Search
Search results
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Dunkirk (2017) in Movies
Jul 24, 2017
Cast (4 more)
Scale
Sound Design
Narrative structure
Direction
A return to form
I personally didn't love Nolan's last two efforts, (Interstellar and The Dark Rises,) but this is a return to form. This isn't Nolan telling an overly ambitious story about interdimensional space travel or a billionaire crime fighter, this is a story that actually happened. Although it feels epic in scope, this movie takes place in one location and it benefits from it. We get to see personal dramas and intimate conflicts and we feel like we are right there alongside the men on that beach. Also the sound design is utterly incredible.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated A Horse Walks into a Bar in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Comedian's nervous breakdown is like watching a train wreck
An intriguing look into bereavement and trauma in the guise of an unravelling comic. Set on a stage, the comedian performs an intimate act in the presence of a former student and colleague. It is a gritty, disturbing and excruciating read to see how he undoes himself in the space of one night. It is also revealing how little sympathy and empathy he receives. It is a well structured piece of literary fiction, moving back and forth through past and present narratives. Well deserved of a Man Booker Prize nomination.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Belko Experiment (2017) in Movies
Jul 31, 2017
Office Space crossed with Battle Royale
So it's obvious where this film has drawn it's inspiration from, and I think it may have gone a little too far with the Battle Royale similarities.
Still, it was nowhere near as bad as I expected. Yes it was mostly predictable, but it was brilliantly bloody and gory and still managed to raise a few laughs. The ending wasn't great, but it was still fairly enjoyable and it was refreshing to see a film not even attempting to push the 2 hour barrier and drag on for far too long like most tend to do now.
Still, it was nowhere near as bad as I expected. Yes it was mostly predictable, but it was brilliantly bloody and gory and still managed to raise a few laughs. The ending wasn't great, but it was still fairly enjoyable and it was refreshing to see a film not even attempting to push the 2 hour barrier and drag on for far too long like most tend to do now.
Dean (6927 KP) rated WALL-E (2008) in Movies
Feb 3, 2018
A brilliant film in so many ways!! It is so simple with barely any dialogue, but it doesn't need it you can tell what is going on by the actions and expressions can say more than a thousands words with a film like this. It's cute, funny and smart and carries a message about the environment. Technically the level of detail in the animation is amazing and set new standards for all animations. There are slight influences from Short circuit in the design of Wall-e and 2001: A Space Odyssey as well later in the film. Do not miss this film!!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) in Movies
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Feb 15, 2018)
Marvel comedy-SF adventure that gambles big-time (doesn't feature a single character most people will have heard of), wins in spades due to great cast chemistry, effervescent script, and willingness to do something a bit different.
Motley crew of space ruffians meet in prison, find common cause (sort of), must stop would-be despot from causing untold devastation with plot device of ultimate power. Banging 70s and 80s soundtrack, obviously; looks fabulous too. Also strikes a welcome blow for inclusivity and representation of minorities (finally a film includes characters that raccoons and trees can identify with).
Motley crew of space ruffians meet in prison, find common cause (sort of), must stop would-be despot from causing untold devastation with plot device of ultimate power. Banging 70s and 80s soundtrack, obviously; looks fabulous too. Also strikes a welcome blow for inclusivity and representation of minorities (finally a film includes characters that raccoons and trees can identify with).
The Craggus (360 KP) rated First Man (2018) in Movies
Oct 16, 2018
First Man (2018) brings down-to-earth intimacy to the story of mankind’s giant leap. #Review
Opening with Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) test piloting an X-15 rocket ship so high you fear he may crash in to the orbiting Universal Logo which went past mere seconds before, Damien Chazelle’s quietly absorbing biopic is something of an antithesis to the usual stars ‘n’ stripes bombastic heroic portrayal the US space program usually receives. Instead, the focus here puts the man in the foreground while the mission is pushed to the back...
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusFirstMan
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusFirstMan
David McK (3814 KP) rated So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The fourth book in the 'trilogy of five' that comprises The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, and (IMO) this is a strong contender for the best of the bunch.
In this one, Arthur Dent finds himself back on Earth (which has mysteriously re-appeared after earlier being demolished to make way for a Hyper-Space bypass), unaware that all the dolphins have disappeared - hence the title. In company with the only other human on the planet who seems aware that something has happened, and with Ford Prefect, they go in search of God's final message to creation ... and find it.
In this one, Arthur Dent finds himself back on Earth (which has mysteriously re-appeared after earlier being demolished to make way for a Hyper-Space bypass), unaware that all the dolphins have disappeared - hence the title. In company with the only other human on the planet who seems aware that something has happened, and with Ford Prefect, they go in search of God's final message to creation ... and find it.
David McK (3814 KP) rated Invincible (The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The second book in 'The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier' spin-off from 'The Lost Fleet' series, with most of the same characters (so, in a way, the 7th book in the series).
Whereas the previous book primarily concerned the outbound portion of their mission (to investigate the extent of enigma - aliens discovered in the 'original' series - space), in this the fleet starts its journey home with the novel picking up almost directly from the end of that previous story.
They also don't (yet) make it all the way home - have to leave room for the next entry in the series, after all!
Whereas the previous book primarily concerned the outbound portion of their mission (to investigate the extent of enigma - aliens discovered in the 'original' series - space), in this the fleet starts its journey home with the novel picking up almost directly from the end of that previous story.
They also don't (yet) make it all the way home - have to leave room for the next entry in the series, after all!
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated The Goldfinch (2019) in Movies
Nov 23, 2019
Missed the notes of the book
The Goldfinch was quite a special book full of atmosphere and suspense as well of coming of age. Its also a bloody big book so to make it work in a short film is quite difficult.
That is the movies let down. The development of characters that is expansive in the book was lacking the space they needed in the film. Its still a decent enough flick but you just don't get drawn into the emotion of the people involved.
That is the movies let down. The development of characters that is expansive in the book was lacking the space they needed in the film. Its still a decent enough flick but you just don't get drawn into the emotion of the people involved.