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Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Buried Giant in Books
Mar 15, 2018
If you want a book that will leave you thinking, without forgetting to keep you entertained, you should pick this up. Telling the story of an elderly couple in post-Arthurian England who set off on foot to meet their estranged son in his village, it uses a slew of fantasy elements to make us question if it is really worth remembering everything or if we are better off letting some things be forgotten. Also touching on themes of love, age, and death, there are a lot of heady ideas thrown into the mix. With the portions of the countryside the book takes place in being shrouded in a mist that causes rather extreme forgetfulness, pretty much everyone winds up being at least somewhat unreliable. The writing is superb, the characters quite engaging, and the main plot reminiscent of a classic fairy tale but for adults. This is a book to be savored and a story I will likely cherish for some time to come.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Scars of Dracula (1970) in Movies
Feb 24, 2018 (Updated Feb 25, 2018)
Hammer's sixth film with Dracula in the title was supposed to reboot the series from scratch, with a new actor in the title role; distributors insisted on Christopher Lee being brought back, which explains both the opening sequence in which Dracula is (somewhat bafflingly) resurrected, and the general sense of resignation in Lee's performance.
Script rambles, attempts to inject more gore and sex into the Hammer Dracula formula; director Baker doesn't seem to be really up for it, somehow. Some elements from the original novel reappear, also a few from previous Hammer Draculas. Patrick Troughton (looking like Liam Gallagher's granddad) is good value as Dracula's long-suffering handyman Klove. Some of the younger cast would go on to have decent careers; nothing to suggest that here, though. The rubber bat puppet from this film would go on to have no career whatsoever, which is not at all surprising. All really kind of perfunctory and mechanical.
Script rambles, attempts to inject more gore and sex into the Hammer Dracula formula; director Baker doesn't seem to be really up for it, somehow. Some elements from the original novel reappear, also a few from previous Hammer Draculas. Patrick Troughton (looking like Liam Gallagher's granddad) is good value as Dracula's long-suffering handyman Klove. Some of the younger cast would go on to have decent careers; nothing to suggest that here, though. The rubber bat puppet from this film would go on to have no career whatsoever, which is not at all surprising. All really kind of perfunctory and mechanical.
Goldenarrow74 (10 KP) rated Ritual de lo Habitual by Jane's Addiction in Music
Feb 24, 2018
Important album at an important time
Fusing elements from several different musical styles including rock, jazz, funk and soul this came out at a refreshing time for music.
Grunge had yet to happen and the turgid, hair metal rock scene needed something to revitalise alternative music.
The alt-rock scene that also included FNM, NIN, RHCP etc refused to be pigeonholed into just one genre.
Perry Farrell was not only a great songwriter but also a tremendous showman - Electric onstage and difficult to take your eyes off.
From the instantly accessible, MTV-friendly Been Caught Stealing’ to the slowburning ‘Three Days’ which continues to sound better with every listen, this album is a must-have for anyone into guitar music.
While it never strays into noisy guitar for
the sake of it, it rocks when it needs to but it’s during the more melodic moments that showcases Jane’s sheer magnificence.
Grunge had yet to happen and the turgid, hair metal rock scene needed something to revitalise alternative music.
The alt-rock scene that also included FNM, NIN, RHCP etc refused to be pigeonholed into just one genre.
Perry Farrell was not only a great songwriter but also a tremendous showman - Electric onstage and difficult to take your eyes off.
From the instantly accessible, MTV-friendly Been Caught Stealing’ to the slowburning ‘Three Days’ which continues to sound better with every listen, this album is a must-have for anyone into guitar music.
While it never strays into noisy guitar for
the sake of it, it rocks when it needs to but it’s during the more melodic moments that showcases Jane’s sheer magnificence.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Batman (1989) in Movies
Feb 25, 2018
Tim Burton's landmark superhero adaptation was an unavoidable media juggernaut on original release; has stood the test of time pretty well. Bruce Wayne begins his battle against crime as Batman, inadvertently creates psycho crime-lord the Joker; the two of them both take a shine to reporter Vicki Vale.
Enormously influenced by Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, clearly, but then you could say the same about every single other Batman movie since. The real innovation at the time was to create a distinctive fantasy world around Batman so he appears less absurd: hence the gothic nightmare of Gotham City's architecture, and the combination of elements of 40s and 80s fashion in the costume design. Whole film is arguably unbalanced by Jack Nicholson's not-exactly-understated performance as the Joker, though Michael Keaton does his best. Is there really anything behind all the art direction and overacting? Possibly not, but that may be missing the point.
Enormously influenced by Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, clearly, but then you could say the same about every single other Batman movie since. The real innovation at the time was to create a distinctive fantasy world around Batman so he appears less absurd: hence the gothic nightmare of Gotham City's architecture, and the combination of elements of 40s and 80s fashion in the costume design. Whole film is arguably unbalanced by Jack Nicholson's not-exactly-understated performance as the Joker, though Michael Keaton does his best. Is there really anything behind all the art direction and overacting? Possibly not, but that may be missing the point.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated The Missing Map of Pirate’s Haven in Books
Jun 20, 2018
Will the Accidental Detectives Find the Pirate Treasure?
Ricky, his brother Joel, and their friends are off to San Diego to help Lisa’s uncle paint his new house. When they arrive, they learn a local legend about a pirate who has buried his treasure in the area. It sounds crazy until Joel finds a couple of silver coins. Meanwhile, Lisa’s uncle is acting strangely. Can Ricky figure out everything that is going on?
I’ve read this book a couple of times now, although it’s been over a decade since the last time I read it, so pieces of the plot came back to me as I was reading. Even so, I was still blown away by how well plotted the book is, with all the clues needed in very plain sight. The characters are strong as well, and they provide some wonderful laughs along the way. The Christian elements is woven in seamlessly and never overwhelms this plot driven middle grade book.
I’ve read this book a couple of times now, although it’s been over a decade since the last time I read it, so pieces of the plot came back to me as I was reading. Even so, I was still blown away by how well plotted the book is, with all the clues needed in very plain sight. The characters are strong as well, and they provide some wonderful laughs along the way. The Christian elements is woven in seamlessly and never overwhelms this plot driven middle grade book.
Kristin (149 KP) rated The Warded Man (Demon Cycle, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I won a print copy of this book in a FirstReads giveaway.
When I first read the synopsis, I was hesitant to enter the giveaway, as I didn't know how much I would enjoy this book. However, I talked myself into it, and I'm definitely glad I did, because it's a great book. The idea of demons, or "corelings," rising through the ground every night to attack people and tear up everything is just really interesting, and I don't know why I was hesitant to begin with. I found myself growing attached to the three main characters as their stories unfolded, and I couldn't wait to see what happened on the next page. There's a ton of action, the paranormal/horror aspect of attacking demons, some historical elements, and even a little romance, so it's got something for everyone. I decided less than halfway through that I'm going to get the 2nd and 3rd books, and I can't wait to get started on them!!
5 stars
When I first read the synopsis, I was hesitant to enter the giveaway, as I didn't know how much I would enjoy this book. However, I talked myself into it, and I'm definitely glad I did, because it's a great book. The idea of demons, or "corelings," rising through the ground every night to attack people and tear up everything is just really interesting, and I don't know why I was hesitant to begin with. I found myself growing attached to the three main characters as their stories unfolded, and I couldn't wait to see what happened on the next page. There's a ton of action, the paranormal/horror aspect of attacking demons, some historical elements, and even a little romance, so it's got something for everyone. I decided less than halfway through that I'm going to get the 2nd and 3rd books, and I can't wait to get started on them!!
5 stars
Lexi (8 KP) rated Clue Period Tracker in Apps
Aug 29, 2018
As simple or detailed as you want it to be (2 more)
Easy to keep track
Can link to partners phone
Really useful
This app is really useful for keeping track of your cycle.
It is as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. You can track everything from allergies to sleep patterns to how your hair was that day. I love how you can choose which elements are the most relevant for you to track and you don't have to fill in all the sections every day.
It also let's you track past periods so you can see patterns like length of cycle etc.
There's also a handy feature that allows you to link your app to your partners phone so they don't have to ask whether you bit their head off because "it's that time of the month".
Generally I've found it really useful and I would highly recommend this app if you're looking for a way to monitor your periods.
It is as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. You can track everything from allergies to sleep patterns to how your hair was that day. I love how you can choose which elements are the most relevant for you to track and you don't have to fill in all the sections every day.
It also let's you track past periods so you can see patterns like length of cycle etc.
There's also a handy feature that allows you to link your app to your partners phone so they don't have to ask whether you bit their head off because "it's that time of the month".
Generally I've found it really useful and I would highly recommend this app if you're looking for a way to monitor your periods.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Ruin Me (2017) in Movies
Sep 9, 2018 (Updated Sep 9, 2018)
Campy, cheesy fun (1 more)
Good pacing
Predictable (1 more)
Some iffy acting
Low budget meta horror
Contains spoilers, click to show
Shudder exclusive 'ruin me' runs a similar line to 'Fear Inc' or 'Hellhouse LLC', with a meta horror experience blurring the lines between reality and fiction.
The cast is a mix of early 2000s tropes, the goth couple, the chubby film nerd, the silent loner etc on a slasher themed survival weekend where events take a turn for the bloody.
They twist and turn a few times, toying with the viewer using an unreliable narrator, our protagonist Alex, whom you aren't ever really sure is in the real world.
Not much will surprise you, but it is a fun trope laden film with no real pretence of being anything other than it is...a low budget meta slasher.
Not a bad 90 mins though, and it's watchable enough so long as you don't mind the sometimes clunky humour and meta elements getting front and centre.
The cast is a mix of early 2000s tropes, the goth couple, the chubby film nerd, the silent loner etc on a slasher themed survival weekend where events take a turn for the bloody.
They twist and turn a few times, toying with the viewer using an unreliable narrator, our protagonist Alex, whom you aren't ever really sure is in the real world.
Not much will surprise you, but it is a fun trope laden film with no real pretence of being anything other than it is...a low budget meta slasher.
Not a bad 90 mins though, and it's watchable enough so long as you don't mind the sometimes clunky humour and meta elements getting front and centre.
David McK (3632 KP) rated The Noah's Ark Quest (Tyler Locke, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
If I was asked to describe this book in just one word, I think it's safe to say that that word would be 'frantic'.
The latest book I've read in what seems to be a fast-growing genre (thrillers using elements of the Bible as their starting point - think 'The Da Vinci Code'), this one really deals with the search for Noah's Ark while a power-crazed madman plots to start Armageddon. The novel moves along at a fair clip, rushing from once action scene to another with barely a pause for breath. Perhaps, however, that pace is too fast, as it leaves little in the way for plot to develop before rushing on to the next big scene.
As seems to be De-Rigor for this type of novel, the central protoganists also has access to all sorts of toys and gadgetry, as well as contacts high up in government: it's never just Joe Bloggs from down the street that these stories focus on! *laughs*
The latest book I've read in what seems to be a fast-growing genre (thrillers using elements of the Bible as their starting point - think 'The Da Vinci Code'), this one really deals with the search for Noah's Ark while a power-crazed madman plots to start Armageddon. The novel moves along at a fair clip, rushing from once action scene to another with barely a pause for breath. Perhaps, however, that pace is too fast, as it leaves little in the way for plot to develop before rushing on to the next big scene.
As seems to be De-Rigor for this type of novel, the central protoganists also has access to all sorts of toys and gadgetry, as well as contacts high up in government: it's never just Joe Bloggs from down the street that these stories focus on! *laughs*
Dean (6927 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019) in Movies
Dec 23, 2019
Better than Last Jedi (1 more)
Some very good action scenes
May the force be with you
Well first of all the good news is that this is better than the last Jedi! Thankfully more in line with the Force awakens. It manages to clear up some things from the Last Jedi that many people were not happy about. There are plenty of good actions scenes. Which often feel like they took what people enjoyed from the original films and made sure they included in this sign off film. There are some nice elements that ground the film with things that happened in the original films as well. Also a big plot development out of no where. So why it might not be the ending everyone will be happy with, it does improve on the last film. Most will enjoy the retro aspects along with the new characters and developments. A decent send off.