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Tom Turner (388 KP) rated The Ambassador's Mission (Traitor Spy Trilogy, #1) in Books
Apr 30, 2021
There was something bugging me about this book almost from the word go. It wasn't until I was nearly finishing it that I realised what it was - pacing. The story telling would switch between the POV of Sonea, Lorkin, Cery and Dannyl, but this would switch three or four times a chapter, and wouldn't necessarily be rotated in the same order each chapter. As the book progressed, these characters storylines in the most part separated out with plots rarely overlapping. Canavan is great at suspense, but because of the structure, the page turning aspect got lost, because the momentum got lost. I've seen a few reviews on here comparing the story was boring, I would definitely disagree with this assumption, the story and plotting was good, but the structure let it down as the momentum was all over the place. It came together by the end, and I really do hope it stays together for the next two books.
Amy Norman (1048 KP) rated Page Eight (2011) in Movies
Apr 22, 2021 (Updated Apr 22, 2021)
If you enjoy an extremely slow brewed drama then great, this is for you.
Government conspiracies, and 'old school' espionage never looked so dull to me though! This film didn't require action and bullets flying but a little more suspense and mystery wouldn't have hurt.
I can't say a lot happens in this film, but I am sure there is an audience that will get behind the intrigue, and the discussions that this films brings up. It is a thoughtful and intelligent piece, with a painfully A-List British cast (apologies to those that aren't, and sorry for generalising) giving some outstanding performances.
An excellent film for those that enjoy this style but unfortunately not for me.
There are two sequels that follow some of the same characters, if you did enjoy this then look out for:
Turks and Caicos
Salting the Battlefield
From what I have heard they are marginally better.
Government conspiracies, and 'old school' espionage never looked so dull to me though! This film didn't require action and bullets flying but a little more suspense and mystery wouldn't have hurt.
I can't say a lot happens in this film, but I am sure there is an audience that will get behind the intrigue, and the discussions that this films brings up. It is a thoughtful and intelligent piece, with a painfully A-List British cast (apologies to those that aren't, and sorry for generalising) giving some outstanding performances.
An excellent film for those that enjoy this style but unfortunately not for me.
There are two sequels that follow some of the same characters, if you did enjoy this then look out for:
Turks and Caicos
Salting the Battlefield
From what I have heard they are marginally better.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Mean Season (1985) in Movies
Feb 10, 2021
The Killer Calls
The Mean Season- is a great suspense thiller.
The plot: After reporting on the murder of a teenage girl, journalist Malcolm Anderson (Kurt Russell) is contacted by the killer (Richard Jordan) known as the "Numbers Murderer," who offers exclusive information about the deaths. With the cooperation of the police, who tape the killer's phone calls, Malcolm agrees and soon becomes famous. Jealous of the attention the journalist is receiving for his coverage, the Numbers Murderer kidnaps Malcolm's girlfriend, Christine (Mariel Hemingway).
The film was named after the term of the same name that refers to a pattern of weather that occurs in Florida during the late summer months. In order to achieve accuracy for the scenes that take place in the busy newsroom, the filmmakers used Miami Herald reporters as on-set consultants and extras and shot in the actual newsroom as opposed to recreating it on a soundstage.
Its a great crime thriller.
The plot: After reporting on the murder of a teenage girl, journalist Malcolm Anderson (Kurt Russell) is contacted by the killer (Richard Jordan) known as the "Numbers Murderer," who offers exclusive information about the deaths. With the cooperation of the police, who tape the killer's phone calls, Malcolm agrees and soon becomes famous. Jealous of the attention the journalist is receiving for his coverage, the Numbers Murderer kidnaps Malcolm's girlfriend, Christine (Mariel Hemingway).
The film was named after the term of the same name that refers to a pattern of weather that occurs in Florida during the late summer months. In order to achieve accuracy for the scenes that take place in the busy newsroom, the filmmakers used Miami Herald reporters as on-set consultants and extras and shot in the actual newsroom as opposed to recreating it on a soundstage.
Its a great crime thriller.
BookInspector (124 KP) rated Queen Bee in Books
Sep 24, 2020
The protagonist in this book is Laura, and this book is told from her perspective only. I really liked Laura, she is a very independent woman, who really loves her little girl, and feels quite down after her divorce. She is trying to rebuild her life, and I salute her for that. I liked the characters that the author picked out for this book, they are all very glamorous and quite grotesque. I really loved how real Laura was in this posh and “plastic” environment. I really enjoyed the contrast between the rich and the normal worlds, that the author described in this novel, it was quite fascinating.
The narrative was not as strong as I hoped it will be. I enjoyed the story and the interactions between the characters, but I was missing the suspense and the moments when I am left with my mouth open due to a surprising and mind-blowing twist. (That did happen in the past
The narrative was not as strong as I hoped it will be. I enjoyed the story and the interactions between the characters, but I was missing the suspense and the moments when I am left with my mouth open due to a surprising and mind-blowing twist. (That did happen in the past
Awix (3310 KP) rated Jaws (1975) in Movies
Aug 26, 2019 (Updated Aug 26, 2019)
Spielberg's exemplary suspense-fright machine remains the only killer shark movie you will ever need to watch. A two-course fish supper: the first half concerns police chief Roy Scheider's attempts to persuade the self-serving authorities of the danger posed by a marauding shark (post-Watergate subtext is fairly obvious); the second sees Scheider, bright young oceanographer Richard Dreyfuss, and salty sea dog Robert Shaw setting off on a primal quest to slay the monster, in a boat which may well prove to be of inadequate size.
Spielberg does an excellent job of hiding the pulpy horror-story origins of the tale, swathing it in plausible small-town Americana, low-key humour and excellent characterisation; John Williams' score is, needless to say, essential to the enterprise. The battle to the death in the second half is superbly constructed, paced and executed. Superb entertainment; I am happy to report that over forty years on, Jaws remains entirely capable of making cinema audiences squirm and scream.
Spielberg does an excellent job of hiding the pulpy horror-story origins of the tale, swathing it in plausible small-town Americana, low-key humour and excellent characterisation; John Williams' score is, needless to say, essential to the enterprise. The battle to the death in the second half is superbly constructed, paced and executed. Superb entertainment; I am happy to report that over forty years on, Jaws remains entirely capable of making cinema audiences squirm and scream.
Barrel Proof
10.0
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FBI agents Aidan "Irish" Talley and Jameson "Whiskey" Walker can't get a moment's peace. Their hunt...
M_M Romance Suspense
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Hole in the Ground (2019) in Movies
Aug 11, 2020
Good Boy Gone Bad
The Hole in the Ground- is a suspenseful movie i give it that, otherwise its just anethor movie about a boy who you think is normal but in reality he's not. I do like the psychological espects in this movie, that it is a plus. Plus the creepyest, the suspense and the horror are all good.
The plot: One night, Sarah's young son disappears into the woods behind their rural home. When he returns, he looks the same, but his behavior grows increasingly disturbing. Sarah begins to believe that the boy who returned may not be her son at all.
Its a intresting take on a boy who seems normal but he's not. Cause like the plot details he gets lost and when he returns he doesn't seem normal, like a different person. Its a intresting movie, but i fell like i have seen this movie/plot before. Otherwise it is a good movie.
The plot: One night, Sarah's young son disappears into the woods behind their rural home. When he returns, he looks the same, but his behavior grows increasingly disturbing. Sarah begins to believe that the boy who returned may not be her son at all.
Its a intresting take on a boy who seems normal but he's not. Cause like the plot details he gets lost and when he returns he doesn't seem normal, like a different person. Its a intresting movie, but i fell like i have seen this movie/plot before. Otherwise it is a good movie.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Clemency (2019) in Movies
Sep 1, 2020
Heavy
Clemency- is a heavy hitter meaning the subject of the movie is heavy. Its a sad movie, but also a good movie as well. Alfre Woodard does a excellent job in this film. Her performance is fantasic and phenomenal. Its sad that 1.no one has heard of this film, 2. No one has seen this film and 3. It got no nominations at the oscars.
The plot: Bernadine Williams is a prison warden who, over the years, has been drifting away from her husband while dutifully carrying out executions in a maximum security prison. When she strikes up a unique bond with death-row inmate Anthony Woods, a layer of emotional skin is peeled back, forcing Bernadine to confront the complex-and often contradictory-relationship between good intentions, unrequited desires, and what it means to be sanctioned to kill.
Like i said its a heavy hitter with drama and suspense. Go watch it, its on Hulu.
The plot: Bernadine Williams is a prison warden who, over the years, has been drifting away from her husband while dutifully carrying out executions in a maximum security prison. When she strikes up a unique bond with death-row inmate Anthony Woods, a layer of emotional skin is peeled back, forcing Bernadine to confront the complex-and often contradictory-relationship between good intentions, unrequited desires, and what it means to be sanctioned to kill.
Like i said its a heavy hitter with drama and suspense. Go watch it, its on Hulu.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Clear and Present Danger (1994) in Movies
May 15, 2020
The Cover-Up
Clear and Present Danger- is a thriller pacted movie. It has action, suspense and drama. Its downfall its long and somewhat boring and waits a while to get to the action. The action is also decent, not as good as patriot games.
The plot: Agent Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) becomes acting deputy director of the CIA when Admiral Greer (James Earl Jones) is diagnosed with cancer. When an American businessman, and friend of the president, is murdered on a yacht, Ryan starts discovering links between the man and drug dealers. As CIA agent John Clark (Willem Dafoe) is sent to Colombia to kill drug kingpins in retaliation, Ryan must fight through multiple cover-ups to figure out what happened and who's responsible.
Harrison Ford is excellent as Jack Ryan. He is the best Jack Ryan in my opinon. He nails Jack Ryan perfectly.
Clear and Present Danger- is a decent thriller with the only downfall is it being a little long and boring.
The plot: Agent Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) becomes acting deputy director of the CIA when Admiral Greer (James Earl Jones) is diagnosed with cancer. When an American businessman, and friend of the president, is murdered on a yacht, Ryan starts discovering links between the man and drug dealers. As CIA agent John Clark (Willem Dafoe) is sent to Colombia to kill drug kingpins in retaliation, Ryan must fight through multiple cover-ups to figure out what happened and who's responsible.
Harrison Ford is excellent as Jack Ryan. He is the best Jack Ryan in my opinon. He nails Jack Ryan perfectly.
Clear and Present Danger- is a decent thriller with the only downfall is it being a little long and boring.
Hamnet, about a son of a playwright, a twin of a sister, a saviour of a twin. This novel is beautifully written and pulls at the heartstrings. The writing creates atmosphere and suspense. It is well researched. I particularly like the chapter about the journey of the flea, not completely necessary but definitely added to the narrative. I know that this was a particularly good book as now o want to read Hamlet to see of there are any clues into Hamnet's life, or death, or Shakespeare's grief over the loss of his son. I was captured and engrossed from the beginning. I loved the mystery surrounding Agnes, however I feel that her character would have been more of a support of grief rather than to succumb to it. Definitely the best historic fiction that I've read this year. "To sleep, perchance to dream - ay, there's the rub,
For in this sleep of death what dreams may come.."
For in this sleep of death what dreams may come.."