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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Snowpiercer (2013) in Movies
May 3, 2019
A bleak and violent sci-fi
I wanted to see this film when it first came out, and was so annoyed it didnt get a UK release. At the time I managed to find a copy to watch, but havent seen it again until now.
To start with this has a fantastic cast. Whilst I struggle to forget Captain America every time I see Chris Evans, I do think he's a good actor and he's brilliant supported by the likes of John Hurt and Octavia Spencer. Jamie Bell is a great actor too and I think he's rather underrated. And Tilda Swinton simply steals the show as Mason. You hate her yet love her at the same time as she's absolutely hilarious. In part due to the genius idea to give her a Yorkshire accent, as this makes it even more surreal and funny.
The story itself is an interesting one and I was intrigued by the whole thing, I felt invested in the characters as they traversed along the train. And this plot plays out in a very bleak and violent manner. The action scenes are great and wonderfully brutal, and there is some very bleak and dark outcomes and conversations towards the end of the film that make this not your typical run of the mill sci-fi.
I do think there are some parts of this film that aren't great, namely some strange seemingly plot holes to do with character backstories. They're not the end of the world, but still a tad annoying. Also I'm not sure if this is just the Netflix version, but when the Korean characters were speaking there were no subtitles. Fine for minor scenes, but there is a least one major scene where the lack of subtitles is a huge detriment. I'm assuming/hoping the film hasn't been made that way, so I'll blame Netflix!
This is not your average happy sci-fi. However if you dont mind watching something with dark and bleak overtones and a decent amount of violence, this is definitely worth a watch.
To start with this has a fantastic cast. Whilst I struggle to forget Captain America every time I see Chris Evans, I do think he's a good actor and he's brilliant supported by the likes of John Hurt and Octavia Spencer. Jamie Bell is a great actor too and I think he's rather underrated. And Tilda Swinton simply steals the show as Mason. You hate her yet love her at the same time as she's absolutely hilarious. In part due to the genius idea to give her a Yorkshire accent, as this makes it even more surreal and funny.
The story itself is an interesting one and I was intrigued by the whole thing, I felt invested in the characters as they traversed along the train. And this plot plays out in a very bleak and violent manner. The action scenes are great and wonderfully brutal, and there is some very bleak and dark outcomes and conversations towards the end of the film that make this not your typical run of the mill sci-fi.
I do think there are some parts of this film that aren't great, namely some strange seemingly plot holes to do with character backstories. They're not the end of the world, but still a tad annoying. Also I'm not sure if this is just the Netflix version, but when the Korean characters were speaking there were no subtitles. Fine for minor scenes, but there is a least one major scene where the lack of subtitles is a huge detriment. I'm assuming/hoping the film hasn't been made that way, so I'll blame Netflix!
This is not your average happy sci-fi. However if you dont mind watching something with dark and bleak overtones and a decent amount of violence, this is definitely worth a watch.
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) rated Triple Frontier (2019) in Movies
May 13, 2019
Triple threat
#tripplefrontier is a slick #film that at its depest focuses on the casualties & sacrafises that five mens obbsessions, greed & selfishness have on all the people they encounter. Bar #apostle & #cargo ive not really enjoyed any of the #netflix movies but seeing the impressive cast & equaly impressive director attached to tripple frontier i really couldnt pass this one up & ive got to say i was very impressed. Acting is great all round with #benafflek & #oscarisaac taking the front seat here. I was also #excited to see #garretthedlund in this but sadly his character isnt given much screentime at all or explored enough. Affleck has the most intresting character a father that at first seems like an all round good guy until we start to see the cracks in his personality housing traits such as neglect, coldness, #obbsession, greed, #addiction & agressive streaks. Watching him change from the weak man to this #heartless, job adict, selfish yet highly trained person is engrosing & helps ramp up tension with a certain unpredictability. Group dinamic is also a joy to watch & the #relationships they have with each other are belivable & help the viewer form a nice connection with them all. Some solid metaphors of how much a life costs & how #america takes whatever they want from people regardless of the effects or casualties it has are subley weaved in here at points. Themes of how #combat effects individuals mentaly, how a job in the #specialforces fails on the risk vs reward scale forcing many to seek higher paid mercinary work instead & also alot about trust/reliability in #hostile situations not just with unknowns but in #friendships too. Shot impressibly there are some #beautiful establishing shots & some #gorgeous camera work too (especially during the firefights & car chases). Sets are all visually pleasing to the eye & locations feel varied & full of life/hostility. Cgi is belivable & the soundtrack is memorable also. Tension is great giving you the #feeling that somethings about to go wrong at every turn & the action is exilirating. While nothing particually new its a very well made film thats certainly sets the bar for Netflix films to follow. #ciniphile #filmbuff
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Not by Sight in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Espionage is at its height during WWI. The slightest piece of evidence, whether legitimate or not, can mean the difference between life and death.
Grace Mabry is full of patriotic ideals. She believes there is no excuse for fit and able young men to stay home and drink champagne and attend fancy parties. Grace sneaks into a masquerade ball to hand out white feathers of cowardice in her efforts to aide the war. She slips a feather into the hands of Jack Benningham, heir to the Earl of Stonebrook. Unbeknownst to her the events that are set into motion by that one act. Both Jack and Grace are soon forced to learn the true meaning of walking by faith, not by sight.
"She taught me to never back down and to always stand up for what I believed in."
Not by Sight has to be one of the most spellbinding books that I have read. On multiple occasions I had to remind myself to breathe. I couldn't even put the book down to walk from point A to point B. And my eyes kept sliding to the end of each page, and therefore causing me to reread the whole page again. The depth of feeling and emotion between the characters is very real. I found the personalities very developed and would love it if Grace were to ring me up and we could discuss her whole adventure. The story line changes perspectives between more characters than I had expected, but it gave valuable insight into the circumstances that otherwise would have gone unnoticed. I was constantly reminded of the BBC show Land Girls (Netflix) which is set during WWII. There is another show called Bomb Girls (Netflix), also WWII, that is similar but set in a munitions factory rather than on a farm. Both are excellent, and I highly recommend them. Pick up a copy of Not by Sight and be transported to the middle of WWI. Say goodbye to housework and sleep, because this intriguing story will completely pull you in. I am on my way to re-watch both shows now!
I received a free copy of Not by Sight from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Grace Mabry is full of patriotic ideals. She believes there is no excuse for fit and able young men to stay home and drink champagne and attend fancy parties. Grace sneaks into a masquerade ball to hand out white feathers of cowardice in her efforts to aide the war. She slips a feather into the hands of Jack Benningham, heir to the Earl of Stonebrook. Unbeknownst to her the events that are set into motion by that one act. Both Jack and Grace are soon forced to learn the true meaning of walking by faith, not by sight.
"She taught me to never back down and to always stand up for what I believed in."
Not by Sight has to be one of the most spellbinding books that I have read. On multiple occasions I had to remind myself to breathe. I couldn't even put the book down to walk from point A to point B. And my eyes kept sliding to the end of each page, and therefore causing me to reread the whole page again. The depth of feeling and emotion between the characters is very real. I found the personalities very developed and would love it if Grace were to ring me up and we could discuss her whole adventure. The story line changes perspectives between more characters than I had expected, but it gave valuable insight into the circumstances that otherwise would have gone unnoticed. I was constantly reminded of the BBC show Land Girls (Netflix) which is set during WWII. There is another show called Bomb Girls (Netflix), also WWII, that is similar but set in a munitions factory rather than on a farm. Both are excellent, and I highly recommend them. Pick up a copy of Not by Sight and be transported to the middle of WWI. Say goodbye to housework and sleep, because this intriguing story will completely pull you in. I am on my way to re-watch both shows now!
I received a free copy of Not by Sight from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) rated El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019) in Movies
Oct 11, 2019
What ar*ehole doesn't like pinapple?
El Camino is an impressive gritty follow up to breaking bad that finally gives fans the closure they've been longing for. Now I liked Breaking Bad (id give it a solid 8/10) but its not something ive ever desired to watch again so when I saw El Camino on Netflix I wasn't that desperate to see it but thank goodness I did because it surpasses the show in every way. Starting off where the show ends yet it feels immediately aparent this movie has a different tone/style to it. Its way more gritty, grainy looking, atmospheric and overall feels much more raw and dark. Theres such an over powering sadness too and as we follow Jesse we see just how traumatised and broken he's become from past events and its hard to not feel really emotionally attached, drained, exhausted for him. Playing out as a kind of character progression movie we follow Jesse as he struggles to survive on his own scared and with nothing but a car. Its his progress and changing as a person that keeps the film incredibly engaging and as we whiteness him mature, grown, learn and adapt in this harsh world we see he becomes stronger and while he might hate Heisenberg he almost has to become and learn from him to be stronger as a person and to ensure his survival. Arron Paul is stunning especialy when Jesse is pushed past his breaking point really nailing a great character change from pathetic insignificant bug into a dangerous calculating intimidating danger. What also makes Jesse great is he still knows where he came from and hes always thankful/appreciative and never forgets what he lost or the people that have helped him and inspired him. Cinematography is simply stunning as is camera work and the chill inducing soundtrack really helps make some really tense scenes too. Highly recomended and with a great thought provoking ending that proves trauma/sadness never really leave us once weve experienced it. El Camino is a very pleasant surprise especially for a netflix movie.
Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche
8.0
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A young girl who is empowered, capable, and smart...the Enola Holmes book series convey an impactful...
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Orange is the New Black: My Time in a Women's Prison in Books
May 14, 2017
Better that the netflix series
When I lifted this book from the shelve I thought it had been put in the wrong section as I was looking for memoir. I was delighted however, when I turned the book over and the blurb revealed that is was in fact a memoir. I had just finished watching all three series of 'Orange is the New Black' on Netflex and had quickly become a fan. The TV program is very thinly based on Kerman's actual experience and because of this I cannot make comparisons. The novel stands alone as an intelligent and well structured memoir that reads like fiction. The author portrays her time in prison through her connection with the other female prisoners and the way in which they were/are forced to endure prison life. The book is emotional, funny and heartbreaking. Kerman has captured a time in her life with precision that only a true writer can. I feel like I could have been there with her. Well done.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Orange is the New Black - Season 1 in TV
Aug 3, 2017
The range of different characters (2 more)
The cast are all great
The writing is sharp and witty
Life on the inside is different
My girlfriend was actually the one to talk me into trying this show and I am so glad she did. This first season is great. The storyline is engaging, the characters are instantly memorable and the writing is fast and razor sharp. This is another high quality show produced by Netflix and at this point their track record shows more hits than misses. The strange thing though, and the only thing that stops me from scoring this show a 10, is the main character, Piper Chapman.
She is obnoxious, self absorbed and consistently dislikeable and I don't get why. The show is based on a book written by real life prison inmate Piper Kerman. Why would she show herself to be an insensitive, irritating idiot? This isn't the actors fault though, Taylor Schilling does a good job with what she is given, but Piper as a character is genuinely the worst thing about the show.
She is obnoxious, self absorbed and consistently dislikeable and I don't get why. The show is based on a book written by real life prison inmate Piper Kerman. Why would she show herself to be an insensitive, irritating idiot? This isn't the actors fault though, Taylor Schilling does a good job with what she is given, but Piper as a character is genuinely the worst thing about the show.
Sam (74 KP) rated Pretty Little Liars (Pretty Little Liars, #1) in Books
Mar 27, 2019
I was really excited to start this because it is a universally known fact that the book is always better than the film or TV adaptation. I don’t think that rule applies to Pretty Little Liars.
I definitely feel that the series is much better than the books. The series is always gripping, gives plenty of time for the plot to develop, and has likeable characters. I was addicted to it for a year of binging.
I had a few issues with the book.
If I had read the book before watching the series, I wouldn’t have gone onto Netflix and binged on it. I feel like the book was too small and the plot was too condensed. This made the characters very two-dimensional.
The characters in the book are also all unlikable. They are all really bratty and spoiled and they really annoyed me. The creators of the series completely changed them for the good.
It is still getting two stars because I did manage to finish the book. I was just really disappointed that it wasn’t any better.
I definitely feel that the series is much better than the books. The series is always gripping, gives plenty of time for the plot to develop, and has likeable characters. I was addicted to it for a year of binging.
I had a few issues with the book.
If I had read the book before watching the series, I wouldn’t have gone onto Netflix and binged on it. I feel like the book was too small and the plot was too condensed. This made the characters very two-dimensional.
The characters in the book are also all unlikable. They are all really bratty and spoiled and they really annoyed me. The creators of the series completely changed them for the good.
It is still getting two stars because I did manage to finish the book. I was just really disappointed that it wasn’t any better.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Annihilation (2018) in Movies
Mar 17, 2018 (Updated Mar 17, 2018)
Visually striking, cerebral SF-horror movie, notable for being released via Netflix rather than cinemas in most of the world. Ex-soldier-turned-biologist Natalie Portman joins a mission into a mysterious zone where the laws of reality seem to be breaking down.
You can kind of see why Paramount got cold feet and requested changes to the ending in particular, for it is weird and wilfully enigmatic (rather beautiful too, of course), but then the whole movie spurns the obvious elements of outlandish splatter the premise suggests in favour of a weird and unsettling atmosphere (the director has suggested it was inspired by H.P. Lovecraft as much as the stated source novel). Kind of derivative, but not necessarily in a bad way; probably a bit too chilly and intellectual for its own good. Obviously the work of the same director as Ex Machina; one day Garland will figure out how to make an SF movie that doesn't just play with ideas in a rather sterile way, and then he may produce something really exceptional.
You can kind of see why Paramount got cold feet and requested changes to the ending in particular, for it is weird and wilfully enigmatic (rather beautiful too, of course), but then the whole movie spurns the obvious elements of outlandish splatter the premise suggests in favour of a weird and unsettling atmosphere (the director has suggested it was inspired by H.P. Lovecraft as much as the stated source novel). Kind of derivative, but not necessarily in a bad way; probably a bit too chilly and intellectual for its own good. Obviously the work of the same director as Ex Machina; one day Garland will figure out how to make an SF movie that doesn't just play with ideas in a rather sterile way, and then he may produce something really exceptional.
Mekkin B. (122 KP) rated Wynonna Earp - Season 1 in TV
Feb 21, 2018
If Buffy grew up and moved to the wild west
I stumbled across this show on Netflix and almost immediately fell in love.
Wynonna Earp is a hard drinking, hard living 27 year old. She's the black sheep and the town fuck-up. She's spent years avoiding her family and her responsibilities, but when she finally returns to her home town of Purgatory, she finds that she can't outrun the family curse.
Now, if she ever hopes to break the curse and save her family, she must battle the seventy seven revenants of the Ghost River Triangle and send them back to hell. But at least she doesn't have to do it alone.
If you've been dying to find an at least decently written fantasy/supernatural TV show with witty dialogue and compelling relationships, this one is definitely for you.
Also if you're like me and will watch anything that has adorable and fully fleshed out lesbian relationships, this one is also for you. Wynonna's younger sister Wavery and the dashing town deputy are SO GAY in the BEST possible way.
Wynonna Earp is a hard drinking, hard living 27 year old. She's the black sheep and the town fuck-up. She's spent years avoiding her family and her responsibilities, but when she finally returns to her home town of Purgatory, she finds that she can't outrun the family curse.
Now, if she ever hopes to break the curse and save her family, she must battle the seventy seven revenants of the Ghost River Triangle and send them back to hell. But at least she doesn't have to do it alone.
If you've been dying to find an at least decently written fantasy/supernatural TV show with witty dialogue and compelling relationships, this one is definitely for you.
Also if you're like me and will watch anything that has adorable and fully fleshed out lesbian relationships, this one is also for you. Wynonna's younger sister Wavery and the dashing town deputy are SO GAY in the BEST possible way.
Andy K (10823 KP) May 3, 2019