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Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Gate II: Trespassers (1992) in Movies
Nov 2, 2019
Was hoping for better
I was a huge fan of the original The Gate when I was a kid and rewatched recently and still enjoyed. I am not sure I even knew they made a sequel until recently which makes sense now that I have seen it.
Glenn's friend Terry returns with two other annoying teen jerks and a pretty girl to summon another small demon into our dimension from theirs. It is all fun and games at first when they realize they can get their wishes granted like getting a vintage Corvette or lots of cash, but the fun soon fades when their gifts turn into shit. I mean literal shit (kind of weird). Things get scary then when two of the teens start transforming into weird creatures and Terry and girl "friend" have to band together to save humanity.
I don't mind dated movies since I am now dated myself, but this one just didn't work. Filmmakers of the original were surprised when it was a moderate hit, so they slapped this script together just to get something out there and it shows. The characters are one dimensional and not very funny or interesting and the plot doesn't really go anywhere.
The final 20 minutes kind of saves the film a little with some cool creature effects, but by then it is too late.
Glenn's friend Terry returns with two other annoying teen jerks and a pretty girl to summon another small demon into our dimension from theirs. It is all fun and games at first when they realize they can get their wishes granted like getting a vintage Corvette or lots of cash, but the fun soon fades when their gifts turn into shit. I mean literal shit (kind of weird). Things get scary then when two of the teens start transforming into weird creatures and Terry and girl "friend" have to band together to save humanity.
I don't mind dated movies since I am now dated myself, but this one just didn't work. Filmmakers of the original were surprised when it was a moderate hit, so they slapped this script together just to get something out there and it shows. The characters are one dimensional and not very funny or interesting and the plot doesn't really go anywhere.
The final 20 minutes kind of saves the film a little with some cool creature effects, but by then it is too late.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated Brooklyn Nine-Nine in TV
Dec 3, 2019 (Updated Dec 3, 2019)
Brooķyn 99 out of 100
Contains spoilers, click to show
I was not expecting to like this series, but I actually found it drew me in.
Detective Jake Parolta is a cop in the 99th precinct New York, young, headstrong and obsessed with all things cop.
Working by his side are Amy Santiargo, a rule following stationary lover, Rosa Diaz, a hard and scary detective who like her weapons and Sargent Terry Jeffords, a super buff health but who refers to himself in the third person.
The series starts with the introduction of their new captain; Raymond Holt, a hard working and articulate chap, who is not a shower of emotions.
These are just some of the characters, and just a few of their details, there are so many more as they work hard to rid the streets of Brooklyn of crime.
As the series progresses we learn more about the characters and follow them as they live their lives, and face the titles and tribulations of being a cop in a big city.
It is clever, funny with a lot of heart, not to mention the silly and the slapstick, there is something for everyone.
Though I am starting to feel it is looking it's way, I hope it will find it's way back.
Detective Jake Parolta is a cop in the 99th precinct New York, young, headstrong and obsessed with all things cop.
Working by his side are Amy Santiargo, a rule following stationary lover, Rosa Diaz, a hard and scary detective who like her weapons and Sargent Terry Jeffords, a super buff health but who refers to himself in the third person.
The series starts with the introduction of their new captain; Raymond Holt, a hard working and articulate chap, who is not a shower of emotions.
These are just some of the characters, and just a few of their details, there are so many more as they work hard to rid the streets of Brooklyn of crime.
As the series progresses we learn more about the characters and follow them as they live their lives, and face the titles and tribulations of being a cop in a big city.
It is clever, funny with a lot of heart, not to mention the silly and the slapstick, there is something for everyone.
Though I am starting to feel it is looking it's way, I hope it will find it's way back.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Remnants of Ash (Reign of Fae #1) in Books
Dec 4, 2019
Mere mortal. Fae hunter. Oh, and the apocalypse? Yeah, that happened!
She’s an unstoppable human. He’s an immovable beast. But the Fae have scorched the earth, thrusting it into unending darkness, and humans are next...
Through her research, University of Washington student Chloe Etain stumbled into an ancient war between the Light and Dark Fae that has culminated in her world being thrown into pre-industrial chaos. Dark Fae scum now roam free, feeding on unsuspecting humans. Chloe knows the truth though and, possibly, how to stop it. But as a mere mortal, what can she do?
That’s when the fates step in. Bram Tice, a fae hunting his own kind, vows to help Chloe. But he won’t say which Court demands his allegiance. Together, they set out to right the imbalance plaguing her world and save humanity before they turn into nothing more than remnants of ash.
This has been in my tbr pile for a while so I was looking forward to getting stuck in.
I can't really say I enjoyed it it wasn't a bad read but something was missing for me.
The storyline seemed to have a few holes and it was quite jumpy in parts (not the scary jumpy either 🤣 )
I will continue with book 2 as I don't like to give up on any series.
⭐⭐⭐
She’s an unstoppable human. He’s an immovable beast. But the Fae have scorched the earth, thrusting it into unending darkness, and humans are next...
Through her research, University of Washington student Chloe Etain stumbled into an ancient war between the Light and Dark Fae that has culminated in her world being thrown into pre-industrial chaos. Dark Fae scum now roam free, feeding on unsuspecting humans. Chloe knows the truth though and, possibly, how to stop it. But as a mere mortal, what can she do?
That’s when the fates step in. Bram Tice, a fae hunting his own kind, vows to help Chloe. But he won’t say which Court demands his allegiance. Together, they set out to right the imbalance plaguing her world and save humanity before they turn into nothing more than remnants of ash.
This has been in my tbr pile for a while so I was looking forward to getting stuck in.
I can't really say I enjoyed it it wasn't a bad read but something was missing for me.
The storyline seemed to have a few holes and it was quite jumpy in parts (not the scary jumpy either 🤣 )
I will continue with book 2 as I don't like to give up on any series.
⭐⭐⭐
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Babadook (2014) in Movies
Dec 11, 2019
Minimalist Creep
Wow was I surprised by this. My daughters have been after me for a while to watch, but I have to not being a big fan of modern CGI horror like The Conjuring, Insidious, etc. I made the mistake of including this film in that group and I was wrong.
Modern audiences have grown short attention spans even having film studios get rid of opening film credits, so it is refreshing these days when a film takes its time and leaves something to our imagination. I have written in several reviews the last few years that just because modern filmmakers can do something, doesn't mean they should. Modern CGI effects leave virtually nothing a movie maker can accomplish with enough imagination are computer work done to it; however, I still maintain the "Jaws" theory of the less you show the audience the more they have to used their own imaginations and therefore the film's "Babadook" becomes even more scary.
I loved the way the creature was shown mostly in shadow and not really given a good glimpse most of the way through. Even when it presents itself, you don't really get a good look at it and a lot of the scare is also through creepy, haunting sound effects.
I guess I will have to listen to my daughters from now on!
Modern audiences have grown short attention spans even having film studios get rid of opening film credits, so it is refreshing these days when a film takes its time and leaves something to our imagination. I have written in several reviews the last few years that just because modern filmmakers can do something, doesn't mean they should. Modern CGI effects leave virtually nothing a movie maker can accomplish with enough imagination are computer work done to it; however, I still maintain the "Jaws" theory of the less you show the audience the more they have to used their own imaginations and therefore the film's "Babadook" becomes even more scary.
I loved the way the creature was shown mostly in shadow and not really given a good glimpse most of the way through. Even when it presents itself, you don't really get a good look at it and a lot of the scare is also through creepy, haunting sound effects.
I guess I will have to listen to my daughters from now on!
AJaneClark (3975 KP) rated The Prison Doctor in Books
Apr 19, 2020
A quick and interesting read
From the back of the book: Dr Amanda Brown treats inmates in the U.K.’s most infamous prisons. From miraculous pregnancies to dirty protests, and from violent attacks on prisoners to heartbreaking attacks of self harm, she has witnessed it all from her patients. In this eye-opening, inspirational memoir, Amanda reveal stories, the patients and the cases that have shaped a career spent helping those in need. Despite their crimes, she is still their doctor.
I am not a regular non-fiction reader, but reading Adam Kay’s: This is Going to Hurt, inspired me to find and read further uniquely real life stories.
Dr Amanda Brown does not disappoint when recalling her departure from medicine in a general practice to handling very different and sometimes scary situations working as a doctor in prisons. We follow the doc on her journey from a boys youth prison, through Wormwood Scrubs and finally HMP Bronzfield. Dr Amanda Brown shares with the readers some of the highs and lows she faced when working with prisoners and briefly recounts the battles she faced with herself and with the politics of working in an institute with rules and regulations. For anyone that likes this genre I would definitely suggest giving this one a read.
I am not a regular non-fiction reader, but reading Adam Kay’s: This is Going to Hurt, inspired me to find and read further uniquely real life stories.
Dr Amanda Brown does not disappoint when recalling her departure from medicine in a general practice to handling very different and sometimes scary situations working as a doctor in prisons. We follow the doc on her journey from a boys youth prison, through Wormwood Scrubs and finally HMP Bronzfield. Dr Amanda Brown shares with the readers some of the highs and lows she faced when working with prisoners and briefly recounts the battles she faced with herself and with the politics of working in an institute with rules and regulations. For anyone that likes this genre I would definitely suggest giving this one a read.
Unqualified: Love and Relationship Advice from a Celebrity Who Just Wants to Help
7.0
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Part advice, part memoir UNQUALIFIED will reveal Anna's unique take on "how to navigate the bizarre,...
memoir celebrity
Landscape Gardens
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The Landscape Garden: the quiet but startling national revolution that overthrew the parterres,...
100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Transition to Secondary School
5.0
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100 IDEAS: QUICK - EASY - INSPIRED - OUTSTANDING The move from primary to secondary school can be an...
Tales of the Lost
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Tales of the Lost is a book of short stories for adults, ranging from realms of fantasy to...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Dracula (English) (1931) in Movies
Jul 6, 2020
It goes without saying that the importance of Dracula cannot be understated. Releasing in 1931, it was Universal Studios first steps into the horror genre, not long after 'talkies' became a thing, and surely paved the way for he mountain of horror titles that have come along since.
Bela Lugosi is Dracula, and though there have been fine portrayals of the titular vampire since, his performance lay the ground work for how a lot of media realise vampires to this day. He cuts a striking figure, he's suave and sinister, and the thick European accent is paramount to how he made Dracula a classic.
I first saw Dracula when I was a kid, and having watched it again recently, it's still a striking experience. While there may not be anything inherently frightening or scary by today's standards, the old black and white style, paired with long moments of uncomfortable silence (Director Tod Browning has exclusively worked on silent films before this), make for a suitably eerie atmosphere.
It's obviously a film that shows it age, but still hasn't lost any of it's charm. The version I watched recently was a Blu Ray restoration, and it's clear how lovingly that restoration has been implemented. Watching a film from the 30s look so crystal clear is something special.
Bela Lugosi is Dracula, and though there have been fine portrayals of the titular vampire since, his performance lay the ground work for how a lot of media realise vampires to this day. He cuts a striking figure, he's suave and sinister, and the thick European accent is paramount to how he made Dracula a classic.
I first saw Dracula when I was a kid, and having watched it again recently, it's still a striking experience. While there may not be anything inherently frightening or scary by today's standards, the old black and white style, paired with long moments of uncomfortable silence (Director Tod Browning has exclusively worked on silent films before this), make for a suitably eerie atmosphere.
It's obviously a film that shows it age, but still hasn't lost any of it's charm. The version I watched recently was a Blu Ray restoration, and it's clear how lovingly that restoration has been implemented. Watching a film from the 30s look so crystal clear is something special.