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Star Trek - Nemesis (2002)
Star Trek - Nemesis (2002)
2002 | Action, Sci-Fi
This film should have worked. They had four years to work up the film: the biggest gap between movies in the series to date. The sets and special effects deployed are a notable improvement on “Insurrection” and are, at times, very impressive. It’s a movie that has personal angst for Picard; an epic space battle; and the death of a major character. And a young Tom Hardy turns in a memorable performance, belying what was to come: it’s interesting that this is only Hardy’s third feature (following his debut in “Black Hawk Down” just the year before!). It’s also a full NINE years before he won the BAFTA Rising Star award!

And yet it’s just not very engaging: I find myself fiddling with my phone while its on, which is never a good sign. Gone are any of the comic asides that have tended to lighten the mood of these films: this is dark and plot-heavy throughout. It’s even got a ‘mind-rape’ scene that is quite disturbing.

Naturally, the Enterprise insurance premium has taken another hammering by the end of the film. You can just imagine the discussion back in space dock… “no mate…” – sucking air in through his front teeth “…that whole front bumper’s gonna have to be replaced, and that’ll cost you a pretty packet”!

Combined with poor marketing and fierce competition (the film opening in the same month as “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”), this ended up with the worse financial performance of any of the Trek movies (in terms of budget to return ratio). And it killed the franchise. The only option was to be a full reboot: something that was to take another seven years to happen.
  
    Mutants

    Mutants

    8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

    Tabletop Game

    In Mutants, 1-4 players have to mix and match genetics to create the ultimate warriors and...

Werewolf By Night (2022)
Werewolf By Night (2022)
2022 | Action, Adventure, Horror
The latest offering from Marvel Studios has arrived and it is a change of pace for the studio as it delves into the darker side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Werewolf By Night is a visually appealing tale that lovingly plays homage to the classic Black and White horror movies of old yet infuses modern content and a touch of humor.

When a group of Monster Hunters is assembled at Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader, the assembled guests are tasked to compete against one another to find a relic and oh yes, content with a deadly monster in the maze as well.

The hunters are informed that they are fair game for one another and the combination of competition and survival promises danger and deadly encounters along the way.

Things are not as they seem as one of the hunters named Jack Russell (Gael Garcia Bernal) has a dark secret or two and when he ends up working with Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly), things get very interesting and deadly.

The show is deeply-enjoyable and makes me wish that this was a series versus a special but I would think that audiences will see some of the characters again in the future. There is a bit more violence than one might expect from the MCU but due to the Black and White filming, it is not as graphic as it could be but still might be more than some younger fans would expect.

Composer Michael Giacchino has done an amazing job with the show as the pacing is solid, the characters are interesting, and the visuals capture the enduring nostalgia of the bygone classics.

I enjoyed the special from start to finish and should be an enjoyable experience not only for Marvel fans but for horror fans everywhere.

 

Look for it on Disney+ on December 7th.
  
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Merissa (12069 KP) rated Restitution (Reagalos #4) in Books

Dec 3, 2021 (Updated Jul 9, 2023)  
Restitution (Reagalos #4)
Restitution (Reagalos #4)
Rebecca Cohen | 2021 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
RESTITUTION is the fourth book in the Reagalos series and brings to a close the story between Lornyc and Methian. You really need to read this as a series, otherwise, it just won't make sense. But then, would you expect it to, if you started at book 4?

Although this is a hard book for Lornyc, it was probably the easiest of the lot for me as the political machinations take a back seat to an epic competition where the prize is to be the Supreme Ruler of Beher.

The relationship between Lornyc and Methian continues to grow, no matter what is thrown at it. The supporting characters are still there, but we hear less of them in this one. The concentration really is on Lornyc and Methian, and I'm so glad it was!

I can't say any of it was a surprise, as such, but I wasn't reading it for surprises this time; just for the excellent standard of story-telling I have come to expect from this author. I had high hopes for Beher. Tolem was a great addition, especially for Cupris, and I hope we see more of them in the future.

This was a brilliant ending to their story, although it has been left WIDE-OPEN for further stories (hint hint - YES, PLEASE!) featuring both Lornyc and Methian and also ALL the other characters.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series from beginning to end, and I just don't think I'm ready to let them go yet. Absolutely 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!
Dec 3, 2021
  
Carnal: The Beast Who Loved Me (Exiled, #1)
Carnal: The Beast Who Loved Me (Exiled, #1)
Victoria Danann | 2016 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Where on earth, or in any dimension, do I start with this book? It is a continuation of the Knights of the Black Swan world but set in a different world, with different characters, beings, and problems. Rosie, the daughter of Litha and Storm, ends up there after she asks "Lally" for somewhere to hide whilst she recovers from Glen leaving her. With firm instructions on just what she can and can't do, Kellareal takes her to the Exiled, where Rosie feels more at home than she is used to. She finds her place and a new love in Carnal.

Wow! This book is simply amazing. I loved every word, it's that simple. Actually, I'm lying because there was a part of it that I couldn't believe, and had to re-read through the tears pouring out of my eyes, but I won't go into any further detail on that!

Rosie's character grows exponentially in this, as she finds her place within the Exiled world. She draws strength and friendship from those who live there, and she becomes a better person for it. There is so much more that I need to see in this Exiled world.

I feel that this is one of the best, if not the best, books that Victoria Danann has written. It is powerful, emotional, funny, action-packed - it has it all. It is always a pleasure to return to the Knights of the Black Swan, but they now have competition in the form of the Exiled. Absolutely, completely and definitely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 15, 2016