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Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Chronicle of the Mound Builders in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Chronicle of the Mound Builders] by [Elle Marie] is a fast paced, thought provoking ride. The tie between the past and the present using a female archaeologist as one of the main protagonists is a different take on a mystery.
As someone who if familiar with the Cahokia Mounds and the mystery that surrounds them I personally found the plot of this story intriguing. The characters were believable even in some of the more fantastic elements. It all fit together.
I could have done without the sex scene because it seemed gratuitous but I get that is common in fiction today. The story could stand very well on its own without that though.
I have recommended this book to my sister who is an anthropologist and a big [Elizabeth Peters] fan.
As someone who if familiar with the Cahokia Mounds and the mystery that surrounds them I personally found the plot of this story intriguing. The characters were believable even in some of the more fantastic elements. It all fit together.
I could have done without the sex scene because it seemed gratuitous but I get that is common in fiction today. The story could stand very well on its own without that though.
I have recommended this book to my sister who is an anthropologist and a big [Elizabeth Peters] fan.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Closed Casket: The New Hercule Poirot Mystery in Books
Jul 28, 2017
A good adaptation of a classic but leave it be
I really quite enjoyed this version of Agatha Christie's classic Belgian detective despite being a huge fan of the original. Having read most of the collection I was a bit irked at having it rehashed under someone else's guise. Sophie Hannah has done a good job of bringing the old elements from the original but it should be said to leave it be. Hannah quite easily could have created a new character without taking literary licence from Christie.
It seems that in order for her book to be noticed in an already over saturated area, Hannah has reincarnated the character. She needs more confidence in her writing - so I hope that she chooses to be a bit more original next time.
It seems that in order for her book to be noticed in an already over saturated area, Hannah has reincarnated the character. She needs more confidence in her writing - so I hope that she chooses to be a bit more original next time.
Daniel Holford (0 KP) rated American Vandal in TV
Sep 20, 2017
Far Better than expected!
There's not many TV shows that can grip me into watch all of their episodes back to back, especially comedies which I often have a hard time to really get into.
However this show is me gripped from the end of episode (plenty of cliffhangers to push you forwards immediately). The story is very focussed on the "dick drawing" and the trial of Dylan, whether he did do it and what motive he had for it?
This is filmed perfectly like making a murderer, less mocumentary and more like an actual serious docudrama with some added elements of humour. For a show I thought would immediately be about dick jokes, they steered fairly clear making a smarter and genuinely greater show than I could have expected.
However this show is me gripped from the end of episode (plenty of cliffhangers to push you forwards immediately). The story is very focussed on the "dick drawing" and the trial of Dylan, whether he did do it and what motive he had for it?
This is filmed perfectly like making a murderer, less mocumentary and more like an actual serious docudrama with some added elements of humour. For a show I thought would immediately be about dick jokes, they steered fairly clear making a smarter and genuinely greater show than I could have expected.
Miguel Covarrubias (143 KP) rated The Outsider in Books
Apr 30, 2019
I often forget how much I enjoy Stephen King's writing style. It's almost a fun game trying to see how his work fits into his larger King-Iverse. This one ties in quite well, and in fact reminded me quite a bit of my absolute favorite of his, The Dark Tower Series. There were a few elements that I felt were a bit unusual and wondered why they were added like the weird affair between characters. But I understand that characters do what characters do. You, as a writer, don't necessarily control them. You are a conduit for their story and often times they will tell it the way they want to tell it. So for those I will deduct the one star. Not King's fault necessarily, more the fault of the characters.
KatieLouCreate (162 KP) rated The Declaration in Books
Jan 22, 2018
This book is a great read for a younger audience looking for a good YA series to sink your teeth into. Although there are many YA tropes and cliches, the premise of the book is interesting enough for this stereotypes to be overlooked.
The story is short so it won't take particularly long to read. I, being a slow reader, read the book is six hours.
As I said, the concept of the book is interesting, inviting you to question opinions on morality and immortality. The book does contain mild abuse because of the dystopian elements in the book however they are not graphic in detail.
I loved reading this book when I was younger and I am still enjoying rereading as an adult.
The story is short so it won't take particularly long to read. I, being a slow reader, read the book is six hours.
As I said, the concept of the book is interesting, inviting you to question opinions on morality and immortality. The book does contain mild abuse because of the dystopian elements in the book however they are not graphic in detail.
I loved reading this book when I was younger and I am still enjoying rereading as an adult.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Total Recall (2012) in Movies
Feb 7, 2018
Good Sfx (1 more)
Good cast
A very decent film in it's own right, and no it's not a straight remake! If you watch the first film again today it sure does look dated now. The main theme or plot is similar but put into a different context and setting altogether. The technology you see in the film was very interesting as well and there is plenty of action and very good SFX. It has a few nods towards the old film but seems to borrow elements from a number of Sci-Fi films including Blade Runner, especially for the look of the city. Even Star Wars Attack of the clones, Robocop. Throw in Jessica Biel and Kate Beckinsale, it's not a bad way to treat your eyes for 2 hours!
Dana (24 KP) rated A Cold Legacy (The Madman's Daughter, #3) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This was a pretty good ending to the series. Though I liked the other two novels better, this one still held its own. With heavy ties to Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, this novel took on even darker and more serious elements to the series. Frankly, I didn't know that would have been possible. The characters went on developing and there were quite a few twists that I didn't see coming. After one point toward that later half of the book, however, I found myself not wanting to pay as much attention. I felt like it had already been through all of the stuff it was going through and got a bit repetitive. I liked the book, overall, though and would highly recommend this series to anyone who likes a good horror novel!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972) in Movies
Mar 16, 2018
Hammer's attempt to make Dracula more with-it succeeds as far as it does despite, rather than because of, the contemporary elements. Dracula pops up in the present day, causes the usual trouble, is disposed of with surprising ease. (The plot is essentially a retread of that of Taste the Blood of Dracula but with more flared trousers and Peter Cushing.)
Christopher Lee's disdain for the whole project is virtually palpable, but Peter Cushing works his usual magic in lifting some rather duff material. Movie may deserve some kind of award for the sheer number of before-they-were-famous people appearing in it. It's not quite actively bad, but it feels much more dated than any of the films set in the 19th century. Somewhat groovy; hardly fab.
Christopher Lee's disdain for the whole project is virtually palpable, but Peter Cushing works his usual magic in lifting some rather duff material. Movie may deserve some kind of award for the sheer number of before-they-were-famous people appearing in it. It's not quite actively bad, but it feels much more dated than any of the films set in the 19th century. Somewhat groovy; hardly fab.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Sorry to Bother You (2018) in Movies
Jan 16, 2019
Boisterous, anarchic satire with absurdist elements, concerning the socio-political awakening of a young African-American man. Cash Green (it's not always subtle) discovers a talent for telemarketing, but only while he uses his 'white voice' (the actor is ostentatiously dubbed at these moments). Success beckons, but can he overlook the moral consequences of the things his employers do?
Scatter-gun satire is mixed in with some not-especially-profound commentary on the nature of American society and economics; luckily the film is filled with enough energy and ideas to stay interesting and entertaining throughout. Comes a bit unravelled towards the end, but still features some of the funniest, most provocative scenes in recent memory. Very good performances from Stanfield and Hammer in particular. A passionate, vibrant, very inventive film.
Scatter-gun satire is mixed in with some not-especially-profound commentary on the nature of American society and economics; luckily the film is filled with enough energy and ideas to stay interesting and entertaining throughout. Comes a bit unravelled towards the end, but still features some of the funniest, most provocative scenes in recent memory. Very good performances from Stanfield and Hammer in particular. A passionate, vibrant, very inventive film.
Merissa (13929 KP) rated Dangerous Decisions (Obsidian Flame #3) in Books
Jan 22, 2020
DANGEROUS DECISIONS is the third book in the Obsidian Flame series and although we continue with the overall story arc, this one has Hank and Misha on prominent display.
Hank has been keeping a secret from Lara and so, as it turns out, has Misha. Both secrets have a massive impact on Lara in very different ways, adding brilliant elements to the story.
Lara and Raf are just as hot and pig-headed as before, but now we have Hank and Misha too. Think of Romeo and Juliet (but grown up) and you're there. I really felt for Misha in this one. She really didn't have an easy way out of any of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait for it to continue. Absolutely recommended by me.
Hank has been keeping a secret from Lara and so, as it turns out, has Misha. Both secrets have a massive impact on Lara in very different ways, adding brilliant elements to the story.
Lara and Raf are just as hot and pig-headed as before, but now we have Hank and Misha too. Think of Romeo and Juliet (but grown up) and you're there. I really felt for Misha in this one. She really didn't have an easy way out of any of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait for it to continue. Absolutely recommended by me.