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Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I found Start Here to be very inspirational. The Harris’ get down to the point quickly and concisely.
Start Here is a light easy read, but then how can a Christian living book be light? They talk about pride and sin and giving glory to God, they talk about peer pressure and stress and fears and the Father of Lies. But they also encourage teenagers to get out of the box that our society has put them in. It’s light and easy in that it’s an easily understood page-turner.
The Harris’ first book, Do Hard Things, was about encouraging teens to do just that—to do hard things—for God. In Start Here, they talk about how to go about doing those hard things, what to do when you encounter fear, press, or peer pressure, and answer all the tough questions.
One of the points that they make is that your hard thing may not be to sail around the world at age sixteen or to make a movie or to start a nonprofit organization or anything else big. Your hard thing might be what some people consider a small thing, and it may be something that nobody even knows about. But God wants you to do that hard thing because in the long run, it changes your heart for the better. At the back of Start Here is a list of 100 things that people have contributed too, and I want to share a few with you:
Sold all the clothes I didn’t need and gave the money to charity
worked up to 100 pushups in four weeks
saved my first kiss for my wedding day
read a book out loud to my younger siblings
let my brother win an argument
Babysat for a single mom who could not pay me much
Set a budget and stuck with it.
Maybe these people aren’t going to be front page news… but their hard things are pretty important.
Start Here will encourage, inspire, and help you through whatever it is that God has for you, whether you know about it right now or not. Consider it a handbook, and use it side by side with your main instruction manual (The Bible).
Recommendation: Ages 11+ Adults do hard things, too! They also will benefit from this book.
(book provided for review by publisher)
Start Here is a light easy read, but then how can a Christian living book be light? They talk about pride and sin and giving glory to God, they talk about peer pressure and stress and fears and the Father of Lies. But they also encourage teenagers to get out of the box that our society has put them in. It’s light and easy in that it’s an easily understood page-turner.
The Harris’ first book, Do Hard Things, was about encouraging teens to do just that—to do hard things—for God. In Start Here, they talk about how to go about doing those hard things, what to do when you encounter fear, press, or peer pressure, and answer all the tough questions.
One of the points that they make is that your hard thing may not be to sail around the world at age sixteen or to make a movie or to start a nonprofit organization or anything else big. Your hard thing might be what some people consider a small thing, and it may be something that nobody even knows about. But God wants you to do that hard thing because in the long run, it changes your heart for the better. At the back of Start Here is a list of 100 things that people have contributed too, and I want to share a few with you:
Sold all the clothes I didn’t need and gave the money to charity
worked up to 100 pushups in four weeks
saved my first kiss for my wedding day
read a book out loud to my younger siblings
let my brother win an argument
Babysat for a single mom who could not pay me much
Set a budget and stuck with it.
Maybe these people aren’t going to be front page news… but their hard things are pretty important.
Start Here will encourage, inspire, and help you through whatever it is that God has for you, whether you know about it right now or not. Consider it a handbook, and use it side by side with your main instruction manual (The Bible).
Recommendation: Ages 11+ Adults do hard things, too! They also will benefit from this book.
(book provided for review by publisher)
Purple Phoenix Games (2266 KP) rated Bohnanza in Tabletop Games
Jun 12, 2019
Bean farmin’. Don’t get better’n that. Unless you’re corn farmin’. An’ we should know. We are from the Quad Cities, the booger of the man made by Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Look here. Yes, we are surrounded by corn fields, but our home is not within a corn field. Actually, we live in a somewhat-midsize metropolitan area that boasts a population near 475,000. I’m off track again, aren’t I? Right. Bean farming. Lame theme, but Bohnanza shines in gameplay that just can’t be beat. Right, Bryan?
Okay, so bean farming isn’t for everyone. It’s not for me, it’s probably not for you. And honestly, the theme in Bohnanza doesn’t really come through all that strongly. But that’s only part of the reason we game. It’s also about the experience of gaming and the memories you make while playing. This game certainly delivers on those points. So many hilarious moments have been brought to us by Bohnanza. Bohnanza, the zany little card game about planting and trading beans.
I remember one time, when playing with family, there was a VERY heated back-and-forth bargaining that involved the lowly Chili Bean. Screaming. Throwing hands in the air. It was glorious. And the Chili Bean shall thenceforth be known as nothing other than the Chilla Bean.
So I’m not going to bore you with the rules explanation, but I will tell you that some of the mechanics found in this little game can be found elsewhere in other games, but the combination of the mechanics coupled with the ridiculous theme elevates this game for many. It has set collection, hand management (NO shuffling your hand or even sorting – you keep those cards in the same order you received them, youngster!), trading, bluffing, take that. It has so much packed into this small box. So much ridiculousness. But it’s wonderful.
I have taught this to brand new gamers and those who are very inexperienced with modern board games. It’s a smash with nearly everyone. I will be keeping my copy, even though my brother suggests pretty much ANY other game when we pull it out (as evidenced by his rating of 2 out of 6). We at Purple Phoenix Games give Bohnanza a 17 / 24.
https://purplephoenixgames.wordpress.com/2018/12/19/bohnanza-review/
Okay, so bean farming isn’t for everyone. It’s not for me, it’s probably not for you. And honestly, the theme in Bohnanza doesn’t really come through all that strongly. But that’s only part of the reason we game. It’s also about the experience of gaming and the memories you make while playing. This game certainly delivers on those points. So many hilarious moments have been brought to us by Bohnanza. Bohnanza, the zany little card game about planting and trading beans.
I remember one time, when playing with family, there was a VERY heated back-and-forth bargaining that involved the lowly Chili Bean. Screaming. Throwing hands in the air. It was glorious. And the Chili Bean shall thenceforth be known as nothing other than the Chilla Bean.
So I’m not going to bore you with the rules explanation, but I will tell you that some of the mechanics found in this little game can be found elsewhere in other games, but the combination of the mechanics coupled with the ridiculous theme elevates this game for many. It has set collection, hand management (NO shuffling your hand or even sorting – you keep those cards in the same order you received them, youngster!), trading, bluffing, take that. It has so much packed into this small box. So much ridiculousness. But it’s wonderful.
I have taught this to brand new gamers and those who are very inexperienced with modern board games. It’s a smash with nearly everyone. I will be keeping my copy, even though my brother suggests pretty much ANY other game when we pull it out (as evidenced by his rating of 2 out of 6). We at Purple Phoenix Games give Bohnanza a 17 / 24.
https://purplephoenixgames.wordpress.com/2018/12/19/bohnanza-review/
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Captain Marvel (2019) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
Marvel Studios has once again launched a new franchise within their expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe with the arrival of “Captain Marvel”. The film tells the origin of the title character (Brie Larson), who struggles with gaps in her memory while serving as a Kree Protector under the supervision of Yon-Rogg (Jude Law).
When things do not go as planned during a mission; the good Captain finds herself on Earth forced to wait for her crew to retrieve her. The gaps in her memory combined with the arrival of the shape-shifting Skrulls are bad enough, but now there is also the arrival of S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) for her to contend with.
Being set in the 90s we get a Fury that has yet to be awakened to what is truly out there so he finds the claims of alien beings a bit hard to grasp until fate pairs him with the Captain who must stop the threat posed by the aliens and unlock the mystery of her missing memories.
While the film takes a while to get going; there is enough action scattered throughout to keep your interest and the finale is a rousing FX showcase that really helps establish the character and delivers what fans expect.
Naturally there is a good amount of humor along the way and the dynamic between Larson and Jackson is very good and I hope we get to see them paired on future Marvel adventures.
The supporting cast of Jude Law, Annette Bening, and Ben Mendelsohn is great and it was nice to see many other characters from past Marvel films appear as younger versions of themselves.
The film had to balance establishing the character and setting up further adventures with making sure audiences understood her importance and why her presence in “Avengers: Endgame” is connected and does so very well.
Larson was amazing in the title role as she portrays a strength and confidence without ever being arrogant but there is also a quick wit and at times; a vulnerability that makes her character more well-rounded than people would expect from a comic based film.
It is amazing to me how Marvel Studios can take some of their lesser known characters and turn them into Box Office gold and their winning formula continues with this entertaining new franchise.
http://sknr.net/2019/03/05/captain-marvel/
When things do not go as planned during a mission; the good Captain finds herself on Earth forced to wait for her crew to retrieve her. The gaps in her memory combined with the arrival of the shape-shifting Skrulls are bad enough, but now there is also the arrival of S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) for her to contend with.
Being set in the 90s we get a Fury that has yet to be awakened to what is truly out there so he finds the claims of alien beings a bit hard to grasp until fate pairs him with the Captain who must stop the threat posed by the aliens and unlock the mystery of her missing memories.
While the film takes a while to get going; there is enough action scattered throughout to keep your interest and the finale is a rousing FX showcase that really helps establish the character and delivers what fans expect.
Naturally there is a good amount of humor along the way and the dynamic between Larson and Jackson is very good and I hope we get to see them paired on future Marvel adventures.
The supporting cast of Jude Law, Annette Bening, and Ben Mendelsohn is great and it was nice to see many other characters from past Marvel films appear as younger versions of themselves.
The film had to balance establishing the character and setting up further adventures with making sure audiences understood her importance and why her presence in “Avengers: Endgame” is connected and does so very well.
Larson was amazing in the title role as she portrays a strength and confidence without ever being arrogant but there is also a quick wit and at times; a vulnerability that makes her character more well-rounded than people would expect from a comic based film.
It is amazing to me how Marvel Studios can take some of their lesser known characters and turn them into Box Office gold and their winning formula continues with this entertaining new franchise.
http://sknr.net/2019/03/05/captain-marvel/
Kelly (279 KP) rated Spartacus - Season 1 in TV
Dec 21, 2018
Gladiators (1 more)
Great fighting scenes
Much better than the 1960 film
Who would have thought that the story of Spartacus could have been made raunchy for a modern audience, but Starz did this really well. The general facts around the slave rebellion against the Romans, led by the former gladiator Spartacus are limited, however Starz used what information there was and filled in the rest to create a believable version of the tale.
I know that around the release of the series, there was a lot of talk about the use of CGI in the show, mainly during the battle scenes, with the appearance of animated blood splatters/slashes, similar to that shown in the film 300. This use seemed to have divided the audience into either ‘love it’ or ‘hate it’. Personally, I feel that this was the unique selling point of the show- something different that we are not used to on the TV screen, I felt it helped made the show more watchable.
For me Andy Whitfield made Spartacus (and his loss was noticed in the later series of the show). His love towards wife Sura is clear throughout series one, and gave us a believable reason as to why he allowed himself to be manipulated by Batiatus. He was also supported by a number of well cast actors including Manu Bennett (Crixus) and Peter Mensah (Oenomaus), by the end of the series, we find that we really care about these characters.
The reason that I have not rated the show higher, is the casting of John Hannah as Batiatus. John Hannah is a good actor, but I felt the role was not suited to him. To me, Batiatus needed to be a little crueler and more angry, at the end of the day, he was profit and power hungry, and willing to give the lives of men in order to pay the cost of his personal success. There were times, when I did not believe that this was what John Hannah was portrayed, and there was an awkwardness around some of his scenes (particularly those where there were a lot of swearing).
Overall, despite the odd flaw, I really enjoyed watching Spartacus (and have happily purchased the complete box set for re-watching in future) .
I know that around the release of the series, there was a lot of talk about the use of CGI in the show, mainly during the battle scenes, with the appearance of animated blood splatters/slashes, similar to that shown in the film 300. This use seemed to have divided the audience into either ‘love it’ or ‘hate it’. Personally, I feel that this was the unique selling point of the show- something different that we are not used to on the TV screen, I felt it helped made the show more watchable.
For me Andy Whitfield made Spartacus (and his loss was noticed in the later series of the show). His love towards wife Sura is clear throughout series one, and gave us a believable reason as to why he allowed himself to be manipulated by Batiatus. He was also supported by a number of well cast actors including Manu Bennett (Crixus) and Peter Mensah (Oenomaus), by the end of the series, we find that we really care about these characters.
The reason that I have not rated the show higher, is the casting of John Hannah as Batiatus. John Hannah is a good actor, but I felt the role was not suited to him. To me, Batiatus needed to be a little crueler and more angry, at the end of the day, he was profit and power hungry, and willing to give the lives of men in order to pay the cost of his personal success. There were times, when I did not believe that this was what John Hannah was portrayed, and there was an awkwardness around some of his scenes (particularly those where there were a lot of swearing).
Overall, despite the odd flaw, I really enjoyed watching Spartacus (and have happily purchased the complete box set for re-watching in future) .
The Trading Playbook: Two Rule-Based Plans for Day Trading and Swing Trading
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Traders have a tendency to over-complicate. Many search for the latest new indicator that will give...
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Luca (2021) in Movies
Jun 16, 2021
The artists at Disney and Pixar have returned with a new animated film “Luca” which will debut on Disney+ on June 18th.
The film introduces audiences to Luca (Jacob Tremblay); a young Sea Monster who lives with his family and fellow fish off the coast of a small town in Italy. Luca is warned not to go on the surface and to avoid humans at all costs by his parents.
When a rebellious Sea Monster named Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer); happens upon Luca and gets him to the surface; Luca discovers that he and Alberto appear as human boys when their skin is no longer wet.
Fascinated by the rebellious life Alberto leads and amazed by what he sees upon his brief land excursions; Luca looks for new ways to find time on the surface which leads to him being more and more deceptive to his parents.
In time Luca and Alberto head to the village and meet a spunky local girl named Giulia (Emma Berman); who is on a break from school and longs to win a local race in order to get back at the reigning champion and bully.
Luca and Alberto see the race as a chance to win money to buy their own Vespa which they see as the key to exploring the surface world which sets a chain of events into motion as their two worlds are about to collide leading up to the race.
The film is visually appealing, but the story for me dragged and did not have the spark and heart that have made countless PIXAR films enduring classics. While the characters were fine; they did not have the appeal or charisma that I have come to expect with the PIXAR brand.
There have been reports that after “SOUL” was moved from a theatrical release to streaming during the Pandemic that some at PIXAR were upset with the decision to make “Luca” a streaming option. My take is that it was 100% the correct decision as while it is an entertaining film; it is not one that is likely to light up the Box Office and is better suited for a streaming debut.
The biggest issue with “Luca” is that coming from a studio with such a long line of classics; it fails to reach the levels previously set and while entertaining comes up lacking.
3 stars out of 5
The film introduces audiences to Luca (Jacob Tremblay); a young Sea Monster who lives with his family and fellow fish off the coast of a small town in Italy. Luca is warned not to go on the surface and to avoid humans at all costs by his parents.
When a rebellious Sea Monster named Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer); happens upon Luca and gets him to the surface; Luca discovers that he and Alberto appear as human boys when their skin is no longer wet.
Fascinated by the rebellious life Alberto leads and amazed by what he sees upon his brief land excursions; Luca looks for new ways to find time on the surface which leads to him being more and more deceptive to his parents.
In time Luca and Alberto head to the village and meet a spunky local girl named Giulia (Emma Berman); who is on a break from school and longs to win a local race in order to get back at the reigning champion and bully.
Luca and Alberto see the race as a chance to win money to buy their own Vespa which they see as the key to exploring the surface world which sets a chain of events into motion as their two worlds are about to collide leading up to the race.
The film is visually appealing, but the story for me dragged and did not have the spark and heart that have made countless PIXAR films enduring classics. While the characters were fine; they did not have the appeal or charisma that I have come to expect with the PIXAR brand.
There have been reports that after “SOUL” was moved from a theatrical release to streaming during the Pandemic that some at PIXAR were upset with the decision to make “Luca” a streaming option. My take is that it was 100% the correct decision as while it is an entertaining film; it is not one that is likely to light up the Box Office and is better suited for a streaming debut.
The biggest issue with “Luca” is that coming from a studio with such a long line of classics; it fails to reach the levels previously set and while entertaining comes up lacking.
3 stars out of 5
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Dredd (2012) in Movies
Jan 25, 2021
I grew up reading 2000AD and like many others, was disappointed in the Stallone effort to bring Judge Dredd to the big screen. Fast forward to 2012, and Dredd shows us that the way forward is a simple one. There's no need to go all out with a Mega City One wide story. The narrative is Dredd assessing Anderson on her first proper day of duty, locked down in a singular Megabuilding. Taking the template of Die Hard and applying it to Judge Dredd characters is wonderfully straightforward, and this movie is more spectacular for it.
We're told all the background we need to know within the first ten minutes before shit hits the fan and allows the rest of the films 80 or so minutes to give us one big set piece, as Dredd and Anderson make their way up the building to get to antagonist and drug peddling criminal, Ma-Ma.
Karl Urban is picture perfect in the titular role. His helmet wisely stays on for the duration, and he manages to keep up Dredd's signature grimace from start to finish, without it looking silly.
Olivia Thirlby is great as Anderson, and provides most of the movies more emotion charged moments that Dredd himself can't. The scene where she makes a vile gangster literally piss himself with her mind-exploring powers is a highlight of badass-ery.
Lena Headey plays the villanous Ma-Ma, and although she doesn't get a huge amount of screentime, she carves a lasting impression on proceedings as a truly nasty piece of work.
The films macguffin like Slow-Mo drug gives director Pete Travis an excuse to pack in some typical slow motion shots, but thankfully doesn't overdo it, and when it's used, provides us with some stylish and colourful action that breaks up the otherwise bleak aesthetic that comes hand in hand with the Mega City setting. This is of course is all complimented with some well done hard R violence which is simply a requirement when dealing with 2000AD material!
I personally feel that Dredd is the Judge Dredd film that we deserve. It ticks all the right boxes and doesn't feel over serious, even though it has next to no humour. Its a damn shame that it didn't earn the desired box office numbers because a sequel would have been just lovely.
We're told all the background we need to know within the first ten minutes before shit hits the fan and allows the rest of the films 80 or so minutes to give us one big set piece, as Dredd and Anderson make their way up the building to get to antagonist and drug peddling criminal, Ma-Ma.
Karl Urban is picture perfect in the titular role. His helmet wisely stays on for the duration, and he manages to keep up Dredd's signature grimace from start to finish, without it looking silly.
Olivia Thirlby is great as Anderson, and provides most of the movies more emotion charged moments that Dredd himself can't. The scene where she makes a vile gangster literally piss himself with her mind-exploring powers is a highlight of badass-ery.
Lena Headey plays the villanous Ma-Ma, and although she doesn't get a huge amount of screentime, she carves a lasting impression on proceedings as a truly nasty piece of work.
The films macguffin like Slow-Mo drug gives director Pete Travis an excuse to pack in some typical slow motion shots, but thankfully doesn't overdo it, and when it's used, provides us with some stylish and colourful action that breaks up the otherwise bleak aesthetic that comes hand in hand with the Mega City setting. This is of course is all complimented with some well done hard R violence which is simply a requirement when dealing with 2000AD material!
I personally feel that Dredd is the Judge Dredd film that we deserve. It ticks all the right boxes and doesn't feel over serious, even though it has next to no humour. Its a damn shame that it didn't earn the desired box office numbers because a sequel would have been just lovely.
Portfolio for iPad
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