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David McK (3496 KP) rated The Flame Bearer (the Last Kingdom Series, Book 10) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The continuing story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who, since the first story in the series ([b:The Last Kingdom|68527|The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Stories, #1)|Bernard Cornwell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1407107780s/68527.jpg|881821] has been dreaming of recapturing his ancestral home - a home that was originally stolen by his uncle afollowing Uhtred's capture by the Danes in that first novel, and is now owned by his cousin.
The series as a whole has dealt with the forging of what ias now knwon as England, with Alfred (the Great) palying a key role in the earlier novels, and with the later novels dealing with events following his death. Although he is a pagan and Alfred was a Christian, Uhtred has played a key role in many of the events depicted - mostly (as with nearly all of [a:Bernard Cornwell|12542|Bernard Cornwell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1240500522p2/12542.jpg]'s novels) all based on or around real historical events.
I say mostly, as this is one of the few rare exceptions (being nearly all fiction), with the author himself admitting as much in the Afterword to this particular tale.
The series as a whole has dealt with the forging of what ias now knwon as England, with Alfred (the Great) palying a key role in the earlier novels, and with the later novels dealing with events following his death. Although he is a pagan and Alfred was a Christian, Uhtred has played a key role in many of the events depicted - mostly (as with nearly all of [a:Bernard Cornwell|12542|Bernard Cornwell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1240500522p2/12542.jpg]'s novels) all based on or around real historical events.
I say mostly, as this is one of the few rare exceptions (being nearly all fiction), with the author himself admitting as much in the Afterword to this particular tale.
Thin Air
7.0
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An atmospheric tale of corruption and abduction set on Mars, from the author of the award-winning...
Science Fiction Mars
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Aug 20, 2021
JT (287 KP) rated The Oxford Murders (2010) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
From the first couple of scenes you’d half expect to see Inspector Morse and Lewis step out from behind one of the great pillars that surround Oxford University – sadly that is not going to be the case here. The story itself could have been taken right out of an Agatha Christie novel but the subsequent plot gets mixed up like the mathematical equation it is trying to lay out.
John Hurt plays Arthur Seldom a university professor whose life revolves around mathematical equations and whether or not we can prove truth and probability. Martin (Elijah Wood) is a graduate over from America looking at using Seldom to help him with his thesis.
The pair get mixed up in an altogether different set of circumstances when they must work together to solve a series of murders based around mathematical symbols. The Oxford Murders falls some way short of delivering on any tension or drama, which is a real shame. The script is over complicated and there is no real time to develop the characters before we are thrown head first into the first murder.
All in all it seemed rushed together. More strangely was the choice of director; Spanish born Álex de la Iglesia who also wrote the screenplay. A background largely based around foreign film I find it odd that he should have any idea about the true reflections of historic Oxford. Maybe that is where amongst other things The Oxford Murders falls down. In the hands of a more traditional English director we may have had a better outcome.
John Hurt plays Arthur Seldom a university professor whose life revolves around mathematical equations and whether or not we can prove truth and probability. Martin (Elijah Wood) is a graduate over from America looking at using Seldom to help him with his thesis.
The pair get mixed up in an altogether different set of circumstances when they must work together to solve a series of murders based around mathematical symbols. The Oxford Murders falls some way short of delivering on any tension or drama, which is a real shame. The script is over complicated and there is no real time to develop the characters before we are thrown head first into the first murder.
All in all it seemed rushed together. More strangely was the choice of director; Spanish born Álex de la Iglesia who also wrote the screenplay. A background largely based around foreign film I find it odd that he should have any idea about the true reflections of historic Oxford. Maybe that is where amongst other things The Oxford Murders falls down. In the hands of a more traditional English director we may have had a better outcome.
The Booles and the Hintons: Two Dynasties That Helped Shape the Modern World
Book
In 1983 Gerry Kennedy set off on a tour through Russia, China, Japan and the USA to visit others...
Geriatric Psychiatry Review and Exam Preparation Guide: A Case-Based Approach
Mark Rapoport, Andrew Wiens, Dallas Seitz and Evan Lilly
Book
Geriatric psychiatry is a relatively young discipline within the field of North American psychiatry....
Andrew Kennedy (199 KP) rated The Night Eats The World (2018) in Movies
Aug 30, 2019
This film is what I call a marmite movie, you will either love it or hate it. I happen to love it.
Based on the novel by Pit Agarmen our focus of the story is Sam (a superb Anders Danielsen Lie) who arrives at a party hosted by his ex girlfriend at the flat they used to share. Sam falls asleep in his old room and when he awakens the next morning the flat is trashed and there are zombies everywhere.
This film is no gore fest but kudos to make up department because these zombies look fabolous, this film is more of a study or how one man could surivie in solitiude and loneliness for a long time.
Trapped in an aprtment block Sam is able to stock pile supplies but while he wont starve to death will his own mind be able to cope with the horror around him?
Notable mention for Denis Lavant who plays the zombie Sam traps in the lift who he keeps talking too.
A French film but filmed in English with a strong main character.
Based on the novel by Pit Agarmen our focus of the story is Sam (a superb Anders Danielsen Lie) who arrives at a party hosted by his ex girlfriend at the flat they used to share. Sam falls asleep in his old room and when he awakens the next morning the flat is trashed and there are zombies everywhere.
This film is no gore fest but kudos to make up department because these zombies look fabolous, this film is more of a study or how one man could surivie in solitiude and loneliness for a long time.
Trapped in an aprtment block Sam is able to stock pile supplies but while he wont starve to death will his own mind be able to cope with the horror around him?
Notable mention for Denis Lavant who plays the zombie Sam traps in the lift who he keeps talking too.
A French film but filmed in English with a strong main character.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Green Zone (2010) in Movies
Aug 8, 2019
Taking you into the depths of the controversial Iraq conflict is the new thriller “Green Zone”. Matt Damon, stars as chief warrant officer Roy Miller. Along side Damon are a number of well crafted characters such as the shady operations lead, Clark Poundstone, played by the ever snarky Greg Kinnear and the eager journalist, Lawrie Danye, played by Amy Ryan. However, the strongest support both within the plot and story telling came from the local informant “Freddy” played by Khalid Abdalla.
Based on the 2006 award winning book “Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq’s Green Zone” by Rajiv Chandrasekaran, the film focuses on the duality of war. The plot covers both the obtuse role of US military within Iraq and the multitude of complexities a soldier faces in the pursuit of what is right.
“Green Zone” presents a compelling take on the Iraq conflict by pursuing a variety of perspectives and maintaining the intensity of a good thriller. It is a film that manages to enjoy the fruits of a novel basis while avoiding the boring dragging out that so often happens when films try to maintain literary accuracy.
In fact, the beginning was more like playing a good level of Call of Duty Modern Warfare (starring a main character who happens to have once been Jason Bourne) than an adaptation of a famous piece of literature. Partially due to Damon’s acting skills, “Green Zone” manages to walk far from the identity of Bourne and quickly catches viewers up in an entirely different character.
An interesting perspective on a conflict that is still fresh in the minds of US citizens, “Green Zone” proves to be thought-provoking while at the same time creating an enjoyable film-going experience.
Based on the 2006 award winning book “Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq’s Green Zone” by Rajiv Chandrasekaran, the film focuses on the duality of war. The plot covers both the obtuse role of US military within Iraq and the multitude of complexities a soldier faces in the pursuit of what is right.
“Green Zone” presents a compelling take on the Iraq conflict by pursuing a variety of perspectives and maintaining the intensity of a good thriller. It is a film that manages to enjoy the fruits of a novel basis while avoiding the boring dragging out that so often happens when films try to maintain literary accuracy.
In fact, the beginning was more like playing a good level of Call of Duty Modern Warfare (starring a main character who happens to have once been Jason Bourne) than an adaptation of a famous piece of literature. Partially due to Damon’s acting skills, “Green Zone” manages to walk far from the identity of Bourne and quickly catches viewers up in an entirely different character.
An interesting perspective on a conflict that is still fresh in the minds of US citizens, “Green Zone” proves to be thought-provoking while at the same time creating an enjoyable film-going experience.
