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Natalia (73 KP) rated Siege and Storm in Books
Jan 26, 2019
I suppose I should make this quick: after enjoying the first so much, it's hard not to go into this book and not love every moment.
There's plenty of action, and the first chapters contain far more than I had anticipated, though, this was extremely welcomed. A lot of the time I find myself disappointed in the second book of a series, especially within trilogies, but this was not the case - rather than the plot slowing down, the entirety of the book feels purposeful following a largely similar structure to the first. Alina's character feels like she becomes far more developed, more than two-dimensional, and some of my favourite characters of the Grishaverse are introduced in this book: these also being ones that most fans are fond of, in case you need something more to look forward to.
Overall, this book beat the expectations I had of it, having gone into the series blind as I usually try and do. Whether you're a fan of the first book or not, it's worth continuing with the series, and if you loved it then I doubt your opinion will change on it at all.
There's plenty of action, and the first chapters contain far more than I had anticipated, though, this was extremely welcomed. A lot of the time I find myself disappointed in the second book of a series, especially within trilogies, but this was not the case - rather than the plot slowing down, the entirety of the book feels purposeful following a largely similar structure to the first. Alina's character feels like she becomes far more developed, more than two-dimensional, and some of my favourite characters of the Grishaverse are introduced in this book: these also being ones that most fans are fond of, in case you need something more to look forward to.
Overall, this book beat the expectations I had of it, having gone into the series blind as I usually try and do. Whether you're a fan of the first book or not, it's worth continuing with the series, and if you loved it then I doubt your opinion will change on it at all.
Marylegs (44 KP) rated After Alice in Books
Aug 14, 2019
At this point I honestly don’t know what to write about ‘After Alice’. This SHOULD be a book I enjoy. This is an author I have read other books from and have enjoyed. But in all honesty this book is dire. I am 15%+ into the book, and I can’t honestly tell you what is happening.
The language feels like someone has vomited out a thesaurus. It doesn’t flow and the language doesn’t even feel like it is being used to enhance the descriptive tones. Instead it feels like alternative words are being used for the sake it. Possibly to mask the fact that even though I am over 15% in NOTHING has happened.
I have no bond with the characters. It isn’t even that I dislike them. There has been barely any character building what so ever. I very rarely leave a book unfinished. But I feel like I am reading for the sake of finishing it. And having a toddler I don’t have the time to read a book I am not enjoying.
Very disappointing. I feel like I should have loved it.
The language feels like someone has vomited out a thesaurus. It doesn’t flow and the language doesn’t even feel like it is being used to enhance the descriptive tones. Instead it feels like alternative words are being used for the sake it. Possibly to mask the fact that even though I am over 15% in NOTHING has happened.
I have no bond with the characters. It isn’t even that I dislike them. There has been barely any character building what so ever. I very rarely leave a book unfinished. But I feel like I am reading for the sake of finishing it. And having a toddler I don’t have the time to read a book I am not enjoying.
Very disappointing. I feel like I should have loved it.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Midway (2019) in Movies
Nov 12, 2019
Wallowing historical re-enactment is technically an independent movie but certainly feels like a by-the-numbers Hollywood war film. On one level this is a decent attempt at a more even-handed re-telling of the first part of the war in the Pacific, including events like the raid on Pearl Harbor, the Doolittle attack on Tokyo, and the battle of the Coral Sea before moving on to the battle of Midway itself. However, this just results in a bloated narrative which struggles to stay focused and often feels repetitive.
Much money has obviously been spent on special effects, but the film is too often becalmed in the nautical equivalent of the uncanny valley. Too much of it takes place at the pitch of a single note of macho, stoic patriotism. There are some good performances amongst the cast, but Ed Skrein's lead character is difficult to warm up to. It's never actually dull to watch, but neither is it especially thrilling or moving. In the end it passes the time, but I can think of other Emmerich movies which are less respectable but much more fun.
Much money has obviously been spent on special effects, but the film is too often becalmed in the nautical equivalent of the uncanny valley. Too much of it takes place at the pitch of a single note of macho, stoic patriotism. There are some good performances amongst the cast, but Ed Skrein's lead character is difficult to warm up to. It's never actually dull to watch, but neither is it especially thrilling or moving. In the end it passes the time, but I can think of other Emmerich movies which are less respectable but much more fun.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Midway (2019) in Movies
Feb 19, 2020
I'm a bit conflicted about this film. I thought the actors were great, I was attached to them and their story and that made this film enjoyable and heart wrenching at the same time. I wasn't in love with the scope of the timeline, I feel like it was a lot to remember - not that you have to remember the dates, but part of you feels kind of guilty if you don't, or is that just me? The hard part about that though is that none of it feels unnecessary. I feel like you get a well-rounded look at how we got to that point and all the events that led up to it. Obviously you could include so much more but then we'd be talking about a 6-hour movie and that'd be ridiculous.
I loved this cast. Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Woody Harrelson, Mandy Moore, Dennis Quaid, Darren Criss, everyone was phenomenal and they played their parts well. Do I think I'll ever watch this film again? Hmmm, probably not. But I'm glad I spent the time to watch it and learn a little bit more too. It's definitely a great story.
I loved this cast. Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Woody Harrelson, Mandy Moore, Dennis Quaid, Darren Criss, everyone was phenomenal and they played their parts well. Do I think I'll ever watch this film again? Hmmm, probably not. But I'm glad I spent the time to watch it and learn a little bit more too. It's definitely a great story.
Russell Evans (179 KP) rated The Mandalorian in TV
Feb 22, 2020
The Star Wars franchises new hope
The Star Wars franchises new hope.
As a massive Star Wars fan and being old enough to have experienced the originals, I really enjoyed season 1. While I have liked the new Disney Star Wars films to varying degrees, I haven’t loved them entirely. I didn’t have great hopes for Disney’s series - I found my own lack of faith disturbing.
I happy to admit I was wrong. It feels so much more authentic and more star warsy than the recent films, the filming feels nostalgic. With the absence of the politicised content that has pervaded the Star Wars universe recently, The Mandalorian is darker, grittier, great effects, action packed and (perhaps most importantly) just a simpler story – told well. Also worth mentioning is the awesomeness of The child aka ‘baby yoda’.
My only minor criticism would be that the episodes got to be a bit formulaic – Mandalorian turns up at new location, makes a new ally, defeats that episode enemy, moves on … reminded me a little of the weekly A-Team episodes. Just me?
Highly recommended - A must see for Star Wars Fans!
As a massive Star Wars fan and being old enough to have experienced the originals, I really enjoyed season 1. While I have liked the new Disney Star Wars films to varying degrees, I haven’t loved them entirely. I didn’t have great hopes for Disney’s series - I found my own lack of faith disturbing.
I happy to admit I was wrong. It feels so much more authentic and more star warsy than the recent films, the filming feels nostalgic. With the absence of the politicised content that has pervaded the Star Wars universe recently, The Mandalorian is darker, grittier, great effects, action packed and (perhaps most importantly) just a simpler story – told well. Also worth mentioning is the awesomeness of The child aka ‘baby yoda’.
My only minor criticism would be that the episodes got to be a bit formulaic – Mandalorian turns up at new location, makes a new ally, defeats that episode enemy, moves on … reminded me a little of the weekly A-Team episodes. Just me?
Highly recommended - A must see for Star Wars Fans!
Everything You Do is Wrong
Book
'Do You Know This Girl?' Harmony's teenage craving for drama is answered when a body is discovered...
Awix (3310 KP) rated Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020) in Movies
Jun 28, 2020 (Updated Jun 28, 2020)
Fairly standard rom-com is mashed up with that episode of Father Ted with 'My Lovely Horse' and slathered in the usual by-now-overfamiliar Will Ferrell ironic sensibility, with results that are not nearly funny enough. Two middle-aged small town freaks get to represent Iceland in the Eurosong contest after a series of unlikely events, but will the pressures of the contest keep them from recognising their true feelings for each other?
What the hell are Americans doing making a movie about Eurovision, anyway? They have clearly done at least some homework, but it's never quite clear if this is meant to be a send-up or a loving tribute (which, to be fair, is often the case with the actual ESC some years). Either way it feels strange, often quite patronising and self-indulgent, and the movie gets enough of the actual details of Eurovision wrong to annoy people who like it. The odd amusing moment and cameo, but not nearly enough in the circumstances: it feels most like Eurovision in the way that it seems to goes on forever, only not in a good way.
What the hell are Americans doing making a movie about Eurovision, anyway? They have clearly done at least some homework, but it's never quite clear if this is meant to be a send-up or a loving tribute (which, to be fair, is often the case with the actual ESC some years). Either way it feels strange, often quite patronising and self-indulgent, and the movie gets enough of the actual details of Eurovision wrong to annoy people who like it. The odd amusing moment and cameo, but not nearly enough in the circumstances: it feels most like Eurovision in the way that it seems to goes on forever, only not in a good way.
Faris Badwan recommended Accelerator by Royal Trux in Music (curated)
Awix (3310 KP) rated Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader in Books
Oct 10, 2019
Fair to middling Star Wars tie-in novel, dealing with the aftermath of Episode III. For a novel named after Vader with his mush all over the cover, much of the novel deals with Palpatine (which was fine by me) and much with a band of rather bland fugitive Jedi (which unfortunately wasn't). Vader himself doesn't turn up until well into the book, giving it a slightly lopsided feel; the new characters aren't as interesting as the ones from the movies.
Luceno writes quite capably and the book does have a certain Star Warsy feel to it; some of the cameos from well-known characters do feel a bit laboriously contrived, though, and it almost feels as though it's pandering to that desire to have every last detail of the galaxy far, far away's history explained in detail. More seriously, it never feels like it gets a grip on Anakin/Vader as a character in the middle of a psychological transformation - at least not to the point that you really care about it. Easy to read, some good bits, but nowhere near the standard of (say) Matthew Stover's Episode III novelisation.
Luceno writes quite capably and the book does have a certain Star Warsy feel to it; some of the cameos from well-known characters do feel a bit laboriously contrived, though, and it almost feels as though it's pandering to that desire to have every last detail of the galaxy far, far away's history explained in detail. More seriously, it never feels like it gets a grip on Anakin/Vader as a character in the middle of a psychological transformation - at least not to the point that you really care about it. Easy to read, some good bits, but nowhere near the standard of (say) Matthew Stover's Episode III novelisation.
