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Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated The Dragons of Hazlett in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Eh. I'm trying to be gentle, assuming that this must be a very early effort. The magic system simply didn't make sense to me. The entire society, in fact, seems nonsensical. A world in which magic reigns supreme, and the simplest devices (like wheels and levers) are regarded as diabolical? Nonsense. By the end, it felt like an intellectual exercise carried to an extreme. I can see using the conceit for a short story, but it just can't support a novel.

Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists in Music
Nov 28, 2019 (Updated Nov 29, 2019)
Hooked on this Feeling
Ooga- Chaka, Ooga-Chaka, Ooga-Chaka, Ooga-Ooga...
What else to say? This film was bound to have a great soundtrack, and the fact that it is packaged like the tape in the film, is just the icing on the cake.
With films like this, the soundtrack is a must, since you will have the songs stuck in your head.
The music perfectly syncs with the film, and the two blend together in a great 70s feeling.
What else to say? This film was bound to have a great soundtrack, and the fact that it is packaged like the tape in the film, is just the icing on the cake.
With films like this, the soundtrack is a must, since you will have the songs stuck in your head.
The music perfectly syncs with the film, and the two blend together in a great 70s feeling.

Elizabeth Banks recommended Flashdance (1983) in Movies (curated)

Nick McCabe recommended Fun House by The Stooges in Music (curated)

Hari Nef recommended Mulholland Drive (2001) in Movies (curated)

Ben Wheatley recommended Blade Runner (1982) in Movies (curated)

BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Holmes and Watson (2018) in Movies
Apr 27, 2020
They can't all be winners
Well...they can't all be winners.
I know that Will Ferrell is an "acquired taste" - either you like the "all in" comedy of this man, or you don't. I happen to like Ferrell, his comedy has aged on me like a fine wine. I find that some of his most recent films like THE OTHER GUYS and THE HOUSE are very funny (maybe not as funny as ANCHORMAN...but what is). I think this comedian still has his fastball.
But, sometimes, wine doesn't age well, it turns into vinegar. And for Ferrell, this vinegar is the comedic dud that is HOLMES & WATSON.
Partnering with familiar on-screen partner John C. Reilly (who paired with Ferrell in films like STEP BROTHERS and TALLEDEGA NIGHTS) this film is a parody of the multitude of Sherlock Holmes films - this time showing that not only is Holmes and idiot but so is Watson. But, somehow, they manage to solve the crime and save the day anyway.
Ferrell is (typically) over-the-top and obtuse as Holmes. Usually, this combination works for him (see ANCHORMAN) but it just falls flat here. Same thing for John C. Reilly's Watson - he is just as over-the-top and obtuse and (I think) that's the beginning of the problem here. The two just bounce off each other without the joke landing on either of them - nor does it land of the audience.
Ralph Fiennes (Moriarty), Rebecca Hall (potential girlfriend), Rob Brydon (Inspector Lestrade) and Kelly Macdonald (Mrs. Hudson) all fair poorly with poor material to work with.
Writer/Director Etan (that's Etan, not Ethan) Cohen (IDIOCRACY) does nothing to help things here with either his writing or his direction. My only thought here is that he thought that Ferrell and Reilly could improvise themselves into a good film.
It didn't happen.
Letter Grade: C (because I guffawed out loud - despite myself - a couple of times)
4 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
I know that Will Ferrell is an "acquired taste" - either you like the "all in" comedy of this man, or you don't. I happen to like Ferrell, his comedy has aged on me like a fine wine. I find that some of his most recent films like THE OTHER GUYS and THE HOUSE are very funny (maybe not as funny as ANCHORMAN...but what is). I think this comedian still has his fastball.
But, sometimes, wine doesn't age well, it turns into vinegar. And for Ferrell, this vinegar is the comedic dud that is HOLMES & WATSON.
Partnering with familiar on-screen partner John C. Reilly (who paired with Ferrell in films like STEP BROTHERS and TALLEDEGA NIGHTS) this film is a parody of the multitude of Sherlock Holmes films - this time showing that not only is Holmes and idiot but so is Watson. But, somehow, they manage to solve the crime and save the day anyway.
Ferrell is (typically) over-the-top and obtuse as Holmes. Usually, this combination works for him (see ANCHORMAN) but it just falls flat here. Same thing for John C. Reilly's Watson - he is just as over-the-top and obtuse and (I think) that's the beginning of the problem here. The two just bounce off each other without the joke landing on either of them - nor does it land of the audience.
Ralph Fiennes (Moriarty), Rebecca Hall (potential girlfriend), Rob Brydon (Inspector Lestrade) and Kelly Macdonald (Mrs. Hudson) all fair poorly with poor material to work with.
Writer/Director Etan (that's Etan, not Ethan) Cohen (IDIOCRACY) does nothing to help things here with either his writing or his direction. My only thought here is that he thought that Ferrell and Reilly could improvise themselves into a good film.
It didn't happen.
Letter Grade: C (because I guffawed out loud - despite myself - a couple of times)
4 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)

ArecRain (8 KP) rated Blown Away in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I wasnt sure how I was going to feel about this book. I generally like second chance romances but it rubbed me the couples history rubbed me the wrong way. I know it shouldnt and that I am close-minded for thinking so.
I enjoyed the concept of this romance. Storm chasing isnt something we see a lot especially in the romance genre. I felt like it added enough tension and another dimension to Drew and Aidens relationship. I felt like they had more going on than just the typical oh we cant be together because of her dead ex-fiancé. I appreciated that. And honestly, they just made sense together.
This is the first novel I have read by this author so I am glad it was such an enjoyable read. Rothert really knows how to tell a love story.
I wasnt sure how I was going to feel about this book. I generally like second chance romances but it rubbed me the couples history rubbed me the wrong way. I know it shouldnt and that I am close-minded for thinking so.
I enjoyed the concept of this romance. Storm chasing isnt something we see a lot especially in the romance genre. I felt like it added enough tension and another dimension to Drew and Aidens relationship. I felt like they had more going on than just the typical oh we cant be together because of her dead ex-fiancé. I appreciated that. And honestly, they just made sense together.
This is the first novel I have read by this author so I am glad it was such an enjoyable read. Rothert really knows how to tell a love story.

David McK (3576 KP) rated Traitor's Blood (Civil War Chronicles #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Billed as 'The Sharpe of the Civil War' (ever notice how these types of novels always use that character as their benchmark?), it's easy to see the influence of Cornwell's most famous creation on this novel, which (according to the author) is the first in a planned series of 10 books set during the English Civil War.
This is told from the POV of a soldier in the (doomed) Royalist army: a soldier who has a history with some in authority (like Sharpe and Wellesley), and who is chosen to go behind the enemy lines on a top secret mission (again, like Sharpe), with the beginning and end of the novel taking place during one of the battles of that war (yet again, just like a Sharpe novel ...). Enjoyable enough, and gets off to a strong start, but is just not as polished as one of Cornwells books. Still, an impressive effort for a debut novel, and I may pick up more of the sequels ...
This is told from the POV of a soldier in the (doomed) Royalist army: a soldier who has a history with some in authority (like Sharpe and Wellesley), and who is chosen to go behind the enemy lines on a top secret mission (again, like Sharpe), with the beginning and end of the novel taking place during one of the battles of that war (yet again, just like a Sharpe novel ...). Enjoyable enough, and gets off to a strong start, but is just not as polished as one of Cornwells books. Still, an impressive effort for a debut novel, and I may pick up more of the sequels ...

Erika (17789 KP) rated Witness for the Prosecution in TV
Jan 20, 2019 (Updated Jan 20, 2019)
Do not compare this to the original.
Watching the original Witness for the Prosecution (1957), I remember being genuinely shocked by that twist, because it came out of nowhere.This film just didn't build the story up to
This adaptation is alright, it's nothing to write home about. There were too many shots of Toby Jones walking through allies or in his dungeon-like office. I felt like this went on too long, and the added length didn't necessarily add anything to the story.
I feel like with a lot of these modern adaptations of Christie's novels, they're tending to insert sex scenes when they're genuinely aren't needed and just slow up the story. It actually makes it hard for me to suggest the new adaptations to my mother, who hates when Christie's work is altered in that particular way.
Skip this one, and watch the original film with Tyrone Powers and Marlene Dietrich.
This adaptation is alright, it's nothing to write home about. There were too many shots of Toby Jones walking through allies or in his dungeon-like office. I felt like this went on too long, and the added length didn't necessarily add anything to the story.
I feel like with a lot of these modern adaptations of Christie's novels, they're tending to insert sex scenes when they're genuinely aren't needed and just slow up the story. It actually makes it hard for me to suggest the new adaptations to my mother, who hates when Christie's work is altered in that particular way.
Skip this one, and watch the original film with Tyrone Powers and Marlene Dietrich.