as he tried to escape them because no one is to know what happened that night.
With this well made film, 2 years later it goes back to see how his life is now since then, no. 2 offers good twists and I was happy to see they used all the same actors! In this sequel there is plenty of blood gore and comedy to keep you entertained. Definitely one to watch if you enjoyed the first one this will not disappoint.
With this well made film, 2 years later it goes back to see how his life is now since then, no. 2 offers good twists and I was happy to see they used all the same actors! In this sequel there is plenty of blood gore and comedy to keep you entertained. Definitely one to watch if you enjoyed the first one this will not disappoint.
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated The Informer (2019) in Movies
Sep 2, 2019
Pete Koslow, an ex-convict finds himself working for the FBI as an informer who has infiltrated a large Polish drug smuggling ring. When a delivery goes bad Pete finds that both the FBI and the Polish gang want him to go back to prison to do one last job.
I have to admit, I didn't really know what to expect from this film, I’d seen the trailer once but that was all, but I was bored and it was the only film I could get to on time so I’m happy to say that I really enjoyed this. The film runs at quite a fast pace with building tensions and emotional family scenes. The plot isn't overly complicated but is interesting enough to keep you entertained. The Informer also doesn't rely on lots of blood and gore. The only real downside was, due to the pacing, it's some times hard to keep track of how long something g has taken, for example I found it hard to tell how long the events in prison had taken.
I have to admit, I didn't really know what to expect from this film, I’d seen the trailer once but that was all, but I was bored and it was the only film I could get to on time so I’m happy to say that I really enjoyed this. The film runs at quite a fast pace with building tensions and emotional family scenes. The plot isn't overly complicated but is interesting enough to keep you entertained. The Informer also doesn't rely on lots of blood and gore. The only real downside was, due to the pacing, it's some times hard to keep track of how long something g has taken, for example I found it hard to tell how long the events in prison had taken.
Bob Mann (459 KP) rated Crawl (2019) in Movies
Sep 8, 2019
Kaya Scodelario makes a striking action heroine (1 more)
Some "Jaws-lite" action scenes
Directed by Alexandre Aja (“Piranha 3D”) this is a sub-90 minute film that at least doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s been a decent summer hit for the studios (at the time of writing it has made $75 million on a meagre $13 budget).
It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted in its gore. It delivers a lot of chomping, with the action getting progressively more ludicrous, reminiscent of the “flesh-wound” scene in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”!. Some jump scares work well. But I can’ t say its a great film, because it’s really not. In the hands of a Spielberg, this might have really had legs (…to chomp on, LoL). It’s CERTAINLY no “Jaws”. It’s not even a “Deep Blue Sea”. But it’s mildly entertaining nonetheless.
For the full review, please check out One Mann's Movies on https://bob-the-movie-man.com/2019/09/06/one-manns-movies-film-review-crawl-2019/
It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted in its gore. It delivers a lot of chomping, with the action getting progressively more ludicrous, reminiscent of the “flesh-wound” scene in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”!. Some jump scares work well. But I can’ t say its a great film, because it’s really not. In the hands of a Spielberg, this might have really had legs (…to chomp on, LoL). It’s CERTAINLY no “Jaws”. It’s not even a “Deep Blue Sea”. But it’s mildly entertaining nonetheless.
For the full review, please check out One Mann's Movies on https://bob-the-movie-man.com/2019/09/06/one-manns-movies-film-review-crawl-2019/
David McK (3557 KP) rated The Lone Ranger (2013) in Movies
Sep 15, 2019 (Updated Feb 14, 2021)
"Hi Ho Silver away!"
Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Carribean) take on the classic Western for Disney, with Johnny Depp's Tonto pretty much playing the same character as his Captain Jack Sparrow, and with Armie Hammer taking on the role of The Lone Ranger.
Set as an elderly Tonto telling the story to a child visitor in a fairground in 1930s San Fransisco, this takes a while to get going (2hour 20 running time!), with a large part of the story settign the scene and the background to how the Lone Ranger came to be who he is/was.
Indeed, apart from a slight refrain at the beginning the stirring William Tell overture doesn't even get used until near the end of the movie (probably for the best, as an overuse would dilute its impact).
I also have to say that this is probably one for the big screen: the sweeping majestic shots of the Wild West do kind of lose their impact on a smaller TV screen!
Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Carribean) take on the classic Western for Disney, with Johnny Depp's Tonto pretty much playing the same character as his Captain Jack Sparrow, and with Armie Hammer taking on the role of The Lone Ranger.
Set as an elderly Tonto telling the story to a child visitor in a fairground in 1930s San Fransisco, this takes a while to get going (2hour 20 running time!), with a large part of the story settign the scene and the background to how the Lone Ranger came to be who he is/was.
Indeed, apart from a slight refrain at the beginning the stirring William Tell overture doesn't even get used until near the end of the movie (probably for the best, as an overuse would dilute its impact).
I also have to say that this is probably one for the big screen: the sweeping majestic shots of the Wild West do kind of lose their impact on a smaller TV screen!
Andrew Kennedy (199 KP) rated The Night Eats The World (2018) in Movies
Aug 30, 2019
This film is what I call a marmite movie, you will either love it or hate it. I happen to love it.
Based on the novel by Pit Agarmen our focus of the story is Sam (a superb Anders Danielsen Lie) who arrives at a party hosted by his ex girlfriend at the flat they used to share. Sam falls asleep in his old room and when he awakens the next morning the flat is trashed and there are zombies everywhere.
This film is no gore fest but kudos to make up department because these zombies look fabolous, this film is more of a study or how one man could surivie in solitiude and loneliness for a long time.
Trapped in an aprtment block Sam is able to stock pile supplies but while he wont starve to death will his own mind be able to cope with the horror around him?
Notable mention for Denis Lavant who plays the zombie Sam traps in the lift who he keeps talking too.
A French film but filmed in English with a strong main character.
Based on the novel by Pit Agarmen our focus of the story is Sam (a superb Anders Danielsen Lie) who arrives at a party hosted by his ex girlfriend at the flat they used to share. Sam falls asleep in his old room and when he awakens the next morning the flat is trashed and there are zombies everywhere.
This film is no gore fest but kudos to make up department because these zombies look fabolous, this film is more of a study or how one man could surivie in solitiude and loneliness for a long time.
Trapped in an aprtment block Sam is able to stock pile supplies but while he wont starve to death will his own mind be able to cope with the horror around him?
Notable mention for Denis Lavant who plays the zombie Sam traps in the lift who he keeps talking too.
A French film but filmed in English with a strong main character.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Harper's Island - Season 1 in TV
Aug 14, 2020 (Updated Aug 14, 2020)
Good cast (2 more)
Great remote location
Good gore effects
A good slasher series
I finally got round to checking out this series from 2009, currently available on BBC iplayer. Not sure why it's taken so long to be available again?
It's a good horror/thriller series that mixes the kills of a slasher film with the mystery of a good whodunit? Quite similar to the Slasher series and other related items.
A wedding party retreat to a small island for a week of events leading up to the big day. The island was the location of a serial killer and some murders 7 years before. With some people returning to the island for the first time since it's not long before guests start to meet a grisly end.
It's good fun if you like slasher films or a murder mystery with a decent cast. The overall reason for the killings was a little weak at the end. However the location really adds to the feel of the series. Only 13 episodes around 38 minutes long, you'll whizz through it in no time.
It's a good horror/thriller series that mixes the kills of a slasher film with the mystery of a good whodunit? Quite similar to the Slasher series and other related items.
A wedding party retreat to a small island for a week of events leading up to the big day. The island was the location of a serial killer and some murders 7 years before. With some people returning to the island for the first time since it's not long before guests start to meet a grisly end.
It's good fun if you like slasher films or a murder mystery with a decent cast. The overall reason for the killings was a little weak at the end. However the location really adds to the feel of the series. Only 13 episodes around 38 minutes long, you'll whizz through it in no time.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Lost Boys (1987) in Movies
Aug 22, 2020
A cult classic
The Lost Boys is known as rather a cult classic, and justifiably so. It might be over 30 years old now but it can still put modern day vampire films to shame.
It's undeniably 80s, but that's part of it's charm. It's atmospheric with a great soundtrack and a rather impressive cast. Vampires have been done to death over the past however many decades but The Lost Boys really brings a fun yet still fairly scary take on them - there's loads of dark humour in this and yet some pretty creepy scenes too and some twists and turns. It moves at a steady pace without ever dragging, and the final act is an aamzing spectacle- the blood, gore and outlandish deaths are both genius and wickedly funny. My only criticism would be that there are a few cliched and cringey moments, but fortunately these are few and far between and overall this is a hugely enjoyable and entertaining vampire film. Very deserving of being a cult classic.
It's undeniably 80s, but that's part of it's charm. It's atmospheric with a great soundtrack and a rather impressive cast. Vampires have been done to death over the past however many decades but The Lost Boys really brings a fun yet still fairly scary take on them - there's loads of dark humour in this and yet some pretty creepy scenes too and some twists and turns. It moves at a steady pace without ever dragging, and the final act is an aamzing spectacle- the blood, gore and outlandish deaths are both genius and wickedly funny. My only criticism would be that there are a few cliched and cringey moments, but fortunately these are few and far between and overall this is a hugely enjoyable and entertaining vampire film. Very deserving of being a cult classic.