JW Library Sign Language
Reference and Education
App
JW LIBRARY SIGN LANGUAGE is an official app produced by Jehovah's Witnesses. It downloads,...
Founding Friendships: Friendships Between Men and Women in the Early American Republic
Book
"When Harry Met Sally" is only the most iconic of popular American movies, books, and articles that...
Gareth von Kallenbach (965 KP) rated Killer Elite (2011) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
First off, I’m just going to say that the cast alone warrents giving this movie a look. If you know at least one name on this list, you also know it’s worth watching once.
“Killer Elite” stars Jason Statham (The Transporter Trilogy) as Danny Bryce. A retired speical forces soldier who is lured out of retirement when is mentor Hunter (Robert DeNiro) is held hostage by a mysterious Middle-Eastern sheik. With the help of his former comrade Davies (Dominic Purcell Of Blade:Trinity And TV’s Prison Break), Bryce must complete the task of killing three assassins who are reponsible for the deaths of all but one of the sheik’s sons. Which also means going up against retired SAS comando Spike (Clive Owen Of Sin City, Children Of Men, And The Bourne Identity).
Despite less-than-stellar buzz, when I saw this line-up amongst the cast, I knew the movie had to have some potential and for me it did NOT disappoint. Honestly, I don’t get the beef some critics have with the movie. “Killer Elite” is a an action movie. Typically, action movies concentrate on a basic plotline or little to no plot. Action movies are all about ACTION coupled with good actors/actresses. Killer Elite is not just an action movie … it’s a GREAT ACTION MOVIE.
(Sidenote: The 1975 film of the same title, starring Robert DuVall and James Cann has a similar story line, but the movies are based on entirely different events. Both movies are worth checking out though).
“Killer Elite” is based on a book entitled The FeatherMen written by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, which he claimed to be based on true events to much controversy. It follows the assassinations of members of the British Special Air Services, by a hit squad known as The Clinic. The FeatherMen was a group of retired/vigilante special forces members who went head to head with the hitmen of The Clinic to protect members of the regiment.
Look, if you like action movies, this is one for the books. Even the flashbacks with Statham and his love interest are good. There’s even a litle bit of comic relief provided courtesy of Dominic Purcell who looks alot like Lemmy from Motorhead in this movie, just 30 years younger. There is NOT a dull moment int the movie. Pay the cash. Whether it’s in theaters or DVD or other digital medium. An excellent movie for a Friday night!
BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated The Inheritance Games in Books
Jan 3, 2021
I love games. Puzzles. Riddles. I'm good at them. Maybe not Avery or Hawthorne good at them but I can hold my own. I also love guessing the endings of books and movies. I'm not always right but maybe 90% of the time I am. This book reminded me of every game of cluedo I've ever played. Every riddle I've ever read. And Knives Out the movie, one of my favourites. I love the small subtle romance, its not in your face like most books. I loved the sister bond despite their lack of parents. I love the idea that even though the brothers are so handsome and rich, they aren't desirable because of a few rumours. And I love the idea that Avery isn't a random girl whose birthday held some meaning. This puzzling was fantastic! I was continually guessing who Avery was, who shot her in the woods, who Toby was to her.
Now I have to say that I'm suprised I got the big twist in the first few chapters. Toby Hawthorne II is Harry her chess partner? Called it. Obviously.
But the rest was just masterful. As good as my imagination is, I wish it was a movie so I could see the puzzles and riddles in motion.
My First Bible Stories for Family & Sunday School
Book and Education
App
Favourite Bible Stories in simple words & bright pictures to introduce your kids to the Lord. • A...
tapestry100 (306 KP) rated Star Wars: Lords of the Sith in Books
Aug 8, 2017
The planet of Ryloth is integral to the Empire as both a source of slave labor and the substance known as "spice" (this does bug me a little bit - come up with something that a little more original that doesn't sound like you lifted it directly from Dune), but the inhabitants of Ryloth want to be free. The "Free Ryloth" movement is created for that purpose; led by Cham and Isval, the movement has simply been trying to be a thorn in the Empire's side, but when they learn that both the Emperor and Darth Vader are personally coming to the planet, they see an opportunity to assassinate them both and watch the Empire dissolve as a result.
Of course, without even reading the book, you know that the Emperor and Vader are going to survive this story since they appear in Episodes IV-VI, so it's no surprise that they do survive the attack. What makes this book interesting is seeing their relationship and how they deal with being thrust into a situation that neither were anticipating. It's also interesting seeing a book written more from the point of view of the villains that the heroes. Kemp does a great job in fleshing out all of the characters, tho; Cham, Isval, and the other freedom fighters are just as realized as the Emperor and Vader, even tho they are not the main focus of the story. However, it's the relationship between the Emperor and Vader that is the real highlight of the book; seeing their interactions throughout the book and how that relationship is tested, it the real essence of the story, and Kemp does a great job making that relationship feel real.
The only true drawback that I would have to the book is actually getting to the main action of the book. We know that the Emperor and Vader are going to be trying to survive on Ryloth (this isn't spoilers, it's the whole point of the book), but actually getting them to the planet seems to take way too long. Practically half of the book is taken up with explaining aspects of the resistance unit, getting the Emperor and Vader to the planet, and finally the battle that forces them to crash land on the planet. I just kept wanting to jump ahead to when they finally arrive on the planet, as I knew that's when the story would really start moving. Once the action finally got going, however, the book was fantastic. It was interesting to see the Emperor and Vader's relationship in Vader's early days as a Sith.
I know a lot of people are discouraged by the decision to basically do away with the previously established Extended Universe books, but if this is what the future of the Star Wars fictional universe is going to look like, I'm OK with it.
Recommended, especially for Star Wars fans!
The nerdy birdie (67 KP) rated Loot Time Podcast in Podcasts
Oct 17, 2018 (Updated Oct 17, 2018)
The Narrative Complexity of Ordinary Life: Tales from the Coffee Shop
Book
Our everyday lives are enmeshed in storytelling: the stories we tell about our memories, the people...
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Pet Sematary (2019) in Movies
Nov 30, 2019 (Updated Nov 30, 2019)
If you want to start an argument with me, please say the book is better simply because it is different the film. I double dare you. Books and movies are different mediums, therefore, certain elements may lend themselves to one medium better than the other. Did you really want to see young Beverly Marsh have an orgy with the other It kids right after their conquest of Pennywise (or something like that)? I didn't think so. Sometimes changing things is all right and not automatically bad just because it is different!
OK got that off my chest! 😌
So it was 80-90% the same as the 1989 version? That was all right with me this time around. The acting and use of modern CGI effects were good and fit this film well. The CGI was not overused, so my usual complaint about that is unfounded this time. The major plot change for this film I felt was a great idea and kept the audience confused as to them already thinking they knew what was going to happen during that one particular scene.
The ending was somewhat gruesome, but this is a horror movie after all so I enjoyed it.
Teenagers and Teenpics: The Juvenilization of American Movies in the 1950s
Book
"Teenagers and Teenpics" tells the story of two signature developments in the 1950s: the decline of...
Nonfiction Culture Film Society