Search
Search results
David McK (3364 KP) rated Blackout (Cal Leandros, #6) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
At the beginning of this novel, Cal Leandros wakes up on a deserted beach, surrounded by the carcasses of giant spiders, with no memory of who he is, how he got there, or where the spiders have come from. In other words, the novel goes down the good old amnesia route.
While, perhaps, this would have been a good opportunity for Rob Thurman to hit the 'reset' button on the world she's created, I have to say that I found this book to be a bit of a wasted opportunity - concentrating (in my opinion) far far too much on the brotherly bond between Cal and Niko (who, initialyy, he can't even remember) and nowhere near enough on the monsters or action scenes!
While, perhaps, this would have been a good opportunity for Rob Thurman to hit the 'reset' button on the world she's created, I have to say that I found this book to be a bit of a wasted opportunity - concentrating (in my opinion) far far too much on the brotherly bond between Cal and Niko (who, initialyy, he can't even remember) and nowhere near enough on the monsters or action scenes!
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Shadow of Night in Books
Dec 24, 2018
Great story overall but pacing issues
This was a great story affected by some pacing issues in my opinion, thus the rating which might surprise some people. Overall, I feel good about the storyline, the character development and the gut-punching emotions. I do think it could have been a little shorter and more dynamically paced. I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle into Tudor England, it took some time but I did settle.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I loved the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I loved the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) in Movies
Oct 23, 2019
I have mixed feelings at the unnecessary Zombieland sequel. I loved the original Zombieland. It was smart to take a lot from the original for this sequel, so, it was very much the same. I can't decide if that was a good or a bad thing.
Zoey Deutch's character was super annoying, and reminded me of all the basic b*s in 2009. I also found the doppleganger thing, and relentless repeating of the rules similarly annoying.
The zombie kills were cool, and I did like the way they were explaining the different sorts of zombies.
Overall, I liked it, but it was much of the same. I guess if it ain't* broke, don't fix it.
* I do not use ain't IRL, but it's the saying.
Zoey Deutch's character was super annoying, and reminded me of all the basic b*s in 2009. I also found the doppleganger thing, and relentless repeating of the rules similarly annoying.
The zombie kills were cool, and I did like the way they were explaining the different sorts of zombies.
Overall, I liked it, but it was much of the same. I guess if it ain't* broke, don't fix it.
* I do not use ain't IRL, but it's the saying.
EmersonRose (320 KP) rated A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man in Books
Nov 20, 2019
I read this book as a precursor to reading Ulysses and it was recommended to me by a professor. I enjoyed reading this book a great deal. James Joyce has an amazing sense of voice in his work and his writing is beautiful. Knowing a little bit about Ulysses made it interesting to go back and read about the character’s beginnings. I also thought it was really interesting that this book was written first, although often called a prequel because of the success of Ulysses. I at times found it hard to connect to the main character and his struggles which in turn would pull me out fo the story but the writing is so magnificent that I couldn’t put the book down.
Jeremy King (346 KP) rated Good Boys (2019) in Movies
Nov 25, 2019
80s wants their movie back
This movie had a 1980s coming of age movie. At least in the 80s they would not just stopped at kids swearing but throw in some topples shots as well. Dont forget i am Gen X and i grew up on 80s movies.
The movie had potential but they never tapped in to it. The acting over all was great, well it was good. I found the kid's acting was great but the adults in the movie it was ok and not movie quality acting. After seeing this movie do yourself a favor and pick up some coming of age movies from 80s to early 90s and you might see where i am coming from.
The movie had potential but they never tapped in to it. The acting over all was great, well it was good. I found the kid's acting was great but the adults in the movie it was ok and not movie quality acting. After seeing this movie do yourself a favor and pick up some coming of age movies from 80s to early 90s and you might see where i am coming from.
Millie (22 KP) rated The Island Decides in Books
Jan 27, 2020
This book did a good job of helping me envision life on Maui during the late 60s and early 70s. The imagery was beautiful and has definitely inspired me to visit the island of Maui on my next trip to Hawaii. However, the main character, Carrie Ann, was not always likable to me. I found her extremely naive and a bit annoying at times. Also, prepare yourself for some heavy topics towards the end. All in all I enjoyed the book, but due to my dislike towards Carrie Ann during certain points and some minor grammar errors, I give it 4 stars.
*Although I did receive this book for free through Goodreads First Reads, all of my thoughts and opinions are my own.
*Although I did receive this book for free through Goodreads First Reads, all of my thoughts and opinions are my own.
not enough for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book
Ten maids to Master Marius tell their story, identified only by the job and the colour of their underwear.
This was an easy read, erotic flash fiction, 49 pages. It didn't do very much for me, though, and I found 9 stories almost identical. The tenth is different in the the Maid is in control, rather than Marius but there was still the reference to her colour underwear, and what she felt about the other maids.
It was reasonably well written, and delivers what it claims to be: short erotic fiction.
It just wasn't ENOUGH for me, but I did finish it.
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Ten maids to Master Marius tell their story, identified only by the job and the colour of their underwear.
This was an easy read, erotic flash fiction, 49 pages. It didn't do very much for me, though, and I found 9 stories almost identical. The tenth is different in the the Maid is in control, rather than Marius but there was still the reference to her colour underwear, and what she felt about the other maids.
It was reasonably well written, and delivers what it claims to be: short erotic fiction.
It just wasn't ENOUGH for me, but I did finish it.
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Erika (17788 KP) rated McMillions in TV
Apr 25, 2020
I am so glad HBO unlocked some of it's contents. It's no secret I love crime documentaries, it's the majority of television that I watch.
This doc was a first hand account by FBI agents, and the 'winners' of the McDonald's Monopoly game. Agent Mathews was my favorite, he was straight up hilarious. I may have found some of it funnier than most, mainly because in the first ep he complains about healthcare fraud, which is actually the field I work in. FBI agents do not like it in general because it takes forever to prove, speaking from personal interactions with agents.
It was interesting that the 'winners' and other people involved actually participated. It made for a rounded documentary.
This doc was a first hand account by FBI agents, and the 'winners' of the McDonald's Monopoly game. Agent Mathews was my favorite, he was straight up hilarious. I may have found some of it funnier than most, mainly because in the first ep he complains about healthcare fraud, which is actually the field I work in. FBI agents do not like it in general because it takes forever to prove, speaking from personal interactions with agents.
It was interesting that the 'winners' and other people involved actually participated. It made for a rounded documentary.
Paul Tyrrell (139 KP) rated The Thing (1982) in Movies
Apr 25, 2020
A proper horrible horror film
So my kids are now getting to the age where I was when I really started to get into horror films and my eldest wanted to see something properly good. She has watched the It's, and Grudge's and Saw's but wanted something that she would properly remember.
I chose this as I have always loved it and she (and I) wasnt disappointed. It's the only film that she has watched so far that she says she'll never watch again as she found it "horrible and disgusting " but she really enjoyed it. Very tense and the acting from the whole cast is totally spot on.
Nearly 40 years old and still outstanding.
Watch it if you haven't already
I chose this as I have always loved it and she (and I) wasnt disappointed. It's the only film that she has watched so far that she says she'll never watch again as she found it "horrible and disgusting " but she really enjoyed it. Very tense and the acting from the whole cast is totally spot on.
Nearly 40 years old and still outstanding.
Watch it if you haven't already
Emily (1430 KP) rated Civilization II in Video Games
Feb 18, 2020
This is one of the first video games I ever played that wasn't strictly educational, and I loved it.
Simple premise - build a civilization and win over all the others by way of a few different victory conditions.
Having said that, after a few times of playing it through, I found playing with the cheat mode on to be far more fun than getting bulldozered by a bazillion enemy units hiding on one tile. Genuinely never understood how they could produce units so fast!
I think the best bit was the advisors, videoed people (which was a brand new thing in games at the time) and their costumes changed depending on the period, so one of them ended up looking like Elvis! They were all quite funny.
Simple premise - build a civilization and win over all the others by way of a few different victory conditions.
Having said that, after a few times of playing it through, I found playing with the cheat mode on to be far more fun than getting bulldozered by a bazillion enemy units hiding on one tile. Genuinely never understood how they could produce units so fast!
I think the best bit was the advisors, videoed people (which was a brand new thing in games at the time) and their costumes changed depending on the period, so one of them ended up looking like Elvis! They were all quite funny.