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David McK (3505 KP) rated Marston Moor (Civil War Chronicles, #6) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Regarded as the turning point of the English Civil War, the battle of Marston Moor was the largest of the Civil War and saw a combined force of English Parliamentarians and Scottish Covenanters defeat the Royalist force under Prince Rupert of the Rhine.
As befitting any historical soldier protagonist of the ECW, it's also one in which (now) Major Stryker gets caught up (fighting for the Royalists). As the author states in the author's note at the end of the story, he'd originally intended to write the story just around the battle itself; however found the story needed the campaign to give it context. To my eyes, that was a good call - starting with the sack of Bolton and leading through the siege of York to Rupert's lightning march to relieve the same, this all leads into the reason for the battle (which itself takes up, say, roughly the last third of the story), providing more flavour and understanding to the reader of what is occurring than just diving headlong into said battle.
As befitting any historical soldier protagonist of the ECW, it's also one in which (now) Major Stryker gets caught up (fighting for the Royalists). As the author states in the author's note at the end of the story, he'd originally intended to write the story just around the battle itself; however found the story needed the campaign to give it context. To my eyes, that was a good call - starting with the sack of Bolton and leading through the siege of York to Rupert's lightning march to relieve the same, this all leads into the reason for the battle (which itself takes up, say, roughly the last third of the story), providing more flavour and understanding to the reader of what is occurring than just diving headlong into said battle.
Dan (19 KP) rated Dungeons and Dragons in Tabletop Games
Jul 20, 2019
Can create your own content (4 more)
Only need the core book, a pen/pencil, and paper to get started
Can always add scenery, figures, etc over time
Plenty of content online
Have as big a world or small a world as you want, you and the other players create it
Can be complex for beginners (1 more)
Can sometimes cause minor arguments
Easily adaptable for any age
Dungeons and Dragons is a massive table top game. You can stick to the core games all you want, or create your own content and game. For anyone with even a small amount of creativity, it's amazing.
This will probably be one of my poorer reviews, as D&D is so huge it's hard to describe it. You and your party can be a mix of fighters, rogues, magic users and all sorts, fighting off the dead, dragons, bandits, werewolves, goblins, and more. And while you do it, it's more than likely going to cause hilarity, and some exciting, tense moments.
It can be almost anything you want it to be.
This will probably be one of my poorer reviews, as D&D is so huge it's hard to describe it. You and your party can be a mix of fighters, rogues, magic users and all sorts, fighting off the dead, dragons, bandits, werewolves, goblins, and more. And while you do it, it's more than likely going to cause hilarity, and some exciting, tense moments.
It can be almost anything you want it to be.
Rather derivative SF movie that takes bits of Interstellar, The Martian, Z for Zachariah, etc, and comes up with something commendably thoughtful but honestly rather stodgy and predictable. Earth has been all but abandoned because the air's gone bad; a young scientist struggles to find a way that life can survive. When it seems that the planet is to be abandoned entirely she must choose whether to leave on the last ship or take a leap of faith.
Not one moment of this film will genuinely surprise you; but the production is competent, and it never actually collapses into silliness, which is impressive given how seriously it takes itself. None of it is honestly what you could call badly made, and it looks very nice - and kudos to the makers for fighting the perception that all SF films must either be horror movies or action-adventure. This isn't either of those, but on the other hand it isn't dramatic, funny, or romantic either. Not as profound as it thinks it is; mostly just dull.
Not one moment of this film will genuinely surprise you; but the production is competent, and it never actually collapses into silliness, which is impressive given how seriously it takes itself. None of it is honestly what you could call badly made, and it looks very nice - and kudos to the makers for fighting the perception that all SF films must either be horror movies or action-adventure. This isn't either of those, but on the other hand it isn't dramatic, funny, or romantic either. Not as profound as it thinks it is; mostly just dull.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated When I Hit You: Or, a Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife in Books
Nov 13, 2019
This book hit me
The writer searched for a tender embrace and found rape and punches. Kandasamy is a poet and beautifully she uses words to punch back or to make sense of a horrific and unimaginable monstrosity of a situation. However, when I say poetic please don't assume this is pretentious for it is not. you sometimes feel terrible for enjoying the words as a thing of beauty,and it is a beautiful piece of writing, but it is there to mind meaning in the inexcusable. It is a wonderful cathartic explosion of finding sense where there is none. of finding hope where there was only hatred in the name of love. My hope is it may give another legs to run or an abuser a reflection into their monstrosity. This may be listed as a feminist book but is fighting against evil cruelty, bullying and rape feminist or is it a struggle to be more human?
Nickg24 (492 KP) rated Titans - Season 2 in TV
Dec 17, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
So after a fantastic first season I was expecting the second to raise the bar even higher,which it did in parts but also failed to do so in other parts.
This time the titans find themselves going up against a genetically modified super baddie in deathstroke.Having killed one of the original members of the titans and in turn one of them causing deathstroke to accidentally kill his own son both parties are seeking revenge.
For all the excellent action/fighting sequences, the introduction of bruce wayne (though we never see him as batman through the entire series) and superboy (half superman/half lex luthor) this second season finds itself bogged down with a lot of talk and with everyone feeling down and miserable at some point.
The titans all fall out,go their separate ways only to reunite at the end to defeat deathstroke.The killing off of wonder girl felt flat and unnecessary and the set up for the 3rd series doesnt fill me with much with much excitement but I will almost certainly tune in to watch it.
This time the titans find themselves going up against a genetically modified super baddie in deathstroke.Having killed one of the original members of the titans and in turn one of them causing deathstroke to accidentally kill his own son both parties are seeking revenge.
For all the excellent action/fighting sequences, the introduction of bruce wayne (though we never see him as batman through the entire series) and superboy (half superman/half lex luthor) this second season finds itself bogged down with a lot of talk and with everyone feeling down and miserable at some point.
The titans all fall out,go their separate ways only to reunite at the end to defeat deathstroke.The killing off of wonder girl felt flat and unnecessary and the set up for the 3rd series doesnt fill me with much with much excitement but I will almost certainly tune in to watch it.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019) in Movies
Jan 11, 2020
Ip Man 4 is indeed a finale. The Ip Man films are always solid, with interesting stories and beautifully choreographed fighting.
Donnie Yen, is, of course, amazing, and I've always loved his portrayal of Ip Man. I know Ip's family is very thankful for the films, and likes them. That's always a plus in my book.
Ip takes a trip to San Francisco when Bruce Lee provides the ticket and hotel. But, Ip is mainly using the trip so he can look at schools for his son.
The film portrays San Fransisco at the time, and the racism against the American-born Chinese and the immigrants. There was another interesting perspective to me as well, the Chinese Masters are mad with Bruce Lee for wanting to introduce Chinese Martial Arts to people that aren't Chinese.
Of course, it wouldn't be an Ip Man film if he wasn't going around, kicking people's asses justly. Overall, I really enjoyed the movie, and it was a nice break after seeing Uncut Gems earlier that day.
Donnie Yen, is, of course, amazing, and I've always loved his portrayal of Ip Man. I know Ip's family is very thankful for the films, and likes them. That's always a plus in my book.
Ip takes a trip to San Francisco when Bruce Lee provides the ticket and hotel. But, Ip is mainly using the trip so he can look at schools for his son.
The film portrays San Fransisco at the time, and the racism against the American-born Chinese and the immigrants. There was another interesting perspective to me as well, the Chinese Masters are mad with Bruce Lee for wanting to introduce Chinese Martial Arts to people that aren't Chinese.
Of course, it wouldn't be an Ip Man film if he wasn't going around, kicking people's asses justly. Overall, I really enjoyed the movie, and it was a nice break after seeing Uncut Gems earlier that day.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Mulan (1998) in Movies
Mar 24, 2020
Mulan- is a strange movie, cause it came out after "The Lion King". And the movie's after "The Lion King" were stange. What im saying is after "The Lion King", disney decided to go really strange/a huge left turn/didn't expect that/disappointed and overall a huge downfall. But i will get to those movies. Oh this is one of them.
Mulan does have good songs like.."True To Your Heart", "Reflection", "Honor To All Of Us" and "Ill Make A Man Out Of You".
The plot: Fearful that her ailing father will be drafted into the Chinese military, Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) takes his spot -- though, as a girl living under a patriarchal regime, she is technically unqualified to serve. She cleverly impersonates a man and goes off to train with fellow recruits. Accompanied by her dragon, Mushu (Eddie Murphy), she uses her smarts to help ward off a Hun invasion, falling in love with a dashing captain along the way.
Its a good movie, i liked it.
Mulan does have good songs like.."True To Your Heart", "Reflection", "Honor To All Of Us" and "Ill Make A Man Out Of You".
The plot: Fearful that her ailing father will be drafted into the Chinese military, Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) takes his spot -- though, as a girl living under a patriarchal regime, she is technically unqualified to serve. She cleverly impersonates a man and goes off to train with fellow recruits. Accompanied by her dragon, Mushu (Eddie Murphy), she uses her smarts to help ward off a Hun invasion, falling in love with a dashing captain along the way.
Its a good movie, i liked it.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Before I Wake (Soul Screamers, #6) in Books
Apr 26, 2020
I died on a Thursday-killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul. The good news? He didn't get it. The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school... Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend. But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life...
It was ok! I usually devour these books but this took a little longer. I’m so bored of Nash and things were just meh. I was a little disappointed and got a little bored in places! But still gotta love a Vincent book!
It was ok! I usually devour these books but this took a little longer. I’m so bored of Nash and things were just meh. I was a little disappointed and got a little bored in places! But still gotta love a Vincent book!
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