Search
Search results
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated The Public Enemy (1931) in Movies
Jul 30, 2020
Boring
The story of the rise and fall of prohibition-era Tom Powers. The Public Enemy currently sits at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. I was excited to dive in to this movie, but I started drowning as soon as I hit the first ten minutes. And, no, it didn’t get better.
Acting: 7
Beginning: 4
The beginning is extremely slow. It was very hard for me to get engaged or even stay that way. I got out of the first ten minutes thinking, “If this is any indication of how the rest of the movie is going to be, count me out.”
Characters: 2
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 5
For a gangster movie, I was really hoping for a lot more action. The gun fights aren’t bad, but they happen so few and far between it makes the rest of the movie really boring. I never felt any stakes at any point with any of the characters either so the conflict is mediocre by comparison.
Entertainment Value: 5
I enjoyed watching a part of cinematic history. I respected that aspect at least. Overall, though, I was mildly entertained at best. I felt there were more lulls than high spots.
Memorability: 6
Pace: 4
I was bored out of my mind for most of the movie. Again, I expected more from a gangster movie. Too much talking, way too much exposition. The movie drags like a sloth.
Plot: 8
The story is solid. The execution was weak. There are a number of different ways this story could have been approached without there being so much repeated dialogue. Tom Powers has an interesting story that happened to get lost in translation with all of this.
Resolution: 2
I won’t spoil the ending, but it did nothing for the main character or his story overall. I felt we reached a climax where I had no sympathy for Tom because they had done little to nothing to that point to make me give a shit about him. Considering how bad the beginning was already, this was absolutely horrible.
Overall: 53Do I think The Public Enemy is a bad movie? Clearly, but I will say it’s not without a handful of shining moments. The camerawork is phenomenal particularly during gun fights. However, because I could never get to a point where I rooted for the main character, it made the movie as a whole hard to enjoy for me.
Acting: 7
Beginning: 4
The beginning is extremely slow. It was very hard for me to get engaged or even stay that way. I got out of the first ten minutes thinking, “If this is any indication of how the rest of the movie is going to be, count me out.”
Characters: 2
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 5
For a gangster movie, I was really hoping for a lot more action. The gun fights aren’t bad, but they happen so few and far between it makes the rest of the movie really boring. I never felt any stakes at any point with any of the characters either so the conflict is mediocre by comparison.
Entertainment Value: 5
I enjoyed watching a part of cinematic history. I respected that aspect at least. Overall, though, I was mildly entertained at best. I felt there were more lulls than high spots.
Memorability: 6
Pace: 4
I was bored out of my mind for most of the movie. Again, I expected more from a gangster movie. Too much talking, way too much exposition. The movie drags like a sloth.
Plot: 8
The story is solid. The execution was weak. There are a number of different ways this story could have been approached without there being so much repeated dialogue. Tom Powers has an interesting story that happened to get lost in translation with all of this.
Resolution: 2
I won’t spoil the ending, but it did nothing for the main character or his story overall. I felt we reached a climax where I had no sympathy for Tom because they had done little to nothing to that point to make me give a shit about him. Considering how bad the beginning was already, this was absolutely horrible.
Overall: 53Do I think The Public Enemy is a bad movie? Clearly, but I will say it’s not without a handful of shining moments. The camerawork is phenomenal particularly during gun fights. However, because I could never get to a point where I rooted for the main character, it made the movie as a whole hard to enjoy for me.
Annie Chanse (15 KP) rated Dangerous Dream in Books
Dec 19, 2017
Contains spoilers, click to show
This one started out a bit slow, but once Link and Ridley broke up and Ridley went her own way, it began to pick up. Actually, "started out a bit slow" is not accurate. The problem I had with the beginning was actually that it was too rushed. It seemed very hastily cobbled together like the authors just didn't have enough time or energy to expend the effort it took to mold it into a complete storyline, so instead, they just left it as the bare bones of a story.
However, then Link tells Ridley that he loves her, and she freaks out and runs off to be on her own. That is when the story gets good. I loved the idea of a Caster's game of BS in which the players play for talents, favors, and powers rather than cash. And I am INCREDIBLY interested to know just what it is that Ridley owes Lennox after she lost.
It was a very, very interesting little novella that pretty much ensured I'll go out and buy a copy of the new novel this December.
However, then Link tells Ridley that he loves her, and she freaks out and runs off to be on her own. That is when the story gets good. I loved the idea of a Caster's game of BS in which the players play for talents, favors, and powers rather than cash. And I am INCREDIBLY interested to know just what it is that Ridley owes Lennox after she lost.
It was a very, very interesting little novella that pretty much ensured I'll go out and buy a copy of the new novel this December.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Frailty (2002) in Movies
Jan 4, 2018
Paxton acting and directing (1 more)
Plot twists
Bill Paxton was one of my favorite actors of all time. I was very sad when he passed away in 2017 at the young age of 61. He will leave a legacy of fantastic films including Aliens, Twister, One False Move, Apollo 13 and this film which he also directed.
Matthew McConaughey walks into the office of FBI agent Powers Boothe and begins telling a very unusual story. When he was a kid, his dad said he had a vision which gave him the ability to see "demons" within human beings. He is then given the task of "dispelling" the demons in front of his two young sons.
The film creates quite the moral dilemma for the audience as you feel for the boys and the dire predicament their father places them into. You also wonder whether he can really "see" the demons or he is just losing his mind.
The 3rd act of the film takes some interesting turns as the true nature of some of the characters is revealed. You will not see this one coming.
A real standout in the Paxton legacy.
Matthew McConaughey walks into the office of FBI agent Powers Boothe and begins telling a very unusual story. When he was a kid, his dad said he had a vision which gave him the ability to see "demons" within human beings. He is then given the task of "dispelling" the demons in front of his two young sons.
The film creates quite the moral dilemma for the audience as you feel for the boys and the dire predicament their father places them into. You also wonder whether he can really "see" the demons or he is just losing his mind.
The 3rd act of the film takes some interesting turns as the true nature of some of the characters is revealed. You will not see this one coming.
A real standout in the Paxton legacy.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) in Movies
Aug 26, 2017
Not quite in the same league as other Japanese animations
Just like those crazy Studio Ghibli films of fantastic tales and amazing creatures, Laika productions (famous for Coraline) has created a stop motion animation using Japanese folklore. Now as a fan of Ghibli, I can say that this is no way near that league although the animation is always amazing to behold.
The story is rather tragic of a boy from a magical powerful family, who has escaped with his mother as a baby, losing an eye in the process, and growing up to play an instrument that has the power to control paper. Both he and his mother are poor, livingin a cave, hiding away from this family - his father has also perished in this initial battle. However, they are found and his mother gives him her powers to escape and try and find a way of defeating her sisters and father.
It's a quest-based film, filled with perilous obstacles and while it was sad at times - I just don't think it was as heartfelt as other Japanese animations. The voices of Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron is always fantastic to hear though.
The story is rather tragic of a boy from a magical powerful family, who has escaped with his mother as a baby, losing an eye in the process, and growing up to play an instrument that has the power to control paper. Both he and his mother are poor, livingin a cave, hiding away from this family - his father has also perished in this initial battle. However, they are found and his mother gives him her powers to escape and try and find a way of defeating her sisters and father.
It's a quest-based film, filled with perilous obstacles and while it was sad at times - I just don't think it was as heartfelt as other Japanese animations. The voices of Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron is always fantastic to hear though.
Mayhawke (97 KP) rated 12 Monkeys (1995) in Movies
Feb 9, 2018
I'll have a Monkey on the rocks, with a twist...
The time is the future; The world has been ravaged by a bio-engineered plague,and the powers-that-be have decided it's time to do something about it.
Their decision? Put the half-nelson on a poor, unhappy convict (Willis) and tell him he's going back in time to hunt down the source, and kill the lunatic that released the bug before he can do it, thus changing history. Armed with just the knowledge that he's looking for a group called 'The 12 Monkeys', he is dispatched, only to find himself in an unforseen conflict with the local law and a Section 8.
Great performance from Willis, but it was while watching this film that I realised that Brad Pitt is actually more than a pretty face.
One of the best twists in the end of a tale I have ever seen.
This is definitley one of my desert island films, so I'm not really good at objectivity when discussing it but if you like slighty off-the-wall film entertainment I'd say this is a must.
Their decision? Put the half-nelson on a poor, unhappy convict (Willis) and tell him he's going back in time to hunt down the source, and kill the lunatic that released the bug before he can do it, thus changing history. Armed with just the knowledge that he's looking for a group called 'The 12 Monkeys', he is dispatched, only to find himself in an unforseen conflict with the local law and a Section 8.
Great performance from Willis, but it was while watching this film that I realised that Brad Pitt is actually more than a pretty face.
One of the best twists in the end of a tale I have ever seen.
This is definitley one of my desert island films, so I'm not really good at objectivity when discussing it but if you like slighty off-the-wall film entertainment I'd say this is a must.
Kyera (8 KP) rated Queen Song (Red Queen, #0.1) in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Queen Song is a short novella detailing Coriane's life. It begins prior to her introduction to the Prince and shows a simpler life. Her elder cousin Jessamine wants her to be a proper lady and help restore the power/glory of their failing house. Coriane Jacos just wants to tinker and build things. It was nice to see that similarity to her future son, even though they never really knew one another.
You also get a taste of a second (future) queen in the young Elara, Maven's mother. She is just as pleasant as a young adult as she is in the series, which is to say she's a terror. Elara is manipulative and her power is incredibly strong. <spoiler> We even find out that it was, in fact, Elara that drove Coriane to end her life. Coriane even suspected that Elara was in her mind, but was unable to prove it. She thought she was able to sing well enough to find out if it was true, but Elara was able to resist her. The Queen even got help from someone who could suppress powers, to no avail. Elara drove her mad. </spoiler>
You also get a taste of a second (future) queen in the young Elara, Maven's mother. She is just as pleasant as a young adult as she is in the series, which is to say she's a terror. Elara is manipulative and her power is incredibly strong. <spoiler> We even find out that it was, in fact, Elara that drove Coriane to end her life. Coriane even suspected that Elara was in her mind, but was unable to prove it. She thought she was able to sing well enough to find out if it was true, but Elara was able to resist her. The Queen even got help from someone who could suppress powers, to no avail. Elara drove her mad. </spoiler>
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated This Case Is Gonna Kill Me (Linnet Ellery, #1) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
This book was an unexpected delight. Lawyers? Meh. Even lawyers with paranormal spice.
But Linnet Ellery is no ordinary lawyer, even for a young lawyer in a White Fang law firm. She has no end of backbone and smarts, not to mention luck - or should I say Luck? Because fortune swirls around her like nobody else, making her a nexus of events and a little too conspicuous for her very discreet employers.
That's not to say that she doesn't make her share of mistakes - that wouldn't be any fun, now would it? She survives and learns from them, then helps others avoid the same.
Living in a world of vampires, werewolves, and Alfar (elves) might be intimidating to most humans, especially when those beings (Powers) are essentially in charge. Linnet doesn't let them intimidate her. She uses her contacts and plays to her strengths, winning more and more significant battles every time she goes to bat.
Bornikova sets things up very nicely for a sequel, and I am personally hungry to read more. I strongly suggest this book to anyone who enjoys paranormals, urban fantasy, or simply good, humorous fiction with a dollop of suspense and a strong heroine.
But Linnet Ellery is no ordinary lawyer, even for a young lawyer in a White Fang law firm. She has no end of backbone and smarts, not to mention luck - or should I say Luck? Because fortune swirls around her like nobody else, making her a nexus of events and a little too conspicuous for her very discreet employers.
That's not to say that she doesn't make her share of mistakes - that wouldn't be any fun, now would it? She survives and learns from them, then helps others avoid the same.
Living in a world of vampires, werewolves, and Alfar (elves) might be intimidating to most humans, especially when those beings (Powers) are essentially in charge. Linnet doesn't let them intimidate her. She uses her contacts and plays to her strengths, winning more and more significant battles every time she goes to bat.
Bornikova sets things up very nicely for a sequel, and I am personally hungry to read more. I strongly suggest this book to anyone who enjoys paranormals, urban fantasy, or simply good, humorous fiction with a dollop of suspense and a strong heroine.
Gail (4 KP) rated Trust (Alex Conner Chronicles, #1) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
This book is very different then my normal go to paranormal so I am glad it didn’t leave me disappointed. Alex is a event planner but she takes it to a new level of partying. She grows up with powers she didn’t really understand and a mother who was more high than sober. This book gave me chills at times but I loved it.
You get what you want out of this book. The author leaves so many possibilities open that you just can not guess where it will lead. You get views of her past and you understand how she turn out this way. But it seems nothing is working for her. Her therapist and friend are no help. The scenes are hot but classy.
I enjoyed her highs and lows because even though she had magic her life wasn’t perfect. She was learning and still struggling like any other person. If you don’t believe in a little magic you will after reading this. I love reading books when the author is a word magician. With every moment and emotion you feel what they feel.
You get what you want out of this book. The author leaves so many possibilities open that you just can not guess where it will lead. You get views of her past and you understand how she turn out this way. But it seems nothing is working for her. Her therapist and friend are no help. The scenes are hot but classy.
I enjoyed her highs and lows because even though she had magic her life wasn’t perfect. She was learning and still struggling like any other person. If you don’t believe in a little magic you will after reading this. I love reading books when the author is a word magician. With every moment and emotion you feel what they feel.
Gail (4 KP) rated Truth (Alex Conner Chronicles, #2) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Life is a tornado for Alex Connor as we continue where we left off in book one. Now she is training hard for a fight that will test her strength and will. This book has everything in it. A weird love triangle and some interesting guys. Alex reunites with her mother and now is looking for her dad.
I have been pulling for Justin since book one hoping that she would pick him. I would’ve never guess the twist she throws at us in this book. Ryan doesn’t do it for me so I’m hoping that he cast some spell on her. Lol!
You get so much from these books that you don’t want to put them down or wait for the next book. I love the mystery and all the magic the author wrote. I also enjoyed how Alex could be sweet or spicy. The different powers and possibilities the author gives us just sucks you in.
I don’t really like love triangles because someone always gets hurt and this book is clearly no different. It’s not that hard to pick one guy. But we wouldn’t be reading if we didn’t enjoy a little drama.
I have been pulling for Justin since book one hoping that she would pick him. I would’ve never guess the twist she throws at us in this book. Ryan doesn’t do it for me so I’m hoping that he cast some spell on her. Lol!
You get so much from these books that you don’t want to put them down or wait for the next book. I love the mystery and all the magic the author wrote. I also enjoyed how Alex could be sweet or spicy. The different powers and possibilities the author gives us just sucks you in.
I don’t really like love triangles because someone always gets hurt and this book is clearly no different. It’s not that hard to pick one guy. But we wouldn’t be reading if we didn’t enjoy a little drama.
ErinSJ (112 KP) rated The Bone Queen (The Books of Pellinor #0.5) in Books
Jun 20, 2018
When I found out The Bone Queen was coming out it was a pleasant surprise. I read the original Pellinor series years ago and have always remembered it as one of my favorite fantasy series. I was originally a bit worried that all these years later this book wouldn't live up to the rest of the series, but I'm happy to report that my fears were unjustified.
The Bone Queen is beautifully written, and something about the writing or perhaps the general world building evokes a feeling very similar to that of The Lord of the Rings, with an emphasis on the ultimate powers of good over evil, even when evil manages to take a terrible toll on the world. Though there is certainly action and plenty of adventure to be had, this book focuses on very human themes of forgiveness and guilt. Cadvan struggles to forgive himself for the irreparable damage one foolish mistake caused, and those around him struggle to do the same.
For those looking for a thoughtful bit of epic fantasy that still manages to have some fun, this is a must read.
The Bone Queen is beautifully written, and something about the writing or perhaps the general world building evokes a feeling very similar to that of The Lord of the Rings, with an emphasis on the ultimate powers of good over evil, even when evil manages to take a terrible toll on the world. Though there is certainly action and plenty of adventure to be had, this book focuses on very human themes of forgiveness and guilt. Cadvan struggles to forgive himself for the irreparable damage one foolish mistake caused, and those around him struggle to do the same.
For those looking for a thoughtful bit of epic fantasy that still manages to have some fun, this is a must read.