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Doctor Strange (2016)
Doctor Strange (2016)
2016 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Benedict cumberbatch as Doctor strange Tilda swinton as the ancient one Rest of the cast are good The trippy visuals The action sequences are cool (0 more)
Villains are underwhelming Plot can be a bit formulaic (0 more)
"Try me Beyoncé"
The 14th instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe marks the arrival of yet another avenger into the already crowded Marvel family while also bringing mystic arts & alternate dimensions into its ever-expanding universe. But even though it offers a kaleidoscopic journey through astral realms, infinite realities & spacetime contortions, it isn't entirely different from the norm.

Doctor Strange tells the story of Stephen Strange, a brilliant but arrogant neurosurgeon who loses the use of his hands after a car accident, spends all his money on experimental surgeries to regain his abilities, and travels east for a last resort treatment where he meets a powerful sorcerer who teaches him ways to harness energy & shape realities through the mystic arts.

Co-written & directed by Scott Derrickson (best known for The Exorcism of Emily Rose & Sinister), Doctor Strange marks his first stint with comic book movies and while he succeeds in delivering a sufficiently entertaining blockbuster, his latest suffers from the same issues that marred his earlier works as Derrickson begins this story on a promising note but once again loses his grip in the middle.

The screenplay features a universe that's full of imaginations & possibilities yet beneath its parallel universes, time manipulation & astral projections lies the same generic storyline following the same predictable route that we all have seen many times before. What's interesting, however, is how the arc of the eponymous character is handled, for Stephen Strange remains an intriguing character at all times.

Production Design team chips in with set pieces that brim with mystical qualities while props such as ancient artefacts & antiquated relics provide added details to the desired spiritual environment. Camerawork is fine, Editing gets carried away by letting numerous CGI-infested moments overstay their welcome due to which it feels longer than it should. And Michael Giacchino contributes with a score that's fitting yet not enthralling.

Coming to the acting department, the film features a talented ensemble in Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen & Tilda Swinton. Cumberbatch as Strange is pitch-perfect casting and does total justice to his role by depicting his stubbornness, arrogance & ambition with precision while Swinton steals nearly every scene she's in. But the main highlight of this film is its shape-shifting & eye-popping visual effects.

On an overall scale, Doctor Strange does serve its purpose by delivering an entertaining, amusing & serviceable origin story but it isn't impressive enough to garner a spot amongst Marvel's finest features. Travelling a safe, risk-free route & sugarcoated with trippy, hallucinatory visuals, it is a typical fun-filled extravaganza that we've come to expect from Marvel Studios and is another enjoyable addition to their ever-inflating repertoire. Definitely worth a shot.
  
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Sarah (7798 KP) rated Krampus (2015) in Movies

Nov 26, 2017  
Krampus (2015)
Krampus (2015)
2015 | Comedy, Horror
A refreshingly different Christmas film
A Christmas horror film really shouldn't work, but for the most part it actually does. It's strange, as you usually associate Christmas films with sickly sweet happiness, but this is the complete opposite and it's a nice change.

It's funny, dark and doesn't take itself too seriously. The physical effects and make-up are very good, although some of the CGI is questionable in parts. It has a great cast and I loved the idea behind Krampus and also the strange ending. My only criticism would be that it could have been a lot scarier. It was creepy at times but I think it concentrated more on the laughs than the horror, which is a shame as a scary Christmas horror film would be truly terrifying.
  
Welcome to Night Vale
Welcome to Night Vale
Comedy
10
8.7 (36 Ratings)
Podcast Rating
Mysterious and Unique characters (0 more)
I don't really enjoy to much of the weather reports (0 more)
From the faceless old lady who secretly lives in your home
A fictitious but friendly desert community. Cecil Palmer narrates the goings on of strange characters, strange locations, and sometimes even stranger happenings. With characters like the librarians and the Glow Cloud (all hail) and locations of the Dog park one is lead to believe this town is but another boring stop along Highway 800. Very quickly, you realize the Faceless old woman who secretly lives in your home might be more than she seems. With friends like the blogger Hiram McDaniels, a literal five-headed dragon, who can breathe fire from at least one of those heads, crazy and exciting things are bound to happen.
  
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Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Gone Girl in Books

May 10, 2018  
Gone Girl
Gone Girl
Gillian Flynn | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
10
7.7 (142 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was one of the most twisted and disturbing stories I have ever read. And it makes me want to read more!

It's Nick & Amy's 5th year wedding anniversary. Amy is up early making crepes and she has prepared their annual treasure hunt. After Nick arrives at work, he receives an unusual call from his neighbor; the front door to his house is open and Amy appears to be gone.

The police investigation turns up blood all over the kitchen floor and overturned furniture in the living room. But there is something very strange about this "crime scene."

After weeks of searching, there is still no sign of Amy. Where is Amy? Who took her and why? The search will turn up lots of interesting and strange information about this couple.
  
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BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated Isle of Dogs (2018) in Movies

Jul 16, 2019 (Updated Jul 16, 2019)  
Isle of Dogs (2018)
Isle of Dogs (2018)
2018 | Adventure, Animation
10
7.8 (39 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Strange but so very fantastic!
Contains spoilers, click to show
I had been waiting a very long time to see this since nobody I knew would watch it with me... I'm a big fan of stop motion movies but apparently nobody else is?? Finally, Netflix added it and I must have seen it about 20 times since then.... the whole movie is so strange but I can't get enough! The casting is fantastic! Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum and Brian Cranston? Genius! They definitely added to the movies feel and made it a better watch but the plot is just so great! City that doesn't allow dogs so they get dumped. Boy goes to find his dog on island. Epic journey to save his best friend. New friends along the way and a possible love interest... spectacular!