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Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated The Favorite Sister in Books
May 29, 2018
I thought the story in general of The Favorite Sister had lots of promise! But it was just too much all over the place. Telling us Brett was dead in the beginning did nothing for me. It would have been a better shocker at the end to know that Stephanie had died, and Brett a surprise death. It just wasn't necessary to do all the back and for now and then. It made the book confusing, it was hard to keep track of where we were in the story and also who's story we were following. I didn't know who was talking, since they were all just really vain horrible people, their voices all seemed similar. This made it difficult to relate or identify with any character, let alone like them or keep track of them! I found that even in Luckiest Girl Alive, I had trouble even liking ONE character. I liked Brett at first, but then slowly hated her towards the end. Maybe just throw in ONE likeable character in your books! Just throw us a bone!
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated The Haunting of Hill House in Books
Jul 5, 2018
I must say this book was fairly predictable. From the minute the focus was put on Elanor above all else I was like, something is fishy with this one here. She seemed like an overgrown child the whole of the book.
Now, I did listen to the audio book version of this, so perhaps that swayed the way that I had interpreted this book, but I did not enjoy her at all. Theodora was my favourite character - I wonder why, again, perhaps the way she was read to me.
The house concept was cool, the way the whole theme and story was lay out was pretty awesome as well - the progression of the story was quick and deliberate. There was some laugh out loud funny moments - I'm pretty sure the house was turning people quite mad.
Overall it was an alright book - 3.5 stars (again, goodreads, let us have .5 stars alright) - not at all scary though (perhaps again that was the audio book talking), but good for a read nontheless - especially in October :)
Now, I did listen to the audio book version of this, so perhaps that swayed the way that I had interpreted this book, but I did not enjoy her at all. Theodora was my favourite character - I wonder why, again, perhaps the way she was read to me.
The house concept was cool, the way the whole theme and story was lay out was pretty awesome as well - the progression of the story was quick and deliberate. There was some laugh out loud funny moments - I'm pretty sure the house was turning people quite mad.
Overall it was an alright book - 3.5 stars (again, goodreads, let us have .5 stars alright) - not at all scary though (perhaps again that was the audio book talking), but good for a read nontheless - especially in October :)
Erika (17789 KP) rated The Shining (1980) in Movies
Nov 25, 2018 (Updated Nov 25, 2018)
I just watched this film for the first time yesterday. I don't typically watch horror films/scary movies because I have an overactive imagination and don't need any other nightmare fuel.
I was finally convinced after a conversation with a co-worker when we were talking about how sometimes people just snap, and he emphasized how Jack Torrance's actions were completely fitting with a psychological break. I had also seen various references to the film, such as the extended scene in Ready Player One, and a South Park Halloween episode when Randy Marsh buys a Blockbuster and the same situation happens.
I wouldn't actually deem this as a straight-up horror film, it was definitely more of a psychological thriller. It was so well done (haven't read the book, nor will I ever, not a fan of Stephen King). The music fitting with the cinematography and creating the mood and overall tension in the film. It's definitely one of the best films I've watched as of late, and I'm glad I finally got around to it.
I was finally convinced after a conversation with a co-worker when we were talking about how sometimes people just snap, and he emphasized how Jack Torrance's actions were completely fitting with a psychological break. I had also seen various references to the film, such as the extended scene in Ready Player One, and a South Park Halloween episode when Randy Marsh buys a Blockbuster and the same situation happens.
I wouldn't actually deem this as a straight-up horror film, it was definitely more of a psychological thriller. It was so well done (haven't read the book, nor will I ever, not a fan of Stephen King). The music fitting with the cinematography and creating the mood and overall tension in the film. It's definitely one of the best films I've watched as of late, and I'm glad I finally got around to it.
David McK (3505 KP) rated Batman: Knightfall, Vol. 1 in Books
Jan 28, 2019
In large part the inspiration behind 2012's movie 'The Dark Knight Rises', what surprised me on reading this is just how faithfully that movie actually stuck to the events of this!
Oh, sure, there are differences: no Azrael or Robin (or, at least, not in his superhero mantle) in the movie, and a larger part for Catwoman/Selina Kyle, but more than just lip service is paid to the comic on which it is based: in particular, the bit about Bane's early life.
And, talking of Bane, the movie sticks an awful lot closer to him than the 1997 'Batman and Robin' version, or even the more recent Arkham series of games do.
The plot of the movie and comic should be pretty much common knowledge by now: Bane comes to Gotham, pushes Batman/Bruce Wayne to the edge and finally breaks his back in a 1-on-1 fight between the two.
In the words of Monty Python, however, 'I got better ... ' (albeit not by the end of this particular 'Knightfall' arc)
Oh, sure, there are differences: no Azrael or Robin (or, at least, not in his superhero mantle) in the movie, and a larger part for Catwoman/Selina Kyle, but more than just lip service is paid to the comic on which it is based: in particular, the bit about Bane's early life.
And, talking of Bane, the movie sticks an awful lot closer to him than the 1997 'Batman and Robin' version, or even the more recent Arkham series of games do.
The plot of the movie and comic should be pretty much common knowledge by now: Bane comes to Gotham, pushes Batman/Bruce Wayne to the edge and finally breaks his back in a 1-on-1 fight between the two.
In the words of Monty Python, however, 'I got better ... ' (albeit not by the end of this particular 'Knightfall' arc)
I had high hopes for this one.
I quite enjoyed [b:Ready Player One|9969571|Ready Player One|Ernest Cline|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1406383612s/9969571.jpg|14863741] and it's almost-plausible-near-future setting that read a bit like a mix between Bruce Willis's movie "Surrogates" with a dash of "The Matrix" thrown in, and always like a bit of sci-fi.
Unfortunately, this fell flat for me.
I don't know whether it's because it's not as believable (and yes, I'm futher aware that I'm talking about fiction here) as [b:Ready Player One|9969571|Ready Player One|Ernest Cline|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1406383612s/9969571.jpg|14863741], or because I could tell where the plot was going within the first 100 pages or so - think "The Last Starfighter" meets "Ender's Game" with a bit of "BattleStar Galactica" thrown in for good measure, but - for me - this just didn't really do it.
Tricky second novel syndrome, perhaps?
N.B.: I did pick up on the numerous real-world sci-fi references :-)
I quite enjoyed [b:Ready Player One|9969571|Ready Player One|Ernest Cline|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1406383612s/9969571.jpg|14863741] and it's almost-plausible-near-future setting that read a bit like a mix between Bruce Willis's movie "Surrogates" with a dash of "The Matrix" thrown in, and always like a bit of sci-fi.
Unfortunately, this fell flat for me.
I don't know whether it's because it's not as believable (and yes, I'm futher aware that I'm talking about fiction here) as [b:Ready Player One|9969571|Ready Player One|Ernest Cline|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1406383612s/9969571.jpg|14863741], or because I could tell where the plot was going within the first 100 pages or so - think "The Last Starfighter" meets "Ender's Game" with a bit of "BattleStar Galactica" thrown in for good measure, but - for me - this just didn't really do it.
Tricky second novel syndrome, perhaps?
N.B.: I did pick up on the numerous real-world sci-fi references :-)
Dean (6927 KP) rated Midsommar (2019) in Movies
Jul 18, 2019 (Updated Jul 18, 2019)
A Marmite film
If you have seen the trailer then you know this is going to be an artsy, bizarre film that's different from the mainstream films. It can be equally daft, silly one minute and shocking, disturbing the next. For either reason a few people walked out of the cinema after a while. It is gory at times and as it doesn't feel like a Horror film it can have more of an impact. There are lots of visual clues throughout the film and it does have depth to it. My main problem with it is despite being arsty the outcome as a whole was still quite predictable. It's a little overly long as well. It definitely has a Wicker Man meets Get Out vibe to it. Without being as good as either of those films. Overall a film some will love or hate, but either way it will stick with you after the credits. You'll definitely be talking about it for a while.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Show Dogs (2018) in Movies
Jul 8, 2019
Will Arnet stars as FBI agent Frank who takes up a partnership with a
Rottweiler named Max (voiced by Ludacris), To his chagrin, Frank is
assigned to crack a case with Max. Both are forced to go undercover in the
world’s most prestigious dog show competition to find out who is
responsible for kidnapping pandas and selling them for millions.
After finding out that the winner of the dog show would be kidnapped by
the same criminals involved in the panda trafficking, Max must do
everything possible to win 1st place and lead them to the same facility
housing the stolen pandas.
Director Raja Gosnell is no stranger to talking dog movies, with such
popular family favorite comedies under his belt like “Beverly Hills
Chihuahua,” and “Scooby-Doo.” He delivers a fun movie with just the right
amount of crude humor, human/dog antics, ghetto-esque quips, as well as
hilarious slapstick one liner moments. For those that enjoy dog-human
buddy cop movies, you’ll have a great time watching Show Dogs.
Rottweiler named Max (voiced by Ludacris), To his chagrin, Frank is
assigned to crack a case with Max. Both are forced to go undercover in the
world’s most prestigious dog show competition to find out who is
responsible for kidnapping pandas and selling them for millions.
After finding out that the winner of the dog show would be kidnapped by
the same criminals involved in the panda trafficking, Max must do
everything possible to win 1st place and lead them to the same facility
housing the stolen pandas.
Director Raja Gosnell is no stranger to talking dog movies, with such
popular family favorite comedies under his belt like “Beverly Hills
Chihuahua,” and “Scooby-Doo.” He delivers a fun movie with just the right
amount of crude humor, human/dog antics, ghetto-esque quips, as well as
hilarious slapstick one liner moments. For those that enjoy dog-human
buddy cop movies, you’ll have a great time watching Show Dogs.
Ducklady (1174 KP) rated Cats (2019) in Movies
Jan 15, 2020 (Updated Jan 15, 2020)
*shudders*
I have never seen cats before in the theatre, so I thought a film would be a good gateway to knowing a bit more about it. I was so wrong. From the opening scene I was instantly confused. I had no idea what the word Jellicle meant and they just kept repeating it. The scene where they were talking about their names didn't make any sense. They kept saying they had 3 names when they only mentioned 2? Hmm..
The CGI was incredibly off-putting and a few times in the background the cats looked like creepy demons, nightmarish.
The repetition in the songs really grated. The scenes didn't flow well and I felt like I was watching 1 big scene that didn't connect.
The shunned glam cat confused me so much as I couldn't work out why everyone hated her, seemed super forced.
The Jellicle ball seemed to consist of a whole bunch of performing cats competing to...die? And possibly be reborn?
Meh
Either way, don't watch this non-sensical, plot-lacking disaster.
The CGI was incredibly off-putting and a few times in the background the cats looked like creepy demons, nightmarish.
The repetition in the songs really grated. The scenes didn't flow well and I felt like I was watching 1 big scene that didn't connect.
The shunned glam cat confused me so much as I couldn't work out why everyone hated her, seemed super forced.
The Jellicle ball seemed to consist of a whole bunch of performing cats competing to...die? And possibly be reborn?
Meh
Either way, don't watch this non-sensical, plot-lacking disaster.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Cube (1997) in Movies
Jan 6, 2020
Inside The Cube
Cube- holy shit this movie was good, i liked it alot. I never seen it before, but heard about it. I heard many things about it, like it was a cult classic, a great twisted psycholgoical horror film and has traps. Than i was confused because i thought their were talking about Saw, the first one. Nope their are two different movies but about the same thing basically. Saw is also a cult classic, a great twisted psychological horror film and has traps. So thats aint cofusing at all.
The Plot: Without remembering how they got there, several strangers awaken in a prison of cubic cells, some of them booby-trapped. There's onetime cop Quentin (Maurice Dean Wint), scientist Holloway (Nicky Guadagni), young math genius Leaven (Nicole de Boer), master of escapes Rennes (Wayne Robson), autistic savant Kazan (Andrew Miller) and architect Worth (David Hewlett), who might have more information on the maze than he lets on. The prisoners must use their combined skills if they are to escape.
Its a cult classic and must watch horror film.
The Plot: Without remembering how they got there, several strangers awaken in a prison of cubic cells, some of them booby-trapped. There's onetime cop Quentin (Maurice Dean Wint), scientist Holloway (Nicky Guadagni), young math genius Leaven (Nicole de Boer), master of escapes Rennes (Wayne Robson), autistic savant Kazan (Andrew Miller) and architect Worth (David Hewlett), who might have more information on the maze than he lets on. The prisoners must use their combined skills if they are to escape.
Its a cult classic and must watch horror film.
David Betteridge (327 KP) rated The Stranger in TV
Feb 28, 2020 (Updated Feb 29, 2020)
Acting (3 more)
Interwoven story
Mystery
Giles!
Ending (2 more)
Slightly unbelievable actions
Under use of some great actors
Good short season, with a slight dip at the end
I started to watch this because people at work were talking about it, I'd never read the book so had no concept of the story or characters. Once I started watching episode 1 I was hooked and would find myself just letting another episode start even though it was way passed midnight!
I think The Stranger does keep you genuinely guessing with all the mysteries and secrets, and only let's you in, when it wants to, the acting was great and they do keep you intrigued until the final episode. However the final episode is where I have my issue, so much happens here that it could have done with splitting out into a couple more episodes, this would have fleshed out characters that could have had a bigger emotional impact and wouldn't have felt so rushed.
I think it would be nice if they have left things set up for another season.
I think The Stranger does keep you genuinely guessing with all the mysteries and secrets, and only let's you in, when it wants to, the acting was great and they do keep you intrigued until the final episode. However the final episode is where I have my issue, so much happens here that it could have done with splitting out into a couple more episodes, this would have fleshed out characters that could have had a bigger emotional impact and wouldn't have felt so rushed.
I think it would be nice if they have left things set up for another season.
Kristy H (1252 KP) Mar 10, 2019
Bookapotamus (289 KP) Mar 10, 2019