Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Sarah (7798 KP) rated Hot Fuzz (2007) in Movies

Aug 24, 2018  
Hot Fuzz (2007)
Hot Fuzz (2007)
2007 | Action, Comedy
9
8.2 (54 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Hilarious
I've re-watched this again recently and it's just as funny now as it was when I first saw it in the cinema.

It's hilarious, full of wit and British humour. Not only is it a brilliant comedy, it's a great action and mystery flick too. The pairing of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost works as well here as it did in Shaun of the Dead, and there's a great supporting cast in Jim Broadbent, Paddy Considine and the rest, including those blink and you'll miss it cameos.

Whilst I work for a large urban police force, there are a lot of areas of policing I recognise in this film, which for me makes it even funnier watching it back. From having to bring cake (bribes) in for colleagues, to the old school Vauxhall cars, office banter and the more onerous side of policing, they really have done their research. Although I can safely say I've never met an officer quite as dedicated as Angel! But I do reckon a lot of our new recruits have the same view of policing as Danny does...

Such an entertaining film that doesn't get old.
  
Lost Legacy
Lost Legacy
Annette Dashofy | 2014 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Suspicious Suicide Unearths Questions from Zoe’s Past
When paramedic Zoe Chambers arrives at the scene of an apparent suicide, she can’t help but draw parallels to the death of her great uncles several decades ago in the same barn. Meanwhile, Police Chief Pete Adams uncovers another tie to Zoe’s past in the investigation. Is the modern death a murder or a suicide? What is the connection to Zoe?

I’m sorry I waited so long to return to Zoe’s world, but it was fantastic to be back. Zoe and Pete really are co-leads in the series since they split time as our viewpoint characters. In this case, they both have sub-plots involving their parents, as well. The rest of the characters are just as fully developed as our leads. The plot is compelling, always pulling me in and making me reluctant to set the book down. The tone of the book is definitely more somber, and the smattering of language coupled with a few scenes on the edge of being graphic keep it on the traditional side of the spectrum. While not as light as many of the cozies I read, it is still wonderful reading.
  
40x40

Awix (3310 KP) rated Widows (2018) in Movies

Nov 18, 2018 (Updated Nov 18, 2018)  
Widows (2018)
Widows (2018)
2018 | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Based on a TV show that most people will probably have either forgotten or never heard of in the first place, the new film from Steve McQueen (not that one) exchanges the existential historical misery of his last one for existential present-day corruption and despair. When a crew of robbers are killed on a job-gone-wrong and the leader's widow is menaced by the target, demanding his money back, she decides to recruit the widows of the other men to execute her former husband's planned next heist in order to meet her obligations.

Smartly written and well played, there is a lot going on here apart from the obvious genre stuff - various subplots explore the lives of women in modern America, police violence, institutional racism, and so on. However, the problem is that the film seems to get lost in exploring all of this and the meat-and-potatoes stuff about the heist kind of gets a bit lost as a result - the robbery, when it finally arrives, feels a bit rushed and underdeveloped. Still, this is a quality movie with lots to commend it.
  
Kisscut (Grant County, #2)
Kisscut (Grant County, #2)
Karin Slaughter | 2002 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
8
7.6 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
A disturbingly good thriller
The second in the Grant County series this book continues with the high shock value of the crimes involved. Seriously if you are squeamish or don’t want to be reading about rape, genital mutilation, paedophilia, child abuse, and/or suicide then you should probably avoid.

In this outing medical examiner Sara Linton and her on / off partner police chief Jeffery Tolliver investigate a tragic teenage argument that leads to the uncovering of a series of very dark secrets in the town. But with those around the victim closing ranks it’s tough to get to the bottom of who is responsible for some pretty disturbing stuff.

We get to see a bit more of the Sara and Jeffrey relationship dynamic; but more interesting in this book is the ongoing recovery of Detective Lena Adams. The horrendous experiences that were covered in the previous book in the series “Blindsighted” are taking their toll on Lena. I would recommend reading this series in order to fully get the back story to this.

Despite the uncomfortable nature of some of the subject matter this is another well written thriller from Slaughter.
  
The Serpent and the Light (Abscondita Est Magicae Book 1)
The Serpent and the Light (Abscondita Est Magicae Book 1)
Bo Luellen | 2018 | Horror, Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
The characters (4 more)
Details in the descriptions
Cover Art
realistic reactions
twists
can get graphic (0 more)
After contacting the author, he pulled the books and got an editor. He sent me an updated version to re-review. The flow of the story is smoother making an easier read. While there are some grammar mistakes, they don't distract from the story. Had I not mentioned them before I wouldn't have noticed them this time.
 I was hooked on this story in the first page. It is an extremely creative story set in Tulsa, Oklahoma involving a cult of Chuthlu, death, college students, pot, police. Told from 4 different POVs. It is hard not to have some sort of reaction to the characters whether it be from disgust, dislike, or wanting to encourage them and afraid for them. There are also a few twists that may take you by surprise.
Warning:
This story is graphic and can get uncomfortable with it's descriptions. Without too much of a spoiler there are some disturbing scenes and situations.
There's a pretty good balance of humor, fear, amazement, and horror.
I can't wait to read the next book
  
40x40

Hazel (2934 KP) rated Close to Home in Books

Dec 29, 2019  
Close to Home
Close to Home
Cara Hunter | 2017 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
8
7.6 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Absorbing
This is the first in a series of novels starring DI Adam Fawley and his team and what a start to the series this is. I actually missed this first time round and was only reminded I had it when I was sent book 4!

Packed with fantastic characters not all of which are particularly likeable but all of whom are well developed and with interesting stories to tell in their own right. The story line is a difficult one to read being that of child abduction and exploitation however this is not written in a gratuitous way but with care and attention although not is all as it seems and so begins DI Fawley's task of unravelling just what has happened to young Daisy.

This is a fast paced, gripping and absorbing story that had me reading it in quick time in order to discover the secrets and lies contained within the twists and turns of this excellent book and I highly recommend this to those of you who love a great police procedural.

Thank you to Penguin Books (UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
  
Girl Without a Face
Girl Without a Face
Nasser Hashmi | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
2
2.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
A young woman's life is destroyed when she becomes a victim of an acid attack. The police seem to be getting nowhere with the investigation when a letter pops through her door. One of the gang members is remorseful and wants to meet. She starts secretly filming the gang members, with the inside knowledge of their whereabouts, and exposing their criminal activities. Her video becomes a documentary and her career soars as she exposes how easily it is to obtain materials for these attacks.

This story had so much potential. An amazing storyline and characters that could have been inspiring. But I feel like it wasn't written well and this let down the story. There were questions left unanswered. There were scenes that seemed out of place. And situations that seemed unrealistic and just forced idealism. The story felt unfinished and there was no ending for the main male character. And as petty as this may sound, the book needs another proof-reading. The male lead's name changes (it took me a while to figure out who this extra character was) and there are obvious word errors.
  
Bad Boys for Life (2020)
Bad Boys for Life (2020)
2020 | Action, Comedy, Crime
The chemistry between the team is great (0 more)
The brutal murder of Law Enforcement and EMT Personal throughout (0 more)
Another chapter
Contains spoilers, click to show
The bad boys series is a buddy cop movie all cultures can enjoy, unless your a skinhead and then well you can fuck off. Now what bugged me was the brutal murder of a detention officer and three ambulance workers. That shit was not necessary, you can establish you character being evil another way. They also killed off the Captain which I though was as good Will and Marten's character. So the main bad guy is turns out to be Will Smith's son and he survives having killed at least five law enforcement however in the end they set it up where he may "work off some of his time to society" supposedly setting up for the next. So they gonna let a mass murderer of the Captain and others work for the police undercover? Come on man, that's just shitty writing. Yes I am what hippies call a "boot licker" meaning I support law and order, however Id like to point out that I am not a Trump supporter.
Snore Factor 0/10 Action Packed
  
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
2020 | Action, Adventure, Animation
405. Sonic the Hedgehog. How was this movie good? Anyone else? So we start with meeting Sonic escaping some other world by jumping through his rings, so thats what their for, he isn't just a greedy bastard. He finds himself on Earth now, in the heartland of America I guess you'd call it. And he loves it, loves all his new friends, well the friends don't know he's there cause he's an alien n all and they might freak out! After a while of being alone, nothing dirty...or is it? Sonic has an explosion of power that knocks the town power out, alien loneliness is different than human i guess. Well the surge of power attracted the gov't in the form of Dr. Robotnik, an amazing over the top performance by Jim Carrey!! And he's there to take this specimen in to be studied, but luckily Sonic met nice police officer Tom, who's willing to help! Ben Schwartz aka Jean Ralphio, was great as Sonic, would've been more interesting as Jean Ralphio, but oh well. It really is funny and pretty exciting, worth checking out!! Filmbufftim on FB
  
The Bat (1959)
The Bat (1959)
1959 | Horror, Mystery
8
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Vincent Price (0 more)
The Bite
The Bat- is the fourth film adaptation of the story, which began as a 1908 novel The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart, which she later adapted (with Avery Hopwood) into the 1920 play The Bat. The first film version of the play was the 1926 American silent film The Bat. The film version was adapted by playwright Crane Wilbur, who also directed.

This one has Vincent Price in it, which is a huge plus in my books. He is such a excellent, fantasic and phenomenal actor. He is one of my favorites. He is also one of my favorite horror actors.

The plot: A killer called "the Bat" has claimed many lives in the small town inhabited by novelist Cornelia van Gorder (Agnes Moorehead) and her maid, Lizzie (Lenita Lane). As Cornelia implores Dr. Malcolm Wells (Vincent Price) to help her ailing maid, $1 million in the town's bank goes missing. With greed and fear reaching new heights, police Lt. Andy Anderson (Gavin Gordon) goes to Cornelia's house to investigate additional murders committed by the Bat.

Its a creepy, scary and classic movie.