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Akward (448 KP) rated Above and Below in Tabletop Games
Aug 4, 2018
Design is awesome (2 more)
Mechanics are fun and easy to teach
Mechanics have lots of replayability
Above and Below is a great introductory game to adventure mechanics. Nothing in the game is difficult, and players can feel accomplished, even in their first game. But there is also enough variety to allow for great replay ability and to still keep the game interesting for experienced tabletop players.
And oh man, is the design awesome. You'll be amazed at the level of detail that went in to the cartoony graphic design.
Ultimately, the biggest downfall is the lack of adventure stories. You might think I'm crazy, because there are 208. But in just a few games, we managed to replay quite a few stories. This is less than ideal, because not knowing the outcomes of the stories is integral to the gameplay. Perhaps this is something that the expansions fix, but I have not played them.
And oh man, is the design awesome. You'll be amazed at the level of detail that went in to the cartoony graphic design.
Ultimately, the biggest downfall is the lack of adventure stories. You might think I'm crazy, because there are 208. But in just a few games, we managed to replay quite a few stories. This is less than ideal, because not knowing the outcomes of the stories is integral to the gameplay. Perhaps this is something that the expansions fix, but I have not played them.

Jo (37 KP) rated ABEL 1: It Can't Be You (Phoenix Club, #1) in Books
Oct 6, 2018
I'm not entirely sure how I rate this book if I'm honest. I really can't work out what to make of it.
I felt the writing was over done and quite clumpy; the hints dropped as to where the story was heading were far from subtle and, therefore, there wasn't any surprising twists; I couldn't buy into the reasonings or behaviors of the characters; and certain parts of the story had me a little creeped out.
BUT
I zapped through it, enjoyed the 'aww' moments, didn't much mind having my predictions proved right and am now feeling the urge to continue onto book 2.
I don't know what it is this book has, but it certainly has something.
Graphic books such as this rest outside of my reading comfort zone. I took a leap with it and have nothing even remotely similar in my bookshelf history to compare it to. So...yeah...enjoyable read in a bizarre kind of undefinable way.
I felt the writing was over done and quite clumpy; the hints dropped as to where the story was heading were far from subtle and, therefore, there wasn't any surprising twists; I couldn't buy into the reasonings or behaviors of the characters; and certain parts of the story had me a little creeped out.
BUT
I zapped through it, enjoyed the 'aww' moments, didn't much mind having my predictions proved right and am now feeling the urge to continue onto book 2.
I don't know what it is this book has, but it certainly has something.
Graphic books such as this rest outside of my reading comfort zone. I took a leap with it and have nothing even remotely similar in my bookshelf history to compare it to. So...yeah...enjoyable read in a bizarre kind of undefinable way.

Lee (2222 KP) rated I Kill Giants (2017) in Movies
Oct 28, 2018
I KILL GIANTS is a movie I'd never heard of before until I stumbled across it on Netflix. Based on a graphic novel, I Kill Giants tells the story of Barbara, a young teen who lives with her older sister and brother. Barbara doesn't really have any friends, is bullied at school, is thought of as weird by everyone and is currently seeing the school psychologist (when she can be bothered). She also sets traps and bait in order to catch and kill giants, researching the different types of giants and preparing herself for when the time comes that she must protect the town from a really big one. If you've seen A MONSTER CALLS then this movie treads very similar ground to that and is also similar in style. I wasn't quite as emotional at the end of this movie as I was at the end of that one, but I did find it just as enjoyable

Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Great - Single by Androu in Music
Jun 17, 2019
Androu is an NYC-based rapper from Boston, Massachusetts. Not too long ago, he released an attention-grabbing music video for his “Great” single.
The DIY audiovisual for ‘Great’ is simplistic in nature. Also, the footage keeps viewers entertained and strings them along via an interesting storyline.
In the video, Androu introduces us to the greats in his life by paying homage to his talented friends.
The visual serves as a reminder to surround yourself with the right kind of people. The kind that builds you up, continually inspire you and keep you grounded.
‘Great’ contains a relatable storyline, mellow rap vocals, and vibey instrumentation flavored with an indie hip-hop aroma.
Androu is a musical jack of all trades. The talented artist is a graphic designer by day with Alexander Wang and has a degree in sound art. Also, he writes, sings, produces, and designs all of his material.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/androu-great/
The DIY audiovisual for ‘Great’ is simplistic in nature. Also, the footage keeps viewers entertained and strings them along via an interesting storyline.
In the video, Androu introduces us to the greats in his life by paying homage to his talented friends.
The visual serves as a reminder to surround yourself with the right kind of people. The kind that builds you up, continually inspire you and keep you grounded.
‘Great’ contains a relatable storyline, mellow rap vocals, and vibey instrumentation flavored with an indie hip-hop aroma.
Androu is a musical jack of all trades. The talented artist is a graphic designer by day with Alexander Wang and has a degree in sound art. Also, he writes, sings, produces, and designs all of his material.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/androu-great/

Larry Eisner (2082 KP) rated Bible in Apps
Jan 10, 2019
Reading plans (2 more)
Easy and free access to MANY versions
Community support/inclusion is wonderful
It’s an honestly well made app with many features.
Lemme be absolutely clear. I’m a fan of the Bible, but that’s NOT what I’m reviewing here. I’m reviewing the YouVersion Bible app. And frankly, it’s great.
It is easy to navigate, completely free, has copious amounts of versions to view for study and comparison, has multiple language options, links to excellent resources, community support, reading motivation, text graphic creation, study and reading plans, as well as video resources and any text has links to community resources as well (notes, commentary, etc).
As far as any application for the Bible goes, it really cannot be beat. It’s a wonderful and again, completely free(!) application that works as promised and delivers an experience so in depth yet so navigable, as nothing else I’ve seen.
It is easy to navigate, completely free, has copious amounts of versions to view for study and comparison, has multiple language options, links to excellent resources, community support, reading motivation, text graphic creation, study and reading plans, as well as video resources and any text has links to community resources as well (notes, commentary, etc).
As far as any application for the Bible goes, it really cannot be beat. It’s a wonderful and again, completely free(!) application that works as promised and delivers an experience so in depth yet so navigable, as nothing else I’ve seen.

David McK (3562 KP) rated Batman: The Dark Knight Returns in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Commonly cited as one of the best Batman graphic novels, this is the one that turned Batman from the Camp Crusader of the Adam West years into the growling anti-hero of the Tim Burton and (later) Christopher Nolan films (leaving aside the Schumacher mis-steps in the middle).
Written in the 80s but set in the near-future, this sees Bruce Wayne return to his role as the vigilante 10 years after unspecified events that saw him hang up his cape. His return, however, also sees the return of some old foes, alongside that of some new.
While - as it was written in the 80s - some of the subject matter is now out of date (most noticeably, the Cold War between America and the USSR), this still holds up surprisingly well. I also have to say that, with some crowded art panels, language and the violence throughout, this is also not one for the kiddies!
Written in the 80s but set in the near-future, this sees Bruce Wayne return to his role as the vigilante 10 years after unspecified events that saw him hang up his cape. His return, however, also sees the return of some old foes, alongside that of some new.
While - as it was written in the 80s - some of the subject matter is now out of date (most noticeably, the Cold War between America and the USSR), this still holds up surprisingly well. I also have to say that, with some crowded art panels, language and the violence throughout, this is also not one for the kiddies!

Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Rambo: Last Blood (2019) in Movies
Feb 9, 2020
This is certainly very different in tone to the previous films and doesn’t really feel like a traditional Rambo film. It’s more of a formulaic action revenge film that borrows heavily from ‘Taken’ and unfortunately does nothing to dispel the Trumpian stereotype of a Mexico populated solely by violent criminals. So no it’s not a brilliant film by any means but it still certainly kept me entertained for 90 minutes with plenty of switch your brain off thrills. I’m a big fan of Stallone and I enjoyed his performance here and I couldn’t help but feel for Rambo as he has the tiny bit of happiness he’d manage to find taken away and is forced back into a world of death and violence. The violence when it comes is incredibly graphic and quite satisfying especially in the finale as Rambo dispatches with the bad guys on his booby trapped ranch. All in all though one of the weaker films in the series but still an enjoyable ride.

Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Antichrist (2009) in Movies
Feb 8, 2020
What the hell did I just watch? Lars Von Trier at his most deliberately controversial and one truly fucked up film. An un-named couple work through the grief of losing their son and the guilt they feel over the circumstances of his death by going absolutely batshit crazy in the woods. Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg do the best they can and their performances are fine , it’s the material that’s the problem . The first hour is deathly dull and the final 40 minutes consists of graphic violence, bizarre imagery, a talking fox and a bit of genital mutilation thrown in for good measure.The film as a whole is a mess and just doesn’t work , it wants to be arty and clever but feels like it’s just trying to shock for the hell of it. I didn’t enjoy any of this movie and would die a happy man if I never saw this again.

Baby’s First Games
Education
App
With “Baby’s First Games”, Generation 5 offers young children aged 12 to 36 months the first...