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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Uncharted (2022) in Movies
Feb 12, 2022
Full disclosure, I'm a massive fan of the Uncharted video game series, and as such, stepped into this one with trepidation. I'm relieved to say then, that despite a few drawbacks, I had a lot of fun overall.
The general premise is going for a precursor to the first game. The characters are younger, learning to gel as a team. Tom Holland is great as a young Nathan Drake. Maybe a little alien in comparison to the game version, but passable for a first outing. I'm still completely unsold on Mark Whalberg as Sully though. He's way more unlikable here than in the games, and that didn't quite sit well with me. The two of them together lack the chemistry that is such an important part of the source material, and it does hurt the film somewhat. Sophia Ali is promising as a young Chloe Frazer, and Tati Gabrielle plays a convincing villain. Antonio Banderas is just kind of there and feels a bit wasted.
The narrative has some pacing issues. As much as I can commend the commitment to lengthy segments of puzzle solving, it doesn't quite have the same impact of when you're in control, and it does drag to a certain extent. Thankfully, the last 30 minutes does a whole lot of heavy lifting in making up for the more lackluster moments. The final set piece causes the film to spring to life, and suddenly, it's a full blown Uncharted film. The action is absurd, the music score is familiar (the main Uncharted theme will always be a banger), and the film ends in a way that has me excited for future installments.
The best way to sum up Uncharted is that it's a good start. It's nowhere near perfect, and it's origin-like narrative pales in comparison to the stories that are right there for the taking thanks to the games, but it feels like a setup for bigger things to come, and most importantly, it does feel like an Uncharted movie, and that's all I really wanted.
The general premise is going for a precursor to the first game. The characters are younger, learning to gel as a team. Tom Holland is great as a young Nathan Drake. Maybe a little alien in comparison to the game version, but passable for a first outing. I'm still completely unsold on Mark Whalberg as Sully though. He's way more unlikable here than in the games, and that didn't quite sit well with me. The two of them together lack the chemistry that is such an important part of the source material, and it does hurt the film somewhat. Sophia Ali is promising as a young Chloe Frazer, and Tati Gabrielle plays a convincing villain. Antonio Banderas is just kind of there and feels a bit wasted.
The narrative has some pacing issues. As much as I can commend the commitment to lengthy segments of puzzle solving, it doesn't quite have the same impact of when you're in control, and it does drag to a certain extent. Thankfully, the last 30 minutes does a whole lot of heavy lifting in making up for the more lackluster moments. The final set piece causes the film to spring to life, and suddenly, it's a full blown Uncharted film. The action is absurd, the music score is familiar (the main Uncharted theme will always be a banger), and the film ends in a way that has me excited for future installments.
The best way to sum up Uncharted is that it's a good start. It's nowhere near perfect, and it's origin-like narrative pales in comparison to the stories that are right there for the taking thanks to the games, but it feels like a setup for bigger things to come, and most importantly, it does feel like an Uncharted movie, and that's all I really wanted.
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Downsizing (2017) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
This little film has big shoes to fill
Alexander Payne was clearly vying for Oscars attention when it came to penning the screenplay for Downsizing. And why not, he’s certainly got form in the awards department. A two-time Oscar winner with a further three nominations, his films have been bold and topical.
That topical trademark shows no signs of dissipating with Downsizing, as Payne takes on the themes of overpopulation and the effects it’ll have on us in the future. But is the resulting film one of his best works? Or are we looking at a bit of a dud?
When scientists discover how to shrink humans to five inches tall as a solution to overpopulation, Paul (Matt Damon) and his wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to abandon their cash-strapped and stressed lives in order to get small and move to a new downsized community — a choice that triggers life-changing adventures in more ways than one.
The film certainly gets off to a good start before it even begins. Just look at the cast! With Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Christoph Waltz, Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Sudeikis being just some of the actors on the roster here, there’s certainly a lot of talent about. And things continue to look very good indeed.
Downsizing starts out great. In fact, it has one of the best first acts of any film I’ve seen as we are introduced to the concept of downsizing and the lives in which its partakers lead. Damon is a magnetic leading presence and oozes charm throughout the film. It’s also genuinely funny with a script that knows how to garner laughs from the audience without delving into unnecessary slapstick.
To look at, Downsizing is really rather lovely. Filled with clever special effects, it’s a pleasure to watch and fascinating to sit there and think about all the camera trickery required to pull it off. Watching a miniature ship pull bottles of vodka is strangely satisfying.
And then, about 45 minutes in, things start to go rapidly downhill. So downhill that I left the cinema wondering how on earth a movie that began so positively, could result in a middle and final act so disappointingly ordinary. On the journey home, I used that time to think of the reasons.
That promising script from the first act becomes so muddled it becomes nearly incomprehensible towards the end
Firstly, that talented cast I spoke about earlier is completely and utterly wasted. Outside of Damon, each of the brilliant actors is given a glorified cameo that makes little-to-no difference on the final outcome. Laura Dern is in the film for less than 3 minutes – in fact, her scene is exactly what you see in the trailer. Christoph Waltz plays a bizarre Serbian playboy who is funny and irritating in equal measure and the less said about Kristen Wiig’s part the better.
Secondly, the story just doesn’t do enough with its fascinating premise. We get a vague environmental message about the beauty of nature and the fragility of life, but the idea of downsizing and the beautiful residences of “Leisureland” are merely a shell for Damon to go from scene to scene. His adventures with Hong Chau, which make up the bulk of the overstuffed 132-minute runtime, are pleasant enough, but we want to see more of the people who have decided to shrink themselves.
Thirdly, the tone is an absolute mess. Is it a comedy? What about a drama? Perhaps a rom-com? Who knows! That promising script from the first act becomes so muddled it becomes nearly incomprehensible towards the end.
Finally, the ending is absolutely dreadful and one of the worst ever put to film. I’m not sure if Payne thought it would be a good idea to leave the movie open to a sequel but there is absolutely no payoff to the previous 130-or-so minutes whatsoever. It just falls flat.
Overall, Downsizing has a brilliant premise and a wonderfully talented cast, but each of those is wasted and that’s unforgivable. What starts out as a clever piece of social commentary about the issues we, as a species, currently face, ends up becoming one of the most ordinary films you’ll ever see and a bit of a misstep for the usually superb Alexander Payne. It’s certainly his worst film to date.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/01/27/downsizing-review-this-little-film-has-big-shoes-to-fill/
That topical trademark shows no signs of dissipating with Downsizing, as Payne takes on the themes of overpopulation and the effects it’ll have on us in the future. But is the resulting film one of his best works? Or are we looking at a bit of a dud?
When scientists discover how to shrink humans to five inches tall as a solution to overpopulation, Paul (Matt Damon) and his wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to abandon their cash-strapped and stressed lives in order to get small and move to a new downsized community — a choice that triggers life-changing adventures in more ways than one.
The film certainly gets off to a good start before it even begins. Just look at the cast! With Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Christoph Waltz, Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Sudeikis being just some of the actors on the roster here, there’s certainly a lot of talent about. And things continue to look very good indeed.
Downsizing starts out great. In fact, it has one of the best first acts of any film I’ve seen as we are introduced to the concept of downsizing and the lives in which its partakers lead. Damon is a magnetic leading presence and oozes charm throughout the film. It’s also genuinely funny with a script that knows how to garner laughs from the audience without delving into unnecessary slapstick.
To look at, Downsizing is really rather lovely. Filled with clever special effects, it’s a pleasure to watch and fascinating to sit there and think about all the camera trickery required to pull it off. Watching a miniature ship pull bottles of vodka is strangely satisfying.
And then, about 45 minutes in, things start to go rapidly downhill. So downhill that I left the cinema wondering how on earth a movie that began so positively, could result in a middle and final act so disappointingly ordinary. On the journey home, I used that time to think of the reasons.
That promising script from the first act becomes so muddled it becomes nearly incomprehensible towards the end
Firstly, that talented cast I spoke about earlier is completely and utterly wasted. Outside of Damon, each of the brilliant actors is given a glorified cameo that makes little-to-no difference on the final outcome. Laura Dern is in the film for less than 3 minutes – in fact, her scene is exactly what you see in the trailer. Christoph Waltz plays a bizarre Serbian playboy who is funny and irritating in equal measure and the less said about Kristen Wiig’s part the better.
Secondly, the story just doesn’t do enough with its fascinating premise. We get a vague environmental message about the beauty of nature and the fragility of life, but the idea of downsizing and the beautiful residences of “Leisureland” are merely a shell for Damon to go from scene to scene. His adventures with Hong Chau, which make up the bulk of the overstuffed 132-minute runtime, are pleasant enough, but we want to see more of the people who have decided to shrink themselves.
Thirdly, the tone is an absolute mess. Is it a comedy? What about a drama? Perhaps a rom-com? Who knows! That promising script from the first act becomes so muddled it becomes nearly incomprehensible towards the end.
Finally, the ending is absolutely dreadful and one of the worst ever put to film. I’m not sure if Payne thought it would be a good idea to leave the movie open to a sequel but there is absolutely no payoff to the previous 130-or-so minutes whatsoever. It just falls flat.
Overall, Downsizing has a brilliant premise and a wonderfully talented cast, but each of those is wasted and that’s unforgivable. What starts out as a clever piece of social commentary about the issues we, as a species, currently face, ends up becoming one of the most ordinary films you’ll ever see and a bit of a misstep for the usually superb Alexander Payne. It’s certainly his worst film to date.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/01/27/downsizing-review-this-little-film-has-big-shoes-to-fill/
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Sisters (2015) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
Life for sisters Maura (Amy Poehler), and Kate (Tina Fey) has not worked out the way they had planned. Maura is a nurse who lives in Atlanta and two years after her divorce is busy doing do-good projects and learning to make cheese in her spare time.,
Kate is a single mom who cannot hold a job and has recently been kicked out of the place she was living in. When their parents inform Maura that they are selling their childhood home, Maura helps Kate travel to Orlando in an effort to convince their parents to change their minds.
Seeing that the deal is pretty much done and that their parents are now in a condo, Maura and Kate opt to spend their time in their old home, and do whatever they can to discourage the prospective new buyers from following through on the purchase.
Kate has always been the wilder of the bunch and decides that Maura needs to let loose for once. As such they opt to recreate a party from their teens with as many of their former classmates as they can gather.
Naturally as anyone who has ever seen a house comedy knows, this is a disaster in the making as everything from drunken party games to a drug mishap and sex accidents follow.
It is different to hear Poehler and Fey use R-rated language as they have kept much of their career to the wink and a nod style of adult humor that their pioneered on Saturday Night Live but once you get used to it, it does not seem overly forced.
The two have a real chemistry and there are many funny scenes in the film, the biggest issue is the transition and setups can be a bit slow and at times awkward. This is to be expected from people who started in sketch comedy and neither of the two had a hand in writing the film as well.
Ike Barinholtz does great supporting work as a love interest and his “accident” is one of the funniest and most cringe worthy moments in film comedy.
If you can handle the slow parts and need some good laughs, then you will want to check out “Sisters’ as it is mindless and raunchy fun.
http://sknr.net/2015/12/18/sisters/
Kate is a single mom who cannot hold a job and has recently been kicked out of the place she was living in. When their parents inform Maura that they are selling their childhood home, Maura helps Kate travel to Orlando in an effort to convince their parents to change their minds.
Seeing that the deal is pretty much done and that their parents are now in a condo, Maura and Kate opt to spend their time in their old home, and do whatever they can to discourage the prospective new buyers from following through on the purchase.
Kate has always been the wilder of the bunch and decides that Maura needs to let loose for once. As such they opt to recreate a party from their teens with as many of their former classmates as they can gather.
Naturally as anyone who has ever seen a house comedy knows, this is a disaster in the making as everything from drunken party games to a drug mishap and sex accidents follow.
It is different to hear Poehler and Fey use R-rated language as they have kept much of their career to the wink and a nod style of adult humor that their pioneered on Saturday Night Live but once you get used to it, it does not seem overly forced.
The two have a real chemistry and there are many funny scenes in the film, the biggest issue is the transition and setups can be a bit slow and at times awkward. This is to be expected from people who started in sketch comedy and neither of the two had a hand in writing the film as well.
Ike Barinholtz does great supporting work as a love interest and his “accident” is one of the funniest and most cringe worthy moments in film comedy.
If you can handle the slow parts and need some good laughs, then you will want to check out “Sisters’ as it is mindless and raunchy fun.
http://sknr.net/2015/12/18/sisters/
The Swimming Pool
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'I can't take my eyes off the water. Can you?' It's summer when Elm Hill lido opens, having stood...
Foresee: Your Personal Activity Forecast
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WEATHER-POWERED ACTIVITY PLANNER... Foresee intelligently predicts the ideal times for your...
Merissa (12771 KP) rated Let Me In (The Boys Club #1) in Books
Apr 6, 2019
Let Me In (The Boys Club #1) by Luna David
Let Me In is the first book in The Boys Club, and we meet Liam, who at only twenty is already dealing with a tough hand in life. He is working three jobs to try and put food on the table, as well as saving for his sister's education, AND to get them out of the town they currently live in. When an offer is made to him, it seems too good to be true, but eventually, he goes with his heart. Cash is sad to see his current boy, Tommy, leave, but he knows it's for the best. What he doesn't expect is for Tommy to find him a new boy!
Things start of badly with Cash being under pressure, and not knowing anything about what's going on. However, that didn't stop him from acting like a jerk after that, much to Liam's hurt. I loved how Liam proved himself to be stronger than he thought, as well as putting his self-care first. He found new friends, got himself out of the situation, and tried to move on. Of course, it's after it happens that Cash realises just what a golden nugget he had in Liam.
This book was very easy to read, with no editing or grammatical errors that I noted. It is a very sweet book, whilst also being steamy in scenes. It is actually Cash who has to do the most growing in this book, and it was great to see him finally let Liam in. Although this book is complete, in and of itself, I would love to continue with this series, and I also hope Carter has his book. I really want to know his story.
If you like Daddy kink, then I can definitely recommend this book!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Things start of badly with Cash being under pressure, and not knowing anything about what's going on. However, that didn't stop him from acting like a jerk after that, much to Liam's hurt. I loved how Liam proved himself to be stronger than he thought, as well as putting his self-care first. He found new friends, got himself out of the situation, and tried to move on. Of course, it's after it happens that Cash realises just what a golden nugget he had in Liam.
This book was very easy to read, with no editing or grammatical errors that I noted. It is a very sweet book, whilst also being steamy in scenes. It is actually Cash who has to do the most growing in this book, and it was great to see him finally let Liam in. Although this book is complete, in and of itself, I would love to continue with this series, and I also hope Carter has his book. I really want to know his story.
If you like Daddy kink, then I can definitely recommend this book!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Debbiereadsbook (1421 KP) rated Love All in Books
Feb 1, 2023
steamy and emotional, but dark in places!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
On the tennis courts and in the sheets, Nate and Olivia are perfect. Elsewhere, not so much. Can they really make a go of it?
Sometimes, I have issues will college aged characters, mostly cos I'm way older than that. These two though, are perfect for each other and I loved them both!
Olivia is working hard to make ends meet: Nate doesn't have to. Olivia tars Nate with the same brush she uses for all entitled men, and steers clear. But something changes as they get to know each other properly. Olivia is big enough to admit she might have been a teeny bit wrong about Nate.
But when Olivia gets the shock of a person entering her life she never knew, things spiral out of control for Olivia. She will not become like her mother. Nate wants to help, but only makes things worse.
I loved how these two bantered off each other. There is a good deal of passion between them, and it burns bright and hot, right through the book. Well, dims a little but given what happens, hardly surprising.
I loved that Olivia made Nate think about his own family situation and that there are ways out of it, if he just takes that step.
Its steamy and smexy, but emotional and a bit dark in places, when Olivia explains about her tattoo.
First I've read of this author, AND the first tennis book! I will admit, while both Olivia and Nate play tennis here, the actual playing of tennis is not described in any great detail and I liked that. As the least sporty person on the planet, I appreciated that. But I'd like to read more by this author, I like how she spins and tells her tales.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
On the tennis courts and in the sheets, Nate and Olivia are perfect. Elsewhere, not so much. Can they really make a go of it?
Sometimes, I have issues will college aged characters, mostly cos I'm way older than that. These two though, are perfect for each other and I loved them both!
Olivia is working hard to make ends meet: Nate doesn't have to. Olivia tars Nate with the same brush she uses for all entitled men, and steers clear. But something changes as they get to know each other properly. Olivia is big enough to admit she might have been a teeny bit wrong about Nate.
But when Olivia gets the shock of a person entering her life she never knew, things spiral out of control for Olivia. She will not become like her mother. Nate wants to help, but only makes things worse.
I loved how these two bantered off each other. There is a good deal of passion between them, and it burns bright and hot, right through the book. Well, dims a little but given what happens, hardly surprising.
I loved that Olivia made Nate think about his own family situation and that there are ways out of it, if he just takes that step.
Its steamy and smexy, but emotional and a bit dark in places, when Olivia explains about her tattoo.
First I've read of this author, AND the first tennis book! I will admit, while both Olivia and Nate play tennis here, the actual playing of tennis is not described in any great detail and I liked that. As the least sporty person on the planet, I appreciated that. But I'd like to read more by this author, I like how she spins and tells her tales.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Lee (2222 KP) rated The Mule (2018) in Movies
Jan 29, 2019 (Updated Jan 29, 2019)
A simple, enjoyable story
It appears there's just no stopping Clint Eastwood. Not only does he star in The Mule, a movie 'inspired by a true story', but he's also on producing and directing duties too. Just when you think you've seen him in his last ever role, he's back, 88 years old and still going strong!
Eastwood is Earl Stone, a highly successful horticulturist and Korean war veteran who we first meet in 2005. He arrives at a horticulture convention where he charms the ladies, engages in friendly competitive banter with other exhibitors and sneers at the guy promoting a new way of ordering flowers over the internet, before going on to win first prize for best bloom. But over the years all of this success has been at the expense of his family and while he's buying everyone in the bar a drink to celebrate his win, his daughter is getting married, wondering where her father is while her mother consoles her. A life on the road devoted to work has lost Earl the most important thing in life.
Shifting forward 12 years to 2017 and Earl has been forced to close up the flower business, blaming the damn internet for it all. He pays off his farm workers as best he can before heading off to his granddaughters house where she is holding a garden party. His presence only causes tension though - his daughter can't bear to be anywhere near him, while his ex wife takes the opportunity to once again give him a piece of her mind, disappointed that despite a lifelong devotion to work, he now can't even afford to help pay for his granddaughters upcoming wedding.
So when an offer comes his way, working as a mule for the cartel in return for good money, Earl accepts. An old man traveling, with no previous speeding tickets, is less likely to be stopped than the traditional Latinos they usually use, and Earl benefits by continuing his love of traveling the country in his trusty old truck. He tries the charming old man routine with the cartel members he comes into contact with on both sides of his deliveries, with varying degrees of success, but in-between he manages to just enjoy life - driving on the open road, singing along to the radio for hours on end. And the money certainly is good - Earl is able to buy a brand new truck, help pay for his granddaughters wedding and even help prevent a bar he's been going to for the last 50 or so years from closing. He gradually becomes more trusted within the cartel, becoming responsible for transporting increasingly larger quantities of drugs and drawing the attention of the more powerful cartel members. Attending big parties at their lavish houses, dancing with bikini clad girls and engaging in threesomes, this ninety something certainly is making the most of his twilight years! As power shifts within the cartel and Earl gets drawn deeper in, he finds himself having to decide between the cartel and his family. A decision with very different but serious consequences depending on which path he chooses.
All the while Earl is having his fun, the net is closing in on him in the form of a couple of DEA agents played by Bradley Cooper and Michael Peña. Under pressure to secure a bust from boss Lawrence Fishburne, they're getting closer and closer to capturing the cartels top mule. All three of these actors are seriously underused though in what are essentially pretty standard cop roles.
The Mule is a fairly simple movie with no big sense of drama, and certainly no Breaking Bad levels of cartel tension. However, I was never bored at any point and just found myself completely engrossed in it all, swept along by the genial nature of Earl and what was an enjoyable, sentimental story.
Eastwood is Earl Stone, a highly successful horticulturist and Korean war veteran who we first meet in 2005. He arrives at a horticulture convention where he charms the ladies, engages in friendly competitive banter with other exhibitors and sneers at the guy promoting a new way of ordering flowers over the internet, before going on to win first prize for best bloom. But over the years all of this success has been at the expense of his family and while he's buying everyone in the bar a drink to celebrate his win, his daughter is getting married, wondering where her father is while her mother consoles her. A life on the road devoted to work has lost Earl the most important thing in life.
Shifting forward 12 years to 2017 and Earl has been forced to close up the flower business, blaming the damn internet for it all. He pays off his farm workers as best he can before heading off to his granddaughters house where she is holding a garden party. His presence only causes tension though - his daughter can't bear to be anywhere near him, while his ex wife takes the opportunity to once again give him a piece of her mind, disappointed that despite a lifelong devotion to work, he now can't even afford to help pay for his granddaughters upcoming wedding.
So when an offer comes his way, working as a mule for the cartel in return for good money, Earl accepts. An old man traveling, with no previous speeding tickets, is less likely to be stopped than the traditional Latinos they usually use, and Earl benefits by continuing his love of traveling the country in his trusty old truck. He tries the charming old man routine with the cartel members he comes into contact with on both sides of his deliveries, with varying degrees of success, but in-between he manages to just enjoy life - driving on the open road, singing along to the radio for hours on end. And the money certainly is good - Earl is able to buy a brand new truck, help pay for his granddaughters wedding and even help prevent a bar he's been going to for the last 50 or so years from closing. He gradually becomes more trusted within the cartel, becoming responsible for transporting increasingly larger quantities of drugs and drawing the attention of the more powerful cartel members. Attending big parties at their lavish houses, dancing with bikini clad girls and engaging in threesomes, this ninety something certainly is making the most of his twilight years! As power shifts within the cartel and Earl gets drawn deeper in, he finds himself having to decide between the cartel and his family. A decision with very different but serious consequences depending on which path he chooses.
All the while Earl is having his fun, the net is closing in on him in the form of a couple of DEA agents played by Bradley Cooper and Michael Peña. Under pressure to secure a bust from boss Lawrence Fishburne, they're getting closer and closer to capturing the cartels top mule. All three of these actors are seriously underused though in what are essentially pretty standard cop roles.
The Mule is a fairly simple movie with no big sense of drama, and certainly no Breaking Bad levels of cartel tension. However, I was never bored at any point and just found myself completely engrossed in it all, swept along by the genial nature of Earl and what was an enjoyable, sentimental story.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Inception (2010) in Movies
Aug 8, 2019
Inception is a stunningly good movie. Written and rewritten over the course of the last 10 years, this has been Christopher Nolan’s pet project since before he worked on either of the Batman movies. Finally getting the support to afford a big-budget movie of his own creation, he does not disappoint, as Inception is by far one of the best films of the last several years.
The plot is the strongest feature of Inception. In a way, it mirrors the labyrinthine twists of the subconscious, but Nolan is adept at keeping all his proverbial ducks in a row. Luckily, the plot isn’t exactly the same as dreaming, because that would make an insane, disjointed experience. The only negative I could find regarding the flow of the plot was during the first 15 minutes. Nolan doesn’t hold back on twisting your brain, and expects you to figure out when he’s showing reality and when he’s showing you a dream. The plot generally follows the heist genre, but because many elements take place during dream sequences, you never really know what’s going to come next until the film finally ends.
The cast does an excellent job, with much of the interaction spinning around the hub that is Leonardo DiCaprio. Nolan has said that the emotional life of this character is the “guiding thread of the story” and DiCaprio gives a great performance as the dream security expert who is haunted by his own dreams. The supporting cast, that includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine and Cillian Murphy, truly has no weak points; they round out the story well, and in some cases provide some needed comic relief in heavier moments.
Inception is a surprise blockbuster. For a heist movie with tinges of sci-fi, it’s a thinker of a movie that will reward extra viewings with extra insight into the motivations of the characters. The action isn’t overly heavy, the special effects work for the story and not the other way around, and it has one of the most clever plots I’ve seen in a very long time. Do not miss this movie.
The plot is the strongest feature of Inception. In a way, it mirrors the labyrinthine twists of the subconscious, but Nolan is adept at keeping all his proverbial ducks in a row. Luckily, the plot isn’t exactly the same as dreaming, because that would make an insane, disjointed experience. The only negative I could find regarding the flow of the plot was during the first 15 minutes. Nolan doesn’t hold back on twisting your brain, and expects you to figure out when he’s showing reality and when he’s showing you a dream. The plot generally follows the heist genre, but because many elements take place during dream sequences, you never really know what’s going to come next until the film finally ends.
The cast does an excellent job, with much of the interaction spinning around the hub that is Leonardo DiCaprio. Nolan has said that the emotional life of this character is the “guiding thread of the story” and DiCaprio gives a great performance as the dream security expert who is haunted by his own dreams. The supporting cast, that includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine and Cillian Murphy, truly has no weak points; they round out the story well, and in some cases provide some needed comic relief in heavier moments.
Inception is a surprise blockbuster. For a heist movie with tinges of sci-fi, it’s a thinker of a movie that will reward extra viewings with extra insight into the motivations of the characters. The action isn’t overly heavy, the special effects work for the story and not the other way around, and it has one of the most clever plots I’ve seen in a very long time. Do not miss this movie.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Curiosity Keeper (Treasures of Surrey, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
The year is 1812, and the search for a missing treasure commences. Mystery and intrigue are found around every corner. A thrilling new regency book!
Jonathan Gilchrist is on a mission to recover The Bevoy, a ruby of immense value, stolen from his father. Jonathan's family needs The Bevoy in order to save their home. But the last thing he expected was Camille Iverness. Camille has grown up in a shady part of London and has learned how to fend for herself. Running her father's curiosity shop, she has encountered many people of different characters. When strange and threatening events occur, she must rely on the help of Mr. Gilchrist, a stranger. But can she trust him? Running from her past, Camille seeks refuge in the village of Fellsworth. As her attachment for the village grows, she begins to feel as though she can begin a new life at last. But when her past literally shows up in Fellsworth, her hopes for a new life are dashed to pieces. Will Jonathan and Camille ever be able to find peace? Will events that unfold push them apart or draw them closer together?
"It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail's egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whomever possess it."
The Curiosity Keeper was a book that I had been looking forward to reading for quite a while. And I was not disappointed! It is a thrilling story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. It has all of the elements expected for a regency romance, with a few interesting surprises, mystery being one of them. Sarah Ladd does a brilliant job of drawing you into the story. I could feel my heart racing when tensions rose and sighed with relief on more than one occasion. Throughout the book we can clearly see the underlying message: And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28 NIV) I highly recommend The Curiosity Keeper, and I look forward to the next book in the Treasures of Surrey series.
I received a free digital copy of The Curiosity Keeper from NetGalley courtesy of Thomas Nelson, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.
Jonathan Gilchrist is on a mission to recover The Bevoy, a ruby of immense value, stolen from his father. Jonathan's family needs The Bevoy in order to save their home. But the last thing he expected was Camille Iverness. Camille has grown up in a shady part of London and has learned how to fend for herself. Running her father's curiosity shop, she has encountered many people of different characters. When strange and threatening events occur, she must rely on the help of Mr. Gilchrist, a stranger. But can she trust him? Running from her past, Camille seeks refuge in the village of Fellsworth. As her attachment for the village grows, she begins to feel as though she can begin a new life at last. But when her past literally shows up in Fellsworth, her hopes for a new life are dashed to pieces. Will Jonathan and Camille ever be able to find peace? Will events that unfold push them apart or draw them closer together?
"It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail's egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whomever possess it."
The Curiosity Keeper was a book that I had been looking forward to reading for quite a while. And I was not disappointed! It is a thrilling story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. It has all of the elements expected for a regency romance, with a few interesting surprises, mystery being one of them. Sarah Ladd does a brilliant job of drawing you into the story. I could feel my heart racing when tensions rose and sighed with relief on more than one occasion. Throughout the book we can clearly see the underlying message: And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28 NIV) I highly recommend The Curiosity Keeper, and I look forward to the next book in the Treasures of Surrey series.
I received a free digital copy of The Curiosity Keeper from NetGalley courtesy of Thomas Nelson, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.