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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Men at Arms (Discworld, #15; City Watch #2) in Books
Oct 28, 2019
Wonderfully wacky
I dare anyone to read a Discworld book and not smile at least once (if not multiple times). There's something about the wonderfully wacky world of Ankh-Morporkh that makes it so entertaining and delightful to read. Not only are the Discworld books well written, they're also full of flawed yet well developed and loveable characters.
Men at Arms is no different. The City Guard are a rather motley crew of loveable misfits, and every single one from Vimes to Carrot to Detritus has their moment or moments in this book. Some of the interactions and conversations between characters in this book are hilarious, especially those involving Detritus and Cuddy, or the conversations between Vimes, Carrot and Vetinari. Not only does Pratchett manage to fill the book with humour and fantasy, he also throws in a lot of real world problems like racism and species-ism (probably not a word) in such a manner that it's both thought provoking, meaningful and still funny. Pratchett really knows how to work his magic with these books.
Men at Arms is no different. The City Guard are a rather motley crew of loveable misfits, and every single one from Vimes to Carrot to Detritus has their moment or moments in this book. Some of the interactions and conversations between characters in this book are hilarious, especially those involving Detritus and Cuddy, or the conversations between Vimes, Carrot and Vetinari. Not only does Pratchett manage to fill the book with humour and fantasy, he also throws in a lot of real world problems like racism and species-ism (probably not a word) in such a manner that it's both thought provoking, meaningful and still funny. Pratchett really knows how to work his magic with these books.
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated The Boy in the Dress in Books
Jul 2, 2019
This is a good well rounded book for young folks
I really enjoyed this book. I was sceptical due to the author already being established and thought perhaps his celebrity status helped him sell book but I'll take my hat of to Walliams. This is an enjoyable little read. The language is simple and I enjoyed how current the book is. The book really demonstrates the difference between black and white and colour (colour being different and standing out from the norm).
Uniform is also a main theme in the book and very obviously gender and social acceptance. Walliams does a good job at showing that sexual preference is not linked to dress and that discrimination is wrong. In this book the child is able to experience how ludicrous gender representation by dress is by dressing the full football team up in ladies clothing, this normalises it.
The intrusive narrator who may be Walliams himself, also gives hints throughout the book about his own desire to cross dress.
Good book.
Uniform is also a main theme in the book and very obviously gender and social acceptance. Walliams does a good job at showing that sexual preference is not linked to dress and that discrimination is wrong. In this book the child is able to experience how ludicrous gender representation by dress is by dressing the full football team up in ladies clothing, this normalises it.
The intrusive narrator who may be Walliams himself, also gives hints throughout the book about his own desire to cross dress.
Good book.
I admit that I actually quite enjoyed this book in a strange kind of way. It was well written, had a unique story-line, surprising ending and great characters although some of them are not particularly likeable. There is ample dark humour which offsets the tension perfectly and although it does seem to be a bit OTT in parts, it does work well in this book however, I have to say that, in my opinion, the wrong person died at the end!!
Please be aware that this is not a politically correct book and there is a lot of violence and blood however, the title and description should have given this away so this shouldn't come as too much of a shock.
I haven't read anything by this author before but I am likely to pick up another of his works in the future.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review and for, once again, introducing me to another new author to look out for.
Please be aware that this is not a politically correct book and there is a lot of violence and blood however, the title and description should have given this away so this shouldn't come as too much of a shock.
I haven't read anything by this author before but I am likely to pick up another of his works in the future.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review and for, once again, introducing me to another new author to look out for.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated An Advancement of Learning in Books
Nov 8, 2019
When a body is discovered under a statue at college, gruff old hand Andy Dalziel and idealistic, learned Peter Pascoe arrive to investigate. Whereas Pascoe is very much at home in the surroundings of an institute of learning (and indeed bumps into an old acquaintance), Dalziel is highly dismissive of the students, if not downright abusive. This doesn't help the tensions during the socially active early 70s when this was written.
What follows is in some ways a standard police procedural and in others another step in the road of the development of the characters of the two policemen. This novel is really the one where it becomes clear that the mismatched duo don't fit the standard templates, with Hill clearly creating something special with the two of them.
The result is very much the prototype of the rest of the series: their characters develop, they solve a seemingly baffling crime and Dalziel provides a dash of humour with his acerbic and often old-fashioned outlook on life and those around him.
What follows is in some ways a standard police procedural and in others another step in the road of the development of the characters of the two policemen. This novel is really the one where it becomes clear that the mismatched duo don't fit the standard templates, with Hill clearly creating something special with the two of them.
The result is very much the prototype of the rest of the series: their characters develop, they solve a seemingly baffling crime and Dalziel provides a dash of humour with his acerbic and often old-fashioned outlook on life and those around him.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Cold Pursuit (2019) in Movies
Nov 8, 2019
Confused
Let's face it, any film released nowadays with Liam Neeson as the main character is likely to be very similar to everything else he's done recently and also pretty poor. And sadly Cold Pursuit is no different.
The plot isn't anything new. It's Liam Neeson getting revenge on people again. Admittedly the setting and scenery are beautiful, it's just a shame the rest of the film can't live up to it I found the entire film very confused and wasn't entirely sure if it was meant to be a thriller, an action or a black comedy - it had aspects of all three and sadly not all of them worked, especially the humour. It was all a bit weird. And I adore Tom Bateman but his American accent in this is far too odd and I cringed every time he was on screen. And then there's the wasted Laura Dern and the pointless cops.
This is vaguely entertaining, but it dips in the middle and sadly suffers from a few acting faults and confusion on what genre it seems to lie in.
The plot isn't anything new. It's Liam Neeson getting revenge on people again. Admittedly the setting and scenery are beautiful, it's just a shame the rest of the film can't live up to it I found the entire film very confused and wasn't entirely sure if it was meant to be a thriller, an action or a black comedy - it had aspects of all three and sadly not all of them worked, especially the humour. It was all a bit weird. And I adore Tom Bateman but his American accent in this is far too odd and I cringed every time he was on screen. And then there's the wasted Laura Dern and the pointless cops.
This is vaguely entertaining, but it dips in the middle and sadly suffers from a few acting faults and confusion on what genre it seems to lie in.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated Batman: The Animated Series in TV
Nov 12, 2019 (Updated Nov 13, 2019)
Best Batman
If you are a fan of this series, as soon as you see the cover, the opening music will be playing in your head. This is the GoT of 90s animation. It is all done so well, and on a big scale, a proper score, talented voice actors, quality animation, it's all here!
The odd episode may miss the mark, but otherwise you are fully drawn in to a Bat man that is dark, has depth, but also some humour. While it is suitable for kids (Not too young, and I would advise parents take a look, just incase) it does not pander to them and is great for adults too. Some other DC animations have tryed to emulate this, and done well. But none have quite found the same beauty the original has achieved.
A Must for any Bat-fans out there, and I can not wait for my son to join me in a binge session on this classic.
The odd episode may miss the mark, but otherwise you are fully drawn in to a Bat man that is dark, has depth, but also some humour. While it is suitable for kids (Not too young, and I would advise parents take a look, just incase) it does not pander to them and is great for adults too. Some other DC animations have tryed to emulate this, and done well. But none have quite found the same beauty the original has achieved.
A Must for any Bat-fans out there, and I can not wait for my son to join me in a binge session on this classic.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul in Books
Nov 20, 2019
Douglas Adams might be (rightly) famous for the Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy series but for Dirk Gently was the jewel in the crown. Carefully plotted, a well constructed and intriguing lead character and still the sublime humour and turn of phrase.
This second outing sees Dirk at a bit of a loss after his latest - very rich - client comes down with a bad case of being dead. That doesn't stop him though as his unique ability to link apparently unrelated facts leads him to one simple conclusion - the old gods are back.
Dirk is a joy as a character because he is so unlikely, allowing himself to be buffeted towards the truth by the tides of fate. Obviously the actual plot is far fetched but that's the whole point, if it wasn't impossible a normal detective would do. And the jokes, one liners, very clever observations and turns of phrase abound. A mystery wrapped in a conundrum wrapped in Adams' unique wit. What more could anyone want?
This second outing sees Dirk at a bit of a loss after his latest - very rich - client comes down with a bad case of being dead. That doesn't stop him though as his unique ability to link apparently unrelated facts leads him to one simple conclusion - the old gods are back.
Dirk is a joy as a character because he is so unlikely, allowing himself to be buffeted towards the truth by the tides of fate. Obviously the actual plot is far fetched but that's the whole point, if it wasn't impossible a normal detective would do. And the jokes, one liners, very clever observations and turns of phrase abound. A mystery wrapped in a conundrum wrapped in Adams' unique wit. What more could anyone want?
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated The Lady In The Van (2015) in Movies
Nov 30, 2019
Not as Described
If you saw this trailer, and were expect8ng an numerous tale of Maggie Smith playing an obstanant and witty old lady... you are going to be disappointed.
While there is some humour in this film, mostly dark and subtle (Not that that is an issue) it is not as hysterical as the trailer makes out. This is one of those very annoying cases where the genre and themes of the film, we're lost on whoever cut the trailer.
Said trailer is jammed full of every joke in the film, leaving you to think, "oka y, this looks fun, this will cheer me up". Sadly, the overall feel of the film is more drama than comedy.
That said, it is a very good film, well worth a watch, with the usual perfect performance from Maggie, but do not expect to be cheered up by this film, as it is quite sad.
I liked the film, however I was disappointed as I wanted something light and witty, this brought me down man.
While there is some humour in this film, mostly dark and subtle (Not that that is an issue) it is not as hysterical as the trailer makes out. This is one of those very annoying cases where the genre and themes of the film, we're lost on whoever cut the trailer.
Said trailer is jammed full of every joke in the film, leaving you to think, "oka y, this looks fun, this will cheer me up". Sadly, the overall feel of the film is more drama than comedy.
That said, it is a very good film, well worth a watch, with the usual perfect performance from Maggie, but do not expect to be cheered up by this film, as it is quite sad.
I liked the film, however I was disappointed as I wanted something light and witty, this brought me down man.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Hot Fuzz (2007) in Movies
Aug 3, 2019
An instant classic
Hot Fuzz is a glorious film, plain and simple.
It's funny, it's crude, it's gory, it's just plain ridiculous at times, and it's very British...
Anyone who lives here in England can confirm - this country is full of little villages and towns where something just seems a bit...off. just like the films village, Sandford.
As Sgt. Angel starts to uncover a sinister conspiracy underneath the idyllic town, Hot Fuzz effortlessly weaves quick humour, with a creeping sense of dread, just like it's predecessor, Shaun of the Dead.
The fantastic trio of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and director Edgar Wright hit all the right comedic notes once again, and the film is riddled with famous faces from the British comedy scene.
It evens features once-James-Bond Timothy Dalton, just being generally awesome and villainous.
The climatic battle, (that likes fun at the silliness of the action genre) is good fun, but it doesn't quite hit the mark that Shaun of the Dead does.
It's still a great film though, I'd implore anyone to give it a go.
It's funny, it's crude, it's gory, it's just plain ridiculous at times, and it's very British...
Anyone who lives here in England can confirm - this country is full of little villages and towns where something just seems a bit...off. just like the films village, Sandford.
As Sgt. Angel starts to uncover a sinister conspiracy underneath the idyllic town, Hot Fuzz effortlessly weaves quick humour, with a creeping sense of dread, just like it's predecessor, Shaun of the Dead.
The fantastic trio of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and director Edgar Wright hit all the right comedic notes once again, and the film is riddled with famous faces from the British comedy scene.
It evens features once-James-Bond Timothy Dalton, just being generally awesome and villainous.
The climatic battle, (that likes fun at the silliness of the action genre) is good fun, but it doesn't quite hit the mark that Shaun of the Dead does.
It's still a great film though, I'd implore anyone to give it a go.
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