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Melanie Laurent recommended Pulp Fiction (1994) in Movies (curated)
Ande Thomas (69 KP) rated White Fang in Books
May 30, 2019
I appreciate this book; I just don't like it.
Jack London is a unique breed. His voice is so distant, so separated from the subjects in his stories. In short bursts (<i>To Build a Fire</i>) it works for me - there's a beauty in watching the action unfold from such a distance. So too is there a beauty in the way White Fang is portrayed in this book. With an absolute minimum of anthropomorphism, we can see and feel what White Fang experiences. This isn't a cartoon version of a wolf-turned-man's-best-friend. The animals don't talk, don't even think in the way we're accustomed to their thoughts when we try to imagine what goes through their minds. White Fang is a dog; nothing more. It just so happens that we hear the story from his perspective.
But. While I appreciate that sort of perspective, one I wouldn't dream of finding from any other author, I still found myself speeding through the book, and not out of excitement. I just wanted to get it done and move on. The dissociation from the characters, though necessary, can only get you so far. Eventually it dissociated me from the story itself. I'll always maintain that I like Jack London. I just...maybe...won't re-read him.
Jack London is a unique breed. His voice is so distant, so separated from the subjects in his stories. In short bursts (<i>To Build a Fire</i>) it works for me - there's a beauty in watching the action unfold from such a distance. So too is there a beauty in the way White Fang is portrayed in this book. With an absolute minimum of anthropomorphism, we can see and feel what White Fang experiences. This isn't a cartoon version of a wolf-turned-man's-best-friend. The animals don't talk, don't even think in the way we're accustomed to their thoughts when we try to imagine what goes through their minds. White Fang is a dog; nothing more. It just so happens that we hear the story from his perspective.
But. While I appreciate that sort of perspective, one I wouldn't dream of finding from any other author, I still found myself speeding through the book, and not out of excitement. I just wanted to get it done and move on. The dissociation from the characters, though necessary, can only get you so far. Eventually it dissociated me from the story itself. I'll always maintain that I like Jack London. I just...maybe...won't re-read him.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Bared to You (Crossfire, #1) in Books
Nov 21, 2019
Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness. He was beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily.
Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds and desires.
The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart
This is possibly my 10th reread I have lost track. So I ask myself why do I keep coming back to this book and series? Well I can honestly say I just love how Sylvia Day writes I've read almost everything she has written. I enjoy reading the Cross series especially this one. Gideon Cross is just so yummy I adore Eva and Cary. I do have people who just don't understand why these books are so enticing to me and no it's not just the sex!! I think this says to me that no matter how hard your life is or how screwed up your past is you can still find love in the darkest places!!
Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds and desires.
The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart
This is possibly my 10th reread I have lost track. So I ask myself why do I keep coming back to this book and series? Well I can honestly say I just love how Sylvia Day writes I've read almost everything she has written. I enjoy reading the Cross series especially this one. Gideon Cross is just so yummy I adore Eva and Cary. I do have people who just don't understand why these books are so enticing to me and no it's not just the sex!! I think this says to me that no matter how hard your life is or how screwed up your past is you can still find love in the darkest places!!
Gisell Middleton (189 KP) rated Into the Jungle in Books
Jun 5, 2019
Erica Ferencik does it again! In a much more subtle and nuanced way she gives us just as much anticipation, excitement and uncertainty as in her debut. This novel is much more complex in its research, dynamics and characters. While it may seem slow in some spots, you later realize that, much like the Amazon, it is just a brief, and later appreciated, respite from the almost constant anxiety and slow burn of trepidation and exaltation that the rest of the novel delivers. The end felt a bit rushed and, in my opinion, could have easily benefited from another fifty pages but, even so, it was a wonderful foray into a reality that most of us will never live and even fewer would survive. A definite must read!
Rebecca Hope (5 KP) rated Dominion in Tabletop Games
Mar 22, 2018
Dominion
I love playing Dominion. It's a game that I rarely get bored of playing, due to the many expansions that the game has. There's always a new set of cards to use, and they are always used differently depending on who is playing. We always come up with new, exciting ways to combine cards uses and powers and just to pass out curses! Dominion is one of those games that definitely does not get old fast at all. It can go by quickly if played right, and can be extended time-wise if you'd like as well, which is a good point for me. Sometimes I just do not have the energy to sit and play a game for hours on end.
Beth Orton recommended Still Bill by Bill Withers in Music (curated)
Kevin Smith recommended The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) in Movies (curated)
David McK (3663 KP) rated Spectre (2015) in Movies
Jan 14, 2020 (Updated Sep 3, 2023)
The penultimate James Bond film of the Daniel Craig era, and we're FINALLY starting to get back to what made the Bond films so enjoyable to begin with: Girls, guns and gadgets (although I'll freely admit that may be somewhat sexist. But then again, so is the character ...).
We're not entirely there yet, though, with this film going to great pains to try to form a coherent narrative out of all the previous Daniel Craig outings as Bond, with the reveal of SPECTRE and of a face from Bond's past (albeit that last handled very shoddily: just sort of thrown in there, if you will) and with a plot that takes in the dangers of global survellaince.
Like the rest of the Daniel Craig Bond film: just OK, nothing special.
We're not entirely there yet, though, with this film going to great pains to try to form a coherent narrative out of all the previous Daniel Craig outings as Bond, with the reveal of SPECTRE and of a face from Bond's past (albeit that last handled very shoddily: just sort of thrown in there, if you will) and with a plot that takes in the dangers of global survellaince.
Like the rest of the Daniel Craig Bond film: just OK, nothing special.
I’m developing a serious TJ Klune addiction, and I’m ok with that.
This Bennett pack, though! They’re not just putting themselves through the emotional wringer - what about me?!
I loved reading Gordo’s story - his trauma, sadness, abandonment issues - and how he’s found again.
All of these books have been a joy so far (and I’ve already read the next in the series). What I particularly like, is how I’m drawn in to this book, and how I become so invested in their lives. Look, I know it’s a story about a werewolf pack, but at no point does it seem to be “just” a werewolf book. There are so many parallels that can be drawn to real people’s lives (especially that of found family). And that’s why I love them.
And werewolves. Of course.
This Bennett pack, though! They’re not just putting themselves through the emotional wringer - what about me?!
I loved reading Gordo’s story - his trauma, sadness, abandonment issues - and how he’s found again.
All of these books have been a joy so far (and I’ve already read the next in the series). What I particularly like, is how I’m drawn in to this book, and how I become so invested in their lives. Look, I know it’s a story about a werewolf pack, but at no point does it seem to be “just” a werewolf book. There are so many parallels that can be drawn to real people’s lives (especially that of found family). And that’s why I love them.
And werewolves. Of course.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The Predator (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
I went into this expecting some good action and some decent graphics. I did not expect to find so much comedy. This was a real treat to watch.
There's just something about "seeing" The Predator when he's invisible that really hits the spot. It gets you on the edge of the seat and fills you with just the right sort of anxiety. Had someone tapped me on the shoulder during the first time that happened in the film I probably would have swung for them while wailing like a banshee.
Lots of actors that you'd recognise from other things and everyone has their own little quirk that works well together in the scenes. It didn't feel like any of the talent was underused, which can be an issue with people in bit parts.
Who knew that Predators had a sense of humour too?! I don't think I've ever seen anyone use a severed limb in such an ingenious way before.
One bit that I really enjoyed reminded me of Futurama. You win bonus nerdy points if you spot it too. It had me tittering away.
There are excellent characters. Genuinely can't think of any that I didn't like in some way. Rory is brilliant in this, great acting from Tremblay and he was blessed with some amazing lines. His grasp of reverse psychology had us all laughing. There's also a scene in the military facility where the Predator wakes up and I actually believed the way everyone reacted. So often it's a mass of crazed running in all directions or everyone is running for one door, but this one felt like a perfectly choreographed event. We see incredible friendships and camaraderie that really comes to the forefront in the conclusion of the film.
It seems a bit redundant to be saying this because you'd think people would know... but they don't seem to... Military weapon designers: tactical weapons that are made for covert ops and have LED lights on them are in fact not very tactical. Predators: If you just stopped playing with your prey you could have conquered the Earth years ago.
*exhales slowly* So this 3D thing... I really and truly hate space shots in 3D, especially the ones that are basically just black space and stars. Really difficult to look at. Thankfully that didn't last for too long and was replaced what was quite good effects of the spaceship jumping to Earth. There were also a few shots from the sniper perspective that worked well. The rest of the film I found that it went quite badly from fuzzy to sharp and I couldn't quite tell what was supposed to be the focus. I'd have said that was the screen's 3D rather than the film itself, but it still struck me as odd that it was going between the two. I will put it down to just a bad screening.
What should you do?
You should see this, probably in 2D rather than 3D. It's funny, full of action and just the right amount of nostalgia.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Part of me wants the translation device. Part of me wants the invisibility ball (but not afterwards). Part of me wants that tranq gun. The opinion will change depending on how my day goes.
There's just something about "seeing" The Predator when he's invisible that really hits the spot. It gets you on the edge of the seat and fills you with just the right sort of anxiety. Had someone tapped me on the shoulder during the first time that happened in the film I probably would have swung for them while wailing like a banshee.
Lots of actors that you'd recognise from other things and everyone has their own little quirk that works well together in the scenes. It didn't feel like any of the talent was underused, which can be an issue with people in bit parts.
Who knew that Predators had a sense of humour too?! I don't think I've ever seen anyone use a severed limb in such an ingenious way before.
One bit that I really enjoyed reminded me of Futurama. You win bonus nerdy points if you spot it too. It had me tittering away.
There are excellent characters. Genuinely can't think of any that I didn't like in some way. Rory is brilliant in this, great acting from Tremblay and he was blessed with some amazing lines. His grasp of reverse psychology had us all laughing. There's also a scene in the military facility where the Predator wakes up and I actually believed the way everyone reacted. So often it's a mass of crazed running in all directions or everyone is running for one door, but this one felt like a perfectly choreographed event. We see incredible friendships and camaraderie that really comes to the forefront in the conclusion of the film.
It seems a bit redundant to be saying this because you'd think people would know... but they don't seem to... Military weapon designers: tactical weapons that are made for covert ops and have LED lights on them are in fact not very tactical. Predators: If you just stopped playing with your prey you could have conquered the Earth years ago.
*exhales slowly* So this 3D thing... I really and truly hate space shots in 3D, especially the ones that are basically just black space and stars. Really difficult to look at. Thankfully that didn't last for too long and was replaced what was quite good effects of the spaceship jumping to Earth. There were also a few shots from the sniper perspective that worked well. The rest of the film I found that it went quite badly from fuzzy to sharp and I couldn't quite tell what was supposed to be the focus. I'd have said that was the screen's 3D rather than the film itself, but it still struck me as odd that it was going between the two. I will put it down to just a bad screening.
What should you do?
You should see this, probably in 2D rather than 3D. It's funny, full of action and just the right amount of nostalgia.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Part of me wants the translation device. Part of me wants the invisibility ball (but not afterwards). Part of me wants that tranq gun. The opinion will change depending on how my day goes.