Sheep Movie Review: The Accountant (2016)

The Accountant (2016)

Directed By: Gavin O'Connor
Written By: Bill Dubuque
In theaters: Oct 14, 2016
On DVD: Jan 10, 2017
Runtime: 128 minutes
R (for strong violence and language throughout)
Genre: Drama

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is a math savant with more affinity for numbers than people. Behind the cover of a small-town CPA office, he works as a freelance accountant for some of the world's most dangerous criminal organizations. With the Treasury Department's Crime Enforcement Division, run by Ray King (J.K. Simmons), starting to close in, Christian takes on a legitimate client: a state-of-the-art robotics company where an accounting clerk (Anna Kendrick) has discovered a discrepancy involving millions of dollars. But as Christian uncooks the books and gets closer to the truth, it is the body count that starts to rise.

Wow! I'd heard this was a good movie and meant to see it in the theaters, but with this, that and the other, I didn't get to. Now it is out on DVD. My husband and I both enjoyed the hell out of The Accountant. It is part Jack Reacher, part John Wick.

It starts out a little slow, I could see my husband giving me the "what did I let you talk me into seeing" look. Then the sheep got real. Total action movie. The last thirty minutes blew my mind! Plot twists!

I thought Ben Affleck did a great job and Jon Bernthal was looking hot! They kept it real when it came to the "romance" aspect...there wasn't one, well, not in the normal sense.

This would have been worth full price at the theater and definitely worth a rental. It is violent: lots of head shots. There is the right amount of humor and a happy for now ending with the possibility for a sequel. 

4.5 "You know I have to finish" Sheep

SharonS

Sheep Movie Review: Assassin's Creed (2016)

Assassin's Creed (2016)
Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence and action, thematic elements and brief strong language)
Genre: Action & Adventure, Drama
Directed By: Justin Kurzel
Written By: Bill Collage, Adam Cooper, Michael Lesslie
Cast: Michael Fassbender
Dec 21, 2016 Wide
Runtime: 116 minutes
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks his genetic memories, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) experiences the adventures of his ancestor, Aguilar, in 15th Century Spain. Callum discovers he is descended from a mysterious secret society, the Assassins, and amasses incredible knowledge and skills to take on the oppressive and powerful Templar organization in the present day. ASSASSIN'S CREED stars Academy Award (R) nominee Michael Fassbender (X-Men: Days of Future Past, 12 Years a Slave) and Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard (The Dark Knight Rises, La Vie en Rose). The film is directed by Justin Kurzel (Snowtown, Macbeth); produced by New Regency, Ubisoft Motion Pictures, DMC Films and Kennedy/Marshall; co-financed by RatPac Entertainment and Alpha Pictures; and distributed by 20th Century Fox. ASSASSIN'S CREED opens in theaters worldwide on December 21st, 2016.

I'm gonna let little ducky tell you if you should see Assassin's Creed...

Went to see Assassin's Creed with my husband and 15 year old daughter. We are action fans and pretty forgiving of most things, but none of us enjoyed this...well, Holly did because there was a cute assassin, but he eventually died.

First off, the music wasn't very good and too loud. The action sequences were fun, but the other 110 minutes was one dramatic pause for the camera. Even their dialogue was slow. And don't get me started on the "science" used to explain why they wanted the "Apple". Why in the world would the Templar's in the 15th century want it? They didn't have the technology to use it! And why were they guarding the descendants of the Assassin's Creed (who they gave memories of their ancestors to) with security that had no guns? Security. Had. No. Guns. They all ended up getting stabbed to death...cause they had no guns...

Disclaimer: I've never played the video game and had no knowledge of the story. Maybe that makes a difference because the whole premise kind of sucked...and they didn't do a great job of explaining what was going on.

Listen to the ducky...

Don 1 sheep
Holly 2.5 sheep (cause cute guy)

1 "Regressed" Sheep

SharonS

Movie Review: Spectral (2016 Netflix)

Spectral (2016)

Director: Nic Mathieu
Screenplay: Ian Fried
Story by: Ian Fried
9 December 2016 (USA)

Production company: Legendary Entertainment
Cast: James Badge Dale, Emily Mortimer, Max Martini, Bruce Greenwood

PG-13

1h 47min

Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

A sci-fi/thriller story centered on a special-ops team that is dispatched to fight supernatural beings.

This was a pleasant surprise! Spectral was originally made by Universal as a 3D movie for theatrical release, but was dropped and Netflix picked it up. This would have been pretty awesome to see in 3D. It is military tactical action packed movie with a supernatural (or is it?) twist. Right off the bat I was impressed with the quality of the movie and effects. Honestly I couldn't tell what was CGI background and what was real. It was so life like. You felt like you were in a war torn city fighting for your life. Even though this isn't based on a video game, like Call of Duty, it seemed like it was.

The story was solid, as solid as a scifi film can be, it brings up the whole "just because we can, doesn't mean we should" moral argument, and there is a twist at the end. If you are a fan of shooter video games or military action or scifi, you'll enjoy this one! 

4 "ghostly" Sheep

SharonS

Book Review: Last Wish (Highland Magic #4) by Helen Harper

Last Wish (Highland Magic #4)
by Helen Harper
December 1st 2016
Kindle Edition, 171 pages
It's not easy pretending to be dead - especially when it feels as if you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Between an unfulfilled prophecy, the demon-occupied Lowlands, the continuing power of murderous Aifric Moncrieffe - not to mention her constant yearnings for Byron - Integrity Adair has a lot to worry about.

Still, how hard can it really be to save Scotland, maintain her morals, get the guy and keep her sense of humour?

This is the fourth and final book in the Highland Magic series.

Last Wish marks the final adventure for Integrity Adair and her troupe of clanless. I have absolutely adored this series from start to finish and have thoroughly enjoyed the ride. While I regret the story has ended, I’m ultimately satisfied. I’d rather a series end slightly prematurely than die a slow death. It’s difficult to write a review for a series finale. The feelings are mixed with inevitable letdown. Ultimately, dear readers, I want you to read this series from the start. And so, I won’t reveal overmuch.

Integrity has faked her death and must maintain the ruse. As chieftain, she faces a seemingly impossible situation. Hunted by lowland occupying Fomori demons and devious defacto fae king Aifric Moncrieffe, Integrity must stay "dead" until she can devise a plan to secure the safety of her clan and all of Scotland.

Once again, Integrity proves to be a clever risk-taker and wholly entertaining heroine. The cast of characters is complementary, most notably Bob the genie. Helen deftly weaves action, suspense, humour, and romance in her Highland Magic series. The plot is non-stop intense and rarely predictable. The series is not reliant on the romantic tension between Integrity and Byron, however, it undoubtedly adds appeal. Call me a borderline perv, but I, for one, would’ve immensely appreciated a greater ‘fleshing’ out of the romance, however, I realize this wasn’t the ‘thrust’ of the novel. Pardon my puns, they’re for Integrity.

So long Integrity, Highland Magic was truly magical.

Review: Gifted Thief (Highland Magic #1)

Review: Honour Bound (Highland Magic #2)

Review: Veiled Threat (Highland Magic #3)

4 ½ sheep

Bianca Greenwood

About the Author:
website-FB-twitter
After teaching English literature in the UK, Japan and Malaysia, Helen Harper left behind the world of education following the worldwide success of her Blood Destiny series of books. She is a professional member of the Alliance of Independent Authors and writes full time although she still fits in creative writing workshops with schools along with volunteering to teach reading to a group of young Myanmar refugees. That’s not to mention the procession of stray cats which seem to find their way to her door!

Helen has always been a book lover, devouring science fiction and fantasy tales when she was a child growing up in Scotland.

Helen currently lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with far too many cats – not to mention the dragons, fairies, demons, wizards and vampires that seem to keep appearing from nowhere!

38 New Book Releases in Speculative Fiction for November 29, 2016

A lot of great sci-fi and fantasy books out this week! If I forgot a book let me know in the comments and I'll add it. Happy clicking!

Finally found a WTF? book.

Movie Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
Directed By: David Yates (II)
Written By: J.K. Rowling
Nov 18, 2016

132 minutes
Rating: PG-13 (for some fantasy action violence.)
Genre: Action & Adventure , Kids & Family , Science Fiction & Fantasy

Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton The magic of Harry Potter lives on in this Warner Bros. spin-off penned by {J.K. Rowling}, and intended as the first chapter in a whole new fantasy film franchise. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

I've read the Harry Potter books and seen all the movies, but I haven't read the Fantastic Beasts book. So I went into this movie without expectations. I went with my husband, 15 year old daughter (never read the books or seen the movies! I know, right?!) and her boyfriend (big Potter fan).

It started slow...lots of CGI and crazy looking creatures. I felt like they tried to hard, but then it went dark...quick and things got interesting. By the end of the movie I was ready for the next one and invested in the characters. The movie will make you cheer and tear up. The acting was excellent and there is a surprise actor revealed in the end who I assume wil be in the next film. Maybe you've already heard who this is, but I'm not giving it away.

This film is one that is worth seeing in the theater. We saw it in IMAX, but not 3D. You don't have to be a Harry Potter fan to enjoy the story and characters.


Our ratings:
Holly & Hunter: 5 sheep
Don: 4 sheep (because of the slow start)

SharonS: 4.5 "fantastic" Sheep

New Book Releases in Speculative Fiction for November 22, 2016

Didn't find a whole lot today...If I'm missing something let me know in the comments and I'll add it.