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Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Walking Dead in TV
Nov 2, 2017
Starts brilliantly, but now starting to drag...
I love zombie films, so a zombie (or walker as the "z" word is never mentioned) tv show really appealed. And to begin with, The Walking Dead really impresses.
The first season is such a good debut, Andrew Lincoln does very well as Rick - can hardly believe it's Simon from Teachers. The visual and physical effects are fantastic and the walkers are truly scary. Character development over the initial few series too is very good and you come to care about a lot (and hate a lot) of them. The first maybe 5 series I can't really fault too much. There's dips, but it always come bouncing back with some shock deaths or interesting characters like the Governor.
The problem is with the last couple of series. Everything has become a bit too samey - meet a hostile group, become scared & abused by the group, people get killed and then Rick's group manages to overcome them. The walkers have pretty much taken a back seat. Personally I think they should try and end the series soon instead of dragging it out too far.
The first season is such a good debut, Andrew Lincoln does very well as Rick - can hardly believe it's Simon from Teachers. The visual and physical effects are fantastic and the walkers are truly scary. Character development over the initial few series too is very good and you come to care about a lot (and hate a lot) of them. The first maybe 5 series I can't really fault too much. There's dips, but it always come bouncing back with some shock deaths or interesting characters like the Governor.
The problem is with the last couple of series. Everything has become a bit too samey - meet a hostile group, become scared & abused by the group, people get killed and then Rick's group manages to overcome them. The walkers have pretty much taken a back seat. Personally I think they should try and end the series soon instead of dragging it out too far.
I'm a massive fan of the (widely slated) original TV mini-series and can't see past Tim Curry as Pennywise. However I found this to be a good alternative version. I would say it is more of a horror movie than the original version, and probably closer to the book (though it has been some time since I read that) and there is a lot less of a Stand By Me feel about it. All the child actors are excellent in this, especially Stranger Things' superbly named Finn Wolfhand as (Beep beep) Ritchie who here gets to have a lot more fun than he seems to on Stranger Things.
Bill skarsgard plays Pennywise well, at times appearing childish and just wanting to be friends, and then quickly switches to a blank mental stare.
The decision to make this two films was a brave one, though the story does lend itself well to doing so. I much preferred the 80s setting for the film with the kids being the victims and am not exactly awaiting the adult follow up with anticipation.
Bill skarsgard plays Pennywise well, at times appearing childish and just wanting to be friends, and then quickly switches to a blank mental stare.
The decision to make this two films was a brave one, though the story does lend itself well to doing so. I much preferred the 80s setting for the film with the kids being the victims and am not exactly awaiting the adult follow up with anticipation.
Dracoria Malfoy (690 KP) created a post
Jan 5, 2018 (Updated Jan 5, 2018)
tonidavis (353 KP) rated To the Bone (2017) in Movies
Jul 15, 2017
Best adaptation of anorexia I've ever seen (2 more)
Very real
Every actor outstanding
A must watch!
I've read and watched a lot of film programs and read a lot of book on subject like this. Whilst I have never had an eating disorder my self harming and sucided when younger has caused me to have in patient treatment. As I've recovered and been stable enough to get a psychology degree I know look at the show different that I did when I was younger. However I do like to see how media pursue these issues and if they handle them with the care that needed. This film is beautifully handled ever single actor portrayed there part beautifully and made it so real. The story was brilliant and true their was no glamering or Hollywood effect it was something that could so easily be real. I fell for every character and truely hope people watch and take awake front this film on how hard recovery is but people can recover if given right support and the right time.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Wolves of Dynamo in Books
Sep 6, 2017
Unsatisfying conclusion (1 more)
Flat characters
Needs a lot of polish
This book arrived unexpectedly in the mail – I believe it was from a Goodreads Giveaway, but I was never notified I’d won one. It’s even signed by the author!
I am….a little puzzled on how I feel about this book. It has a bit of a confusing, dream-like quality to it, which fits the book, but left me a little less than satisfied. It always felt like I was forgetting details, or like the book assumed I knew things about the world that I didn’t. (Much like many dreams.) The plot was unique, the characters could have used more depth, the division between forest and city was indistinct, and the conclusion was unsatisfying. It could have been very good, but I think it needs a lot more polish.
The physical book itself felt like an ARC, even though it’s not. I think it’s the simplistic cover and the typesetting. It just doesn’t feel – finished. Like much of the book. I’d give this a pass, but I might be interested in future writings by the author, if his style matures and his editor improves.
I am….a little puzzled on how I feel about this book. It has a bit of a confusing, dream-like quality to it, which fits the book, but left me a little less than satisfied. It always felt like I was forgetting details, or like the book assumed I knew things about the world that I didn’t. (Much like many dreams.) The plot was unique, the characters could have used more depth, the division between forest and city was indistinct, and the conclusion was unsatisfying. It could have been very good, but I think it needs a lot more polish.
The physical book itself felt like an ARC, even though it’s not. I think it’s the simplistic cover and the typesetting. It just doesn’t feel – finished. Like much of the book. I’d give this a pass, but I might be interested in future writings by the author, if his style matures and his editor improves.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Devil's Backbone (2001) in Movies
Feb 10, 2019
A bit of a disappointment
I think that having seen the likes of Pans Labyrinth prior to watching this film built my expectations too high, meaning this was a bit of a let down. Don't get me wrong it isn't a terrible film, it has a lot of potential but it doesn't quite use it to the best it can be.
I think the plot itself and the entire setting are a very good idea, a ghost story mixed in with the Spanish civil war and an orphanage is a smart move. The problem is with the execution. Whilst the effects are good and there are hints of the supernatural, for me it wasn't enough. The plot unfolded much to slowly and needed a little more excitement and ghostly/creepy goings on to keep you entertained. The best parts of the film are with the boys, and it detracts a little when it moves to the adult characters who are sadly a lot less interesting.
Having watched this now, I can see the similarities between this and Pans Labyrinth. Its just a shame that Pan succeeds where this fails. There's so much promise here, it's just sadly not realised.
I think the plot itself and the entire setting are a very good idea, a ghost story mixed in with the Spanish civil war and an orphanage is a smart move. The problem is with the execution. Whilst the effects are good and there are hints of the supernatural, for me it wasn't enough. The plot unfolded much to slowly and needed a little more excitement and ghostly/creepy goings on to keep you entertained. The best parts of the film are with the boys, and it detracts a little when it moves to the adult characters who are sadly a lot less interesting.
Having watched this now, I can see the similarities between this and Pans Labyrinth. Its just a shame that Pan succeeds where this fails. There's so much promise here, it's just sadly not realised.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Hereditary (2018) in Movies
Feb 16, 2019
Terribly dull
After having finally seen this, I really cannot believe the hype surrounding this film. I don't know what film some people had been watching, but for me I didn't see anything particularly shocking or scary.
For the first 90 minutes, with the exception of one scene (anyone who's seen this will surely know which scene I'm talking about), nothing particularly interesting happened and it was all very dull and boring. A lot of talking and a lot of silliness and over the top music.
Sadly this film does pick up a little in the last half an hour, and there is a hint of the creepy sharpness that I was expecting. However this is just so crazy and bonkers that it doesn't make up for the previous 90 minutes of dreary monotony. I just found it laughably bad, which is a shame because if dealt with in a different manner, the plot itself could have had some potential.
No 2 hour film should take 3/4 of its run time to get interesting. I'm just very glad I didn't bother seeing this at the cinema as I actually don't think I could have sat through this.
For the first 90 minutes, with the exception of one scene (anyone who's seen this will surely know which scene I'm talking about), nothing particularly interesting happened and it was all very dull and boring. A lot of talking and a lot of silliness and over the top music.
Sadly this film does pick up a little in the last half an hour, and there is a hint of the creepy sharpness that I was expecting. However this is just so crazy and bonkers that it doesn't make up for the previous 90 minutes of dreary monotony. I just found it laughably bad, which is a shame because if dealt with in a different manner, the plot itself could have had some potential.
No 2 hour film should take 3/4 of its run time to get interesting. I'm just very glad I didn't bother seeing this at the cinema as I actually don't think I could have sat through this.
Kaylin (39 KP) rated Don't Breathe (2016) in Movies
Feb 17, 2019 (Updated Feb 17, 2019)
Stephen Lang is excellent as the old man (2 more)
Pretty decent acting throughout
Has a genuinely tense atmosphere
When's it's good, it's good...
Don't Breathe is an interesting case of a horror movie. It's a home invasion movie, but our main character is not the home owner, it's the people who have broken into the house.
Our main character's, Rocky, Alex, and Money, have made a living breaking into houses. They are able to accomplish this due to Alex's father having the codes to all the alarm systems. Rocky is trying to get her sister out of their abusive home and Money promises her a big payout from this blind old man's house. Rocky agrees to one last job but things do not go as planned.
Don't Breathe has a pretty solid premise and delivers on a lot of it's scares. My main problem would be the twist which I'm not going to spoil for you here, but I'll say it's pretty unbelievable and took a lot of enjoyment out of the movie for me. All and All I'd say give it a view.
Our main character's, Rocky, Alex, and Money, have made a living breaking into houses. They are able to accomplish this due to Alex's father having the codes to all the alarm systems. Rocky is trying to get her sister out of their abusive home and Money promises her a big payout from this blind old man's house. Rocky agrees to one last job but things do not go as planned.
Don't Breathe has a pretty solid premise and delivers on a lot of it's scares. My main problem would be the twist which I'm not going to spoil for you here, but I'll say it's pretty unbelievable and took a lot of enjoyment out of the movie for me. All and All I'd say give it a view.
Sapphire Jane Sawkins (3 KP) rated Goodreads: Book Reviews in Apps
Jan 28, 2018 (Updated Jan 28, 2018)
Helps keep track of books you have read (3 more)
Inspires you to read more
Allows you to see what friends are reading
Shows you books you might like, according to what you have already read
I have had this app for a while, and would advise anybody who reads a lot to get it. Without this app I would never have any idea where I was up to and what books I have or haven't read.
I enjoy that you can add people and see what they are reading, as this always inspires me to try out different genres of books. Annoyingly makes my never ending list of books to read even longer. Haha.
I do like that you can set a target of how many books you want to read over the year. Last year this massively encouraged me to have a bit of me time and just sit and read a little bit each day as I was desperate to reach my target.
I imagine this app can do a lot more than I know about and look forward to continuing to use it and finding out what other wonders it holds.
I enjoy that you can add people and see what they are reading, as this always inspires me to try out different genres of books. Annoyingly makes my never ending list of books to read even longer. Haha.
I do like that you can set a target of how many books you want to read over the year. Last year this massively encouraged me to have a bit of me time and just sit and read a little bit each day as I was desperate to reach my target.
I imagine this app can do a lot more than I know about and look forward to continuing to use it and finding out what other wonders it holds.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Knack in Video Games
Mar 17, 2018
Promising yet very irritating
This game has a lot of promise, it has very good graphics for the time it came out and the storyline and characters are all pretty interesting and fun (to a point) to play. Knack's abilities too are pretty fun. It's a very long game too so gives lots of game play.
The main issue is that there are a lot irritating features that really start to get you down the longer you play. Regardless of what size Knack is, one or two hits from an enemy will kill you which pushes you back to a prior point within a level. Considering it is very difficult to avoid getting hit sometimes, this is a massive area of frustration for me. There's also no manual checkpoints and picking up health is really quite rare, especially when you need it. There's also very cheesy dialogue which can become a bit cringey after a while.
If it wasn't for the health and checkpoint issues, this would actually be a really good game. But at the moment it often makes me want to throw my controller at the screen...
The main issue is that there are a lot irritating features that really start to get you down the longer you play. Regardless of what size Knack is, one or two hits from an enemy will kill you which pushes you back to a prior point within a level. Considering it is very difficult to avoid getting hit sometimes, this is a massive area of frustration for me. There's also no manual checkpoints and picking up health is really quite rare, especially when you need it. There's also very cheesy dialogue which can become a bit cringey after a while.
If it wasn't for the health and checkpoint issues, this would actually be a really good game. But at the moment it often makes me want to throw my controller at the screen...