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Awix (3310 KP) rated Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) in Movies
Mar 4, 2018 (Updated Mar 4, 2018)
Justly acclaimed black comedy is a somewhat atypical film from Ealing Studios, better known for their affectionate depictions of post-war British life. Calculating man-on-the-make Dennis Price sets out to get on in the world by murdering the eight members of the D'Ascoyne family who stand between him and inheriting the dukedom of Chalfont.
Best known for the fact that Alec Guinness plays all the D'Ascoynes, but Dennis Price is just as good as the homicidal would-be aristocrat. The broad comedy of some of Guinness' performances, plus the staging of several of the murders, is underpinned by some much subtler and more understated humour about class and morality. One of those films you can watch several times and still find new layers to enjoy; very funny, too, though that should go without saying.
Best known for the fact that Alec Guinness plays all the D'Ascoynes, but Dennis Price is just as good as the homicidal would-be aristocrat. The broad comedy of some of Guinness' performances, plus the staging of several of the murders, is underpinned by some much subtler and more understated humour about class and morality. One of those films you can watch several times and still find new layers to enjoy; very funny, too, though that should go without saying.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Thor: The Dark World (2013) in Movies
Jun 9, 2018 (Updated Jun 9, 2018)
Marvel's second Thor movie is a not especially well-judged mixture of somewhat leaden epic fantasy and cutesy, kooky rom-com. Looks spiffy throughout, but it doesn't half drag in places: you can see why they decided to shake things up so thoroughly in the third one.
The thing about the Marvel Studios films is that they are routinely so good that when one is merely a fairly competent blockbuster, as is the case here, it does feel unreasonably disappointing. Apart from the sluggish pace and mishandled humour, the main problem here is that the script doesn't feel particularly well-focused or engaging, with the new villains eclipsed by Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and a reliance on lavish spectacle over characters you actually care about. Still not much worse than many a successful blockbuster, but one of the more dispensable Marvel movies nevertheless.
The thing about the Marvel Studios films is that they are routinely so good that when one is merely a fairly competent blockbuster, as is the case here, it does feel unreasonably disappointing. Apart from the sluggish pace and mishandled humour, the main problem here is that the script doesn't feel particularly well-focused or engaging, with the new villains eclipsed by Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and a reliance on lavish spectacle over characters you actually care about. Still not much worse than many a successful blockbuster, but one of the more dispensable Marvel movies nevertheless.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Not Another Teen Movie (2001) in Movies
Jun 5, 2018 (Updated Jul 10, 2021)
One of the best Spoof films
A lewd, crude, rude and a rather funny film. Not heard much about it, so I expected the worse.....but actually found myself laughing an awful lot! It's a great spoof mainly of She's all that, American Pie, Cruel Intentions and Pretty in Pink. Featuring a great cameo from Molly Ringwald, Lindsay Lohan from Mean girls and even Mr T! Along the way there are scenes aimed at Porky's, Grease, Risky Business, the list is endless. Every type of humour is here and if you know the mentioned films well you could like it. Not a bad DVD with a quiz on teen movies, Music videos, Making of as well. Overall a fun package and even a lot of females on my friend list liked it to my surprise!
Dean (6927 KP) rated Thir13en Ghosts (2001) in Movies
Jun 18, 2018 (Updated Jun 30, 2021)
Another cool Dark Castle entertainment horror re-make. Didn't know of the original until I saw some reviews mention it. This reminded me a lot of the House on Haunted Hill remake made 2 years earlier. It's fun, not too serious, has a good mix of humour and gore/kills. The cast is ok and well known with Shannon Elizabeth and Matthew Lillard, but it was a nice surprise to see Tony Shalhoub (Monk) appear in this. What really makes this film enjoyable in my opinion, along with House on Haunted Hill, is the set design, make up and ghoulish characters created. Both films have a great wacky house setting, good SFX and the ghosts in this look awesome. A great way to enjoy 90mins. So if you liked House on Haunted Hill you will like this just as much.
Loz Hughes (80 KP) rated Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) in Movies
Jul 10, 2018
Much better than expected.
I saw this film as a recommendation from a family member and for the first fifteen mins I wondered if I would regret it. It was a little awkward and corny to start with and the stereotyping did grate a little. However once the film progressed the humour worked well with the story line and I started to enjoy it. The characters each lent the film different qualities and it was a completely different spin on the story compared to the original film.
I wouldnt recommend for some younger viewers due to some innuendo and kinda sexualised scenes (nothing graphic but references are there).
Overall a good, casual movie.
I wouldnt recommend for some younger viewers due to some innuendo and kinda sexualised scenes (nothing graphic but references are there).
Overall a good, casual movie.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018) in Movies
Jul 31, 2018
More of the same as the cast of the Hotel decide to go on vacation (the family decide to take all their friends obviously), on a cruise ship.
The overall plot was OK, but quote obvious, but the humour was definitely turned down compared to previous films in the series.
And what is with the obligatory DJ battle scenes?! Does Sandler have a load of low quality dance tracks he has to shoe-horn into movies as part of his contract now?! Just a total nonsense ending.
Having said that, my kids loved it.
I think I have unconsciously removed a couple of marks simply because my kids insisted on replicating the finale's dance moves for the next three hours (this makes me sound like a monster but once you know what that involves you'll understand!).
The overall plot was OK, but quote obvious, but the humour was definitely turned down compared to previous films in the series.
And what is with the obligatory DJ battle scenes?! Does Sandler have a load of low quality dance tracks he has to shoe-horn into movies as part of his contract now?! Just a total nonsense ending.
Having said that, my kids loved it.
I think I have unconsciously removed a couple of marks simply because my kids insisted on replicating the finale's dance moves for the next three hours (this makes me sound like a monster but once you know what that involves you'll understand!).
Kelly (279 KP) rated Rivers of London: The First PC Grant Mystery in Books
Nov 22, 2018
Laugh out loud read
Ben Aaronovitch has excelled himself in this novel. Having never read any urban fantasy books before, I was dubious about reading this book, which was purchased for me as a gift. Having picked up the book during a bored moment on holiday, I became hooked before the end of the first chapter.
PC Grant is a character with whom I could engage with from the start. A character who was likeable, but also not your typical hero. The story itself is very easy to follow and Aaronovitch does not overload the reader with complex characters, making the book a perfect easy read.
Aaronovitch uses humour appropriately throughout the book, keeping the reader engaged without being over silly. Once started, this book was not put down until after I had turned the last page.
PC Grant is a character with whom I could engage with from the start. A character who was likeable, but also not your typical hero. The story itself is very easy to follow and Aaronovitch does not overload the reader with complex characters, making the book a perfect easy read.
Aaronovitch uses humour appropriately throughout the book, keeping the reader engaged without being over silly. Once started, this book was not put down until after I had turned the last page.
True crime (3 more)
Intelligent conversation
A sprinkling of dark humour
Good research
These Girls Really Are Killin' It
A couple of British friends chatting about true crime, particularly murder, and discussing just how screwed up humans can be. While the podcast started out as Lux and Sam, it has since changed to Lux and Meg, and while Sam did have a very smooth voice and quick wit, the change to Meg has not made the podcast less than it was - it has simply made it different.
At the end of each episode (starting fairly recently) the girls have a segment where they say what they have been "killin'" each week, to provide a little lift at the end of the episode, and make the world appear a little less depressing.
Altogether, a cracking little podcast, definitely worth a listen.
At the end of each episode (starting fairly recently) the girls have a segment where they say what they have been "killin'" each week, to provide a little lift at the end of the episode, and make the world appear a little less depressing.
Altogether, a cracking little podcast, definitely worth a listen.
Chloe (514 KP) rated The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2) in Books
Jan 27, 2019
Does the spin of beat the original?
This book is a spin of of the Percy Jackson series.
What makes this book not a ripoff of Percy Jackson is that it's so completely different mainly thanks to our narrator Apollo. Apollo's cooky sense of humour will have you laughing all day.
somehow even though the theme of the book is the same throughout with a pattern of battle and miraculous save, battle and miraculous save, battle... The twists and turns just constantly keep you guessing.
This is a book during which I just could not keep still it really grabs you and pulls you in to the point where I found myself crying over the book (although maybe I'm just to emotional). I just felt hugely attached to the characters. It is honestly amazing how the author made a god so relatable.
What makes this book not a ripoff of Percy Jackson is that it's so completely different mainly thanks to our narrator Apollo. Apollo's cooky sense of humour will have you laughing all day.
somehow even though the theme of the book is the same throughout with a pattern of battle and miraculous save, battle and miraculous save, battle... The twists and turns just constantly keep you guessing.
This is a book during which I just could not keep still it really grabs you and pulls you in to the point where I found myself crying over the book (although maybe I'm just to emotional). I just felt hugely attached to the characters. It is honestly amazing how the author made a god so relatable.
David McK (3676 KP) rated Last Human (Red Dwarf #3) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The third and, unfortunately, least of the 4 <i>Red Dwarf</I> books, I actually read this one last, thinking it was book 4 of 4.
Written by Doug Naylor (who co-wrote the first 2 booms with Rob Grant), this follows an all-new plot with certain scenes lifted from the TV show on which it is based. Unfortunately, it fails to capture the humour of the show, with most of the 'funny' bits falling flat.
Both this and the next book (<I>Backwards</I> by Rob Grant) are perhaps best viewed as alternate third books in a trilogy: if that is the case, <I>Backwards</I> is the better of the two, even if neither of the two books in question live up to the first two. In short, the whole (Grant Naylor) is better than the sum of the parts!
Written by Doug Naylor (who co-wrote the first 2 booms with Rob Grant), this follows an all-new plot with certain scenes lifted from the TV show on which it is based. Unfortunately, it fails to capture the humour of the show, with most of the 'funny' bits falling flat.
Both this and the next book (<I>Backwards</I> by Rob Grant) are perhaps best viewed as alternate third books in a trilogy: if that is the case, <I>Backwards</I> is the better of the two, even if neither of the two books in question live up to the first two. In short, the whole (Grant Naylor) is better than the sum of the parts!