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Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Extraction (2020) in Movies
Apr 28, 2020
I thought this was an okay film. I can say that it's almost 100% likely that I'll watch anything with Chris Hemsworth in it and he's great. I will say that I wish I held onto him a little more. I feel like if they would've rolled out his story sooner or built the connection with Ovi more, I would've really felt a connection to him. I just felt like it came a little too late.
I've said it before, but I love it when films have a short timeline because I feel like it allows for a richer story with more details and not as much to contend with in making sure the details align and it all makes sense. I think that if this film would've had a longer plot time, it would've messed up the rhythm.
I liked that they left an ending that could provide for a sequel but didn't need it. If it does end up standing alone, it's a film that can do that. But it could also benefit from a sequel. It doesn't feel like this entire first film was a set up for a second film. This movie has enough to stand on its own and still be a good watch.
I am glad I watched it and I will probably watch the sequel if they do release one, but I can't say I'll ever come back to it or that I highly recommend. Watch it for Hemsworth or don't watch it at all.
I've said it before, but I love it when films have a short timeline because I feel like it allows for a richer story with more details and not as much to contend with in making sure the details align and it all makes sense. I think that if this film would've had a longer plot time, it would've messed up the rhythm.
I liked that they left an ending that could provide for a sequel but didn't need it. If it does end up standing alone, it's a film that can do that. But it could also benefit from a sequel. It doesn't feel like this entire first film was a set up for a second film. This movie has enough to stand on its own and still be a good watch.
I am glad I watched it and I will probably watch the sequel if they do release one, but I can't say I'll ever come back to it or that I highly recommend. Watch it for Hemsworth or don't watch it at all.
Charles Burbridge (13 KP) rated Tomb Raider (2018) in Movies
Mar 26, 2018
Brass tacks, if you enjoyed the reboot Tomb Raider games, you'll like this film. If you dislike them, you probably won't like the film. If you haven't played them? *shrugs* I'm not sure, because I'm a big fan of the reboot games.
Admittedly, the movie plods a bit in the second act, and the third act wasn't as big of a set piece as I would have liked, but all in all, I enjoyed it. Tomb Raider didn't exceed my expectations, but it also didn't disappoint me. It's a perfectly acceptable way to spend two hours, and if Lynn wants to catch it I'll go back for a second viewing.
Reviewing average films is difficult, because there's not much to say. That's the where I am now. 6/10, with the recommendation that the film will be much better in a theater than at home.
Admittedly, the movie plods a bit in the second act, and the third act wasn't as big of a set piece as I would have liked, but all in all, I enjoyed it. Tomb Raider didn't exceed my expectations, but it also didn't disappoint me. It's a perfectly acceptable way to spend two hours, and if Lynn wants to catch it I'll go back for a second viewing.
Reviewing average films is difficult, because there's not much to say. That's the where I am now. 6/10, with the recommendation that the film will be much better in a theater than at home.
Debbiereadsbook (1375 KP) rated Courting Light in Books
Oct 11, 2018
great for LGBT and young adult fans
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Josie volunteers to help at a summer camp for disabled children. But it's the camp leader, Sam, who draws Josie like a moth to a flame.
Something must have piqued my interest with this one because it came with a young adult tag and I said yes, I would read it. And I did like! Not love but I liked it.
Josie, by her own admission, only at camp to have something else on her CV other than school. Paired with Lucian, an autistic teenager, she learns a lot about herself and her life; and that of those around her.
The draw to Sam, the camp leader, is instant and powerful, and Sam fights it a long time before they finally give into each other.
At the end of camp, though, Josie is in for a surprise, as were we! And I did like the ending. From what Josie was saying, about what she thought in years to come, I really wasn't sure which way it was gonna go!
BUT only Josie has a say and ya'll know what I think about that! AND it IS young adult, very much so. What Josie does say, is well written and well delivered. I quite liked Josie!
It's a lovely, easy read, great for young adult fans, and for LGBT fans alike. Just maybe not one for me.
3 good solid stars.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Josie volunteers to help at a summer camp for disabled children. But it's the camp leader, Sam, who draws Josie like a moth to a flame.
Something must have piqued my interest with this one because it came with a young adult tag and I said yes, I would read it. And I did like! Not love but I liked it.
Josie, by her own admission, only at camp to have something else on her CV other than school. Paired with Lucian, an autistic teenager, she learns a lot about herself and her life; and that of those around her.
The draw to Sam, the camp leader, is instant and powerful, and Sam fights it a long time before they finally give into each other.
At the end of camp, though, Josie is in for a surprise, as were we! And I did like the ending. From what Josie was saying, about what she thought in years to come, I really wasn't sure which way it was gonna go!
BUT only Josie has a say and ya'll know what I think about that! AND it IS young adult, very much so. What Josie does say, is well written and well delivered. I quite liked Josie!
It's a lovely, easy read, great for young adult fans, and for LGBT fans alike. Just maybe not one for me.
3 good solid stars.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Sarah (7799 KP) rated Normal People in Books
Jan 9, 2019 (Updated Jan 9, 2019)
An adorable yet frustrating love story
I always enjoy reading books that are based around the most banal and ordinary of plots, yet are still hugely entertaining and enthralling. I think it takes a great author to make a plot like this rise above just average and readable, to something you can’t put down. And Sally Rooney really succeeds with this book.
It’s just a normal romance between two teenagers in Ireland, whose stories and family lives aren’t anything exceptional and are no doubt similar to many others, yet Sally Rooney has turned this into an adorable and un-putdownable read. There’s something so sweet and yet bleak and dark about this story that I really struggled to put it down. The central characters of Connell and Marianne are well developed yet flawed, and I’m sure many people could relate to them. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and changes in their relationship as the story progressed. The book itself is for the most part well written. It has a good structure and I liked how each chapter skips ahead a few months. My only issue with the writing is that I dislike how the dialogue hasn’t been separated out from the rest of the narrative. Since when is it acceptable to not separate dialogue and conversation between characters using speech marks etc? It made reading some of the conversation a little difficult at times. I’m not sure why books that tend to win awards and accolades do so by having questionable punctuation and prose... I’m also not too sure about the ending. It was unsatisfying and felt like the characters were never going to change or advance. But despite this, I really did think this was a great book.
It’s just a normal romance between two teenagers in Ireland, whose stories and family lives aren’t anything exceptional and are no doubt similar to many others, yet Sally Rooney has turned this into an adorable and un-putdownable read. There’s something so sweet and yet bleak and dark about this story that I really struggled to put it down. The central characters of Connell and Marianne are well developed yet flawed, and I’m sure many people could relate to them. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and changes in their relationship as the story progressed. The book itself is for the most part well written. It has a good structure and I liked how each chapter skips ahead a few months. My only issue with the writing is that I dislike how the dialogue hasn’t been separated out from the rest of the narrative. Since when is it acceptable to not separate dialogue and conversation between characters using speech marks etc? It made reading some of the conversation a little difficult at times. I’m not sure why books that tend to win awards and accolades do so by having questionable punctuation and prose... I’m also not too sure about the ending. It was unsatisfying and felt like the characters were never going to change or advance. But despite this, I really did think this was a great book.
mostlyinpyjamas (13 KP) rated The Roanoke Girls in Books
Nov 29, 2017
A well written book with a dark theme.
This book is one of those that's not going to be for everyone. The subject matter is heavy, and for some may well be triggering.
It features child abuse, incest, suicide and murder. It's deeply unsettling and at times made me feel really uncomfortable. I don't think there's a character in this book who isn't very messed up.
However it is very well written, I'm not sure if enjoyed is the right word to use but I was completely drawn in, I had to stick with it. I liked the way the author interweaves the flashbacks with the current story. Often, I don't enjoy flashbacks in books, they can make a story feel too disjointed for me, but it worked in The Roanoke girls.
I don't feel like it sensationalises the subjects it deals with, it sets them out as the stomach churning matters that they are.
It's definitely a story that will get you thinking.
I don't usually read the reading group questions at the end of a book, but I did with this book because I was curious, and I feel that there's definitely plenty for discussion, so perhaps it would be a good book club book.
An example of the reading group questions.
"Do you think gran is right when she says mothers are judged more harshly than fathers? Why do you think that might be? Is it a fair standard?"
Overall I enjoyed this book.
It features child abuse, incest, suicide and murder. It's deeply unsettling and at times made me feel really uncomfortable. I don't think there's a character in this book who isn't very messed up.
However it is very well written, I'm not sure if enjoyed is the right word to use but I was completely drawn in, I had to stick with it. I liked the way the author interweaves the flashbacks with the current story. Often, I don't enjoy flashbacks in books, they can make a story feel too disjointed for me, but it worked in The Roanoke girls.
I don't feel like it sensationalises the subjects it deals with, it sets them out as the stomach churning matters that they are.
It's definitely a story that will get you thinking.
I don't usually read the reading group questions at the end of a book, but I did with this book because I was curious, and I feel that there's definitely plenty for discussion, so perhaps it would be a good book club book.
An example of the reading group questions.
"Do you think gran is right when she says mothers are judged more harshly than fathers? Why do you think that might be? Is it a fair standard?"
Overall I enjoyed this book.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated Wildling (2018) in Movies
Jun 12, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
Wasn't sure what I was expecting from this one but got more than I thought. At first glance I thought it was going to be more of a "psychological' horror flick. Turned out to be more of a "creature feature". There was some killing in it, but nothing too gory. Things literally got hairy in this movie. The actors all did a decent job and the cinematography was good. I'd have liked more of a "back story" on the main character but they filled in some of the gaps about her. Overall this was an entertaining movie. Not really scary at all, but held the interest well enough to watch it all the way through. Interesting take on the werewolf genra. Worth a watch if you're bored some night.
KatieLouCreate (162 KP) rated Nerve (2016) in Movies
Jan 3, 2018
Great Film
I watched this with my friend as a one off. We wasn't sure what to expect from it but we had already sat down to eat and thought why on earth not. At first, I thought it was going to be a cheesy stereotypical film about teenagers online. Especially with all the internet searching screens at the beginning. I restrained from rolling my eyes. But as the film developed I became hooked. It was a light thriller almost. The type where it has you on the edge of your seat because of the suspense and horrors of what is happening. It had just the right amount of love interest for me. It did not entirely dominate the film, nor did it take away from the story line, but it did happen fairly quickly. Another oddity I found was one of the characters, Tommy. I liked this character. He was interesting and funny. But I did not understand his passiveness in the film. It was clear he is interested in Vee (the protagonist) but does nothing to show his interest and stop her falling for Ian. As well as that, he just randomly knows these computer hacker internet websters? There is nothing to indicate why he knows them yet they become crucial towards the end of the film. It would be nice to have a little background on them.
Other than that, I enjoyed watching the film. I believe it raised awareness about the dangers of anonymity on the internet. It also shows that sometimes risks should be taken. We should do things that scare us and push us out of our comfort zones every-now-and-then. But do not go too far. It could be a very dangerous game.
Other than that, I enjoyed watching the film. I believe it raised awareness about the dangers of anonymity on the internet. It also shows that sometimes risks should be taken. We should do things that scare us and push us out of our comfort zones every-now-and-then. But do not go too far. It could be a very dangerous game.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated Bird Box (2018) in Movies
Dec 31, 2018
Cool concept
Contains spoilers, click to show
I really enjoy monster movies. Not getting to actually SEE the monsters makes for an interesting story. Netflix did a good job with this one. Sandra Bullock delivers another great performance(I'm biased-lol). Anyway the acting was really well done and the cinematography was, too. People keep complaining about the ending but I thought it turned out really interesting. No closure to the monsters or any real explanation of what they were, but it showed that there was hope. Sometimes that's all we have to hold onto. Sure, I would've liked to have seen Tom survive with them, but that would have changed the dynamic of the story and Mallory's driving force. All in all I'd say this one is really worth a watch!
Dana (24 KP) rated Sense and Sensibility in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I absolutely love Jane Austen's books! Though I did find more enjoyment in Pride and Prejudice, I really liked this one too. The characters were all very strong personalities and there were many instances that I found myself feeling almost overly attached to them (even thought this is nothing new for me). I especially enjoyed the familial bonds throughout the book. They were really profound and strong, something that isn't always touched upon in the more modern novels. If you like novels about women during this time trying to find a way to survive in the world, pick up this book. If you liked Pride and Prejudice, pick up this book. If you are not sure how you feel about classic literature, maybe pick this one up. Basically, if you like a good book, pick this one up. I am very happy that I had to read this book for one of my classes. It gave me a lot of enjoyment, plus a little break from doing all of my other work. I highly recommend this book!