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Emma (229 KP) rated Memories of Ice in Books

Apr 1, 2021  
Memories of Ice
Memories of Ice
Steven Erikson | 2001 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is my second read through of this book. Much of it I had forgotten, although it came back to me as I read it.
I have never read a series that keeps me so captivated as this one does, Erikson has such a talent for writing,he makes every single character important in the progress of the story, and there are hundreds of characters. And you connect with each and every one of them. You get pulled into this world every time you pick the book up, and its such a struggle to put the book down. He is, without a word of a lie a master storyteller, I have never read anything by an author like him.
If you think George R R Martin is harsh with the death of characters, Steven Erikson will break your heart time and time again. And yet you cant help but go back for more.
  
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
1977 | Fantasy, Sci-Fi
A bonafide game changer
It cannot be overstated how important and game changing A New Hope was/is.
The first Star Wars film (but 4th chapter of course) is a classic that truly stands the test of time.

Everything managed to hook me in when I first saw it as a young child, from John Williams flawless soundtrack (surely the most iconic movie soundtrack of all time) to the engaging characters.
Characters such as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Darth Vader were iconic from the get go.
The set pieces are truly legendary, especially the climatic assault on the Death Star.
All of the locations and planets seem exciting and magical.
The different droids and alien species that we come across are memorable.
All these things that I fell in love with as a child are still intact when I watch it now.

George Lucas lovingly crafted a classic that will always be important.
  
Demon's Obsession (Obsessions #1)
Demon's Obsession (Obsessions #1)
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2024 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Silas' tre makes for some fun times!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is the start of a new series by these 2 authors, and I have to say, very different from the Tangled Tentacles and I loved that it is!

Silas goes to town once a week to sing. He can only manage short times away from his tree and the forest, being a dryad. Dakata is a demon, living in the human world, managing music acts. Dakata's demon reacts to Silas, making Dak aware that his Blissful One is near. But others are against the mating. And danger looms.

I just gotta mention the cover! When I got my copy, it didn't have a cover, and I only saw the cover AFTER I read it. It fits, perfectly! The scene it's taken from? Comes over exactly like the cover! Love it!!

I loved this, I really did. It's a bit different, with Silas being a dryad. He is bonded to a tree, and cannot be far from it. The tree talks to Silas, but also is able to move freely. Which makes for some fun times, especially when Dak is near and they get down and dirty! Phew!! Dak's demon talks to the tree too.

I liked that the danger was simple jealousy. No complicated plot with twist and turns to follow. I even liked the way Dak's demon dealt with that threat.

So, I have a couple of questions!

Will Wanda get a book? I mean, she has three trees she is bonded to, will she get three partners?

Will Dougal and George get stories too?? I loved these two and hope they do.

And just who is the goat, in dak's apartment that kicks Merihem in the nuts??!!

It's a little bit out there, but Sayle is becoming a master at the out there troupe!

Loved it, can't wait for more!

5 full and shiny stars.

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Alienated (2016)
Alienated (2016)
2016 | Drama
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Story: Alienated starts as we follow married couple Nate (Katt) & Paige (Burry) as they go about their everyday lives, we see the ups and downs in their communication which every couple has. When Nate believes he sees a space craft and Paige brushes off Nate’s request to watch the video leading to a fight between the two. We see how they have to rebuild their friendship and whether Paige wants to believe Nate did really see a spacecraft.

Alienated gives us a very interesting drama that bottles down to what people want to believe when a loved one believes in something. I will admit that I was expecting more sci-fi element involved as this while very entertaining follows only the conversations between the couple. This showed how to make an ultra-interesting film between the characters giving them a natural feel throughout.

 

Actor Review

 

George Katt: Nate is an artist meaning he spends most of his time at home, he is a conspiracy theorist making him believe. He has a smaller social circle compared to his wife and once he believes he sees a spacecraft the relationship with his wife is pushed to the limits as they deal with what is real. George is great in this role as we

Jen Burry: Paige is the successful business woman who comes home everyday to her husband Nate who can easily be pushed into believing in many different conspiracies. She wants to be noticed more by her husband instead of dealing with his theories on a daily basis. Jen is great in this role showing great chemistry with George.

Taylor Negron: Griffin is the neighbour of the couple, he comes off very strange but we don’t see too much of the character. Taylor is good giving us mystery about the character.

Director Review: Brian Ackley – Brian gives us one of the most interesting story driven film of the year.

 

Thriller: Alienated keeps us on edge as we wait to see what is the truth throughout.

Settings: Alienated keeps the setting in the home of the couple showing how this could come off as an everyday conversation but it could also be something bigger.
Suggestion: Alienated is one to try, I do think the casual fans might find this slightly hard to enjoy but once you start you just don’t want to stop. (Try It)

 

Best Part: Natural feeling throughout.

Worst Part: Not everything you think it will be.

 

Believability: No

Chances of Tears: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Oscar Chances: No

Runtime: 1 Hour 21 Minutes

 

Overall: Very interesting thriller that takes away the action only to give us an engrossing story.

https://moviesreview101.com/2016/02/25/alienated-2015/
  
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
1942 | Drama
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Well, it has a lot of what makes Citizen Kane amazing; you know, the incredible camera angles and perspectives, and the sense of history — American history — great performances. But to me, it’s a much juicier story. So it’s from a Booth Tarkington novel — which I’ve never read — and it’s the story of a young man who’s played by Joseph Cotten — who you know is also in Citizen Kane — who will go on to become the man who invents the automobile. But at the time, he is the ruler of our heroine, and he does not win her hand because he’s not a big deal enough — not from her point of view, but from her family’s point of view. Because they are the magnificent Ambersons; they are the richest, most important family in town. And instead she marries someone that she doesn’t love and who’s not as impressive a person. So she takes all that love she doesn’t really have for her husband, and pours it onto her son, who becomes a spoiled nightmarish brat. And it is the downward trajectory of the Ambersons — as Joseph Cotten’s character, in his ingenuity, makes all these important scientific advances, and he gains money. And the Ambersons spend their money terribly and they’re dissolute. And all this tragedy ensues — finally, finally, finally at the end. When he’s a baby — when he’s a young boy — he’s so spoiled. And they’re all waiting for the day when George Amberson will get his comeuppance. And finally, everything horrible that could happen to a person happens to him. But by the time George Amberson got his comeuppance, the people who had so longed to see it were no longer around. And in the end, he finally, finally, finally comes to his senses and embraces his mother’s true love and accepts help. It’s just a beautifully told story of star-crossed lovers; but also how when everything is going for you — and you think you’re so great, because you come from people who’ve told you that you’re great — but actually, if you can’t fend for yourself you’re gonna float to the bottom pretty quickly."

Source
  
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
1977 | Fantasy, Sci-Fi
From the first moment I saw this as a kid, years ago, even til now, I still feel the same sense of wonder, of magic, of mystery and adventure when I see this film. George Lucas created a classic that will surely live on and on long after we're gone. The story sucked me in. Of course, as a kid I was immediately more interested in the weapons/gadgets and how could I recreate them with what resources I had? But as I grew to understand the characters, the story, which really didn't take me long, I loved the story that much more. They kind of became extended family. The interaction between the main trio of course (Han, Leia, Luke) was hysterical. The at times strained friendship between R2 and 3P0 made them that much more real. And how could you not love Yoda and Chewie? I could go on for hours, truly, but I'll leave it at this. Wonderful movie! Great message for everyone, fantastic fun for the family!
  
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Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated Victor Crowley (2017) in Movies

Feb 6, 2018 (Updated Jan 10, 2019)  
Victor Crowley (2017)
Victor Crowley (2017)
2017 | Comedy, Horror
10
7.1 (8 Ratings)
Movie Rating
EVERYTHING!!!!! (0 more)
NOTHING!!!! (0 more)
One more time for George and Wes
So ten years after making the famed indie film Hatchet, Adam Green unleashes slasher icon Kane Hodder in full killer costume as Victor Crowley.
Made in secret by Green and his crew from Ariescope Pictures, the film picks up ten years after the final movie(Hatchet 3).
I am not a spoiler, not in the true spoiler sense, but what follows is 83 minutes of pure slasher gore and some pretty decent comedy.
ONCE more people have seen it I will go more into detail for my review. All I can tell you is Victor Crowley is a movie made purely and soley for fans of the slasher genre. The kils are quick and undoubtedly painful. And along the way a few of Victors favorite tools come out to play.
So... In closing I have to say buy this film. Support the indie genre. Don't stream it or download it. Actually pay for it. It's worth its weight in blood.
  
1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four
1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four
George Orwell, Duncan Macmillan | 1949 | Film & TV
8
8.1 (104 Ratings)
Book Rating
Travel to Oceania in this look at a world that was taken over by socialists. We follow Winston Smith as he lives out his life under the constant watchful eye of Big Brother. His vague memories of freedom lead him to hope for another revolution. Can he help in some way? What will happen when he starts an affair with a beautiful woman?

I read this book in high school, and it is just as sobering today as it was back then. Yes, as a novel it is a bit slow, but it does draw you in enough to really drive home the points Orwell is making. Sadly, as our technology begins to catch up to the technology Orwell created, our country begins to walk down this path as well thanks to politicians on both sides. This is a warning we still need to heed today.

You can read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-1984-by-george-orwell.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Current War (2017) in Movies

Jul 30, 2019 (Updated Jul 30, 2019)  
The Current War (2017)
The Current War (2017)
2017 | Biography, Drama, History
Striking historical drama; unfortunate enough to get caught on the fringes of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, which is why it has sat on the shelf for a couple of years since it was finished. Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse engage in a battle of wills to bring electric light to America, but will victory go to the more principled man, or the more ruthless? And who is who?

Lots of good material here for a really interesting film about, essentially, the birth of the modern world; perhaps too much. The film's problem is really that it tries to cover everything - not just the rivalry between the two men, but also incidents from Edison's private life, the development of the electric chair, and the career of the much-mythologised but enigmatic inventor Nikola Tesla. As a result everything gets covered in a somewhat cursory manner and it often feels somewhat rushed. Still, it's a handsome looking film, the performances are excellent, and the direction is sometimes as inventive as the characters. Not entirely successful by any means, but a very distinguished failure.
  
*I'm reading this as part of the Innkeeper Chronicles Anthology, #1-3*

This one was longer. Dina is asked to host a peace summit between three warring factions who live on Nexus, a planet of sorts. They have been at each others throats for years and the Arbitrator, George, is finally hoping that they can work things out.

We see a lot of the same characters from the previous one but I was missing a certain someone quite a lot - Sean. Dina contacted him near the start but Sean was away from Baha-Char and we didn't see him for a lot of the book.

The peace summit turned out really well in the end but everyone had to go through quite a lot to get there. We had deceit, poisonings, deaths... It certainly wasn't easy to achieve and I won't spoil it for future readers by going into details.

I'm glad Sean's back on Earth and that we will possibly see their romance bloom properly in the next one.

Off to start book 3.