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Ronyell (38 KP) rated James and the Giant Peach (1996) in Movies

Aug 4, 2020 (Updated Aug 4, 2020)  
James and the Giant Peach (1996)
James and the Giant Peach (1996)
1996 | Animation, Family
8
7.3 (21 Ratings)
Movie Rating
A Boy and His Giant Sized Bugs
Now, I was practically introduced to "James and the Giant Peach" through Roald Dahl's original book and I instantly fell in love with this story! So, I was definitely excited to see Roald Dahl's classic novel come to life in animation and I must say that I practically enjoyed this bizarre yet creative version of the classic children's story. I absolutely loved all of the characters, with my favorite characters being Miss Spider and the Centipede. I loved Miss Spider because she was quite an unusual character as she is considered frightening by the other bugs due to her literally eating other bugs, but I loved the fact that she cares so much for James and was willing to help him out no matter how horrifying the situation is. The Centipede was a truly fun character as he might be a little rude and annoying to the other bugs, but I loved his courageous nature and the fact that he is also willing to help James out of his situation. The voice acting was fantastic, especially Susan Sarandon as the quiet and serious Miss Spider and Richard Dreyfuss as the fun loving Centipede, as they fit the characters extremely well and they bring so much life to the characters. The story was truly creative, especially about the idea of a group of friends (giant insects in this case) coming together inside a giant peach and traveling around the world with it! I found that idea to be a bit strange yet creative at the same time and even though I have an intense fear of bugs, I definitely would have loved to be friends with giant bugs!


The major problem I had with this movie was that there seemed to be so many plot holes within this film that there were times that I did not understand what was going on in this film. Like for example, how did Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker drive their car through the ocean and how can a mechanical shark appear out of nowhere in the ocean?

Overall, "James and the Giant Peach" is definitely one treat that fans of Roald Dahl's works and fans of surreal animation should definitely check out!
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Crack in the World (1965) in Movies

May 5, 2019 (Updated May 5, 2019)  
Crack in the World (1965)
Crack in the World (1965)
1965 | Sci-Fi, Thriller
Decent sci-fi / disaster movie hybrid doesn't dwell on its limited special effects budget or somewhat shaky grasp of geology and concentrates on solid characterisation and storytelling basics. Scientists meddle with forces they do not fully understand (again), it all goes pear-shaped, a large chunk of the Indian Ocean winds up being launched into space while Janette Scott's costume disintegrates in a suspiciously rapid and unprovoked manner.

I always get this one mixed up with The Day the Earth Caught Fire and When the Earth Cracked Open, which is some achievement considering the latter film was never even made. The storyline with the crack is kind of predictable and suffers because the movie doesn't have the budget to actually show towns being wiped out or islands crumbling into the sea; characters just hear about it over the phone. The human interest B-story is really a melodrama, but it's written and played just well enough to keep the film credible and engaging. Well-mounted climax even if it really comes out of nowhere.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Ocean’s 8 (2018) in Movies

Jun 26, 2018 (Updated Jun 26, 2018)  
Ocean’s 8 (2018)
Ocean’s 8 (2018)
2018 | Comedy, Crime
We seem to be at the point where Hollywood is all for giving more and better roles for women in big (ish) genre movies, but no-one seems to have much idea about how to do this beyond clumsily retooling films that would usually star men for a female cast. Hence things like this, which is basically a minimal variation on the formula from the Clooney/Pitt Ocean movies - you know it's about women, though, because they're stealing jewellery and there's a scene where they all swish about glamorously in expensive dresses.

Uninspired and unsurprising plot, distinctly mixed bag of performances, and lack of a moral compass (rather than stealing from a proper bad guy, they're basically just nicking stuff from an innocent jewellery house) mean that this was a rather unengaging experience for me (though a friend who is actually in the target demographic said she quite enjoyed it). Seriously, though, if people keep going to see this sort of thing, it's all going to end up with Sylvester Stallone finally making The Expendabelles, and who really wants that to happen?
  
Ocean’s 8 (2018)
Ocean’s 8 (2018)
2018 | Comedy, Crime
Going through the motions...
Ocean's Eight was not an awful film, just completely unnecessary. Who was clamoring for anther "Ocean's" outing. Just remaking famous films like "Ghostbusters" with all women just isn't enough to captivate me especially since this one was very average indeed.

When Debbie Ocean gets out of a five year prison sentence, she decides to take on the Met Gala and heist a $150 million dollar necklace which has come out of retirement for the evening. The usual gathering of cohorts and planning stages are present, but with very uninteresting, flat one-dimensional characters.

I was about to say I was never bored, but I kind of was. I picked up my phone and was checking email which is a sure sign of me waiting to see how long the film has left before it is over.

Anne Hathaway was my favorite in the film as she seemed to have the most to do. Sarah Paulson who I love was given a very boring part with nothing exciting to say or do.

Overall, very disappointing.

  
S(
Sinking (Sinking Trilogy #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a Historical Young Adult Fantasy that starts off in Ireland, but travels to China and India. Jocelyn is washed up on the beach with no memories of her own. She is completely naked and clutching a locket. She is found by a lady, who decides that she will take the locket for herself as she orders her servants to take care of the girl.

As the story progresses, you learn more about Jocelyn at the same time as she learns about herself. She has two human men who show interest in her, but the ocean also speaks to her and she feels an amazing pull to return - to what or to whom, she doesn't know.

This story moves smoothly throughout, building to the cliffhanger ending that will leave you wanting to know more. This is a wonderful story of mermaids and magic with a historical twist. Recommended.

* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Underwater (2020)
Underwater (2020)
2020 | Horror, Sci-Fi
379. Underwater. A straight to the action, claustrophobic thriller. Story begins with scantily clad Norah getting ready to start her shift at the laboratory at the bottom of the ocean. And by the sudden alarms going off and the entire structure rocking back and forth, something went wrong. it's an earthquake, and its tearing the place apart. And so it's on to find others and to get to escape pods. Oh the earthquake also woke something up down there, and it's big. Who knows maybe its there just to say hi to the new neighbors, but it doesn't really look that way. Because the movie mainly focuses on action, we never really get to see Kristen Stewart make that awkward face, you know what I mean, so that was a plus. TJ Miller was in it, as some kind of odd man-baby scientist, so I thought that was pretty stupid. Overall it was a decent action sci fi flick. Just remember like a famous Jedi once said: "There's always a bigger fish." Filmbufftim on FB.
  
Finding Nemo (2003)
Finding Nemo (2003)
2003 | Animation, Comedy, Family
There's honestly nothing to not like about Finding Nemo - it's Pixar during its finest hour, and just shy of 20 years old, it's still looks great and is just as entertaining as it was back in 2003.

The ocean is the perfect setting for a kids film. It such a huge, largely unexplored place, full of mystery and wonder. Finding Nemo takes advantage of the vast display of aquatic colours and gives us a film that looks distinctive and vibrant.
The plot is definitely taken out of the Pixar guide book - not a bad thing of course. The opening minutes are suitably tragic, and serves as a reminder that Pixar can deliver a gut lunch when they want to, and this was still a few years before Up ripped out my heart.
The adventure that follows includes fun and action packed set pieces, plenty of comedy, and an array of memorable characters, backed up by a faultless voice cast.

Finding Nemo almost immediately earned its place amongst Disney-Pixar royalty, and it still clearly belongs there to this day.