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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Bad Lieutenant (1992) in Movies
Oct 25, 2020
Great Character, Bad Movie
A corrupt cop is forced by a mob boss to pay off his debt or be killed. Hailed as a cinematic classic, Bad Lieutenant truly failed to grab me for a number of different reasons. It misses the mark in a number of ways.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 5
Characters: 9
Love him or hate him The Lieutenant (Harvey Keitel) is one memorable character. Every scene he is in is unpredictable as you have no idea what he’s going to do next. While I was more on the hate side of things, I envied him at the same time. The Lieutenant does whatever he wants and gives zero shits about it.
Cinematography/Visuals: 6
A few scenes caught my eye here and there, but there was nothing overall that really stood as overly memorable or powerful. Visually I was unimpressed as it felt like a film just going through the motions. I wasn’t as immersed in the scenes or the world as I had hoped.
Conflict: 5
We know the conflict, we know what’s at stake, yet I can’t feel the true threat of it throughout the film. My other problem was The Lieutenant is such an awful guy that you don’t really care what happens to him. As a result, the conflict then becomes just mediocre.
Entertainment Value: 5
Memorability: 3
Pace: 5
You see a lot of casual day-to-day over the course of the movie which slows things down tremendously. Despite Lieutenant’s antics, the movie moves in a really boring fashion. You never get the sense that you are progressing towards anything.
Plot: 2
Resolution: 2
I was hoping for some kind of redemption here, but was extremely overwhelmed. When the credits roll, I was more depressed than anything. It solidified what was a crappy movie in my opinion.
Overall: 52
Don’t believe everything you read. All the critics said this movie was amazing, but it falls well short of today’s offerings. Then again, I’m willing to admit that I could be the one that’s wrong. Give it a shot at your own discretion.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 5
Characters: 9
Love him or hate him The Lieutenant (Harvey Keitel) is one memorable character. Every scene he is in is unpredictable as you have no idea what he’s going to do next. While I was more on the hate side of things, I envied him at the same time. The Lieutenant does whatever he wants and gives zero shits about it.
Cinematography/Visuals: 6
A few scenes caught my eye here and there, but there was nothing overall that really stood as overly memorable or powerful. Visually I was unimpressed as it felt like a film just going through the motions. I wasn’t as immersed in the scenes or the world as I had hoped.
Conflict: 5
We know the conflict, we know what’s at stake, yet I can’t feel the true threat of it throughout the film. My other problem was The Lieutenant is such an awful guy that you don’t really care what happens to him. As a result, the conflict then becomes just mediocre.
Entertainment Value: 5
Memorability: 3
Pace: 5
You see a lot of casual day-to-day over the course of the movie which slows things down tremendously. Despite Lieutenant’s antics, the movie moves in a really boring fashion. You never get the sense that you are progressing towards anything.
Plot: 2
Resolution: 2
I was hoping for some kind of redemption here, but was extremely overwhelmed. When the credits roll, I was more depressed than anything. It solidified what was a crappy movie in my opinion.
Overall: 52
Don’t believe everything you read. All the critics said this movie was amazing, but it falls well short of today’s offerings. Then again, I’m willing to admit that I could be the one that’s wrong. Give it a shot at your own discretion.
Don't Clause a Scene (Love In Maplewood #10)
7.0
Rate It
Book
The world expects us to hate each other, but fate has other plans. As a member of a Maplewood...
Contemporary MM Romance
Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated Fight Club 2 in Books
Jan 11, 2018
I am Jack's emerging sense of Nerd Rage...
Firstly, WHY? Why on earth would you even think about writing a sequel to one of the best books ever written that spawned one of the best cult classic movies ever made?
Secondly, WHAT? I mean, I read it and all, but...
Thirdly, OH WOW.
This book will be polarizing for fans. You will either love it or hate it. Period. I doubt there will be any middle ground here. Some fans will argue that Palahniuk is spent creatively, or that this was a giant FU to the Tyler Durden fan club, or that it was just ill conceived all they way around.
Others will think it's the most beautiful messed up thing they've ever read.
At the moment, I fall very much into the later category, but I just finished this set, and the resonance of the final pages have left me a little shell shocked. I need to discuss this with friends, like NOW.
More to come as it unravels for me...
Firstly, WHY? Why on earth would you even think about writing a sequel to one of the best books ever written that spawned one of the best cult classic movies ever made?
Secondly, WHAT? I mean, I read it and all, but...
Thirdly, OH WOW.
This book will be polarizing for fans. You will either love it or hate it. Period. I doubt there will be any middle ground here. Some fans will argue that Palahniuk is spent creatively, or that this was a giant FU to the Tyler Durden fan club, or that it was just ill conceived all they way around.
Others will think it's the most beautiful messed up thing they've ever read.
At the moment, I fall very much into the later category, but I just finished this set, and the resonance of the final pages have left me a little shell shocked. I need to discuss this with friends, like NOW.
More to come as it unravels for me...
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Sixth Man (King & Maxwell, #5) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This is the first of the Michelle Maxwell & Sean King series that I have read. I'm not normally someone who picks up a book from the middle of series...I like to read all the way through starting at book 1. However, not knowing any of the "back story" didn't harm my enjoyment of this book at all.
The premise of the book is very cloak & dagger stuff...Dept of Homeland Security, Cabinet memebers, federal prisoners, etc. There were a few places in the book that dragged a bit, but all in all it was a page turner from the outset. Maxwell & King are dynamic lead characters with more twists & turns than you can imagine. There is also a strong chemistry/attraction between them. Baldacci does a great job of putting that aspect out there without making it too sappy, something I hate in spy/action novels.
All told I really look forward to reading more books in this series, even if it means I have to read them out of order!
The premise of the book is very cloak & dagger stuff...Dept of Homeland Security, Cabinet memebers, federal prisoners, etc. There were a few places in the book that dragged a bit, but all in all it was a page turner from the outset. Maxwell & King are dynamic lead characters with more twists & turns than you can imagine. There is also a strong chemistry/attraction between them. Baldacci does a great job of putting that aspect out there without making it too sappy, something I hate in spy/action novels.
All told I really look forward to reading more books in this series, even if it means I have to read them out of order!
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Life or Death in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Life or Death started out super exciting, then it died for about a half a chapter and I had a really hard time getting back into it. That’s not to say it was exciting, but the characters felt a little distant at first. I couldn’t figure out what was going on in Audie’s head, so I didn’t connect with him very well at first. Once I got past that rough part, and as the story grew I learned more and more what was going on, I was totally addicted.
The story follows Audie Palmer, an unlikely criminal who turns out to be much more than expected. He is fighting very hard for something that doesn’t make sense on the surface… it’s not until you dive deeper with him that you realize just how much more there is to the story. So much love, so much hate, so much deceit.
I loved the way the story came together at the end. As I said, there were some chapters I had trouble getting into at first, but when the story ended, I wanted to applaud.
The story follows Audie Palmer, an unlikely criminal who turns out to be much more than expected. He is fighting very hard for something that doesn’t make sense on the surface… it’s not until you dive deeper with him that you realize just how much more there is to the story. So much love, so much hate, so much deceit.
I loved the way the story came together at the end. As I said, there were some chapters I had trouble getting into at first, but when the story ended, I wanted to applaud.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated One More Light by Linkin Park in Music
May 3, 2018 (Updated May 3, 2018)
A beautiful final album for Chester
I know a lot of people will hate this album because it's not like the Linkin Park of old - it's not heavy and instead is verging on mainstream and poppy. But going more mainstream worked for Coldplay and Muse, and personally i think it works well for Linkin Park too, it's just a shame this will be the last time we get something quite like this.
I think this album is very poignant and beautiful, and has some fantastic songs. Title track One More Light is by far my favourite even if it is a little sad - I dare you to listen to this & not be moved. Listening to this after Chester's death is very bittersweet, to have such a good album and realise that this album along with the rest will never be performed by Linkin Park as they were.
Its a very fitting final album for Chester - albeit maybe a little too disturbingly fitting if you listen closely to some of the lyrics. Such a shame.
I think this album is very poignant and beautiful, and has some fantastic songs. Title track One More Light is by far my favourite even if it is a little sad - I dare you to listen to this & not be moved. Listening to this after Chester's death is very bittersweet, to have such a good album and realise that this album along with the rest will never be performed by Linkin Park as they were.
Its a very fitting final album for Chester - albeit maybe a little too disturbingly fitting if you listen closely to some of the lyrics. Such a shame.
Sue (5 KP) rated The Pajama Frame in Books
Apr 23, 2018
The Pajama Frame is book #5 in the Madison Night Mystery series. While the books can be read as stand-alone, each preceding book builds on the characters and their relationships.
When her octogenarian friend dies and leaves interior decorator Madison Night a pajama factory, Madison is faced with a decades-old tragedy and a more recent murder. All Madison wants to do is hide from the drama, but when estranged family members and special interest groups want to get into the sealed factory, Madison realizes she is caught having to solve a mystery before she becomes the next victim.
As with previous Madison Night books, I found the character of Madison delightful and refreshing. She is no-nonsense, quirky, snarky, and a throwback to Doris Day. Who wouldn’t enjoy an independent woman that dresses and enjoys decorations from the era of the fifties and sixties? Add to the mix a love/hate relationship with the chief of police Tex and a few witty friends & neighbors; you have the perfect chemistry for a delightful cozy mystery series.
When her octogenarian friend dies and leaves interior decorator Madison Night a pajama factory, Madison is faced with a decades-old tragedy and a more recent murder. All Madison wants to do is hide from the drama, but when estranged family members and special interest groups want to get into the sealed factory, Madison realizes she is caught having to solve a mystery before she becomes the next victim.
As with previous Madison Night books, I found the character of Madison delightful and refreshing. She is no-nonsense, quirky, snarky, and a throwback to Doris Day. Who wouldn’t enjoy an independent woman that dresses and enjoys decorations from the era of the fifties and sixties? Add to the mix a love/hate relationship with the chief of police Tex and a few witty friends & neighbors; you have the perfect chemistry for a delightful cozy mystery series.
Debbiereadsbook (1801 KP) rated As I Am in Books
Apr 24, 2018
3 good solid stars
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I thought I was getting over the first person/multi point of view thing, you know, but it appears that I still prefer to LISTEN to first person books than READ them.
That said, I enjoyed this, mostly. It's not a difficult, complicated read. It's quite emotional in places, Chase has to deal with the aftermath of his parents death, bringing up his younger brother in the best way he can. Noah is dealing with the aftermath of that too, but in a very different way. It's sexy in places, and inspiring in other, Chase's brother has a wise head on his 17 year shoulders.
It just didn't blow me away. It was a nice book, that is the best word I can come with, and ya'll know how much I hate using the N word!
It's told from both men's point of view, and the story flows well.
I just didn't love it.
3 good stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I thought I was getting over the first person/multi point of view thing, you know, but it appears that I still prefer to LISTEN to first person books than READ them.
That said, I enjoyed this, mostly. It's not a difficult, complicated read. It's quite emotional in places, Chase has to deal with the aftermath of his parents death, bringing up his younger brother in the best way he can. Noah is dealing with the aftermath of that too, but in a very different way. It's sexy in places, and inspiring in other, Chase's brother has a wise head on his 17 year shoulders.
It just didn't blow me away. It was a nice book, that is the best word I can come with, and ya'll know how much I hate using the N word!
It's told from both men's point of view, and the story flows well.
I just didn't love it.
3 good stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
ClareR (6256 KP) rated Ghost Wall in Books
Feb 11, 2019
A disturbing look at family dynamics.
This novella really packs a punch. Its uncomfortable subject matter is presented in an uncomfortable setting. Slivie, her checkout assistant mum and bus driver dad, spend their summer holidays recreating life in Iron Age Britain, along with an archaeology professor and some of his students. Silvie's dad is a very keen, knowledgable amateur archaeologist, and is well respected by the professor. However, he is an unhappy man. He seems to hate the way he lives, and takes his frustrations (physically) out on his wife and daughter. I actually thought Silvie was far younger than it transpired that she was, purely because of the way her father spoke to and treated her.
The book becomes darker as it goes on, as we see more of Silvie's dads' outdated ideas of masculinity and a woman's station in life, and the conclusion is simply stunning.
This is well worth a read in my opinion.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book to read and fairly review.
The book becomes darker as it goes on, as we see more of Silvie's dads' outdated ideas of masculinity and a woman's station in life, and the conclusion is simply stunning.
This is well worth a read in my opinion.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book to read and fairly review.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Voyage of the Fox Rider (Mithgar (Chronological) #2) in Books
Feb 26, 2019
many cultures (1 more)
diversity
lots of ship jargon (2 more)
slow at times
written dialects can be hard to follow
Don't read this series in chronological order. There are some spoilers in the epilogue. If you aren't hooked by chapter 14 or 15 you more than likely won't enjoy the rest of the book. Although, I wouldn't mind if you proved me wrong. Alamar's character is a love/hate guy especially because he enjoys arguing it'll get on your nerves or roll off your back depending on who he reminds you about. Jinnarin is a Pysk that hasn't really been away from home she is naive and surprised that the world is different than what she was told or thought.
about 3/4ths of the book is on a ship. Voyage is in the title... this is important.. VOYAGE is in the title. There are a lot of slow parts of the ship hasn't gotten to a destination what will we do? Talk philosophy , plann and descriptions of the ship. Heaps and Heaps of ship descriptions.
about 3/4ths of the book is on a ship. Voyage is in the title... this is important.. VOYAGE is in the title. There are a lot of slow parts of the ship hasn't gotten to a destination what will we do? Talk philosophy , plann and descriptions of the ship. Heaps and Heaps of ship descriptions.