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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Black Rabbit Hall in Books
Feb 15, 2019
I liked the book, but I didn't love it. Told in alternating voices and time-lines, first-person for Amber in the late 60's and third-person for Lorna circa 2000. Amber's voice definitely had the edge as Lorna's felt more distant, probably due to being in third-person, so her story didn't have much of a punch for me. Also, her connection to Black Rabbit Hall felt too pat, too obvious, and not surprising in the least. One thing, as silly as it might seem, that bothered me was the casual mention of texts and wi-fi. Easy to overlook in this day and age, but they just weren't common in the late nineties/early aughts. Otherwise, it was an easy, if predictable read.
Jim Jarmusch recommended American Psycho (2000) in Movies (curated)
Rufus Wainwright recommended Around the World in a Day by Prince in Music (curated)
David McK (3251 KP) rated Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves (2023) in Movies
Apr 10, 2023 (Updated Sep 10, 2023)
Feature-length movie set in the D&D universe, this is much better than the 2000 travesty, with Chris Pine this time taking the lead, alongside Michelle Ridriguez and Hugh Grant and is set in the 'Forgotten Realms' campaign setting, with Baldurs Gate and Neverwinter both getting name-dropped.
(I must admit that, as large parts of it were filmed in my home of Northern Ireland, I did spend quite a bit of time playing 'spot the location').
It also has a refreshing low-stakes feel about it (there's no real 'end of the world' disaster to be averted), and I did also feel that it had elements of Monty Python around it (particularly in the talking to the dead graveyard bit)
(I must admit that, as large parts of it were filmed in my home of Northern Ireland, I did spend quite a bit of time playing 'spot the location').
It also has a refreshing low-stakes feel about it (there's no real 'end of the world' disaster to be averted), and I did also feel that it had elements of Monty Python around it (particularly in the talking to the dead graveyard bit)
The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) rated Union Pacific in Tabletop Games
Mar 14, 2018
Very simple game play. (1 more)
Surprising depth for simple mechanics
This is a classic, that is old but still holds up and my family has been playing it for many years.
I have no doubt this is the father of ticket to ride. this one was published first and it's still really fun. It's since been re-implemented. The fact that each turn either consists of playing track and building a train to get stock, or putting down stock before the round ends, and the rounds are driven by the deck. it's so simple yet so brilliant. For this to be published prior to 2000 is amazing to me. I'm a fan of what Alan R Moon does. If you are reading this Alan, keep up the good work sir.
Chris (9 KP) rated Crocodile (2000) in Movies
Apr 26, 2020 (Updated Apr 26, 2020)
Mediocre step down for Tobe Hooper
Tobe Hooper, the director who brought us 1974s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, directs this low budget 2000 horror film about a group of unwitting college students who venture on a house boat for spring break and soon come face-to-face with a local legend, a giant mother crocodile who seeks vengeance when one of them destroy her nest and steal one of her eggs. This alone makes for a senseless plot as most of all of them deserve what's coming to them. The only thing really worth watching in this just seeking this giant reptile sink his chompers into them making a meal out of them. If there is one good thing about this flick, it is the soundtrack. The film stars Mark McLauchlin, Caitlin Martin and Chris Solari.
Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated Athena's Choice in Books
Oct 8, 2019
A story set in the late 2000's and nearing the turn of the century. A virus killed everyone containing the Y chromosome. A genetics company is working on creating the genome to bring men back, but it's been stolen and Athena is the only one who can get it back. This story is very well researched, nothing mentioned here is scientifically impossible with more developments. It is well written and easy to read and understand. With concepts and history that would be everyday knowledge in this fictional future there are Wikipedia pages within the book to explain, which is an amazing idea and a flip of what I have usually read where there is a lack of females.
But does Athena decide to bring men back or does she think the world is better without them?
But does Athena decide to bring men back or does she think the world is better without them?
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Shaft (2019) in Movies
Jun 18, 2019
Bland, boring and uninteresting
Were you the one clamoring for a sequel to the year 2000 Samuel L. Jackson SHAFT (the sequel to the original 1971 Richard Roundtree SHAFT)? Did you remember there WAS a 2000 version of SHAFT? Do you remember the 1971 SHAFT?
Doesn't matter.
The makers of this film certainly don't remember those films for - besides casting Jackson and Roundtree - there is no similarity to either of these films.
The first SHAFT was a Blacksploitation film starring Roundtree with mucho gunfire and bloodshed and SHAFT 2000 (as I'll call it) is a full on action flick with Jackson as Roundtree's nephew fighting crime. SHAFT 2019 is none of these - the Samuel L. Jackson Shaft is now the SON of Richard Roundtree and partners with his son JJ ,John Shaft, Jr. (played by Jessie T. Usher) to investigate the death of his friend.
Okay...fine. I can forgive the change in tone and the "tweak" (I'm being generous) to the timeline. What I can't forgive is the weak script (why write any good, or interesting, dialogue when we can have all of the characters say Samuel L. Jackson's signature motherf*^#er over and over) by 3 different writers (never a good sign) that were all, clearly, just in it for the paycheck.
Jessie T. Usher (he played Will Smith's son in the also ill-advised sequel to INDEPENDENCE DAY) is a bland lead with no gravitas and no swagger that starts out young and naive and is supposed to develop (under the tutelage of his father) street smarts but, really, just becomes annoying.
Regina Hall (GIRLS TRIP), Titus Welliver (BOSCH), Method Man (!) and Luna Lauren Velez (DEXTER) are all sleepwalking through underwritten roles just counting the minutes until they can take their paychecks to the bank.
At the heart of all of this "missed opportunities" is Director Tim Story (RIDE ALONG) he directs this film like he has someplace else to be, never missing an opportunity to be obvious (for example, JJ's friend - Karim - who's death sparks what passes for a plot in this film - might as well be walking around with a "Dead Man Walking" sign on him). Story's direction is lazy (and that's doing injustice to the word lazy) and obvious with no spark of ingenuity or imagination to be found.
And then there's Samuel L. Jackson as SHAFT. He defines the term "sleepwalking through the picture" looking bored and uninterested throughout and HE'S THE BEST THING IN THE FILM! Thank goodness his charisma and charm ooze out of him without really trying - for he didn't really try here.
Save 2 hours of your life - skip SHAFT - you'll be glad you did.
Letter Grade: C
4 Stars (out of 10) and you can take this to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Doesn't matter.
The makers of this film certainly don't remember those films for - besides casting Jackson and Roundtree - there is no similarity to either of these films.
The first SHAFT was a Blacksploitation film starring Roundtree with mucho gunfire and bloodshed and SHAFT 2000 (as I'll call it) is a full on action flick with Jackson as Roundtree's nephew fighting crime. SHAFT 2019 is none of these - the Samuel L. Jackson Shaft is now the SON of Richard Roundtree and partners with his son JJ ,John Shaft, Jr. (played by Jessie T. Usher) to investigate the death of his friend.
Okay...fine. I can forgive the change in tone and the "tweak" (I'm being generous) to the timeline. What I can't forgive is the weak script (why write any good, or interesting, dialogue when we can have all of the characters say Samuel L. Jackson's signature motherf*^#er over and over) by 3 different writers (never a good sign) that were all, clearly, just in it for the paycheck.
Jessie T. Usher (he played Will Smith's son in the also ill-advised sequel to INDEPENDENCE DAY) is a bland lead with no gravitas and no swagger that starts out young and naive and is supposed to develop (under the tutelage of his father) street smarts but, really, just becomes annoying.
Regina Hall (GIRLS TRIP), Titus Welliver (BOSCH), Method Man (!) and Luna Lauren Velez (DEXTER) are all sleepwalking through underwritten roles just counting the minutes until they can take their paychecks to the bank.
At the heart of all of this "missed opportunities" is Director Tim Story (RIDE ALONG) he directs this film like he has someplace else to be, never missing an opportunity to be obvious (for example, JJ's friend - Karim - who's death sparks what passes for a plot in this film - might as well be walking around with a "Dead Man Walking" sign on him). Story's direction is lazy (and that's doing injustice to the word lazy) and obvious with no spark of ingenuity or imagination to be found.
And then there's Samuel L. Jackson as SHAFT. He defines the term "sleepwalking through the picture" looking bored and uninterested throughout and HE'S THE BEST THING IN THE FILM! Thank goodness his charisma and charm ooze out of him without really trying - for he didn't really try here.
Save 2 hours of your life - skip SHAFT - you'll be glad you did.
Letter Grade: C
4 Stars (out of 10) and you can take this to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Colin Newman recommended The Amateur View by To Rococo Rot in Music (curated)
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled (Mrs Pollifax #14) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Mrs. Pollifax and her friend Farrell are off to Syria to try to find out what happened to Amanda Pym, who vanished after stopping the hijackers of a plane diverted from Egypt. They are constantly being watched and much evade their followers before they can even make contact. With the thinnest of leads, can they find the missing young woman?
This is Mrs. Pollifax, so that means we are off on another wild and fun adventure. Set in the world of 2000, it’s interesting to read this take on the politics of the Middle East back then. The plot features a couple of familiar plot points, but I didn’t care since it was so fantastic to be enjoying another adventure with Mrs. Pollifax. Sadly, this is her last adventure, but I like to imagine she is still out there saving the day against overwhelming odds.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-mrs-pollifax-unveiled-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is Mrs. Pollifax, so that means we are off on another wild and fun adventure. Set in the world of 2000, it’s interesting to read this take on the politics of the Middle East back then. The plot features a couple of familiar plot points, but I didn’t care since it was so fantastic to be enjoying another adventure with Mrs. Pollifax. Sadly, this is her last adventure, but I like to imagine she is still out there saving the day against overwhelming odds.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-mrs-pollifax-unveiled-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.