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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Minority Report (2002) in Movies
Jul 19, 2020
I Knew I Would Love it Before I Watched it...See What I Did There?
In the future, “precogs” help predict a murder before it happens. When they predict that John Anderton, head of the precrime divison, will be the next killer, Anderton has to go on the run to prove his innocence.
Acting: 10
We give Tom Cruise shit for being crazy in real life. Say what you want about him on a personal level, the energy that he brings to the big screen is excellent. The way he taps into the emotions of a father that just lost his son hits you with a strong emotional tie to the movie.
Outside of a strong performance from Cruise as John Anderton, it’s also the lesser roles that drive this movie into classic status. Actors/actresses like Lois Smith as the matter-of-fact Dr. Hinneman and Colin Farrell sticking his nose into every single scene as Detective Danny Witwer bring fresh life to this movie throughout its duration. The female performances were particularly strong. This movie just doesn’t function the same without wonderful actresses Samantha Morton and Kathryn Morris helping to drive the story.
Beginning: 10
The first ten minutes really set the stage for the insanity to come. We see the precrime unit led by Anderton moving on their next target: A man who catches his wife in bed cheating, or at least he will. The act has yet to happen, but the unit is there to stop it before it does.
Characters: 10
Anderton is a troubled cop stuck between a terrible past and a troubling future. You can relate to his pain and why he has ended up the way he has. Like Anderton, each character has enough depth and backstory to make you care about them one way or the other. I was particularly drawn to Agatha, head of the precogs, and her story.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 10
Entertainment Value: 10
Memorability: 10
There is a scene in this movie I consider one of the greatest in any film ever done. Anderton has captured the precog Agatha to try and get into her brain to unearth his innocence. With the police in hot pursuit, he has to escape through a mall using Agatha as a cognitive guide to help him escape danger. It is truly a brilliant layout of a scene and it really enhances this movie. This is a movie packed with a number of those same type of scenes that leave an impact in your brain.
Pace: 10
Plot: 10
A brilliant story from cover to cover. Steven Spielberg pulls out the heart and glitz of this movie with true wonder that only he can achieve. There is a reason I consider him the GOAT, because his stories wow you while making you think and feel at the same time. This story couldn’t have been put together more perfectly.
Resolution: 10
The ending couldn’t have been more perfect. It’s all about redemption and starting over. I won’t spoil it by going into further detail.
Overall: 100
Every now and then a movie comes along that manages to sit with me for a long time. It’s the primary reason I consider Minority Report to be the greatest sci-fi movie ever made and #3 on my all-time list. Quite frankly, it’s just plain dope.
Acting: 10
We give Tom Cruise shit for being crazy in real life. Say what you want about him on a personal level, the energy that he brings to the big screen is excellent. The way he taps into the emotions of a father that just lost his son hits you with a strong emotional tie to the movie.
Outside of a strong performance from Cruise as John Anderton, it’s also the lesser roles that drive this movie into classic status. Actors/actresses like Lois Smith as the matter-of-fact Dr. Hinneman and Colin Farrell sticking his nose into every single scene as Detective Danny Witwer bring fresh life to this movie throughout its duration. The female performances were particularly strong. This movie just doesn’t function the same without wonderful actresses Samantha Morton and Kathryn Morris helping to drive the story.
Beginning: 10
The first ten minutes really set the stage for the insanity to come. We see the precrime unit led by Anderton moving on their next target: A man who catches his wife in bed cheating, or at least he will. The act has yet to happen, but the unit is there to stop it before it does.
Characters: 10
Anderton is a troubled cop stuck between a terrible past and a troubling future. You can relate to his pain and why he has ended up the way he has. Like Anderton, each character has enough depth and backstory to make you care about them one way or the other. I was particularly drawn to Agatha, head of the precogs, and her story.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 10
Entertainment Value: 10
Memorability: 10
There is a scene in this movie I consider one of the greatest in any film ever done. Anderton has captured the precog Agatha to try and get into her brain to unearth his innocence. With the police in hot pursuit, he has to escape through a mall using Agatha as a cognitive guide to help him escape danger. It is truly a brilliant layout of a scene and it really enhances this movie. This is a movie packed with a number of those same type of scenes that leave an impact in your brain.
Pace: 10
Plot: 10
A brilliant story from cover to cover. Steven Spielberg pulls out the heart and glitz of this movie with true wonder that only he can achieve. There is a reason I consider him the GOAT, because his stories wow you while making you think and feel at the same time. This story couldn’t have been put together more perfectly.
Resolution: 10
The ending couldn’t have been more perfect. It’s all about redemption and starting over. I won’t spoil it by going into further detail.
Overall: 100
Every now and then a movie comes along that manages to sit with me for a long time. It’s the primary reason I consider Minority Report to be the greatest sci-fi movie ever made and #3 on my all-time list. Quite frankly, it’s just plain dope.
I am not really sure where to start with this review. There are so many great aspects to this book. I loved the characters, the plot, and even the heartbreak.
The story that crosses the pages of this book is one of heart break, loss, love, and inspiration. These characters are so realistic they fly off the page and into your heart. The story of Bright Side and all her friends is moving, raw, and emotional and literature at its finest. I don���t want to say too much and ruin the book for anyone who hasn���t read it. So with that all I will say is that this book is best served with a hot cup of tea and a box of Kleenex.
Kate, Gus, and Keller were PHENOMENAL main characters! I absolutely adored them all for their own reasons. Let���s start with the fellas shall we?
Keller is a great character with so many different levels. He���s sweet, sensitive, doting, and absolutely genuine. He meets Kate when they are both completely vulnerable. Kate drops a bomb on him and he doesn���t miss a beat. He just rolls with it. He is her rock, and everything she needs at this point in her life. He has his own life, but the way he molds his life around Kate is impressive. He changes completely from the moment you meet him until the end of the book. He grows in leaps and bounds.
Kate, well, she���s just amazing. ���She doesn���t just look on the Bright Side, she lives there.��� This is a perfect description of Kate and the way she lives her life. She changes the lives of every person she meets regardless of the battle she is fighting. She���s led a horrible life, but because of all of that she���s managed to become an absolutely resilient, astoundingly well rounded, and extremely brave individual. I cried a lot with Kate. Not so much for her but with her. She is by far my favorite book heroine ever.
Gus���Swoon! I absolutely loved Gus! If I had to choose between him and Keller, I would be team Gus all the way. I didn���t necessarily want him to be a love interest for Kate, but I just found myself cheering for him throughout the whole book. I felt like he was alone. Though he was surrounded by his band and the new friends he made through Kate, I felt like he was incredibly alone. I���ve been in that position and I think that���s why I gravitated so much toward his character.
These three characters together make for one magical story. This is a story that forced me to look at my life a little differently, and made me want to live on the Bright Side.
Kim is a dear friend, and a masterful storyteller who weaves the lines of this book together to create alluring, evocative, and inspiring characters that will change the way you look at life, and experience the written word. I hope that I can one day be half the writer she is, I could only be so lucky! Phenomenal job my friend!
The story that crosses the pages of this book is one of heart break, loss, love, and inspiration. These characters are so realistic they fly off the page and into your heart. The story of Bright Side and all her friends is moving, raw, and emotional and literature at its finest. I don���t want to say too much and ruin the book for anyone who hasn���t read it. So with that all I will say is that this book is best served with a hot cup of tea and a box of Kleenex.
Kate, Gus, and Keller were PHENOMENAL main characters! I absolutely adored them all for their own reasons. Let���s start with the fellas shall we?
Keller is a great character with so many different levels. He���s sweet, sensitive, doting, and absolutely genuine. He meets Kate when they are both completely vulnerable. Kate drops a bomb on him and he doesn���t miss a beat. He just rolls with it. He is her rock, and everything she needs at this point in her life. He has his own life, but the way he molds his life around Kate is impressive. He changes completely from the moment you meet him until the end of the book. He grows in leaps and bounds.
Kate, well, she���s just amazing. ���She doesn���t just look on the Bright Side, she lives there.��� This is a perfect description of Kate and the way she lives her life. She changes the lives of every person she meets regardless of the battle she is fighting. She���s led a horrible life, but because of all of that she���s managed to become an absolutely resilient, astoundingly well rounded, and extremely brave individual. I cried a lot with Kate. Not so much for her but with her. She is by far my favorite book heroine ever.
Gus���Swoon! I absolutely loved Gus! If I had to choose between him and Keller, I would be team Gus all the way. I didn���t necessarily want him to be a love interest for Kate, but I just found myself cheering for him throughout the whole book. I felt like he was alone. Though he was surrounded by his band and the new friends he made through Kate, I felt like he was incredibly alone. I���ve been in that position and I think that���s why I gravitated so much toward his character.
These three characters together make for one magical story. This is a story that forced me to look at my life a little differently, and made me want to live on the Bright Side.
Kim is a dear friend, and a masterful storyteller who weaves the lines of this book together to create alluring, evocative, and inspiring characters that will change the way you look at life, and experience the written word. I hope that I can one day be half the writer she is, I could only be so lucky! Phenomenal job my friend!
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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Apollo is Mine (Gods and Monsters #1) in Books
Sep 30, 2020
172 of 200
Kindle
Apollo is mine ( Gods and Monsters book 1)
By Mila Young
I’m a warrior. Cursed to fight monsters. Sworn to act as Zeus’ sword to protect mankind.
But I’d give it all up for one last kiss with the god who stole my heart…Apollo.
I never wanted to carry my family's legacy. But blood ties cannot be broken, and I’ll keep the promise I made my father on his dying bed. Legendary monsters hunt in city streets of Chicago, and my job was to take down the worst.
I’ve trained with Heracles.
Been blessed with super human powers.
What I’ve never done is fallen in love—until Apollo crossed my path. But he isn’t the only god to catch my attention. Hades is here too, and with him comes a darkness that leaves behind a trail of human bodies. Heracles and my gut instinct urges me to destroy this creature, but each step brings me closer to the truth…
Darkness cannot win…or the Earth will tumble into chaos and I’ll lose the god I’ve come to love…Apollo is mine.
Greek gods? yep! Hot sex? yep! Strong female lead ? Yep!
It was fun and I love a good Greek gods book they are just yum! Interesting story and a very good start to a RH series! Why is always Hades that’s the draw for me? Worth a read if you like RH and a quick book!
Kindle
Apollo is mine ( Gods and Monsters book 1)
By Mila Young
I’m a warrior. Cursed to fight monsters. Sworn to act as Zeus’ sword to protect mankind.
But I’d give it all up for one last kiss with the god who stole my heart…Apollo.
I never wanted to carry my family's legacy. But blood ties cannot be broken, and I’ll keep the promise I made my father on his dying bed. Legendary monsters hunt in city streets of Chicago, and my job was to take down the worst.
I’ve trained with Heracles.
Been blessed with super human powers.
What I’ve never done is fallen in love—until Apollo crossed my path. But he isn’t the only god to catch my attention. Hades is here too, and with him comes a darkness that leaves behind a trail of human bodies. Heracles and my gut instinct urges me to destroy this creature, but each step brings me closer to the truth…
Darkness cannot win…or the Earth will tumble into chaos and I’ll lose the god I’ve come to love…Apollo is mine.
Greek gods? yep! Hot sex? yep! Strong female lead ? Yep!
It was fun and I love a good Greek gods book they are just yum! Interesting story and a very good start to a RH series! Why is always Hades that’s the draw for me? Worth a read if you like RH and a quick book!
City Girl vs Country Boy (Forever Love #1)
8.0
Rate It
Book
A tragic accident brought them together. Will devotion be the glue that mends their broken hearts? ...
Sweet Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Rikki Hammond (33 KP) rated Dominant Species in Tabletop Games
Jun 12, 2019 (Updated Jun 12, 2019)
Interesting term mechanism (2 more)
Each species plays slightly differently
Some interesting event card powers
Woefully long at high player counts (2 more)
Boring to look at
Can be almost impossible to come back from losing
An absolute slog of a game
Dominant species is one of those games that you will either love or hate. Now I don't despise many games but this is definitely one of them.
Players choose one of many different types of species in the game, and try to become the dominant species of the game by expanding their species across the different hexagonal tiles on the board, through migrating, reproducing, and attacking other animals. If a player has more animals on a tile than other players, they are considered the dominant species of that tile and can therefore gain victory points from doing so.
Turns are determined by players placing their action pawns on different spaces on the grid to the right of the board. Once everyone has placed their pawns on the grid, actions are then worked from the top of the grid to the bottom. These actions include, but are not limoted to moving your species to another tile, attacking another species, or picking up an event card to use later. The game ends once this stack of event cards runs out, and final scoring takes place.
Each species starts out with a certain traits which means they are suited to a certain type of terrain. You can use one of your actions to gain different traits and therefore allows you to expand your species into different terrain tiles. The event cards are also useful in that they give you special abilities or can change the game in some way. This could be having your species migrate more than once in a turn, to removing every other species from your own tiles.
I like the way the turn mechanism works as it gives each player a little bit of freedom as to where they can place their pawns, and how soon they want their turn to be taken. There are a finite amount of spaces on each place of the grid so if you're action is taken up by other players before you get to it then that's just tough luck. I also like that the different species are slightly different and so gives the game a slight bit of replayability.
These are all the positives that I can give this game however. The game in general is just incredibly dull and boring to look at. Each species is differentiated by different coloured cubes and cones on the board. Take the player boards away and this game could literally be about anything you want.
The game also goes on for far too long especially at higher player counts, and especially if people don't quickly pick up those event cards, as that is the only way the game will end.
The game can also be horrendously unfair to a player. If you make one or two wrong judgements at the start of the game it can be nigh on impossible to come back from being in last place which to me, does not sound fun at all.
Personally I do not recommend dominant species as a game and I do think there are much better ones out there.
Players choose one of many different types of species in the game, and try to become the dominant species of the game by expanding their species across the different hexagonal tiles on the board, through migrating, reproducing, and attacking other animals. If a player has more animals on a tile than other players, they are considered the dominant species of that tile and can therefore gain victory points from doing so.
Turns are determined by players placing their action pawns on different spaces on the grid to the right of the board. Once everyone has placed their pawns on the grid, actions are then worked from the top of the grid to the bottom. These actions include, but are not limoted to moving your species to another tile, attacking another species, or picking up an event card to use later. The game ends once this stack of event cards runs out, and final scoring takes place.
Each species starts out with a certain traits which means they are suited to a certain type of terrain. You can use one of your actions to gain different traits and therefore allows you to expand your species into different terrain tiles. The event cards are also useful in that they give you special abilities or can change the game in some way. This could be having your species migrate more than once in a turn, to removing every other species from your own tiles.
I like the way the turn mechanism works as it gives each player a little bit of freedom as to where they can place their pawns, and how soon they want their turn to be taken. There are a finite amount of spaces on each place of the grid so if you're action is taken up by other players before you get to it then that's just tough luck. I also like that the different species are slightly different and so gives the game a slight bit of replayability.
These are all the positives that I can give this game however. The game in general is just incredibly dull and boring to look at. Each species is differentiated by different coloured cubes and cones on the board. Take the player boards away and this game could literally be about anything you want.
The game also goes on for far too long especially at higher player counts, and especially if people don't quickly pick up those event cards, as that is the only way the game will end.
The game can also be horrendously unfair to a player. If you make one or two wrong judgements at the start of the game it can be nigh on impossible to come back from being in last place which to me, does not sound fun at all.
Personally I do not recommend dominant species as a game and I do think there are much better ones out there.
ClareR (5955 KP) rated So Much Life Left Over in Books
Sep 8, 2018
The aftermath of World War 1 in true de Bernieres style.
Louis de Bernieres has been one of my favourite authors ever since I stumbled across The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts in 1990. As soon as I see that he has a book coming out, I avidly wait until I can buy it, trying to get as much information about the subject matter as I can (yes, I'm a fan-girl). This novel has not disappointed me.
So Much Life Left Over takes us back in to the lives of Rosie and Daniel Pitt after the First World War has come to an end. We go as far as Ceylon, back to London and to Germany in the 1930's. We catch up with all of the characters that we first encountered in The Dust That Falls From Dreams (and if you haven't read that yet, you're seriously missing out), and learn about what happens to Rosie's sisters, parents and those that they have met along the way.
I love the dialogue in this book: it's punchy, quick-witted and emotional. The first of Oily Wragge's chapters (each chapter, when about a different person, is written from their perspective, sometimes in first person, sometimes in third person - but I like this. It seems so personal) haunting, terribly sad and filled with the violence and horror of war and being a prisoner of war.
Daniel and Wragge go to work in Germany, and set up a business with the two fighter pilots that Daniel captured in the war. Here we get a look at the Germany of the early 1930's: the poverty, deprivation, and Hitlers rise to power. Daniel correctly predicts another war.
However, the truly heart wrenching events happen in the last thirty pages or so. I strongly suggest you get your handkerchief ready. The emotion in these last pages is what really makes this a truly stand out book for me (if the rest of the book hadn't already been enough to do that!). The sensitivity in the way that the subject matter is handled, and the emotions that this invokes in the reader is so well done.
I would thoroughly recommend this novel, I so enjoyed it, and I will be looking forward to the last part of this story.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
So Much Life Left Over takes us back in to the lives of Rosie and Daniel Pitt after the First World War has come to an end. We go as far as Ceylon, back to London and to Germany in the 1930's. We catch up with all of the characters that we first encountered in The Dust That Falls From Dreams (and if you haven't read that yet, you're seriously missing out), and learn about what happens to Rosie's sisters, parents and those that they have met along the way.
I love the dialogue in this book: it's punchy, quick-witted and emotional. The first of Oily Wragge's chapters (each chapter, when about a different person, is written from their perspective, sometimes in first person, sometimes in third person - but I like this. It seems so personal) haunting, terribly sad and filled with the violence and horror of war and being a prisoner of war.
Daniel and Wragge go to work in Germany, and set up a business with the two fighter pilots that Daniel captured in the war. Here we get a look at the Germany of the early 1930's: the poverty, deprivation, and Hitlers rise to power. Daniel correctly predicts another war.
However, the truly heart wrenching events happen in the last thirty pages or so. I strongly suggest you get your handkerchief ready. The emotion in these last pages is what really makes this a truly stand out book for me (if the rest of the book hadn't already been enough to do that!). The sensitivity in the way that the subject matter is handled, and the emotions that this invokes in the reader is so well done.
I would thoroughly recommend this novel, I so enjoyed it, and I will be looking forward to the last part of this story.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
