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Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated On Writing: a memoir of the craft in Books
Jul 2, 2019
Helpful
Great book. I read it in a couple of days and it was exactly what I was looking for. I am not a Stephen King fan as I am not keen on the fantasy/ horror genre, but this book is non fiction. The first part of the book is a short memoir of writer's growth and early experiences, I found this part both funny and insightful and not at all what I expected from Stephen King. The 'On Writing' part was excellent. The author's hints and tips are subjective yet honest which is refreshing. Not all writers work the same and King is clear that this is only advice and may not be suitable for everyone. Bad habits and grammatical no-no's were probably the most helpful pieces of advice for myself, his huge dislike for the 'adverb' is something I may find myself becoming accustomed to in my own work revision. For non writers, do not dismiss this book, it is a little jewel that gives the reader a close and personal account of the authors honestly and quirks. I really loved it.
365Flicks (235 KP) rated Avengement (2019) in Movies
Nov 2, 2019
Action (2 more)
Fighting
Scott Adkins
The Scott Adkins Movie we Have all been Waiting for!!!
Scott Adkins just had to go and step it up a notch with this Very Brutal, Very British, Hugely Funny and Fairly Orginal brit crime drama. Boasting a superb leading man performance from Adkins and a delightful supporting cast of top Brit talent.
All honesty I dont know if I was just in the mood for this type of flick when I watched it but it felt super fresh and it was a cast I know and love putting in stellar performances, the script is really tight and the way in which the movie flowed with flashbacks revealing Cains time inside was effortless. The fight cherography was as impressive as you might expect from seasoned pros like director Jesse V Johnson (long serving Stunt Performer) and Adkins. They never fell into the trap of the big hard hits being over the top everything was just on the money. Its all good having a brutal graphic fight scene but if it doesnt serve the plot or the charaters your wasting your time.
All honesty I dont know if I was just in the mood for this type of flick when I watched it but it felt super fresh and it was a cast I know and love putting in stellar performances, the script is really tight and the way in which the movie flowed with flashbacks revealing Cains time inside was effortless. The fight cherography was as impressive as you might expect from seasoned pros like director Jesse V Johnson (long serving Stunt Performer) and Adkins. They never fell into the trap of the big hard hits being over the top everything was just on the money. Its all good having a brutal graphic fight scene but if it doesnt serve the plot or the charaters your wasting your time.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Baby Rescue (Creatures of Dawnia #1) in Books
Nov 8, 2019
Fuzz the mouse is lonely and needs some friends. What he doesn't need is to be eaten by a pterodactyl. When he finds out that Dack, the pterodactyl, is also lonely they strike up a friendship. When they then witness the kidnap of a baby pig by goblins, they set off on an adventure and make many more friends.
For a short children's story this certainly contains a lot of characters - and every single one of them is interesting in their own way. This would be a great story to read aloud as there are so many opportunities for funny voices, from sleepy camels to sly goblins. The story moves quickly too, never getting bogged down and always presenting something new and interesting to keep younger minds happy. The message of the importance of friendship and being nice runs through the whole story, making it a very positive book.
This is a great introduction to the City of Dawnia and the varied creatures who live there, definitely one that younger children will enjoy having read to them, and then reading themselves when they are older.
For a short children's story this certainly contains a lot of characters - and every single one of them is interesting in their own way. This would be a great story to read aloud as there are so many opportunities for funny voices, from sleepy camels to sly goblins. The story moves quickly too, never getting bogged down and always presenting something new and interesting to keep younger minds happy. The message of the importance of friendship and being nice runs through the whole story, making it a very positive book.
This is a great introduction to the City of Dawnia and the varied creatures who live there, definitely one that younger children will enjoy having read to them, and then reading themselves when they are older.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Happy Death Day 2U (2019) in Movies
Dec 7, 2019
Missing the slasher element
Watching this sequel has really made me want to reevaluate & appreciate the first film more than I did originally, as it was actually pretty good. And I dont think the sequel quite matches up to it.
This film takes on a mainly sci-fi theme and whilst this is a smart move to do something different to the first film, I found myself missing the slasher horror. I don't think we really needed this sci-fi based explanation of the events in the first film, like many sequels this definitely suffers from a case of less is more. It's funny though like the original, and there's another fun montage of death scenes to bring in the laughs. There are parts of this story though that are a lot more serious than you'd expect or want, which brings the film down a little. There's no place for seriousness in a film like this!
Overall it's not bad and a refreshing change to a lot of other films that take themselves far too seriously, but it just doesn't quite meet up to the first.
This film takes on a mainly sci-fi theme and whilst this is a smart move to do something different to the first film, I found myself missing the slasher horror. I don't think we really needed this sci-fi based explanation of the events in the first film, like many sequels this definitely suffers from a case of less is more. It's funny though like the original, and there's another fun montage of death scenes to bring in the laughs. There are parts of this story though that are a lot more serious than you'd expect or want, which brings the film down a little. There's no place for seriousness in a film like this!
Overall it's not bad and a refreshing change to a lot of other films that take themselves far too seriously, but it just doesn't quite meet up to the first.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Bombshell (2019) in Movies
Jan 20, 2020
Based-on-fact drama exposing the reality of sexual harassment in the American media, from the director of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (feel that cognitive dissonance!). When a broadcaster is hired from right-wing network Fox News, she resolves to sue the founder, causing ructions throughout the organisation. It's actually a bit more wide-ranged and discursive than that, touching on various issues connected to attitudes towards the media and the exploitation of woman. Not explicitly anti-Trump, but the mood music is certainly not supporting him - I doubt many of the red cap brigade will find much here to enjoy.
To be honest, I was kind of expecting something more like The Big Short or Vice - angry and smart, but also blackly funny and formally creative. After a fairly sparky first act this just becomes quite a serious drama about sexual harassment. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but the thing is that it does become a bit issue-led. Some very good performances, though, and the prosthetics are fun too, I suppose (most of these people are unknown in the UK, though - did like Malcolm McDowell's Rupert Murdoch). Very watchable.
To be honest, I was kind of expecting something more like The Big Short or Vice - angry and smart, but also blackly funny and formally creative. After a fairly sparky first act this just becomes quite a serious drama about sexual harassment. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but the thing is that it does become a bit issue-led. Some very good performances, though, and the prosthetics are fun too, I suppose (most of these people are unknown in the UK, though - did like Malcolm McDowell's Rupert Murdoch). Very watchable.
ClareR (5879 KP) rated Killing Beauties in Books
Feb 5, 2020
Killing Beauties is about the female spies (She-Intelligencers - isn’t it funny how they could make even that sound like an insult 🤔) who worked for the exiled Charles Stuart during Cromwells reign. Charles Stuart himself sends two female spies back to England to turn Cromwell’s Secretary of State, John Thurloe, into their accomplice using their feminine wiles and training. This is actually based on the true story of two female spies - not something that any of us are usually taught in history lessons at school (perhaps due to their methods!). This is a story with heaps of subterfuge and betrayal, and women who are determined to do the best job they can for their King and their secret society. It was quite amusing in places, which was a little light relief in an otherwise tense story. There’s loads of great historical detail too - think sights, smells and sounds.
It’s a really fun book - fast-paced and with a feeling of danger. I loved it!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising the book, and for Pete Langdon for commenting along with us readers!
It’s a really fun book - fast-paced and with a feeling of danger. I loved it!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising the book, and for Pete Langdon for commenting along with us readers!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020) in Movies
Feb 7, 2020 (Updated Feb 7, 2020)
Garish and frantic comic book movie basically does your head in for nearly two hours. Never mind doing a Batman movie without Batman, now they've done a Joker movie without the Joker: annoying homicidal pole-dancer Harley Quinn breaks up with he of the green hair and gets mixed up in a hunt for a diamond-shaped McGuffin involving various other obscure and mostly female Batman characters. Full of movement and some not bad action choreography, but the plot is a disjointed mess and it's hard to escape the impression that the producers are treating you like an idiot.
Robbie's performance is basically just irritating; not sure whether this is entirely intentional or not. Ewan McGregor is definitely just bad, but the script is to blame anyway: when the writers appear to believe it's cool and funny to break someone's legs on a whim, it's hard to take them seriously when they try to take the high ground on any moral issue, as they also do. Amoral, superficial, and sadistically violent in places; generally quite dim-witted and depressing. Undoes all the good work of recent movies in detoxifying the DC brand: come back Zach Snyder, all is forgiven.
Robbie's performance is basically just irritating; not sure whether this is entirely intentional or not. Ewan McGregor is definitely just bad, but the script is to blame anyway: when the writers appear to believe it's cool and funny to break someone's legs on a whim, it's hard to take them seriously when they try to take the high ground on any moral issue, as they also do. Amoral, superficial, and sadistically violent in places; generally quite dim-witted and depressing. Undoes all the good work of recent movies in detoxifying the DC brand: come back Zach Snyder, all is forgiven.
Nick Beaty (70 KP) rated Stan & Ollie (2018) in Movies
Jan 12, 2020 (Updated Jan 13, 2020)
A must see for Laurel & Hardy fans...
This movie is a funny, moving and heartfelt biopic of the great Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy.
Director Jon S. Baird and writer Jeff Pope clearly have a great love for Laurel & Hardy and this shines through in Stan & Ollie. You can definitely see this film has been made with love and respect for the legendary comedy duo, which makes it a must see for Laurel & Hardy fans.
Steve Coogan & John C. Reilly are absolutely faultless with their performances. I have read a few reviews that don't really give Steve Coogan the credit he deserves for this role. For me he proves he is so much more than his Alan Partridge character that a lot of people can't seem to see past. Like the real thing it takes near on perfect comedy timing from both men to perform the routines and they do the original performances a huge justice.
To wrap things up whether you are a Laurel & Hardy fan or not this is still a very well made movie, with two exceptional performances from the lead actors. This should definitely be one to add to your watch list.
Director Jon S. Baird and writer Jeff Pope clearly have a great love for Laurel & Hardy and this shines through in Stan & Ollie. You can definitely see this film has been made with love and respect for the legendary comedy duo, which makes it a must see for Laurel & Hardy fans.
Steve Coogan & John C. Reilly are absolutely faultless with their performances. I have read a few reviews that don't really give Steve Coogan the credit he deserves for this role. For me he proves he is so much more than his Alan Partridge character that a lot of people can't seem to see past. Like the real thing it takes near on perfect comedy timing from both men to perform the routines and they do the original performances a huge justice.
To wrap things up whether you are a Laurel & Hardy fan or not this is still a very well made movie, with two exceptional performances from the lead actors. This should definitely be one to add to your watch list.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated RuPaul's Drag Race in TV
Jan 5, 2020 (Updated Mar 27, 2020)
The Shade! (2 more)
The T
Get those nuts away from MY face!
Such good watching Queen
Gag me with a Delorian! This is some dam good TV. It's a wounderfull look into the world of drag, and the culture around it.
You love some queens, you hate some others, and it can be an emotional rollercoaster.
The Smash Game is the one I look forward to, and gurl! Does it deliver!!!
There is so much brutal honesty and the mix of love and confirm is great. Yes, it is edited, yes, there is a lot we do not see. But instead of think about the fun and the joy of watching this program, and think instead of the acceptance and mainstream love for this community that has come out of this program. Introducing an entire generation to drag and teaching us that love is love!
Oh and Ru and Michelle are so funny! Please see What's The T! Review to follow.
If you can't love yourself, how in the he'll are you gonna love somebody else?
Can I get an Amen!?
You love some queens, you hate some others, and it can be an emotional rollercoaster.
The Smash Game is the one I look forward to, and gurl! Does it deliver!!!
There is so much brutal honesty and the mix of love and confirm is great. Yes, it is edited, yes, there is a lot we do not see. But instead of think about the fun and the joy of watching this program, and think instead of the acceptance and mainstream love for this community that has come out of this program. Introducing an entire generation to drag and teaching us that love is love!
Oh and Ru and Michelle are so funny! Please see What's The T! Review to follow.
If you can't love yourself, how in the he'll are you gonna love somebody else?
Can I get an Amen!?
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018) in Movies
Feb 11, 2020 (Updated Feb 11, 2020)
Alfred The Movie
Teen Titans Go! To The Movies- has some great references, surprising comedic cameo, nice nods to the tv show and its also very funny.
Plus it finally has Nicolas Cage as Superman, he is only voicing him though, but still finally get Nicolas Cage as Superman after all these years. I would of still loved to see the live action verison with Nicolas Cage and Tim Burton directing it.
Anyways the plot: It seems that all the major superheroes out there are starring in their own movies -- all but the Teen Titans. Robin is bound and determined to remedy that situation by becoming a star instead of a sidekick. With a few madcap ideas and a song in their hearts, the Teen Titans head to Hollywood to fulfill their dreams. Things soon go awry, however, when a supervillain plans to take over the planet -- putting the very fate of the young heroes on the line.
Its a really great/intresting plot. If you havent seen this movie, than go watch it. Cause its a must see.
Plus it finally has Nicolas Cage as Superman, he is only voicing him though, but still finally get Nicolas Cage as Superman after all these years. I would of still loved to see the live action verison with Nicolas Cage and Tim Burton directing it.
Anyways the plot: It seems that all the major superheroes out there are starring in their own movies -- all but the Teen Titans. Robin is bound and determined to remedy that situation by becoming a star instead of a sidekick. With a few madcap ideas and a song in their hearts, the Teen Titans head to Hollywood to fulfill their dreams. Things soon go awry, however, when a supervillain plans to take over the planet -- putting the very fate of the young heroes on the line.
Its a really great/intresting plot. If you havent seen this movie, than go watch it. Cause its a must see.