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Andy K (10823 KP) rated Threads (1984) in Movies

Jan 12, 2019

Threads (1984)

1984 | Documentary, Drama

9.0

(4 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Bleak and uncompromising...

I read about this film online and thought it sounded interesting. I had never heard of it but purchased anyways and I was not disappointed.

Maybe some of you British people may remember this film which aired on BBC 2 in 1984 and was basically about what would happen if Britain was caught in the crossfire between the US and USSR and the effects of not only the atomic bombs used, but the torturous unrelenting aftermath. Portions of the 2nd half of the film were reminiscent of scene's from Schindler's List or even a WWII holocaust documentary. The ravages of war make humanity do unspeakable things to each other and this film depicts it all.

The contrast of the "before" and "after" are what are the most striking. How the filmmaker sets a tone at the beginning and then turns everything on its end mid way through. I wasn't entirely sure where it was going or how things would end up; however, I was intrigued throughout.

Watch it if you are able.

Kudos

David McK (3734 KP) rated The Serpent Sword in Books

Jul 7, 2019

The Serpent Sword

Matthew Harffy | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry

7.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

The first entry in Matthew Harffy's Bernicia Chronicles series, which - I have to say - shares more than a few similarities to Bernard Cornwell's 'Last Kingdom' series in that it is set during Dark Ages Britain, with large parts in and around the fortress of Bebbanburg. Sound at all familiar?

When reading this, I had no idea which came first: this, or Cornwell's The Last Kingdom.

Thta's not to set that this novel isn't enjoyable, and that we can't have more than one story set in and about the same time period (indeed, if anything, this is set even earlier than Cornwell's novels, i.e. before the time of Alftred the Great): I did, in fact, quite enjoy this.

Throughout the course of this novel, we follow the exploits and the coming of age of Harffy's main protaganist, Beobrand of Bernicia, from his arrival at the court of King Edwin through his first taste of a battle in a shieldwall, to his time at a Christian Monastery and travels throughout a lawless land before finally settling down (at least, until the next novel!)

Kudos

Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated The Familiars in Books

Mar 11, 2020

The Familiars

Stacey Halls | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Thriller

8.5

(8 Ratings)

Book Rating

I do like a good historic fiction and this one intrigued me as I read the blurb. A pregnant woman who has previously had miscarriages meets a woman who is a midwife, but is also accused of being a witch. This is a story with an underlying theme (or not so underlying) of women striving for more but being trapped by a society run by men who are trying to keep women at a lower status and importance of themselves, while striving to continue to maintain authority and bloodlines. A story of one woman who uses the resources available to her and her intelligence to make situations favour her wants, needs and justices. The Familiars and the concept of The Familiars within the story deemed vague, unimportant and not pressed upon, I'm not entirely sure if their relevance, in comparison to these themes of strong women in a male dominated society of 1600s Britain. If you like Jessie Burton, you will love Stacey Halls! And you will love this!