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Let's make a bus route
Tabletop Game
In Let's Make a Bus Route (バスルートをつくろう), you and others each control a bus...
BoardGames RollnWriteGames
Orléans
7.1
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Tabletop Game
During the medieval goings-on around Orléans, you must assemble a following of farmers, merchants,...
BoardGames
Codenames Duet
8.6
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Tabletop Game
Codenames duet keeps the basic elements of codenames - give one-word clues to try to get someone to...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) in Movies
Dec 16, 2021
Let me start of by saying Spider-Man: No Way Home is a true cinematic experience. In terms of the MCU, it's a fully fledged event movie, but it's one that had the screen I was in, cheering and clapping. I haven't seen that in a long long time.
I'll keep this fairly short as to not dive into spoiler territory. NWH manages to serve as many things. It's a fantastic third entry into Jon Watts Spider-Man trilogy. It's a story that really puts Peter Parker through the mill. The last two have been very fun adventures. This one feels like it has consequences, and has much heavier plot beats than before.
It's also a unabashed love letter to the past Spider-Man film franchises, with familiar villains pouring in from all corners. The respect this film shows to the narratives and characters of the past films is air tight, whilst poking fun at sillier elements, and even a few memes that have surfaced over the years.
It's also an extremely important chapter in the wider MCU narrative, dealing with the multiverse, and essentially setting up Doctor Strange 2. Needless to say, it feels that Phase 4 is truly in full swing.
It's brimming with wonderful character moments (I definitely nearly cried), thrilling set pieces, and it's pacing sees it's hefty runtime fly by.
No Way Home is nothing short of excellent. An exciting new step for the MCU, a veritable treat for fans of the older films, and is a triumph in every sense of the word. One of those movies that I wish I could experience for the first time again.
I'll keep this fairly short as to not dive into spoiler territory. NWH manages to serve as many things. It's a fantastic third entry into Jon Watts Spider-Man trilogy. It's a story that really puts Peter Parker through the mill. The last two have been very fun adventures. This one feels like it has consequences, and has much heavier plot beats than before.
It's also a unabashed love letter to the past Spider-Man film franchises, with familiar villains pouring in from all corners. The respect this film shows to the narratives and characters of the past films is air tight, whilst poking fun at sillier elements, and even a few memes that have surfaced over the years.
It's also an extremely important chapter in the wider MCU narrative, dealing with the multiverse, and essentially setting up Doctor Strange 2. Needless to say, it feels that Phase 4 is truly in full swing.
It's brimming with wonderful character moments (I definitely nearly cried), thrilling set pieces, and it's pacing sees it's hefty runtime fly by.
No Way Home is nothing short of excellent. An exciting new step for the MCU, a veritable treat for fans of the older films, and is a triumph in every sense of the word. One of those movies that I wish I could experience for the first time again.
Merissa (13619 KP) rated Hidden Realm (Legends of Lightning #1) in Books
Oct 28, 2021
HIDDEN REALM is the first book in the Legends of Lightning series, and I was really looking forward to it.
What I got was a fantasy with elements of Brothers Grimm and all their original fairy tales. Now, it DOES say it is dark, so please pay attention to that if you have any triggers.
Esther is content (as far as she seems possible to be) with her life, but it takes a strange turn when she starts to manifest injuries from her dreams. She does a minimum amount of digging and decides to pack up her life and travel to a different realm.
There is a LOT of violence and rape is inferred on what felt like every page. Due to this, the impact of it lessened with each repeat. The emotional connection with the main characters was also lacking for me. I felt more for one of the supporting characters when his family died than I did for Esther or Oisin.
Just a quick heads up - prepare yourself for whiplash as Esther's emotions change course on a dime.
There is a lot of potential to this story with plenty of intrigue and twists to keep your attention. It does need tightening up in places, but on the whole, it was a good read. I am engaged enough to want to know what happens to Esther and Oisin now.
** 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!
What I got was a fantasy with elements of Brothers Grimm and all their original fairy tales. Now, it DOES say it is dark, so please pay attention to that if you have any triggers.
Esther is content (as far as she seems possible to be) with her life, but it takes a strange turn when she starts to manifest injuries from her dreams. She does a minimum amount of digging and decides to pack up her life and travel to a different realm.
There is a LOT of violence and rape is inferred on what felt like every page. Due to this, the impact of it lessened with each repeat. The emotional connection with the main characters was also lacking for me. I felt more for one of the supporting characters when his family died than I did for Esther or Oisin.
Just a quick heads up - prepare yourself for whiplash as Esther's emotions change course on a dime.
There is a lot of potential to this story with plenty of intrigue and twists to keep your attention. It does need tightening up in places, but on the whole, it was a good read. I am engaged enough to want to know what happens to Esther and Oisin now.
** 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!
Book Mate
8.0
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Book
I’d had a hard start in life, but now things were finally going my way. That is until the front...
Contemporary Time Travel Erotica Interracial
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2466 KP) rated Salt Water Wounds in Books
Aug 19, 2022 (Updated Aug 19, 2022)
Facing Wounds from the Past and Danger in the Present
It’s been two months since Hurricane Irma devastated the island of St. John, and in that time, Sabrina Salter and her friends have been trying to figure out how they are going to rebuild. Sabrina’s grandmother has some contacts back in the Boston area that will be able to help them get supplies, and she has asked Sabrina to join her so they can begin to search for Sabrina’s mother, who abandoned her as a toddler. Meanwhile, two explosions on St. John leave behind a dead body and danger for the friends Sabrina is leaving behind. Will they figure out what happened in the past and what is happening in the present?
If you are new to the series, know that this book will mean much more if you read it in order. We are seeing developments in several storylines we’ve followed since the beginning. While the two stories do start and end together, in many ways, we are seeing two parallel plots in this book. Both were compelling for different reasons, and I had a hard time putting the book down, reading the last third when I really intended to be doing something else. Elements of the climax are rushed, although that is a minor thing. Sabrina gets some wonderful character development here, and it’s great to see the rest of the cast again. This is a step away from the cozies I typically read, so keep that in mind before you pick up the book. If you are a fan, you’ll be happy with Sabrina’s latest adventure.
If you are new to the series, know that this book will mean much more if you read it in order. We are seeing developments in several storylines we’ve followed since the beginning. While the two stories do start and end together, in many ways, we are seeing two parallel plots in this book. Both were compelling for different reasons, and I had a hard time putting the book down, reading the last third when I really intended to be doing something else. Elements of the climax are rushed, although that is a minor thing. Sabrina gets some wonderful character development here, and it’s great to see the rest of the cast again. This is a step away from the cozies I typically read, so keep that in mind before you pick up the book. If you are a fan, you’ll be happy with Sabrina’s latest adventure.
Merissa (13619 KP) rated The Starfolk Arcana (The Starfolk Trilogy #1) by Martha Dunlop in Books
Jul 21, 2022 (Updated Jul 26, 2023)
THE STARFOLK ARCANA is the first book in the Starfolk Trilogy and we are introduced to a contemporary world where Beth has never felt as though she fitted in, due to her gut feelings and intuition. On her birthday, she goes to a TV show that her friend got tickets for. There, she sees a celebrity, Amelia, who speaks a lot of nonsense but nevertheless manages to sway over the audience apart from Beth. It is also there she meets Jonan for the first time. Life is about to get a whole lot more interesting.
I wouldn't call this a romance book, but rather a story with romantic elements. There is a lot of back and forth between Beth and Jonan as they try to work together, past lives and tarot cards notwithstanding. The whole world seems to be under Amelia's spell, and they need to stop it. It is an uphill battle though, as it is easier to give in to fear than to fight it.
Full of twists and turns, you are never completely sure who to trust. I understood Beth's frustration and hope for the general population but I found her blindness to her roommate to be just as irritating for me.
It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger which definitely left me wanting more. A great read I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** 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!
Jul 11, 2022
I wouldn't call this a romance book, but rather a story with romantic elements. There is a lot of back and forth between Beth and Jonan as they try to work together, past lives and tarot cards notwithstanding. The whole world seems to be under Amelia's spell, and they need to stop it. It is an uphill battle though, as it is easier to give in to fear than to fight it.
Full of twists and turns, you are never completely sure who to trust. I understood Beth's frustration and hope for the general population but I found her blindness to her roommate to be just as irritating for me.
It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger which definitely left me wanting more. A great read I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** 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!
Jul 11, 2022
David McK (3676 KP) rated Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) in Movies
May 15, 2022
Marvel's first horror (themed) movie?
So, Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange?
He's now appeared in six MCU movies, including this one (which is only his second solo outing). In order, they are:
Doctor Strange (2016)
Thor: Ragnorak (2017)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
As well as that, he's also appeared in perhaps the best episode of Marvels animated 'What If ...' series, titled 'What if ... Doctor Strange lost his heart instead of his hands?@
The reason I mention the latter?
Because, roughly halfway through this, Dr Strange falls through the Multiverse (first shown on the big screen in No Way Home): one of which looks very much like the animation style used in said series.
The films also relies heavily on the aftermath from TVs WandaVision (although a brief reprise of that is given by Wanda herself, with Vision barely getting a mention), in that Wanda is now desperate to find her missing children and has the Darkhold in her possession.
She also goes on to show why she is one of - if not the - most powerful beings in the MCU, which is where a lot of the horror elements in this story come into play. It is a Sam Raimi film, so if you've seen The Evil Dead (or even the original Spider-man trilogy, in particular Spider-Man 2), you know the type of thing: crazy camera angles, unsettling imagery, zombies, the damned ....
Oh, and it also definitely - finally! - opens up the MCU for the inclusion of the X-Men or The Fantastic Four.
He's now appeared in six MCU movies, including this one (which is only his second solo outing). In order, they are:
Doctor Strange (2016)
Thor: Ragnorak (2017)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
As well as that, he's also appeared in perhaps the best episode of Marvels animated 'What If ...' series, titled 'What if ... Doctor Strange lost his heart instead of his hands?@
The reason I mention the latter?
Because, roughly halfway through this, Dr Strange falls through the Multiverse (first shown on the big screen in No Way Home): one of which looks very much like the animation style used in said series.
The films also relies heavily on the aftermath from TVs WandaVision (although a brief reprise of that is given by Wanda herself, with Vision barely getting a mention), in that Wanda is now desperate to find her missing children and has the Darkhold in her possession.
She also goes on to show why she is one of - if not the - most powerful beings in the MCU, which is where a lot of the horror elements in this story come into play. It is a Sam Raimi film, so if you've seen The Evil Dead (or even the original Spider-man trilogy, in particular Spider-Man 2), you know the type of thing: crazy camera angles, unsettling imagery, zombies, the damned ....
Oh, and it also definitely - finally! - opens up the MCU for the inclusion of the X-Men or The Fantastic Four.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated The Last Airbender (2010) in Movies
Jun 24, 2022
The way the pronounce Aang! (5 more)
Acting
Script
The bending!
Casting
Zuko's "scar"
WTF???
No. No, this is not a good film in ANY way!
Just put a pin in the fact that this fill caused fans of the original series to die inside, this was a shit film!
The acting is so wooden, the script makes little sense, the pacing is so off and the one thing that should have been awesome, even if they went way off with the sorce materieal, was the bending. Which SUCKED! So hard! It was so underwhelming. Dude, did you even watch the series!?!?!
So, let's look at some of its other issues:
Aang. How do you pronounce it? We, here is a f***ing clue- WATCH THE SERIES! They say it hundreds of times!!!!
Zuko, one of the best written characters in an animated series with his signature scar that is so central to his journey as a character, reduced to a bit of sunburn!!!!!
How did you mess up Appa!?!?!?! He is a huge fluffy flying byson! He could have saved this film, but he was relegated to basically a background prop!
The bending. What the actual F**K was that!? Lots of dancing, then sometimes some elements move. If you have seen the series, there is no way this did not piss you off. If you have not, please go and watch at least 3 episodes, then tell me I am wrong about how crap this was.
You insulted Iroh, the best character ever that we all need as an uncle!
Just no. So much no. I hate you now.
Just put a pin in the fact that this fill caused fans of the original series to die inside, this was a shit film!
The acting is so wooden, the script makes little sense, the pacing is so off and the one thing that should have been awesome, even if they went way off with the sorce materieal, was the bending. Which SUCKED! So hard! It was so underwhelming. Dude, did you even watch the series!?!?!
So, let's look at some of its other issues:
Aang. How do you pronounce it? We, here is a f***ing clue- WATCH THE SERIES! They say it hundreds of times!!!!
Zuko, one of the best written characters in an animated series with his signature scar that is so central to his journey as a character, reduced to a bit of sunburn!!!!!
How did you mess up Appa!?!?!?! He is a huge fluffy flying byson! He could have saved this film, but he was relegated to basically a background prop!
The bending. What the actual F**K was that!? Lots of dancing, then sometimes some elements move. If you have seen the series, there is no way this did not piss you off. If you have not, please go and watch at least 3 episodes, then tell me I am wrong about how crap this was.
You insulted Iroh, the best character ever that we all need as an uncle!
Just no. So much no. I hate you now.