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Dean (6927 KP) rated Candyman (2021) in Movies
Sep 9, 2021 (Updated Sep 9, 2021)
Political message (1 more)
Not much of a Slasher
Say his name
I was a bit surprised when I saw Jordan Peele name roll up at the start as a producer and writer for this and it has his hallmark all over it. I loved @Get Out (2017) but you don't expect a strong political message about racism and racial injustice in a Candyman film. Sadly its so prominent that it dominates the story too much.
Working as a sequel to the original it starts OK with some nice back story and scenes about the original told by shadow animation. Although really lacking in the horror department. The film looks good and stylish but it is the wrong vehicle for the message being thrown at you.
Working as a sequel to the original it starts OK with some nice back story and scenes about the original told by shadow animation. Although really lacking in the horror department. The film looks good and stylish but it is the wrong vehicle for the message being thrown at you.
Mothergamer (1586 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Horzion forbidden west in Video Games
Mar 23, 2022
This is a big game, bigger than the first one and it is great. Aloy has grown a lot as a person and the cool thing is her friends join her for the adventure as well as new friends. The side quests are great and the main story is quite interesting with some hard sci-fi mixed with great storytelling elements. There's new machines too and it's so much fun finding them. There's photo mode in the game also which is amazing. I enjoyed just exploring everywhere. I did everything in the game and I absolutely loved it. It's very clear this is meant to be a trilogy and the story in this sequel sets up for the third game nicely. It's a fantastic game and well done.
David McK (3600 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) in Movies
May 22, 2022
It's over, Anakin. I have the high ground!
The final part of the prequel trilogy, which at least - and in comparison to the sequel trilogy - had a clear vision and overarching narrative.
I remember going to see this in the cinema in '05.
I also remember there was a kid somewhere in the audience who didn't know Anakin became Vader.
Cue a shocked "noooo!" at that part of the film.
Anyway, the prequels had all been building to this; to the long awaited showdown between Obi-Wan and Vader, that ends with Vader encased in the suit.
It might take a while getting there, and it's maybe not *quite* up there with the Duel of the Fates from 'The Phantom Menace', bit it doesn't disappoint once it does!
I remember going to see this in the cinema in '05.
I also remember there was a kid somewhere in the audience who didn't know Anakin became Vader.
Cue a shocked "noooo!" at that part of the film.
Anyway, the prequels had all been building to this; to the long awaited showdown between Obi-Wan and Vader, that ends with Vader encased in the suit.
It might take a while getting there, and it's maybe not *quite* up there with the Duel of the Fates from 'The Phantom Menace', bit it doesn't disappoint once it does!
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Scream (2022) in Movies
Aug 9, 2022
Scream..... Some more
Ok so scream was rebooted once again in what I can only describe after seeing this one, is not much more than a cash grab sequel that's just DYING to squeeze the life out of the remaining original characters.
Riffing on the original plot, which is constantly brought up in its own poor attempt at being meta by using the fictional movie stab which is based on the original movies events.... (hey you, ya still there? Are you keeping up?) and being used as a terrible guide book if you will...
The only good thing about this movie is the return/inclusion of the original cast...
Honestly, this movie just kinda fell flat quickly and had its moments throughout its run but its nothing to brag about.
Seriously....
Riffing on the original plot, which is constantly brought up in its own poor attempt at being meta by using the fictional movie stab which is based on the original movies events.... (hey you, ya still there? Are you keeping up?) and being used as a terrible guide book if you will...
The only good thing about this movie is the return/inclusion of the original cast...
Honestly, this movie just kinda fell flat quickly and had its moments throughout its run but its nothing to brag about.
Seriously....
David McK (3600 KP) rated Shanghai Knights (2003) in Movies
May 27, 2023
2003 sequel to 2001's Shangai Noon.
I know I've seen that earlier movie, but don't remember all that much about it, other than it was Wild West set and starred the same two lead actors in Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson.
This time around, the two end up in Victorian London in search of a McGuffin after Chon Wang's (Chan's) father - who is the keeper of the Imperial Seal - is murdered, with Wang then reuniting with his estranged sister.
As expected, they then encounter a whole host of historical characters, and get involved in all sorts of escapades, with it never really being in any doubt how it will end ...
So, yeah, family friendly fare that relies heavily on Owen's laid-back approach contrasting with Chan's high-energy slapstick martial arts.
I know I've seen that earlier movie, but don't remember all that much about it, other than it was Wild West set and starred the same two lead actors in Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson.
This time around, the two end up in Victorian London in search of a McGuffin after Chon Wang's (Chan's) father - who is the keeper of the Imperial Seal - is murdered, with Wang then reuniting with his estranged sister.
As expected, they then encounter a whole host of historical characters, and get involved in all sorts of escapades, with it never really being in any doubt how it will end ...
So, yeah, family friendly fare that relies heavily on Owen's laid-back approach contrasting with Chan's high-energy slapstick martial arts.
ClareR (5950 KP) rated All About Evie in Books
May 29, 2023
All about Evie was everything I hoped it would be. I loved the first book (The Miseducation of Evie Epworth - another Pigeonhole read!), and this is a worthy sequel
There’s a great 1970’s atmosphere to this, from the fashion (Evie still loves her clothes!), to the music (she likes some very good music!), to the rather delightful attitudes of the men who work with her (it’s not delightful at all, but she doesn’t let them get to her at all!).
Evie is such a likeable character, and someone I’d be more than happy to know. The characters around her are fun, interesting, and as full of personality as Evie herself.
This is a really happy, uplifting and witty read, and I hope that we’ll see more of Evie soon!
There’s a great 1970’s atmosphere to this, from the fashion (Evie still loves her clothes!), to the music (she likes some very good music!), to the rather delightful attitudes of the men who work with her (it’s not delightful at all, but she doesn’t let them get to her at all!).
Evie is such a likeable character, and someone I’d be more than happy to know. The characters around her are fun, interesting, and as full of personality as Evie herself.
This is a really happy, uplifting and witty read, and I hope that we’ll see more of Evie soon!
David McK (3600 KP) rated Shrek 2 (2004) in Movies
Dec 28, 2024
This, I feel, is one of those rare cases where the sequel is better than the original.
Here, newly-married Shrek and Fiona travel to "Far, Far Away" (a real place) to meet Fiona's parents - voiced by John Cleese and Julie Andrews - who, in the former case, are initially less-than-pleased with Fiona's choice of partner.
This is also the film to introduce Antonio Banderas Puss in Boots (basically, Zorro) alongside Rupert Everett's Prince Charming and Jennifer Saunder's Fairy Godmother, the latter of whom had previously hatched a plan to put her son (the preening Prince Charming) on the throne, when said son was supposed to have rescued Fiona from the tower in which she was imprisoned in the previous film.
I, personally, this one was the pinnacle of the Shrek franchise.
Here, newly-married Shrek and Fiona travel to "Far, Far Away" (a real place) to meet Fiona's parents - voiced by John Cleese and Julie Andrews - who, in the former case, are initially less-than-pleased with Fiona's choice of partner.
This is also the film to introduce Antonio Banderas Puss in Boots (basically, Zorro) alongside Rupert Everett's Prince Charming and Jennifer Saunder's Fairy Godmother, the latter of whom had previously hatched a plan to put her son (the preening Prince Charming) on the throne, when said son was supposed to have rescued Fiona from the tower in which she was imprisoned in the previous film.
I, personally, this one was the pinnacle of the Shrek franchise.
David McK (3600 KP) rated Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) in Movies
Apr 1, 2024
Who ya gonna call? The Spengler family.
Sequel to 2021s 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife', which moves the action away from the small town setting of the latter and back to the New York City of the original 1980s films.
(As an aside, I'm not sure whether to count this as #5 or #4 in the series, what with the atrocious Paul Feig 2016 version!)
(Aside to my aside: and what about the 2008 videogame?).
Anyway, this follows pretty much the same core cast as in Afterlife, although - personally - I found James Acaster to be rather an off-putting presence, as they struggle to find their fight and face down a new supernatural foe.
Lacks the magic of the original, I felt, maybe on par with Afterlife bit no better or worse.
(As an aside, I'm not sure whether to count this as #5 or #4 in the series, what with the atrocious Paul Feig 2016 version!)
(Aside to my aside: and what about the 2008 videogame?).
Anyway, this follows pretty much the same core cast as in Afterlife, although - personally - I found James Acaster to be rather an off-putting presence, as they struggle to find their fight and face down a new supernatural foe.
Lacks the magic of the original, I felt, maybe on par with Afterlife bit no better or worse.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Ready Player Two in Books
Jan 11, 2021
What happened?!
Until a couple of weeks ago, I hadn’t known this sequel even existed. My joy at finding out there was a sequel was scuppered a little after hearing some not very positive things about it, however I couldn’t not read this after absolutely loving Ready Player One. I was hoping the reviews I’d read were wrong... but unfortunately not.
Right from the start, something feels off about Ready Player Two. It feels a little too forced and the writing style seems rather stilted and basic. All of the pop culture references feel forced and don’t flow, and a lot feel like they’ve been shoehorned in without really contributing to the story (there was a reference to Jodie Whittaker as The Doctor which is great but felt out of place). There was also a lot of explanations that were entirely unnecessary - one example was the description and explanation of Rivendell, which occurred multiple times in the first 100 pages alone. I don’t remember the original being quite so laboured and pedantic when it comes to explaining all of the references. What’s strange though is that there’s also some very subtle references thrown in - a nod to Warden Norton from Shawshank was very much appreciated - and it made me wonder if these were subtle nods or a lack of originality.
The problem with this is that it’s sadly rather dull. The new quest, despite the dire and life threatening consequences, doesn’t come across as particularly exciting or intriguing. It doesn’t help that the quests to gain the seven shards vary from overly descriptive (describing every level of the Sega Ninja game was particularly tedious) to rushed and blink and you’ll miss it, and I just found myself unable to invest very much in the story. I did want to carry on reading, but I’m unsure if this was due to interest or wanting to get to the end and find out if it gets any better. The ending didn’t help either. Some of it was great, but the rest which I won’t reveal gets far too technically complicated and goes a little too sci-fi, even for a novel set in a virtual reality style world.
I really wanted this to be good and instead it was just very disappointing. Another case of an unnecessary sequel, to the point where it has made me want to re-read the original to see if I may have over-egged how good that was too, as I just can’t see how this can be so bad.
Right from the start, something feels off about Ready Player Two. It feels a little too forced and the writing style seems rather stilted and basic. All of the pop culture references feel forced and don’t flow, and a lot feel like they’ve been shoehorned in without really contributing to the story (there was a reference to Jodie Whittaker as The Doctor which is great but felt out of place). There was also a lot of explanations that were entirely unnecessary - one example was the description and explanation of Rivendell, which occurred multiple times in the first 100 pages alone. I don’t remember the original being quite so laboured and pedantic when it comes to explaining all of the references. What’s strange though is that there’s also some very subtle references thrown in - a nod to Warden Norton from Shawshank was very much appreciated - and it made me wonder if these were subtle nods or a lack of originality.
The problem with this is that it’s sadly rather dull. The new quest, despite the dire and life threatening consequences, doesn’t come across as particularly exciting or intriguing. It doesn’t help that the quests to gain the seven shards vary from overly descriptive (describing every level of the Sega Ninja game was particularly tedious) to rushed and blink and you’ll miss it, and I just found myself unable to invest very much in the story. I did want to carry on reading, but I’m unsure if this was due to interest or wanting to get to the end and find out if it gets any better. The ending didn’t help either. Some of it was great, but the rest which I won’t reveal gets far too technically complicated and goes a little too sci-fi, even for a novel set in a virtual reality style world.
I really wanted this to be good and instead it was just very disappointing. Another case of an unnecessary sequel, to the point where it has made me want to re-read the original to see if I may have over-egged how good that was too, as I just can’t see how this can be so bad.
The Room Two
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WARNING: Due to heavy graphics requirements, The Room Two is only compatible with the iPhone 4S &...