Search
Search results
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Magnificent Seven (2016) in Movies
Jul 15, 2019
Full disclosure, I have never seen The 1960s Magnificent Seven film, nor do I care that at its core it is a retelling of the Japanese legend of the Seven Samurai. This is not a comparison review. Instead this is a simple review of what I watched on screen. Not beholden to anything other than itself as film and it being a western.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. The Magnificent Seven hits all the appropriate marks you would expect from a classic western. The sprawling landscapes, big gunfights against all odds, character musical cues, honor bound good guys and dastardly bad guys. The Magnificent Seven is an entertaining gallop for western fans both old and new alike.
That is not to say that this film is anything more thought provoking then a typical “White hats vs Black Hats” western story. However it is the performance of the actors and their portrayal of somewhat typical characters that is the soul and charm of the film. Led by Denzel Washington who plays Sam Chisolm, the deputized bounty hunter hired to free a simple town from under the tyranny of a rich minor who uses violence and intimidation to take what he wants. Chisolm puts together an unlikely posse of the jokester gun-shooter Josh Faraday (Chris Pratt), the civil war veteran sharpshooter Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), his knife welding companion Billy Rocks (Byung-hun Lee), the outlaw Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Fulfo), the grizzly frontiersman Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio) and the native warrior Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). Together they take on the dastardly greedy Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard) and his army of paid mercenaries. The entire ensemble gives solid and entertaining performances, however it is the chemistry among the cast that creates the feeling that they had a blast making this film together, much to our delight.
When we put these elements together the film works on an entertaining level. While some may find it forgettable once it is over, they will no doubt enjoy the ride along the way. In a year where the summer blockbusters have been mostly disappointing and forgettable, The Magnificent Seven is a bright spot on the film landscape than most big budget films this year.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. The Magnificent Seven hits all the appropriate marks you would expect from a classic western. The sprawling landscapes, big gunfights against all odds, character musical cues, honor bound good guys and dastardly bad guys. The Magnificent Seven is an entertaining gallop for western fans both old and new alike.
That is not to say that this film is anything more thought provoking then a typical “White hats vs Black Hats” western story. However it is the performance of the actors and their portrayal of somewhat typical characters that is the soul and charm of the film. Led by Denzel Washington who plays Sam Chisolm, the deputized bounty hunter hired to free a simple town from under the tyranny of a rich minor who uses violence and intimidation to take what he wants. Chisolm puts together an unlikely posse of the jokester gun-shooter Josh Faraday (Chris Pratt), the civil war veteran sharpshooter Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), his knife welding companion Billy Rocks (Byung-hun Lee), the outlaw Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Fulfo), the grizzly frontiersman Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio) and the native warrior Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). Together they take on the dastardly greedy Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard) and his army of paid mercenaries. The entire ensemble gives solid and entertaining performances, however it is the chemistry among the cast that creates the feeling that they had a blast making this film together, much to our delight.
When we put these elements together the film works on an entertaining level. While some may find it forgettable once it is over, they will no doubt enjoy the ride along the way. In a year where the summer blockbusters have been mostly disappointing and forgettable, The Magnificent Seven is a bright spot on the film landscape than most big budget films this year.
ClareR (5991 KP) rated The End of the Ocean in Books
Nov 6, 2019
The End of the Ocean by Maja Lunde is Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi) at its best and most stark. At its best, because everything that happens feels as though they are the reasonable consequences of what we are predicted now; most stark, because this is truly a terrible version of the future.
In the present day(2019), 69 year old environmental activist Signe discovers that her home town, and in particular her ex-boyfriend, is responsible for cutting up and shipping off ice from their glacier to sell to the rich, so that they can have glacial ice in their expensive cocktails. She decides to sabotage the shipment, and steals some of it - or what she can carry in her boat. She sails her ship through a terrible storm with the intention of taking it to the person responsible.
In 2041, David and his daughter Lou, arrive at a refugee camp after escaping from war and fire in their French home. There is little water and food, but David is hopeful that his wife and infant son (who they’ve been separated from) will be there or arrive soon.
The two stories are linked when David and Lou find Signe’s boat in the garden of one of the abandoned houses.
This is such a powerful book. It takes current scientific research and arrives at the extreme end of its prediction: drought, famine and war. I had to read it in short chunks, because I found the story so moving and intensely depressing, to be honest. It doesn’t feel exaggerated: I didn’t read it thinking “Well that would NEVER happen”. It’s all too plausible, in fact. I really liked how the two stories ran parallel to one another and joined up in the latter half of the book, with the boat as some sort of symbol of hope.
It’s not all depressing though. There is an element of hope, and we see the enduring strength of the human spirit. I have The History of Bees on my bookshelf, which I will read now - and I’ll definitely look out for the third in this quartet of books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for my copy of this book.
In the present day(2019), 69 year old environmental activist Signe discovers that her home town, and in particular her ex-boyfriend, is responsible for cutting up and shipping off ice from their glacier to sell to the rich, so that they can have glacial ice in their expensive cocktails. She decides to sabotage the shipment, and steals some of it - or what she can carry in her boat. She sails her ship through a terrible storm with the intention of taking it to the person responsible.
In 2041, David and his daughter Lou, arrive at a refugee camp after escaping from war and fire in their French home. There is little water and food, but David is hopeful that his wife and infant son (who they’ve been separated from) will be there or arrive soon.
The two stories are linked when David and Lou find Signe’s boat in the garden of one of the abandoned houses.
This is such a powerful book. It takes current scientific research and arrives at the extreme end of its prediction: drought, famine and war. I had to read it in short chunks, because I found the story so moving and intensely depressing, to be honest. It doesn’t feel exaggerated: I didn’t read it thinking “Well that would NEVER happen”. It’s all too plausible, in fact. I really liked how the two stories ran parallel to one another and joined up in the latter half of the book, with the boat as some sort of symbol of hope.
It’s not all depressing though. There is an element of hope, and we see the enduring strength of the human spirit. I have The History of Bees on my bookshelf, which I will read now - and I’ll definitely look out for the third in this quartet of books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for my copy of this book.
KalJ95 (25 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in Video Games
Jan 4, 2020
Fluid and fantastic combat system. (2 more)
Another FromSoftware Classic.
Best game of 2019.
My first experience with a FromSoftware game was Bloodborne. I played fifteen minutes, and gave up due to its difficulty. Time and time again, I just couldn't get past its first area, but with perseverance, I conquered the mountain, and Bloodborne became one of my favourite games. Fast forward just over three years, I destroyed Dark Souls III, and obliterated Nioh. Challenging games had become an addiction I couldn't quit. Enter Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, FromSoftware's latest, very much story orientated entry in their catalogue of fine games.
First things first, Sekiro is most definitely a mountain to climb. If you don't grasp the rhythm of parrying and deflecting your opponents attacks, you are finished. Unlike previous FromSoftware entries, attacking is not the aim of this game. It takes time, but once you begin to understand the combat, the reward is so gratifying, especially with the boss battles, which will often want to make you throw the controller through a concrete wall.
Each boss is strategically different with how they plan to beat you, some opting to go all out attack on you, others playing the waiting game by throwing objects or firing arrows. Variety is key, and progressing and gaining new skills will help you beat each enemy as they come.
Sekiro also just happens to be one of the most beautiful games I've ever played. Its culture is rich, and its vibrancy through colour is breathtaking. While no modifications can be done with your Shinobi, it doesn't matter as you'll be too busy taking in each detail the world has to offer.
But nothing is without fault. Sekiro sometimes feels like certain boss fights are rigged in their favour, and that pure luck gets you to beat them, and that felt all too often with the infamous, Demon of Hatred. This certain boss felt so out of place, and I felt it didn't need to be included whatsoever. However, this never bogged the games standard down, as by this point the fluidity and grace of Sekiro had already confirmed what I was thinking two thirds of the way through;
Sekiro is 2019's best game.
First things first, Sekiro is most definitely a mountain to climb. If you don't grasp the rhythm of parrying and deflecting your opponents attacks, you are finished. Unlike previous FromSoftware entries, attacking is not the aim of this game. It takes time, but once you begin to understand the combat, the reward is so gratifying, especially with the boss battles, which will often want to make you throw the controller through a concrete wall.
Each boss is strategically different with how they plan to beat you, some opting to go all out attack on you, others playing the waiting game by throwing objects or firing arrows. Variety is key, and progressing and gaining new skills will help you beat each enemy as they come.
Sekiro also just happens to be one of the most beautiful games I've ever played. Its culture is rich, and its vibrancy through colour is breathtaking. While no modifications can be done with your Shinobi, it doesn't matter as you'll be too busy taking in each detail the world has to offer.
But nothing is without fault. Sekiro sometimes feels like certain boss fights are rigged in their favour, and that pure luck gets you to beat them, and that felt all too often with the infamous, Demon of Hatred. This certain boss felt so out of place, and I felt it didn't need to be included whatsoever. However, this never bogged the games standard down, as by this point the fluidity and grace of Sekiro had already confirmed what I was thinking two thirds of the way through;
Sekiro is 2019's best game.
Iron Blade
Games
App
... To all Action-RPG fans: The ancient prophecies were true. The Demon Lord Baal is set to return...
Racer X Illustrated
Sports and Magazines & Newspapers
App
Racer X Illustrated is the defining voice of modern motocross and supercross. No other publication...
The Midwife's Here: The Enchanting True Story of One of Britain's Longest Serving Midwives
Book
The Sunday Times bestseller 'Delivering my first baby is a memory that will stay with me forever....
Fast Jets and Other Beasts: Personal Insights from the Cockput of the Hunter, Phantom, Jaguar, Tornado and Many More
Book
Over a thirty-two-year military flying career which spanned a period when the RAF regularly replaced...
Marvel Comics
10.0
Rate It
Book
Operating out of a tiny office on Madison Avenue in the early 1960s, a struggling company called...
All Things New Study Guide with DVD: A Revolutionary Look at Heaven and the Coming Kingdom
Book
All Things New is a revolutionary four-session video Bible study built on a simple idea: heaven is...
All Things New Study Guide: A Revolutionary Look at Heaven and the Coming Kingdom
Book
All Things New is a revolutionary four-session video Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately)...