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Quicksand
Book
A thousand-year-old secret room. A sultan’s stolen treasure. A missing French priest. And an...
Payback (1999)
Movie Watch
Porter (Mel Gibson) is a thief betrayed by both his wife, Lynn (Deborah Kara Unger), and his...
BeardyJim (611 KP) rated The Harder They Fall (2021) in Movies
Nov 4, 2021
A good old fashioned revenge story (2 more)
The villains are brilliant
Music is very atmospheric
Was skeptical, but enjoyed it!
I was initially skeptical of this film, thinking it was going to be an all black cast just for the sake of it, but I was very wrong!
The film is really enjoyable, and what colour-orientated aspects to it worked really well (the "white town" made me chuckle when I saw it).
The principal cast are all excellent, and I actually found the group of villains to be the most enjoyable to watch (the train heist is great).
Gory, entertaining and often heartfelt, I'd recommend giving it a watch. There aren't any lulls, there are a few twists, and the action is really well-paced and choreographed.
The film is really enjoyable, and what colour-orientated aspects to it worked really well (the "white town" made me chuckle when I saw it).
The principal cast are all excellent, and I actually found the group of villains to be the most enjoyable to watch (the train heist is great).
Gory, entertaining and often heartfelt, I'd recommend giving it a watch. There aren't any lulls, there are a few twists, and the action is really well-paced and choreographed.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2206 KP) rated Abstract Aliases in Books
Mar 25, 2020
Hunting for a Killer’s Alias
As this book opens, it’s been two months since we last checked in on Laurel Beacham and Jack Hawkes. While they have been doing their best to gather clues to stop the coming heist, things have been quiet. Too quiet. However, something is about to explode on New Year’s Day, and I’m not talking about the London fireworks. While Laurel and Jack are waiting for those fireworks to start, they are shocked have an encounter with one of the men involved in the upcoming heist. Then the next day, Laurel’s London office is broken into. Once again one step ahead of danger and one step behind their prey, Laurel and Jack must act quickly. Will they gain any new clues?
The teaser may seem a bit vague, but much of the fun of this book is watching the plot unfold and getting swept up in the proceedings. The plot is fast paced with hardly any time for the characters, or us, to breath. Still, we do get real characters, and I’m enjoying watching Laurel and Jack grow as individuals as well as in their relationship. The rest of the characters are just as strong. This is more of a caper type plot than a traditional cozy, and I loved it. There is a larger story going on, and it is helpful to read this series in order as a result – especially since events of the earlier books in the series are spoiled here. However, this book does have a satisfying story that ties into the larger story, and we get some interesting revelations. Fans of the series will enjoy this book.
The teaser may seem a bit vague, but much of the fun of this book is watching the plot unfold and getting swept up in the proceedings. The plot is fast paced with hardly any time for the characters, or us, to breath. Still, we do get real characters, and I’m enjoying watching Laurel and Jack grow as individuals as well as in their relationship. The rest of the characters are just as strong. This is more of a caper type plot than a traditional cozy, and I loved it. There is a larger story going on, and it is helpful to read this series in order as a result – especially since events of the earlier books in the series are spoiled here. However, this book does have a satisfying story that ties into the larger story, and we get some interesting revelations. Fans of the series will enjoy this book.
Disappointing
The synopsis of this book promised so much, but it just didn’t deliver. Ok, so the basic premise of the book was good - a heist on the moon, but the main character. Well. What can I say? He really should’ve written a Male character as the main protagonist, because I really don’t think he knows how to write women. It was cringe worthy. And when the main character of a novel is making your toes curl (and not in a good way), it doesn’t really matter what the rest of the story is like. I was so disappointed.
I did listen to this on Audible, and I have to say that the narrator (Rosario Dawson) was really good. It’s just a shame she had to read this book ??♀️
I did listen to this on Audible, and I have to say that the narrator (Rosario Dawson) was really good. It’s just a shame she had to read this book ??♀️
Mayhawke (97 KP) rated Ocean's Eleven (2001) in Movies
Feb 9, 2018
Fantastically Enjoyable Heist Movie
Danny Ocean (Clooney) is released from jail on parole, and heads straight off to rob the un-robbable : not one, but three Vegas casinos. The casinos are, of course, owned by the nastiest bloke in town (Garcia), who coincidentaly - or maybe not - is the new man-in-the-life of Clooney's ex-wife (Roberts).
Clever plot, nicely done.
Clooney, Pitt, Damon and Garcia are excellent, as usual. Highly dubious British accent from Don Cheadle, but y'know were 'e's comin' from.
And you know where this film is going, right from the start. There are no surprises, but who cares?
Lacks the Rat Pack charisma of the original for purists, but has enough merit to stand on it's own and should be enjoyed as an 'also' rather than an 'instead of'.
Clever plot, nicely done.
Clooney, Pitt, Damon and Garcia are excellent, as usual. Highly dubious British accent from Don Cheadle, but y'know were 'e's comin' from.
And you know where this film is going, right from the start. There are no surprises, but who cares?
Lacks the Rat Pack charisma of the original for purists, but has enough merit to stand on it's own and should be enjoyed as an 'also' rather than an 'instead of'.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Baby Driver (2017) in Movies
Jan 21, 2018
When I first began watching this, I was not convinced it was going to be good.
I have to say, the fast pace, stylized action/music score scenes and the witty screenplay had enough to win me over. Very entertaining throughout other than maybe the ending was a little far-fetched I guess.
If Kevin Spacey is never going to act again (seems almost certain at this point) this film is a fitting swan song for him and his memorable list of acting credits.
Director Edgar Wright continues his streak of entertaining quirky hits like his previous films Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Going to iTunes now to download some songs!
I have to say, the fast pace, stylized action/music score scenes and the witty screenplay had enough to win me over. Very entertaining throughout other than maybe the ending was a little far-fetched I guess.
If Kevin Spacey is never going to act again (seems almost certain at this point) this film is a fitting swan song for him and his memorable list of acting credits.
Director Edgar Wright continues his streak of entertaining quirky hits like his previous films Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Going to iTunes now to download some songs!
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated The Marine (2006) in Movies
Jul 25, 2019
A boring action movie
Contains spoilers, click to show
The marine stars wrestling shovel john cena, a man who's wrestling is just as bad as his acting, although some improvement has been made to his acting abilities, this first attempt was the start of some very questionable choices.
John cena plays john triton, a former marine discharged from his services (so the ex marine) who wife is kidnapped in a cliched heist gone wrong.
He the Forrest Gump's his way to her rescue with some pretty great dialogue from the villains.
Apart from a couple of great fight scenes, this movie personally deserves less applause than DOOM (I'll get to that one).
Maybe worth an occasional watch but definitely not in my top 100.
Starring Robert Patrick
John cena plays john triton, a former marine discharged from his services (so the ex marine) who wife is kidnapped in a cliched heist gone wrong.
He the Forrest Gump's his way to her rescue with some pretty great dialogue from the villains.
Apart from a couple of great fight scenes, this movie personally deserves less applause than DOOM (I'll get to that one).
Maybe worth an occasional watch but definitely not in my top 100.
Starring Robert Patrick
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Trance (2013) in Movies
Feb 1, 2020
Danny Boyle is a director who rarely disappoints me even with weaker material his unique visual style makes for entertaining viewing. For me this was one of his better recent efforts and the story here is compelling with twists and turns galore (some plausible and some perhaps not so plausible) as we slowly unravel multiple plot lines connected with hypnosis and a botched art heist. The film is well paced and visually very impressive and kept me suitably hooked. The performances are also strong with James McAvoy and Vincent Cassel being the standouts but if the films plot leaves you scratching your head just a bit too much then there is always an eyebrow raising turn from Rosario Dawson that will certainly leave you with fond memories of the film.
Loki: Agent of Asgard, Vol. 1: Trust Me
Book
Kid Loki's all grown up - and the God of Mischief is stronger, smarter, sexier and just plain...