Search

Search only in certain items:

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
I feel like this movie was unapologetically thrashed by critics for things that it wasn't responsible for. That's not to say that the movie didn't have it's own issues, as all films do. But the vile hatred that it received for stories told decades ago was unwarranted and frankly disappointing.

Truthfully, there is enough going on in this movie that can be faulted that it didn't need to have old news rehashed (I'm talking to you weird Palpatine). But again, as a stand alone film it was quite good. And as the finale to the Skywalker saga, it did it's job.
  
Find Me at Willoughby Close
Find Me at Willoughby Close
Kate Hewitt | 2017 | Contemporary, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Heart-warming, feel good read (0 more)
This book was so really heart warming and touching. I believe this was because it happens to real people not just something that happens in books.
I saw the cover and read the blurb and knew this was one book I would definitely read. It was a feel good read. When reading it I could of been anywhere as I totally escaped into this book.
I couldn't put book the book down from the first page and I immediately felt for the main character, Harriet, which doesn't normally happen. I really felt for her especially as she took one knock after another but she took it in her stride. As she explained who she used to be I totally knew the type of person she was describing because we all know someone like this.
The character definitely changed throughout the book and became a better, nicer person and someone she wanted to be. She even explained in the book how she had changed and how she was changing back to her old self. And Kate Hewitt's writing really brought this to life. The main character didn't even need to tell the reader as we could see it.
It reminded me of similar stories I have read. All those books are what I call feel good books because they make the reader feel good and they are truly books you can lose yourself in. You can even imagine yourself sitting in the sun reading this book on holiday.
The story was so believable and could happen to read people.
I already have the other books in the series ready in my e-reader library to read and I can't wait.
I would 100% recommend this book and other by this author.
  
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Other Boleyn Girl
Philippa Gregory | 2003 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
8
7.6 (23 Ratings)
Book Rating
I read this quite a long time ago, but I have to say that I do read all of Philippa Gregory’s books because they’re just really good stories. I do have a bit of a thing about the Tudor period, and I’ve read a fair bit of both fiction and non-fiction around the period. I’m aware that this (and her others) may be heavily fictionalised, but part of reading is entertainment, no? But I do like how I feel immersed in these stories.
And who knew that Anne Boleyn’s sister had an affair with Henry VIII before Anne married him (well, when the book came out, not many people seemed to know - unless they were very heavily into their history!)? And honestly, I wouldn’t be overly surprised if a lot of goes on in the book actually happened!
  
SR
Sunset Rising Trilogy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
When the world was going to be destroyed the elete had a way out. Unfortunately they ended up with too many others. The "pit" is where the poor lived and worked to sustain the "dome". Sunny is from the pit. Jack is from the dome. They help each other escape.It has almost a [Hunger Games] feel to it with some [Handmaid's Tale]. The charcaters of Sunny and Jack are typical but complex enough to keep the story interesting. I really like that Sunny is a strong character. I read all three stories in one sitting so I would say the pace was pretty good. I would recommend this book series.
  
Patient Seven (2016)
Patient Seven (2016)
2016 | Horror
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Characters – Dr Daniel Marcus is the man trying to learn about six disturbed patients at a mental hospital, each story needs to be broken down in a different way, he is doing research for his book, but leaving us wondering what his motives are is the biggest mystery in this film. we do meet the different patients which all have different stories and we follow the events of their stories each different from the rest. We do meet the doctors, but as the film is an anthology we just don’t get enough time to look into their characters.

Performances – Michael Ironside is the star of this film with his calming presence while interviewing the patients that can turn on them in a heartbeat. We have a couple of known names in the supporting cast with Alfie Allen in the second story being the highlight of the rest of the performances, while no one is bad in their roles here, they just don’t get the time they deserve.

Story – The story here is told like an interview process to give us seven short horror stories, the fact each one goes in a different direction helps the audience find one they can enjoy even if the previous one isn’t for them. Vampires, ghost, spirits, serial killers and zombies are the main topics each one feels short enough to be entertaining, even if one did make me want to see a feature film about that character. For a horror anthology this does check the boxes well and is one that can be enjoyed.

Horror – The horror in the story comes from the different stories, while we don’t always get the best build up to the horror moments, we do follow the horror guidelines well.

Settings – Each story does take us to a new setting which helps make the film feel fresh, though I don’t quiet understand how the crimes from England, New Zealand and Iceland ended up in an American mental home.

Special Effects – The effects in the film across the different stories are great and make you feel like you are part of them.


Scene of the Movie – The second story.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – Some of the stories are slightly too short though.

Final Thoughts – This is a good horror anthology even if the ending feel slightly flat, we get plenty going on and can enjoy the different ideals of horror.

 

Overall: Horror anthology does correctly.
  
Love, Death & Robots
Love, Death & Robots
2019 | Action, Animation, Comedy
The animation is just about always amazing in some way (1 more)
I actually prefer these short episodes usually between 5 and 15 minutes
There is a lot of sexuality and nudity including full frontal male nudity that just seems like it's unnecessary most of time (1 more)
It's an aontology show Which means some episodes are just not going to be as good
A variety sample pack of short sci-fi animated stories
So this is a animated show each episode features a short self-contained story with a distinctive different animation style most of the stories are sci-fi in nature with a few being more on the supernatural side I was actually surprised by the overall quality usually in this type of show there's going to be very highs and very lows

I can say for the most part the show is really enjoyable lots of unique art styles unique stories with different backgrounds a lot of them do feel like it's more style than substance though

And there is a lot of Gore violence and sexuality sprinkled throughout the series that is just off-putting sometimes for me
  
The Leopard (Harry Hole #8) (Oslo Sequence #6)
The Leopard (Harry Hole #8) (Oslo Sequence #6)
Jo Nesbo | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Good, but drawn out
I do love Harry Hole and as a character he's brilliant, flawed and alcoholic yet always pursuing the truth and justice. I do think though that some of Jo Nesbo's stories featuring Harry are a little farfetched and drawn out, and sadly this is one of them.

The plot on this is actually very intriguing and full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming, and apart from some of the more farfetched elements, this is actually a very good thriller. The problem is it's a bit drawn out and could have been condensed a lot more, it just seemed unnecessarily long. This also seemed to have an issue with the timeline, it seemed to jump from one location to another and it made me feel a little confused. Also as much as I love Harry, he seems to do the same things in nearly every book I've read recently - leaves Norway, returns for a case he doesn't want but gets sucked in, then leaves Norway again afterwards. The better stories in the Hole series are the ones where he doesn't leave Norway at all and sadly this book is a bit half and half.

Overall this is pretty good but not flawless. It's definitely not the best book in the Harry Hole series, but neither is it anywhere near the worst.
  
40x40

Suzi (55 KP) rated Slender Man (2018) in Movies

Jul 28, 2020  
Slender Man (2018)
Slender Man (2018)
2018 | Horror
For me, this was a film that could have been great. I remember hearing stories of the slender man when I was a kid and being truly scared so I was eagerly anticipating this release.
Sadly after watching it however, I can say that it failed at every turn. Although the actors were good, the general plot and production lacked. The story slowed in the middle and I found myself dwindling in interest and concentration. Predictable jump scares along with scenes that I believe we're supposed to be scary but just ended up messed up and mildly disturbing.
Overall a watchable film but I feel this would be more suited to a wider audience than avid horror fans.
  
Best Lesbian Erotica: From Sweet to Spicy
Best Lesbian Erotica: From Sweet to Spicy
Janelle Reston | 2018 | Erotica, LGBTQ+
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
great box set!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

These stories are only short, 9 stories across 164 pages, but they are so delicious!

I can't say there was a stand out MOST favourite, because they are all really good. Very well written, in a variety of tenses, in the first and third, from lots of different characters. There is no connection between the stories, save the same author and they are lesbian erotica.

Some are really sweet, some more hard core. Some are just about the sex, and some have a more romantic feel to them.

I read them all, which for a box set, is unusual for me!

But there was one that stood out as my LEAST favourite. It's written from the main character's point of view in the first person. But when she talks about her partner, she uses YOU. So it's written using the second person. I find it a really difficult way to read a book, sorry! It doesn't affect my rating, but I felt the need to mention it, and you know I'm all about the feelings!

Apart from that one, they are all really good. I find myself wanting to read more by Ms Reston, something longer, with more pages to lose myself into!

Having had a run of male/male romances, this landed right in the queue at just the right time!

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Island Tales Vol. 1 (Island Tales #1-2)
Island Tales Vol. 1 (Island Tales #1-2)
KC Wells | 2014 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Island Tales Vol. 1 (Island Tales #1-2) by K.C. Wells
Two feel-good stories in one volume, both set in the gorgeous Isle of Wight, UK. Both of them are written extremely well, with emotions clearly showing, and reasons given for acting certain ways. The pacing is smooth, and the characters are well-rounded.

Out of the two, I preferred Waiting for a Prince. I loved how Mark and Sam became friends before lovers, and how Sam's history came to light. I was 'glad' to read about a woman abuser (although I know that sounds wrong!) It is something that happens all too often, and yet is not really spoken - or written - about.

I enjoyed September's Tide, but the whole business with Clark just annoyed me, especially when Michael got involved. And, to be honest, I still don't know why he did, or what he stood to gain by it. That's just me though.

A couple of great stories that are easy to read, and definitely recommended to read near the sea!

* 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!