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Sam (74 KP) rated The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events #2) in Books
Mar 27, 2019
A Series of Unfortunate Events is my favourite series on Netflix, so a few months ago I decided I was finally going to buy the books and read the whole series, and I don’t regret that decision.
The Reptile Room is the second book in the series and is much better than the Netflix series.
The book opens with Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire on their way to live with their uncle, Dr Montgomery Montgomery, a semi-successful herpetologist with a large collection of reptiles.
Dr Montgomery’s assistant, Gustav, left him without any notice just before the Baudelaire orphans arrive, and his replacement, Stephano is strangely like Count Olaf.
The thing I love about The Reptile Room is the dark humour running throughout it. There are constant jokes that are definitely not aimed towards children which make it such a fun book to read.
It’s funny, sad and entertaining all at the same time and I really do wish I’d have read it when I was younger because it’s just the ideal book for me.
The Reptile Room is the second book in the series and is much better than the Netflix series.
The book opens with Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire on their way to live with their uncle, Dr Montgomery Montgomery, a semi-successful herpetologist with a large collection of reptiles.
Dr Montgomery’s assistant, Gustav, left him without any notice just before the Baudelaire orphans arrive, and his replacement, Stephano is strangely like Count Olaf.
The thing I love about The Reptile Room is the dark humour running throughout it. There are constant jokes that are definitely not aimed towards children which make it such a fun book to read.
It’s funny, sad and entertaining all at the same time and I really do wish I’d have read it when I was younger because it’s just the ideal book for me.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Fortitude - Season 3 in TV
Dec 22, 2018
Good but a little unsatisfying
4 episodes to wrap up the entire events of the first two series of Fortitude is a little ambitious, but for the most part it actually succeeds. I'm glad that they didn't decide to drag this out across another 10 episodes, as that would've been completely unnecessary.
Instead they manage to wrap up quite a few loose ends - including finding out who was behind Khatri's work, and giving some comeuppance to some of the more unlikable characters for the first 2 series. As is standard with Fortitude, there's a fair amount of dark humour and gore. There's also some decent development for some of the characters that have been sidelined in the past (Eric and Ingrid especially).
They've done a fairly decent job in wrapping this series up, but my biggest issue is that the final ending for me was unsatisfying. It wasn't bad, but it just left me feeling a little disappointed. They could easily have added an extra 15 minutes onto this episode just to make it a little neater.
Instead they manage to wrap up quite a few loose ends - including finding out who was behind Khatri's work, and giving some comeuppance to some of the more unlikable characters for the first 2 series. As is standard with Fortitude, there's a fair amount of dark humour and gore. There's also some decent development for some of the characters that have been sidelined in the past (Eric and Ingrid especially).
They've done a fairly decent job in wrapping this series up, but my biggest issue is that the final ending for me was unsatisfying. It wasn't bad, but it just left me feeling a little disappointed. They could easily have added an extra 15 minutes onto this episode just to make it a little neater.
I admit that I actually quite enjoyed this book in a strange kind of way. It was well written, had a unique story-line, surprising ending and great characters although some of them are not particularly likeable. There is ample dark humour which offsets the tension perfectly and although it does seem to be a bit OTT in parts, it does work well in this book however, I have to say that, in my opinion, the wrong person died at the end!!
Please be aware that this is not a politically correct book and there is a lot of violence and blood however, the title and description should have given this away so this shouldn't come as too much of a shock.
I haven't read anything by this author before but I am likely to pick up another of his works in the future.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review and for, once again, introducing me to another new author to look out for.
Please be aware that this is not a politically correct book and there is a lot of violence and blood however, the title and description should have given this away so this shouldn't come as too much of a shock.
I haven't read anything by this author before but I am likely to pick up another of his works in the future.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review and for, once again, introducing me to another new author to look out for.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated Batman: The Animated Series in TV
Nov 12, 2019 (Updated Nov 13, 2019)
Best Batman
If you are a fan of this series, as soon as you see the cover, the opening music will be playing in your head. This is the GoT of 90s animation. It is all done so well, and on a big scale, a proper score, talented voice actors, quality animation, it's all here!
The odd episode may miss the mark, but otherwise you are fully drawn in to a Bat man that is dark, has depth, but also some humour. While it is suitable for kids (Not too young, and I would advise parents take a look, just incase) it does not pander to them and is great for adults too. Some other DC animations have tryed to emulate this, and done well. But none have quite found the same beauty the original has achieved.
A Must for any Bat-fans out there, and I can not wait for my son to join me in a binge session on this classic.
The odd episode may miss the mark, but otherwise you are fully drawn in to a Bat man that is dark, has depth, but also some humour. While it is suitable for kids (Not too young, and I would advise parents take a look, just incase) it does not pander to them and is great for adults too. Some other DC animations have tryed to emulate this, and done well. But none have quite found the same beauty the original has achieved.
A Must for any Bat-fans out there, and I can not wait for my son to join me in a binge session on this classic.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated The Lady In The Van (2015) in Movies
Nov 30, 2019
Not as Described
If you saw this trailer, and were expect8ng an numerous tale of Maggie Smith playing an obstanant and witty old lady... you are going to be disappointed.
While there is some humour in this film, mostly dark and subtle (Not that that is an issue) it is not as hysterical as the trailer makes out. This is one of those very annoying cases where the genre and themes of the film, we're lost on whoever cut the trailer.
Said trailer is jammed full of every joke in the film, leaving you to think, "oka y, this looks fun, this will cheer me up". Sadly, the overall feel of the film is more drama than comedy.
That said, it is a very good film, well worth a watch, with the usual perfect performance from Maggie, but do not expect to be cheered up by this film, as it is quite sad.
I liked the film, however I was disappointed as I wanted something light and witty, this brought me down man.
While there is some humour in this film, mostly dark and subtle (Not that that is an issue) it is not as hysterical as the trailer makes out. This is one of those very annoying cases where the genre and themes of the film, we're lost on whoever cut the trailer.
Said trailer is jammed full of every joke in the film, leaving you to think, "oka y, this looks fun, this will cheer me up". Sadly, the overall feel of the film is more drama than comedy.
That said, it is a very good film, well worth a watch, with the usual perfect performance from Maggie, but do not expect to be cheered up by this film, as it is quite sad.
I liked the film, however I was disappointed as I wanted something light and witty, this brought me down man.
Satan's Choice: My Life as a Hard Core Biker with Satan's Choice and Hells Angels
Peter Edwards and Lorne Campbell
Book
Lorne Campbell was an officer and enforcer for the outlaw biker club Satan's Choice for over thirty...
The Blind Assassin
7.8
Rate It
Book
Laura Chase's older sister Iris, married at eighteen to a politically prominent industrialist but...
Estates: An Intimate History
Book
Lynsey Hanley was born and raised just outside of Birmingham on what was then the largest council...
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Lost Boys (1987) in Movies
Aug 22, 2020
A cult classic
The Lost Boys is known as rather a cult classic, and justifiably so. It might be over 30 years old now but it can still put modern day vampire films to shame.
It's undeniably 80s, but that's part of it's charm. It's atmospheric with a great soundtrack and a rather impressive cast. Vampires have been done to death over the past however many decades but The Lost Boys really brings a fun yet still fairly scary take on them - there's loads of dark humour in this and yet some pretty creepy scenes too and some twists and turns. It moves at a steady pace without ever dragging, and the final act is an aamzing spectacle- the blood, gore and outlandish deaths are both genius and wickedly funny. My only criticism would be that there are a few cliched and cringey moments, but fortunately these are few and far between and overall this is a hugely enjoyable and entertaining vampire film. Very deserving of being a cult classic.
It's undeniably 80s, but that's part of it's charm. It's atmospheric with a great soundtrack and a rather impressive cast. Vampires have been done to death over the past however many decades but The Lost Boys really brings a fun yet still fairly scary take on them - there's loads of dark humour in this and yet some pretty creepy scenes too and some twists and turns. It moves at a steady pace without ever dragging, and the final act is an aamzing spectacle- the blood, gore and outlandish deaths are both genius and wickedly funny. My only criticism would be that there are a few cliched and cringey moments, but fortunately these are few and far between and overall this is a hugely enjoyable and entertaining vampire film. Very deserving of being a cult classic.
Cat's Eye
Book
Laura Chase's older sister Iris, married at eighteen to a politically prominent industrialist but...