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Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated The Shining (1980) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
Stanley Kubrick was an absolute mastermind when it came to directing and watching his films are like a masterclass in movie-making magic. Sure, he was apparently very difficult to work with at times and on the set of The Shining in particular drove one cast member to near madness.
Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, The Shining is a 1980 horror classic. It’s not particularly scary anymore, but at the time, it was a deeply unnerving film set in a bleak mountain location. Look out for an incredible performance from the legendary Jack Nicholson if you haven’t seen it before. The cast member driven to madness? That would be Shelley Duvall.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/02/28/best-snow-movies-top-5/
Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, The Shining is a 1980 horror classic. It’s not particularly scary anymore, but at the time, it was a deeply unnerving film set in a bleak mountain location. Look out for an incredible performance from the legendary Jack Nicholson if you haven’t seen it before. The cast member driven to madness? That would be Shelley Duvall.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/02/28/best-snow-movies-top-5/
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Halloween II (1981) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
The original Halloween was never supposed to become a franchise, John Carpenter only ever wanted to make one film. Naturally, after the movie’s success, a sequel was greenlit soon after and was rushed into production with a massively increased budget.
Halloween II remains a troubled film. Cleverly set on the same night as its predecessor, it lacked the trademark stalk and kill sequences that made its forbearer such an impeccable addition to the genre.
Upping the budget also meant upping the gore and from here the series started to rely heavily on brutality rather than outright terror. Still, it’s a great film anchored by Jamie Lee Curtis’ brilliant performance as Laurie Strode.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/10/28/halloween-movies-top-5/
Halloween II remains a troubled film. Cleverly set on the same night as its predecessor, it lacked the trademark stalk and kill sequences that made its forbearer such an impeccable addition to the genre.
Upping the budget also meant upping the gore and from here the series started to rely heavily on brutality rather than outright terror. Still, it’s a great film anchored by Jamie Lee Curtis’ brilliant performance as Laurie Strode.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/10/28/halloween-movies-top-5/
Dakota Morrill (17 KP) rated Lady Bird (2017) in Movies
Mar 2, 2018
Simple, relatable, beautiful.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut Is truly a spectacular one. Lady Bird is a masterpiece of simplicity. The simply story of a typical teenage girl trying to find who she is and what she wants. The love-hate relationship of Christine and her mother showcasing their struggle to demonstrate of perhaps understand their feelings added a much welcome layer of interesting plot on top of the typical struggles of an awkward high schooler.
If anything, I believe you can learn a few things from this film about forming and maintaining relationships with your parents or child(ren) in hope that when your time with them comes to a close you’ll have no regrets.
If anything, I believe you can learn a few things from this film about forming and maintaining relationships with your parents or child(ren) in hope that when your time with them comes to a close you’ll have no regrets.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2611 KP) rated Clobbered by Camembert (A Cheese Shop Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The annual Winter Wonderland is about to open when Kaitlyn Clydesdale comes back to town. While she hints at knowing information about Charlotte's parents, Charlotte also wonders if she can trust this woman. Before Charlotte can learn more, Kaitlyn winds up murdered, and the police focus on Rebecca's boyfriend. Can Charlotte clear him of the crime?
The mystery is strong, and I have a hard time figuring out the killer. The story moved quickly, and the characters were mostly great. My only real issue was Rebecca, who is usually a fun character, was so over the top I found her annoying.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-clobbered-by-camembert-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The mystery is strong, and I have a hard time figuring out the killer. The story moved quickly, and the characters were mostly great. My only real issue was Rebecca, who is usually a fun character, was so over the top I found her annoying.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-clobbered-by-camembert-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2611 KP) rated Mr. Monk Helps Himself (Mr. Monk #16) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Natalie's new self-help guru commits suicide in the middle of a public event, but she's convinced it is murder. Meanwhile, Monk is hired to find the killer of a clown, one of his top 100 phobias. This is going to be the biggest test of their new partnership.
This is the first tie in novel not written by Lee Goldberg, but since Hy was a writer on the show, he already knows the characters. He's picked up from where Lee left off, and fans of the show and the books will love it. Laughs, good mysteries, and great characters.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-mr-monk-helps-himself-by-hy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is the first tie in novel not written by Lee Goldberg, but since Hy was a writer on the show, he already knows the characters. He's picked up from where Lee left off, and fans of the show and the books will love it. Laughs, good mysteries, and great characters.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-mr-monk-helps-himself-by-hy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Campy Creatures in Tabletop Games
Mar 14, 2018
Beautiful implementation of a simple social deduction game. Fun Theme and a good time especially with more players.
Game play is very simple: Players begin each round with the same hand of beautifully illustrated creatures. Their goal is to capture people (the more helpless the better) by outguessing their opponents with the creatures they play. Each player has perfect information at the start, so knowing what a person might do in a particular situation is key. Trying to out guess the others is the fun of it. It's not a deep game and can feel a little shallow, but would be a great end of the game night filler or beer and pretzels game.
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated A Streetcar Named Desire in Books
Mar 15, 2018
A really powerful drama! Not something I would pick up on my own accord but something I had to read for my English A-Level and after reading Pride & Prejudice I really was not looking forward to this. I was pleasantly surprised, however, at how much I really did enjoy this.
Both main characters are interesting in their own way, with Blanche being the over the top Sourthern-belle falling into an uncontrollable madness spurred on my her ageing and sisters working class, brash husband, Stanley. Stanley is an uncontrollable animal of a man, he knows what he wants and how to get it.
I love both the film and the drama of this tale and I'm glad I got the chance to study it.
Both main characters are interesting in their own way, with Blanche being the over the top Sourthern-belle falling into an uncontrollable madness spurred on my her ageing and sisters working class, brash husband, Stanley. Stanley is an uncontrollable animal of a man, he knows what he wants and how to get it.
I love both the film and the drama of this tale and I'm glad I got the chance to study it.
Dean (6927 KP) rated The A-Team (2010) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
I have to say I expected the worst from this but was pleasantly surprised and pleased by the time the credits rolled. I saw most of the TV series as a young boy and this film does keep a lot true to the original TV series. Just given a modern update and treated like a modern day action film with big stunts and over the top action plans only the A Team could do. At times it felt like a mix of the Bourne Trilogy crossed with Ocean's 11 elaborate missions! There is plenty of humour and it doesn't take itself seriously, pity the critics who just didn't get it, fool's!! A pure popcorn action blast everyone in the right frame of mind should enjoy.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Paranormal Days Gone Awry in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Anthologies are always towards the top of my list of things to read, as you get many different stories at once, boiled down in neat, easy-to-handle packages. PDGA is a wonderful collection, and once I started, I couldn't put it down! There were several stories that I'd love to see extended into or followed up by larger works (if they haven't been already), and there was enough of a diversity that everybody should be able to pick a favorite. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves the paranormal, but may not have the time to sit down with an entire novel. Look forward to another of its kind!
5 stars
Anthologies are always towards the top of my list of things to read, as you get many different stories at once, boiled down in neat, easy-to-handle packages. PDGA is a wonderful collection, and once I started, I couldn't put it down! There were several stories that I'd love to see extended into or followed up by larger works (if they haven't been already), and there was enough of a diversity that everybody should be able to pick a favorite. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves the paranormal, but may not have the time to sit down with an entire novel. Look forward to another of its kind!
5 stars
Awix (3310 KP) rated Leave No Trace (2018) in Movies
Jul 12, 2018
Top-class drama from the people who brought you a bunch of other good films without getting famous for it. A troubled veteran lives with his daughter in a national park; he has a pathological need for privacy and independence; she loves her dad and so goes along with this, at least until the film starts.
Excellent performances, wonderfully clear and understated storytelling, and sense of humanity and generosity define what is by any measure an extremely fine film. It's about growing up and finding your own way in the world, but also about family and responsibility and lots of other things - yet it never feels heavy or preachy. Almost certain to prove one of the best of the year.
Excellent performances, wonderfully clear and understated storytelling, and sense of humanity and generosity define what is by any measure an extremely fine film. It's about growing up and finding your own way in the world, but also about family and responsibility and lots of other things - yet it never feels heavy or preachy. Almost certain to prove one of the best of the year.