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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Wrath of the Gods (The Titan's Saga, #2) in Books
Jan 10, 2021
I've borrowed this from the KU Library.
This starts a few months after the events of the last book. Maisey is trying to get on with life after being left by Cronus but it's hard to forget him when she fell hard for him in the time they were together and she's still wearing the necklace that holds some of the sins. When Hyperion comes back to get her so they can capture another sin, she's thrown straight back into the chaotic life of the Titans - and into Cronus' arms.
I did enjoy this one but not as much as the first. The relationship between Maisey and Cronus quickly went back to full throttle and I'll admit that I did get a little attached to them as a couple - so much so that I did have a few tears at the end. We meet more Titans - a race of Gods I don't know much about, really, apart from the fact that they were the parents of the Greek ones - and see their powers in action as they try to bring the last five/six sins back under control and into the necklace that Maisey wears. I think Cronus and Hyperion are my favourite Gods in this series.
The #hashtags were once again used annoyingly a little too often throughout the book and I started ignoring them after a while. They weren't adding anything to the story for me.
I can't decide whether to read book 3 or not. It's the last book in the series and I'm hoping that Maisey and Cronus will have some sort of HEA but I also can't say I'm that interested in how this particular series is going to end... I don't know. I did struggle at times with this one, preferring to do other things than finish this, but like I've already mentioned I am a little invested in Maisey and Cronus. Gah! Undecided...
This starts a few months after the events of the last book. Maisey is trying to get on with life after being left by Cronus but it's hard to forget him when she fell hard for him in the time they were together and she's still wearing the necklace that holds some of the sins. When Hyperion comes back to get her so they can capture another sin, she's thrown straight back into the chaotic life of the Titans - and into Cronus' arms.
I did enjoy this one but not as much as the first. The relationship between Maisey and Cronus quickly went back to full throttle and I'll admit that I did get a little attached to them as a couple - so much so that I did have a few tears at the end. We meet more Titans - a race of Gods I don't know much about, really, apart from the fact that they were the parents of the Greek ones - and see their powers in action as they try to bring the last five/six sins back under control and into the necklace that Maisey wears. I think Cronus and Hyperion are my favourite Gods in this series.
The #hashtags were once again used annoyingly a little too often throughout the book and I started ignoring them after a while. They weren't adding anything to the story for me.
I can't decide whether to read book 3 or not. It's the last book in the series and I'm hoping that Maisey and Cronus will have some sort of HEA but I also can't say I'm that interested in how this particular series is going to end... I don't know. I did struggle at times with this one, preferring to do other things than finish this, but like I've already mentioned I am a little invested in Maisey and Cronus. Gah! Undecided...
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) in Movies
Aug 16, 2020
Luck was not with me when it came to seeing this, I turned down an opportunity to see it and then Rona cancelled the ticket I booked for it. I finally managed to see it on one of the many free trials for streaming services I picked up while I was confined to the house.
Marianne is hired to paint a wedding portrait of Héloïse in secret after a failed attempt has left her against the whole idea. Marianne is presented as a companion and spends her days observing the bride to be before taking to her chamber to paint at night. As her deadline approaches the pair's bond goes from strength to strength despite their future being set in stone.
Portrait is simple in so many ways and yet utterly complex. Set mostly in a desolate island location in a large family home you would expect to have the ornate and busy look of a period drama, but this is the unfussiest film I've seen in this genre. There's no clutter, no excess characters, no frivolous dialogue or scenes, their relationship is all that needs to be focused on, everything else just happens to be there.
It's difficult to describe how this film made me feel, it's serene even in the chaotic moments and I keep finding myself at a loss when it comes to putting that down in words.
I could gush on about Portrait for ages but I don't want to take away from you seeing it, the fact is that it's breathtaking. The shots, the dynamics of the cast, the fact that the film doesn't need filler... I was unsure going in (even though I wanted to watch it) but by the end I was a devastated wreck who wanted to see it all over again.
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2020/08/portrait-of-lady-on-fire-movie-review.html
Marianne is hired to paint a wedding portrait of Héloïse in secret after a failed attempt has left her against the whole idea. Marianne is presented as a companion and spends her days observing the bride to be before taking to her chamber to paint at night. As her deadline approaches the pair's bond goes from strength to strength despite their future being set in stone.
Portrait is simple in so many ways and yet utterly complex. Set mostly in a desolate island location in a large family home you would expect to have the ornate and busy look of a period drama, but this is the unfussiest film I've seen in this genre. There's no clutter, no excess characters, no frivolous dialogue or scenes, their relationship is all that needs to be focused on, everything else just happens to be there.
It's difficult to describe how this film made me feel, it's serene even in the chaotic moments and I keep finding myself at a loss when it comes to putting that down in words.
I could gush on about Portrait for ages but I don't want to take away from you seeing it, the fact is that it's breathtaking. The shots, the dynamics of the cast, the fact that the film doesn't need filler... I was unsure going in (even though I wanted to watch it) but by the end I was a devastated wreck who wanted to see it all over again.
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2020/08/portrait-of-lady-on-fire-movie-review.html
Blueprint 3D
Games
App
AN ENTIRELY NEW GAMING EXPERIENCE **USA TODAY: Rating: 4 stars (out of 4) "In the crowded market...
Tomb Raider (2018)
6.8
Rate It
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Lara Croft is the fiercely independent daughter of an eccentric adventurer who vanished when she was...
action adventure
Blueprint 3D HD
Games
App
AN ENTIRELY NEW GAMING EXPERIENCE **USA TODAY: Rating: 4 stars (out of 4) "In the crowded market...
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Escape Room: Tournament of Champions (2021) in Movies
Mar 6, 2022
Did the first film need a sequel? Probably not.
Having found their way out of their escape room, Zoey and Ben decide to investigate the mysterious corporation behind their ordeal. In their quest for the truth, they find themselves pulled into another maze of escape rooms with other survivors of Minos.
As far as the plot goes on this, a fair bit is just new rooms to escape. And at this point we're potentially just in an eternal spiral of Escape Room films.
Though these characters all have something in common, they could not be more different. And while that's totally legitimate, it also makes the film very busy. Given the nature of the action as well, it's a lot more chaotic than I was comfortable with.
The acting is sadly, entirely average. At certain points, the ridiculous deductive powers of the group felt even more nonsensical than they would have been under normal circumstances. It was very much a snowball of acting, plot and script.
Despite the similarities, I did like the rooms that we came across. (By that I mean they're fine when you suspend several layers of belief and logic.) Some of the effects looked particularly good in them, and the transitions within the beach scene stood out for me.
What I don't like is the potential neverending spiral I mentioned. The first film was enjoyable, but I'm not sure it really warranted a second. Is there a plan? Because why would you jump straight to this point? You had four other people with stories that could have been explored before jumping back in with the same two characters from the first film, I'm a little baffled as to why, if you're going to copy and paste, you wouldn't transfer it directly, get four other films out of it before combining the world.
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2022/03/escape-room-2-movie-review.html
Having found their way out of their escape room, Zoey and Ben decide to investigate the mysterious corporation behind their ordeal. In their quest for the truth, they find themselves pulled into another maze of escape rooms with other survivors of Minos.
As far as the plot goes on this, a fair bit is just new rooms to escape. And at this point we're potentially just in an eternal spiral of Escape Room films.
Though these characters all have something in common, they could not be more different. And while that's totally legitimate, it also makes the film very busy. Given the nature of the action as well, it's a lot more chaotic than I was comfortable with.
The acting is sadly, entirely average. At certain points, the ridiculous deductive powers of the group felt even more nonsensical than they would have been under normal circumstances. It was very much a snowball of acting, plot and script.
Despite the similarities, I did like the rooms that we came across. (By that I mean they're fine when you suspend several layers of belief and logic.) Some of the effects looked particularly good in them, and the transitions within the beach scene stood out for me.
What I don't like is the potential neverending spiral I mentioned. The first film was enjoyable, but I'm not sure it really warranted a second. Is there a plan? Because why would you jump straight to this point? You had four other people with stories that could have been explored before jumping back in with the same two characters from the first film, I'm a little baffled as to why, if you're going to copy and paste, you wouldn't transfer it directly, get four other films out of it before combining the world.
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2022/03/escape-room-2-movie-review.html
The Heart of a Hussar (The Winged Warrior #1)
Book
Poland is at war. He must choose between his lifelong ambition and his heart. Exploiting...
Historical Fiction Polish Winged Hussars
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated X (2022) (2022) in Movies
Mar 22, 2022
Ti West has been gruesomely carving his name into the horror genre for a little while now, but with X, it feels like everything is really falling into place. It's a snappy, funny, unnerving, visceral, and chaotic ride that is easy to get lost in.
Despite it's fast moving narrative, it still finds time to slowly build its tension. Even before shit goes south, and everyone's having a bloody lovely time snorting cocaine and filming porn, something just feels off, to an almost unbearable degree.
Creepy, elderly antagonists have been done before, but the villains of the piece here have a well realised soft edge to them in the form of their relationship. There's some touching moments between them (as well as some gross ones), and it very much drives home the point that getting old sucks, and there's definitely a sliver of sympathy in there somewhere in between all the stabbing and nastiness.
The main group of protagonists are all a joy to watch on screen and are all pretty likable. Mia Goth is superb in her dual role, and it's great to see Jenna Ortega furthering a promising career in horror. The whole cast are decent and sell the unfolding madness with aplomb.
It's beautifully shot as well, from the opening scene, to the moment the credits roll, every frame feels like it's been slaved over with a great degree of passion. There's homages everywhere you look, the most obvious of course, being The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, from its setting and general vibe, to the very arthouse style that the film is presented in. It's really quite a treat to look at.
The more slasher side of things eventually takes over, and proceedings do become relatively predictable, but by that point, the film has descended into a crazy, gory, good time, and it's hard to care about any slight misgivings.
In short, X is a fucking blast and is well worth making a cinema trip for any fans of the genre. Don't sleep on it!
Despite it's fast moving narrative, it still finds time to slowly build its tension. Even before shit goes south, and everyone's having a bloody lovely time snorting cocaine and filming porn, something just feels off, to an almost unbearable degree.
Creepy, elderly antagonists have been done before, but the villains of the piece here have a well realised soft edge to them in the form of their relationship. There's some touching moments between them (as well as some gross ones), and it very much drives home the point that getting old sucks, and there's definitely a sliver of sympathy in there somewhere in between all the stabbing and nastiness.
The main group of protagonists are all a joy to watch on screen and are all pretty likable. Mia Goth is superb in her dual role, and it's great to see Jenna Ortega furthering a promising career in horror. The whole cast are decent and sell the unfolding madness with aplomb.
It's beautifully shot as well, from the opening scene, to the moment the credits roll, every frame feels like it's been slaved over with a great degree of passion. There's homages everywhere you look, the most obvious of course, being The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, from its setting and general vibe, to the very arthouse style that the film is presented in. It's really quite a treat to look at.
The more slasher side of things eventually takes over, and proceedings do become relatively predictable, but by that point, the film has descended into a crazy, gory, good time, and it's hard to care about any slight misgivings.
In short, X is a fucking blast and is well worth making a cinema trip for any fans of the genre. Don't sleep on it!
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT introduces Charley Davidson, the Grim Reaper who also works as a private investigator. She's a smart-ass, chaotic, accident-prone, knows exactly who she is, and has some serious attitude -- she'll never win Miss Congeniality, but Charley also has heart and humanity. I like her, she has enough depth to sympathize with and enough grit to make me root for her, while showing the right amounts of strength and vulnerability to be realistic. If I had to choose a grim reaper and it was between her and Callie Reaper-Jones from Amber Benson's series ([b:Death's Daughter|6354365|Death's Daughter (Calliope Reaper-Jones, #1)|Amber Benson|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lRt2VmaCL._SL75_.jpg|4632897]), I'd definitely pick Charley. And did I mention she names her "unmentionables"? Of which I found hilarious, although maybe not everyone will.
There are two major plot lines involved within the covers: the murder of three lawyers and how it ties into an innocent man and the mysterious entity who steams up Charley's dreams with some hot, hot action (and isn't as stalkerish as it sounds from the description). While the former seems to become an afterthought by the end, it ties up rather nicely, even if it's rather abrupt in comparison to how it's paced at the beginning. Though it is the other plot that is the more intriguing of the two and kept me reading so I could find out what happened next. I'm happy with how it ended and the author did a good job leaving me wanting to know more. The writing is capable, even if there was some redundancy of certain phrases and words, but it got better the further into the story I got. The book is bursting with sarcasm, which I love, and there's rarely a passage that doesn't have one snarky little morsel included. I hope future entries in the series will expand some of the other characters that are glossed over, but overall, this was a blast to read. If you're looking for a fast, fun piece of brain-candy, look no further, pop into this for a sweet treat. Also, kudos to whoever chose the cover, it captures the book perfectly.
3.5 stars
There are two major plot lines involved within the covers: the murder of three lawyers and how it ties into an innocent man and the mysterious entity who steams up Charley's dreams with some hot, hot action (and isn't as stalkerish as it sounds from the description). While the former seems to become an afterthought by the end, it ties up rather nicely, even if it's rather abrupt in comparison to how it's paced at the beginning. Though it is the other plot that is the more intriguing of the two and kept me reading so I could find out what happened next. I'm happy with how it ended and the author did a good job leaving me wanting to know more. The writing is capable, even if there was some redundancy of certain phrases and words, but it got better the further into the story I got. The book is bursting with sarcasm, which I love, and there's rarely a passage that doesn't have one snarky little morsel included. I hope future entries in the series will expand some of the other characters that are glossed over, but overall, this was a blast to read. If you're looking for a fast, fun piece of brain-candy, look no further, pop into this for a sweet treat. Also, kudos to whoever chose the cover, it captures the book perfectly.
3.5 stars