Search
Search results
David McK (3557 KP) rated Ender's Game in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Originally starting life as a short story that was later expanded into a full-length novel, this was one of those 'classic' sci-fi stories that I was marginally aware of, but never really had any inclination to read.
When I started seeing the trailers for the movie adaptation to be released this week (on 25/10/13), I decided I actually would read it before going to see the movie (which is sometimes a good idea, other times not).
Having done so, it's interesting to see how Card predicted many of today's technology (remember, this was written mid-80s), in particular the kids portable tables (today's tablet computers), and the proliferation of blogging (although it was never actually called such) on the internet (again, never called such).
The plot? Very briefly (and roughly): Earth is at war with an alien insectoid race, so the best and brightest kids are taken to a 'battle school' in space at a young age in order to be trained in how to become leaders. Andrew 'Ender' (so called because he is the youngest child of 3) Wiggins is one such kid, who proves to be the brightest and best of the bunch ...
How will the movie compare? I'll just have to wait and see!
When I started seeing the trailers for the movie adaptation to be released this week (on 25/10/13), I decided I actually would read it before going to see the movie (which is sometimes a good idea, other times not).
Having done so, it's interesting to see how Card predicted many of today's technology (remember, this was written mid-80s), in particular the kids portable tables (today's tablet computers), and the proliferation of blogging (although it was never actually called such) on the internet (again, never called such).
The plot? Very briefly (and roughly): Earth is at war with an alien insectoid race, so the best and brightest kids are taken to a 'battle school' in space at a young age in order to be trained in how to become leaders. Andrew 'Ender' (so called because he is the youngest child of 3) Wiggins is one such kid, who proves to be the brightest and best of the bunch ...
How will the movie compare? I'll just have to wait and see!
Terry Whitaker (120 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) in Movies
Nov 12, 2019
I dont think this was as bad as some people are making out. Problem was always going to be the original Trilogy. It was THAT good! A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back and Return Of the Jedi each had something amazing about it. Each had the 'Jedi' factor. Also had one of the best twists in movie history in Empire Strikes Back!
Phantom Meanace really didnt have any of that. Not at all. It had a great villain in Darth Maul though. Also Ewan Macgregor and Liam Neeson were good in their roles. Yes, the lad was a bit disappointing but that was only cos he was a little...soppy? I shall not mention Jar Ja.....nooooo, I wont say his name!
But, the special effects were pretty amazing, especially on the big screen! The story was ok too. Not too adventurous but plods along ok.
As I said at the beginning, this was always going to be a difficult one if you consider what it follows...or precedes in this case! The hype on this was huge. Gigantically huge. However much it falls short will be magnified because of its hype.
Take the hype away and the film is exciting and fun. But no...not in the same league as the originals.
Phantom Meanace really didnt have any of that. Not at all. It had a great villain in Darth Maul though. Also Ewan Macgregor and Liam Neeson were good in their roles. Yes, the lad was a bit disappointing but that was only cos he was a little...soppy? I shall not mention Jar Ja.....nooooo, I wont say his name!
But, the special effects were pretty amazing, especially on the big screen! The story was ok too. Not too adventurous but plods along ok.
As I said at the beginning, this was always going to be a difficult one if you consider what it follows...or precedes in this case! The hype on this was huge. Gigantically huge. However much it falls short will be magnified because of its hype.
Take the hype away and the film is exciting and fun. But no...not in the same league as the originals.
Nick Beaty (70 KP) rated The Grinch (2018) in Movies
Dec 8, 2019 (Updated Dec 8, 2019)
Unnecessary to say the least...
Where to start with Illuminations take on this classic Christmas tale. It felt very uninspiring, underwhelming and unnecessary.
From the get go the narration from Pharrell Williams was very poor and don't get me started on the music. Every time I felt like I could get into this movie the next awful track came on and ruined the moment.
There were very few likeable Characters, with the exception of Max the dog and a screaming goat that had my 3 year old laughing, I believe this is very much their target audience though.
It is very hard not to compare it to Jim Carrey's version or even the 1966 original short which are much darker, creepier and grumpier, all of the things you would expect from The Grinch. This version looks too clean cut, the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch is too friendly in my opinion and the whole thing just feels like a sugar coated version aimed at very young children.
I personally believe there was no real need for this movie to have ever been made other than to cash in on a brilliant Christmas story, that has already been told in much better ways than this.
From the get go the narration from Pharrell Williams was very poor and don't get me started on the music. Every time I felt like I could get into this movie the next awful track came on and ruined the moment.
There were very few likeable Characters, with the exception of Max the dog and a screaming goat that had my 3 year old laughing, I believe this is very much their target audience though.
It is very hard not to compare it to Jim Carrey's version or even the 1966 original short which are much darker, creepier and grumpier, all of the things you would expect from The Grinch. This version looks too clean cut, the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch is too friendly in my opinion and the whole thing just feels like a sugar coated version aimed at very young children.
I personally believe there was no real need for this movie to have ever been made other than to cash in on a brilliant Christmas story, that has already been told in much better ways than this.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Children of the Corn (1984) in Movies
Feb 28, 2020
Is Corn Really Scary?
Children of the Corn- is based off of stephen king short story. This movie is awful. Its soo bad thats its good in a way. Like how Maximum Overdrive is. Their in the same boat. Stephen King ask the question- is corn really scary and our answer- no. Are children scary- no. Is the ending weird and crappy and left a on cliffhanger kinda of- yes. Is this movie weird overall- yes. Is the villian of the movie creepy and scary- yes. Will i get to the plot of the movie- yes.
The plot: As physician Burt Stanton (Peter Horton) and his girlfriend, Vicky (Linda Hamilton), drive across the Midwest to his new job, their trip comes to a sudden halt when they encounter the body of a murdered boy in the road. In trying to contact the authorities, Burt and Vicky wander into a small town populated only by children, followers of sinister young preacher Isaac Chroner (John Franklin). Soon the couple is fleeing the youthful fanatics, who want to sacrifice them to their demonic deity.
Also by the way this movie has like six-seven sequels, a tv series and a reboot. That are all unesscary.
Skip this movie, its not good.
The plot: As physician Burt Stanton (Peter Horton) and his girlfriend, Vicky (Linda Hamilton), drive across the Midwest to his new job, their trip comes to a sudden halt when they encounter the body of a murdered boy in the road. In trying to contact the authorities, Burt and Vicky wander into a small town populated only by children, followers of sinister young preacher Isaac Chroner (John Franklin). Soon the couple is fleeing the youthful fanatics, who want to sacrifice them to their demonic deity.
Also by the way this movie has like six-seven sequels, a tv series and a reboot. That are all unesscary.
Skip this movie, its not good.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Thoroughbreds (2017) in Movies
Apr 28, 2020
A little pretentious
This film had a limited run when it was released at the cinema, and I’ve been interested to see it ever since. I’d heard good things about it, however I’m afraid to say it didn’t live up to expectations.
This is what I’d class as a pretentious arty type film, and I’m really not a big fan of films like this. There’s lots of overly dramatic music that sometimes works, but sometimes just seems ridiculously out of place. There’s also a lot of lingering shots of the characters doing barely anything that would be fine for a minute, but instead drag out for far too long. Despite this, this film does have some good points. The acting is fantastic, and the script is very smart and clever and surprisingly funny at times - the scene with the girls and Tim in the car was especially funny. The plot is a basic one, although I do feel like the story wasn’t entirely unpredictable although it was enjoyable. And fortunately it has a very short run time, which I was grateful for with all the irritating pretentious music and shots,
Overall this film was watchable, but I think it could’ve tried to be a little less pretentious.
This is what I’d class as a pretentious arty type film, and I’m really not a big fan of films like this. There’s lots of overly dramatic music that sometimes works, but sometimes just seems ridiculously out of place. There’s also a lot of lingering shots of the characters doing barely anything that would be fine for a minute, but instead drag out for far too long. Despite this, this film does have some good points. The acting is fantastic, and the script is very smart and clever and surprisingly funny at times - the scene with the girls and Tim in the car was especially funny. The plot is a basic one, although I do feel like the story wasn’t entirely unpredictable although it was enjoyable. And fortunately it has a very short run time, which I was grateful for with all the irritating pretentious music and shots,
Overall this film was watchable, but I think it could’ve tried to be a little less pretentious.
Todd Haynes: Interviews
Book
A pioneer of the New Queer Cinema, Todd Haynes (b. 1961) is a leading American independent...
Birds in a Cage: Germany, 1941. Four POW Birdwatchers. The Unlikely Beginning of British Wildlife Conservation
Book
"In the summer of 1940, lying in the sun, I saw a family of redstarts, unconcerned in the affairs of...
By the Book
Book
Every Sunday, readers of The New York Times Book Review turn with anticipation to see which...
Charles Bukowski
Book
In this new interpretation of the life and work of the American poet, short-story writer and...
Josephine: Desire, Ambition, Napoleon
Book
This is the incredible rise and unbelievable fall of a woman whose energy and ambition is often...