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David McK (3716 KP) rated Hunting the Eagles: 2: Eagles of Rome in Books
Jan 30, 2019
I actually read this in a busy period, as a sort of on-again-off-again kind of deal amongst a couple of other (shorter, less involved) novels.
This is the second in Ben Kane's 'Eagles of Rome' series, that deals with - in the first novel (Eagles at War) perhaps Rome's most famous defeat of all: that which led (according to legend) the Emperor Augustus Caesar to cry 'Varus, give me back my legions' after that general lost three legions and - horror of horrors! - their eagles in the battle (ambush) of Teutoberg Forest.
This novel follows some key characters from that novel (and survivors of the ambush), from a revolt by the Legionaries through to another battle in a forest/bog land and is told from both the point of view of the Romans and from the German war leader Arminius (who successfully carried out that ambush).
Like the previous entry in the series, Ben Kane's knowledge of the period definitely shines through in this!
This is the second in Ben Kane's 'Eagles of Rome' series, that deals with - in the first novel (Eagles at War) perhaps Rome's most famous defeat of all: that which led (according to legend) the Emperor Augustus Caesar to cry 'Varus, give me back my legions' after that general lost three legions and - horror of horrors! - their eagles in the battle (ambush) of Teutoberg Forest.
This novel follows some key characters from that novel (and survivors of the ambush), from a revolt by the Legionaries through to another battle in a forest/bog land and is told from both the point of view of the Romans and from the German war leader Arminius (who successfully carried out that ambush).
Like the previous entry in the series, Ben Kane's knowledge of the period definitely shines through in this!
BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) in Movies
Jul 7, 2019
My favourite Marvel Universe movie to date...
Contains spoilers, click to show
Now I'm a Thor girl myself and if anyone asked me my favourite superhero it would always be him. However.... I watched this movie a couple days ago and I think it changed my life! It really puts into perspective how loved Iron Man really was and how much Peter looked up to him as a father figure. It's quite emotional and if I could cry I'm sure I would have. It was also nice to see some closure for poor little Peter and he can finally be happy with MJ... but that ending! I hate Jake Gyllenhaal so personally I'm pretty glad he died and about 1/3 into the movie I said he would be the bad guy... called it! I think I actually screamed a little in the cinema when I watched the end scene.... how can they do this to me!?!
Also like to add... very sad there was no Stan Lee cameo...
Also like to add... very sad there was no Stan Lee cameo...
Lauren (4 KP) rated The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Hercule Poirot #4) in Books
Jan 25, 2019
Storyline (1 more)
Suspense
I would rate this book up there alongside 'And then there were none', as one of the best Christie book I've read. The storyline was the classic who-dun-it you would expect from the Author but where a couple of the other books in the stand alone, or Marple Catalogue can fall short towards the end and leave you feeling a little dissatisfied, this shines. It makes it into many '100 best books' or 'books to read before you die' lists and quite rightly so.
If you enjoy the crime/suspense genre and maybe coming to Christie fresh faced and wanting the best she has to offer, then I would recommend this as a great start. It might not be the first in the Poirot collection but you can get away with reading out of order. I'm jealous of everyone coming to this without knowing the plot and who gets to relish the twists and turns that come.
If you enjoy the crime/suspense genre and maybe coming to Christie fresh faced and wanting the best she has to offer, then I would recommend this as a great start. It might not be the first in the Poirot collection but you can get away with reading out of order. I'm jealous of everyone coming to this without knowing the plot and who gets to relish the twists and turns that come.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Good Liar (2019) in Movies
Nov 13, 2019
Roaringly bonkers British movie probably thinks that it's a dark and convoluted psychological thriller but is undone by a couple of overcooked lead performances and a frankly ludicrous script. Career con man Roy Courtnay (McKellen) sets his sights on rich widow Betty (Mirren). But as his activities draw near to their climax, could it be that the old rogue is suffering from pangs of conscience? Can he bring himself to go through with it?
Sounds fairly ordinary, but this does not take into account quite how nutty the various twists in the tale turn out to be, nor the sheer relish with which the stars attack their roles: to say that McKellen, in particular, carves himself off a thick slice of ham is probably to understate things considerably. Still, very easy to watch (though it has an unexpectedly hard and vicious edge to it in places), and a lot of fun, provided you don't take it too seriously.
Sounds fairly ordinary, but this does not take into account quite how nutty the various twists in the tale turn out to be, nor the sheer relish with which the stars attack their roles: to say that McKellen, in particular, carves himself off a thick slice of ham is probably to understate things considerably. Still, very easy to watch (though it has an unexpectedly hard and vicious edge to it in places), and a lot of fun, provided you don't take it too seriously.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Ordinary Love (2019) in Movies
Dec 12, 2019
Rare sighting of the species Liamneesonus Seriousactorii, which has become increasingly elusive in recent years due to excessive Bessoning of its habitat. Here Neeson plays Tom, husband of Joan (Manville): they are a quietly devoted couple of many years' standing, whose world is understandably rocked when she is diagnosed with breast cancer.
Not quite your typical movie on this topic, for it concerns the impact of the follow-up treatment as much as the disease itself. The question is what new can be brought to this genre, or indeed this subject, by a new film - everyone's experience of cancer is necessarily personal, after all, and the more general the statement, the greater the danger of saying something fatuous or inane. The film mostly gets away with it, thanks to strong performances, but one subplot in particular does threaten to overegg the pudding and turn an affecting movie into melodrama. But overall a strong and moving film.
Not quite your typical movie on this topic, for it concerns the impact of the follow-up treatment as much as the disease itself. The question is what new can be brought to this genre, or indeed this subject, by a new film - everyone's experience of cancer is necessarily personal, after all, and the more general the statement, the greater the danger of saying something fatuous or inane. The film mostly gets away with it, thanks to strong performances, but one subplot in particular does threaten to overegg the pudding and turn an affecting movie into melodrama. But overall a strong and moving film.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Queen & Slim (2019) in Movies
Feb 6, 2020
Another powerful film about racial tensions in America; this one is unusually subtle and sophisticated, too. A young couple are forced to kill a racist cop and go on the run from the authorities, falling in love as they go. The subtext - that the bias in the system inevitable ends up criminalising decent young folk - is obvious, but the film finds nuance as well. There are decent white people and corrupt black people, while the protagonists have no interest in bigger political issues - but find themselves being claimed as symbols or representatives of some dubious political movements.
The film seems to be suggesting that in a conflicted and corrupt world, the best thing is to find joy where you can, and the developing romance between the two leads is as memorable as any of the political or dramatic content. Possibly a bit overlong at two and a quarter hours, but an engaging, intelligent and moving film from the first moment to the last.
The film seems to be suggesting that in a conflicted and corrupt world, the best thing is to find joy where you can, and the developing romance between the two leads is as memorable as any of the political or dramatic content. Possibly a bit overlong at two and a quarter hours, but an engaging, intelligent and moving film from the first moment to the last.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Psycho (1960) in Movies
Jan 12, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
I had never seen this film and just watched it for the first time a couple of days ago. Going into it, I was vaguely familiar with Norman Bates and who he was and what his story was. I haven't seen Bates Motel or read the book, so I was pretty surprised overall to not only enjoy this film, but have it keep me interested. I was surely convinced that by the end of it, Marion's sister was going to die too and then to find Norman's mother in the fruit cellar and have Norman come after her and then Sam save her, it was a rush and the perfect climax to the film. Then to have Norman's mother's voice at the end when Norman is just sitting, wrapped in a blanket, in an empty room - incredible. I'm not very familiar with Hitchcock's work but am excited to see what else he has to offer as I move through his filmography.
AT (1676 KP) rated The Hunting Party in Books
Jan 31, 2020 (Updated Jan 31, 2020)
I just finished reading this book for the book club that I'm in. I loved the fact that we don't know who was killed for sure until the end. Same with who did it. However, I was not nuts about the twist at the end. All the way through the book, any one of the major characters could have easily been the killer, and you leaned that way until the next possible path was opened up a few chapters later. However, I feel like I didn't love the ending or how things actually happened when that was brought to light. I was disappointed. However, up until that point, I wasn't sure who did it, so that part was good. I also thought that a couple of the characters were generally pointless, but they weren't focused on for very long, so I don't feel like it wasted much of my time, at least. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. The ending just wasn't for me.
Otway93 (580 KP) rated JCB Tradesman 2 TP127 in Tech
Jan 2, 2020
Waterproof (3 more)
Dustproof
Basic
Loud
Plastic appearance (1 more)
Battery Cover
Not as tough as it makes out.
Everything started off so well with this phone, but within two weeks, this "IP67 Rugged phone" was damaged with parts being held on with parcel tape.
For the time I had it, it was for the most part an excellent phone. Basic (text and calls only with only snake or something similar for entertainment), waterproof (and it floats), dustproof, and so loud it could easily be heard in the noisiest of environments.
But after a couple of weeks, I removed it from my pocket, and this somehow broke the clips on the cheap and cheerful battery cover, rendering it no longer waterproof or dustproof. The battery cover is held in with two flimsy plastic clips, that are apparently easily broken off.
Finally, the appearance. Not an important one, I quite like it, but it does have a very cheap plastic look about it.
For the time I had it, it was for the most part an excellent phone. Basic (text and calls only with only snake or something similar for entertainment), waterproof (and it floats), dustproof, and so loud it could easily be heard in the noisiest of environments.
But after a couple of weeks, I removed it from my pocket, and this somehow broke the clips on the cheap and cheerful battery cover, rendering it no longer waterproof or dustproof. The battery cover is held in with two flimsy plastic clips, that are apparently easily broken off.
Finally, the appearance. Not an important one, I quite like it, but it does have a very cheap plastic look about it.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Cat People (1942) in Movies
Jan 6, 2020 (Updated Jan 6, 2020)
Moody and suggestive noir-ish horror melodrama perhaps shows that you can leave too much to the imagination. Serbian immigrant falls for preppy boat designer and marries him; the trouble is that she believes she will turn into a panther and rip him apart if he even kisses her. (No marriage will prosper in these circumstances.)
Very much of its period, especially in its gender politics - both of the main male characters are eminently punchable, to say the least - with a slightly awkward subtext about feminine emotions and desire. The plot is perhaps a bit too linear as well. However, it is very well directed, with a couple of sequences that invariably turn up in 'history of horror' documentaries as establishing genre tropes. It's still a slightly eggy melodrama where you don't really see the monster, so unlikely to be satisfying for many modern fans of the genre. It has still worn better than many other horror films from the 30s and 40s.
Very much of its period, especially in its gender politics - both of the main male characters are eminently punchable, to say the least - with a slightly awkward subtext about feminine emotions and desire. The plot is perhaps a bit too linear as well. However, it is very well directed, with a couple of sequences that invariably turn up in 'history of horror' documentaries as establishing genre tropes. It's still a slightly eggy melodrama where you don't really see the monster, so unlikely to be satisfying for many modern fans of the genre. It has still worn better than many other horror films from the 30s and 40s.