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David McK (3576 KP) rated Specter of the Past (Star Wars: The Hand of Thrawn Duology, #1) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Back in the early 90s (round about '91 or so, so pre Special Editions), Timothy Zahn released a new Star Wars novel - <i>Heir to the Empire</i> - that would both become the first in a trilogy, and the first in the Star Wars expanded universe (EU) series as a whole.
The main antagonist of those stories was Grand Admiral Thrawn, a brilliant strategist who believed that a species art held the their weakness. Indeed, the novels were also the first to ever name the capitol of the Empire and the Old Republic ('Coruscant').
By the end of the trilogy, Thrawn was defeated and assassinated. Or was he?
This novel was first released in the mid 90's, round about the time of the Special Editions, and before the first of the Prequel trilogy. Set 10 years after the events of <i>The Last Command</i>, this also sees the return of certain characters from Zahn's previous entries in the Star Wars canon, but (I felt) was not quite as entertaining a read.
The main antagonist of those stories was Grand Admiral Thrawn, a brilliant strategist who believed that a species art held the their weakness. Indeed, the novels were also the first to ever name the capitol of the Empire and the Old Republic ('Coruscant').
By the end of the trilogy, Thrawn was defeated and assassinated. Or was he?
This novel was first released in the mid 90's, round about the time of the Special Editions, and before the first of the Prequel trilogy. Set 10 years after the events of <i>The Last Command</i>, this also sees the return of certain characters from Zahn's previous entries in the Star Wars canon, but (I felt) was not quite as entertaining a read.
Elli H Burton (1288 KP) rated Zombieland (2009) in Movies
Oct 30, 2019
It's so funny (1 more)
Woody Harrelson. He is just brilliant.
Even a whimp like me can enjoy this!
So i first saw this on a zombie night with friends, no idea what possessed a whimp like me to participate in a zombie night but they assured me I'd like this one. They were right.
It has the odd jumpy bits which i can tolerate. This is where I usually hate a film, i HATE to be made to jump, this one does here and there but its nothing major. It's obviously got blood and guts which isn't actually what I'm bothered about.
Out of the zombie films around, its refreshing to see one that's not about the imminent death, but the survival and camaraderie of living in such a place. Reminds me of Shaun of the Dead in that respect, not about making the audience scared but laugh.
Because I'm a major whimp and i enjoy it, it speaks volumes that it's a decent film lol. Definitely recommend it and cannot wait to watch the sequel!
It has the odd jumpy bits which i can tolerate. This is where I usually hate a film, i HATE to be made to jump, this one does here and there but its nothing major. It's obviously got blood and guts which isn't actually what I'm bothered about.
Out of the zombie films around, its refreshing to see one that's not about the imminent death, but the survival and camaraderie of living in such a place. Reminds me of Shaun of the Dead in that respect, not about making the audience scared but laugh.
Because I'm a major whimp and i enjoy it, it speaks volumes that it's a decent film lol. Definitely recommend it and cannot wait to watch the sequel!
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated From the Shadows in Books
Oct 25, 2019
From The Shadows
I'm not an avid reader of crime thrillers as I often find them unbelievable, predictable or rediculous. This is neither. I was gripped from the beginning and found it hard to put down. Just one more chapter was my continuous mantra. Like Jane Harper's brilliant novels, as well as the character, the setting itself shines like the main character. Here the cold Highlands of Scotland paint the bleak setting for the dark crimes unfolding.
Bravely, Halliday doesn't feel the need to add romance or standard go to characters to make it work. He relies on his storytelling and strong individuals and how refreshing to see a book featuring a social worker that isn't female or a do gooder.
I'm gobsmacked this is a debut, it reads like a hardened crime writer who is a master at their trade. I can imagine this becoming an ITV drama in the future and look forward to the next installment. An absolutely cracking read for any crime or thriller fan.
Bravely, Halliday doesn't feel the need to add romance or standard go to characters to make it work. He relies on his storytelling and strong individuals and how refreshing to see a book featuring a social worker that isn't female or a do gooder.
I'm gobsmacked this is a debut, it reads like a hardened crime writer who is a master at their trade. I can imagine this becoming an ITV drama in the future and look forward to the next installment. An absolutely cracking read for any crime or thriller fan.
KalJ95 (25 KP) rated the Nintendo Switch version of Hollow Knight in Video Games
Dec 30, 2019
Masterful platformer. (2 more)
Gorgeous visuals.
Superb story.
Hollow Knight is one of those rare games that will be remembered as a classic Metroidvania. A true gem amongst AAA videogames that year, that outshines them on almost every level.
A simple platformer, expertly crafted to perfect, with a gloomy black and white palette to boot, Hollow Knight tells the story of a small, sword wielding knight, who must discover the various secrets in the underground cities of Hallownest.
It's hard to sum up just how brilliant, often brutal and pulsating Hollow Knight can be. With so much to explore, so many quests to complete, and many, many boss battles that will make you want to jump out of tall building. Yet, once you do defeat that one frustrating creature, the game rewards you further with excellent progression with new abilities and items that help you along your journey.
From a game that was crowdfunded on a budget of $57,000, its astounding just how meticulously crafted Hollow Knight is. Support Team Cherry, you will love this amazing piece of art and entertainment.
A simple platformer, expertly crafted to perfect, with a gloomy black and white palette to boot, Hollow Knight tells the story of a small, sword wielding knight, who must discover the various secrets in the underground cities of Hallownest.
It's hard to sum up just how brilliant, often brutal and pulsating Hollow Knight can be. With so much to explore, so many quests to complete, and many, many boss battles that will make you want to jump out of tall building. Yet, once you do defeat that one frustrating creature, the game rewards you further with excellent progression with new abilities and items that help you along your journey.
From a game that was crowdfunded on a budget of $57,000, its astounding just how meticulously crafted Hollow Knight is. Support Team Cherry, you will love this amazing piece of art and entertainment.
Merissa (13100 KP) rated Trusting You (Second Chances, #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This is a hot and steamy tale that starts off with a one night stand and has love, romance, mystery and danger as it carries on.
The characters are all multi-dimensional and I did like the feistiness of Melissa. Brett is all that she could ask for and I did love the descriptions of him as a hard man but gentle with those that he loves. There was only one part that confused me and that was the death of Brett's mum. It was said that she didn't die a natural death and died too soon. You know that Brett blamed his dad but that's it. When Melissa figures it out, she doesn't actually say or think through to the conclusion so I wasn't 100% sure if she had killed herself or if Brett's dad had killed her. However, as it became clear the further on I read, this was sorted.
If you like the romance hot and steamy with a hint of added spicey mystery, then get this book. Brilliant.
The characters are all multi-dimensional and I did like the feistiness of Melissa. Brett is all that she could ask for and I did love the descriptions of him as a hard man but gentle with those that he loves. There was only one part that confused me and that was the death of Brett's mum. It was said that she didn't die a natural death and died too soon. You know that Brett blamed his dad but that's it. When Melissa figures it out, she doesn't actually say or think through to the conclusion so I wasn't 100% sure if she had killed herself or if Brett's dad had killed her. However, as it became clear the further on I read, this was sorted.
If you like the romance hot and steamy with a hint of added spicey mystery, then get this book. Brilliant.
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Boy 2 Girl in Books
Jul 2, 2019
Full marks for making me laugh out loud
Contains spoilers, click to show
This book deserved a five star rating because it made me laugh out loud so often. It was a brilliant book and I loved Blacker's use of narrative voice. It is a multiple first person narrative which allows the reader a close and personal account of the characters feelings and emotions, this is particular interesting as there is a mixture of both adult and child characters. The book gives the reader a wonderful insight into gender and demonstrates the way in which gender is socially constructed. It also shows how children can be attracted to other children regardless of gender. As a whole, children are influenced by other children, by characteristics, by confidence and by personality. Children are often put into boxes and treated differently because of gender, this book breaks the rules and it genius. I would highly recommend this book to both adults and children as it may just demonstrate how alike we all are and how society is often too eager to put us into groups.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Karma - Rescue Unsold Food in Apps
Nov 14, 2019
Brilliant idea for an app
The concept of this app is awesome. Every single day shops and restaurants throw out perfectly good food just because it needed eating that day and can't be sold the following day so into the bin it closes. Just think, that curry restaurant you adore may be throwing out a whole pan full of delicious curry that you would have eaten. The local sandwich shop will bin your favourite mustard sandwich because tomorrow the bread will be stake but today they are good to eat.
What this app does is let restaurants and shops sign up to Karna. A Thai restaurant may be selling a big pan of curry for five days but on the fifth day that needs eating it it will be thrown out. The restaurant will list Thai Green Curry on Karma for remarkably less money and so you save money and the earth at the same time.
Cool huh!
What this app does is let restaurants and shops sign up to Karna. A Thai restaurant may be selling a big pan of curry for five days but on the fifth day that needs eating it it will be thrown out. The restaurant will list Thai Green Curry on Karma for remarkably less money and so you save money and the earth at the same time.
Cool huh!
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Pictures of Perfection (Dalziel & Pascoe #14) in Books
Nov 25, 2019 (Updated Nov 25, 2019)
This is one of those books that perfectly demonstrates the skill of Reginald Hill as a crime writer. In the sleepy village of Enscombe the local policeman disappears. Sensing foul play, Dalziel, Pascoe and Wield begin to investigate, turning up a number of suspicious characters and long buried secrets.
We have the usual Dalziel blunt language and Pascoe's schooled intuition but it is here that Wield finally gets a chance to step forward and form the 'holy trinity' of Mid Yorkshire CID. Hill has cultured his characters very carefully and writes them with great affection and this story shows how much chemistry they have.
The plot in this novel is outstanding and perfectly shows off Hill's willingness to play with the police procedural genre and the reader's expectations. There are some terrific rug pulls here and Hill could almost be said to get away with murder when everything falls into place at the end.
A brilliant tour de force for one of the greatest crime fiction writers. I can't fault it. It is in itself a picture of perfection
We have the usual Dalziel blunt language and Pascoe's schooled intuition but it is here that Wield finally gets a chance to step forward and form the 'holy trinity' of Mid Yorkshire CID. Hill has cultured his characters very carefully and writes them with great affection and this story shows how much chemistry they have.
The plot in this novel is outstanding and perfectly shows off Hill's willingness to play with the police procedural genre and the reader's expectations. There are some terrific rug pulls here and Hill could almost be said to get away with murder when everything falls into place at the end.
A brilliant tour de force for one of the greatest crime fiction writers. I can't fault it. It is in itself a picture of perfection
Nickg24 (492 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies
Dec 20, 2019
Phoenix for best actor oscar
Contains spoilers, click to show
Wow,what a film.I will admit I was very sceptical when this announced and though for me heath ledger will always be the greatest joker ever,phoenix has given us a much different one but one that is still incredibly brilliant and should win him the best actor oscar.
The film focuses on arthur flecks descent into madness as society slowly crumbles around him and he finds out his mother is not what he thought she was.As he begins to become the clown prince of crime be sees that his actions are inspiring the people of gotham to go out dressed as clowns and riot in the city.
A mention must go to robert de niro as well,following on from his immense performance in the Irishman he gives us yet another as talk show host murray franklin.That grisly ending that sees joker shoot and kill franklin live on his talk show has to be seen to be believed.
An incredible piece of film making.
The film focuses on arthur flecks descent into madness as society slowly crumbles around him and he finds out his mother is not what he thought she was.As he begins to become the clown prince of crime be sees that his actions are inspiring the people of gotham to go out dressed as clowns and riot in the city.
A mention must go to robert de niro as well,following on from his immense performance in the Irishman he gives us yet another as talk show host murray franklin.That grisly ending that sees joker shoot and kill franklin live on his talk show has to be seen to be believed.
An incredible piece of film making.
Awix (3310 KP) rated A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) in Movies
Feb 3, 2020
Inarguable indicator of cultural hegemony (movie built around an entirely US-centric cultural figure manages to get an international release) also turns out to be an impressive and moving drama. Cynical and misanthropic journalist is assigned to interview beloved children's TV host and font of decent folksy wisdom. Can the power of niceness conquer all?
Movie inevitably loses a lot of its resonance for a viewer who only became aware of Fred Rogers and his TV show a short while ago, but this is still a charming and imaginative film. Just how much of it is actually true is probably one of those questions best not asked, but Hanks gives a brilliant performance, somehow managing not to come across as incredibly cheesy, while - in a less showy role - Matthew Rhys is also extremely good as the journalist. If you take away the slightly surreal Fred Rogers elements this is basically just another drama about someone working out his issues with his father, but it's a highly impressive one.
Movie inevitably loses a lot of its resonance for a viewer who only became aware of Fred Rogers and his TV show a short while ago, but this is still a charming and imaginative film. Just how much of it is actually true is probably one of those questions best not asked, but Hanks gives a brilliant performance, somehow managing not to come across as incredibly cheesy, while - in a less showy role - Matthew Rhys is also extremely good as the journalist. If you take away the slightly surreal Fred Rogers elements this is basically just another drama about someone working out his issues with his father, but it's a highly impressive one.