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Andi Lutz (3 KP) rated Welcome to Night Vale in Podcasts
Apr 15, 2018
Voices (2 more)
Writing
Sound effects
Amusing Yarn With Lovecraftean Spin
Night Vale was the first podcast I ever listened to. It had me hooked from the start. I did binge listen to catch up from episode one, but after that, I found it a bit annoying to try to listen to more than 5 or so episodes at a time. They're fairly short, but can start to feel repetitive if you get too far behind and have to catch up that way.
Fans of Lovecraft, Call of Cthluhu RPG, and other classic horror, as well as conspiracy theory fans (I'm sure this will fit, but I'm not one to know for a fact), will love Night Vale. It is aired with a serious tone but still somehow light-hearted. The voice acting is superb and the writing top-notch.
Some of my favorite segments are the music breaks. Some episodes have wonderful indie artists on them for one song and they will give out some information about the bands and songs so you can locate them on the internet and find their music. I think this is a terrific idea, using their listener base to help give exposure to working musicians.
Serial stories involve romance, disappearances, aliens, and anything else you could ever dream up. If you're a writer yourself, it might even spark your imagination!
Fans of Lovecraft, Call of Cthluhu RPG, and other classic horror, as well as conspiracy theory fans (I'm sure this will fit, but I'm not one to know for a fact), will love Night Vale. It is aired with a serious tone but still somehow light-hearted. The voice acting is superb and the writing top-notch.
Some of my favorite segments are the music breaks. Some episodes have wonderful indie artists on them for one song and they will give out some information about the bands and songs so you can locate them on the internet and find their music. I think this is a terrific idea, using their listener base to help give exposure to working musicians.
Serial stories involve romance, disappearances, aliens, and anything else you could ever dream up. If you're a writer yourself, it might even spark your imagination!
SunnyD (6 KP) rated Lady Bird (2017) in Movies
Jun 19, 2018
Not extraordinary
If you love the starting actress, Saoirse Ronan, and indie films, then this is a fairly good watch. Lady Bird's relationship with her mother is the main theme here. The two continuously butt heads. At first, Lady Bird says that her mother is hard on her because she loves her so much, but it later gets harder for Lady Bird to accept their rough relationship as she questions whether her mother loves her because she has to or if she actually likes Lady Bird as a person. Her mother struggles to maintain their relationship while keeping their household afloat financially, especially after her father is laid off from his job.
I liked that, in addition to the mother-daughter theme, Lady Bird goes through a journey of selfdiscovery that starts when she dates her first crush at her Catholic high school. Lady Bird learns more about herself and those closest to her with every decision that she makes.
The quality of the ending might be up for some debate. If you're looking for real closure here, you won't be getting one. Ultimately, what happens after Lady Bird gets to college is up to your interpretation. The only thing that leaves your mind at some peace is that Lady Bird seems to learn to be grateful for what she has been given in life.
I liked that, in addition to the mother-daughter theme, Lady Bird goes through a journey of selfdiscovery that starts when she dates her first crush at her Catholic high school. Lady Bird learns more about herself and those closest to her with every decision that she makes.
The quality of the ending might be up for some debate. If you're looking for real closure here, you won't be getting one. Ultimately, what happens after Lady Bird gets to college is up to your interpretation. The only thing that leaves your mind at some peace is that Lady Bird seems to learn to be grateful for what she has been given in life.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Runnin' - Single by SHōTA LōDI in Music
Jun 18, 2019
SHōTA LōDI (pronounced Show-Ta Low-Dee) is an LA-based singer-songwriter from Tokyo, Japan. Not too long ago, he released a music video for his “Runnin’” single.
“‘Runnin’ is an upbeat tale about the never-ending rat race to be at the top of the charts. The lyrics are inspired by the trials and errors that take place in the music business on the road to success. Since the release of this record, Adidas has reached out to use the song in their ads. The music video was shot over 5 days in NYC and has been well received by agents and labels since the release.” – SHōTA LōDI
‘Runnin’’ contains a relatable narrative, harmonious vocals, and feel-good instrumentation flavored with neo-soul, hip-hop, and indie-pop elements.
An accomplished clarinetist and pianist, SHōTA LōDI is a self-taught singer-songwriter and guitarist. He can sing fluently in Japanese and English and his unique sound has already landed him a record deal with Warner Asia.
2019 is going to be a busy year for him because of Warner’s overseas support and labels in the U.S. calling his phone. Also, the launching of his clothing brand will keep him active and the release of his upcoming Freshman album, entitled, “High School Dropout”.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/shota-lodi-runnin/
“‘Runnin’ is an upbeat tale about the never-ending rat race to be at the top of the charts. The lyrics are inspired by the trials and errors that take place in the music business on the road to success. Since the release of this record, Adidas has reached out to use the song in their ads. The music video was shot over 5 days in NYC and has been well received by agents and labels since the release.” – SHōTA LōDI
‘Runnin’’ contains a relatable narrative, harmonious vocals, and feel-good instrumentation flavored with neo-soul, hip-hop, and indie-pop elements.
An accomplished clarinetist and pianist, SHōTA LōDI is a self-taught singer-songwriter and guitarist. He can sing fluently in Japanese and English and his unique sound has already landed him a record deal with Warner Asia.
2019 is going to be a busy year for him because of Warner’s overseas support and labels in the U.S. calling his phone. Also, the launching of his clothing brand will keep him active and the release of his upcoming Freshman album, entitled, “High School Dropout”.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/shota-lodi-runnin/
Kayleigh (12 KP) rated The Clock Of Life in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Firstly, thank you to Nancy Klann-Moren for approaching me to read and review this book. Congratulations are also in order, as The Clock of Life was nominated for the general fiction/novel section of the Indie Book Awards.
This book gets a middling 3 stars from me. I found the character development to be really detailed, and I felt as though I knew the characters by the end. As the blurb already mentions, the main focus of the book is on Jason Lee. Starting from when he began school and ending with a relationship and career choice as a teenager, this book is Jason's journey through childhood.
The reason it didn't rate any higher for me though is that I found it to be fairly slow paced, and at times weighed down with politics that as an English woman, I didn't completely connect with. Plotwise, while things did happen, it didn't become exciting until right at the end.
The message about race is a good one, and the book highlights how far attitudes towards race have come. I did enjoy it, although maybe not in the way I enjoyed a book like The Hunger Games, where I felt a sense of satisfaction and couldn't wait to read more. If you like bildungsromans/coming-of-age stories, I'd definitely recommend it.
This book gets a middling 3 stars from me. I found the character development to be really detailed, and I felt as though I knew the characters by the end. As the blurb already mentions, the main focus of the book is on Jason Lee. Starting from when he began school and ending with a relationship and career choice as a teenager, this book is Jason's journey through childhood.
The reason it didn't rate any higher for me though is that I found it to be fairly slow paced, and at times weighed down with politics that as an English woman, I didn't completely connect with. Plotwise, while things did happen, it didn't become exciting until right at the end.
The message about race is a good one, and the book highlights how far attitudes towards race have come. I did enjoy it, although maybe not in the way I enjoyed a book like The Hunger Games, where I felt a sense of satisfaction and couldn't wait to read more. If you like bildungsromans/coming-of-age stories, I'd definitely recommend it.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated I Can See The Future - Single by Gold Spectacles in Music
Jun 21, 2019
Gold Spectacles is a baroque pop duo from London, England. Not too long ago, they released an indie-alternative tune, entitled, “I Can See The Future”.
‘I Can See The Future’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who shares a terminal relationship with her significant other.
Apparently, she sees the future, therefore, she knows that their relationship is over because her partner doesn’t love her like he used to love her.
‘I Can See The Future’ contains a bittersweet storyline, pleasing vocals, and lush instrumentation flavored with Spanish guitars, stabbing bass line, and synthesizers.
“We were drawing on the idea of being too caught up in the future to appreciate the present. The singer sees glimpses of imperfections in their relationship forming and jumps to the conclusion that everything is falling apart. The track developed from a chord pattern played on a beaten up 1952 Hammond organ which we rescued and restored from a local school. A new addition to our home studio.” – Gold Spectacles
Gold Spectacles is the collaborative output of two British songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalists. Their musical influences include Paul Simon, Local Natives, Bombay Bicycle Club, Phoenix, and Lykke Li.
Since October 2018, they have released a track a month which coincides with the lunar calendar. Also, these tracks will one day come together to form their upcoming debut album.
‘I Can See The Future’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who shares a terminal relationship with her significant other.
Apparently, she sees the future, therefore, she knows that their relationship is over because her partner doesn’t love her like he used to love her.
‘I Can See The Future’ contains a bittersweet storyline, pleasing vocals, and lush instrumentation flavored with Spanish guitars, stabbing bass line, and synthesizers.
“We were drawing on the idea of being too caught up in the future to appreciate the present. The singer sees glimpses of imperfections in their relationship forming and jumps to the conclusion that everything is falling apart. The track developed from a chord pattern played on a beaten up 1952 Hammond organ which we rescued and restored from a local school. A new addition to our home studio.” – Gold Spectacles
Gold Spectacles is the collaborative output of two British songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalists. Their musical influences include Paul Simon, Local Natives, Bombay Bicycle Club, Phoenix, and Lykke Li.
Since October 2018, they have released a track a month which coincides with the lunar calendar. Also, these tracks will one day come together to form their upcoming debut album.
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Depraved (2019) in Movies
Dec 29, 2019
Good but Needed a More Inventive Story
In this intriguing retelling of Frankenstein’s monster, a man finds himself the victim of a kidnapping and gruesome science experiment.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 8
Entertainment Value: 4
Memorability: 1
Pace: 10
One of the things Depraved does extremely well is keep you engaged. We move from one scene to the next at a pretty quick clip. Even during scenes with heavier dialogue, there are no lingering moments which I appreciate. Thoroughly enjoyed the speed as the movie didn’t feel like two hours in the slightest.
Plot: 5
The sum of the story’s parts doesn’t really pass the smell test. Fast is good, yes, but there are some speed bumps that are hard to overlook. It felt like it was trying so hard to mirror Frankenstein at times that it never fully tried to do its own thing.
Resolution: 5
Overall: 73
I try to support indie movies as often as I can. And not just Fox Searchlight type of movies but those up and coming from lesser known studios. Films like Depraved can find themselves outgunned and overmatched but I appreciate what directors like Larry Fessenden are able to do with less. I hope to see more of his work in the future.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 8
Entertainment Value: 4
Memorability: 1
Pace: 10
One of the things Depraved does extremely well is keep you engaged. We move from one scene to the next at a pretty quick clip. Even during scenes with heavier dialogue, there are no lingering moments which I appreciate. Thoroughly enjoyed the speed as the movie didn’t feel like two hours in the slightest.
Plot: 5
The sum of the story’s parts doesn’t really pass the smell test. Fast is good, yes, but there are some speed bumps that are hard to overlook. It felt like it was trying so hard to mirror Frankenstein at times that it never fully tried to do its own thing.
Resolution: 5
Overall: 73
I try to support indie movies as often as I can. And not just Fox Searchlight type of movies but those up and coming from lesser known studios. Films like Depraved can find themselves outgunned and overmatched but I appreciate what directors like Larry Fessenden are able to do with less. I hope to see more of his work in the future.
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