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The Final Destination (2009)
The Final Destination (2009)
2009 | Action, Horror
Rigorously uncared for - chock full of series-worst dirt acting, bullshit writing, and some of the lamest CGI you'll ever encounter in a studio picture this millennium. All-around just pathetic, has an unshakable sense that this was rushed and indifferently shat out beyond belief... however... it's also only 82 minutes including credits and is quite possibly the most playful one until this point in wringing the tension out of the deaths where - outside of the eyesore opening premonition (two in a row so far for the series) - there isn't even a semi-weak one to speak of. Swift, vicious, full of trashy spills, and has Mykelti Williamson - truthfully this would be a great time if anyone involved actually gave a shit about it and it didn't come out in that 2-3 year period where everyone thought 2004-looking F-tier 3D which no question ranks among one of the worst trends in cinema was the best thing ever. The racist being dragged down the street is not only a top 20 franchise demise, but actually lands more effectively now than it ever did. Fair enough. Glad they followed up this planned series ender ( l m f a o ) with an actual movie, though.
  
The Innocent Girl (Hanlon Series #2)
The Innocent Girl (Hanlon Series #2)
Alex Coombs | 2021 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Having started this straight after reading the first in the series, "The Stolen Child", I had a feeling I was in for a treat and I wasn't disappointed however, I don't think it's as good or as exciting as the first but it would have taken an absolute genius to better that. You don't have to have read the first but I think it really would help as otherwise you miss out on the back story and explanations around certain characters and their motivations.

Here we have another great story starring the tough and uncompromising Detective Hanlon who we find has been promoted to DCI but this hasn't curbed her gung-ho style as she goes undercover to try and find a killer. The story moves at a pretty good and steady pace; there is a lot of action and tension which ramps up towards the end. I wasn't surprised by the "twist" as I had already guessed who the killer was but I did enjoy how it got there.

Overall, an enjoyable read and I am all set to read the 3rd instalment, The Missing Husband.

Thanks once again to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Island in Books

Jan 30, 2021  
The Island
The Island
C.L. Taylor | 2021 | Thriller, Young Adult (YA)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a book written for the Young Adult market ... I have to confess that I am a few years past what I would call a young adult ... well, quite a few actually ... but nevertheless I really enjoyed this story and I know I would have loved it when I was a teenager.

This book is The Famous Five on steroids; although there are six of them and no dog! Full of action, thrills and tension but it also explores many of the issues that young people have to face growing up such as mental health, death, grief and relationships but it does so with ease and with sympathy and understanding.

The characters were really well developed and although not all of them I particularly liked, they all felt right somehow. The setting was perfect and so well described that my hair frizzed due to the humidity! The pace was good and the writing style was easy to read so much so that I raced through quite quickly.

This is a great thriller for people of any age even though it is primarily aimed at young adults and I want to thank HQ (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
Strangled Eggs and Ham
Strangled Eggs and Ham
Maddie Day | 2019 | Mystery
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Tension Leads Someone to Resort to Murder
Summer may be winding down in South Lick, Indiana, but tensions are on the rise thanks to the proposed resort on the edge of town. Some residents want the jobs it would bring, but others, like Robbie’s Aunt Adele, don’t want the increased traffic and impact on the environment. When a dead body turns up on the proposed construction site, Robbie’s restaurant, Pans ‘N Pancakes, becomes gossip central once again. Can Robbie gather enough clues to solve this case?

The book takes a little time setting up the characters and motives before the murder takes place, but once the murder happens, things are off and running. Robbie combines what she learns while working at her restaurant with sleuthing outside of work hours to reach the logical conclusion. I appreciated how both sides of the resort issue were presented fairly because both sides did have views that needed to be heard. Part of that comes from well-rounded suspects. The series regulars are as fantastic as always; I enjoy spending time with them. If the book leaves you hungry, you’ll be happy with the five recipes at the end. Spending time with Robbie is always a pleasure and this book is no exception.
  
Aliens (1986)
Aliens (1986)
1986 | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
Revisited this for the first time in ages and there’s still no other way of describing it than simply a masterpiece. Watching the theatrical version and the slow build up of tension in the first half building up to the action packed final battle between Ripley and the alien queen is such brilliant story telling and just so well paced. James Cameron follows the Jaws approach and doesn’t show you the slightest hint of an alien till nearly an hour into the film and is far stronger for it. The whole cast are great but the films ace is of course Sigourney Weaver ,she is a total bad ass here and one of cinemas all time great heroines. You are also reminded at what a talent James Cameron was before declaring himself ‘king of the world’. I would love to see him doing something like this or T2 again rather than wasting years on the 172 sequels to Avatar that nobody really wants.

(The special edition of the film is nearly 20 minutes longer and has some interesting moments but in my opinion slows things down a bit too much and you can see why these scenes were removed for the theatrical version)