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Doctor Jones (5 KP) rated Shaun of the Dead (2004) in Movies
Sep 30, 2017
Spaced on the big screen
In principle, I really don't like comedies. Yes, there are examples of the genre out there that I like, don't get me wrong. But generally-speaking I just don't dig them. I won't go into my anti-comedy rant in great detail here, but I think that one of the main reasons for it is that I love the craft of filmmaking and most comedies are severely lacking in any kind of interesting creative decision that make me appreciate a filmmaker's craft. Now Edgar Wright, there's a director who knows his craft, and it is very much evident in Shaun of the Dead. It is very slickly shot and edited, brilliantly-paced, pitch-perfect in tone and yes - it's funny! There aren't many comedy-horror movies that work, but this one really does. Also, I am a huge fan of Spaced, which is up there in my top 5 tv shows of all time, and this film is very much a spiritual successor to the show.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Contagion (2011) in Movies
Apr 4, 2019
One Flu Over - The Cooker's Next
Steven Soderbergh's crack at the all-star disaster movie genre starts well but is eventually tripped up by its own insistence on naturalism and scientific rigour. Gwyneth Paltrow comes back from a business trip with mutant pig-bat flu, drops dead, gets cremated (see review title), authorities struggle to contain the spread of the virus. Gwynnie's widower Matt Damon wanders about looking mournful wondering how well he really knew his wife.
More a collection of subplots than an actual narrative, but there are plenty of good moments and strong performances to begin with (maybe not Jude Law's Australian accent, come to think of it). The problem is that Soderbergh sets out to do this seriously, which means that he struggles to build the thing to a proper climax with any real sense of closure: a real pandemic would be horrible, but not apocalyptic in the way it's usually presented in movies and TV shows. Soderbergh can't help but be effortlessly watchable and stylish though. Not sure what the point of the film is, except to traumatise germophobes and hypochondriacs, but it's good at that and engaging for everyone else.
More a collection of subplots than an actual narrative, but there are plenty of good moments and strong performances to begin with (maybe not Jude Law's Australian accent, come to think of it). The problem is that Soderbergh sets out to do this seriously, which means that he struggles to build the thing to a proper climax with any real sense of closure: a real pandemic would be horrible, but not apocalyptic in the way it's usually presented in movies and TV shows. Soderbergh can't help but be effortlessly watchable and stylish though. Not sure what the point of the film is, except to traumatise germophobes and hypochondriacs, but it's good at that and engaging for everyone else.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Room for Doubt in Books
Aug 21, 2018
Suicide or a Serial Killer?
A body has been found hanging from the Hollywood sign, and radio reporter Carol Childs is sent to the scene. The police have ruled it a suicide, but Carol thinks something else is going on. Before the weekend is over, Carol is contacted by a PI who shares her belief that there is more to this death. Then a caller to Carol’s new late Sunday show all but confesses. What is really going on?
From this intriguing premise, we get another fun mystery filled with plenty of suspense. I did have some issues with some moral issues brought up in this book, which is funny because I am on the opposite side of things on some TV shows I watch. A psychic we met in the first book is back, but I was happy that her “ability” only played a small part in the book. In fact, I enjoyed seeing her again since she is a fun foil for Carol. I really liked the cast of characters as well. There were some timeline issues in the middle of the book, but overall, they were a minor annoyance.
From this intriguing premise, we get another fun mystery filled with plenty of suspense. I did have some issues with some moral issues brought up in this book, which is funny because I am on the opposite side of things on some TV shows I watch. A psychic we met in the first book is back, but I was happy that her “ability” only played a small part in the book. In fact, I enjoyed seeing her again since she is a fun foil for Carol. I really liked the cast of characters as well. There were some timeline issues in the middle of the book, but overall, they were a minor annoyance.
Elli H Burton (1288 KP) rated a video of Tee and Mo in TV
Oct 29, 2019
My daughter loves it (2 more)
It's musical, it's sweet, it's not full of ridiculous themes.
It's not a traditional family, it's just Tee and Mo and it works. Every family is different so it's relevant.
It's so pleasant and sweet
Thought there must be some parents on here that would appreciate some children's TV programs and I've done some of the work finding good ones!
Firstly, it's quite a calm and chilled show which is fab for towards the end of the day. It doesn't have much dialogue, it has a narrator and the characters say names but other than that it's mostly monkey noises (obviously because they're monkeys lol). I think that's why my daughter (14 months old) love it so much, it's not in your face chatting away. It's got leasons to learn in each episode that which is cute and it's NOT ANNOYING.
Sooooo many kids shows are a nightmare and are so annoying but this one is so chilled and nice I actually like putting it on. Definitely think if parents want to try something new for the kids, try this.
Firstly, it's quite a calm and chilled show which is fab for towards the end of the day. It doesn't have much dialogue, it has a narrator and the characters say names but other than that it's mostly monkey noises (obviously because they're monkeys lol). I think that's why my daughter (14 months old) love it so much, it's not in your face chatting away. It's got leasons to learn in each episode that which is cute and it's NOT ANNOYING.
Sooooo many kids shows are a nightmare and are so annoying but this one is so chilled and nice I actually like putting it on. Definitely think if parents want to try something new for the kids, try this.
Lee Nightingales (73 KP) rated The Exorcist - Season 1 in TV
Aug 9, 2019
People often see the title of the show and want to frown, because the original movie is now a classic. However, the producers - Jeremy Slater and Sean Crouch never positioned it as a remake. The 1973 movie is also adapted by William Peter Blatty from his 1971 novel.
In the show we follow in the footsteps of Father Marcus Keane (Ben Daniels) and Father Tomas Ortega (Alfonso Herrera) as they discover and fight old and new evil.
The dynamic between the two main characters is crafted well by the writers, and highlighted by the talent of both Daniels and Herrera. These actors work well together on and off screen, and it translates into the roles.
The cinematography brings the viewers an almost old-fashioned horror with a flavour of the original movie. The connections are slowly revealed, and the first season takes an interesting turn. The main and supporting actors do a good job of creating an atmosphere of desperation and fear. The show deals with topics other network tv shows try to avoid when possible. Slater and Crouch don't make a gimmick out of it, but treat it as seriously as they can.
In the show we follow in the footsteps of Father Marcus Keane (Ben Daniels) and Father Tomas Ortega (Alfonso Herrera) as they discover and fight old and new evil.
The dynamic between the two main characters is crafted well by the writers, and highlighted by the talent of both Daniels and Herrera. These actors work well together on and off screen, and it translates into the roles.
The cinematography brings the viewers an almost old-fashioned horror with a flavour of the original movie. The connections are slowly revealed, and the first season takes an interesting turn. The main and supporting actors do a good job of creating an atmosphere of desperation and fear. The show deals with topics other network tv shows try to avoid when possible. Slater and Crouch don't make a gimmick out of it, but treat it as seriously as they can.
Dean (6925 KP) rated Killer Camp in TV
Nov 3, 2019
Good ideas (1 more)
Mix of genre's
Original Horror reality gameshow
A very short 5 part Horror themed game show. 11 contestants spend 5 days at camp pleasant, which is more like Crystal Lake. They must complete various tasks to win money. What they don't win goes to the Killer fund. They can also compete to win clues to the killers identity and immunity from meeting a grisly end. Will they figure who the Killer is amongst them and win the money?
An original gameshow from the same people behind @Release the Hounds it also feels a bit like an old show called The Mole mixed with Big Brother. In between camp competitions can the contestants work out together who the Killer is? Some of the games are a bit silly and I'm not a fan of Big Brother style reality shows on the whole. However the aim of trying to guess who the Killer is and if they can remain undetected while the others try to figure it out is intriguing. So one for Whodunit fans, who don't remind a slight reality TV angle will enjoy this.
An original gameshow from the same people behind @Release the Hounds it also feels a bit like an old show called The Mole mixed with Big Brother. In between camp competitions can the contestants work out together who the Killer is? Some of the games are a bit silly and I'm not a fan of Big Brother style reality shows on the whole. However the aim of trying to guess who the Killer is and if they can remain undetected while the others try to figure it out is intriguing. So one for Whodunit fans, who don't remind a slight reality TV angle will enjoy this.
Nick Beaty (70 KP) rated Chernobyl in TV
Nov 24, 2019 (Updated Dec 21, 2019)
Incredible attention to detail...
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first set eyes on Chernobyl but I have to say I was hooked from the very beginning. It is the incredible attention to even the smallest detail that sets Chernobyl apart from many other TV shows. It is brilliantly written which makes for some very tense, dramatic and heartbreaking scenes. The whole cast give a near perfect performance to add to the story and must be applauded for that.
Chernobyl is a tale of two stories, the first is a gritty, scarily realistic take on the aftermath of a disastrous event that could have had changed the face of the planet as we know it, if it weren't for the bravery and subsequent sacrifice of the men and women who tried to contain it. The second is a tale of the corruption and politics surrounding the disaster. A courtroom drama set out to reveal the truth to what really happened on that fateful day in April, 1986.
To sum it up Chernobyl was pretty close to perfect for me and for that reason I score it a 10 out of 10.
Chernobyl is a tale of two stories, the first is a gritty, scarily realistic take on the aftermath of a disastrous event that could have had changed the face of the planet as we know it, if it weren't for the bravery and subsequent sacrifice of the men and women who tried to contain it. The second is a tale of the corruption and politics surrounding the disaster. A courtroom drama set out to reveal the truth to what really happened on that fateful day in April, 1986.
To sum it up Chernobyl was pretty close to perfect for me and for that reason I score it a 10 out of 10.
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Burning Blue in Books
Jan 23, 2020
Well, Kahlan and Lupe and other members of book club who think I'm negative over every book, I hope you're happy. REALLY happy!
Burning Blue has got to be one of the best book club reads of this year I might even have my vote finalized for the 2014-15 Gateway Readers Award.
Of course, I want to get my hands on Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gragnon and Croak by Gina Damico first before voting... unless I don't get to it by March.
It's not all about the acid that's a bonus being thrown at wealthy and popular beauty queen not-a-bee Nicole Castro of New Jersey or the mere fact that a hacker is the one who decides to look at the situation more closely to find out who did it, it's the other stuff that I really enjoyed.
The writing's engrossing we don't read from just Jay Nazarro's view, we read from Nicole Castro's journal, and a few of Dr. Julian Nye's (apparently he's like the shrink of the book) notes about Nicole. It's almost as though we're watching CSI, NCIS, or Law and Order with all the likeness to an investigation going on behind NJPD's backs, though CSI and Company (those other fun shows we call Law) are certainly less predictable than Burning Blue. Plus, TV shows have detectives, not an outcast hacker deciding to find out who the culprit is by hacking and whatnot.
<blockquote>What day is it? What night? I'm burning, burning, burning blue.</blockquote>
That obviously doesn't mean reading about Jay's past wasn't highly awkward though... or more accurately, a tad bit gross.
<blockquote>You don't get a lot of homework in the fourth grade, and I didn't have anything to do except make mini snowmen with my earwax.</blockquote>
Although the perpetrator was very predictable, I found it enjoyable to read the rest of the story and see how it would all play out in the end. I obviously watch too much TV (which by the way, isn't even close to true because I don't even watch TV most of the time and I pretty much live under a legit rock) to take a fantastically, pretty whopping close to accurate stab.
I did not, however, take a stab at who actually threw the acid. I merely guessed who came up with the entire plan in the first place.
To top it off for the non-romantics out there, Jay falling in love with Nicole as he investigates the situation further doesn't overshadow the plot at all. There are brief mentions from Jay and Nicole's journal, but that's about it, much to my delight. Really, I'm done with romance currently eclipses suck, okay? Euphemism intended.
Perfectly paced and with great dialogue among the characters, Burning Blue is a fantastic book. Plus there's acid. Yay, chemistry!
--------------------
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Original Review at <a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2015/01/review-burning-blue-by-paul-griffin.html">Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
<a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cG5gfBqJVzk/VA5BIojjZ9I/AAAAAAAAD1g/7srLUfpAGEU/s1600/banner.png"; /></a>
Burning Blue has got to be one of the best book club reads of this year I might even have my vote finalized for the 2014-15 Gateway Readers Award.
Of course, I want to get my hands on Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gragnon and Croak by Gina Damico first before voting... unless I don't get to it by March.
It's not all about the acid that's a bonus being thrown at wealthy and popular beauty queen not-a-bee Nicole Castro of New Jersey or the mere fact that a hacker is the one who decides to look at the situation more closely to find out who did it, it's the other stuff that I really enjoyed.
The writing's engrossing we don't read from just Jay Nazarro's view, we read from Nicole Castro's journal, and a few of Dr. Julian Nye's (apparently he's like the shrink of the book) notes about Nicole. It's almost as though we're watching CSI, NCIS, or Law and Order with all the likeness to an investigation going on behind NJPD's backs, though CSI and Company (those other fun shows we call Law) are certainly less predictable than Burning Blue. Plus, TV shows have detectives, not an outcast hacker deciding to find out who the culprit is by hacking and whatnot.
<blockquote>What day is it? What night? I'm burning, burning, burning blue.</blockquote>
That obviously doesn't mean reading about Jay's past wasn't highly awkward though... or more accurately, a tad bit gross.
<blockquote>You don't get a lot of homework in the fourth grade, and I didn't have anything to do except make mini snowmen with my earwax.</blockquote>
Although the perpetrator was very predictable, I found it enjoyable to read the rest of the story and see how it would all play out in the end. I obviously watch too much TV (which by the way, isn't even close to true because I don't even watch TV most of the time and I pretty much live under a legit rock) to take a fantastically, pretty whopping close to accurate stab.
I did not, however, take a stab at who actually threw the acid. I merely guessed who came up with the entire plan in the first place.
To top it off for the non-romantics out there, Jay falling in love with Nicole as he investigates the situation further doesn't overshadow the plot at all. There are brief mentions from Jay and Nicole's journal, but that's about it, much to my delight. Really, I'm done with romance currently eclipses suck, okay? Euphemism intended.
Perfectly paced and with great dialogue among the characters, Burning Blue is a fantastic book. Plus there's acid. Yay, chemistry!
--------------------
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Original Review at <a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2015/01/review-burning-blue-by-paul-griffin.html">Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
<a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cG5gfBqJVzk/VA5BIojjZ9I/AAAAAAAAD1g/7srLUfpAGEU/s1600/banner.png"; /></a>
Amanda (96 KP) rated Ready Player One in Books
Mar 18, 2019
Why in the world did it take me this long to read this book? I could seriously kick myself! I haven't seen the movie yet, I'm not entirely sure I want to after reading this book. I don't think any movie could do it justice. Yes, I liked this book that much.
Imagine a world where the world has kind of gone to pieces and most of the time you want to escape the harsh reality. A man invented a virtual reality called OASIS and before his passing, he stated that there is a hidden Easter egg in the OASIS and whomever finds it, has COMPLETE control of the OASIS and his fortune. It's been several years and NOBODY has been able to find the egg, or even come close to it.
The entire story is told from Wade's point of view. In reality, he's known as Wade, in OASIS he is Parzivel. The creator of OASIS is known to be a huge fan of 80's style; music, movies, tv shows, you name it, he was a fan. Wade goes through all of these shows and movies to get some sort of clue to find out what and where the egg is located. One day, he figures out the first clue and winds up being the first name on the score board.
The idea of going to a virtual school sounded like a really cool idea. From the way it's described in the book, it sounds like a much more effective way to actually learn in a classroom. I think with the way technology keeps advancing, we may very well be on our way to going that route.
I loved all of the 80's references throughout the book. I'm not an 80's child, but I've been told I'm old soul. Like, I'm a reincarnated person who was born in the 30's because I'm not really into the new shows or the new music. Mentions of Monty Python and the other TV shows that I've actually binge watched myself really brought out my inner nerd and it was enjoyable.
The only thing that made me lose a little respect for Wade is when he starts falling for another user named Art3mis. He has NO CLUE who this person is in real life, just her avatar. And in OASIS, the avatar is a blonde woman and Wade falls for her and spends as much time with her as possible. When Art3miss decides to cool it down with him, he kind of acts like a puppy who had its treat taken away. I know he's a kid who just graduated high school so having your first crush on someone really clouds your best judgment, but I found his infatuation with Art3mis rather annoying and I almost wanted to yell at my book and hope he hears me.
Am I the only one who's felt that way?
In the end, I'm rooting for Wade to find all these keys and reach the gates before someone else does. There's another company who actually specifically hires people to find this egg. This company will start charging people to use OASIS and actually give people limited access, no, we don't want that.
The book as a whole was excellent. It caught my attention in the beginning, and even though I was a bit annoyed with Wade, I still WANTED to finish this story. I WANTED to go through the OASIS journey with him and help him, encourage him, to continue and find that egg and help everybody cope with reality, with or without OASIS. If you've seen the movie, read the book. I guarantee that the movie was not able to capture EVERYTHING with this story and you deserve to know EVERYTHING about WADE and his new friends in finding that egg.
Imagine a world where the world has kind of gone to pieces and most of the time you want to escape the harsh reality. A man invented a virtual reality called OASIS and before his passing, he stated that there is a hidden Easter egg in the OASIS and whomever finds it, has COMPLETE control of the OASIS and his fortune. It's been several years and NOBODY has been able to find the egg, or even come close to it.
The entire story is told from Wade's point of view. In reality, he's known as Wade, in OASIS he is Parzivel. The creator of OASIS is known to be a huge fan of 80's style; music, movies, tv shows, you name it, he was a fan. Wade goes through all of these shows and movies to get some sort of clue to find out what and where the egg is located. One day, he figures out the first clue and winds up being the first name on the score board.
The idea of going to a virtual school sounded like a really cool idea. From the way it's described in the book, it sounds like a much more effective way to actually learn in a classroom. I think with the way technology keeps advancing, we may very well be on our way to going that route.
I loved all of the 80's references throughout the book. I'm not an 80's child, but I've been told I'm old soul. Like, I'm a reincarnated person who was born in the 30's because I'm not really into the new shows or the new music. Mentions of Monty Python and the other TV shows that I've actually binge watched myself really brought out my inner nerd and it was enjoyable.
The only thing that made me lose a little respect for Wade is when he starts falling for another user named Art3mis. He has NO CLUE who this person is in real life, just her avatar. And in OASIS, the avatar is a blonde woman and Wade falls for her and spends as much time with her as possible. When Art3miss decides to cool it down with him, he kind of acts like a puppy who had its treat taken away. I know he's a kid who just graduated high school so having your first crush on someone really clouds your best judgment, but I found his infatuation with Art3mis rather annoying and I almost wanted to yell at my book and hope he hears me.
Am I the only one who's felt that way?
In the end, I'm rooting for Wade to find all these keys and reach the gates before someone else does. There's another company who actually specifically hires people to find this egg. This company will start charging people to use OASIS and actually give people limited access, no, we don't want that.
The book as a whole was excellent. It caught my attention in the beginning, and even though I was a bit annoyed with Wade, I still WANTED to finish this story. I WANTED to go through the OASIS journey with him and help him, encourage him, to continue and find that egg and help everybody cope with reality, with or without OASIS. If you've seen the movie, read the book. I guarantee that the movie was not able to capture EVERYTHING with this story and you deserve to know EVERYTHING about WADE and his new friends in finding that egg.
Robz H (21 KP) rated Westworld - Season 1 in TV
May 24, 2017
Amazing soundtrack (4 more)
Well written and completely engaging from start to finish
Spectacular cinematography
Plot twists that properly knock you for six
A very fascinating take on what makes humans tick
Phenomenal
This show is amazing. If binge watching TV shows was an Olympic sport, I would certainly be in contention to represent my country, but I haven't sat down and watched the first episode of a show and then remained firmly on my arse until I'd watched the entire season since I discovered Game of Thrones.
Everything about this show reeled me in immediately. The opening theme, the cast and the portrayal of their characters, the storyline and the way it unraveled in front of me... A very special chord that was struck with me (punny!) was the soundtrack - that moment when I was entirely engrossed in what I was seeing and the fleeting thought of "Hey that sounds like Paint It Black..." then having the realisation that it WAS Paint It Black left me in love with this show from the very get go.
I recommend this show at every possible opportunity as something that should be watched sometime between immediately and ASAFP.
Everything about this show reeled me in immediately. The opening theme, the cast and the portrayal of their characters, the storyline and the way it unraveled in front of me... A very special chord that was struck with me (punny!) was the soundtrack - that moment when I was entirely engrossed in what I was seeing and the fleeting thought of "Hey that sounds like Paint It Black..." then having the realisation that it WAS Paint It Black left me in love with this show from the very get go.
I recommend this show at every possible opportunity as something that should be watched sometime between immediately and ASAFP.