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Jeff Nichols recommended Dreams (1990) in Movies (curated)

 
Dreams (1990)
Dreams (1990)
1990 | International, Drama, Sci-Fi
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Let’s tall about Kurosawa‘s Dreams. When Bravo first came on television, they were figuring out who they were as a cable network and would just play random foreign films. This was before the travesty of reality television permeated their station. I was at home alone in high school, I think I was a junior in high school and Dreams comes on by Kurosawa. I could not separate myself from it. I didn’t know who Kurosawa was — I didn’t care. I was just a kid absorbing things that flashed on the screen in front of him. I was immediately captivated by this thing that was at once beautiful — obviously surreal — but at the same time palpable enough to actually hit home emotionally. I think not many people would probably describe scenes in my movies as surreal, but there are some. Kind of this magical realism that exists in that film. Also it feels ancient; it feels like when this boy comes home having witnessed the wedding of foxes and his mother’s there and says he can’t enter the home because he spied on the foxes and then presents a dagger to him and says, “They want you to kill yourself. Run. Run and ask for forgiveness.” It feels like an ancient story, it feels like something — I’m not sure what. It feels like something that kind of bubbled up from our beginning. I was fascinated by that. Just go watch it. It’s all skits, it’s basically short films strewn together. Get’s real weird by the end, but the first three are three of the greatest films I’ve ever seen."

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Ready or Not (2019)
Ready or Not (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Horror, Mystery
Great From Beginning to End
A new bride agrees to an innocent game with her in-laws on her wedding night only to find out the game involves her murder.

Acting: 10

Beginning: 10

Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 10The film has a dark, yet colorful cast that works on both engaging and eery levels. Part comedy, part horror directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett masterfully capture both without either looking out of place. I was very impressed with the attention to detail.

Conflict: 10
Entertainment Value: 10It’s hard to miss when you combine action, comedy, and horror into a solid movie. Every moment of this movie is engaging. it’s a ride you’re excited to be a part of as you wade through what the heck is going to happen next. A fun, wild ride.

Memorability: 9
Ready Or Not will definitely stand in the memory long after being watched. Again, it checks the boxes in the three different categories. However, it doesn’t quite master any of them hence the docked point.

Pace: 10
Great start, then the tension continues to mount from there. it never lets its foot off the gas save for a few short breaths. It shoots out of a cannon then moves forward at a breakneck pace.

Plot: 10

Resolution: 10
One of my favorite parts of the entire story. Mums the word here.

Overall: 99
In the near future, I’m going to do a piece on “Movies I Can Watch Repeatedly and Not Get Bored”. Ready Or Not will probably make that list. It does so many things right. Definitely a movie to remember.
  
The City of Tears (The Burning Chambers #2)
The City of Tears (The Burning Chambers #2)
Kate Mosse | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
9
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The story of Minou and Piet continues, starting with their idyllic lives in Puivert: Minou is the chatelaine, and Piet has returned from fighting for the Huguenot cause. They have two children: Marta, a precocious little girl, and their baby son Jean-Jacques. As a family they decide to travel to Paris for the wedding of the Catholic Marguerite de Valois (the King’s sister) and the Protestant Henri of Navarre (the first Bourbon King of France - and I never know whether to think of the biscuit or the drink whenever I hear the word ‘Bourbon’ 🤷🏼‍♀️). Their union is hoped to end the religious wars in France.

But of course nothing goes to plan. Cardinal Valentin is there in his role as the Duke of Guise’s confessor, and he’s out for revenge. The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre tears Minou and Piet’s family apart so that it is forever changed.

I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that Minou and Piet end up in Amsterdam. In Amsterdam their is a peaceful change in power from Catholic to Protestant. It’s interesting to see how their lives change, and how they are able to live in relative peace and cooperation with their Catholic friends and neighbours. It’s no less exciting than The Burning Chambers though. The family’s adventures take them back to France and in to more danger.

 I loved all of the historical detail, and the thoughts and beliefs around religion at this time - and I cannot wait to read the next TWO books in this series! I’m hooked!

Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for this serialisation - it was outstanding!
  
Old School (2003)
Old School (2003)
2003 | Comedy, Documentary
Terrible Pacing Wasn't the Only Thing That Ruined the Story
After a man catches his girlfriend in an orgy, he moves into a new house near a college campus to get his life back together where shenanigans ensue.

Acting: 10

Beginning: 10

Characters: 3

Cinematography/Visuals: 10

Conflict: 5
One of the laundry list of misses for me in Old School. It felt like one big party movie which is fine provided there is some kind of conflict driving the story a la The Hangover. Because of the lack of conflict, I had no interest in rooting for the main character. Any conflict scenes that did exist felt forced and unnecessary.

Entertainment Value: 7

Memorability: 6
While there are a few memorable scenes that had me cracking up, the movie as a whole reminded me that I had seen better comedies. The wedding singer was hilarious as well as the funeral for Blue and I can think of at least two more strong comedic moments that had me cracking up. Unfortunately the sum of its parts didn’t really amount to much.

Pace: 4

Plot: 3

Resolution: 5
A resolution that didn’t really blow me away. To be fair, even if the ending had been better, it wouldn’t have been enough to save the movie as a whole. It was already too far off the rails at this point for me.

Overall: 63
Many tout Old School as a cult classic and I can understand why. There are quite a few moments that got the job done making me laugh. As a whole, it just wasn’t enough for me.
  
Highland Fling
Highland Fling
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I can't say there are many classic novels that I've really enjoyed, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book when I really focused on it. It is a comedy, and I was a bit concerned that I wouldn't appreciate the humour as the book was originally published back in 1931. I will admit that I maybe didn't enjoy it as much as I could have, but I did quite like it and find it quite interesting.

It follows Albert Gates, an artist who has moved to Paris, as he accompanies friends to Dalloch Castle in the Scottish Highlands. He meets Jane there, and they bond while irritating the other guests to keep themselves amused. The friends of Albert's, Sally and Walter, have their own happenings both during the holiday and after returning home.

Albert opens an art exhibition that receives more attention than Jane anticipated, and Jane starts to panic. Is there a wedding on the horizon, or will Albert be going back to Paris alone?

This actually has some rather dramatic moments, including a fire that strikes in the night. The characters are all very different, such as the foreigner-hating General Murgatroyd (whom Albert takes great joy in winding up). At first, I really wasn't taken with this book. But when I sat and really read it, I actually did start to enjoy it.

I really don't read books like this usually, and I wasn't sure how much I would like it. But it is a good book, and I definitely recommend it for lovers of classics or similar genres to this. 3 to 3.5 stars.
  
Thirteen Weddings
Thirteen Weddings
Paige Toon | 2014
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I suppose I should say that I'm not normally a lover of chick-lit but Paige Toon is an author I will buy happily.

CONTAINS SPOILERS, SO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

I feel a bit like I'm in limbo. Is there going to be a second book? I WANT there to be a second book! I NEED there to be a second book.

I'm sorry but I was pretty much Team Alex all the way through this. Okay at the end he didn't help himself when he went through with his stupid wedding, but for me the attraction and connection between him and Bronte was amazing. He told her he loved her, messaged her everyday, she phones him up to tell him to stop and he does? Really? It seems too easy. I never really saw Alex as a quitter.

And Lackie...I liked you. Just not as a couple with Bronte. You were fun, charming, sexy...but I can't say I felt the chemistry between you as much as I could with Alex.

AND considering I tend to want my girl to go with the first guy...then that would be Alex.

I loved the first 75%. It was the author's usual witty book with great, likeable characters and an interesting plotline which I loved. I would have gladly given it 5 stars if not for the ending.

I know the author can't please everyone with her story, and that it's terrible of me to rate it down an entire star just because she didn't write the ending I wanted, but that's the kind of mood I'm in right now.
  
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