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LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Blood Machines (2019) in Movies
Aug 15, 2020
Blood Machines is essentially a glorified music video for French synthwave outfit Carpenter Brut. That's not something that automatically de-credits the project of course, and sci-fi fans will undoubtedly get a kick out of it.
Aesthetically, Blood Machines looks pretty stunning. The entire 50 minute runtime is bursting with colour, and is visually impressive. The settings are truly otherworldly.
The screenplay and to a certain extent the plot, take a backseat. The dialogue is frequently silly (possibly intentional) and doesn't really offer much - I actually think it could have benefited from no dialogue at all - but the makers hope to distract from this with naked women adorning upside down crucifixes across their torsos. Nothing like a bit of nudity mixed with anti-religious symbolism to fill up the "edgy" quota after all.
I actually saw Carpenter Brut at Arctangent in 2019, completely unaware of who they were, and honestly had a great time. Their music is heavily inspired by 80s movies, and the visuals they use in their live performances reflect that. Here, their music adds to the experience of Blood Machines in spades, and a big part of why I enjoyed it.
If you have an hour to kill and like Sci-Fi, then I would encourage you to check out Blood Machines. It's not revolutionary but it's entertaining enough for what it's is.
Aesthetically, Blood Machines looks pretty stunning. The entire 50 minute runtime is bursting with colour, and is visually impressive. The settings are truly otherworldly.
The screenplay and to a certain extent the plot, take a backseat. The dialogue is frequently silly (possibly intentional) and doesn't really offer much - I actually think it could have benefited from no dialogue at all - but the makers hope to distract from this with naked women adorning upside down crucifixes across their torsos. Nothing like a bit of nudity mixed with anti-religious symbolism to fill up the "edgy" quota after all.
I actually saw Carpenter Brut at Arctangent in 2019, completely unaware of who they were, and honestly had a great time. Their music is heavily inspired by 80s movies, and the visuals they use in their live performances reflect that. Here, their music adds to the experience of Blood Machines in spades, and a big part of why I enjoyed it.
If you have an hour to kill and like Sci-Fi, then I would encourage you to check out Blood Machines. It's not revolutionary but it's entertaining enough for what it's is.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Moana (2016) in Movies
May 12, 2020
Ive said it before and I'll say it again - I'm not a fan of musicals, and Moana isn't a film that's going to change my mind on that. However, as it's goes with Disney more often or not, there's plenty of good stuff here that make it an enjoyable adventure.
It has a decent and easy to follow plot, and a strong female lead for a start. The titular character is easy to like and root for, as are all the characters come to think of it. Dwayne Johnson's character Maui starts off as a douche but he's not so bad by the end.
The whole film looks incredible. The animation is bursting with colour, the water in particular looks great. There are some great set pieces that take full advantage of this - especially the neon drenched scene with Tamatoa, and the films climax looks fantastic as well.
The musical numbers just didn't do anything for me. I didn't hate any of the songs (the 'I AM MOANAAA' bit was pretty badass), but it's mostly just little too cheesy for my taste, much like Frozen was.
Overall though, Moana is a pretty good time, with a nice Disney approved moral heart, and I'm sure it will stand up alongside the many other Disney classics for years to come.
It has a decent and easy to follow plot, and a strong female lead for a start. The titular character is easy to like and root for, as are all the characters come to think of it. Dwayne Johnson's character Maui starts off as a douche but he's not so bad by the end.
The whole film looks incredible. The animation is bursting with colour, the water in particular looks great. There are some great set pieces that take full advantage of this - especially the neon drenched scene with Tamatoa, and the films climax looks fantastic as well.
The musical numbers just didn't do anything for me. I didn't hate any of the songs (the 'I AM MOANAAA' bit was pretty badass), but it's mostly just little too cheesy for my taste, much like Frozen was.
Overall though, Moana is a pretty good time, with a nice Disney approved moral heart, and I'm sure it will stand up alongside the many other Disney classics for years to come.
Belonging: the Story of the Jews, 1492-1900
Book
The Jewish story is a history that is about, and for, all of us. And in our own time of anxious...
History Religion
IMPOSSIBLE ROAD
Games
App
IMPOSSIBLE ROAD is a pure, minimal arcade game about risk, reward, and rollercoasters. "9/10" -...
Louis Wain - The Man Who Drew Cats
Book
Louis Wain, as the title of this book succinctly sums him up, was the man who drew cats. Indeed he...
Shelfie Stacker
10.0
Rate It
Tabletop Game
So you’ve picked up a new game, eh? Or did you finally get your eager hands on that expansion...
10 more than, 10 less than
Education
App
More than less than is a game designed for the primary age-range. It aims to develop knowledge and...
ClareR (5726 KP) rated We Are Not Like Them in Books
Mar 28, 2022
We Are Not Like Them is a really timely novel about racism in America.
Jen (white) and Riley (black) have grown up together, and are like sisters. Colour has never been an issue between the two of them. But when Jen’s Police Officer husband is involved in the shooting of a black teenaged boy, and Riley is given the job of covering the story as a TV reporter, things become difficult and strained between them. Is their past enough to keep the friendship going? I did wonder on many occasions throughout the book.
Themes include racism, prejudice, white privilege and police brutality. It’s a pretty hard-hitting book, and could be set anywhere in the US at the moment. We have our own issues and institutional racism to deal with in the UK, and it was interesting to see how this panned out. I did think that Riley worried more about Jen. Jen was completely wrapped up in her own problems, using Riley as someone to lean on, whilst not being at all curious about Riley’s feelings on what had happened to the boy. But then, Jen has some pretty huge things going on in her life, too.
I can see this being an ideal book for a book club - so much is going on, there’s so much to unpick.
It’s a powerful novel. Recommended.
Jen (white) and Riley (black) have grown up together, and are like sisters. Colour has never been an issue between the two of them. But when Jen’s Police Officer husband is involved in the shooting of a black teenaged boy, and Riley is given the job of covering the story as a TV reporter, things become difficult and strained between them. Is their past enough to keep the friendship going? I did wonder on many occasions throughout the book.
Themes include racism, prejudice, white privilege and police brutality. It’s a pretty hard-hitting book, and could be set anywhere in the US at the moment. We have our own issues and institutional racism to deal with in the UK, and it was interesting to see how this panned out. I did think that Riley worried more about Jen. Jen was completely wrapped up in her own problems, using Riley as someone to lean on, whilst not being at all curious about Riley’s feelings on what had happened to the boy. But then, Jen has some pretty huge things going on in her life, too.
I can see this being an ideal book for a book club - so much is going on, there’s so much to unpick.
It’s a powerful novel. Recommended.
Merissa (12055 KP) rated As The Secrets Turn (My Darkest Secret #3) in Books
Mar 1, 2023
AS THE SECRETS TURN is the third and final book in this trilogy although there are spin-offs in the making. We start with Madi and Justin on their way to be married. One thing after another makes Madi doubt if it is the right time.
The story is woven nicely from beginning to end, although I did find certain phrases repeated throughout - for example, the colour of her skin against his. Some of the events also seemed a little hard to swallow but they fitted in with the rest of the book. Other happenings were very true to life and made me smile.
I found this book to be a fitting conclusion to Madi and Justin's story, showcasing the hardships and trials Madi has been through and showing her strength and durability, her willingness to fight for those who can't, and how, above all, she is a survivor.
Although you don't have to have read books 1 and 2, I do think it worthwhile to do so, just so you get the full benefit of the complete story arc. Recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The story is woven nicely from beginning to end, although I did find certain phrases repeated throughout - for example, the colour of her skin against his. Some of the events also seemed a little hard to swallow but they fitted in with the rest of the book. Other happenings were very true to life and made me smile.
I found this book to be a fitting conclusion to Madi and Justin's story, showcasing the hardships and trials Madi has been through and showing her strength and durability, her willingness to fight for those who can't, and how, above all, she is a survivor.
Although you don't have to have read books 1 and 2, I do think it worthwhile to do so, just so you get the full benefit of the complete story arc. Recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!