Search
Search results
The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna
8.0
Rate It
Book
If Stella Fortuna means 'lucky star,' then life must have a funny sense of humour. Everybody in...
Historical Fiction Italy Trigger Warning
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Jakob's Wife (2021) in Movies
Sep 18, 2021
Let's be honest, a low budget vampire flick lead by Barbara Crampton and Larry Fessenden was always going to be right up my street.
Jakob's Wife has a lot going for it. It has a well paced and intriguing premise, snappy dialogue, sympathetic characters, over the top and hard hitting gore (seriously springs out of nowhere and caught me off guard), decent creature designs, a good soundtrack, and the aforentioned lead actors (although, Crampton expectedly and completely steals the show)
My main criticisms mainly come from what feels like a confused identity. There's some good humour sprinkled throughout, and some genuinely funny moments, but it does feel at odds with otherwise serious tone on display. A minor gripe, but one that's noticeable (a statement that also applies to the awful cgi rats in that one scene)
Overall, Jakob's Wife is an entertaining splatter fest that should appeal to any horror fan - don't sleep on it!
Jakob's Wife has a lot going for it. It has a well paced and intriguing premise, snappy dialogue, sympathetic characters, over the top and hard hitting gore (seriously springs out of nowhere and caught me off guard), decent creature designs, a good soundtrack, and the aforentioned lead actors (although, Crampton expectedly and completely steals the show)
My main criticisms mainly come from what feels like a confused identity. There's some good humour sprinkled throughout, and some genuinely funny moments, but it does feel at odds with otherwise serious tone on display. A minor gripe, but one that's noticeable (a statement that also applies to the awful cgi rats in that one scene)
Overall, Jakob's Wife is an entertaining splatter fest that should appeal to any horror fan - don't sleep on it!
Merissa (13398 KP) rated Rare Form (Descended of Dragons #1) in Books
Apr 19, 2023
This is the debut novel of Jen Crane and she has started with a belter! There are some brilliant one-liners in here, and she has given a new meaning between a younger girl and an older man!
So many characters in here to draw you in! Stella herself is cracking! She deals with life-changing events with attitude and aplomb, whilst committing herself fully. Gresham is simply gorgeous and I can't get enough of him. Timbra is sweet but with a sassy edge. Ewan - what can I say about him? He intrigues me and I can't wait to see where this story will take him.
Well-written, smoothly paced, and laced with humour, this is a book to savour! Definitely recommended by me and I can't wait for book 2!!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 6, 2015
So many characters in here to draw you in! Stella herself is cracking! She deals with life-changing events with attitude and aplomb, whilst committing herself fully. Gresham is simply gorgeous and I can't get enough of him. Timbra is sweet but with a sassy edge. Ewan - what can I say about him? He intrigues me and I can't wait to see where this story will take him.
Well-written, smoothly paced, and laced with humour, this is a book to savour! Definitely recommended by me and I can't wait for book 2!!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 6, 2015
Merissa (13398 KP) rated Flirting With Fire (A Witch’s Night Out #1) in Books
May 8, 2023
In the first of the Witch's Night Out series of novellas, we meet Cat and Leo - familiar and warlock. Cat has eighteen months left on her contract which transferred to Leo upon the death of his aunt. The only trouble is Leo doesn't realise that he is a warlock so can't say the incantation which allows Cat to become human and leave the house.
In a short novella, there is a lot of information and humour. I loved the Draco Malfoy references for a start, but there are plenty to choose from. In some respects, it is a slow burner (pun intended) until they meet for their blind date and then things heat up.
For a short but extremely sexy, quick-witted and humorous story, I can definitely recommend this.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 13, 2015
In a short novella, there is a lot of information and humour. I loved the Draco Malfoy references for a start, but there are plenty to choose from. In some respects, it is a slow burner (pun intended) until they meet for their blind date and then things heat up.
For a short but extremely sexy, quick-witted and humorous story, I can definitely recommend this.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 13, 2015
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Metal lords (2022) in Movies
Apr 27, 2022
If you're into heavy metal then you will find something to enjoy with Metal Lords, a teen comedy/metal love letter from Peter Sollett.
It drags in a few places, and some of the humour doesn't quite land, but it did get a few genuine laughs out of me, and is pretty damn wholesome - there's surprisingly very little musical gate-keeping from any of the characters. The students who are into Ed Sheeran are mostly respectful towards the main characters metal leanings ("Post death metal") and even he appreciates the rival pop band by the time the credits roll. It's a refreshing take on a genre that is rife with elitism.
Other than that, Metal Lords has a banging soundtrack, and some great original music courtesy of the incredibly talented Ramin Djawadi (who is just everywhere these days, and deservedly so).
Metal Lords won't change your life, but it's a fun time. It's pretty much Deathgasm without the gore and demons.
It drags in a few places, and some of the humour doesn't quite land, but it did get a few genuine laughs out of me, and is pretty damn wholesome - there's surprisingly very little musical gate-keeping from any of the characters. The students who are into Ed Sheeran are mostly respectful towards the main characters metal leanings ("Post death metal") and even he appreciates the rival pop band by the time the credits roll. It's a refreshing take on a genre that is rife with elitism.
Other than that, Metal Lords has a banging soundtrack, and some great original music courtesy of the incredibly talented Ramin Djawadi (who is just everywhere these days, and deservedly so).
Metal Lords won't change your life, but it's a fun time. It's pretty much Deathgasm without the gore and demons.
Otway93 (580 KP) rated Annie (1982) in Movies
Jun 14, 2022
Casting (2 more)
Music
Feel
Absolutely charming!
Until recently, it's been a film that's never really appealed to me, but watching it now I can see that it is a charming, emotional, and all-round superbly made musical.
The way the film is made is incredible. Although it was released in 1982, the film has the charm, feel and humour of a musical released in the 1950s or 60s, which is makes it feel that much more special.
The casting is superb, including legends Tim Curry, Carol Burnett, and last but not least the spectacular Albert Finney. Obviously I must mention Aileen Quinn, who put on an outstanding performance as the beloved orphan, Annie.
Finally, the music is great, ranging from silly drunken tunes from Carol Burnett, to Annie's emotional tunes such as "Tomorrow", which when seen on screen adds a whole new layer of emotion to the song.
Overall, an almost perfect film, perfect for musical lovers!
The way the film is made is incredible. Although it was released in 1982, the film has the charm, feel and humour of a musical released in the 1950s or 60s, which is makes it feel that much more special.
The casting is superb, including legends Tim Curry, Carol Burnett, and last but not least the spectacular Albert Finney. Obviously I must mention Aileen Quinn, who put on an outstanding performance as the beloved orphan, Annie.
Finally, the music is great, ranging from silly drunken tunes from Carol Burnett, to Annie's emotional tunes such as "Tomorrow", which when seen on screen adds a whole new layer of emotion to the song.
Overall, an almost perfect film, perfect for musical lovers!
David McK (3632 KP) rated Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) in Movies
Jul 25, 2022
The fourth solo outing for Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder (after "Thor", "Thor: The Dark World" and "Thor: Ragnorak") which double downs on the goofiness that Taika Waititi brought to the prevus instalment.
To this films detriment, I felt: the humour felt, at times, forced, with Thor (again, at times) coming across as more of a buffoon than I would prefer.
This also see's the return of Natalie Portman's Jane Foster - last seen in The Dark World, before dumping Thor off-screen - with elements of the plot heavily influenced by the 2014 run of comics that sees her lifting Mjolnir.
Christian Bale is also suitably menacing as Gorr the God Butcher, but is seemingly in a different movie to everyone else! Those shadow creatures are bound to give kids nightmares ...
In short, the scary bits are scarier than in many a previous Marvel movie, whilst the funny bits (attempt to be) funnier than any previous!
To this films detriment, I felt: the humour felt, at times, forced, with Thor (again, at times) coming across as more of a buffoon than I would prefer.
This also see's the return of Natalie Portman's Jane Foster - last seen in The Dark World, before dumping Thor off-screen - with elements of the plot heavily influenced by the 2014 run of comics that sees her lifting Mjolnir.
Christian Bale is also suitably menacing as Gorr the God Butcher, but is seemingly in a different movie to everyone else! Those shadow creatures are bound to give kids nightmares ...
In short, the scary bits are scarier than in many a previous Marvel movie, whilst the funny bits (attempt to be) funnier than any previous!
Thank You For the Days
8.0
Rate It
Book
Every day counts when you're chasing love, life, and a little bit of madness… Luke Milvaine is...