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David McK (3816 KP) rated Infernal Devices (Mortal Engines #3) in Books
Dec 12, 2021
Third entry in Philip Reeve 's Mortal Engines quartet, set 16 years after the end of Predator's Gold, and which largely shifts the focus away from Tom Natsworthy and Hester Shaw onto their daughter Wren, whilst also - at least in the first section - finishing off the story of Freya and Caul (the former Lost Boy).
As before, I found this to be uncertain of its own identity: the language and general style of the prose would lead you to believe it was written for children (or even the so-called tweenage audience), but then you get into the 'meat' of the story, with child slavery, death and mutilation all abounding!
Professor Pennyroyal also makes a return, with Hester Shaw herself coming across more - in this - as a complex anti-villain than she did in the previous entries, and with this also seeing the return of the Stalkers Shrike and Fang, both of whom largely drive the plot.
Worth a read, but maybe not the best 'jumping-on' point.
As before, I found this to be uncertain of its own identity: the language and general style of the prose would lead you to believe it was written for children (or even the so-called tweenage audience), but then you get into the 'meat' of the story, with child slavery, death and mutilation all abounding!
Professor Pennyroyal also makes a return, with Hester Shaw herself coming across more - in this - as a complex anti-villain than she did in the previous entries, and with this also seeing the return of the Stalkers Shrike and Fang, both of whom largely drive the plot.
Worth a read, but maybe not the best 'jumping-on' point.
ClareR (6247 KP) rated No One Saw a Thing in Books
Jun 2, 2023
No One Saw a Thing is a great thriller that races along at a breakneck speed. It left me guessing right up to the point where Andrea Mara decided the reader should know what was happening - I wasn’t going to be able to work this one out myself!
If you’ve ever been near a train or the underground with small children, telling them not to move an inch from your side, and they start to walk ahead, then you’ll get the general feeling of this. Except Sive’s children DO get on the train ahead of her. And the doors close. And then the race is on to catch her 6 and 2 year olds at the next station. When she gets there however, only the youngest has been found.
There follows one of the most tense stories I’ve read in a long time. I was suspecting everyone, and I was still wrong! And the thing about it, was that it all seemed completely believable!
This was a thrilling read - and recommended!
Thanks to The Pigeonhole and to Andrea Mara for reading along.
If you’ve ever been near a train or the underground with small children, telling them not to move an inch from your side, and they start to walk ahead, then you’ll get the general feeling of this. Except Sive’s children DO get on the train ahead of her. And the doors close. And then the race is on to catch her 6 and 2 year olds at the next station. When she gets there however, only the youngest has been found.
There follows one of the most tense stories I’ve read in a long time. I was suspecting everyone, and I was still wrong! And the thing about it, was that it all seemed completely believable!
This was a thrilling read - and recommended!
Thanks to The Pigeonhole and to Andrea Mara for reading along.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Dictator (2012) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Sacha Baron Cohen is undoubtedly one of the most daring names in comedy recently. A Cambridge graduate, the comedian-actor who has starred in fairly controversial films “Bruno” and “Borat” returns with director Larry Charles in 2012’s “The Dictator”. What can be said about Cohen, over other contemporary comedians, is his absolutely excellent ability to inhabit a character role – both in and out of the film he is portrayed in. “The Dictator” is no exception to this, yet it might be the controversy regarding the Academy Awards snub that is remembered more than this film.
Cohen plays the hilariously named Admiral General Aladeen, a megalomaniacal dictator of a fictional oil-rich North African country named Waadeya. While on his trip to the UN to deliver a speech, he is thrown from his oppressive dictatorial role into that of a lost New Yorker, desperate to get back to his position as dictator. He meets others along the way to help him, namely Aasif Mandvi and Anna Farris.
The film’s plot is about as formulaic and basic as a comedy can get, simply serving as a vehicle to push from one joke to the next. If you were expecting any sort of compelling narrative, with jokes sprinkled throughout, then this movie will not be enjoyable. It completely rides upon its humor, which is both beneficial and detrimental. If the film at least attached you to particular characters other than Admiral General Aladeen then it might benefit more from its gags featuring multiple characters.
The real highlight of the film is Cohen’s consistent portrayal of this outrageous ruler. He is funny throughout; and even though he might be a horrible person with villainous qualities, he has a childish heart underneath. It is that mixture of qualities that makes for some very hilarious moments.
The actual jokes and gags themselves hold their own throughout. As mentioned, the film plods forward from one gag or joke to the next, with story simply setting up the scenes. Most of the jokes were grin worthy, and a handful of them were laugh-out-loud hilarious. Yet, overall I would not call it the funniest movie of the year. There’s a bit of everything in the movie. Sacha Baron Cohen’s trademark shocking and offensive humor will please the college moviegoers and his more clever witty humor will amuse older watchers. Yet, even the offensive humor appears to be more tame than his other movies’ most memorable moments. The whole film also deals heavily with contemporary political issues – specifically the power-obsessed dictators which have filled the news as of late. Cohen’s character pokes fun at both the absurdity of people like Colonel Ghadafi as well as the hangers-on who surround such people.
Overall, the movie maintains a consistent level of humor throughout. While that level of humor may remain at simply grin-level comedy, it still has a handful of laugh-out-loud moments. It might not be the funniest movie of the year, but it is by no means bad at what it does. A less formulaic plot would have benefited the movie’s gags by allowing other comedians in the movie to shine more. As it stands, it is a movie centered completely on Cohen’s comedy and held up by it as well. Not completely unlike the self-centered nature of his character, Admiral General Aladeen.
Cohen plays the hilariously named Admiral General Aladeen, a megalomaniacal dictator of a fictional oil-rich North African country named Waadeya. While on his trip to the UN to deliver a speech, he is thrown from his oppressive dictatorial role into that of a lost New Yorker, desperate to get back to his position as dictator. He meets others along the way to help him, namely Aasif Mandvi and Anna Farris.
The film’s plot is about as formulaic and basic as a comedy can get, simply serving as a vehicle to push from one joke to the next. If you were expecting any sort of compelling narrative, with jokes sprinkled throughout, then this movie will not be enjoyable. It completely rides upon its humor, which is both beneficial and detrimental. If the film at least attached you to particular characters other than Admiral General Aladeen then it might benefit more from its gags featuring multiple characters.
The real highlight of the film is Cohen’s consistent portrayal of this outrageous ruler. He is funny throughout; and even though he might be a horrible person with villainous qualities, he has a childish heart underneath. It is that mixture of qualities that makes for some very hilarious moments.
The actual jokes and gags themselves hold their own throughout. As mentioned, the film plods forward from one gag or joke to the next, with story simply setting up the scenes. Most of the jokes were grin worthy, and a handful of them were laugh-out-loud hilarious. Yet, overall I would not call it the funniest movie of the year. There’s a bit of everything in the movie. Sacha Baron Cohen’s trademark shocking and offensive humor will please the college moviegoers and his more clever witty humor will amuse older watchers. Yet, even the offensive humor appears to be more tame than his other movies’ most memorable moments. The whole film also deals heavily with contemporary political issues – specifically the power-obsessed dictators which have filled the news as of late. Cohen’s character pokes fun at both the absurdity of people like Colonel Ghadafi as well as the hangers-on who surround such people.
Overall, the movie maintains a consistent level of humor throughout. While that level of humor may remain at simply grin-level comedy, it still has a handful of laugh-out-loud moments. It might not be the funniest movie of the year, but it is by no means bad at what it does. A less formulaic plot would have benefited the movie’s gags by allowing other comedians in the movie to shine more. As it stands, it is a movie centered completely on Cohen’s comedy and held up by it as well. Not completely unlike the self-centered nature of his character, Admiral General Aladeen.
Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Neuroanatomy USMLE
Education and Medical
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Draw it to Know it – Medical Science Draw it to Know it: Medical Science is an online educational...
Art Of War By Sun Tzu
Business and Education
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We have fixed formatting issues and are re-introducing Art Of War For Free with the bug fixes. ...
Lee (2222 KP) rated A Quiet Place (2018) in Movies
Apr 3, 2018 (Updated Apr 3, 2018)
Superb tension, great monster movie
We're on day 79 of what we assume is some kind of apocalyptic event. A general store is deserted, without power, and in a complete mess. A man and his wife (John Krasinski and off screen wife Emily Blunt) along with their 3 children, are quietly scavenging for drugs for one of the sick children, along with general supplies. They move quietly, carefully moving objects so as to not make a sound. They communicate only by sign language, and the youngest of the children is refused a battery operated rocket toy, because it will make a noise. The family quietly walk back home, and you begin to wonder what exactly could be so dangerous that it's wiped out most of humanity and left this family in fear, desperately trying to remain silent. We soon find out though, in one quick, and shocking moment.
Then we skip forward a few hundred days, joining the family once more in their home in the forest. We discover that the creatures responsible for the apocalypse are blind, with armoured skin and a superb sense of hearing which attracts them to their prey, and also explains why everyone is now being so quiet. The family walk about barefoot, still communicating in sign language and taking care not to make a sound with everything they do. It's very quiet, and very tense, which consequently amplifies every sneeze and every noisy rustle in the cinema I'm sitting in. Some of these idiots wouldn't last 5 minutes if they were in this movie!!
And then we discover that Emily Blunts character is pregnant! We see the family preparing a sound proof cot, in an underground room where the other children are also trying to make the walls soundproof. How on earth are they going to keep a baby from being heard?
Occasionally the creatures make an appearance. All teeth and claws, and genuinely scary as the family try and contain their terror to avoid making a sound. The first half of the movie follows this formula - prolonged periods of silent tension, followed by the odd burst of terror. It's extremely effective. So when the final third of the movie shifts towards more lengthy moments of monster action, with the separated family all having their own problems to overcome, it's hugely enjoyable edge of seat stuff. This really is a refreshingly smart horror movie.
Then we skip forward a few hundred days, joining the family once more in their home in the forest. We discover that the creatures responsible for the apocalypse are blind, with armoured skin and a superb sense of hearing which attracts them to their prey, and also explains why everyone is now being so quiet. The family walk about barefoot, still communicating in sign language and taking care not to make a sound with everything they do. It's very quiet, and very tense, which consequently amplifies every sneeze and every noisy rustle in the cinema I'm sitting in. Some of these idiots wouldn't last 5 minutes if they were in this movie!!
And then we discover that Emily Blunts character is pregnant! We see the family preparing a sound proof cot, in an underground room where the other children are also trying to make the walls soundproof. How on earth are they going to keep a baby from being heard?
Occasionally the creatures make an appearance. All teeth and claws, and genuinely scary as the family try and contain their terror to avoid making a sound. The first half of the movie follows this formula - prolonged periods of silent tension, followed by the odd burst of terror. It's extremely effective. So when the final third of the movie shifts towards more lengthy moments of monster action, with the separated family all having their own problems to overcome, it's hugely enjoyable edge of seat stuff. This really is a refreshingly smart horror movie.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Ring Fit Adventure in Video Games
Jan 9, 2020
Not as fun as I'd hoped
I loved the Wii Fit when it first came out many years ago, so I was glad to hear they'd come up with a new novel fitness game for the Switch. However it isn't as wonderful as I'd hoped.
The idea and concept of this game is great. The resistance ring and the leg strap for the joycons are a wonderful invention and a great modern update of the functionality of the Wii Fit. No more balancing on a board! The resistance ring itself is a surprisingly decent bit of kit, I was expecting something rather cheap & flimsy feeling, but it's actually decently made. I wouldn't recommend wearing lycra style pants though with the leg strap as it constantly slides down if you do!
The idea to have a fitness game that actually has a story and plot like a normal video game is also a genius move. The game looks a lot of fun and the inclusion of non story mode gameplay like mini games and normal exercises is also good to mix it up a bit. The problem with the story and the game in general is that the large majority of the exercises are weight/resistance based, even the exercises involving the legs are mostly squats or crunch type exercises. I'm sure this may not be a problem for most people but for me I personally prefer cardio style exercises with a few bits of resistance etc thrown in. The only really cardio you get in this is the jogging around the levels and it isn't enough. The monster battles that involve the exercises too are very repetitive. I can happily spend an hour in a cardio or zumba class yet after 20 minutes on this I was bored senseless.
I bought this so I had an at home exercise option for when I didn't feel like going to the gym, but in all honesty I dont feel like I got much out of it. Which is a shame as I can really appreciate what they've tried to do here. If you're looking for a bit of fun while toning up your arms, legs etc then this game is probably perfect for you. But if you're like me and are looking for a decent workout (and also struggle sticking with exercise in general), then this game probably isn't for you.
The idea and concept of this game is great. The resistance ring and the leg strap for the joycons are a wonderful invention and a great modern update of the functionality of the Wii Fit. No more balancing on a board! The resistance ring itself is a surprisingly decent bit of kit, I was expecting something rather cheap & flimsy feeling, but it's actually decently made. I wouldn't recommend wearing lycra style pants though with the leg strap as it constantly slides down if you do!
The idea to have a fitness game that actually has a story and plot like a normal video game is also a genius move. The game looks a lot of fun and the inclusion of non story mode gameplay like mini games and normal exercises is also good to mix it up a bit. The problem with the story and the game in general is that the large majority of the exercises are weight/resistance based, even the exercises involving the legs are mostly squats or crunch type exercises. I'm sure this may not be a problem for most people but for me I personally prefer cardio style exercises with a few bits of resistance etc thrown in. The only really cardio you get in this is the jogging around the levels and it isn't enough. The monster battles that involve the exercises too are very repetitive. I can happily spend an hour in a cardio or zumba class yet after 20 minutes on this I was bored senseless.
I bought this so I had an at home exercise option for when I didn't feel like going to the gym, but in all honesty I dont feel like I got much out of it. Which is a shame as I can really appreciate what they've tried to do here. If you're looking for a bit of fun while toning up your arms, legs etc then this game is probably perfect for you. But if you're like me and are looking for a decent workout (and also struggle sticking with exercise in general), then this game probably isn't for you.
Muscle & Bone Anatomy 3D
Medical and Education
8.0
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An amazing reference for anyone interested in the human musculo-skeletal system. Featuring five...
Bookkeeping for Small Businesses: Teach Yourself: Simple Steps to Becoming a Confident Bookkeeper
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Is this the right book for me?Book keeping is neither dull nor mysterious - its rules are logical...
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The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version
Pheme Perkins and Michael David Coogan
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The premier study Bible used by scholars, pastors, undergraduate and graduate students, The New...