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Awix (3310 KP) rated Alternative 3 in TV
May 4, 2019 (Updated May 4, 2019)
One of the great TV hoaxes, from back when such things were still considered an acceptable jape. Made, for the most part, with great care and attention to detail, the result is very convincing and unsettling viewing - although the presence of fairly well-known actors in a couple of roles does kind of blow the gaffe a bit, long before the end.
Some people will argue that claims that this is a hoax are just a smokescreen and the makers either stumbled onto the truth or were trying to blow the whistle on a real conspiracy, which is why this show vanished into obscurity for a long while after its transmission. I really don't know, but parts of the story here do seem eerily close to reality, 40 years on, and the questions Alternative 3 raises about how much to trust the media are still pertinent today.
Some people will argue that claims that this is a hoax are just a smokescreen and the makers either stumbled onto the truth or were trying to blow the whistle on a real conspiracy, which is why this show vanished into obscurity for a long while after its transmission. I really don't know, but parts of the story here do seem eerily close to reality, 40 years on, and the questions Alternative 3 raises about how much to trust the media are still pertinent today.
Cee-Lo Green recommended De La Soul Is Dead by De La Soul in Music (curated)
Paige (277 KP) rated Shaun of the Dead (2004) in Movies
Dec 7, 2018 (Updated Dec 7, 2018)
Casting (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost). (3 more)
Prosthetic Makeup.
Irony.
Emotional Investment.
Shaun of the Dead (2004).
'Take car. Go to Mum's. Kill Phil. Grab Liz. Go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all of this to blow over. How's that for a slice of fried gold?'
Shaun of the Dead is a 'slice of fried gold,' with consistent irony throughout that contributes towards the comedic content, uncommon throughout differentiating zombie movies. 'Next time I see him, he's dead,' is an ironic quote from Shaun of the Dead (2004) that is also foreshadowing.
Progressing from this, the casting for Shaun of the Dead (2004) was exceptional. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have done alternative movies together, encompassing Hot Fuzz and The World's End. Their undeniable friendship contributes significantly towards their ability to collectively produce fantastic movie's, all of which have no fault.
Furthermore, the prosthetic makeup is also an imperative aspect to confer when deliberating the positive aspects of Shaun of the Dead (2004). When taking into consideration that this film was released in 2004, the prosthetic makeup was beyond expectation, with multiple scenes that are hard to watch attributable to the gore.
Comparable to this, an alternative aspect to confer when deliberating the positive aspects of Shaun of the Dead would be the emotional investment in each character. Shaun of the Dead (2004) makes evident an imperative moral; to not take those you love for granted. One of many subtle morals throughout Shaun of the Dead (2004), which subsequently contribute towards the emotional investment in each character, to be understood upon watching the movie.
To conclude, Shaun of the Dead (2004) is a contributor towards the extensive amount of zombie movies released. However, it is an innovative, unique zombie movie, integrating comedic content and irony, whilst maintaining the high quality of prosthetic makeup and emotional investment you would expect from a movie depicting the prospective end of the world.
Shaun of the Dead is a 'slice of fried gold,' with consistent irony throughout that contributes towards the comedic content, uncommon throughout differentiating zombie movies. 'Next time I see him, he's dead,' is an ironic quote from Shaun of the Dead (2004) that is also foreshadowing.
Progressing from this, the casting for Shaun of the Dead (2004) was exceptional. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have done alternative movies together, encompassing Hot Fuzz and The World's End. Their undeniable friendship contributes significantly towards their ability to collectively produce fantastic movie's, all of which have no fault.
Furthermore, the prosthetic makeup is also an imperative aspect to confer when deliberating the positive aspects of Shaun of the Dead (2004). When taking into consideration that this film was released in 2004, the prosthetic makeup was beyond expectation, with multiple scenes that are hard to watch attributable to the gore.
Comparable to this, an alternative aspect to confer when deliberating the positive aspects of Shaun of the Dead would be the emotional investment in each character. Shaun of the Dead (2004) makes evident an imperative moral; to not take those you love for granted. One of many subtle morals throughout Shaun of the Dead (2004), which subsequently contribute towards the emotional investment in each character, to be understood upon watching the movie.
To conclude, Shaun of the Dead (2004) is a contributor towards the extensive amount of zombie movies released. However, it is an innovative, unique zombie movie, integrating comedic content and irony, whilst maintaining the high quality of prosthetic makeup and emotional investment you would expect from a movie depicting the prospective end of the world.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Uber in Apps
Nov 4, 2017 (Updated Nov 4, 2017)
Takes a while to update location, but couldn't do without
Uber, as controversial as it is, has been a bit of a lifesaver for me especially as I'm carted from appointment to appointment due to a disability. It's easy to use, and far cheaper than other services, and I really can't find a good alternative. No doubt, there are plenty of issues - some with drivers, but otherwise it's been fine.
The app itself is not bad, but it has a few technical issues including updating GPS locations. It usually takes a while to update, having to exit and re-enter the app for it to change.
Communicating with the drivers is a bit hit and miss as well. Sometimes they pick up the phone, a lot of times not - and waiting times increase while I attempt to hobble to the car despite asking them to wait in front. So it isn't without its faults - but I wouldn't change it otherwise.
The app itself is not bad, but it has a few technical issues including updating GPS locations. It usually takes a while to update, having to exit and re-enter the app for it to change.
Communicating with the drivers is a bit hit and miss as well. Sometimes they pick up the phone, a lot of times not - and waiting times increase while I attempt to hobble to the car despite asking them to wait in front. So it isn't without its faults - but I wouldn't change it otherwise.
Mekkin B. (122 KP) rated Sorcerer to the Crown (Sorcerer Royal #1) in Books
Sep 13, 2017
Fabulous Magical Regency Romp
Sorcerer to the Crown is a Regency era fantasy novel packed with romance, mystery, and adventure. Fans of historial fiction and gaslamp fantasy like Jonathan Strange & Mister Norell, the Chrestomanci series, or A Great and Terrible Beauty will enjoy this romantic romp through an alternative London where magic is a gentleman's sport and issues of race, class, and gender are as worrying as the general decline of magic in England.
Zacharias Wythe charms as the stoic Sorcerer Royal and Prunella Gentleman, the snarky orphan with a troubling amount of magical talent, is easily his match. The relationship between the two has a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet quality that still manages to feel fresh and unique.
Cho has crafted a wonderful fantasy world replete with interesting characters and intriguing mysteries, it's easy to see why this book gained a nomination for 2016's Locus Award for Best First Novel.
Zacharias Wythe charms as the stoic Sorcerer Royal and Prunella Gentleman, the snarky orphan with a troubling amount of magical talent, is easily his match. The relationship between the two has a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet quality that still manages to feel fresh and unique.
Cho has crafted a wonderful fantasy world replete with interesting characters and intriguing mysteries, it's easy to see why this book gained a nomination for 2016's Locus Award for Best First Novel.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Unleashed (2005) in Movies
Apr 4, 2019
Bonkers martial arts thriller off the Luc Besson action conveyor belt. Danny (Li) has been raised as a human attack dog by senior gangster Bart (Hoskins); one day he stumbles into freedom and is befriended by a blind piano tuner (Freeman) and his daughter. But will his past catch up with him? (All this supposedly takes place in a Glasgow almost exclusively populated by Asians, Americans, and Cockneys.)
The plot is barking mad (not inappropriately for a film with the alternative title of Danny the Dog) and impossible to take seriously, but that's hardly new for a Besson film, nor necessarily a disincentive to see it. This one is lifted by genuinely good performances from Hoskins and Freeman, and extended sequences of Li beating the living daylights out of everyone in sight (at one point there's a kung fu fight in a toilet cubicle, which is surely a first). Not to be taken remotely seriously, but still highly entertaining.
The plot is barking mad (not inappropriately for a film with the alternative title of Danny the Dog) and impossible to take seriously, but that's hardly new for a Besson film, nor necessarily a disincentive to see it. This one is lifted by genuinely good performances from Hoskins and Freeman, and extended sequences of Li beating the living daylights out of everyone in sight (at one point there's a kung fu fight in a toilet cubicle, which is surely a first). Not to be taken remotely seriously, but still highly entertaining.
Goldenarrow74 (10 KP) rated Ritual de lo Habitual by Jane's Addiction in Music
Feb 24, 2018
Important album at an important time
Fusing elements from several different musical styles including rock, jazz, funk and soul this came out at a refreshing time for music.
Grunge had yet to happen and the turgid, hair metal rock scene needed something to revitalise alternative music.
The alt-rock scene that also included FNM, NIN, RHCP etc refused to be pigeonholed into just one genre.
Perry Farrell was not only a great songwriter but also a tremendous showman - Electric onstage and difficult to take your eyes off.
From the instantly accessible, MTV-friendly Been Caught Stealing’ to the slowburning ‘Three Days’ which continues to sound better with every listen, this album is a must-have for anyone into guitar music.
While it never strays into noisy guitar for
the sake of it, it rocks when it needs to but it’s during the more melodic moments that showcases Jane’s sheer magnificence.
Grunge had yet to happen and the turgid, hair metal rock scene needed something to revitalise alternative music.
The alt-rock scene that also included FNM, NIN, RHCP etc refused to be pigeonholed into just one genre.
Perry Farrell was not only a great songwriter but also a tremendous showman - Electric onstage and difficult to take your eyes off.
From the instantly accessible, MTV-friendly Been Caught Stealing’ to the slowburning ‘Three Days’ which continues to sound better with every listen, this album is a must-have for anyone into guitar music.
While it never strays into noisy guitar for
the sake of it, it rocks when it needs to but it’s during the more melodic moments that showcases Jane’s sheer magnificence.
Vegas (725 KP) rated AEW Dynamite in TV
Oct 28, 2019
The action (2 more)
The wrestlers
No bizarre stories (yet)
Characters will take a while to get used to for casual fans (1 more)
Still early so no established storylines
Making wrestling fun again
When Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks became the faces of upstart promotion AEW fans were excited to get a mainstream alternative to WWE which has become complacent with its position in the industry, wit would there be enough star talent to compete. The first few episodes and PPVs say YES... The wrestling often is better than WWE due to the wrestlers being less bogged down with what they can and can’t do in the ring and with less silly skits to worry about, the focus is firmly on the in ring action, with veterans Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone part of the announce team the show feels established yet modern. Hopefully it continues to do well, for their sake and WWE’s too as they will be forced to improve. Good for all fans.
Magic, monsters & mystery
Contains spoilers, click to show
I first read this about 10 years ago and still have the book, I bought from a local charity shop as I wanted to do something other than watch tv and movies and play videogames (shock horror) but as a big harry potter fan this seemed to catch my attention.
The Story focuses on a young 13 yr old boy who is the seventh son of a seventh son, which is a rare and special thing in this world, which catches the attention of a spook, someone who vanquishes evil (for a price).
The spook takes the apprentice under his wing in an attempt to train him as a possible successor.
As I write this there are 10 books in total that I am aware of and I have only read this one (but own books 1,3 & 10?)
I highly recommend giving this a read.
The Story focuses on a young 13 yr old boy who is the seventh son of a seventh son, which is a rare and special thing in this world, which catches the attention of a spook, someone who vanquishes evil (for a price).
The spook takes the apprentice under his wing in an attempt to train him as a possible successor.
As I write this there are 10 books in total that I am aware of and I have only read this one (but own books 1,3 & 10?)
I highly recommend giving this a read.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Stand (The Spread #3) in Books
Nov 14, 2021
What another great sequel to the previous 2 in the series ... you really have to have read them in order to understand the characters and the story otherwise you will be totally lost.
Once again, we are treated to an alternative take to the usual zombie story and the impact of an "invasion" on humanity. I was gripped and itching to find out how my favourite characters will fair - remember, with Iain's books, no one is safe and just when you think things are going to work out, once again, Iain throws a giant spanner in the works and everything goes to pot.
With excellent characters, both old and new, tension, thrills and definitely spills, The Stand is a great addition to the story of The Spread and my thanks must go to Iain for accepting me into his "street team" and for providing me with a copy in return for comments and an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Once again, we are treated to an alternative take to the usual zombie story and the impact of an "invasion" on humanity. I was gripped and itching to find out how my favourite characters will fair - remember, with Iain's books, no one is safe and just when you think things are going to work out, once again, Iain throws a giant spanner in the works and everything goes to pot.
With excellent characters, both old and new, tension, thrills and definitely spills, The Stand is a great addition to the story of The Spread and my thanks must go to Iain for accepting me into his "street team" and for providing me with a copy in return for comments and an honest, unbiased and unedited review.