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Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Baby Teeth in Books
Jan 31, 2019
For all the hype that Zoje Stage’s debut novel, Baby Teeth has garnered, I expected this to be a delightful, bone-chilling read. After all, the idea of homicidal children is, on its own, creepy. Unfortunately, it fell disgustingly flat, repetitive and, for the most part, bored me. This is not a novel of horror; it is barely even a thriller. If anything, it’s the story of how a selfish mother, oblivious father, and attention-seeking child live their day-to-day lives.
One of the things that drew me in initially with this book is the fact that the mother, Suzette, suffers from Crohn’s disease. Stage does an amazing job at describing life for someone who suffers from IBD – all the way down to the medications (which I knew by their descriptions exactly what they were from experience). This is great, especially since more attention needs to be drawn to Crohn’s and colitis. However, Suzette’s personality, innermost thoughts, and general disdain give a poor, almost stereotypical visual of the character. Stage makes it seem like Suzette simply doesn’t want to do things, rather than can’t which, as a sufferer of ulcerative colitis, really irks me. In fact, Suzette is utterly unlikable.
Hanna, on the other hand, is a child that acts out horridly in order to garner her father’s attention. Sure, it’s pretty messed up–the things she does to her mother–but overall, she seems more like an undisciplined brat with a hint of something worse wrong with her. And the father? God forbid he man up and play his role as he should; rather, he coddles and feeds into Hanna’s bad behavior. Seriously, there’s nothing to like about the characters here.
Moving on to the plot, Baby Teeth is an absolute snoozefest. Girl attacks mom, mom gets upset, dad doesn’t listen, rinse and repeat for three hundred or so pages. Seriously, the only good thing it has is that things escalate, but even that is extremely slow.
Overall, I’m utterly disappointed in this book. It’s extremely tame (though there is a brief, unnecessary sex scene). I’d like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this book for the purpose of an unbiased review.
One of the things that drew me in initially with this book is the fact that the mother, Suzette, suffers from Crohn’s disease. Stage does an amazing job at describing life for someone who suffers from IBD – all the way down to the medications (which I knew by their descriptions exactly what they were from experience). This is great, especially since more attention needs to be drawn to Crohn’s and colitis. However, Suzette’s personality, innermost thoughts, and general disdain give a poor, almost stereotypical visual of the character. Stage makes it seem like Suzette simply doesn’t want to do things, rather than can’t which, as a sufferer of ulcerative colitis, really irks me. In fact, Suzette is utterly unlikable.
Hanna, on the other hand, is a child that acts out horridly in order to garner her father’s attention. Sure, it’s pretty messed up–the things she does to her mother–but overall, she seems more like an undisciplined brat with a hint of something worse wrong with her. And the father? God forbid he man up and play his role as he should; rather, he coddles and feeds into Hanna’s bad behavior. Seriously, there’s nothing to like about the characters here.
Moving on to the plot, Baby Teeth is an absolute snoozefest. Girl attacks mom, mom gets upset, dad doesn’t listen, rinse and repeat for three hundred or so pages. Seriously, the only good thing it has is that things escalate, but even that is extremely slow.
Overall, I’m utterly disappointed in this book. It’s extremely tame (though there is a brief, unnecessary sex scene). I’d like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this book for the purpose of an unbiased review.
Amy Christmas (171 KP) rated Let it Snow in Books
Dec 28, 2018
The last story was quite shoddy (4/10) (1 more)
The patron saint of pigs
A mixed bag of stories.
Contains spoilers, click to show
I had to read this at Christmas time, there is no other way, and at first I really quite enjoyed it, the first story The Jubilee Express was really quite something, I loved jubilee's character and her situation with her parents in prison and being shipped off to Florida. At this point Jeb who she meets on the train seems like a really 2D character (and will co time to be for the entire book) I was dissapointed in Jeb's character as there was a lot more potential there but no purpose from the 3 authors. However Jubilee I loved her motives and personality was great and the way that the story flowed from the train into the waffle house and meeting Stuart was great. The Jubilee Express was filled with weird and wonderful characters and a beautiful ending.
It goes down hill from here.
I've never read anything by John Green but I was dissapointed by his segment. The love between Tobin and The Duke is rushed and fake as hell. It didn't feel realistic in any sense of the word, the love in Twilight was better written. The adventure we follow with Tobin is good and enjoyable but the love aspect is not at all. I wanted this segment over with ASAP.
Then the patron saint of pigs, god. I despised Addie. I get that this short story was meant to be a moral story on being selfless etc etc but I got to the end of the story and again was drowned in superficial love that holds no weight or realism. In the end Addie is just forgiven for all that she has done in the past but we see no real change in her thinking. By the end she still constantly acts in her own interests, she only picks up the pig to prove to her friends that she isn't selfish and self absorbed. However the atmosphere of this last story was nice seeing all the stories fully converge.
However I only truly loved The Jubilee Express.
The rest felt heartless and 2D.
It goes down hill from here.
I've never read anything by John Green but I was dissapointed by his segment. The love between Tobin and The Duke is rushed and fake as hell. It didn't feel realistic in any sense of the word, the love in Twilight was better written. The adventure we follow with Tobin is good and enjoyable but the love aspect is not at all. I wanted this segment over with ASAP.
Then the patron saint of pigs, god. I despised Addie. I get that this short story was meant to be a moral story on being selfless etc etc but I got to the end of the story and again was drowned in superficial love that holds no weight or realism. In the end Addie is just forgiven for all that she has done in the past but we see no real change in her thinking. By the end she still constantly acts in her own interests, she only picks up the pig to prove to her friends that she isn't selfish and self absorbed. However the atmosphere of this last story was nice seeing all the stories fully converge.
However I only truly loved The Jubilee Express.
The rest felt heartless and 2D.
Marylegs (44 KP) rated Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1) in Books
Aug 14, 2019
So I felt the story started fairly slowly wasn’t sure what to make of it. I went along with it because it feel like I book/story I should like. And it wasn’t that I disliked it I just, I don’t know, I could commit to it. Additionally I found it quite annoying how often author says “in a town like Gaitlin…” I get it. It’s a small town nothing unusual happens. There must be ways that that meaning could be but across without literally saying it every other paragraph. It was one of those things once I noticed it I couldn’t, not notice it.
I felt the story took a long time to get going, I enjoyed a good portion of the book towards the end, but I just felt like the story could have been ironed out better. I can almost see where it was meant to go and what I was meant to feel about characters but I never whole-heartedly did. There just wasn’t enough ‘real’ conversation between characters and it just felt a bit…. Forced, I can’t really think of a better way of describing it. Sometimes whilst I was reading I was thinking there is no way, in reality you’d be in that situation and react that way. If someone is threatening the person you love, you wouldn’t then wonder off and just carry on with what you were doing like the bady wasn’t even there. Even some of arguments between characters seemed lacking in purpose or just seemed to end. I also thought it just sort of ended, I know it is part of a series but normally I feel like I have to know what happens straightaway. I just didn’t get that with this book.
I will read the next book at some point but I’m not in a rush to get to it, but hopefully the story becomes more ironed out and purposeful as even though I may have seemed negative about the book. I could see where it could go and there were times in the book when I was compelled and fully invested. I guess I shall wait and see.
I felt the story took a long time to get going, I enjoyed a good portion of the book towards the end, but I just felt like the story could have been ironed out better. I can almost see where it was meant to go and what I was meant to feel about characters but I never whole-heartedly did. There just wasn’t enough ‘real’ conversation between characters and it just felt a bit…. Forced, I can’t really think of a better way of describing it. Sometimes whilst I was reading I was thinking there is no way, in reality you’d be in that situation and react that way. If someone is threatening the person you love, you wouldn’t then wonder off and just carry on with what you were doing like the bady wasn’t even there. Even some of arguments between characters seemed lacking in purpose or just seemed to end. I also thought it just sort of ended, I know it is part of a series but normally I feel like I have to know what happens straightaway. I just didn’t get that with this book.
I will read the next book at some point but I’m not in a rush to get to it, but hopefully the story becomes more ironed out and purposeful as even though I may have seemed negative about the book. I could see where it could go and there were times in the book when I was compelled and fully invested. I guess I shall wait and see.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated A Dog's Way Home (2019) in Movies
Jun 22, 2019 (Updated Sep 25, 2019)
Being by the same author as A Dog's Purpose you basically know the sort of film you're going to be getting and it doesn't disappoint on that front.
All the real life floofs were amazing and Shelby as Bella obviously gets five stars. The CGI floofs however should probably get a minus amount of stars. You notice it right from the start but once you get to that cougar that's when you think "oh it really is that bad!" It kind of feels like they found a cartoon of a cougar instead of a photo of one to work from.
I don't know where Ashley Judd has been hiding but it was good to see her back in a film. It was a nice little role and she did well with what she was given.
Bryce Dallas Howard was the voice of Bella and she does manage to give her the right tone for all the different situations. It's exactly what you think a dog would sound like if it could talk.
Bella's script is quite fun. Snow is ice cream falling from the sky and cutting the grass is indeed taking the mower for a walk, she even dislikes playing "go to work"... so do we Bella, so do we.
This had potential to be a 3.5/4 star film if it hadn't been for the frankly awful CGI, but I don't think I could see my way clear to give it more than that. It's predictable, just from the synopsis above you can make guesses at what's going to happen... something/someone is the reason Bella is far from home, she'll run away the first chance she gets, danger and camaraderie will be the themes while she's on her journey, she will somehow make it back even though it looks like everything is lost and they'll all live happily ever after.
What you should do
There are probably a lot of classic family films to stream or you already own which do the same job so there's probably no rush to see this one at the cinema. If you do though... take tissues.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Any amount of floofs will do me!
All the real life floofs were amazing and Shelby as Bella obviously gets five stars. The CGI floofs however should probably get a minus amount of stars. You notice it right from the start but once you get to that cougar that's when you think "oh it really is that bad!" It kind of feels like they found a cartoon of a cougar instead of a photo of one to work from.
I don't know where Ashley Judd has been hiding but it was good to see her back in a film. It was a nice little role and she did well with what she was given.
Bryce Dallas Howard was the voice of Bella and she does manage to give her the right tone for all the different situations. It's exactly what you think a dog would sound like if it could talk.
Bella's script is quite fun. Snow is ice cream falling from the sky and cutting the grass is indeed taking the mower for a walk, she even dislikes playing "go to work"... so do we Bella, so do we.
This had potential to be a 3.5/4 star film if it hadn't been for the frankly awful CGI, but I don't think I could see my way clear to give it more than that. It's predictable, just from the synopsis above you can make guesses at what's going to happen... something/someone is the reason Bella is far from home, she'll run away the first chance she gets, danger and camaraderie will be the themes while she's on her journey, she will somehow make it back even though it looks like everything is lost and they'll all live happily ever after.
What you should do
There are probably a lot of classic family films to stream or you already own which do the same job so there's probably no rush to see this one at the cinema. If you do though... take tissues.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Any amount of floofs will do me!
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) rated The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) in Movies
Oct 22, 2019 (Updated Oct 22, 2019)
Rule No.1........ Party!
The Peanutbutter Falcon is a heartwarming and charming tale of belonging, ambition and family. I've always loved and admired Shia labeouf and despite all the hate he gets I really do think he is an incredible actor and with how good this movie is I really hope people start to see that. Zak is a person with downs syndrome who escapes from his care home to peruse his dream of becoming a wrestler and upon meeting Shia's character the two form a bond and set of on an adventure together. Seeing these two very different personalities form a friendship is just so beautiful, powerful and endearing with Shia's character tormented/held back by guilt and Zack gottsagen's character desperate to be free to enjoy life, party and be taken seriously. Theres such a great redneck world built here and whilst the film is odd its also so pure with a charming weirdness so realistic you could mistake the film for being a true story. Themes of loss, guilt, motivation, happiness and destiny as well as the line between good and evil. However what I found really interesting was the messages about mental health/learning difficulties/oldage and how we tend to treat people with these conditions like they aren't human too. It even depicts how most people who work in the care industry fail to grasp that these people are just like us and how restricting, patronising and telling them no all the time is inhumane and leads to failing to truly understand them/form a bond with them. Performances are outstanding from both the mains really depicting two different inner struggles and personalities coming together during difficult times thus giving them purpose and hope. Its also stunning to look at too with a perfect soundtrack. If I had to I would liken this movie to Oh brother where art thou and while it does have some great humour it leans more to the serious side most of the time showing us not all families are perfect but no matter how dysfunctional they are the love is no less. Such a lovely film that even made me shed a few tears too.
Karla Bergado (17 KP) rated In the Tall Grass (2019) in Movies
Nov 6, 2019
In the Tall Grass Review: Is the Stephen King horror worth a watch? (Spoilers ahead)
Contains spoilers, click to show
Netflix has really been stepping up their game with the number of horror shows being released this year.
What makes it better is the addition of a film adaptation of a Stephen King novella to satiate
fanatics’ hunger.
Except the question lies in whether I felt full watching this movie.
The story begins with a brother and sister duo on a long journey to San Diego. Sweltering heat and pregnancy do not mix well, alongside the long-winding roads of America until they stop by a field of tall grass. What can go wrong by stopping in the middle of nowhere that’s giving out a Children of the Corn vibe?
The siblings find themselves going through the tall grass after hearing cries from a very distressed child, only to find themselves stuck in a never-ending cycle where there is seemingly no way out and only a rock statue that apparently lets you see things you will never imagine of seeing.
The concept had a potential to give viewers something more and unexpected. But that’s the thing.
It didn’t.
The first half of the movie set the scene of being trapped in a maze of grass, but then the second
half was pretty much the same, with only a couple of weird occult-like elements thrown in to fuel the dying flame. Not only this, but the viewer is left to piece the puzzles together, only to find out that they don’t match. You are left to question the purpose of the rock, the baby and Patrick Wilson’s seemingly possessed character.
If you enjoy watching a slow paced, psychological horror movie and the feeling of being confused, then you can go check this film out.
There is something captivating about this adaptation that keeps you hooked until the end but bear in mind, it requires you to have an open mind and low expectations.
Needless to say, you might as well go and have read of the book, which was also co-written by Joe Hill,the king of horror’s son.
What makes it better is the addition of a film adaptation of a Stephen King novella to satiate
fanatics’ hunger.
Except the question lies in whether I felt full watching this movie.
The story begins with a brother and sister duo on a long journey to San Diego. Sweltering heat and pregnancy do not mix well, alongside the long-winding roads of America until they stop by a field of tall grass. What can go wrong by stopping in the middle of nowhere that’s giving out a Children of the Corn vibe?
The siblings find themselves going through the tall grass after hearing cries from a very distressed child, only to find themselves stuck in a never-ending cycle where there is seemingly no way out and only a rock statue that apparently lets you see things you will never imagine of seeing.
The concept had a potential to give viewers something more and unexpected. But that’s the thing.
It didn’t.
The first half of the movie set the scene of being trapped in a maze of grass, but then the second
half was pretty much the same, with only a couple of weird occult-like elements thrown in to fuel the dying flame. Not only this, but the viewer is left to piece the puzzles together, only to find out that they don’t match. You are left to question the purpose of the rock, the baby and Patrick Wilson’s seemingly possessed character.
If you enjoy watching a slow paced, psychological horror movie and the feeling of being confused, then you can go check this film out.
There is something captivating about this adaptation that keeps you hooked until the end but bear in mind, it requires you to have an open mind and low expectations.
Needless to say, you might as well go and have read of the book, which was also co-written by Joe Hill,the king of horror’s son.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Door (Seventh Dimenson #1) in Books
Nov 12, 2019
Shale Snyder is a troubled teenager. Her father left her mother when she was little, she has alienated almost all of the other children around her and has problems at school. Following yet another incident she is suspended and feels totally cast adrift. At this point she finds a door and hears a voice calling her to enter...
There is quite a clever concept at the heart of this book; that the Holy Land at the time of Jesus is a sort of dimensional nexus where those who are called can travel and gain spiritual help for themselves as well as the other travellers. It is a fine blending of both science fiction and Christian concepts.
There is also much of The Pilgrim's Progress about this, with Shale's journey and the characters she meets. And although she is living near Nazareth and does encounter Jesus (and other people mentioned in the bible) the religious side is not forced but comes naturally from the narrative. There is also a fair smattering of The Wizard of Oz, as the dimensional copy of the Holy Land from 2000 years ago also contains versions of people that Shale knows from home.
The result is a book that shows how even a little faith by someone as lost as Shale can give her the will to turn her life around and make herself and those around her better people. It is a very positive message, though not gained without significant trials.
There are a couple of negatives. Sometimes the narrative thread can be a little confusing, a side-effect of the dimension-hopping aspect of the story. Also some of the characters appear to serve little purpose, but perhaps as this is the first of a series they will come into play in later books. There is also one comment from her friend Daniel (another traveller from modern-day Israel) that did concern me, I hope this is due to his personal experience rather than a theme of future books.
Overall this is an engrossing read, managing to deliver a positive Christian message without labouring the point and providing a good story arc for Shale to keep the reader invested in the story
There is quite a clever concept at the heart of this book; that the Holy Land at the time of Jesus is a sort of dimensional nexus where those who are called can travel and gain spiritual help for themselves as well as the other travellers. It is a fine blending of both science fiction and Christian concepts.
There is also much of The Pilgrim's Progress about this, with Shale's journey and the characters she meets. And although she is living near Nazareth and does encounter Jesus (and other people mentioned in the bible) the religious side is not forced but comes naturally from the narrative. There is also a fair smattering of The Wizard of Oz, as the dimensional copy of the Holy Land from 2000 years ago also contains versions of people that Shale knows from home.
The result is a book that shows how even a little faith by someone as lost as Shale can give her the will to turn her life around and make herself and those around her better people. It is a very positive message, though not gained without significant trials.
There are a couple of negatives. Sometimes the narrative thread can be a little confusing, a side-effect of the dimension-hopping aspect of the story. Also some of the characters appear to serve little purpose, but perhaps as this is the first of a series they will come into play in later books. There is also one comment from her friend Daniel (another traveller from modern-day Israel) that did concern me, I hope this is due to his personal experience rather than a theme of future books.
Overall this is an engrossing read, managing to deliver a positive Christian message without labouring the point and providing a good story arc for Shale to keep the reader invested in the story
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Dark Waters (2019) in Movies
Nov 28, 2019
Dark Waters, the screenplay developed from the New York Times Magazine article: The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare. The article tells of Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo), a corporate environmental lawyer, who headed the years long battle against DuPont in one of the landmark cases that held the company accountable for their actions.
Bilott, is visited by a farmer, Wilbur Tennant (Jim Azelvandre), who was an acquaintance of his Grandmother. As a child, he visited her home in West Virginia during the summers and had fond memories of that farm. Robert, having worked with DuPont on many cases, felt confident that he would be able to sort out the situation for Tennant. What he does not realize until he visits Wilbur’s farm is that the situation is more dire than he had known.
Wilbur had arrived with multiple VHS tapes recording the various issues that were happening to his farm animals. Bilott witnesses the mass graves that littered Tennant’s farm from his herd that had died from various illnesses. Wilbur is convinced that the reason is the dump that DuPont has created next to his property.
Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of Bilott is an exercise in subtlety. He becomes more purpose driven once his investigation and research in the information that DuPont had sent due to discovery. Anne Hathaway plays Sarah Bilott, Robert’s wife and steadfast partner. Over the years, Sarah had been supportive, however as the case drags on and Rob’s pay gets cut repeatedly, the strain begins to show.
This film has a stellar cast. From Tim Robbins, as Tom Terp, the managing partner at the firm, Victor Garber as DuPont’s in-house counsel. Mare Winningham as Darlene Kiger, a lead plaintiff in the class action suit and Bill Pullman as Harry Dietzler, lead counsel for the plaintiffs.
This movie has the quality that awards season loves. It is a David vs. Goliath, under dog wins story. Mark Ruffalo does a great portrayal of a man who initially does not want to pursue the case, then shifts to the defender of the people.
This movie is along the lines of Erin Brockovich and Norma Rae.
4.5 out of 5 Stars
Bilott, is visited by a farmer, Wilbur Tennant (Jim Azelvandre), who was an acquaintance of his Grandmother. As a child, he visited her home in West Virginia during the summers and had fond memories of that farm. Robert, having worked with DuPont on many cases, felt confident that he would be able to sort out the situation for Tennant. What he does not realize until he visits Wilbur’s farm is that the situation is more dire than he had known.
Wilbur had arrived with multiple VHS tapes recording the various issues that were happening to his farm animals. Bilott witnesses the mass graves that littered Tennant’s farm from his herd that had died from various illnesses. Wilbur is convinced that the reason is the dump that DuPont has created next to his property.
Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of Bilott is an exercise in subtlety. He becomes more purpose driven once his investigation and research in the information that DuPont had sent due to discovery. Anne Hathaway plays Sarah Bilott, Robert’s wife and steadfast partner. Over the years, Sarah had been supportive, however as the case drags on and Rob’s pay gets cut repeatedly, the strain begins to show.
This film has a stellar cast. From Tim Robbins, as Tom Terp, the managing partner at the firm, Victor Garber as DuPont’s in-house counsel. Mare Winningham as Darlene Kiger, a lead plaintiff in the class action suit and Bill Pullman as Harry Dietzler, lead counsel for the plaintiffs.
This movie has the quality that awards season loves. It is a David vs. Goliath, under dog wins story. Mark Ruffalo does a great portrayal of a man who initially does not want to pursue the case, then shifts to the defender of the people.
This movie is along the lines of Erin Brockovich and Norma Rae.
4.5 out of 5 Stars
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019) in Movies
Jan 10, 2020
Finally it's over
When the Star Wars films first came out again I was super excited, especially as The Force Awakens and Rogue One were quite good. But after the total letdowns that were Last Jedi and Solo, I've completely lost interest in all things Star Wars and am really quite bored of it all. I went into Rise of Skywalker not feeling particularly interested, and I came out feeling pretty much the same.
Overall this looks good which shouldn't be a surprise ,although there are some dodgy CGI moments with Luke and Leia. There are some great nods to the original episodes and some returning characters too, which are a refreshing sight as I really think putting Carrie Fisher in this was a bad idea. Leia has no purpose whatsoever and looks out of place, and you can really see how badly they've cobbled her part together. The droids prove very welcome in every scene they're in, which is good as without them I wouldn't have been able to cope. The majority of returning characters in this suffer a lot: Finn, Poe, Rose, Chewie etc, they barely have anything to do. Whilst Kylo Ren has a decent storyline and character arc, and I loved his development the most (despite that terrible ending), this film is basically the Rey show. And 3 films in, I'm pretty sick of it. The reveal of Rey's heritage is laughable, and the ending for her is just so ridiculous. I found her a very irritating character and I'm just so bored of the back and forth between her and Kylo.
The plot itself is basic and seems very similar to every other Star Wars film that has come before it. There are a lot of unexplainable character actions, and some moments where you're surprised (pleasantly) about what has happened only to find out not very long later that it isn't what you thought. Bummer.
I was going to rate this lower, but I appreciate my general negativity towards Star Wars at the moment may have impacted on my review. Still I didn't particularly enjoy this and i really don't think it's a fitting final part. I'm so glad this is the last Star Wars film we'll see (for now).
Overall this looks good which shouldn't be a surprise ,although there are some dodgy CGI moments with Luke and Leia. There are some great nods to the original episodes and some returning characters too, which are a refreshing sight as I really think putting Carrie Fisher in this was a bad idea. Leia has no purpose whatsoever and looks out of place, and you can really see how badly they've cobbled her part together. The droids prove very welcome in every scene they're in, which is good as without them I wouldn't have been able to cope. The majority of returning characters in this suffer a lot: Finn, Poe, Rose, Chewie etc, they barely have anything to do. Whilst Kylo Ren has a decent storyline and character arc, and I loved his development the most (despite that terrible ending), this film is basically the Rey show. And 3 films in, I'm pretty sick of it. The reveal of Rey's heritage is laughable, and the ending for her is just so ridiculous. I found her a very irritating character and I'm just so bored of the back and forth between her and Kylo.
The plot itself is basic and seems very similar to every other Star Wars film that has come before it. There are a lot of unexplainable character actions, and some moments where you're surprised (pleasantly) about what has happened only to find out not very long later that it isn't what you thought. Bummer.
I was going to rate this lower, but I appreciate my general negativity towards Star Wars at the moment may have impacted on my review. Still I didn't particularly enjoy this and i really don't think it's a fitting final part. I'm so glad this is the last Star Wars film we'll see (for now).
Kim Pook (101 KP) rated The Lion King (2019) in Movies
Aug 1, 2019
Nothing will beat the original
Contains spoilers, click to show
As a lover of the original movie i was dubious about watching this one. I eventually gave in and watched it at our local independant cinema.
As soon as the first 'Naaaaa' started i felt chills as it sounded very much like the original, the whole circle of life opening scene was actually spectacular and mesmerising to watch and i thought "wow this is gonna be fantastic", but then the movie properly started............
We see a longer than neccesary scene of a mouse making his way towards scar before he captures it, again visual effects was superb but as soon as the talking started i cringed, it was spoken with no real emotion and no expression, it seemed all one tone.
Mufasas death scene was over quicker than it started. In the original there's more build up to simba realising he's dead and in all honesty i cry like a baby every single time, but in the new one nothing! They could have at least given simba some tears or lowered his ears or something but nope.
The hyenas didn't have much humour and are much darker in this than the original, they don't have the same connection with scar.
Admittedly once timon and pumbaa came on the scene i started to enjoy it, their humour is spot on and i laughed every time they were on screen. Though i was disappointed they didn't do the hula song.
The fight scene at the end was amazing to watch, it went on a lot longer than the original but it was good it showed more of a fight rather being over in a flash.
I enjoyed the songs in the movie although i did think beyonce way over sung in can you feel the love tonight, it started off lovely but there are some songs you shouldn't wail.
All in all it wasn't great but it wasn't terrible either. Would i watch it again? Not on purpose no, but maybe if it came on tv and there was nothing else on. I'll stick to the original.
As soon as the first 'Naaaaa' started i felt chills as it sounded very much like the original, the whole circle of life opening scene was actually spectacular and mesmerising to watch and i thought "wow this is gonna be fantastic", but then the movie properly started............
We see a longer than neccesary scene of a mouse making his way towards scar before he captures it, again visual effects was superb but as soon as the talking started i cringed, it was spoken with no real emotion and no expression, it seemed all one tone.
Mufasas death scene was over quicker than it started. In the original there's more build up to simba realising he's dead and in all honesty i cry like a baby every single time, but in the new one nothing! They could have at least given simba some tears or lowered his ears or something but nope.
The hyenas didn't have much humour and are much darker in this than the original, they don't have the same connection with scar.
Admittedly once timon and pumbaa came on the scene i started to enjoy it, their humour is spot on and i laughed every time they were on screen. Though i was disappointed they didn't do the hula song.
The fight scene at the end was amazing to watch, it went on a lot longer than the original but it was good it showed more of a fight rather being over in a flash.
I enjoyed the songs in the movie although i did think beyonce way over sung in can you feel the love tonight, it started off lovely but there are some songs you shouldn't wail.
All in all it wasn't great but it wasn't terrible either. Would i watch it again? Not on purpose no, but maybe if it came on tv and there was nothing else on. I'll stick to the original.