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Ross (3284 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies
Nov 19, 2019
Phenomenal
Finally a film that does justice to one of the most twisted, yet relatable, villains out there. With the focus on his character, rather than that caped guy, we could really start to appreciate how such a villain could emerge.
In a Gotham very similar to today (government budget cuts, strain on mental health services, increasing divide between the rich and poor, and figures of power and responsibility showing no empathy for the downtrodden), Arthur Fleck is a man struggling to juggle (accidental circus pun) work, caring for his mother and his stand-up career. With a supposed tourettes-like condition where he spontaneously bursts out laughing at the most inappropriate times, Arthur is also finding it hard to find a place in society, and longs to be accepted, if not loved.
The film is an excellent example of how events can conspire to make someone vulnerable and repeatedly abandoned by society suddenly snap. And also how the downtrodden masses will take inspiration from an unlikely hero to rise up and take a stand for their own rights.
The film itself mirrors Arthur's moods, at times serene, at others whimsical with sudden moments of utter mad violence.
A very stylish and dark film, but with a quality story and cast to match.
In a Gotham very similar to today (government budget cuts, strain on mental health services, increasing divide between the rich and poor, and figures of power and responsibility showing no empathy for the downtrodden), Arthur Fleck is a man struggling to juggle (accidental circus pun) work, caring for his mother and his stand-up career. With a supposed tourettes-like condition where he spontaneously bursts out laughing at the most inappropriate times, Arthur is also finding it hard to find a place in society, and longs to be accepted, if not loved.
The film is an excellent example of how events can conspire to make someone vulnerable and repeatedly abandoned by society suddenly snap. And also how the downtrodden masses will take inspiration from an unlikely hero to rise up and take a stand for their own rights.
The film itself mirrors Arthur's moods, at times serene, at others whimsical with sudden moments of utter mad violence.
A very stylish and dark film, but with a quality story and cast to match.
BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated The Invisible Man (2020) in Movies
Mar 4, 2020
Genuinely terrifying...
Contains spoilers, click to show
I've always thought thrillers were scarier than horrors. They can do anything in a horror movie, making it as fantastical as they want. Killer clowns from space? Check. Mirrors to the other side? Check. They've got it all... but thrillers are so intense and believable that it scares you to your core. For real. This movie was so well made that I couldn't take my eyes off the screen, well except that one bit with the needle but that's because I hate needles... This movie could have been made so badly based on other 'invisible' characters we have seen before. But the acting in this film was just. Perfect *finger kiss*. I can't remember the last time a movie made me jump out my seat, it had the whole cinema audience biting their nails and gripping their seats. I was in awe the whole time. Not once did I think that a part could have been changed. Everything was so well done, I could honestly say, I would be more afraid of an invisible stalker, than a ghost haunting me.
Side note: me and my stepdad who watched it with me both agree that the suit itself, whether Adrian, his brother or anyone else wears it, would make an amazing Super Villain movie!
Side note: me and my stepdad who watched it with me both agree that the suit itself, whether Adrian, his brother or anyone else wears it, would make an amazing Super Villain movie!
David McK (3857 KP) rated Blood's Campaign in Books
Mar 5, 2020
Third entry in Angus Donald's Holcroft Blood series (after Blood's Game and Blood's Revolution), with this one set in Ireland.
Which is where I live (well, in Northern Ireland).
Living, as I do, not that far from Carrickfergus in Belfast I was aware of the siege of Carrickfergus, and (of course) of the Battle of the Boyne - it's impossible not to be, living here! With William's victory celebrated by a section of the community every 12th of July - although the subjects were never really taught at all in my school days; seemingly more concerned with the Norman conquest or with the English Civil War or World War 2 than with 'local' history. In retrospect, I think that might be because local history is (still) a touchy subject: what is one man's hero, for example, is another man's villain in this country!
Anyway, I've gone off topic: Blood's Campaign.
An interesting read, with Holcroft Blood still an unusual protagonist (hinted as being on the autistic spectrum?), with - even for someone born and raised in Northern Ireland - some fascinating history thrown in, although (I have to say), that this one didn't quite grip me as much as Angus Donald's 'Outlaw' (Robin Hood) series.
Which is where I live (well, in Northern Ireland).
Living, as I do, not that far from Carrickfergus in Belfast I was aware of the siege of Carrickfergus, and (of course) of the Battle of the Boyne - it's impossible not to be, living here! With William's victory celebrated by a section of the community every 12th of July - although the subjects were never really taught at all in my school days; seemingly more concerned with the Norman conquest or with the English Civil War or World War 2 than with 'local' history. In retrospect, I think that might be because local history is (still) a touchy subject: what is one man's hero, for example, is another man's villain in this country!
Anyway, I've gone off topic: Blood's Campaign.
An interesting read, with Holcroft Blood still an unusual protagonist (hinted as being on the autistic spectrum?), with - even for someone born and raised in Northern Ireland - some fascinating history thrown in, although (I have to say), that this one didn't quite grip me as much as Angus Donald's 'Outlaw' (Robin Hood) series.
Portrait Inside My Head
Book
Reader, you have in your hands a motley collection of essays, personal and critical. The advantage...
Captain Cook: Master of the Seas
Book
The age of discovery was at its peak in the eighteenth century, with heroic adventurers charting the...
Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm (1993)
8.2
Rate It
Movie Watch
Based on the acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series and released theatrically Christmas 1993, Batman:...
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Skyscraper (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
A lot of people in the last couple of days had been saying "it's The Rock's Die Hard!" and I just went, meh, sure it is... but it is. The only thing it's missing is Christmas... and a vest top that adjusts to it's surroundings.
This one does what it says on the tin, it's a genuinely enjoyable watch. Despite the fact you know bits from the trailer and you know what's going to happen because, well, that's what these movies do, you are still on the edge of your seat with the action. Some laughs as well as the action made for a very fun watch.
Much like Rampage, I will be seeing this one when I need to get out of doing housework (and now the heat) and I'm out of new films to see.
On the Die Hard note... yep... some bits are carbon copies of it, but the villain will never live up to Hans Gruber. He was nowhere near as entertaining and his accent was way too believable.
A hat trick for Dwayne Johnson here: Jumanji Welcome To The Jungle, Rampage and now Skyscraper. He's involved in some very entertaining films these days and I can't wait for the next one.
This one does what it says on the tin, it's a genuinely enjoyable watch. Despite the fact you know bits from the trailer and you know what's going to happen because, well, that's what these movies do, you are still on the edge of your seat with the action. Some laughs as well as the action made for a very fun watch.
Much like Rampage, I will be seeing this one when I need to get out of doing housework (and now the heat) and I'm out of new films to see.
On the Die Hard note... yep... some bits are carbon copies of it, but the villain will never live up to Hans Gruber. He was nowhere near as entertaining and his accent was way too believable.
A hat trick for Dwayne Johnson here: Jumanji Welcome To The Jungle, Rampage and now Skyscraper. He's involved in some very entertaining films these days and I can't wait for the next one.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Human by Grace Gaustad in Music
Sep 2, 2019
Grace Gaustad is a rising singer-songwriter from New York City. Not too long ago, she released an honest pop tune, entitled, “F.L.Y”.
“‘F.L.Y (Feel Like You)’ is the story of a realization. Often the people we idolize and fantasize about being are shallow individuals. In a society where money, power, and fame dictate who is validated, it is easy to lose sight of who you are deep down and even harder to admit that heroes can sometimes be the villain. So ask yourself, Is it worth it?” – Grace Gaustad
‘F.L.Y’ tells an interesting tale about a young woman who doesn’t want to have anything to do with a certain individual in her life.
Apparently, she doesn’t want to fall back in time. Therefore, she avoids interacting with what she’s trying to stay away from.
‘F.L.Y’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and stripped instrumentation scented with an alternative-pop aroma.
The likable tune is featured on Grace Gaustad’s latest EP, entitled, “Human”.
“Feeling grateful for a lot of happy positive changes that are slowly coming together around me. Been working on the EP for you guys and it’s incredible. I can’t wait to share a full body of work that holds some of my favorite songs I’ve ever written.” – Grace Gaustad
“‘F.L.Y (Feel Like You)’ is the story of a realization. Often the people we idolize and fantasize about being are shallow individuals. In a society where money, power, and fame dictate who is validated, it is easy to lose sight of who you are deep down and even harder to admit that heroes can sometimes be the villain. So ask yourself, Is it worth it?” – Grace Gaustad
‘F.L.Y’ tells an interesting tale about a young woman who doesn’t want to have anything to do with a certain individual in her life.
Apparently, she doesn’t want to fall back in time. Therefore, she avoids interacting with what she’s trying to stay away from.
‘F.L.Y’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and stripped instrumentation scented with an alternative-pop aroma.
The likable tune is featured on Grace Gaustad’s latest EP, entitled, “Human”.
“Feeling grateful for a lot of happy positive changes that are slowly coming together around me. Been working on the EP for you guys and it’s incredible. I can’t wait to share a full body of work that holds some of my favorite songs I’ve ever written.” – Grace Gaustad
Awix (3310 KP) rated I, Claudius in TV
Aug 27, 2019 (Updated Aug 27, 2019)
It is entirely possible some modern viewers may take issue with this hugely acclaimed and influential drama simply because it was made entirely on videotape in TV studios, and some of the 1970s old-age make-up has not, well, aged well. I can't help but feel a bit sorry for these people, for this is one of the great TV treats of all time: the aged Emperor Claudius sits down to retell his family history, a horrifying tale of jealousy, lust, treachery, sexual perversion, murder, and insanity (quite how much of it is actually true is another issue).
A very unusual story by any standards: the main character isn't even born until well into the first episode, and the main villain dies of old age halfway through. Best to ignore the odd structure and enjoy the vicious black comedy the tale is dripping with, with an extraordinary cast making the most of a set of witty, sophisticated scripts. Hard to choose who shines the most: Brian Blessed is restrained as Augustus, Sian Phillips chilling as the psychopathic Livia, John Hurt hilarious and terrifying at the same time as the lunatic Caligula. Derek Jacobi carries the whole thing with warmth, wit and pathos. One of the masterpieces of TV drama.
A very unusual story by any standards: the main character isn't even born until well into the first episode, and the main villain dies of old age halfway through. Best to ignore the odd structure and enjoy the vicious black comedy the tale is dripping with, with an extraordinary cast making the most of a set of witty, sophisticated scripts. Hard to choose who shines the most: Brian Blessed is restrained as Augustus, Sian Phillips chilling as the psychopathic Livia, John Hurt hilarious and terrifying at the same time as the lunatic Caligula. Derek Jacobi carries the whole thing with warmth, wit and pathos. One of the masterpieces of TV drama.
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