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Charlotte (184 KP) rated Zora Books Her Happy Ever After in Books
May 5, 2023
A great read
I thoroughly enjoyed this well written book. It's fun and flirty with some strong primary and secondary characters that support and complement each other. There's lots of different things happening to keep you entertained, two love interests (who would you pick? I know which has my vote!) a little intrigue and a fantastic characters representing a black community of super awesome people. It's refreshing to pick up a book and not have a pretty blonde having a dilemma but an independent black woman with ambition, drive and an advocate for young people of colour to truly be themselves. And to add to this, Zora is a book store owner! She's living every bibliophile's dream.
I thoroughly enjoyed this well written book. It's fun and flirty with some strong primary and secondary characters that support and complement each other. There's lots of different things happening to keep you entertained, two love interests (who would you pick? I know which has my vote!) a little intrigue and a fantastic characters representing a black community of super awesome people. It's refreshing to pick up a book and not have a pretty blonde having a dilemma but an independent black woman with ambition, drive and an advocate for young people of colour to truly be themselves. And to add to this, Zora is a book store owner! She's living every bibliophile's dream.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) in Movies
Nov 5, 2020
Peter Crushing (1 more)
Christopher Lee
The Monster Inside
The Curse of Frankenstein- is a great movie. Hammer films is a excellent studio, cause their brought back the universal monsters and put their own spin on it. And with The Curse of Frankenstein their put their own spin on Frankenstien. And did it work, yes.
The plot: Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) is a brilliant scientist willing to stop at nothing in his quest to reanimate a deceased body. After alienating his longtime friend and partner, Paul Krempe (Robert Urquhart), with his extreme methods, Frankenstein assembles a hideous creature (Christopher Lee) out of dead body parts and succeeds in bringing it to life. But the monster is not as obedient or docile as Frankenstein expected, and it runs amok, resulting in murder and mayhem.
It was Hammer's first colour horror film, and the first of their Frankenstein series.
Professor Patricia MacCormack called it the "first really gory horror film, showing blood and guts in colour".
Peter Cushing, who was then best known for his many high-profile roles in British television, had his first lead part in a movie with this film. Meanwhile, Christopher Lee's casting resulted largely from his height (6' 5"), though Hammer had earlier considered the even taller (6 '7") Bernard Bresslaw for the role.
Unlike the Universal Frankenstein series of the 1930s and 1940s, in which the character of the Monster was the recurring figure while the doctors frequently changed, it is Baron Frankenstein that is the connective character throughout the Hammer series, while the monsters change.
Its a excellent film.
The plot: Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) is a brilliant scientist willing to stop at nothing in his quest to reanimate a deceased body. After alienating his longtime friend and partner, Paul Krempe (Robert Urquhart), with his extreme methods, Frankenstein assembles a hideous creature (Christopher Lee) out of dead body parts and succeeds in bringing it to life. But the monster is not as obedient or docile as Frankenstein expected, and it runs amok, resulting in murder and mayhem.
It was Hammer's first colour horror film, and the first of their Frankenstein series.
Professor Patricia MacCormack called it the "first really gory horror film, showing blood and guts in colour".
Peter Cushing, who was then best known for his many high-profile roles in British television, had his first lead part in a movie with this film. Meanwhile, Christopher Lee's casting resulted largely from his height (6' 5"), though Hammer had earlier considered the even taller (6 '7") Bernard Bresslaw for the role.
Unlike the Universal Frankenstein series of the 1930s and 1940s, in which the character of the Monster was the recurring figure while the doctors frequently changed, it is Baron Frankenstein that is the connective character throughout the Hammer series, while the monsters change.
Its a excellent film.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated King Kwong: Larry Kwong, the China Clipper Who Broke the NHL Colour Barrier in Books
Jan 12, 2018
This book was a really quick read. As a lifelong hockey fan I was fascinated by the story. As a New York Ranger's fan I was appalled I hadn't heard of this before.
[King Kwong: Larry Kwong, the China Clipper Who Broke the NHL Colour Barrier] by [Paula Johanson] is a short well written account of the struggle to make it into the NHL if you weren't of European decent. Larry Kwong was a very skilled player but only got to play one shift in the NHL. This did not dampen his love for hockey as he traveled the world spreading this awesome sport wherever he went. I wish I had this in a paper copy so I could give it to my students to read.
[King Kwong: Larry Kwong, the China Clipper Who Broke the NHL Colour Barrier] by [Paula Johanson] is a short well written account of the struggle to make it into the NHL if you weren't of European decent. Larry Kwong was a very skilled player but only got to play one shift in the NHL. This did not dampen his love for hockey as he traveled the world spreading this awesome sport wherever he went. I wish I had this in a paper copy so I could give it to my students to read.
Kevin Phillipson (9967 KP) rated Doctor Who: The Power of the Daleks in TV
Jun 16, 2019
Patrick troughton (1 more)
Daleks
Contains spoilers, click to show
First of a new era for doctor who first appearance of Patrick troughton as the doctor and his first against the daleks unfortunately was wiped from the archives back in the 70s but for doctor who fans this is the animated version which makes up for the loss. Good story the doctor discovers that the daleks are pretnding to be servants to a human colony on the planet vulcan so they can get power to to take over the colony but no one believes him the daleks show devious side manipulating the colony into trusting them which is a side them we don't see that often . U can also watch this in colour but I prefer it black and White highly recommend
Milleen (47 KP) rated Little Fires Everywhere in Books
Nov 14, 2018
The community of Shaker Heights has been meticulously planned, the curves in the road and the colour of the houses, even the residents within. But now they want to know who started the fires and why?
Elena Richardson has always lived there and now embodies the ideals and values of the neighbourhood. Enter Mia, a single mum to a teenaged girl, nomadically travelling from state to state in an old green car and finally landing squarely in Shaker. The Richardson family are all drawn to the pair, but Elena has reasons to dig deep into Mia’s past. This is a raw observation of two families and their entanglements, Ng adds a backdrop of an adoption battle and questions family values, morals and ethics. A book group must!
Elena Richardson has always lived there and now embodies the ideals and values of the neighbourhood. Enter Mia, a single mum to a teenaged girl, nomadically travelling from state to state in an old green car and finally landing squarely in Shaker. The Richardson family are all drawn to the pair, but Elena has reasons to dig deep into Mia’s past. This is a raw observation of two families and their entanglements, Ng adds a backdrop of an adoption battle and questions family values, morals and ethics. A book group must!
Deborah (162 KP) rated Richard III: The Road to Leicester in Books
Dec 21, 2018
Call, me cynical, but this does feel like a bit of an attempt to cash in on all the interest stirred by the discovery of King Richard's last resting place. It's a pretty short book - around 90 pages of main text with colour plates and gives a brief overview. The problem is that there are lots of errors - the names of Elizabeth Wydevilles eldest children for starters and the rather sensationalist statement that Edward V disappeared into his room in the Tower "never to come out again" - well, he's evidently not still there, so he must have come out one way or another!
If you want something sensible and readable, John Ashdown-Hill is the author to go with IMO.
If you want something sensible and readable, John Ashdown-Hill is the author to go with IMO.
Genesis P-Orridge recommended The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators by The 13th Floor Elevators in Music (curated)
Rick Nielsen recommended Absolutely Free by The Mothers Of Invention in Music (curated)
BeardyJim (611 KP) rated The Harder They Fall (2021) in Movies
Nov 4, 2021
A good old fashioned revenge story (2 more)
The villains are brilliant
Music is very atmospheric
Was skeptical, but enjoyed it!
I was initially skeptical of this film, thinking it was going to be an all black cast just for the sake of it, but I was very wrong!
The film is really enjoyable, and what colour-orientated aspects to it worked really well (the "white town" made me chuckle when I saw it).
The principal cast are all excellent, and I actually found the group of villains to be the most enjoyable to watch (the train heist is great).
Gory, entertaining and often heartfelt, I'd recommend giving it a watch. There aren't any lulls, there are a few twists, and the action is really well-paced and choreographed.
The film is really enjoyable, and what colour-orientated aspects to it worked really well (the "white town" made me chuckle when I saw it).
The principal cast are all excellent, and I actually found the group of villains to be the most enjoyable to watch (the train heist is great).
Gory, entertaining and often heartfelt, I'd recommend giving it a watch. There aren't any lulls, there are a few twists, and the action is really well-paced and choreographed.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Us (2019) in Movies
Dec 15, 2019
The first thing I'll say about Us is just how unnerving it . It's one of those horror films that leaves you with a sense of unease at everyday normal things.
Jordan Peele's second horror offering verges on standard horror tropes, clearly taking influence from horror that had come before, and at times feeling similar in nature to The Strangers, and It Follows, but it's intriguing underneath-the-surface plot and underlying social commentary save it from being just another horror film.
The idea of doppelganger horror has been explored before, but it feels a bit more apt in todays climate, as Peele explores the fear of outsiders, whilst also carrying a message about wealth gaps and the effect of privilege obliviousness.
In doing so, he successfully crafts a family of character we can root for, facing off against 'monsters' that sometimes feel all to familiar.
Lupita Nyong'o in particular is a massive stand out here, playing an inherently good central character, desperately protecting her family against a shadow of herself, who at times come across as relatable.
The plot has a decent amount of depth to it, and I'm glad that the narrative explores beyond the central family.
Jordan Peele's camerawork is fantastic throughout. There are striking shots put forwards from start to finish. He also makes fantastic work of colour... The vibrant setting of Santa Cruz works nicely, and the simple colour setup for The Tethered creates a look that is sure to become iconic in the horror genre.
I found Us to be a hugely enjoyable experience, and between Peele and Ari Aster, the future of horror is looking pretty exciting.
Jordan Peele's second horror offering verges on standard horror tropes, clearly taking influence from horror that had come before, and at times feeling similar in nature to The Strangers, and It Follows, but it's intriguing underneath-the-surface plot and underlying social commentary save it from being just another horror film.
The idea of doppelganger horror has been explored before, but it feels a bit more apt in todays climate, as Peele explores the fear of outsiders, whilst also carrying a message about wealth gaps and the effect of privilege obliviousness.
In doing so, he successfully crafts a family of character we can root for, facing off against 'monsters' that sometimes feel all to familiar.
Lupita Nyong'o in particular is a massive stand out here, playing an inherently good central character, desperately protecting her family against a shadow of herself, who at times come across as relatable.
The plot has a decent amount of depth to it, and I'm glad that the narrative explores beyond the central family.
Jordan Peele's camerawork is fantastic throughout. There are striking shots put forwards from start to finish. He also makes fantastic work of colour... The vibrant setting of Santa Cruz works nicely, and the simple colour setup for The Tethered creates a look that is sure to become iconic in the horror genre.
I found Us to be a hugely enjoyable experience, and between Peele and Ari Aster, the future of horror is looking pretty exciting.