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Amy Curtis (49 KP) rated White Gold in TV
Dec 4, 2018
Average...
There's only 6 episodes in this programme and I was really looking forward to binge watching it. I'm a big fan of Ed Westwick and I wanted to see what the boys from the Inbetweeners would be like in a different programme. The show was okay and the humour was brilliant. The only thing is it didn't feel like there was much of a story line half the time. It was only from episode 4 that something started to build. Ed Westwick does a fantastic job of taking on a con man who considers himself as a w***er and he speaks directly to the camera at times to talk to the audience directly and remind them why he is one. It was a quick watch and there were rumours that they were bringing a second season out. However due to allegations against Ed, this got put on hold and there is no certainty that White Gold will return. If there was a second season, the plot would need to definitely be expanded on. It is still worth a watch but I wouldn't drop everything because White Gold season 2 has hit my TV screen.
Sam Hill (23 KP) rated Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle in Video Games
Jun 20, 2019
I purchased the game having viewed only the trailers and being a huge fan of the X-Com series which it looks, and feels, very much like.
I found the graphics and overall visual tone of the game to be fantastic. The merging of Rabbids and Mario themes has been done cleverly in a manner which does not feel forced.
The humour largely works, in a cartoonish and slightly childish way and the story is enough to carry you through the single player despite not being massively deep, and being very linear.
The mechanics also work quite well, with one slight caveat. The levels themselves play more like a puzzle game than a strategy, there very much is a right way to do each level and a wrong way. If you make a wrong step then you may need to restart the level instead of finding a way to fix it as you go.
All in all the game is of a high quality and entertaining, and is well worth its price tag
I found the graphics and overall visual tone of the game to be fantastic. The merging of Rabbids and Mario themes has been done cleverly in a manner which does not feel forced.
The humour largely works, in a cartoonish and slightly childish way and the story is enough to carry you through the single player despite not being massively deep, and being very linear.
The mechanics also work quite well, with one slight caveat. The levels themselves play more like a puzzle game than a strategy, there very much is a right way to do each level and a wrong way. If you make a wrong step then you may need to restart the level instead of finding a way to fix it as you go.
All in all the game is of a high quality and entertaining, and is well worth its price tag
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated The Wind in the Willows in Books
Jul 2, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised by this book
I was surprised by this book. I did a bit of a skim read to begin with because I intend to use some of the books content as part of an essay that I'm writing for children's literature. My skim read put me off reading it for a few days. When I did start reading it I was enthralled by Grahame's use of language and imagery. I have to say that his use of language to describe the countryside and the changing seasons is perhaps some of the most beautiful language I have ever read. He captures the scenery so perfectly that you can almost touch it.
The characters were good, toad in particular. It is clear to see that Grahame was talking about hysteria in the character of toad. Written in the early 20th century, the novel is typical of its slower pace when compared to modern literature for children. The humour and sentiment may be enough to grip even the 21st century child. As an adult though, this is a delightful little book that should never be skimmed.
The characters were good, toad in particular. It is clear to see that Grahame was talking about hysteria in the character of toad. Written in the early 20th century, the novel is typical of its slower pace when compared to modern literature for children. The humour and sentiment may be enough to grip even the 21st century child. As an adult though, this is a delightful little book that should never be skimmed.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo in Books
Dec 3, 2019
Better than a biography
Until seeing Trainwreck, I didn't really rate Amy Schumer as she's made some other pretty poor films. But Trainwreck was great and I'm pleased to say her book is along the same lines.
This is an autobiography but not. Amy tells us humorous anecdotes and sometimes serious and emotional stories about different aspects of her life. Each chapter has a subject or topic of interest, but it is in no way a linear life story. Instead they're rather jumbled but it all makes sense. Amy has a rather laid back conversation style, which for the most part works as it fits in with the stories she's telling although there are times when it gets too conversational - there are just some things that dont come across as well in writing as they would do on stage. Theres a lot of good heartwarming messages in this book, but of course with a decent amount of humour too. I enjoyed reading this a lot more than I expected and it was nice to find out more about a comedian I knew little about. It womt win any writing awards, but it's definitely entertaining.
This is an autobiography but not. Amy tells us humorous anecdotes and sometimes serious and emotional stories about different aspects of her life. Each chapter has a subject or topic of interest, but it is in no way a linear life story. Instead they're rather jumbled but it all makes sense. Amy has a rather laid back conversation style, which for the most part works as it fits in with the stories she's telling although there are times when it gets too conversational - there are just some things that dont come across as well in writing as they would do on stage. Theres a lot of good heartwarming messages in this book, but of course with a decent amount of humour too. I enjoyed reading this a lot more than I expected and it was nice to find out more about a comedian I knew little about. It womt win any writing awards, but it's definitely entertaining.
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1999) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020 (Updated Aug 6, 2020)
Look, there had to be something British on the list! Brighton Rock, Get Carter, The Long Good Friday and Sexy Beast were all considered, as was Ritchie’s own follow up to this stylised romp, Snatch. But, in the end, I chose this because it is the most fun to watch, and really re-invented the non American crime film. For my money a tighter film than Snatch, and less silly, Lock Stock has a naivety that puts you on an equal footing with its protagonists and keeps you engaged from start to hilarious finish. Its sense of humour is key to its success, as we watch one botched effort to get ahead after another. The pay off moments are glorious, and the whole package is wrapped up in every cinematic trick in the book, making it a dizzying rollercoaster experience you never forget first watching. There is a nastiness of spirit and “laddishness” underlying it that is perhaps a little too indulged without a sense of irony, but you can always forgive it. Will it continue to age as well as some on this list, I’m not sure.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Castlevania - Season 1 in TV
Mar 20, 2020
The first season of Castlevania could be more accurately described as a 'teaser-season'. It's four episodes acts as a set up for what is to come, introducing us to the key players in the war between man and vampire.
The episodes run for around 25 minutes, meaning that the season has a limited time to establish what it needs to, and it does this pretty effectively. A decent script ensures that the three main protagonists Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), Sypha (Alejandra Reynoso) and Alucard (James Callis) are all immediately likable, and even gives an incredibly sympathetic villain in Dracula. There's also a nice sense of humour running underneath all of the dramatics.
The animation style shows signs of budget restriction on occasion, but for the most part is easy to take in. A lot of close ups on characters show off some nice detail, long shots of locations look great, as do the combat scenes. To darker colour choices work well with the gothic setting, and the frequent strong violence.
Above all, this short but sweet season leaves the viewer wanting more, which was surely the aim in the first place!
The episodes run for around 25 minutes, meaning that the season has a limited time to establish what it needs to, and it does this pretty effectively. A decent script ensures that the three main protagonists Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), Sypha (Alejandra Reynoso) and Alucard (James Callis) are all immediately likable, and even gives an incredibly sympathetic villain in Dracula. There's also a nice sense of humour running underneath all of the dramatics.
The animation style shows signs of budget restriction on occasion, but for the most part is easy to take in. A lot of close ups on characters show off some nice detail, long shots of locations look great, as do the combat scenes. To darker colour choices work well with the gothic setting, and the frequent strong violence.
Above all, this short but sweet season leaves the viewer wanting more, which was surely the aim in the first place!
Vegas (725 KP) rated Stan & Ollie (2018) in Movies
Mar 21, 2020
Great portrayal of two greats
Coogan and Reilly star as the legendary double act, both actors must has spent hours perfecting Laurel and Hardys mannerisms, speech and comic timing as their portrayal of their respective characters are spot on...
This is the story of the latter part of their career, on a tour of the UK with the possibility of a new film as a dangling carrot to perform...
The comic routines during the stage parts of the film are almost as well performed as the real thing, yet coupled with the humour, is an underlying sadness of two stars trying to regain what they once had, and it's this that stops it being a feel good film as it is quite moving and sad if you are a fan of the duo...
It is interesting to see how their relationship is strained at times yet in spite of that how much they obviously cared for each other...
I don't know if the stars won any awards for their playing of Stan & Ollie, but if they didn't, they should have...
This is the story of the latter part of their career, on a tour of the UK with the possibility of a new film as a dangling carrot to perform...
The comic routines during the stage parts of the film are almost as well performed as the real thing, yet coupled with the humour, is an underlying sadness of two stars trying to regain what they once had, and it's this that stops it being a feel good film as it is quite moving and sad if you are a fan of the duo...
It is interesting to see how their relationship is strained at times yet in spite of that how much they obviously cared for each other...
I don't know if the stars won any awards for their playing of Stan & Ollie, but if they didn't, they should have...
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Dracula in TV
Apr 10, 2020
I missed this over Christmas so was quite chuffed to win a copy in a Smashbomb give away.
After watching all 3 episodes I have to say it takes some serious liberties with the source material (particularly in the devisive third episode) but as a whole I really enjoyed this. I am a fan of Sherlock (particularly the early episodes) so I liked what the team did here. The look is suitably gothic with a nice stream of dark humour running through. The production values and special effects were also quite impressive for a beeb production. I had never heard of Claes Bang before this but I have to say he was a brilliant bit of casting as Dracula.. charismatic and brooding.
Allot of people seem to hate episode 3 bringing Dracula to the present day but I personally found that episode allot of fun and an improvement over the slightly slow 2nd episode. (The first was the best by far though)
Overall though the series isn't quite something that will be regarded as a classic in years to come but I had fun watching it and will certainly recommend it.
After watching all 3 episodes I have to say it takes some serious liberties with the source material (particularly in the devisive third episode) but as a whole I really enjoyed this. I am a fan of Sherlock (particularly the early episodes) so I liked what the team did here. The look is suitably gothic with a nice stream of dark humour running through. The production values and special effects were also quite impressive for a beeb production. I had never heard of Claes Bang before this but I have to say he was a brilliant bit of casting as Dracula.. charismatic and brooding.
Allot of people seem to hate episode 3 bringing Dracula to the present day but I personally found that episode allot of fun and an improvement over the slightly slow 2nd episode. (The first was the best by far though)
Overall though the series isn't quite something that will be regarded as a classic in years to come but I had fun watching it and will certainly recommend it.
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Men in Black International (2019) in Movies
Apr 27, 2020
Meh In Black
A fourth instalment of the MIB series isn’t a film anyone was really crying out for but never the less here it is. Unfortunately its watchable but ultimately quite underwhelming. All though they aren’t a patch on Smith and Jones I thought Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson weren’t actually bad casting and they do successfully replicate the chemistry they had in ‘Thor – Ragnarok’ and certainly try their best but are sadly let down by some pretty weak writing. The plot is messy and convoluted and the humour feeling pretty forced where the original was sharp and snappily written , it’s certainly a job to have any real emotional investment in what is going on . The effects let it down a bit as well with the alien creatures looking as obviously CGI as they did in the over 20 year old original. It’s not terrible though , you can certainly get some enjoyment out of it if you are in the mood for something fast moving and undemanding but you might struggle to remember what it was all about a couple of hours later. Hopefully the franchise ends here.
Ronnie (304 KP) rated Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian: Bk. 5 in Books
Apr 23, 2020
The great prophecy tells that the fate of the world will rest in Percy Jackson’s hands when he turns sixteen. In the summer leading up to his sixteenth birthday Kronos’s evil army of monsters rampages through New York, with only Percy and his demigod friends to try and defeat them. What will become of the great prophecy, in the final instalment of the Percy Jackson series.
I loved this book! I put off reading it for ages because I struggled to get through the battle of the labyrinth, but once I picked up the last Olympian, I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the action, the fighting between Percy and Kronos. It was amazing getting to see more of everyone’s past, especially Luke and Annabeth’s. Seeing the demigods speak to their godly parents was so new and a wonderful thing to see. I have to say that my favourite part of the book was the humour. Even in the middle of an epic battle with the Titan lord someone would find something funny to say or Percy would come up with a comedic anecdote. I can’t wait to start reading the Heroes of Olympus series!
I loved this book! I put off reading it for ages because I struggled to get through the battle of the labyrinth, but once I picked up the last Olympian, I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the action, the fighting between Percy and Kronos. It was amazing getting to see more of everyone’s past, especially Luke and Annabeth’s. Seeing the demigods speak to their godly parents was so new and a wonderful thing to see. I have to say that my favourite part of the book was the humour. Even in the middle of an epic battle with the Titan lord someone would find something funny to say or Percy would come up with a comedic anecdote. I can’t wait to start reading the Heroes of Olympus series!