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Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated Script Doctor: The Inside Story of Doctor Who 1986-89 in Books
Jan 12, 2018
A wonderfully engaging, inside look behind the scenes of Doctor Who in the late 80s. Andrew Cartmel writes a fantastic peek at what was. Unfortunately the tone of the first half of the book is very matter of fact, chaotic production notes and bits of exchanged dialogue from the principles associated with the shows being produced. It's the second half of the book that contains the meaty stories and thoughts of what was trying to be accomplished and wether or not Mr. Cartmel thought they succeeded. While I miss the factoids in the second half of the book, I wish the first half was written with this kind of open honesty and optimism. Cartmel believed then (and now) that they were doing GOOD science fiction and GOOD Doctor Who at the time, and it's a joy to read his insights on the matter. (For the record, I agree with his assessment.) I just wish the tone of the book was constant throughout. If I were to be so bold, I'd suggest a special edition may be in order, to beef up and marry the two styles together.
Regardless, it's an entertaining read, and provides a rare look at a unique time in the shows history.
Regardless, it's an entertaining read, and provides a rare look at a unique time in the shows history.
Micah Ulibarri (79 KP) rated Ready Player One (2018) in Movies
Apr 7, 2018
Willy Wonka for the Digital Age
I went in to this movie somewhat cautious. I hadn't read the book, but the trailers looked very overwhelming.
I was excited to see that though it was very visually stimulating, I did not feel overwhelmed, just enamoured. 20 minutes in told my wife I would be seeing it again and the next time hopefully in a 3D IMAX. I want to be able to fully appreciate the visual beauty.
I also really enjoyed the theme. I found it particularly relevant. The character growth is almost subtle, but the point of it is very strong. In an age where we are all stuck to screens, Ready Player one has a very strong message.
Acting Kudos to Mark Rylance for being the brilliant billionaire. Unfortunately the characters being digital for more than half the movie makes it hard to really see their acting chops.
I also enjoyed all the pop culture references. Even though I felt like a lot of them were just before my time. 80s references and earlier and I'm a 90s kid.
All in all, I think it will stand the test of time on both a visual and message level. And everyone should see it and appreciate what a movie experience can be.
I was excited to see that though it was very visually stimulating, I did not feel overwhelmed, just enamoured. 20 minutes in told my wife I would be seeing it again and the next time hopefully in a 3D IMAX. I want to be able to fully appreciate the visual beauty.
I also really enjoyed the theme. I found it particularly relevant. The character growth is almost subtle, but the point of it is very strong. In an age where we are all stuck to screens, Ready Player one has a very strong message.
Acting Kudos to Mark Rylance for being the brilliant billionaire. Unfortunately the characters being digital for more than half the movie makes it hard to really see their acting chops.
I also enjoyed all the pop culture references. Even though I felt like a lot of them were just before my time. 80s references and earlier and I'm a 90s kid.
All in all, I think it will stand the test of time on both a visual and message level. And everyone should see it and appreciate what a movie experience can be.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated A is for .... Alibi in Books
May 21, 2019
Good time-killing mystery
This is the first book in the Kinsey Millhone "Alphabet" mystery series by Sue Grafton. I listened to the audio-book narrated by Mary Peiffer.
Kinsey Millhone is a Private Investigator based in the fictional city of Santa Teresa in California in the 1980s. In this outing she is hired by Nikki who is out on parole for her husband's murder and despite doing the time is still wanting to establish her innocence and find out the real killers identity.
The tough headed Kinsey goes head long into picking up the cold case digging up old secrets and ruffling a few feathers. I liked her as a strong female lead who, despite this being written and based in the 80s, is a lot more independent than many recent female leads I’ve read.
The main story isn’t the most exciting and the book suffers from a lot of unnecessary waffly descriptions and talk of her jogging (it’s a taboo word to me.)
I’ll be carrying on with this series as the audio-book was a pleasant distraction and I think Kinsey has a lot of potential to be a great character.
Kinsey Millhone is a Private Investigator based in the fictional city of Santa Teresa in California in the 1980s. In this outing she is hired by Nikki who is out on parole for her husband's murder and despite doing the time is still wanting to establish her innocence and find out the real killers identity.
The tough headed Kinsey goes head long into picking up the cold case digging up old secrets and ruffling a few feathers. I liked her as a strong female lead who, despite this being written and based in the 80s, is a lot more independent than many recent female leads I’ve read.
The main story isn’t the most exciting and the book suffers from a lot of unnecessary waffly descriptions and talk of her jogging (it’s a taboo word to me.)
I’ll be carrying on with this series as the audio-book was a pleasant distraction and I think Kinsey has a lot of potential to be a great character.
David McK (3372 KP) rated Ender's Game in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Originally starting life as a short story that was later expanded into a full-length novel, this was one of those 'classic' sci-fi stories that I was marginally aware of, but never really had any inclination to read.
When I started seeing the trailers for the movie adaptation to be released this week (on 25/10/13), I decided I actually would read it before going to see the movie (which is sometimes a good idea, other times not).
Having done so, it's interesting to see how Card predicted many of today's technology (remember, this was written mid-80s), in particular the kids portable tables (today's tablet computers), and the proliferation of blogging (although it was never actually called such) on the internet (again, never called such).
The plot? Very briefly (and roughly): Earth is at war with an alien insectoid race, so the best and brightest kids are taken to a 'battle school' in space at a young age in order to be trained in how to become leaders. Andrew 'Ender' (so called because he is the youngest child of 3) Wiggins is one such kid, who proves to be the brightest and best of the bunch ...
How will the movie compare? I'll just have to wait and see!
When I started seeing the trailers for the movie adaptation to be released this week (on 25/10/13), I decided I actually would read it before going to see the movie (which is sometimes a good idea, other times not).
Having done so, it's interesting to see how Card predicted many of today's technology (remember, this was written mid-80s), in particular the kids portable tables (today's tablet computers), and the proliferation of blogging (although it was never actually called such) on the internet (again, never called such).
The plot? Very briefly (and roughly): Earth is at war with an alien insectoid race, so the best and brightest kids are taken to a 'battle school' in space at a young age in order to be trained in how to become leaders. Andrew 'Ender' (so called because he is the youngest child of 3) Wiggins is one such kid, who proves to be the brightest and best of the bunch ...
How will the movie compare? I'll just have to wait and see!
ClareR (5674 KP) rated Pieces Of Her in Books
Dec 21, 2018
I’ll be honest: I didn’t actually like this until about halfway through, and I would have given up if there hadn’t have been the earlier timeline story. The main character in the present day, Andrea, is, for want of another word, wet. Even before the initial incident happens that sets off a chain of events, she just seems really apathetic. I took quite a long time to warm to her, and even then I can’t say as I particularly liked her.
The timeline in the 80s though, was fascinating. A terrorist group where the leader seems to be in complete control of his ‘soldiers’ who answer to him. A woman, Jane, is the main protagonist in this timeline, and she is a bit of a sorry figure. She has been controlled by her father, and then is controlled by her lover, the terrorist leader. She does have more backbone than Andrea however, and takes control of her life. Which I suppose Andy also does eventually. But it takes her a while - and it takes two awful events at the beginning of the book to give the process a kickstart.
I liked the story very much on the whole. It’s fast paced and exciting. My first Karin Slaughter book probably won’t be my last.
The timeline in the 80s though, was fascinating. A terrorist group where the leader seems to be in complete control of his ‘soldiers’ who answer to him. A woman, Jane, is the main protagonist in this timeline, and she is a bit of a sorry figure. She has been controlled by her father, and then is controlled by her lover, the terrorist leader. She does have more backbone than Andrea however, and takes control of her life. Which I suppose Andy also does eventually. But it takes her a while - and it takes two awful events at the beginning of the book to give the process a kickstart.
I liked the story very much on the whole. It’s fast paced and exciting. My first Karin Slaughter book probably won’t be my last.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Turtles All The Way Down in Books
Jan 23, 2019
John Green's "Turtles All the Way Down" introduces us to sixteen-year-old Aza, a teenage girl with mental health issues who is desperate to blend in and just be a normal teenage girl. After giving in to Daisy's, her best friend, nagging, the two girls attempt to solve the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Russell Pickett and collect the reward. Aza was not planning on connecting back with Davis, Russell's son, whom she knew when they were kids, but she does.
Of course there is romance, but it is not the focus of the story. It is more than just a typical YA romance novel. It deals with handling mental illness, going to counseling, thinking you are crazy, and knowing your uncontrollable behaviors are not normal. It is about trying to manage the pressures of being a teenager - family, school, friends, and a boy.
John Green's novels have probably touched as many people today as had John Hughes's movies in the 80s. He focuses on real teenage problems and allows a glimpse inside their thoughts and feelings. He allows young adults to realize they are not alone, that others feel the same way, and “Your now is not your forever.”
Of course there is romance, but it is not the focus of the story. It is more than just a typical YA romance novel. It deals with handling mental illness, going to counseling, thinking you are crazy, and knowing your uncontrollable behaviors are not normal. It is about trying to manage the pressures of being a teenager - family, school, friends, and a boy.
John Green's novels have probably touched as many people today as had John Hughes's movies in the 80s. He focuses on real teenage problems and allows a glimpse inside their thoughts and feelings. He allows young adults to realize they are not alone, that others feel the same way, and “Your now is not your forever.”
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