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One August Night
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'Excellent as ever. Victoria Hislop at her best.' Reader review 'Within a few pages I was back in...
Nick Friesen (96 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
Jul 16, 2017
Tom Holland nails awkward teenage Peter Parker (4 more)
Excellent continuity with the MCU
The Vulture is a compelling villain
Marisa Tomei, obviously
Sarcastic, Funny Tony Stark Returns!
Peter Parker Done Right for Once!
Spider-Man: Homecoming is the perfect movie to kick off the character's triumphant addition to the MCU. I don't know exactly what kind of magic Disney worked out with Sony, but damn does it feel good. The Marvel execs know exactly how to handle the character, unlike Sony, and Sony still gets to rake in the cash from Marvel's hottest property. Spider-Man in the MCU is a huge win-win for everyone involved, but most importantly for the fans. Tom Holland plays Peter Parker/Spider-Man just as he should be, an awkward teenager still coming to grips with and refining his powers. He quips while fighting, running his mouth as a teenager with power would. Outside his costume, though, he is much more reserved. He is so uncomfortable just being himself, Peter Parker, and that fact is so integral to the character. Spider-Man has finally been perfected in live-action film, and Homecoming left me smiling and eager for Spidey to join the larger MCU conflicts once again.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
In the second installment of the Mortal Instruments series Clare weaves a tale of love and betrayal and I loved every second of it! This book picks up where the first left off...Clary's mother is still in a coma in a NY hospital. Clary is desperate to get her back, but she has been plunged headfirst into the world of Shadowhunters. Luke is still trying to protect her & Jace is still smolderingly sexy.
Valentine is still lurking in every shadow that surrounds Jace & Clary. He is slowly working his way into their lives. The climax of the book is a HUGE battle on Valentine's ship in the East River which pits some of the Clave against Valentine's demon army. Of course the consequences of the battle impact all involved, none as much as Simon, Clary, & Jace...a love triangle that may just outmatch that between Edward, Bella, & Jacob.
I have to say the ending leaves you hanging in such a way that if you don't already have Book 3 on your shelf, you will feel the compelling urge to go hunt it down & devour it before you even leave the bookstore. Fortunately for me, it is on my shelf & is calling my name!
Valentine is still lurking in every shadow that surrounds Jace & Clary. He is slowly working his way into their lives. The climax of the book is a HUGE battle on Valentine's ship in the East River which pits some of the Clave against Valentine's demon army. Of course the consequences of the battle impact all involved, none as much as Simon, Clary, & Jace...a love triangle that may just outmatch that between Edward, Bella, & Jacob.
I have to say the ending leaves you hanging in such a way that if you don't already have Book 3 on your shelf, you will feel the compelling urge to go hunt it down & devour it before you even leave the bookstore. Fortunately for me, it is on my shelf & is calling my name!
Ross (3284 KP) rated 13 Reasons Why - Season 2 in TV
Mar 29, 2019
More compelling, deep teen drama
The second series follows a similar format to the first - where the first series focused on a different character's tape, and therefore that person's role in Hannah's suicide; this series uses each character's testimony in a trial against the school. Some of the story of the first series is shown to have been one person's side of the story, others are expanded on and shown to be very different.
Each episode is enjoyable and gripping. You start to hate some characters less; others even more, and some you really want something terrible to happen to.
The final episode gives an insight into the upcoming third series, with one character returning to school after some behavioural issues and trying to settle back in.
The series really shows the impact that decisions made by those in charge of a school, and how they react to issues, can have much wider impacts. No longer are we just thinking about how these things affected Hannah and made her decide to kill herself, but how they impact the mental health of those around her, how the authorities' inability to deal with those issues can snowball and how futile their attempts to react to crises are.
Each episode is enjoyable and gripping. You start to hate some characters less; others even more, and some you really want something terrible to happen to.
The final episode gives an insight into the upcoming third series, with one character returning to school after some behavioural issues and trying to settle back in.
The series really shows the impact that decisions made by those in charge of a school, and how they react to issues, can have much wider impacts. No longer are we just thinking about how these things affected Hannah and made her decide to kill herself, but how they impact the mental health of those around her, how the authorities' inability to deal with those issues can snowball and how futile their attempts to react to crises are.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) in Movies
Apr 27, 2019 (Updated Apr 27, 2019)
Still more dinosaurs...
I'm not sure what a 5th "Jurassic" film can say that wasn't said in the previous 4 films, but they tried anyways.
After a volcano spews hot lava and ash on the original Jurassic island, humanity is left with the choice whether to save the prehistoric beasts or let them become extinct again maybe as it was supposed to be.
One of John Hammond's original partners is involved in trying to relocate several species from the dying island to a new home where they can be free of tourists and left to live their lives out in peace. Of course evil animal poachers seeking to weaponize the ferocious beasts intervene and only Chris Pratt (overrated) and Bryce Dallas Howard (not sure if she wore high heels the entire film this time) are here to stop them.
Not enough new material here to keep the film exciting and fresh. The same people running, getting eaten, etc is present here and I was bored.
Some cool visuals during the first half with our heroes trying to escape the volcanic habitat were compelling, however, the second half was way too predictable and not very exciting.
This franchise should now become extinct.
After a volcano spews hot lava and ash on the original Jurassic island, humanity is left with the choice whether to save the prehistoric beasts or let them become extinct again maybe as it was supposed to be.
One of John Hammond's original partners is involved in trying to relocate several species from the dying island to a new home where they can be free of tourists and left to live their lives out in peace. Of course evil animal poachers seeking to weaponize the ferocious beasts intervene and only Chris Pratt (overrated) and Bryce Dallas Howard (not sure if she wore high heels the entire film this time) are here to stop them.
Not enough new material here to keep the film exciting and fresh. The same people running, getting eaten, etc is present here and I was bored.
Some cool visuals during the first half with our heroes trying to escape the volcanic habitat were compelling, however, the second half was way too predictable and not very exciting.
This franchise should now become extinct.
Scarlett doesn't remember anything before the age of four, which she doesn't find too unsettling, until, as a teen, a car accident jars her memory and makes her start wondering what happened to her as a kid. Around the same time as her accident, Scarlett meets Noah, a new kid to town, and falls for him immediately. Noah tries to help Scarlett remember her past, but does he have her best intentions at heart?
Not really sure how to explain this book. The story itself is odd - another quick teenage romance, with a cult thrown in! However, it is oddly compelling in its own strange way - I read the book in about a day or so. The writing is rather silly and disjointed at times and the plot seems unbelievable. It's not even the cult aspect, per se. It seems weird that Scarlett focuses so much on not being able to remember things before the age of four (is that really so strange)? The end of the book ties up awfully easily, without much semblance or adherence to legal niceties. All in all, while the book moves quickly, not sure it's worth that little amount of time.
(Note: I received an copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)
Not really sure how to explain this book. The story itself is odd - another quick teenage romance, with a cult thrown in! However, it is oddly compelling in its own strange way - I read the book in about a day or so. The writing is rather silly and disjointed at times and the plot seems unbelievable. It's not even the cult aspect, per se. It seems weird that Scarlett focuses so much on not being able to remember things before the age of four (is that really so strange)? The end of the book ties up awfully easily, without much semblance or adherence to legal niceties. All in all, while the book moves quickly, not sure it's worth that little amount of time.
(Note: I received an copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Unbroken in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Considering that this book has been out for quite a while, and the movie has already hit theaters, I am going to assume that anyone who is interested is already aware of the plot. And I am going to guess there isn't really much left to say about this rather popular book that hasn't already been said, so just let me say that if you haven't read it yet, you really should. While primarily being about Louis Zamperini, it does touch on the lives of other soldiers on both sides of the war to varying levels of detail, which really helps one to understand the mindsets of those involved, a necessary achievement when dealing with some of the atrocities committed in these pages. And those atrocities are quite shocking. A lot of attention has been given to what the Germans did during World War II (and rightly so), but very few of us really know about some of the shocking violence carried out by the Japanese. This is an important chapter of world history that we all should remember, and it is told here in a very compelling style that should make it easy to get into for anyone. One of the best non-fiction stories of recent years.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Annihilation (2018) in Movies
Jul 2, 2018
Heavy sci-fi greatness!
Let me start by saying I love movies love 2001: A Space Odyssey, Memento, Under the Skin, even The Holy Mountain or The Fountain. In other words, movies that are nonlinear, vague, ambiguous or maybe lack a large amount of point.
That being said, based on reviews and some I had read I had kind of expected this to be a crossbreed of The Mist and Aliens and it was kind of that, but so much more.
I love "heavy" sci-fi like Solaris, 2001, Interstellar, movies that make you think and just aren't about explosions and CGI. This movie does have exceptional visuals and the music score is amazing, but the story and ideas here are very compelling and not something you see in most movies made nowadays.
I am not putting down those who disliked the film, I love a great movie debate and respect others' opinions. I just thought this movie is exceptionally unique and striking both visually and emotionally.
I was really invested in the story and couldn't wait to see how it turned out.
If you love movies that are out there, give this one a shot.
That being said, based on reviews and some I had read I had kind of expected this to be a crossbreed of The Mist and Aliens and it was kind of that, but so much more.
I love "heavy" sci-fi like Solaris, 2001, Interstellar, movies that make you think and just aren't about explosions and CGI. This movie does have exceptional visuals and the music score is amazing, but the story and ideas here are very compelling and not something you see in most movies made nowadays.
I am not putting down those who disliked the film, I love a great movie debate and respect others' opinions. I just thought this movie is exceptionally unique and striking both visually and emotionally.
I was really invested in the story and couldn't wait to see how it turned out.
If you love movies that are out there, give this one a shot.
Sarah (126 KP) rated Safe - Season 1 in TV
Jul 30, 2018
Good, with a but...
I binged watched this in one day - the series comprises (I think) of 8 episodes of about 45 minutes each (I'm pet sitting and it was Sunday, so I had very little else to do!).
I had reservations about an American being cast in the lead role of an English drama, as I often find that the accents can be quite jarring, however, for the most part it was actually very convincing. I was worried, in the first episode, that it was going to be full of misplaced Americanisms when the middle class English doctor proclaimed "My bad", but again, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this wasn't the case.
The story was definitely compelling and well-acted, but I did find that there were a few too many close-ups of people being moody for no particular reason, apparently in order to 'set the scene'.
Sadly, the characters are rather cliched, and there are too many sub-plots/side stories which are not really necessary to the plot and which detract from the overall story, in my opinion.
In short, I would say it's worth a watch and is certainly not bad, but is let down by maybe trying too hard.
I had reservations about an American being cast in the lead role of an English drama, as I often find that the accents can be quite jarring, however, for the most part it was actually very convincing. I was worried, in the first episode, that it was going to be full of misplaced Americanisms when the middle class English doctor proclaimed "My bad", but again, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this wasn't the case.
The story was definitely compelling and well-acted, but I did find that there were a few too many close-ups of people being moody for no particular reason, apparently in order to 'set the scene'.
Sadly, the characters are rather cliched, and there are too many sub-plots/side stories which are not really necessary to the plot and which detract from the overall story, in my opinion.
In short, I would say it's worth a watch and is certainly not bad, but is let down by maybe trying too hard.
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated Looking for Alex in Books
Oct 1, 2018
MoMo Book Diary is pleased to recommend this well written intriguing drama as a 4* emotional read.
Marian Dillon’s Looking for Alex grabbed me from the first time I read the synopsis and the plot had me hooked, to the point I sat up until the early hours reading to discover what happened next.
The story is about two friends Beth and Alex, their friendship and the dynamics of their relationship. I felt the flitting between present day and flashbacks to 1970s interrupted the flow of the story but the compelling characters held my interest. The author described the locations vividly and cleverly transports the reader through time and place.
I was gripped more by the present day chapters as the flashbacks were much slower paced.
The author sympathetically captures the turmoil of the teenage years and relationships formed in shaping our adult lives.
Great writing by a great author. When I was asked by Marian Dillon to read and review her book I was not aware of her or her books. I am thankful for the opportunity to read this very talented author and look forward to reading more of Marian Dillon.
Review also published on www.momobookdiary.com and www.amazon.co.uk
Marian Dillon’s Looking for Alex grabbed me from the first time I read the synopsis and the plot had me hooked, to the point I sat up until the early hours reading to discover what happened next.
The story is about two friends Beth and Alex, their friendship and the dynamics of their relationship. I felt the flitting between present day and flashbacks to 1970s interrupted the flow of the story but the compelling characters held my interest. The author described the locations vividly and cleverly transports the reader through time and place.
I was gripped more by the present day chapters as the flashbacks were much slower paced.
The author sympathetically captures the turmoil of the teenage years and relationships formed in shaping our adult lives.
Great writing by a great author. When I was asked by Marian Dillon to read and review her book I was not aware of her or her books. I am thankful for the opportunity to read this very talented author and look forward to reading more of Marian Dillon.
Review also published on www.momobookdiary.com and www.amazon.co.uk