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Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated Children of Blood and Bone: Book 1 in Books
Jun 2, 2018 (Updated Jun 2, 2018)
I’ve been looking for a sci-fi/fantasy novel this good since reading The Hunger Games. So many books let me down, but this one it my new favorite.
Such phenomenal world building, weaving into the narrative rather than simply telling. Thank you Adeyemi for believing in the readers enough to trust that they can figure things out as the story is told!
So many of the books written for young adults now, especially those specifically designed as a series, fail to deliver characters that are nuanced instead of stereotypical. Adeyemi delivers. So many books work too hard to to extend the story into the next book; Adeyemi seems to effortlessly build the plot to a natural crescendo that, yes leaves you hanging, but with just enough resolution to be satisfied.
I am eagerly anticipating the next installment and, essentially, anything that this author puts out. She has a long career ahead of her, and I look forward to follow8ng her progress.
Such phenomenal world building, weaving into the narrative rather than simply telling. Thank you Adeyemi for believing in the readers enough to trust that they can figure things out as the story is told!
So many of the books written for young adults now, especially those specifically designed as a series, fail to deliver characters that are nuanced instead of stereotypical. Adeyemi delivers. So many books work too hard to to extend the story into the next book; Adeyemi seems to effortlessly build the plot to a natural crescendo that, yes leaves you hanging, but with just enough resolution to be satisfied.
I am eagerly anticipating the next installment and, essentially, anything that this author puts out. She has a long career ahead of her, and I look forward to follow8ng her progress.
David McK (3207 KP) rated Night Watch (Discworld, #29; City Watch, #6) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
2018 update: "Truth! Justice! Reasonably-priced love! And a hard-boiled egg!"
2016 update: Following (Sir) Terry Pratchett's death in 2015 to his 'Embuggerance', I recently came across a blog where the author of said blog was reading all of the Discworld books in order from the first to the last. One of the last entries in the said blog was when he rated the books, from his most to least favourite, and then asked his readers to do the same and later published those responses.
In both cases, 'Night Watch' - which, I think, was one of the last before Pratchett was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's - was in the top 10, so I decided to go back and re-read it ...
<original thoughts below>
One of Terry Pratchett's more recent Discworld novel, in which he makes use of the good old time-travel sci-fi trope to move Commander Sam Vimes of the City Watch back in time to an earlier portion of his life-time.
2016 update: Following (Sir) Terry Pratchett's death in 2015 to his 'Embuggerance', I recently came across a blog where the author of said blog was reading all of the Discworld books in order from the first to the last. One of the last entries in the said blog was when he rated the books, from his most to least favourite, and then asked his readers to do the same and later published those responses.
In both cases, 'Night Watch' - which, I think, was one of the last before Pratchett was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's - was in the top 10, so I decided to go back and re-read it ...
<original thoughts below>
One of Terry Pratchett's more recent Discworld novel, in which he makes use of the good old time-travel sci-fi trope to move Commander Sam Vimes of the City Watch back in time to an earlier portion of his life-time.
Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
5.3
Rate It
Movie
1873. New Mexico Territory. A stranger with no memory of his past stumbles into the hard desert town...
Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated Lethbridge-Stewart: The Grandfather Infestation (#7) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
When a pirate radio station goes off the air suddenly, a Navy sub disappears, and a small island is overrun with killer plants, Lethbridge-Stewart and the 5th spring into action.
A breathless, well-paced action yarn that's also a hard hitting sci-fi. Great characters, great characterizations of existing friends and enemies, much military co-operation and maneuvering, it felt like a 70s era Bond flick. And like all good Bond flicks, everything blows up at the end.
If I have a complaint, it's the end. We rush headlong toward that climax and once it arrives, it feels like we barely have time to register what has happened before plummeting down the other side and the story is over. But perhaps that's the greatest compliment. The fact that the book felt and read so much like a movie, that my brain was filling the cinematic strokes for me, and I was brought back to earth by no credits at the end, well, that's an adventure tale done right!
For a full spoiler filled review, visit www.travelingthevortex.com
A breathless, well-paced action yarn that's also a hard hitting sci-fi. Great characters, great characterizations of existing friends and enemies, much military co-operation and maneuvering, it felt like a 70s era Bond flick. And like all good Bond flicks, everything blows up at the end.
If I have a complaint, it's the end. We rush headlong toward that climax and once it arrives, it feels like we barely have time to register what has happened before plummeting down the other side and the story is over. But perhaps that's the greatest compliment. The fact that the book felt and read so much like a movie, that my brain was filling the cinematic strokes for me, and I was brought back to earth by no credits at the end, well, that's an adventure tale done right!
For a full spoiler filled review, visit www.travelingthevortex.com
Awix (3310 KP) rated Agent of Chaos in Books
Apr 1, 2019 (Updated Apr 2, 2019)
Weirdly prescient pulp sci-fi novel. 'The great tyrant ruled with solar system with absolute terror. Only one man dared to fight back!' The man in question being one Boris Johnson, who (laser gun in hand) heroically sets out to bring down the government and plunge the world into complete anarchy (this really is the plot, and yes, the book was written in 1967).
Obviously the book is unintended comedy gold for UK readers nowadays, but as something you might actually want to read for pleasure, or for any other reason, it is quite hard work: the plot is hackneyed, the characterisation thin, and much of the book is taken up with lengthy discussions of chaos and order and anarchy and so on. This has given the book a cult following, although I think it depends on how old you are when you first read it. If you're not into radical philosophy and not amused by the doings of Boris Johnson, there's not much else here to enjoy.
Obviously the book is unintended comedy gold for UK readers nowadays, but as something you might actually want to read for pleasure, or for any other reason, it is quite hard work: the plot is hackneyed, the characterisation thin, and much of the book is taken up with lengthy discussions of chaos and order and anarchy and so on. This has given the book a cult following, although I think it depends on how old you are when you first read it. If you're not into radical philosophy and not amused by the doings of Boris Johnson, there's not much else here to enjoy.
Private Eye
Book
From the creator of the New York Times bestselling series SAGA, comes the three-time, Eisner...
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
Good sci-fi, but a poor sequel
Independence Day: Resurgence has a lot in common with last year’s Jurassic World. They both are long-awaited sequels to fan-favourite blockbusters, bringing a new generation the same thrills and spills of their forbearers.
Unfortunately, it just so happens that they share the same pitfalls too. But is Independence Day: Resurgence a match for its 1996 predecessor? Or does it crash and burn?
Roland Emmerich returns to the director’s chair, bringing the same breadth of destruction he’s brought to all of his films. The Day After Tomorrow, 2012 and White House Down all prove he’s the master of the apocalypse and Resurgence is no exception.
As the Fourth of July nears, satellite engineer David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) investigates a 3,000-mile-wide mother ship that’s approaching Earth. Fortunately, 20 years earlier, nations across the world started to use recovered extra-terrestrial technology to develop an immense defence program. When the alien invaders attack with unprecedented force, the U.S. president, teams of scientists and brave fighter pilots spring into action to save the planet from a seemingly invincible enemy.
Emmerich throws everything he can at the screen in a film just shy of two hours. The pace rarely lets up and it’s a rollercoaster ride to watch. Dozens of global landmarks are destroyed as our characters race to stop the new alien invasion.
Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games), Sela Ward (Gone Girl) and Jessie Usher make up the majority of the new cast with Bill Pullman and Judd Hirsch providing a warm sense of nostalgia from the first film. There’s no return for Will Smith, with Jessie Usher playing his step-son and his character is conveniently written out.
Unfortunately, despite the talents of the new cast, the script doesn’t really give them anything to sink their teeth into and the overabundance of, admittedly breath-taking CGI, means there’s nothing there for them to react to – and it shows. Nevertheless, it’s nice to see Jeff Goldblum front and centre after nearly a decade of small film roles.
It’s just a shame that the script is wholly unoriginal. We saw most of it done in 1996, and frankly done better. Since then, there have been countless generic sci-fi flicks that have pushed the same simple premise on their audience and Resurgence suffers due to its timing more than anything else.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s all good fun IF you’re a fan of the genre, and there are some nice references to the first film. The aliens themselves look fantastic and the cinematography is generally very impressive, especially during the aerial bound action sequences.
However, things unravel at the finale. With what is undoubtedly one of the most stupid endings ever put to film, it’s hard not to laugh in amazement as you ponder just what was said around the production table to end up with a final act as ill-advised as this.
Overall, Independence Day: Resurgence has a lot going for it. A likeable new and returning cast is bolstered by brilliant, if overused, CGI and a frantic pace. Unfortunately, it’s a victim of its timing and as such is a decent sci-fi flick, but a poor sequel to its fantastic predecessor.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2016/06/24/good-sci-fi-but-a-poor-sequel-independence-day-resurgence-review/
Unfortunately, it just so happens that they share the same pitfalls too. But is Independence Day: Resurgence a match for its 1996 predecessor? Or does it crash and burn?
Roland Emmerich returns to the director’s chair, bringing the same breadth of destruction he’s brought to all of his films. The Day After Tomorrow, 2012 and White House Down all prove he’s the master of the apocalypse and Resurgence is no exception.
As the Fourth of July nears, satellite engineer David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) investigates a 3,000-mile-wide mother ship that’s approaching Earth. Fortunately, 20 years earlier, nations across the world started to use recovered extra-terrestrial technology to develop an immense defence program. When the alien invaders attack with unprecedented force, the U.S. president, teams of scientists and brave fighter pilots spring into action to save the planet from a seemingly invincible enemy.
Emmerich throws everything he can at the screen in a film just shy of two hours. The pace rarely lets up and it’s a rollercoaster ride to watch. Dozens of global landmarks are destroyed as our characters race to stop the new alien invasion.
Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games), Sela Ward (Gone Girl) and Jessie Usher make up the majority of the new cast with Bill Pullman and Judd Hirsch providing a warm sense of nostalgia from the first film. There’s no return for Will Smith, with Jessie Usher playing his step-son and his character is conveniently written out.
Unfortunately, despite the talents of the new cast, the script doesn’t really give them anything to sink their teeth into and the overabundance of, admittedly breath-taking CGI, means there’s nothing there for them to react to – and it shows. Nevertheless, it’s nice to see Jeff Goldblum front and centre after nearly a decade of small film roles.
It’s just a shame that the script is wholly unoriginal. We saw most of it done in 1996, and frankly done better. Since then, there have been countless generic sci-fi flicks that have pushed the same simple premise on their audience and Resurgence suffers due to its timing more than anything else.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s all good fun IF you’re a fan of the genre, and there are some nice references to the first film. The aliens themselves look fantastic and the cinematography is generally very impressive, especially during the aerial bound action sequences.
However, things unravel at the finale. With what is undoubtedly one of the most stupid endings ever put to film, it’s hard not to laugh in amazement as you ponder just what was said around the production table to end up with a final act as ill-advised as this.
Overall, Independence Day: Resurgence has a lot going for it. A likeable new and returning cast is bolstered by brilliant, if overused, CGI and a frantic pace. Unfortunately, it’s a victim of its timing and as such is a decent sci-fi flick, but a poor sequel to its fantastic predecessor.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2016/06/24/good-sci-fi-but-a-poor-sequel-independence-day-resurgence-review/
Mike Wilder (20 KP) rated Starship Troopers (1997) in Movies
May 30, 2018
It is a great film and in the category of action Sci-Fi one of the best.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Starship Troopers is a great Science Fiction movie. It is based on a book by Robert A. Heinlein. In the future, mankind is exploring the universe and encroach upon the territory of alien bugs and war begins. The insects are only responding to a threat of their territory and are trying to fight off the invaders. The clever use of insects as the aliens makes this film stand apart from other space movies.
The cast is great. It is made up of great actors, many of who at the time were relatively unknown including Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Jake Busey and Denise Richards, mixed with established stars like Clancy Brown, Neil Patrick Harris and Michael Ironside, taking minor roles. The star of the movie is hard to choose between Dina Meyer, Casper Van Dien (both of who suffered injuries while making this, Casper broke a rib and Dina suffered a concussion) and the bugs! However I am going to have to say the bugs are the stars. The use of real and CGI in this film is great. The bugs are a formidable foe and a very creative one. They are numerous and relentless. Cleverly the use of different species of bugs makes for some great surprises.
The battles are epic and bloody. This is not a film for the squeamish, every battle is like a futuristic opening scene to Saving Private Ryan. People die in horrific ways, bodies and limbs are ripped apart and even main characters don't always survive, something I always appreciate in a film as it keeps the viewer guessing.
But it is not all about war, there is a good amount of comedy and even romance in this movie. It is a great film and in the category of action Sci-Fi one of the best.
The cast is great. It is made up of great actors, many of who at the time were relatively unknown including Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Jake Busey and Denise Richards, mixed with established stars like Clancy Brown, Neil Patrick Harris and Michael Ironside, taking minor roles. The star of the movie is hard to choose between Dina Meyer, Casper Van Dien (both of who suffered injuries while making this, Casper broke a rib and Dina suffered a concussion) and the bugs! However I am going to have to say the bugs are the stars. The use of real and CGI in this film is great. The bugs are a formidable foe and a very creative one. They are numerous and relentless. Cleverly the use of different species of bugs makes for some great surprises.
The battles are epic and bloody. This is not a film for the squeamish, every battle is like a futuristic opening scene to Saving Private Ryan. People die in horrific ways, bodies and limbs are ripped apart and even main characters don't always survive, something I always appreciate in a film as it keeps the viewer guessing.
But it is not all about war, there is a good amount of comedy and even romance in this movie. It is a great film and in the category of action Sci-Fi one of the best.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) in Movies
May 11, 2022
Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of those rare films where I can't think of the appropriate words to describe it. It's a thrilling and emotional spectacle brimming with unique visuals and is a true cinematic rollercoaster.
The narrative is part family drama, and part mind bending sci-fi. The family drama is well crafted and effortless to become invested in. It's gives the characters room to breathe whilst simultaneously wasting little time before shit goes off the rails. When I say mind bending, that's exactly what it sounds like. The sci-fi element is just bonkers. The alternative universes that are shown off are memorable and colourful, and the action set pieces are joyous to behold. There's some solid martial arts on display, and multiple scenarios where you can safely say "well I've never seen that in a film before".
Towering above all of the batshit insane fun however, is the very human centre that EEAAO carries with it. The last 40 minutes or so get unashamedly existential, and accurately convey the feeling of how easy it is to feel like a failure, or to feel alone and unheard in a bustling universe. It's hard hitting but is wholesome as hell (never thought a silent and subtitled conversation between two rocks would hit me in the feels but here we are)
Michelle Yeoh is wonderful and delivers a career best performance. Stephanie Hsu is also great and it's bloody lovely to see Ke Huy Quan back with a vengeance. Jamie Lee Curtis remains easy to love, even as a pain in the arse, pro wrestling tax auditer.
The Daniels have delivered and then some in their follow up effort to the equally weird Swiss Army Man and truly deserve all the praise coming their way.
Everything Everywhere All at Once is a phenomenal experience. I can't imagine anything will beat it for my personal best film of 2022. It's a bonafide, head fucking masterpiece.
The narrative is part family drama, and part mind bending sci-fi. The family drama is well crafted and effortless to become invested in. It's gives the characters room to breathe whilst simultaneously wasting little time before shit goes off the rails. When I say mind bending, that's exactly what it sounds like. The sci-fi element is just bonkers. The alternative universes that are shown off are memorable and colourful, and the action set pieces are joyous to behold. There's some solid martial arts on display, and multiple scenarios where you can safely say "well I've never seen that in a film before".
Towering above all of the batshit insane fun however, is the very human centre that EEAAO carries with it. The last 40 minutes or so get unashamedly existential, and accurately convey the feeling of how easy it is to feel like a failure, or to feel alone and unheard in a bustling universe. It's hard hitting but is wholesome as hell (never thought a silent and subtitled conversation between two rocks would hit me in the feels but here we are)
Michelle Yeoh is wonderful and delivers a career best performance. Stephanie Hsu is also great and it's bloody lovely to see Ke Huy Quan back with a vengeance. Jamie Lee Curtis remains easy to love, even as a pain in the arse, pro wrestling tax auditer.
The Daniels have delivered and then some in their follow up effort to the equally weird Swiss Army Man and truly deserve all the praise coming their way.
Everything Everywhere All at Once is a phenomenal experience. I can't imagine anything will beat it for my personal best film of 2022. It's a bonafide, head fucking masterpiece.
Darren (1599 KP) rated 10,000 Days (2014) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
Story: 10,000 Days starts as we enter the world 27-years after a comet struck Earth putting the survivors into a permanent ice age, we follow two groups of survivors, once together now at war, William Beck (Schneider) on one side, Remy Farnwell (Wingfield) on the other.
As the Beck’s discover moments of truth about the disaster and a potential cure, Remy is playing his attack to take their base, the race against time for human survival is on.
Thoughts on 10,000 Days
Characters – William Beck runs one of the clans in the frozen land, he has kept his people safe, always searching for the next way to survive, hopefully peacefully even against his enemy, he knew the world before the disaster and now he wants to return to it. Remy Farnwell leads the rival clan, living on the ice he fell out with the Beck’s wanting revenge for the betrayal as he sees it. He doesn’t mind killing people in the battle which he has made too personal. We do have a lot of characters in this film, William has three sons that all look exactly the same, we have the scientist figures which seems to be three different female characters, a pilot who failed to stop the comet who still lives with the nightmare. We get so many characters it truly is hard to keep up or invest in any of them.
Performances – The performances, well this is difficult because nearly all the actors and characters look the same, it is difficult to figure out who the lead is, nobody has any sort of emotional factor or strong moments to stand out.
Story – The story is the end of the world happened, we are now in an ice age which could be coming to an end, but two war driven clans want control of the best location. This sounds interesting enough, you would be wrong, we have moments of discovery, moments of war, though this just never knows which one is the most important. Sadly, this only ends feeling boring, we don’t get invested in the characters and for some reason the film kind of just ends with a massive cliff hanger.
Sci-Fi – The world has ended and now an ice-age has hit, well that is the sci-fi side of the film.
Settings – The film give us generic location which include ice area or cold looking warehouse.
Special Effects – The effects here are just terrible and look completely fake.
Scene of the Movie – The concept should work.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The Effects.
Final Thoughts – This is a poor sci-fi movie that just doesn’t become interesting at any point in the film.
Overall: Boring throughout.
https://moviesreview101.com/2019/05/28/10000-days-2014/
As the Beck’s discover moments of truth about the disaster and a potential cure, Remy is playing his attack to take their base, the race against time for human survival is on.
Thoughts on 10,000 Days
Characters – William Beck runs one of the clans in the frozen land, he has kept his people safe, always searching for the next way to survive, hopefully peacefully even against his enemy, he knew the world before the disaster and now he wants to return to it. Remy Farnwell leads the rival clan, living on the ice he fell out with the Beck’s wanting revenge for the betrayal as he sees it. He doesn’t mind killing people in the battle which he has made too personal. We do have a lot of characters in this film, William has three sons that all look exactly the same, we have the scientist figures which seems to be three different female characters, a pilot who failed to stop the comet who still lives with the nightmare. We get so many characters it truly is hard to keep up or invest in any of them.
Performances – The performances, well this is difficult because nearly all the actors and characters look the same, it is difficult to figure out who the lead is, nobody has any sort of emotional factor or strong moments to stand out.
Story – The story is the end of the world happened, we are now in an ice age which could be coming to an end, but two war driven clans want control of the best location. This sounds interesting enough, you would be wrong, we have moments of discovery, moments of war, though this just never knows which one is the most important. Sadly, this only ends feeling boring, we don’t get invested in the characters and for some reason the film kind of just ends with a massive cliff hanger.
Sci-Fi – The world has ended and now an ice-age has hit, well that is the sci-fi side of the film.
Settings – The film give us generic location which include ice area or cold looking warehouse.
Special Effects – The effects here are just terrible and look completely fake.
Scene of the Movie – The concept should work.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The Effects.
Final Thoughts – This is a poor sci-fi movie that just doesn’t become interesting at any point in the film.
Overall: Boring throughout.
https://moviesreview101.com/2019/05/28/10000-days-2014/