Search
Search results
Merissa (13749 KP) rated Cloud Dragon (Dragon Prophecy #2) in Books
Jul 27, 2023
CLOUD DRAGON is the second book in the Dragon Prophecy series and, although it says you can read it as a standalone, I would definitely recommend you read it as part of the series. I haven't read book one and felt the loss of it.
Although I enjoyed the story, with the gnomes, the babies, and the mountain, I did struggle to fully comprehend it sometimes when it wasn't always clear who was speaking telepathically to whom. The timeline is also fast-paced and leaps ahead in places.
This is so much more than a paranormal romance. I would put it in the family saga category too. There is a lot going on with different dragons and wolves mentioned in different locations. I enjoyed this story but felt a little disconnected from 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 27, 2023
Although I enjoyed the story, with the gnomes, the babies, and the mountain, I did struggle to fully comprehend it sometimes when it wasn't always clear who was speaking telepathically to whom. The timeline is also fast-paced and leaps ahead in places.
This is so much more than a paranormal romance. I would put it in the family saga category too. There is a lot going on with different dragons and wolves mentioned in different locations. I enjoyed this story but felt a little disconnected from 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 27, 2023
Broken Fates (Severed Flames #3)
10.0
Rate It
Book
Queen. Savior. Sacrifice. The realms are fracturing—and Vale Tenebris stands at the center of...
Fantasy Romance Reverse Harem Why Choose
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) in Movies
Sep 25, 2021
Strong Animation and Voice Work overcome "Standard" Plot
One of the first films to be released (both in theaters and on-line) during the pandemic, RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON came and went quickly - certainly ignored in the movie theaters, and with very little fanfare on-line.
And that’s too bad for RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is a fun, fantastical and visually rich tapestry that weaves together strong characters, a good lesson and enough action and comedy to keep young and old alike engaged throughout.
RAYA tells the story of the land of Kumandra, a realm that was inspired by Southeast Asian countries (such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia) a land that is split into 5 parts that each face the same threat, but instead of banding together to fight this threat, they are splintered and selfish and look out only for their own - with little to no regard of the consequences to others.
Sound familiar? While the film was imagined and realized before the pandemic, the themes of this film reverberate strongly in this post-pandemic world that we live in.
Into this world drops Raya who, when betrayed by one she sees as a friend, sets out on a quest to find the last dragon and unify the 5 lands. It’s a typical “quest film” but one that is told with such heart and charm - with strong voice characters and beautiful animation - that I was won over by it.
Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico in the latest STAR WARS trilogy) brings Raya’s voice to life and it is a one that is embodied with hope, naivete and strength and really makes you root for her character. The voice work by the likes of Gemma Chan (CRAZY, RICH ASIANS), Benedict Wong (DR. STRANGE), DANIEL DAE KIM (TV’s LOST) and Sandra OH (TV’s GREY’S ANATOMY) are all as equally strong and nuanced and draws you into each of their characters and the story.
And then there is Awkwafina (SHANG-CHI) as the voice of The Last Dragon - she is on another level. It is not hyperbole to say that this voicework/character is on a par with David Spade’s work as Kuzco in THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE and much like Spade, she ad-libbed much of her dialogue. It’s not quite at the level of Robin Williams in ALADDIN, but it’s in that ballpark - it is that good. This character makes or breaks this film and AWKWAFINA nails it - and makes the film.
This film is a “non-Musical” and I think that works well here. While this choice may turn off some families from viewing, this choice makes it a stronger film and is the right selection.
And then, there is the animation, which is even more impressive considering it was created from the animators in their homes during the pandemic. RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is a visual feast, weaving imagery and beautifully animated scenes throughout - I applaud those that made this incredibly beautiful film under such adverse conditions, it is a triumph.
All-in-all RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is well worth checking out, despite the plot being rather “standard”, the themes, characters, voice work and animation are all top notch - what one has come to expect from Disney Animation.
Letter Grade: A- (did I mention that the plot is rather “standard”)
8 Stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
And that’s too bad for RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is a fun, fantastical and visually rich tapestry that weaves together strong characters, a good lesson and enough action and comedy to keep young and old alike engaged throughout.
RAYA tells the story of the land of Kumandra, a realm that was inspired by Southeast Asian countries (such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia) a land that is split into 5 parts that each face the same threat, but instead of banding together to fight this threat, they are splintered and selfish and look out only for their own - with little to no regard of the consequences to others.
Sound familiar? While the film was imagined and realized before the pandemic, the themes of this film reverberate strongly in this post-pandemic world that we live in.
Into this world drops Raya who, when betrayed by one she sees as a friend, sets out on a quest to find the last dragon and unify the 5 lands. It’s a typical “quest film” but one that is told with such heart and charm - with strong voice characters and beautiful animation - that I was won over by it.
Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico in the latest STAR WARS trilogy) brings Raya’s voice to life and it is a one that is embodied with hope, naivete and strength and really makes you root for her character. The voice work by the likes of Gemma Chan (CRAZY, RICH ASIANS), Benedict Wong (DR. STRANGE), DANIEL DAE KIM (TV’s LOST) and Sandra OH (TV’s GREY’S ANATOMY) are all as equally strong and nuanced and draws you into each of their characters and the story.
And then there is Awkwafina (SHANG-CHI) as the voice of The Last Dragon - she is on another level. It is not hyperbole to say that this voicework/character is on a par with David Spade’s work as Kuzco in THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE and much like Spade, she ad-libbed much of her dialogue. It’s not quite at the level of Robin Williams in ALADDIN, but it’s in that ballpark - it is that good. This character makes or breaks this film and AWKWAFINA nails it - and makes the film.
This film is a “non-Musical” and I think that works well here. While this choice may turn off some families from viewing, this choice makes it a stronger film and is the right selection.
And then, there is the animation, which is even more impressive considering it was created from the animators in their homes during the pandemic. RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is a visual feast, weaving imagery and beautifully animated scenes throughout - I applaud those that made this incredibly beautiful film under such adverse conditions, it is a triumph.
All-in-all RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is well worth checking out, despite the plot being rather “standard”, the themes, characters, voice work and animation are all top notch - what one has come to expect from Disney Animation.
Letter Grade: A- (did I mention that the plot is rather “standard”)
8 Stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Sw (9 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Dragon Age Inquisition in Video Games
Jan 30, 2019
Ability to make choices that effect gameplay (4 more)
Character customization w a variety of options including different species
Many hours of gameplay with lots of side quests
Large, open map world with better graphics than some other open world games I’ve seen.
Took a new turn in the dragon age universe by adding something more than just darkspawn and grey wardens
As in most choice games, the choices don’t have as much effect as one might expect especially in certain scenes (1 more)
Occasional glitches
Terry & The Pirates
Podcast
Terry & The Pirates was a action-adventure drama featured realistically drawn adventures in the far...
JB
Jon Burgerman's Daily Doodle
Book
Jon Burgerman shows you how to doodle a dragon, scribble a sausage and colour a chameleon in this...
Zog
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
10.0
Rate It
Book
The winner of the Galaxy National Children's Book of the Year is now available in chunky board book...
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated House of Darken (Secret Keepers, #1) in Books
Jan 7, 2021
I liked this but it didn't blow me away. It took a long time for stuff to get going and I'd begun to lose interest just as the pace picked up. It never fully grabbed me but I liked the new take on dragons (draygones) and the Darken family grew on me and in the end I was happy for our clumsy girl to get the hot alien-Dragon-boy-man.
I'm not sure if I'm intrigued enough to buy book 2
I'm not sure if I'm intrigued enough to buy book 2
Kevin Phillipson (10072 KP) rated Mulan (2020) in Movies
Dec 7, 2020
Finally got to watch on Disney + and I would have to admit I'm disappointed by the movie there are some good action scenes but there was something missing from the movie needed more comedy element as I've never watched the original but I knew about mushu the dragon voiced by Eddie Murphy. Here basically he's been written out of the movie big mistake. I think I will try watching the original and probably like it more