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David McK (3676 KP) rated Warlord (The Outlaw Chronicles, #4) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The fourth book in Angus Donald's <i>Outlaw</i> series, this one is primarily set in and around the last years of Richard I (The Lionheart) reign, leading up to his death on 06/04/1199 after being struck in the shoulder by a crossbow bolt fired from a castle he was besieging in Southern France.
Like the previous three books in the series, this is presented as an elderly Alan Dale recounting the adventures of his youth, with each section (and the epilogue) of the novel as him committing the tale to paper, and his thoughts in so doing.
While the cover of the novel also has "A Robin Hood tale" above the title, I actually found that character to be sidelined more in favour of Alan in this novel than in the previous, where he very much was central to the story but seemingly not so much here. That's not to mean that he's not present, and that he doesn't have a role to play: just that this novel is more about Richard than it is Robin.
The novel also includes elements form that other great Medieval tale/obsession of the Holy Grail, which is worked into the reason why Richard is besieging the castle (at Robin's urgings) at which he receives his fatal wound. That plot strand, however, is also left wide-open for the sequel, already announced as titled <i>Grail Knight</i>, and which I'm already looking forward to!
Like the previous three books in the series, this is presented as an elderly Alan Dale recounting the adventures of his youth, with each section (and the epilogue) of the novel as him committing the tale to paper, and his thoughts in so doing.
While the cover of the novel also has "A Robin Hood tale" above the title, I actually found that character to be sidelined more in favour of Alan in this novel than in the previous, where he very much was central to the story but seemingly not so much here. That's not to mean that he's not present, and that he doesn't have a role to play: just that this novel is more about Richard than it is Robin.
The novel also includes elements form that other great Medieval tale/obsession of the Holy Grail, which is worked into the reason why Richard is besieging the castle (at Robin's urgings) at which he receives his fatal wound. That plot strand, however, is also left wide-open for the sequel, already announced as titled <i>Grail Knight</i>, and which I'm already looking forward to!
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated The Shallows (2016) in Movies
Oct 28, 2019 (Updated Oct 28, 2019)
I could never make my mind up whilst watching The Shallows if I thought it was good or not... Not usually a good sign but it's pretty straightforward - there are some things about it which are great, and some which are not.
The best thing about The Shallows is easily Blake Lively. It's more a less a one woman show (the rest of the cast are paper thin and take up a tiny amount of screentime.)
She provides us with a lead character who you want to survive, and sells the simple narrative nicely.
The other main character is of course the shark. For the most part, we don't see much of the shark and this is where the horror elements of The Shallows are best realised. The general atmosphere of the first two thirds of the runtime carry a suitable amount of tension.
The final third let's it's slip a bit in this respect, switching out tension for action, which is usually ok, but here we're subjected to some dodgy special effects work, and a whole lot of stupid plot points that don't make a whole lot of sense (silly plot points are actually present throughout, and the main reason why The Shallows isn't better than it is)
One final thought - some of the sweeping shots are really nice - some good camera work going on!
It's not a bad watch by any means, and as far as shark movies go, it's better than most.
The best thing about The Shallows is easily Blake Lively. It's more a less a one woman show (the rest of the cast are paper thin and take up a tiny amount of screentime.)
She provides us with a lead character who you want to survive, and sells the simple narrative nicely.
The other main character is of course the shark. For the most part, we don't see much of the shark and this is where the horror elements of The Shallows are best realised. The general atmosphere of the first two thirds of the runtime carry a suitable amount of tension.
The final third let's it's slip a bit in this respect, switching out tension for action, which is usually ok, but here we're subjected to some dodgy special effects work, and a whole lot of stupid plot points that don't make a whole lot of sense (silly plot points are actually present throughout, and the main reason why The Shallows isn't better than it is)
One final thought - some of the sweeping shots are really nice - some good camera work going on!
It's not a bad watch by any means, and as far as shark movies go, it's better than most.
natmac (13 KP) rated Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) in Movies
Oct 17, 2019 (Updated Oct 17, 2019)
The direction is perfect, George miller uses so many little techniques to elevate the action sequences (6 more)
The film looks gorgeous
All of the actors are on point
The characters are really interesting and depth full
George miller accomplishes so much without dialogue, nothing is over explained, a lot is left for you to figure out or imagine
The sound design and special effects are on point
The practical effects and real life stunts make a difference in the emersion.
Probably my favourite movie ever
The plot is very simple but the film isn't about the plot. It's about the world building, the characters and the action. I think I've seen this film close to 20 times in the 4 years that it's been out and it never fails as an enjoyable watch. A lot of people I have watched this film with have complained about it being weird, and that really frustrated me. It's set in the post apocalypse of the director's vision with an explanation behind most things that isn't given. Even elements like the door warrior don't really have logic behind them but are still very creative. It's really enjoyable to watch the relationship between max and furiosa develop over the course of the movie, in what on the surface looks like nothing more than a 2 hour car chase. I love this film and can't find anything about it that bothers me.
Deborah (162 KP) rated A Lady Never Tells (Willowmere, #1) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
I've really enjoyed some of Camp's previous books and I often think that in this genre books work best where they are in a series with some continuing characters, so I was looking forward to getting my teeth into the Willowmere series.
This is the first book in said series and although I didn't actively dislike it, I did find it a bit mediocre. A lot of plot elements seemed very reused and I always find the 'American girls coming over to England and catching eligible aristocratic batchelor' a bit too Mary-Sue-ish.
I didn't find it easy to like the heroine in this book all that much and it was difficult to see quite why the hero (who was likeable) would fall in love with her. Mary (or Marigold!) brings her sister to England to find their English family after their mother dies and they want to escape a somewhat unpleasant stepfather, but after this they all, but Mary in particular, do some pretty silly things. OK, they may not be up on British aristocratic ettiquette, but they seem to loose all common sense sometimes! Mary deliberately decides to conceal some important information and they go off on a jaunt whenever they feel like it, despite being attacked and suffering attempted abductions, and they seem to think it is unreasonable that the gentlemen taking responsibility for them want to try and stop them exposing themselves to danger!
Hopefully the next two books will be better.
This is the first book in said series and although I didn't actively dislike it, I did find it a bit mediocre. A lot of plot elements seemed very reused and I always find the 'American girls coming over to England and catching eligible aristocratic batchelor' a bit too Mary-Sue-ish.
I didn't find it easy to like the heroine in this book all that much and it was difficult to see quite why the hero (who was likeable) would fall in love with her. Mary (or Marigold!) brings her sister to England to find their English family after their mother dies and they want to escape a somewhat unpleasant stepfather, but after this they all, but Mary in particular, do some pretty silly things. OK, they may not be up on British aristocratic ettiquette, but they seem to loose all common sense sometimes! Mary deliberately decides to conceal some important information and they go off on a jaunt whenever they feel like it, despite being attacked and suffering attempted abductions, and they seem to think it is unreasonable that the gentlemen taking responsibility for them want to try and stop them exposing themselves to danger!
Hopefully the next two books will be better.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Uncle Drew (2018) in Movies
Jul 8, 2019
After spending his life savings to enter the Rucker Classic street ball tournament in Harlem, Dax (Lil Rel Howery) loses his team his team, girlfriend, and home to his longtime rival (Nick Kroll). Seeking to turn things around and win the $100,000 cash prize, Dax stumbles upon the legend of streetball, Uncle Drew (Kyrie Irving) and convinces him to return to the court one more time. The two men embark on a road trip to round up Drew’s old basketball squad (Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, and Nate Robinson) to take on a new generation of ballers and redeem their legacy.
There have been countless sports films that have used basketball as a backdrop. Uncle Drew takes many of the charming and humorous elements of films like Like Mike, White Men Can’t Jump, He Got Game, and more to make a film that attempts to wedge itself into the genre instead of simply being a marketing gimmick that has been dragged out longer than it should be. Although the story is very shallow, and the plot is very predictable, the point of the movie is to showcase love and friendship. The film demonstrates that sport is a way to connect people across racial lines, economic class, and across borders. Despite its weaknesses, it brings fans together for ninety minutes to laugh and enjoy the antics of a group of senior citizens and one outcast looking for redemption and a home.
There have been countless sports films that have used basketball as a backdrop. Uncle Drew takes many of the charming and humorous elements of films like Like Mike, White Men Can’t Jump, He Got Game, and more to make a film that attempts to wedge itself into the genre instead of simply being a marketing gimmick that has been dragged out longer than it should be. Although the story is very shallow, and the plot is very predictable, the point of the movie is to showcase love and friendship. The film demonstrates that sport is a way to connect people across racial lines, economic class, and across borders. Despite its weaknesses, it brings fans together for ninety minutes to laugh and enjoy the antics of a group of senior citizens and one outcast looking for redemption and a home.
Versusyours (757 KP) rated Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads in TV
Nov 5, 2019
Clever writing (2 more)
Relatable characters
Social history
A snapshot of changing social attitudes and relationships in Britain during the 1970s
A continuation of the earlier series The Likely Lads sees the changes in outlooks on life during the early 1970s and the world that is changing around them. Terry returns from the Army with a lack of a world view and a divorced whilst Bob is engaged and has entered the property ladder with lesuire activities and tastes to match. The two friends are both searching for answers about how they fit into a world that is moving to fast, does Bob want the life he is working towards? Is a Terry happy to be stuck in his ways and be skeptical of any change? The episodes are well written and show the way in which young people at the time were struggling to move away from the way there parents lived their lives and the changes that were a result of a more permissive society. The problems of the 1970s are still in essence the same worries that we still see today and the dynamics between the 2 main characters are played so well due to the clever writing and the continuing storyline that runs through the 2 seasons.
A great slice of British life from the period that has aged well due to the human elements of the relationships and the lack of understanding of the path that life is taking you on.
A great slice of British life from the period that has aged well due to the human elements of the relationships and the lack of understanding of the path that life is taking you on.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Pet Sematary (2019) in Movies
Nov 30, 2019 (Updated Nov 30, 2019)
I don't read
I don't watch a lot of remakes, especially horror remakes, especially modern horror remakes, but on the advice of a friend, I thought I would give it a try.
If you want to start an argument with me, please say the book is better simply because it is different the film. I double dare you. Books and movies are different mediums, therefore, certain elements may lend themselves to one medium better than the other. Did you really want to see young Beverly Marsh have an orgy with the other It kids right after their conquest of Pennywise (or something like that)? I didn't think so. Sometimes changing things is all right and not automatically bad just because it is different!
OK got that off my chest! 😌
So it was 80-90% the same as the 1989 version? That was all right with me this time around. The acting and use of modern CGI effects were good and fit this film well. The CGI was not overused, so my usual complaint about that is unfounded this time. The major plot change for this film I felt was a great idea and kept the audience confused as to them already thinking they knew what was going to happen during that one particular scene.
The ending was somewhat gruesome, but this is a horror movie after all so I enjoyed it.
If you want to start an argument with me, please say the book is better simply because it is different the film. I double dare you. Books and movies are different mediums, therefore, certain elements may lend themselves to one medium better than the other. Did you really want to see young Beverly Marsh have an orgy with the other It kids right after their conquest of Pennywise (or something like that)? I didn't think so. Sometimes changing things is all right and not automatically bad just because it is different!
OK got that off my chest! 😌
So it was 80-90% the same as the 1989 version? That was all right with me this time around. The acting and use of modern CGI effects were good and fit this film well. The CGI was not overused, so my usual complaint about that is unfounded this time. The major plot change for this film I felt was a great idea and kept the audience confused as to them already thinking they knew what was going to happen during that one particular scene.
The ending was somewhat gruesome, but this is a horror movie after all so I enjoyed it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated Mermaid Mysteries in Books
Mar 15, 2020
Go Under the Sea for this Novella Collection
This collection contains three mystery novellas that take the reader under the sea for stories starring three mermaid sisters, the daughter of the leader of their community of Sirenia. Up first, Zoe finds a mystery after she rescues a diver at a shipwreck she loves to explore. Next, Kyra discovers something strange happening at the vault of cultural treasures. Finally, Ava must step into leadership earlier than expected when someone kidnaps Mother.
Each of the three novella is only 90 pages each, so they are easy reads, but they are delightful. They are part coming of age tales, and watching the sisters grow is remarkable. We get to see the other characters from three sets of eyes, so it is fun to see how the different sisters view those around them. The undersea world is brought to life with a delightful attention to detail; there are many elements that made me smile, and I’d love to dive in for a visit if I could only breath underwater. The mysteries themselves are good and compelling. One ended a bit abruptly, but that was a minor complaint. If you want to try something different with your mysteries, this collection is for you.
NOTE: The novellas were originally released individually as ebooks before being combined into this electronic and print collection. Make sure you aren’t buying the same content a second time, but by all means, buy it once.
Each of the three novella is only 90 pages each, so they are easy reads, but they are delightful. They are part coming of age tales, and watching the sisters grow is remarkable. We get to see the other characters from three sets of eyes, so it is fun to see how the different sisters view those around them. The undersea world is brought to life with a delightful attention to detail; there are many elements that made me smile, and I’d love to dive in for a visit if I could only breath underwater. The mysteries themselves are good and compelling. One ended a bit abruptly, but that was a minor complaint. If you want to try something different with your mysteries, this collection is for you.
NOTE: The novellas were originally released individually as ebooks before being combined into this electronic and print collection. Make sure you aren’t buying the same content a second time, but by all means, buy it once.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated John Wick (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
“An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him.” That is the synopsis of this movie. And that pretty much sums it up. This film isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel and it isn’t trying to be smart, but it is trying to be fun and that is exactly what it is.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick, channels his inner “Neo” with slightly more emotion to track down the gangsters who wronged him. Wick is such a “bad-ass” that the Russian mob refers to him as the man you send to kill the boogieman. The action is entertaining and the gun kata is especially fun to watch but there is no point where you ever feel Wick is in danger.
The most intriguing element of this film is the underground world of assassins where we learn and understand its rules and code. Unfortunately, the film does not develop this society enough which is a shame, because they have decent elements to create a series of films on this aspect alone.
Ultimately, unless you are just looking for the quick escapism of an action film, there really is no reason to go see this in the theaters and pay full price. Check it out as a matinee or even a rental. It is entertaining action, but once it is over, it is also quickly forgotten.
Keanu Reeves as John Wick, channels his inner “Neo” with slightly more emotion to track down the gangsters who wronged him. Wick is such a “bad-ass” that the Russian mob refers to him as the man you send to kill the boogieman. The action is entertaining and the gun kata is especially fun to watch but there is no point where you ever feel Wick is in danger.
The most intriguing element of this film is the underground world of assassins where we learn and understand its rules and code. Unfortunately, the film does not develop this society enough which is a shame, because they have decent elements to create a series of films on this aspect alone.
Ultimately, unless you are just looking for the quick escapism of an action film, there really is no reason to go see this in the theaters and pay full price. Check it out as a matinee or even a rental. It is entertaining action, but once it is over, it is also quickly forgotten.
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