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JT (287 KP) rated The Little Things (2021) in Movies
Feb 6, 2021
The opening of The Little Things promises a lot but ultimately the tension that is driven during the first ten minutes is nowhere to be seen for the rest of the run time.
With three Oscar-winning actors and a genre that I absolutely love I couldn’t have been more excited, but that excitement started to take a nosedive when ‘The Little Things‘ started to get a ‘little dull’. Joe ‘Deke’ Deacon (Denzel Washington) is former Los Angeles cop turned local county sheriff, whose content with chasing small-time criminals. When he is asked to go back to the city to pick up some evidence for another case he crosses paths with Jim Baxter (Rami Malek) who is on the hunt for a sadistic serial killer.
Baxter realising that he is in the presence of greatness asks Deacon to accompany him to a crime scene, at which point Deke’s instincts point to someone potentially far more dangerous. Set in the 90s this is raw police work and the use of technology is limited, this is about assessing a crime scene in-depth, or in this case why the killer posed his victims in specific ways or returned to the crime scene later to move them.
Director John Lee Hancock wrote the script 30 years ago which is where it has remained until now. At one point Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood were rumoured to direct. The film bears resemblance to such thrillers as Se7en and Zodiac, however, The Little Things might be 30 years too late. The atmosphere and ambience is a neo-noir, at one point Deke is lying on a bed in a run-down motel room starring at polaroid photos of past victims on the wall. An obsession burning inside to catch the killer, which during flashbacks, he has encountered before.
And then there is Albert Sparma (Jared Leto) the prime suspect, or is he? Such is the film’s ambiguity that the third act will leave you scratching your head, trying to piece the evidence together yourself in a bid to catch the killer. Sparma has all the tendencies of a serial killer, he certainly has the look and demeanour. But he may also be a self-obsessed crime buff, with a morbid fascination for death and crime scenes.
All three actors give a solid account of themselves, with Leto making the biggest impression. He’s creepy in a way that will get under your skin. The film is bursting with ideas and places to ramp up the tension but it falls short which is such a shame. As someone who is very fond of a good psychological thriller, this was definitely a missed opportunity.
With three Oscar-winning actors and a genre that I absolutely love I couldn’t have been more excited, but that excitement started to take a nosedive when ‘The Little Things‘ started to get a ‘little dull’. Joe ‘Deke’ Deacon (Denzel Washington) is former Los Angeles cop turned local county sheriff, whose content with chasing small-time criminals. When he is asked to go back to the city to pick up some evidence for another case he crosses paths with Jim Baxter (Rami Malek) who is on the hunt for a sadistic serial killer.
Baxter realising that he is in the presence of greatness asks Deacon to accompany him to a crime scene, at which point Deke’s instincts point to someone potentially far more dangerous. Set in the 90s this is raw police work and the use of technology is limited, this is about assessing a crime scene in-depth, or in this case why the killer posed his victims in specific ways or returned to the crime scene later to move them.
Director John Lee Hancock wrote the script 30 years ago which is where it has remained until now. At one point Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood were rumoured to direct. The film bears resemblance to such thrillers as Se7en and Zodiac, however, The Little Things might be 30 years too late. The atmosphere and ambience is a neo-noir, at one point Deke is lying on a bed in a run-down motel room starring at polaroid photos of past victims on the wall. An obsession burning inside to catch the killer, which during flashbacks, he has encountered before.
And then there is Albert Sparma (Jared Leto) the prime suspect, or is he? Such is the film’s ambiguity that the third act will leave you scratching your head, trying to piece the evidence together yourself in a bid to catch the killer. Sparma has all the tendencies of a serial killer, he certainly has the look and demeanour. But he may also be a self-obsessed crime buff, with a morbid fascination for death and crime scenes.
All three actors give a solid account of themselves, with Leto making the biggest impression. He’s creepy in a way that will get under your skin. The film is bursting with ideas and places to ramp up the tension but it falls short which is such a shame. As someone who is very fond of a good psychological thriller, this was definitely a missed opportunity.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Get Out (2017) in Movies
Jan 13, 2018
Good but overrated
I really disliked this on watching this at the cinema, but after watching it again for a second time I have changed my first impression - but it is still a bit overrated.
The performances are good and I like the storyline itself and it's message about today's society. The twist and the resolution were pretty good if not a little bonkers, and Chris and Rod are really endearing characters. It's some of the horror and suspense aspects themselves that I have an issue with. Sometimes the direction and soundtrack really work to create tension and suspense, but then in other scenes it lacks any subtlety whatsoever and actually becomes funny. Lingering shots on characters looking over the top creepy really doesn't work.
But this aside, it's still one of the better horror films of recent years, even if it doesn't live up to the hype.
The performances are good and I like the storyline itself and it's message about today's society. The twist and the resolution were pretty good if not a little bonkers, and Chris and Rod are really endearing characters. It's some of the horror and suspense aspects themselves that I have an issue with. Sometimes the direction and soundtrack really work to create tension and suspense, but then in other scenes it lacks any subtlety whatsoever and actually becomes funny. Lingering shots on characters looking over the top creepy really doesn't work.
But this aside, it's still one of the better horror films of recent years, even if it doesn't live up to the hype.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Tin Star in TV
Jan 15, 2018
Performances (2 more)
Structure
Use of tension
A Fantastic Original Show
A brilliantly original drama series that takes a number of unexpected twists, Tin Star is one of my favourite TV shows of last year. This was one of those shows that I was excited about before it premiered, but when it actually started I didn't have the time to watch it and so I put it off. I am extremely glad that I decided to go back to it.
Although I liked the sound of the show back before it premiered, I actually wasn't expecting too much from it, as I had since heard mixed reviews of the series, but I for one loved it. The performances are great and I love how the show takes certain concepts that have been used many times before and puts a totally unique and unexpected twist on them.
Although I liked the sound of the show back before it premiered, I actually wasn't expecting too much from it, as I had since heard mixed reviews of the series, but I for one loved it. The performances are great and I love how the show takes certain concepts that have been used many times before and puts a totally unique and unexpected twist on them.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Nocturnal Animals (2016) in Movies
Jul 28, 2017
Great story (1 more)
Tension & suspense
The best film of 2016
I don't readily give out full 10 reviews (you'll know that if you've seen any of my others) but this was by far my favourite film of 2016 and the only one from last year that I'd give full marks to.
There's some brilliant acting on all parts, it's ridiculously tense and suspenseful, very dark and completely enthralling. Tom Ford does a fine job (I still can't believe the director and the fashion designer are the same person) and Amy Adams is probably my favourite actress right now. The ending was great, I love an unhappy ending and this doesn't disappoint.
I went on to read the book after this, and it was completely different and nowhere near as good as the film. One of the rare times when the film is better than the book.
There's some brilliant acting on all parts, it's ridiculously tense and suspenseful, very dark and completely enthralling. Tom Ford does a fine job (I still can't believe the director and the fashion designer are the same person) and Amy Adams is probably my favourite actress right now. The ending was great, I love an unhappy ending and this doesn't disappoint.
I went on to read the book after this, and it was completely different and nowhere near as good as the film. One of the rare times when the film is better than the book.
Stampy ;) (90 KP) rated Pandemic in Tabletop Games
Apr 30, 2019
No player competition (4 more)
Teamwork element
Fairly easy to play along and learn
Saving the World
Could be played solo
Great co-op team building game
I decided to purchase Pandemic due to its co-op gameplay. With so many games having you compete against each other I thought it would be really nice to get some friends together to work as a team. It didn't disappoint! I like it that each player is assigned a role and you get to make the decisions for that player. The game is fairly fast paced with an increase in tension the further through the game you get. You don't always succeed based on the decisions you make and that's okay, it's just leaves you hungry for another game. Good luck! The world rests in your hands.
Paul (106 KP) rated Swamp Thing in TV
Jun 2, 2019
With some involvement with the man behind The Conjuring The Swamp Thing offers an interesting spin on this Horror DC character. Not to give much away but from the opening scene with the people on the Swamp and what happens to them you are being eased into a more adult DC experience, which to me really does fit the source material. It's also nice that they introduce the story before cramming in the Swamp Thing which works better as it builds up the tension.
Its got excellent special effects which was reminiscent of John Carpenters the thing at one point and a great soundtrack. That paired with the quality of the acting and if the rest of the show lives upto the pilot it should be a brilliant addition to the DC universe streaming service.
Its got excellent special effects which was reminiscent of John Carpenters the thing at one point and a great soundtrack. That paired with the quality of the acting and if the rest of the show lives upto the pilot it should be a brilliant addition to the DC universe streaming service.
Ashley Wold (5 KP) rated A Court of Wings and Ruin in Books
Jan 31, 2018 (Updated Jan 31, 2018)
FEELS (2 more)
Action-packed
Court of Dreams banter
Melodramatic/cheesy/repetitive writing (3 more)
Character development overall isn't as satisfying
Feysand smut isn't as interesting, feels excessive
Some of the plot feels forced
I'm conflicted about this book. I definitely liked it better than ACoTaR, but ACoMaF was so incredible that I had high expectations for the third book, and some parts of it just fell flat.
The first bit pacing is a bit slow, but picks up. There were times I felt the writing was a bit cheesy and/or melodramatic, and at times repetitive. For the second book, there was a lot of sexual tension, but in this book it just seems like excessive sexy times since they're already together. A lot of the plot felt forced.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed reading this book! But it definitely felt more like a "guilty pleasure" read.
The first bit pacing is a bit slow, but picks up. There were times I felt the writing was a bit cheesy and/or melodramatic, and at times repetitive. For the second book, there was a lot of sexual tension, but in this book it just seems like excessive sexy times since they're already together. A lot of the plot felt forced.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed reading this book! But it definitely felt more like a "guilty pleasure" read.
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Zombicide: Black Plague in Tabletop Games
Mar 8, 2018
On the Table: ‘Zombicide: Black Plague’ Board Game Review
The fourth standalone board game in CoolMiniOrNot and Guillotine Games’ hit zombie killin’ franchise is finally here! This time, things get more than a little medieval in what may very well be the best ‘Zombicide’ adventure yet.
I’ve heard good things about ‘Zombicide’ for a few years now, but since I had already owned a couple of other zombie-themed board games, I didn’t really feel the need to add one more to my collection. But when I saw the ‘Zombicide: Black Plague’ Kickstarter campaign launch last summer, I just couldn’t stop myself from jumping in and making a pledge. I’m glad I did because this is a fun and tension filled game that really captures the essence of a zombipocalypse.
Reviewer: Tom Landy
Read the full review here: https://www.highdefdigest.com/blog/zombicide-black-plague-board-game-review/
I’ve heard good things about ‘Zombicide’ for a few years now, but since I had already owned a couple of other zombie-themed board games, I didn’t really feel the need to add one more to my collection. But when I saw the ‘Zombicide: Black Plague’ Kickstarter campaign launch last summer, I just couldn’t stop myself from jumping in and making a pledge. I’m glad I did because this is a fun and tension filled game that really captures the essence of a zombipocalypse.
Reviewer: Tom Landy
Read the full review here: https://www.highdefdigest.com/blog/zombicide-black-plague-board-game-review/
11-year-old Flavia DeLuce finds herself involved in a second mystery when a traveling puppet show comes to town. She is asked to help them set up and settle in to their temporary home, but when murder makes an appearance, she begins to dig deeper to find the killer.
The murder doesn’t happen until almost the half way point, but the story doesn’t have the tension to keep our interest until then. Yes, what we learn comes into play later, but it could have been introduced later when we’d actually care and it would mean something to us. The characters continue to shine, however. The second half of the novel was wonderful. If the entire thing lived up to that level, it would be a wonderful book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-weed-that-strings-hangmans.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The murder doesn’t happen until almost the half way point, but the story doesn’t have the tension to keep our interest until then. Yes, what we learn comes into play later, but it could have been introduced later when we’d actually care and it would mean something to us. The characters continue to shine, however. The second half of the novel was wonderful. If the entire thing lived up to that level, it would be a wonderful book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-weed-that-strings-hangmans.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Going, Going, Ganache (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When a photo shoot for Southwest Style turns into a disaster, Mel and Angie find themselves hosting a cupcake boot camp as a team building exercise for the fractured magazine staff. The second morning, Mel finds out of the staff members murdered behind her shop. With the prime suspects in her bakery, can Mel figure out who the killer is?
This is a wonderful addition to the series, and it is easy to see why the series has so many fans. The characters, main and new, are all strong. The mystery provides plenty of tension, suspects, and red herrings, and a couple of sub-plots involving the main characters will keep series fans engrossed as well. Add to that delicious cupcake recipes in the back, and you’ve got a winner.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-going-going-ganache-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a wonderful addition to the series, and it is easy to see why the series has so many fans. The characters, main and new, are all strong. The mystery provides plenty of tension, suspects, and red herrings, and a couple of sub-plots involving the main characters will keep series fans engrossed as well. Add to that delicious cupcake recipes in the back, and you’ve got a winner.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-going-going-ganache-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.