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Lee (2222 KP) rated Truth or Dare (2018) in Movies
Nov 24, 2018
Average, not really scary at all
A bunch of spring breakers visit an old abandoned mission building in Mexico one night and play a game of truth or dare. Unfortunately though, the game follows them back home and they must continue to play or face the consequences. The supernatural game follows the same order of play from the night they first played, and when it's your turn you either see the words 'truth or dare' written wherever you go, or people around you take on a weird grinning face and say the words until you answer. If you refuse to play or fail your dare, you die a gruesome death.
The trouble with this movie is that it's not remotely scary. The face that everyone pulls when possessed by the spirit running the game is like some weird Snapchat filter, more funny than spooky. The acting is ok, but everyone plays their roles deadly serious. It's a ridiculous concept and it should have played on that more as pure entertainment rather than as a horror, which this most definitely isn't.
It was watchable enough though, and I was happy to see it through to the end. Unfortunately though, that ending builds up to a big, ridiculous cop out leaving you very disappointed.
The trouble with this movie is that it's not remotely scary. The face that everyone pulls when possessed by the spirit running the game is like some weird Snapchat filter, more funny than spooky. The acting is ok, but everyone plays their roles deadly serious. It's a ridiculous concept and it should have played on that more as pure entertainment rather than as a horror, which this most definitely isn't.
It was watchable enough though, and I was happy to see it through to the end. Unfortunately though, that ending builds up to a big, ridiculous cop out leaving you very disappointed.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Devil's Backbone (2001) in Movies
Jul 19, 2019
Who knew Pan's Labyrinth had a companion film?
Early film from Guillermo del Toro is similar to Pan's Labyrinth in a lot of ways. In watching an interview after viewing the film, del Toro actually says this is a companion film since they have a lot of the same themes and cinematic elements most notably a child being introduced to a foreign hostile environment and the element of the supernatural influencing the actions of other characters.
I can see how others might complain about the slow pacing of certain scenes or the noticeable subplots that don't all have conclusions, but I guess those didn't bother me as I was engaged in the story. The kids eventually learn of the existence of the "ghost" in the basement and try and figure out its motives and reason for existence.
I enjoyed the look of the film immensely and thought all the acting was solid. The film had a haunting soundtrack which supplemented the spooky scenes very well.
I could even see some scenes which could've been out of The Shape of Water as del Toro's films all seem to have the director's signature look which isn't a complaint; only an observation.
I enjoyed it a lot.
I can see how others might complain about the slow pacing of certain scenes or the noticeable subplots that don't all have conclusions, but I guess those didn't bother me as I was engaged in the story. The kids eventually learn of the existence of the "ghost" in the basement and try and figure out its motives and reason for existence.
I enjoyed the look of the film immensely and thought all the acting was solid. The film had a haunting soundtrack which supplemented the spooky scenes very well.
I could even see some scenes which could've been out of The Shape of Water as del Toro's films all seem to have the director's signature look which isn't a complaint; only an observation.
I enjoyed it a lot.
Jake (52 KP) rated Sky Raiders (Five Kingdoms, #1) in Books
Jul 25, 2019
Really fun kids adventure book. I had a hard time explaining it to my wife but ultimately I realized it reminded me a lot of Harry Potter in that:
1. The main character is basically a kid (although a mature one so that he can be relatable to more age groups)
2. There is magic
3. A lot of the story focuses on Friendship during some kind of trial
4. Set in a fantastical, sometimes quirky world with fun, interesting, and sometimes spooky characters
5. Interesting story and fun premise
I really enjoy the aspects of friendship and worldbuilding: Brandon Mull did a great job of interweaving different characters and their personalities into a complex world with an interesting plotline.
Rarely does the book get boring or slow and rarely could I put it down. Sure, maybe the book was in the 12-year old section of the library but to be honest I haven't had this much fun in a series for a long time. If you're into those 5 bullet points I mentioned above and you enjoyed Harry Potter, I would strongly recommend this series. Still waiting for the 5th book to come out in late 2017 so that will definitely be a book I pick up! Enjoy!
1. The main character is basically a kid (although a mature one so that he can be relatable to more age groups)
2. There is magic
3. A lot of the story focuses on Friendship during some kind of trial
4. Set in a fantastical, sometimes quirky world with fun, interesting, and sometimes spooky characters
5. Interesting story and fun premise
I really enjoy the aspects of friendship and worldbuilding: Brandon Mull did a great job of interweaving different characters and their personalities into a complex world with an interesting plotline.
Rarely does the book get boring or slow and rarely could I put it down. Sure, maybe the book was in the 12-year old section of the library but to be honest I haven't had this much fun in a series for a long time. If you're into those 5 bullet points I mentioned above and you enjoyed Harry Potter, I would strongly recommend this series. Still waiting for the 5th book to come out in late 2017 so that will definitely be a book I pick up! Enjoy!
Pete Fowler recommended The Willows by Belbury Poly in Music (curated)
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Dark Shadows (2012) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
If not for the last 15/20 minutes (sans the atrocious ending, and even then they're only mildly watchable at best) I'd very comfortably call this one of the worst movies I've ever seen - and still will. Not even distracting, and intentionally as non-fun as possible. How exciting, we get to see nearly two LONG hours of nonentities played by actors who clearly couldn't give less of a shit about being there (except for the sole good scenery-chewing of Eva Green) tepidly talk about... like, fishing and shit? Sometimes even to each other! Where's the camp? Where's the (pun not intended) spirit? Doesn't go for jokes, doesn't go for drama, doesn't go for romance, doesn't go for anything - complete and utter apathy all around. It doesn't even look good, dear God some color could have at least made this pop but no of course it's color-coded like ash and jizz. This wakes up a bit when it has a spooky haunted house vibe to it but too bad that's only like a collective (and generous) few minutes of the whole thing. What the actual hell were they thinking, how can a director possibly stoop *noticeably* lower than 𝘋𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘰 (2019)?
Kristina (502 KP) rated Home Before Dark in Books
Dec 7, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
To the best of my knowledge, I've read all of Riley's books. I've enjoyed them, for the most part. This one felt similar to Lock Every Door, but I think I liked it better. Unfortunately, I did not like it was much as Final Girls or The Last Time I Lied. The back and forth was a tad bit confusing, but it was interesting to see the parallels in The Book and Maggie's life. I think the most interesting part was trying to determine whether or not the house is truly haunted or if her father was making everything up. To be honest, I was a little disappointed in the ending. I was kind of hoping for the house to actually be haunted - but the scene at the end of The Book (when Maggie is lifted up to the ceiling and dragged around) didn't strike me as scary so much as cliché. While the story was spooky, it certainly wasn't scary or disturbing. I conjured up so many different theories, I don't think I'd have been satisfied with any ending. But as a whole, it kept my attention and made me curious about how everything would tie together, so it was still worth reading. Not necessarily sure I'd recommend, though.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Ghost of a Chance (A Chintz 'N China Mystery, #1) in Books
Aug 21, 2019
Really enjoyed it
Contains spoilers, click to show
Emerald O'Brien is the owner of the Chintz 'n China Tea Room where guests are served the perfect blend of teas and tarot readings. She never set out to be a detective, but once word gets out that she can communicate with the dead, there's no turning back... When the ghost of Susan Mitchell asks for Emerald's help in convicting her own murderer, Emerald can't refuse. Along with her friends-an ex-supermodel and a cop-and her new love interest, Emerald must search for clues to put the killer behind bars, and Susan's tortured soul to rest.
I absolutely loved this book! It was well written, clever ,funny and spooky. I really should not read ghost stories in the dark at 3am in the morning. I was so freaked out at one point or maybe I'm getting soft. I did genuinely enjoy the book though is was everything a murder mystery/ghost story should be! I just love Emeralds character she's not the usual skinny beautiful woman most main characters usually are, the fact she's a single mum trying to deal with daily life as well as ghost hunting and mystery solving.
Highly recommended
⭐⭐⭐⭐

I absolutely loved this book! It was well written, clever ,funny and spooky. I really should not read ghost stories in the dark at 3am in the morning. I was so freaked out at one point or maybe I'm getting soft. I did genuinely enjoy the book though is was everything a murder mystery/ghost story should be! I just love Emeralds character she's not the usual skinny beautiful woman most main characters usually are, the fact she's a single mum trying to deal with daily life as well as ghost hunting and mystery solving.
Highly recommended
⭐⭐⭐⭐

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