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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Other Side of the Door (2016) in Movies
Sep 3, 2017
Love the South Asian-west mix of horror, but not particularly scary
An interesting concept, mixing some deep cultural traditions from India with western horror. After a mother loses her son in an accident, she brings him back by attempting to communicate with the dead. But what comes back is another being altogether. It's been done a million times, even in the form of Stephen King's Pet Sematary, but I like the Indian twist, especially for those who know that these kind of beliefs still exist. Shiva shamans, who are known to dabble in black magic, begin to stalk the family in an attempt to rid the house of spirits as well as other ghoulish entities. Great for those who understand the superstitions of India, but not for horror fans.
This book could not have come at a better time. As newly diagnosed with diabetes II, my doctor told me that I needed to closely follow a low sugar and low carb diet. Who knew that a combo like this would not only help me to start shedding pounds, but also improve my health (my energy level has increased) and well-being. Elviira’s book has helped me to look at the foods that I have been eating and find healthier more satisfying alternatives. I like that the recipes are easy to follow and mostly uses items that I can find at the local grocer. This is not a diet, but a lifestyle change that is good for you!
I received an ebook copy from NetGally in exchange for a fair review.
I received an ebook copy from NetGally in exchange for a fair review.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Troy (2004) in Movies
Mar 26, 2019
Hollywood retelling of the tale of Troy is just a bit better than you might expect in pretty much every department. Trojan prince Paris steals Greek queen Helen, leading to... does no-one read the Iliad any more? There's a lot of bother, let's put it that way.
Whole thing is handled in broad strokes and there are quite a few divergences from the traditional legend (the Trojan war lasts about a fortnight, not ten years, and you can forget any notion of Brad Pitt's Achilles being into, er, Greek-style romance, if you know what I mean), but overall this is fun, rousing stuff. Looking back on it now the various bits of political subtext not-so-subtly inserted into the film seem amusingly quaint more than anything else. A well-staged, classy blockbuster.
Whole thing is handled in broad strokes and there are quite a few divergences from the traditional legend (the Trojan war lasts about a fortnight, not ten years, and you can forget any notion of Brad Pitt's Achilles being into, er, Greek-style romance, if you know what I mean), but overall this is fun, rousing stuff. Looking back on it now the various bits of political subtext not-so-subtly inserted into the film seem amusingly quaint more than anything else. A well-staged, classy blockbuster.
Martin Lakin (278 KP) rated Bohemian Rhapsody - The Soundtrack by Queen in Music
May 8, 2019
Being a fan of Queen it is very difficult to stay biased while reviewing this soundtrack. Personally I would recommend it to anyone from a novice to a know it all. Highlights for me would be the live tracks that this album includes, especially "Now I'm Here" for me that is the live song that first got me really into Queen so has a special place in my heart. The inclusion of some of the tracks from LiveAid was brilliant as well, however I would have preferred the soundtrack to have the whole Live Aid set. I did like the inclusion of "Doing All Right" by Smile (Brian May and Roger Taylor's band before Queen) adding an insight to their beginnings. Overall it is a brilliant soundtrack and one I recommend to all.
Film and stuff (30 KP) rated Backtrack (2015) in Movies
May 15, 2019 (Updated May 15, 2019)
Fails to deliver
Director: Michael Petroni
Writer: Michael Petroni
Stars: Adrien Brody, Jenni Baird, Bruce Spence and Sam Neill
What's it about?
Peter Bower is a Psychiatrist who discovers all of his clients are ghosts that died in a train accident that he was witness to as a child. Whilst revisiting his home town where the incident took place, he begins to discover the truth behind the accident with the help of the victims spirits
Is it scary?
Nah. Tension fails to really build and the jump scares are very predictable
Does it have any redeeming features?
Well acted and a mildly gripping ending
.
How does it compare to other horrors?
It makes the sins by being neither entertaining or so bad that it's funny
Writer: Michael Petroni
Stars: Adrien Brody, Jenni Baird, Bruce Spence and Sam Neill
What's it about?
Peter Bower is a Psychiatrist who discovers all of his clients are ghosts that died in a train accident that he was witness to as a child. Whilst revisiting his home town where the incident took place, he begins to discover the truth behind the accident with the help of the victims spirits
Is it scary?
Nah. Tension fails to really build and the jump scares are very predictable
Does it have any redeeming features?
Well acted and a mildly gripping ending
.
How does it compare to other horrors?
It makes the sins by being neither entertaining or so bad that it's funny
Darkwriter1408 (8 KP) rated 21 Jump Street (2012) in Movies
Jun 12, 2019
Hilarious (1 more)
Good performances
Hilarious remake of the original
So where to start with 21 jump street. At first glance, you have two lead actors in there primes. Two comedic actors in there primes. Add that together with a fair script and you will have a good combination for a comedic film.
The performances of both Tatum and hill are on point and the supporting actors match them as well. With The only downfall I could really pick out would be there a fair bit of silent scenes where it's the obvious slapstick comedy.. For me, it doesn't pay off.
That being said, I would still watch this film again and still laugh, the plot is good, the performances are on point and the comedy albeit slapstick is still funny.
The performances of both Tatum and hill are on point and the supporting actors match them as well. With The only downfall I could really pick out would be there a fair bit of silent scenes where it's the obvious slapstick comedy.. For me, it doesn't pay off.
That being said, I would still watch this film again and still laugh, the plot is good, the performances are on point and the comedy albeit slapstick is still funny.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated The Trouble with Mistletoe (Heartbreaker Bay, #2) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
Despite being the second in a series, The Trouble with Mistletoe is a standalone that can be enjoyed without reading the first.
I have never read from this author before, but I enjoyed her easy light hearted style. From page one, I knew I was going to enjoy the authors humor as well as characters. From the beginning, it was hard not to like Willa. She is sweet, kind-hearted, and funny at no ones expense. Keane was just as likable. Despite their troubles and pasts, there was a delightful lack of angst and self-loathing. A definite win in my opinion.
Just in time for the beginning of the holiday season, The Trouble with Mistletoe is lovely read for those wanting a sweet, not too complicated romance.
I have never read from this author before, but I enjoyed her easy light hearted style. From page one, I knew I was going to enjoy the authors humor as well as characters. From the beginning, it was hard not to like Willa. She is sweet, kind-hearted, and funny at no ones expense. Keane was just as likable. Despite their troubles and pasts, there was a delightful lack of angst and self-loathing. A definite win in my opinion.
Just in time for the beginning of the holiday season, The Trouble with Mistletoe is lovely read for those wanting a sweet, not too complicated romance.
Molly (2 KP) rated Deepwater Horizon (2016) in Movies
Feb 6, 2018
Close to Home
Living in Texas all of my life and being surrounded by the oil and gas industry, this movie was close to my heart. Because of the realness of the event, my rating may be a bit biased, but I did enjoy the film. Mark Wahlberg and Kurt Russell, along with a pretty dynamic supporting cast, recreated the event well and made me care about the outcome. Semi-spoiler...I HATED the bad guy by the end of the movie. No sympathy for him what-so-ever.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor in Books
Mar 2, 2018
A fantastic and bittersweet insight into the NHS
Adam Kay's memoir of his time as a junior doctor is hilarious, stomach churning and tragic at the same time. In this, he discusses the inhumane conditions health professionals are faced with working ridiculously long hours for minimal pay. All the while celebrating the importance of accessible treatment for everyone, as well as the rather disconcerting cases that arise on a day to day basis.
However, while there are many funny moments of things being stuck in unusual places, it's his last case where a mother dies that strikes me most. Watching life and death is traumatic and there are no support systems for doctors to deal with these issues. But Kay does a wonderful job of bringing his experiences alive.
However, while there are many funny moments of things being stuck in unusual places, it's his last case where a mother dies that strikes me most. Watching life and death is traumatic and there are no support systems for doctors to deal with these issues. But Kay does a wonderful job of bringing his experiences alive.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Conan the Barbarian (1982) in Movies
Feb 22, 2018 (Updated Feb 22, 2018)
Well-remembered fantasy movie isn't very similar to Howard's original stories, but gets the tone more or less right and made Arnie into a proper movie star. Strapping barbarian lad's family is murdered, spends montage sequence growing up while strapped to a capstan, escapes, sets out for revenge, and so on.
Dodges most of the more tedious fantasy-movie cliches by being about a straightforward hunt for revenge rather than a quest for plot coupons. Arnie isn't quite up to portraying Conan's inner life, but hits people with an axe very capably. It's all very staunchly right-wing - opens with a quote from Nietzsche and continues in a similar vein - but the results are campy more than actually problematic. Bombastic score from Basil Poledouris is a major plus.
Dodges most of the more tedious fantasy-movie cliches by being about a straightforward hunt for revenge rather than a quest for plot coupons. Arnie isn't quite up to portraying Conan's inner life, but hits people with an axe very capably. It's all very staunchly right-wing - opens with a quote from Nietzsche and continues in a similar vein - but the results are campy more than actually problematic. Bombastic score from Basil Poledouris is a major plus.