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RəX Regent (349 KP) rated Deepwater Horizon (2016) in Movies

Feb 18, 2019

Deepwater Horizon (2016)

2016 | Action, Drama

7.8

(36 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Based on the true and tragic events on April 2010, Director Peter Berg takes the helm of this re-enactment of the explosive ‘blow-out’ which destroyed the eponymous exploration rig off the coast of Louisiana. We follow Mike Williams (Mark Walberg) and the rig’s Manager Jimmy Harrell (Kurt Russell) as they butt heads with the profit hungry BP executives who are more concerned with the fact that the operation is 43 days behind schedule than safety and have began to cut corners.

Berg builds and maintains the tension expertly, as this procedural disaster movie takes shape, but this is no Titanic (1997) or Poseidon Adventure (1976). The disaster itself only takes up about 30 minutes of the 107 minute run time as we are taken through the technicalities of America’s worst ever oil disaster, one which claimed 11 lives and spilled 210 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

The tension is palpable, the disaster is terrifying yet exiting and whilst wearing its roughneck Vs. company man heart on its sleeve, you are left feeling that we are given a much greater understanding of the subject as well as the newsworthy disaster.

This is helped along by the great visuals and sound design, as well as art direction and visual effects, which along with the great performances, not least BP man, Vidrine (John Malkovich), makes this a must see.

Kudos

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated The Shallows (2016) in Movies

Oct 28, 2019 (Updated Oct 28, 2019)

The Shallows (2016)

2016 | Drama, Mystery

6.7

(25 Ratings)

Movie Rating

I could never make my mind up whilst watching The Shallows if I thought it was good or not... Not usually a good sign but it's pretty straightforward - there are some things about it which are great, and some which are not.

The best thing about The Shallows is easily Blake Lively. It's more a less a one woman show (the rest of the cast are paper thin and take up a tiny amount of screentime.)
She provides us with a lead character who you want to survive, and sells the simple narrative nicely.
The other main character is of course the shark. For the most part, we don't see much of the shark and this is where the horror elements of The Shallows are best realised. The general atmosphere of the first two thirds of the runtime carry a suitable amount of tension.
The final third let's it's slip a bit in this respect, switching out tension for action, which is usually ok, but here we're subjected to some dodgy special effects work, and a whole lot of stupid plot points that don't make a whole lot of sense (silly plot points are actually present throughout, and the main reason why The Shallows isn't better than it is)
One final thought - some of the sweeping shots are really nice - some good camera work going on!

It's not a bad watch by any means, and as far as shark movies go, it's better than most.

Kudos

The Girl in the Photograph

Kate Riordan

7.0 (2 Ratings) Rate It

Book

For fans of Kate Mosse and Kate Morton comes a haunting novel about two women separated by decades...

Necessary Lies

Diane Chamberlain

10.0 (2 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Bestselling author Diane Chamberlain delivers a breakout book about a small southern town fifty...

Dean (6927 KP) rated Veronica Mars (2014) in Movies

Aug 14, 2017

Veronica Mars (2014)

2014 | Comedy, Drama, Mystery

7.7

(10 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Kristen Bell (1 more)

The fact the film came about by fans backing on Kickstarter

Average plot (0 more)

One for fans

I might be one who actually missed the 3 TV series which were made around 9 years ago. They had a big fan base and this film was funded by the fans on the Kickstarter site. Which I assume is a first for a major film. It has all the main characters from the show from what I can tell. So there is a nostalgia angle for fans seeing the story continue years after the TV series finished. For non-fans it's just an average detective story that is lacking any real tension or suspense.

Kudos

Dean (6927 KP) rated The Jackal (1997) in Movies

Apr 30, 2018

The Jackal (1997)

1997 | Action, Drama, Mystery

6.4

(7 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Finally got round to seeing this, been meaning to for years! This is a very enjoyable action/thriller centered around a hunt for an elusive hitman. The emphasis is definitely on the action, seeing Willis go through about 10 different looks as a master of disguise was fun. The tension builds as the day of the hit gets closer, will the FBI and Russian agents be able to stop him? This has a great cast including Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier and even Jack Black makes an early film appearance. The whole Manhunt, assassin films have been done bigger and better since this was made. However this is still a classy enjoyable film.

Kudos

Auburn (57 KP) rated The Darkest Star (Origin, #1) in Books

Apr 10, 2019

A new book in the ever magnificent Lux universe. The Darkest Star brings new light to the world while standing on its own as a magnificent book. The plot focuses on both tragic love but equally on just what are Luxon and are they truly the most dangerous aliens out there.
Evie and Luc bring banter, tension, and laughs as they spend more time together and learn exactly who they could be together.
I absolutely adore this book and am excited that it can be read as a standalone and not as a continuation of the orignial series. If you haven't read Lux it is ok, you will still enjoy this book!