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Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Grownup in Books
Mar 15, 2018
<b><i>I would rather be a librarian, but I worry about the job security. Books may be temporary; dicks are forever.</b></i>
This is no Gone Girl, nothing even remotely as good as Gone Girl, but, because it's so short, it was better at keeping my attention, so I wasn't so fussed about the kinda crappy ending.
This was a funny novel. Flynn is really good at inputting humour into moments of a book that could be taken more seriously, and that's what I loved so much about this book, the humour. The story was good... well the beginning and middle were, and then the end lacked any oomf, but it was our funny narrator who made this book something worth reading.
The plot for this was cliche as cliche can be, but I think that was intentional, because our narrator made fun of how cliche everything sounded. It was there to add some comedy value. The ending, as I said, was disappointing, only because it goes exactly as you would expect it to. I was hoping Flynn was going to pull another "oh-my-god" twist out after the initial twist, but alas.
Worth a read if you can get it cheap, but don't expect anything too amazing... that sounds weird to say after rating it 4 stars, but I did actually like this and it did hold my attention... it's just... I don't know, I can't explain it.
This is no Gone Girl, nothing even remotely as good as Gone Girl, but, because it's so short, it was better at keeping my attention, so I wasn't so fussed about the kinda crappy ending.
This was a funny novel. Flynn is really good at inputting humour into moments of a book that could be taken more seriously, and that's what I loved so much about this book, the humour. The story was good... well the beginning and middle were, and then the end lacked any oomf, but it was our funny narrator who made this book something worth reading.
The plot for this was cliche as cliche can be, but I think that was intentional, because our narrator made fun of how cliche everything sounded. It was there to add some comedy value. The ending, as I said, was disappointing, only because it goes exactly as you would expect it to. I was hoping Flynn was going to pull another "oh-my-god" twist out after the initial twist, but alas.
Worth a read if you can get it cheap, but don't expect anything too amazing... that sounds weird to say after rating it 4 stars, but I did actually like this and it did hold my attention... it's just... I don't know, I can't explain it.
Kristin (149 KP) rated The Book of Paul in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Book of Paul is a story told my multiple viewpoints, sometimes in first person, sometimes in third, between the characters of Paul, Martin, and William (the narrator), with a little bit of Rose's story thrown in occasionally. From the very beginning, I was definitely intrigued, as it's just a different kind of book from what I normally read, but in a good way. Once some of the paranormal aspects came in, along with the lineage back to certain historical characters, it definitely kept my attention. However, it is a very long book (which is no problem for me), so there were times where I had to just set it down for a little bit and get a grip on what I'd just finished.
Honestly, I liked this book. I found it a little weird at times, a little hard to wrap my head around, but for the most part, I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend it to those who like a little history, a little religion, and a lot of paranormal and action. For me, it's not a book I could've read in one sitting, but I definitely would've read a lot faster if I hadn't had to work. It's definitely an interesting story, and I want to continue the 7-volume series when I have a little more time. =)
4 stars
The Book of Paul is a story told my multiple viewpoints, sometimes in first person, sometimes in third, between the characters of Paul, Martin, and William (the narrator), with a little bit of Rose's story thrown in occasionally. From the very beginning, I was definitely intrigued, as it's just a different kind of book from what I normally read, but in a good way. Once some of the paranormal aspects came in, along with the lineage back to certain historical characters, it definitely kept my attention. However, it is a very long book (which is no problem for me), so there were times where I had to just set it down for a little bit and get a grip on what I'd just finished.
Honestly, I liked this book. I found it a little weird at times, a little hard to wrap my head around, but for the most part, I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend it to those who like a little history, a little religion, and a lot of paranormal and action. For me, it's not a book I could've read in one sitting, but I definitely would've read a lot faster if I hadn't had to work. It's definitely an interesting story, and I want to continue the 7-volume series when I have a little more time. =)
4 stars
A scarily plausible thriller that immediately made me change by router password!
Stalker is not what you would expect from the title. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, in the UK a stalker is "a person who illegally follows and watches someone, especially a woman, over a period of time" and although this book certainly covers this definition, it does so slightly differently to what you would imagine it would. For one, it isn't primarily about physically following someone around and for another, it's not primarily about a man stalking a woman.
It starts of a little slow but certainly builds to a very satisfying conclusion. The main character, Flint, is a bit weird but, strangely, he grew on me as the story developed and I found myself feeling sorry for him despite the creepy way in which he lives his life watching over other people living theirs.
Once the book got going proper (that's good English!), it never stopped it became a very riveting read that I found difficult to stop ... you know the feeling ... just one more chapter and before you know it, it's way past your bed time! There are twists that you can see coming and there are others that hit you right in the face!
Overall, a very entertaining and captivating read that I would highly recommend and my thanks go to the publisher, Avon Books UK, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and genuine review.
Stalker is not what you would expect from the title. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, in the UK a stalker is "a person who illegally follows and watches someone, especially a woman, over a period of time" and although this book certainly covers this definition, it does so slightly differently to what you would imagine it would. For one, it isn't primarily about physically following someone around and for another, it's not primarily about a man stalking a woman.
It starts of a little slow but certainly builds to a very satisfying conclusion. The main character, Flint, is a bit weird but, strangely, he grew on me as the story developed and I found myself feeling sorry for him despite the creepy way in which he lives his life watching over other people living theirs.
Once the book got going proper (that's good English!), it never stopped it became a very riveting read that I found difficult to stop ... you know the feeling ... just one more chapter and before you know it, it's way past your bed time! There are twists that you can see coming and there are others that hit you right in the face!
Overall, a very entertaining and captivating read that I would highly recommend and my thanks go to the publisher, Avon Books UK, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and genuine review.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Sadako Vs Kayako (2016) in Movies
Oct 2, 2018
Versus movies claim another victim
I love Ringu.
And I love Ju-on.
So although I was skeptical about this movie (Damn you Alien v Predator: Requiem), I was intrigued by how it would work.
How does Sadako, a well dwelling ghost of a psychic little girl, that killed people through terror, end up battling with the curse/spirit of a murdered woman who now makes cricking noise and crawls down stairs and under sheets.
Both combatants kill via terror/mental means, so what does this mean in terms of this movie?
Well an hour or so of the film is basically a mediocre version of Ringu and Ju-On, with some good tension, and a skill for unsettling moments in that way J-Horror still possesses, and I was very much enjoying the ride.
However, as the two titular characters meet...it all starts to get a bit...well silly really.
I won't spoil anything specific, but the final act is a mess of new mythos, old mythos, off-screen battling and really, REALLY weird choices.
I was left feeling frustrated, and that the film had cheapened the brands with their choice of resolution, which though surprising, failed to really add anything to either franchise.
Not a terrible film, but not a great either.
And I love Ju-on.
So although I was skeptical about this movie (Damn you Alien v Predator: Requiem), I was intrigued by how it would work.
How does Sadako, a well dwelling ghost of a psychic little girl, that killed people through terror, end up battling with the curse/spirit of a murdered woman who now makes cricking noise and crawls down stairs and under sheets.
Both combatants kill via terror/mental means, so what does this mean in terms of this movie?
Well an hour or so of the film is basically a mediocre version of Ringu and Ju-On, with some good tension, and a skill for unsettling moments in that way J-Horror still possesses, and I was very much enjoying the ride.
However, as the two titular characters meet...it all starts to get a bit...well silly really.
I won't spoil anything specific, but the final act is a mess of new mythos, old mythos, off-screen battling and really, REALLY weird choices.
I was left feeling frustrated, and that the film had cheapened the brands with their choice of resolution, which though surprising, failed to really add anything to either franchise.
Not a terrible film, but not a great either.
AT (1676 KP) rated A Simple Favor in Books
Jan 3, 2019 (Updated Jan 3, 2019)
I received this book from one of the Smashbomb giveaways in exchange for my review. I didn't think I'd like it very much because the movie trailer looked kind of stupid, but it was still exciting to see the package in the mail! (I haven't seen the movie yet, and don't know if I will.) I began the book not expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised. It read very smoothly, and had just enough tension at the beginning to keep me coming back. I enjoyed the story for quite awhile. Then the plot found its way into a weird twist. Not that I didn't expect some sort of twist. I just didn't expect the one character to be...like she was. For the rest of the novel, I wasn't sure how strange the plot was going to get. The story was tolerable for the most part and I was going to give it a higher rating, but I am not a fan of the ending. While I wasn't surprised by it, I wished that it would have ended in a different manner. Therefore, I'm a bit torn over my review. I didn't hate the story, itself, for a fictional escape, but the ending sunk the whole thing for me. I'd say that it's a decent beach read, if you're looking for something with a little suspense and mystery. I wouldn't recommend it to any deep-thinking book clubs, though.
natmac (13 KP) rated Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) in Movies
Oct 17, 2019 (Updated Oct 17, 2019)
The direction is perfect, George miller uses so many little techniques to elevate the action sequences (6 more)
The film looks gorgeous
All of the actors are on point
The characters are really interesting and depth full
George miller accomplishes so much without dialogue, nothing is over explained, a lot is left for you to figure out or imagine
The sound design and special effects are on point
The practical effects and real life stunts make a difference in the emersion.
Probably my favourite movie ever
The plot is very simple but the film isn't about the plot. It's about the world building, the characters and the action. I think I've seen this film close to 20 times in the 4 years that it's been out and it never fails as an enjoyable watch. A lot of people I have watched this film with have complained about it being weird, and that really frustrated me. It's set in the post apocalypse of the director's vision with an explanation behind most things that isn't given. Even elements like the door warrior don't really have logic behind them but are still very creative. It's really enjoyable to watch the relationship between max and furiosa develop over the course of the movie, in what on the surface looks like nothing more than a 2 hour car chase. I love this film and can't find anything about it that bothers me.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) in Movies
Dec 22, 2019
A timeless classic
I can safely say that there is truly nothing I dislike about The Nightmare Before Christmas.
It's straight to the point, fantastically animated, full of unique characters, and still holds up all these years later.
Director Henry Selick obviously has a keen eye for stop-animation (he would go on to direct James & The Giant Peach, and Coraline, both great animated films in their own right), and his work with the combined animation, visual effects, and art departments create a visually striking adventure that quickly and understandably became iconic.
Tim Burton's story is easy to grasp (great for children as well as adults), and the characters he has created for this story are equal parts creepy and fun.
Jack Skellington and Sally are both tragic and sympathetic characters that are easy to care about. Oogie Boogie is suitably evil (scared the sh*t out of me when I was little), and the rest of the town of Halloween are filled but bizarre and quirky characters that create a weird but warm back drop to the leads.
Danny Elfman is at his very best here. All of the songs contained within are memorable, and pretty epic at points. The lyrics are quick and clever, and do a lot to advance our understanding of the characters.
I can't praise The Nightmare Before Christmas enough. It's simply wonderful and a film I will happily watch time and time again.
It's straight to the point, fantastically animated, full of unique characters, and still holds up all these years later.
Director Henry Selick obviously has a keen eye for stop-animation (he would go on to direct James & The Giant Peach, and Coraline, both great animated films in their own right), and his work with the combined animation, visual effects, and art departments create a visually striking adventure that quickly and understandably became iconic.
Tim Burton's story is easy to grasp (great for children as well as adults), and the characters he has created for this story are equal parts creepy and fun.
Jack Skellington and Sally are both tragic and sympathetic characters that are easy to care about. Oogie Boogie is suitably evil (scared the sh*t out of me when I was little), and the rest of the town of Halloween are filled but bizarre and quirky characters that create a weird but warm back drop to the leads.
Danny Elfman is at his very best here. All of the songs contained within are memorable, and pretty epic at points. The lyrics are quick and clever, and do a lot to advance our understanding of the characters.
I can't praise The Nightmare Before Christmas enough. It's simply wonderful and a film I will happily watch time and time again.
Bubba Gee (147 KP) rated Dazed and Confused (1993) in Movies
Jul 2, 2019
The quintessential coming of age movie
This is the best coming of age film ever made all centered around the last day of school and the wild night after.
Mitch (played by Wiley Wiggins) becomes the target of some high school jocks for a ceremonial paddling (I know, weird right?)
Anyway afterwards he is befriended by Randall pink Floyd (played by Jason London), High scoool quarterback all around good guy and friend to all.
Pink introduces Mitch to all manner of strange characters played by several future stars of screen such as wooderson (played excellently by Matthew McConaughey) a kind of older guy who can't leave his school days behind him, he's kind of creepy and hangs out at high school parties but in a way very likeable.
Other interesting characters include Slater (played by Rory Cochrane) a hard core stoner and alien conspiracy theorist, Mike, Tony and Cynthia (played by Adam Goldberg, Anthony Rapp and Marissa Ribisi) who play Pink's most normal and kinda nerdy friends.
Mitch's nemesis throughout the movie is O'Bannion (played maniacally by Ben Affleck).
In the movie there are many thrills, spills, laughs and a hint of romance.
All in it descends into a hedonistic a night of sex drugs and rock and roll, car races, paddling, pot, beer, kiss music and Aerosmith. As young Mitch becomes a man and leaves his innocence behind him in a hilarious riot.
Definitely a must watch for any film fan
Mitch (played by Wiley Wiggins) becomes the target of some high school jocks for a ceremonial paddling (I know, weird right?)
Anyway afterwards he is befriended by Randall pink Floyd (played by Jason London), High scoool quarterback all around good guy and friend to all.
Pink introduces Mitch to all manner of strange characters played by several future stars of screen such as wooderson (played excellently by Matthew McConaughey) a kind of older guy who can't leave his school days behind him, he's kind of creepy and hangs out at high school parties but in a way very likeable.
Other interesting characters include Slater (played by Rory Cochrane) a hard core stoner and alien conspiracy theorist, Mike, Tony and Cynthia (played by Adam Goldberg, Anthony Rapp and Marissa Ribisi) who play Pink's most normal and kinda nerdy friends.
Mitch's nemesis throughout the movie is O'Bannion (played maniacally by Ben Affleck).
In the movie there are many thrills, spills, laughs and a hint of romance.
All in it descends into a hedonistic a night of sex drugs and rock and roll, car races, paddling, pot, beer, kiss music and Aerosmith. As young Mitch becomes a man and leaves his innocence behind him in a hilarious riot.
Definitely a must watch for any film fan
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Frozen (2013) in Movies
Nov 21, 2019
It's nearly the end of 2019, and I have only just watched Frozen...and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would!
I would say that I've been actively avoiding watching it, but I guess I heard 'Let it Go' when it was EVERYWHERE and just assumed this wasn't for me.
But I'm glad I out that to one side and gave it a watch.
Firstly, Frozen is filled with heart. It has a whole host of immediately likable characters, and a straightforward plot that gives room for witty and genuinely funny dialogue.
It feels familiar yet fresh, with a typical Disney story of princesses and castles and people being afraid of what they don't understand, but then openly mocks one of the characters for immediately falling for a prince charming, and replaces true love between a princess and prince with the true love shared between sisters
The animation is great, and the whole film is really pleasant to watch.
The songs for the most part are ok, and serve as devices to move the plot along, but I've never been a huge fan of musicals, so this is a weird negative for me, as it's something that's on me, not on the movie.
Frozen isn't anywhere near my favourite Disney film, but it's genuinely enjoyable, and hard to watch without smiling for most of the runtime. All I know is that I would do anything for Sven and I love him ðŸ˜
I would say that I've been actively avoiding watching it, but I guess I heard 'Let it Go' when it was EVERYWHERE and just assumed this wasn't for me.
But I'm glad I out that to one side and gave it a watch.
Firstly, Frozen is filled with heart. It has a whole host of immediately likable characters, and a straightforward plot that gives room for witty and genuinely funny dialogue.
It feels familiar yet fresh, with a typical Disney story of princesses and castles and people being afraid of what they don't understand, but then openly mocks one of the characters for immediately falling for a prince charming, and replaces true love between a princess and prince with the true love shared between sisters
The animation is great, and the whole film is really pleasant to watch.
The songs for the most part are ok, and serve as devices to move the plot along, but I've never been a huge fan of musicals, so this is a weird negative for me, as it's something that's on me, not on the movie.
Frozen isn't anywhere near my favourite Disney film, but it's genuinely enjoyable, and hard to watch without smiling for most of the runtime. All I know is that I would do anything for Sven and I love him ðŸ˜
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated After Hours (1985) in Movies
Mar 5, 2020
Scorsese's direction (2 more)
The quirky cameos
Griffin Dunne
This is one of my absolute all time guilty secret films. Except guilty secret is wrong, because it is too good to be guilty. Perhaps it's better to say one of the most under-rated and under-seen films of the 80s. Forgotten by many and unknown by many more. When listing the best of Scorsese it is easy to overlook this lighter work, dismissing it as a diversion from his main oeuvre, but that is a shame...
Set over the course of one crazy night on New York, where everything goes wrong and spirals into one weird encounter after another, it is an allegory for lost direction and anxiety in a confusing time; chasing the rat race, money, dreams and love, only to fall down a never-ending rabbit hole. Watching the cameo appearances come and go is like doing an 80s B-movie checklist. Griffin Dunne himself has drifted into obscurity now - not that he was ever huge - and this remains the one thing he will perhaps always be known for.
I wonder if it would make any sense at all to anyone who can't remember the 80s first hand? For me it screams nostalgia for that time: the epitome of music, fashion and movie style back then. I recommend it in an unlikely double bill with Desperately Seeking Susan. Trust me.
Set over the course of one crazy night on New York, where everything goes wrong and spirals into one weird encounter after another, it is an allegory for lost direction and anxiety in a confusing time; chasing the rat race, money, dreams and love, only to fall down a never-ending rabbit hole. Watching the cameo appearances come and go is like doing an 80s B-movie checklist. Griffin Dunne himself has drifted into obscurity now - not that he was ever huge - and this remains the one thing he will perhaps always be known for.
I wonder if it would make any sense at all to anyone who can't remember the 80s first hand? For me it screams nostalgia for that time: the epitome of music, fashion and movie style back then. I recommend it in an unlikely double bill with Desperately Seeking Susan. Trust me.