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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018) in Movies
Dec 4, 2018
Another attempt at converting Stieg Larssen's very-popular-about-ten-years-ago characters into viable English-language multiplex fare. Film opens with implied child abuse followed by implied domestic violence (there's a lot of implication, in order to avoid the 18 certificate that scuppered the box office of the Daniel Craig/Rooney Mara movie), but this is mainly to set an authentically grim tone - the plot could fairly easily be retooled for one of the Bourne movies, as evil secret organisation tries to get its hands on apocalyptic McGuffin, hero gets framed for doing nasty things, and so on.
Not sure about Foy's 'Allo Sven, I got a Volvo' accent, but on the whole this is a decent, watchable thriller even if it does look a bit like an Ikea advert with extra gore. But the thing is that it is terribly generic. If the only way to bring these books and characters to the screen is to basically fillet out everything that makes them distinctive and memorable, one wonders why anyone should bother. (The producers of the film may be able to name 31 million reasons (at the time of writing), but this still hardly qualifies as a hit movie.)
(And I know it's a bit ungallant to say this, but Foy is 34 - at what point does she become *The Woman* with (for example) the Dragon Tattoo? The point seems pertinent.)
Not sure about Foy's 'Allo Sven, I got a Volvo' accent, but on the whole this is a decent, watchable thriller even if it does look a bit like an Ikea advert with extra gore. But the thing is that it is terribly generic. If the only way to bring these books and characters to the screen is to basically fillet out everything that makes them distinctive and memorable, one wonders why anyone should bother. (The producers of the film may be able to name 31 million reasons (at the time of writing), but this still hardly qualifies as a hit movie.)
(And I know it's a bit ungallant to say this, but Foy is 34 - at what point does she become *The Woman* with (for example) the Dragon Tattoo? The point seems pertinent.)
David McK (3557 KP) rated Northlanders Book 1: The Anglo-Saxon Saga (Northlanders, Book 1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Boy, was that violent - if this was a movie, it would probably be given an '18' (or 'R'estricted, for those Americans out there) rating, not just for the blood, guts and gore, but also for the - occassional - nudity, and the not-so-occassional language.
Actually a collection of 5 different short stories, I can't say how true to history these are as I'm not a Norse scholar. I also found the vernacular a bit off-putting (were swear-words the same in the early Medieval Period as they are now? Really??), with the art-style (and plot) in some of the stories were better than in others. Talking of stories, this contains the following:
[b]Lindisfarne[/b]: depicting an early Viking raid on the monastery of the same name
[b]The Shield Maidens[/b]: in which three Viking women hold off hordes of the Saxons
[b]Sven the Returned[/b]: in which Sven returns to his homeland to claim his inheritance, having previously run away and joined the Byzantine Varangian Guard
[b]Thor's daughter[/b]: in which a clan leader is murdered and his land sold to a rival leader but his 14 year old daughter takes up his mantle and leads an army against the encroaching Vikings
[b]The Cross & The Hammer[/b]: Set in Ireland, this is more-or-less a murder mystery in which the central character is trying to track down the person(s) responsible for a spate of killings.
Actually a collection of 5 different short stories, I can't say how true to history these are as I'm not a Norse scholar. I also found the vernacular a bit off-putting (were swear-words the same in the early Medieval Period as they are now? Really??), with the art-style (and plot) in some of the stories were better than in others. Talking of stories, this contains the following:
[b]Lindisfarne[/b]: depicting an early Viking raid on the monastery of the same name
[b]The Shield Maidens[/b]: in which three Viking women hold off hordes of the Saxons
[b]Sven the Returned[/b]: in which Sven returns to his homeland to claim his inheritance, having previously run away and joined the Byzantine Varangian Guard
[b]Thor's daughter[/b]: in which a clan leader is murdered and his land sold to a rival leader but his 14 year old daughter takes up his mantle and leads an army against the encroaching Vikings
[b]The Cross & The Hammer[/b]: Set in Ireland, this is more-or-less a murder mystery in which the central character is trying to track down the person(s) responsible for a spate of killings.
Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated Yellowbrickroad (2011) in Movies
Dec 29, 2019
Even weirder the second time around
When I sit down to do one of these things, I like to try and do something I haven't seen before...
But I couldn't resist reviewing this little piece of WTF.
The story goes like this. In 1940, the inhabitants of a small New Hampshire town vanished one day. All pf them jist walked into the woods and never came back. All but 1. He came back saying everyone else was dead and all he could hear was some music that drove them all insane.
Fast forward 70 years.
A group of dumbasses decide to take it amongst themselves to investigate what happened.
What follows is a mishmash of bad writing, fucking horrible acting and some pretty shotty camera work.
The one saving grace of this film are the effects.
While simple, they bring a certain flair to an otherwise boring and uneventful film.
Paying attention to an already dismal movie is even harder when you add in the horrible saxophone music that drives the party nuts enough to kill. Hell, I even looked in my wife's direction a few times while it was playing...
I gave it a 7 on effects alone. If that's what you're into then this movie is for you... If not... Skip it, forget it, and throw any thought of it straight to the ground... This is not OZ, Dorothy...
But I couldn't resist reviewing this little piece of WTF.
The story goes like this. In 1940, the inhabitants of a small New Hampshire town vanished one day. All pf them jist walked into the woods and never came back. All but 1. He came back saying everyone else was dead and all he could hear was some music that drove them all insane.
Fast forward 70 years.
A group of dumbasses decide to take it amongst themselves to investigate what happened.
What follows is a mishmash of bad writing, fucking horrible acting and some pretty shotty camera work.
The one saving grace of this film are the effects.
While simple, they bring a certain flair to an otherwise boring and uneventful film.
Paying attention to an already dismal movie is even harder when you add in the horrible saxophone music that drives the party nuts enough to kill. Hell, I even looked in my wife's direction a few times while it was playing...
I gave it a 7 on effects alone. If that's what you're into then this movie is for you... If not... Skip it, forget it, and throw any thought of it straight to the ground... This is not OZ, Dorothy...
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Overlord (2018) in Movies
Jul 20, 2019
Good but needs more horror
I didnt have high hopes for this film but actually as a war/horror mash up, it's not half bad.
It starts off as a full on almost standard war film, with some intense opening scenes especially when they get out of the plane. And the effects on this especially are pretty impressive. It does move fairly slowly and this is just about bearable, as it has a decent cast especially when Pilou Asbaek pops up. Even if the script is fairly dodgy at times. We dont get into the horror part of the film until nearly an hour into the 2 hour run time, and for me it was just in time to stop me from getting bored. I love the horror side of this, Nazis experimenting on people isnt surprising and it works really well for this film. The problem for me is that I wish this film had more horror in it, more gore, more scares. It has a bit, but for me this is more war than horror and I really wish it had been the other way around. Also, I remember seeing the trailer and thinking this may have been a bit funny in parts, but it isnt which was a bit of a let down too. Some laughs wouldve been welcome!
Overall this is a decent war horror film and definitely worth a watch, just dont expect a full on horror film.
It starts off as a full on almost standard war film, with some intense opening scenes especially when they get out of the plane. And the effects on this especially are pretty impressive. It does move fairly slowly and this is just about bearable, as it has a decent cast especially when Pilou Asbaek pops up. Even if the script is fairly dodgy at times. We dont get into the horror part of the film until nearly an hour into the 2 hour run time, and for me it was just in time to stop me from getting bored. I love the horror side of this, Nazis experimenting on people isnt surprising and it works really well for this film. The problem for me is that I wish this film had more horror in it, more gore, more scares. It has a bit, but for me this is more war than horror and I really wish it had been the other way around. Also, I remember seeing the trailer and thinking this may have been a bit funny in parts, but it isnt which was a bit of a let down too. Some laughs wouldve been welcome!
Overall this is a decent war horror film and definitely worth a watch, just dont expect a full on horror film.
Rickey A. Mossow Jr. (689 KP) rated 3 From Hell (2019) in Movies
Dec 8, 2019
I just wasted nearly 2 hours of my life.
Already having issues with Rob Zombie films after he single-handedly tried to kill the Halloween franchise, I went into this one already predisposed to not have a good time watching. But, trying to partake due to my wife's love affair with this movie series, I was open-minded and objective. And then I wasted nearly two hours of my life I'll never get back.
Make no mistake, I get the series. I get the ideas behind Zombie's pet project series. A little comedy, a little horror, a little action flick, and a little bit satire. The violence, language, and nudity is gratuitous throughout, and I am one who can enjoy some violence, language, and nudity.
But this is all nonsensical BS passed off as a film. The film has more plot holes than bullet holes in random people. The characters are caricatures, hollow vessels that carry no weight or consequences. I didn't care who died by whose hand or what happened to anyone. There was blood, gore, boobs, language, and blunts. Time passed.
I don't know. Maybe that's the point. Maybe Zombie should do another film in this series. Or maybe some other pet project that tickles his fancy. Just as long as he leaves Michael Myers and every other quality iconic character alone. Please, Rob, for the love of all that is sacred in film.
Make no mistake, I get the series. I get the ideas behind Zombie's pet project series. A little comedy, a little horror, a little action flick, and a little bit satire. The violence, language, and nudity is gratuitous throughout, and I am one who can enjoy some violence, language, and nudity.
But this is all nonsensical BS passed off as a film. The film has more plot holes than bullet holes in random people. The characters are caricatures, hollow vessels that carry no weight or consequences. I didn't care who died by whose hand or what happened to anyone. There was blood, gore, boobs, language, and blunts. Time passed.
I don't know. Maybe that's the point. Maybe Zombie should do another film in this series. Or maybe some other pet project that tickles his fancy. Just as long as he leaves Michael Myers and every other quality iconic character alone. Please, Rob, for the love of all that is sacred in film.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Gremlins (1984) in Movies
Dec 17, 2019
After Midnight
Gremlins- a classic christmas horror movie, with cute creatures and then if you dont follow the rules the creatures turn into mad creatures. So you better follow the rules cause ifnt than you might get killed or eatting or bitten by them.
Also by the way this movie was PG, yes PG, and this movie does have some gore, death, dark humor and more. IE the mircowave sence. A Family Pitcure, a classic christmas movie by the way and its PG. In response to this and to similar complaints about Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Spielberg suggested that the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) alter its rating system, which it did within two months of the film's release, creating a new PG-13 rating
The Plot: A gadget salesman is looking for a special gift for his son and finds one at a store in Chinatown. The shopkeeper is reluctant to sell him the `mogwai' but sells it to him with the warning to never expose him to bright light, water, or to feed him after midnight. All of this happens and the result is a gang of gremlins that decide to tear up the town on Christmas Eve.
Steven Spielberg was the film's executive producer, written by Chris Columbus and directed by Joe Dante.
A classic christmas horror film, that all people should see and watch.
Also by the way this movie was PG, yes PG, and this movie does have some gore, death, dark humor and more. IE the mircowave sence. A Family Pitcure, a classic christmas movie by the way and its PG. In response to this and to similar complaints about Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Spielberg suggested that the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) alter its rating system, which it did within two months of the film's release, creating a new PG-13 rating
The Plot: A gadget salesman is looking for a special gift for his son and finds one at a store in Chinatown. The shopkeeper is reluctant to sell him the `mogwai' but sells it to him with the warning to never expose him to bright light, water, or to feed him after midnight. All of this happens and the result is a gang of gremlins that decide to tear up the town on Christmas Eve.
Steven Spielberg was the film's executive producer, written by Chris Columbus and directed by Joe Dante.
A classic christmas horror film, that all people should see and watch.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Black House in Books
Jan 4, 2020
Another of King's epic stories
Stephen King is my favourite author, so I'm always going to enjoy his stories although it varies as to how much. I have a particular fondness for his short stories or epic doorstop sized novels, and I'm pleased that Black House falls into the latter.
The Talisman is a great story, and this is a very welcome sequel with Jack now as a rather endearing and heroic adult, scarred by his past. This is a story that starts off as a standard crime story and as it goes on turns into a fantastical horror, filled with King's usual mix of well written secondary characters and a nice amount of gore. What I also loved about this is how it links into other King stories - not just The Talisman, but others that I won't spoil but are very much beloved.
That's not to say this book is perfect. It is VERY long and I feel like there are parts of this that get too rambling and long winded, and there are some parts that could quite easily have been cut out without impacting on the main plot. There are also a few characters in this with odd speech impediments or accents, and trying to read their manner of speech gets very irritating after a while.
But apart from this, this is a hugely enjoyable King epic novel. Although only one to read if you've read The Talisman - this is not a standalone sequel.
The Talisman is a great story, and this is a very welcome sequel with Jack now as a rather endearing and heroic adult, scarred by his past. This is a story that starts off as a standard crime story and as it goes on turns into a fantastical horror, filled with King's usual mix of well written secondary characters and a nice amount of gore. What I also loved about this is how it links into other King stories - not just The Talisman, but others that I won't spoil but are very much beloved.
That's not to say this book is perfect. It is VERY long and I feel like there are parts of this that get too rambling and long winded, and there are some parts that could quite easily have been cut out without impacting on the main plot. There are also a few characters in this with odd speech impediments or accents, and trying to read their manner of speech gets very irritating after a while.
But apart from this, this is a hugely enjoyable King epic novel. Although only one to read if you've read The Talisman - this is not a standalone sequel.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Rabbit Hunter (Joona Linna #6) in Books
Mar 26, 2020 (Updated Mar 26, 2020)
6th book in the series. Can stand-alone but read the earlier ones first.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
The Rabbit Hunter is the 6th novel in the Joona Linna series written by Lars Kepler. Kepler is the pseudonym of husband and wife team Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril.
While it is the 6th in the series, it can stand alone. However, you should read the earlier novels to really understand the characters.
Kepler's books are detailed and gritty. They are not set nor originally published in the US. Be warned! There is gore. That being said, the books I have read in the series are captivating. This one, not so much. I do recommend reading it but it was missing something. I am not sure if the cause was the translation or the original text.
Joona was not as strong of a presence as in prior books. He is released from jail just to help solve the case of the rabbit hunter. Instead of focusing on the case, he plans for life after prison and without working as a police officer. It is in his blood. It is who he is.
I will read book 7 and hope it was only this book or its translation I found lacking. I thoroughly enjoyed the others in the series.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/25/20.
The Rabbit Hunter is the 6th novel in the Joona Linna series written by Lars Kepler. Kepler is the pseudonym of husband and wife team Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril.
While it is the 6th in the series, it can stand alone. However, you should read the earlier novels to really understand the characters.
Kepler's books are detailed and gritty. They are not set nor originally published in the US. Be warned! There is gore. That being said, the books I have read in the series are captivating. This one, not so much. I do recommend reading it but it was missing something. I am not sure if the cause was the translation or the original text.
Joona was not as strong of a presence as in prior books. He is released from jail just to help solve the case of the rabbit hunter. Instead of focusing on the case, he plans for life after prison and without working as a police officer. It is in his blood. It is who he is.
I will read book 7 and hope it was only this book or its translation I found lacking. I thoroughly enjoyed the others in the series.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/25/20.
Kim Pook (101 KP) rated Child's Play (2019) in Movies
Apr 12, 2020
Very good remake
Contains spoilers, click to show
If you watch the movie with the intention to compare it to the original, chances are you won't like it. This is exactly what I did upon first putting the movie on, when it first showed the ibuddy doll I almost immediately turned it off, I mean come on that is NOT how a good guy doll should look. Instead I stopped trying to compare, took it for what it was and ended up enjoying it. The storyline is completely different to original child's play. instead of a murderers soul trapped in a doll trying to find another human to transfer into, it is essentially a smart doll which goes haywire trying to keep Andy for himself. However, for a doll I found it funny that Andy could have conversations with him like he really was human and he thought nothing of it. I don't know about you but if a toy started understanding and communicating with me I would freak out! Anyway, this aside I really enjoyed the movie, the humour was spot on (I laughed way too hard when chucky presented Andy with his mums boyfriends face as a present, including a bow 😂😂), the death scenes were good and gory and acting was great. OK so it wasn't Brad douriff but tear yourself away from the original and you've got a pretty decent slasher.
BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated Pushing Daisies - Season 1 in TV
Feb 19, 2020 (Updated Feb 19, 2020)
Does anyone remember this?
Contains spoilers, click to show
I first watched this as a bright eyed primary school child of the ripe age of 10. I remember thinking how strange a programme it was and that I hadn't seen anything like it before. Granted, I was stuck watching barbie and disney movies with my younger sisters but you get my point. This programme single handedly introduced me to death. And is very likely the reason I love horror and thriller movies now.
Don't get me wrong, this show was about love and very much a comedy. There was very little gore if any and from what I remember, I only saw one bloody face. The worst part was probably the dog dying in the beginning or the fact that the ML and FL can't even kiss because she will cease to live(again).
What I loved most about this show was how fantastically stupid it was, as much as I would have loved more seasons I'm really not suprised it only had 2. Have you ever wanted to see a man able to bring the dead to life with his touch fall in love with a dead ex girlfriend? Oh and he helps solve crime with his cop friend? Oh, and the dead stay alive for a minute unless someone replaces them? Well, this is the show for you! And its exactly as it sounds. Amazing!
Don't get me wrong, this show was about love and very much a comedy. There was very little gore if any and from what I remember, I only saw one bloody face. The worst part was probably the dog dying in the beginning or the fact that the ML and FL can't even kiss because she will cease to live(again).
What I loved most about this show was how fantastically stupid it was, as much as I would have loved more seasons I'm really not suprised it only had 2. Have you ever wanted to see a man able to bring the dead to life with his touch fall in love with a dead ex girlfriend? Oh and he helps solve crime with his cop friend? Oh, and the dead stay alive for a minute unless someone replaces them? Well, this is the show for you! And its exactly as it sounds. Amazing!