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Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) in Movies
Jan 22, 2021
If there is a better example of a tired franchise that needs to be left alone now, then The Terminator brand is it. Messing about with time-lines and alternate realities should be a blank canvas for creativity, as it was in the first two James Cameron sci-fi classics, but for three films in a row it has been a confusing, preposterous recipe for action movie disaster. Where all three Terminator films since T2 are letting us down is in trying to crowbar too much narrative into too little space, whilst favouring the CG fight sequences over any other aspect of story or character. Basically, the writers, directors and marketing machines of all three have killed them in the starting blocks. What started out as a mind-blowing commentary on fate and survival has become a lazy excuse for cheesy one liner delivery and re-hashed action sequences devoid of true tension.
I prefer this to Genysis, but don’t like it quite as much as Salvation, although all three are awful messes really. It is cute to see Linda Hamilton return after so long, but truthfully did anyone really need it? She is fine, if largely unmemorable here, as is Arnie, who phones it in as usual. But the latest Terminator itself, aka Gabriel, is boring and brings little new to the table. What is worth applauding is the commitment to the role of Grace by Mackenzie Davis, who kicks ass in every scene and also acts everyone else out of the ballpark. As a whole it isn’t as bad as you might fear it would be, but it still isn’t great. Watch it only if you are a Terminator completist or you really don’t have anything else to do.
I prefer this to Genysis, but don’t like it quite as much as Salvation, although all three are awful messes really. It is cute to see Linda Hamilton return after so long, but truthfully did anyone really need it? She is fine, if largely unmemorable here, as is Arnie, who phones it in as usual. But the latest Terminator itself, aka Gabriel, is boring and brings little new to the table. What is worth applauding is the commitment to the role of Grace by Mackenzie Davis, who kicks ass in every scene and also acts everyone else out of the ballpark. As a whole it isn’t as bad as you might fear it would be, but it still isn’t great. Watch it only if you are a Terminator completist or you really don’t have anything else to do.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated 2012 (2009) in Movies
Sep 12, 2019 (Updated Oct 25, 2019)
In brief - movie about the world ending makes you wish that the world was ending
Let's be honest - many, if not all natural disaster films are viewed purely for the spectacle. No one is settling down to watch one of these things with the intention of watching some layered character arc, or listen to a fantastic script - 2012 is no different.
The above mentioned spectacle is very formulaic here, as crazy set piece is followed by crazy set piece, complimented with in between scenes of a just-doing-it-for-the-pay-check John Cusack, and his exceptionally boring family (who all somehow manage to be in the exact place of disasters kicking off multiple times).
The scenes of mayhem themselves are laced with Benny Hill-esque antics, and silly dialogue that instantly removes any tension.
As our band of irritatingly mundane survivors trudge through our planet literally cracking apart, they come across a host of 'wacky' characters, who all seem to be jostling for the part of comic relief (not every character needs to be comic relief Roland). And I really wanted pretty much everyone of these characters to just hurry up and get killed by a tornado or whatever.
I did however quite enjoy Woody Harrelson's batshit crazy conspiracy theorist and his gratuitous pickle eating.
It's also always nice to see the likes of Thandie Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor, even if they're not given much to do here but look all serious.
The CGI is just about starting to age at this point but is still mostly passable, and they're are some pretty memorable visuals here and there.
Overall though 2012 is pretty awful and really not as fun as it thinks it is.
The above mentioned spectacle is very formulaic here, as crazy set piece is followed by crazy set piece, complimented with in between scenes of a just-doing-it-for-the-pay-check John Cusack, and his exceptionally boring family (who all somehow manage to be in the exact place of disasters kicking off multiple times).
The scenes of mayhem themselves are laced with Benny Hill-esque antics, and silly dialogue that instantly removes any tension.
As our band of irritatingly mundane survivors trudge through our planet literally cracking apart, they come across a host of 'wacky' characters, who all seem to be jostling for the part of comic relief (not every character needs to be comic relief Roland). And I really wanted pretty much everyone of these characters to just hurry up and get killed by a tornado or whatever.
I did however quite enjoy Woody Harrelson's batshit crazy conspiracy theorist and his gratuitous pickle eating.
It's also always nice to see the likes of Thandie Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor, even if they're not given much to do here but look all serious.
The CGI is just about starting to age at this point but is still mostly passable, and they're are some pretty memorable visuals here and there.
Overall though 2012 is pretty awful and really not as fun as it thinks it is.
Fayce McRobbie (19 KP) rated Player's Handbook (Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition) in Tabletop Games
Oct 14, 2019 (Updated Oct 14, 2019)
Everything you need to get started (2 more)
Plenty of information
Great for people who haven't played before
Makes the whole thing a little less daunting
I first tried playing dungeons and dragons years and years ago with a small group and it was a complete disaster. Only one member of the group had played before and their knowledge was limited, at best. We didn't have access to any books or character sheets and the entire session turned in to a frustrating stream of questions which led to more confusion.
I started playing again recently with another small group, all of us complete beginners, and owning the books made all the difference. There are a LOT of books available but this is the best starting point if you're new to the game or want to get the basics covered. Of course a lot of the information is also available online but the dungeons and dragons official site doesn't include everything and if you go looking elsewhere you have to trawl through different sites to find everything.
The book lays things out fairly clearly and though there's a lot to get through, it does break things down quite nicely.
It includes character sheets (though you can also find apps for these on your mobile) and covers all of the basics that you need to get started; character creation, dice rolling, battles, equipment, NPCs, spells, animals and so on. It also includes a 'quick build' box for characters to get you started if you're in a hurry.
I'd recommend the book to anyone looking to get started on a campaign, especially if you're without a seasoned player / dungeon master. It was a life saver to our group of newbies and we still refer back to it even now.
I started playing again recently with another small group, all of us complete beginners, and owning the books made all the difference. There are a LOT of books available but this is the best starting point if you're new to the game or want to get the basics covered. Of course a lot of the information is also available online but the dungeons and dragons official site doesn't include everything and if you go looking elsewhere you have to trawl through different sites to find everything.
The book lays things out fairly clearly and though there's a lot to get through, it does break things down quite nicely.
It includes character sheets (though you can also find apps for these on your mobile) and covers all of the basics that you need to get started; character creation, dice rolling, battles, equipment, NPCs, spells, animals and so on. It also includes a 'quick build' box for characters to get you started if you're in a hurry.
I'd recommend the book to anyone looking to get started on a campaign, especially if you're without a seasoned player / dungeon master. It was a life saver to our group of newbies and we still refer back to it even now.
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Slow Burn (Dan Shepherd #17) in Books
Aug 15, 2020
Number 17 already ... I can't believe it ... I never get bored of reading about Dan "Spider" Shepherd's escapades, scrapes and feats of derring-do! Mr Leather is extremely adept at keeping things fresh and exciting; these books never get old or feel like they are being re-hashed just for the sake of it and if you haven't yet read any of them, what is wrong with you!!! You don't even need to read them in order to appreciate them but be warned, once you read 1 you will want to read them all.
Here we have the topical and very believable and scarily plausible tale of home-grown terrorism, the use of drones as weapons by terrorists, the question of whether to allow jihadi brides to return to the UK and the minor story of Chinese spies. This sounds like a lot but don't be put off, it flows seamlessly and effortlessly and, for me, it feels like an accurate reflection of the life of an MI5 agent having to keep lots of plates in the air at once whilst trying to stop a disaster of epic proportions from happening.
This is an exciting read full of brilliant characters which is hard to put down ... yes I know this is a cliché but absolutely accurate in this instance. There is less of the personal story in this one and more action ... I wonder if this is because the next instalment sees Spider and his son, Liam, team up on an operation? Or is it going to delve into the Chinese intelligence angle? Whatever it is, I for one can't wait, so hurry up Mr Leather and write faster 😀
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.
Here we have the topical and very believable and scarily plausible tale of home-grown terrorism, the use of drones as weapons by terrorists, the question of whether to allow jihadi brides to return to the UK and the minor story of Chinese spies. This sounds like a lot but don't be put off, it flows seamlessly and effortlessly and, for me, it feels like an accurate reflection of the life of an MI5 agent having to keep lots of plates in the air at once whilst trying to stop a disaster of epic proportions from happening.
This is an exciting read full of brilliant characters which is hard to put down ... yes I know this is a cliché but absolutely accurate in this instance. There is less of the personal story in this one and more action ... I wonder if this is because the next instalment sees Spider and his son, Liam, team up on an operation? Or is it going to delve into the Chinese intelligence angle? Whatever it is, I for one can't wait, so hurry up Mr Leather and write faster 😀
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.
