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Cross
7.3
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Ray Cross wasn’t a hero; he could die too easily. But some things are worth risking death... ...
Young_Adult Urban Fantasy Paranormal
David McK (3695 KP) rated Thor (2011) in Movies
Sep 12, 2021
One of the earliest movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), - I think it's the 4th - way back in Phase 1, with what was seemingly an odd choice of director in our very own (I'm from Northern Ireland, as he is) Kenneth Branagh.
However, you can soon see why he was chosen, with this film - in particular - having a very Shakespearian feel to it, what with the whole plot of two brothers to the throne (as an aside, also the first film to leave Earth for large portions) and the whole familial drama going on ...
I also remember, prior to this, that my whole recollection of the character came from the old 70s/80s 'The Incredible Hulk' tv show and mini movies, where Thor was more-or-less somewhat similar to Jekyll and Hyde, in that he shared a body with the lead character ('who-so-ever be so worthy') of the crippled doctor Donald Blake - a name dropped in this movie as an Easter egg, as Jane Foster's ex boyfriend, and - temporarily - borrowed by this version of Thor.
Unlike many of the later MCU movies, this has a surprisingly small finale, and the scene with Thor breaking into the SHIELD camp in his attempt to recover Mjolnir is still the best bit of the whole thing.
However, you can soon see why he was chosen, with this film - in particular - having a very Shakespearian feel to it, what with the whole plot of two brothers to the throne (as an aside, also the first film to leave Earth for large portions) and the whole familial drama going on ...
I also remember, prior to this, that my whole recollection of the character came from the old 70s/80s 'The Incredible Hulk' tv show and mini movies, where Thor was more-or-less somewhat similar to Jekyll and Hyde, in that he shared a body with the lead character ('who-so-ever be so worthy') of the crippled doctor Donald Blake - a name dropped in this movie as an Easter egg, as Jane Foster's ex boyfriend, and - temporarily - borrowed by this version of Thor.
Unlike many of the later MCU movies, this has a surprisingly small finale, and the scene with Thor breaking into the SHIELD camp in his attempt to recover Mjolnir is still the best bit of the whole thing.
Merissa (13749 KP) rated The Willing in Books
Oct 21, 2021
THE WILLING is a standalone novel in the same vein as The Handmaid's Tale. Gypsy is in a world where women are the rulers but, paradoxically, they pay for that role by not being allowed to say no to whenever men want to have sex with them. No matter who, how many, you get the picture.
This story is told from different perspectives - Gypsy, her sister Sadie, Doctor Gino, and Miles. There are many twists to the story, some of which happen so quickly, with no build-up, that you will be left re-reading the last page or so, just to ensure you haven't missed anything.
The ending is a rather hurried affair. Almost as though there was a rapidly approaching wordcount which couldn't be extended, so everything is put in without much else. Gypsy goes from not saying a word to explaining all, just by having her arms held.
This book has some interesting aspects but, for me, there were too many characters left undeveloped and plot holes for me to fully enjoy it.
** 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!
This story is told from different perspectives - Gypsy, her sister Sadie, Doctor Gino, and Miles. There are many twists to the story, some of which happen so quickly, with no build-up, that you will be left re-reading the last page or so, just to ensure you haven't missed anything.
The ending is a rather hurried affair. Almost as though there was a rapidly approaching wordcount which couldn't be extended, so everything is put in without much else. Gypsy goes from not saying a word to explaining all, just by having her arms held.
This book has some interesting aspects but, for me, there were too many characters left undeveloped and plot holes for me to fully enjoy it.
** 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!
Merissa (13749 KP) rated Dragon Consultant (Supernatural Consultant #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018 (Updated May 8, 2023)
Dane is a Supernatural Consultant who gets a job to find out why air space is being terrorized by dragon kits. What he finds when he gets there is an adult male dragon suffering from dragon fever and a bunch of kits that he can't figure out just how they all fit together. He makes a quick decision and takes them all to his large home, calling for help from a doctor friend for the adult male, and help from a mum for the kits.
This is a fast-paced novella as Dane finds out that there is much more to the dragons' story than he originally assumed. Dane is known as the Genie of the East but is in fact a son of a God, which has made having a relationship difficult. There is a bit of confusion between Mercury and Dane as both of them feel inadequate for the other one.
It is well-written, with plenty of story and character development, whilst still leaving plenty to hook you in for the coming stories. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 9, 2015
This is a fast-paced novella as Dane finds out that there is much more to the dragons' story than he originally assumed. Dane is known as the Genie of the East but is in fact a son of a God, which has made having a relationship difficult. There is a bit of confusion between Mercury and Dane as both of them feel inadequate for the other one.
It is well-written, with plenty of story and character development, whilst still leaving plenty to hook you in for the coming stories. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 9, 2015
ClareR (6062 KP) rated We All Want Impossible Things in Books
Feb 17, 2023
What a wonderful book this is! I started reading with trepidation, but as I read, I realised that this isn’t just a book about dying, it’s about the living right up until you die. It’s a book about life - and about having a good death. It’s incredibly moving, I wouldn’t say it’s depressing or morose at all, in fact I would say that it’s life affirming.
Edi and Ash have been best friends since childhood. When Edi is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Ash offers to take her home to where she lives, so that her young son doesn’t have to watch her final weeks.
The hospice that Edi stays in is full of interesting characters: from the patient who plays Fiddler on the Roof at full glorious volume, to the doctor who reminds Ash of one of the Sopranos, and a musician who can play any song you request.
This is a book of laughter and sadness, of letting go and moving on. Ash is a wonderful friend with a rather messy, frankly hilarious, sex life. Ash and Eli’s relationship is truly special.
We All Want Impossible Things is a touching novel that had me laughing and crying in equal measure, as well as bringing back memories of my own experiences.
This book really is worth reading. Utterly beautiful.
Edi and Ash have been best friends since childhood. When Edi is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Ash offers to take her home to where she lives, so that her young son doesn’t have to watch her final weeks.
The hospice that Edi stays in is full of interesting characters: from the patient who plays Fiddler on the Roof at full glorious volume, to the doctor who reminds Ash of one of the Sopranos, and a musician who can play any song you request.
This is a book of laughter and sadness, of letting go and moving on. Ash is a wonderful friend with a rather messy, frankly hilarious, sex life. Ash and Eli’s relationship is truly special.
We All Want Impossible Things is a touching novel that had me laughing and crying in equal measure, as well as bringing back memories of my own experiences.
This book really is worth reading. Utterly beautiful.
The Professor's Lady (The Thompsons of Locust Street #3)
Book
Meet the Thompsons of Locust Street, an unconventional family taking Philadelphia high society by...
American Historical Romance Gilded Age Philadelphia
Merissa (13749 KP) rated The Quid Pro Quo (The Bradfield Trilogy #2) in Books
Jan 7, 2022 (Updated Jul 5, 2023)
THE QUID PRO QUO is the second book in the Bradfield Trilogy although you could, as I have, read it as a standalone.
It is set in 1920s England where magic comes alive in a not-so-fun way. Walt is the nurse to Sylvia's doctor, and the story starts with them being called to the village duck pond as a body has been found. The mystery unravels as the story progresses, giving you insight into a world 'other' than our own.
This is paced perfectly for a cosy mystery - with questions aplenty until it is all explained nicely and wrapped in a bow. I really want to read books one and three now (even though book three isn't even available yet) just to see where it takes me. The characters are wonderfully relatable and the world is both realistic and nostalgic in a rose-tinted glasses kind of way.
The story and characters held my attention from the beginning and kept me enthralled until the end. Thoroughly enjoyable and 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!
Jan 7, 2022
It is set in 1920s England where magic comes alive in a not-so-fun way. Walt is the nurse to Sylvia's doctor, and the story starts with them being called to the village duck pond as a body has been found. The mystery unravels as the story progresses, giving you insight into a world 'other' than our own.
This is paced perfectly for a cosy mystery - with questions aplenty until it is all explained nicely and wrapped in a bow. I really want to read books one and three now (even though book three isn't even available yet) just to see where it takes me. The characters are wonderfully relatable and the world is both realistic and nostalgic in a rose-tinted glasses kind of way.
The story and characters held my attention from the beginning and kept me enthralled until the end. Thoroughly enjoyable and 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!
Jan 7, 2022
David McK (3695 KP) rated The Tomorrow War (2021) in Movies
Aug 27, 2021 (Updated Nov 23, 2024)
I was unaware until a spot of research after I had watched this (via Amazon Prime) that this was actually one of those movies that was originally meant to be shown in the cinema.
And then the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
Which - aside from the obvious! - is a pity where this was concerned: I do feel that it would have had more of an impact, more of a presence, on the big screen than on the small.
The plot is a take on the usual timey-wimey (to steal a phrase from the BBCs Doctor Who) type of stuff, where visitors from the future (IIRC, about 30 years or so) arrive in the present to recruit their ancestors to fight in an ongoing war against alien 'White Spikes' invaders: a war which humanity is currently losing.
The film then follows Chris Pratt's ex-military (natch) character Dan Forester, who ends up being one of those drafted to fight in the future: I say drafted, as the tour of duty is only meant to be about 7 days long, but most don't make it back or come back horribly (and psychologically) scarred, so - not surprising - most people try to avoid having to go!
Yes, if you think about it too much your head will probably hurt from all the paradoxes involved ...
Yes, it's enjoyable
And then the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
Which - aside from the obvious! - is a pity where this was concerned: I do feel that it would have had more of an impact, more of a presence, on the big screen than on the small.
The plot is a take on the usual timey-wimey (to steal a phrase from the BBCs Doctor Who) type of stuff, where visitors from the future (IIRC, about 30 years or so) arrive in the present to recruit their ancestors to fight in an ongoing war against alien 'White Spikes' invaders: a war which humanity is currently losing.
The film then follows Chris Pratt's ex-military (natch) character Dan Forester, who ends up being one of those drafted to fight in the future: I say drafted, as the tour of duty is only meant to be about 7 days long, but most don't make it back or come back horribly (and psychologically) scarred, so - not surprising - most people try to avoid having to go!
Yes, if you think about it too much your head will probably hurt from all the paradoxes involved ...
Yes, it's enjoyable
Murder in the Tattoo Parlor
5.0
Rate It
Book
When Joy wants to get a tattoo to surprise her fiancé Roy Stockton (and check off another Bucket...
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated Resident Alien in TV
Apr 14, 2021 (Updated Apr 14, 2021)
Laugh out loud funny (3 more)
Excellent mix of comedy, drama, and sci-fi
Full of unique and different characters
Decent special effects and CGI
Not for everyone kind of show (2 more)
Sometimes the CGI and effects can be lacking
Some characters can be a little annoying at times
A Comedy That's Out Of This World Funny
https://youtu.be/v9iwDu2OP3E
This show is just great and a real treat. I have to admit that I had no idea what I was in store for watching this show and I think that was half the fun of watching it. This show is part mystery and part CSI but also equal parts comedy and drama. It's full of scenes that are laugh out loud funny and some that are quite drama filled and serious in-tone at times. I really like the way it balances them and how each episode gets us a little bit further into the mystery of who killed the town doctor and if anyone is close to finding out the alien's secret identity or his secret mission. The character of the alien; who takes on the name Harry, after the doctor whose identity he steals, Dr. Harry Vanderspiegle, is a pretty funny character. It really shows in how he is trying his best to navigate through everyday situations with no prior knowledge of how or what it is to be human and really understand the subtle nuances of human nature and interaction while having a superiority complex and believing all humans are barely smarter than lizards in his opinion. He is totally oblivious to many things that are second nature to people like sarcasm and sense of humor. There are actually quite a few likeable characters on the show like Asta Twelvetrees played by Sara Tomko who is arguably the heart of the show, a central and integral character and super relatable. She is an important character to "Harry" learning to be more human. Also there's Sheriff Mike who is played by Corey Reynolds and is full of catch-phrases and just ridiculous things he says that are funny as hell. His completely blunt personality and no non-sense approach to crime leaves him to rub people the wrong way but he never apologies for himself or tries to tip-toe around people either. Then there's D'arcy who's played by Alice Wetterlund who is the town's bar owner and ex-Olympic athlete. She's a pretty cool character and quite different from the others and really kind of compliments the other characters by rounding them out. The whole mix of characters in the show are pretty diverse personality wise and how the show revolves around them and it's just a really funny show that's also full of alien sci-fi things going on at the same time but manages to ring through on an emotional level as "Harry" the alien begins to understand more and more about humans. I'll go over more in the spoiler section but I give this show a 8/10 and you should definitely check it out, especially if you are into sci-fi and looking for something that'll make you laugh at the same time too.
-------------------------------------------------------
Spoiler Section Review:
This show is just one of those shows that you don't expect for it to be as good as it is. I was really surprised when I saw the first episode and decided that I had to show my brother the first episode too and we actually got our dad into it too. I really like Alan Tudyk and how he not only plays the alien "Harry" but also the actual Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle in the flashbacks that happen as well. He's pretty talented and extremely funny in playing the alien, especially the parts where he's learning how to walk and talk and watching "Law & Order". So the whole thing with the show is that "Harry" is an alien that has crash-landed on Earth before he could finish his mission and is looking for his ship or parts of it that he needs to recover so he can finish his mission. He wakes up and searches the mountainside where he believes it is and pretty much avoids all human contact. That's when things change and the local authorities seek him out because the person whose identity he has taken is a known doctor and they need him to investigate the death of the town doctor. He now has to not only go into town where there are humans everywhere but also interact with them and hope that no one can tell that he's really an alien in disguise. The storytelling, plot and character development in the show are done in such a great way in how it progresses forward but also shows things that occurred earlier in flashbacks and you get to know or see things that make the characters more 3-dimensional and feel more realistic. Harry is very smart for an alien but has no clue when it comes to a lot of the things we take for granted when it comes to being human, things like sarcasm, humor, and more. So his behavior is off-putting but tolerated and accepted for the most part. He reluctantly takes on the job of the town doctor when asked because he doesn't want for anyone to suspect anything which makes it harder for him especially when he learns the Mayor's son Max can see his true identity, something like only one in a million humans might be able to do. The head nurse Asta Twelvetrees make his job easier by assisting him and they bond rather quickly when he takes her up on the offer to go for a drink after work to the local bar. That's where they meet D'arcy the bartender and owner of the bar who is also Asta's best friend and they have fun drinking and dancing and "Harry" drinks heavily to fit in. There's some pretty funny scenes of the alien dancing too. The next day Asta asks "Harry" to help her get somethings from her abusive ex-boyfriend Jimmy's house and "Harry" saves her from him when begins attacking her. He helps her to leave and she confides in him, that she had a child with Jimmy when she was really young but gave it up for adoption as they were too young to take care of it. Like I said in the non-spoiler section this show has a good mix of mystery, comedy and drama and does it in a really good way. Just as it pulls you in one direction like the drama part about Asta's child then it steers you in a completely different direction like comedy again when you find out at the end of the first episode that "Harry's" first patient is Max, the Mayor's son who can see that he's really an alien. I really enjoyed this show and I'm so glad that they decided to renew it for another season and there will be a season 2 coming soon. I liked it so much that I'm actually thinking about checking out the comic books by Dark Horse comics to see how good they are too. Anyways I give this show a 8/10 and can't wait for it to return.
This show is just great and a real treat. I have to admit that I had no idea what I was in store for watching this show and I think that was half the fun of watching it. This show is part mystery and part CSI but also equal parts comedy and drama. It's full of scenes that are laugh out loud funny and some that are quite drama filled and serious in-tone at times. I really like the way it balances them and how each episode gets us a little bit further into the mystery of who killed the town doctor and if anyone is close to finding out the alien's secret identity or his secret mission. The character of the alien; who takes on the name Harry, after the doctor whose identity he steals, Dr. Harry Vanderspiegle, is a pretty funny character. It really shows in how he is trying his best to navigate through everyday situations with no prior knowledge of how or what it is to be human and really understand the subtle nuances of human nature and interaction while having a superiority complex and believing all humans are barely smarter than lizards in his opinion. He is totally oblivious to many things that are second nature to people like sarcasm and sense of humor. There are actually quite a few likeable characters on the show like Asta Twelvetrees played by Sara Tomko who is arguably the heart of the show, a central and integral character and super relatable. She is an important character to "Harry" learning to be more human. Also there's Sheriff Mike who is played by Corey Reynolds and is full of catch-phrases and just ridiculous things he says that are funny as hell. His completely blunt personality and no non-sense approach to crime leaves him to rub people the wrong way but he never apologies for himself or tries to tip-toe around people either. Then there's D'arcy who's played by Alice Wetterlund who is the town's bar owner and ex-Olympic athlete. She's a pretty cool character and quite different from the others and really kind of compliments the other characters by rounding them out. The whole mix of characters in the show are pretty diverse personality wise and how the show revolves around them and it's just a really funny show that's also full of alien sci-fi things going on at the same time but manages to ring through on an emotional level as "Harry" the alien begins to understand more and more about humans. I'll go over more in the spoiler section but I give this show a 8/10 and you should definitely check it out, especially if you are into sci-fi and looking for something that'll make you laugh at the same time too.
-------------------------------------------------------
Spoiler Section Review:
This show is just one of those shows that you don't expect for it to be as good as it is. I was really surprised when I saw the first episode and decided that I had to show my brother the first episode too and we actually got our dad into it too. I really like Alan Tudyk and how he not only plays the alien "Harry" but also the actual Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle in the flashbacks that happen as well. He's pretty talented and extremely funny in playing the alien, especially the parts where he's learning how to walk and talk and watching "Law & Order". So the whole thing with the show is that "Harry" is an alien that has crash-landed on Earth before he could finish his mission and is looking for his ship or parts of it that he needs to recover so he can finish his mission. He wakes up and searches the mountainside where he believes it is and pretty much avoids all human contact. That's when things change and the local authorities seek him out because the person whose identity he has taken is a known doctor and they need him to investigate the death of the town doctor. He now has to not only go into town where there are humans everywhere but also interact with them and hope that no one can tell that he's really an alien in disguise. The storytelling, plot and character development in the show are done in such a great way in how it progresses forward but also shows things that occurred earlier in flashbacks and you get to know or see things that make the characters more 3-dimensional and feel more realistic. Harry is very smart for an alien but has no clue when it comes to a lot of the things we take for granted when it comes to being human, things like sarcasm, humor, and more. So his behavior is off-putting but tolerated and accepted for the most part. He reluctantly takes on the job of the town doctor when asked because he doesn't want for anyone to suspect anything which makes it harder for him especially when he learns the Mayor's son Max can see his true identity, something like only one in a million humans might be able to do. The head nurse Asta Twelvetrees make his job easier by assisting him and they bond rather quickly when he takes her up on the offer to go for a drink after work to the local bar. That's where they meet D'arcy the bartender and owner of the bar who is also Asta's best friend and they have fun drinking and dancing and "Harry" drinks heavily to fit in. There's some pretty funny scenes of the alien dancing too. The next day Asta asks "Harry" to help her get somethings from her abusive ex-boyfriend Jimmy's house and "Harry" saves her from him when begins attacking her. He helps her to leave and she confides in him, that she had a child with Jimmy when she was really young but gave it up for adoption as they were too young to take care of it. Like I said in the non-spoiler section this show has a good mix of mystery, comedy and drama and does it in a really good way. Just as it pulls you in one direction like the drama part about Asta's child then it steers you in a completely different direction like comedy again when you find out at the end of the first episode that "Harry's" first patient is Max, the Mayor's son who can see that he's really an alien. I really enjoyed this show and I'm so glad that they decided to renew it for another season and there will be a season 2 coming soon. I liked it so much that I'm actually thinking about checking out the comic books by Dark Horse comics to see how good they are too. Anyways I give this show a 8/10 and can't wait for it to return.
