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A Better 'Ole: The Brilliant Bruce Bairnsfather and the First World War
Lucinda Gosling and Mary Evans Picture Library
Book
The much-loved Captain Bruce Bairnsfather was the most popular cartoonist of the First World War,...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Satanic Panic (2019) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
Satanic Panic is a horror-comedy that depicts the world's rich elite as Satan worshiping cultists who would love nothing more than to bring about the end of days. Relatable then!
The "eat the rich" concept is a tried and tested method of giving a movie some hateful antagonists, and Satanic Panic does it well, as a working class pizza delivery girl stumbles upon said cult, and quickly finds herself fighting for her life as the cultists seek to use her virginity as a method to bring about Baphomet and blah blah blah, you've surely heard this one before.
My main gripe with this movie is precisely that - it offers nothing new to the table. That, and the fact that it's low budget prevents us from seeing any demonic creatures, which is a shame.
Honestly though, apart from these negatives, Satanic Panic is actually a lot of fun. It's got a good sense of humour, a likeable heroine in Hayley Griffith, some pretty nasty practical gore effects here and there, and a somewhat cheap but charming aesthetic.
The cast also includes Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O' Connell, and a few horror mainstays such as Jordan Ladd, Ruby Modine and Jeff Daniel Phillips.
You could do a lot worse, and Satanic Panic does just about enough to scramble above the depths of horror shittiness.
The "eat the rich" concept is a tried and tested method of giving a movie some hateful antagonists, and Satanic Panic does it well, as a working class pizza delivery girl stumbles upon said cult, and quickly finds herself fighting for her life as the cultists seek to use her virginity as a method to bring about Baphomet and blah blah blah, you've surely heard this one before.
My main gripe with this movie is precisely that - it offers nothing new to the table. That, and the fact that it's low budget prevents us from seeing any demonic creatures, which is a shame.
Honestly though, apart from these negatives, Satanic Panic is actually a lot of fun. It's got a good sense of humour, a likeable heroine in Hayley Griffith, some pretty nasty practical gore effects here and there, and a somewhat cheap but charming aesthetic.
The cast also includes Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O' Connell, and a few horror mainstays such as Jordan Ladd, Ruby Modine and Jeff Daniel Phillips.
You could do a lot worse, and Satanic Panic does just about enough to scramble above the depths of horror shittiness.
Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated Adventure Time: v. 1 in Books
Jun 24, 2019
I love the show and just had to read this. Now I'm possibly in love with it.
The story is simple yet great; The Lich is sucking up the world into his bag and Finn and Jake must save everyone. They are accompanied by some fabulous characters - Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, Lumpy Space Princess, Desert Princess, The Ice King - and there are some hilarious pieces of dialogue. All the characters have funny, well-developed personalities that you can't help but fall in love with.
I also like how the fourth wall is often broken - Marceline moans at the readers, and fake "The End" pages are included for humour. It gives the novel a unique feel that I really enjoyed.
The artwork is amazing. Like, absolutely awesome. So much colour! And it's all so clear and beautiful. The only problem with the appearance in this novel is that the text at the bottom of some pages is a strange, pale green that is pretty hard to read against the white background of the pages.
Toward the back of the book, there are also tons of different cover images, all in different art styles. I loved them all! They were a great touch to the novel.
I was very tempted to give this 5 stars, but I don't think it's quite there. But 4.5 stars for sure!
The story is simple yet great; The Lich is sucking up the world into his bag and Finn and Jake must save everyone. They are accompanied by some fabulous characters - Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, Lumpy Space Princess, Desert Princess, The Ice King - and there are some hilarious pieces of dialogue. All the characters have funny, well-developed personalities that you can't help but fall in love with.
I also like how the fourth wall is often broken - Marceline moans at the readers, and fake "The End" pages are included for humour. It gives the novel a unique feel that I really enjoyed.
The artwork is amazing. Like, absolutely awesome. So much colour! And it's all so clear and beautiful. The only problem with the appearance in this novel is that the text at the bottom of some pages is a strange, pale green that is pretty hard to read against the white background of the pages.
Toward the back of the book, there are also tons of different cover images, all in different art styles. I loved them all! They were a great touch to the novel.
I was very tempted to give this 5 stars, but I don't think it's quite there. But 4.5 stars for sure!
Daft and quintessentially northern
I didn’t really fancy this show, as I’m not particularly a big fan of Michelle Keegan. However the trailer full of silly escapades and northern accents kept tempting me in and in the end, I’m rather glad I watched it.
This comes across as a rather silly farcical comedy with a few crude jokes and in some parts it is, but it’s actually so much more than this and a much more sensitive and heartwarming side. Yes it’s funny, mainly thanks to Joseph Gilgun and his rather inept gang of petty thieves, and his entirely inappropriate GP played wonderfully by Dominic West. Being northern myself, this is part of the reason why I found this series so enjoyable. You can almost imagine things like that happening in certain parts of the world up here. But despite the humour, this has a deeper story which works in well amongst all of the wacky exploits and chaos, and it provides a nice balance.
Unfortunately I’m still not a fan of Michelle Keegan even after watching this, and I’m afraid I found her part in the story and episodes the weakest and most boring of everything. But fortunately this didn’t ruin the rest of the show too much and it was still a rather fun and entertaining series.
This comes across as a rather silly farcical comedy with a few crude jokes and in some parts it is, but it’s actually so much more than this and a much more sensitive and heartwarming side. Yes it’s funny, mainly thanks to Joseph Gilgun and his rather inept gang of petty thieves, and his entirely inappropriate GP played wonderfully by Dominic West. Being northern myself, this is part of the reason why I found this series so enjoyable. You can almost imagine things like that happening in certain parts of the world up here. But despite the humour, this has a deeper story which works in well amongst all of the wacky exploits and chaos, and it provides a nice balance.
Unfortunately I’m still not a fan of Michelle Keegan even after watching this, and I’m afraid I found her part in the story and episodes the weakest and most boring of everything. But fortunately this didn’t ruin the rest of the show too much and it was still a rather fun and entertaining series.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) in Movies
Aug 26, 2019 (Updated Aug 26, 2019)
Spielberg and Lucas' wonderful adventure shows you can ignore most of the accepted rules of screenwriting (the script here has some iffy plot devices, peculiar character moments, and the most literal deus ex machina ending in cinema history) and still end up with a virtually perfect movie. You can see how it appeals to the same desire for good-vs-evil escapism as Lucas' most famous creation, but there is an obvious love for the glamour and romance of Golden Age Hollywood here too, and a mysticism that in many way makes it the culmination of all the movies about faith Lucas and Spielberg made in the late 1970s (outside of horror films and biblical epics, this is one of the few mainstream movies predicated on the existence of God).
On one level this is essentially a succession of one set-piece after another, but what set-pieces they are - most movies would be happy to have one sequence like the one in the snake pit, or the plane fight, or the truck chase, and Spielberg cheerfully rattles them off without really pausing for breath. The film is also careful to take its time to establish character and humour, too. This is one of those movies where you can't help feeling that any changes would only end up spoiling it.
On one level this is essentially a succession of one set-piece after another, but what set-pieces they are - most movies would be happy to have one sequence like the one in the snake pit, or the plane fight, or the truck chase, and Spielberg cheerfully rattles them off without really pausing for breath. The film is also careful to take its time to establish character and humour, too. This is one of those movies where you can't help feeling that any changes would only end up spoiling it.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Dead Set in TV
Aug 18, 2019 (Updated Oct 25, 2019)
Dead Set in short - a six part British drama series, set around a zombie apocalypse, where most of the story takes place in the Big Brother house.
It's also from the mind of Charlie Brooker - the creator of Black Mirror, and the results are pretty good.
The opening episode deals with an eviction night of the British Big Brother series, where everyone involved both on camera and behind the scenes go about their usual business.
As a virus takes hold and chaos quickly ensues, the Big Brother housemates are trapped inside the house - which happens to be pretty secure.
The way that Dead Set is shot is frantic when the action starts. It's nasty and gritty whilst keeping a British dark humour sort of charm without ever going full comedy. In fact, the series is really quite bleak throughout.
The episodes run at 20 minutes each with an extended pilot, clocking in at just over 2 hours and it managed to hold my attention throughout.
Of course, being a Charlie Brooker project, there's an underlying message - as the zombie horde surrounding the house grows and grows, even in death, the public are drawn towards trashy reality shows.
Considering Dead Set is a TV show aired on Channel 4, it's pretty impressive. Well worth checking out for anyone who enjoys horror.
It's also from the mind of Charlie Brooker - the creator of Black Mirror, and the results are pretty good.
The opening episode deals with an eviction night of the British Big Brother series, where everyone involved both on camera and behind the scenes go about their usual business.
As a virus takes hold and chaos quickly ensues, the Big Brother housemates are trapped inside the house - which happens to be pretty secure.
The way that Dead Set is shot is frantic when the action starts. It's nasty and gritty whilst keeping a British dark humour sort of charm without ever going full comedy. In fact, the series is really quite bleak throughout.
The episodes run at 20 minutes each with an extended pilot, clocking in at just over 2 hours and it managed to hold my attention throughout.
Of course, being a Charlie Brooker project, there's an underlying message - as the zombie horde surrounding the house grows and grows, even in death, the public are drawn towards trashy reality shows.
Considering Dead Set is a TV show aired on Channel 4, it's pretty impressive. Well worth checking out for anyone who enjoys horror.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Harley Quinn - Season 1 in TV
Jul 31, 2020 (Updated Jul 31, 2020)
In short, Harley Quinn is probably my new favourite show... Seriously.
I really wasn't too bothered when it was originally announced but I'm really glad I got round to it eventually.
To start with, it's fucking hilarious. The dialogue and humour arrives in waves, never lets up, and is pretty much constantly funny and pretty clever. Cast your mind back to when Family Guy was actually good (it's been a while my friends) and you're sort of in the right ball park. Every character offers something in this respect.
The main characters - Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, King Shark, Clayface, Dr Psycho - are really well written, and are a great group of anti-heroes to get behind.
The show also fits in appearances from other DC veterans - Joker, Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Bane, Queen of Fables, Black Manta, The Flash, Lex Luthor, Scarecrow, Giganta, The Riddler, Kite Man, Robin - are just a few that get a look in. It's great for DC fans, and funny enough to appeal to wider audiences.
It's very adult orientated as well - whilst looking like a typical kids superhero show, the illusion will suddenly be shattered by a tirade of swearing, or over the top gore, it's truly not messing around, and it works really well!
Harley Quinn was a massive pleasant surprise for me. Can't wait to watch more!
I really wasn't too bothered when it was originally announced but I'm really glad I got round to it eventually.
To start with, it's fucking hilarious. The dialogue and humour arrives in waves, never lets up, and is pretty much constantly funny and pretty clever. Cast your mind back to when Family Guy was actually good (it's been a while my friends) and you're sort of in the right ball park. Every character offers something in this respect.
The main characters - Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, King Shark, Clayface, Dr Psycho - are really well written, and are a great group of anti-heroes to get behind.
The show also fits in appearances from other DC veterans - Joker, Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Bane, Queen of Fables, Black Manta, The Flash, Lex Luthor, Scarecrow, Giganta, The Riddler, Kite Man, Robin - are just a few that get a look in. It's great for DC fans, and funny enough to appeal to wider audiences.
It's very adult orientated as well - whilst looking like a typical kids superhero show, the illusion will suddenly be shattered by a tirade of swearing, or over the top gore, it's truly not messing around, and it works really well!
Harley Quinn was a massive pleasant surprise for me. Can't wait to watch more!
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated The Walking Dead - Season 9 in TV
Aug 12, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
After watching from the start I jumped ship from 'The Walking Dead' a few episodes into season 8 disillusioned and bored. The show had become a relentlessly pessimistic slog that had no idea where it was going with endless filler episodes and the increasingly tedious Negan storyline.
I had heard good things about season 9 and the good things new showrunner Angela Kang had done so decided to give it another shot and I am seriously glad I did as it turned out to be one of the best seasons and I binged it in a week.
The writing has a new sense of urgency (not to mention a touch of humour and optimism) and has been reinvigorated by the six year time jump and the departure of Rick Grimes. It seems they thought they had to up their game after losing their leading man and I have liked the new characters (particularly the older Judith) they've introduced and seeing a much bigger role for Darryl.
I was surprised to see Negan still around but he was actually put to good use with some interesting unexpected scenes.
This season also showed the show can still be scary and shocking ending in devastating fashion following a confrontation with the new big baddie the psychotic Alpha and her whisperer.
Here's hoping the resurrection continues for season 10 as I am starting that next!
I had heard good things about season 9 and the good things new showrunner Angela Kang had done so decided to give it another shot and I am seriously glad I did as it turned out to be one of the best seasons and I binged it in a week.
The writing has a new sense of urgency (not to mention a touch of humour and optimism) and has been reinvigorated by the six year time jump and the departure of Rick Grimes. It seems they thought they had to up their game after losing their leading man and I have liked the new characters (particularly the older Judith) they've introduced and seeing a much bigger role for Darryl.
I was surprised to see Negan still around but he was actually put to good use with some interesting unexpected scenes.
This season also showed the show can still be scary and shocking ending in devastating fashion following a confrontation with the new big baddie the psychotic Alpha and her whisperer.
Here's hoping the resurrection continues for season 10 as I am starting that next!
The Maddie Diaries
Book
Teen dance prodigy, breakout Dance Moms star, and judge on So You Think you Can Dance: The Next...
Biography dance
Too Much And Never Enough
8.0
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Book
Mary Trump spent much of her childhood in her grandparents’ large, imposing house in New York,...