Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Raven (2012) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
This fictionalized account of the last days of Edgar Allan Poe’s life begins with the brutal murder of a mother and daughter. Inspector Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) finds something oddly familiar about the crime scene and his research leads him to a story written by Poe. A struggling writer on his way to becoming the local drunkard, Poe is brought in for questioning just as another murder is discovered, again one that mirrors one of the author’s grisly stories.
Because it’s his stories that the murderer’s recreating, Poe becomes Field’s reluctant assistant in hunting down the serial killer. But when it appears Poe’s fiancee (Alice Eve) may become the murderer’s next victim, the stakes become even greater, and now it’s the murderer who’s inspiring the writer and inventor of the detective story genre to do some of his best sleuthing work.
While the cat-and-mouse element of the movie kept me in suspense, the movie itself was void of the dark drama one would expect of a movie about Edgar Allen Poe, even a fictionalized account. Even with the detailed attention to the look of 19th century Baltimore, it wasn’t enough to help Cusack’s lightweight portrayal of Poe. Many times I wondered if Evans would have been better cast as the grim, moody writer.
What I actually appreciated most about the movie was the lyrical dialogue, the clever, poetic word usage of yesteryear. Although, there were some minor slips that made me wonder if the scriptwriter or actor forgot which century they were in. I did not have high expectations for this movie, so it truly did not disappoint. With a 111 minute runtime, “The Raven” has just enough mystery to keep one guessing, however it felt a bit rushed at the end. Up against more lively competition this weekend, this may be one to save for a DVD rental.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Frenzy (1972) in Movies
Mar 8, 2018 (Updated Mar 8, 2018)
Hitchcock himself certainly turns up, for there is at least one moment of the old dark magic (a bravura tracking shot in which a murder is implied without being shown), but it is the problematic Hitch - misogynistic, sour, given to awkward tonal misjudgements - who oversees this movie. Movie is largely about a rapist and killer, but the director still includes various jolly running gags and moments of broad comedy; the end result may well leave a bad taste in the mouth of discerning viewers. The decision to go with such an unsympathetic anti-hero is also arguably a mistake. Worth a look for Hitchcock fans, but also evidence that the great man had essentially shot his bolt many years earlier.
The Monster of Florence
Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi
8.5
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In 2000, Douglas Preston fulfilled a dream to move his family to Italy. Then he discovered that the...
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As this riveting tour-de-force opens, the police already want to talk to the photographer Cass Neary...
A Scotland Yard's History of Crime in 100 Objects
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Explore Britain's dark criminal history through the fascinating objects that have been hidden away...
Kristina (502 KP) rated Fractured (Will Trent, #2) in Books
Dec 7, 2020
Karin Slaughter goes straight for the jugular with her books! Nothing is sugar coated or wrapped up a pretty little bow. She comes by her work honestly and the picture she paints is dark, demented, and brutal. But it's so close to reality; much more so than books filled with fluffy unicorns and endless rainbows. As depressing and soul-wrenching as it is, Karin makes it work. She pulls you in and hypnotizes you with a fresh, albeit insidious, point of view. "Fractured" deals with the violent murder of a teenage girl, a seemingly-impossible-to-figure-out kidnapping, and a terrifying story of a serial rapist. Karin doesn't hold anything back and I, for one, don't have any complaints! I also enjoy the little snippets of the relationship between Will and Angie - though I must admit, I don't like Angie very much - because it appeals to my romantic side and proves that Karin can be sweet when she wants to be. Two books down, I believe six more to go!
Dean (6927 KP) rated Harper's Island - Season 1 in TV
Aug 14, 2020 (Updated Aug 14, 2020)
It's a good horror/thriller series that mixes the kills of a slasher film with the mystery of a good whodunit? Quite similar to the Slasher series and other related items.
A wedding party retreat to a small island for a week of events leading up to the big day. The island was the location of a serial killer and some murders 7 years before. With some people returning to the island for the first time since it's not long before guests start to meet a grisly end.
It's good fun if you like slasher films or a murder mystery with a decent cast. The overall reason for the killings was a little weak at the end. However the location really adds to the feel of the series. Only 13 episodes around 38 minutes long, you'll whizz through it in no time.
A Minute To Midnight
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A Minute to Midnight is the gripping follow up to Long Road to Mercy featuring Special Agent Atlee...
The Dark Web Murders
9.0
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I AM MEMEIN. I AM EMOTIONALLY DETACHED FROM MY KILLINGS. I AM NOT, THEREFORE, A MURDERER. I AM AN...
The Basement: A Novel
7.0
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New York is a city full of strangers. For NYPD detectives Turner and Marcinko, none are harder to...