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LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Predators (2010) in Movies
May 14, 2019 (Updated Dec 4, 2019)
Another Predator movie, another misfire
Contains spoilers, click to show
In reality, the only truly decent Predator film is the original (although I do have a soft spot for Predator 2 but shhh).
Predators is just a bit of a mess from the get go. We're very swiftly introduced to a cast of bland, cliched, "badass" characters, none of whom are particularly likable, and I can only find myself blaming the script for the most part. This cast includes true talents, including Adrian Brody, Laurence Fishburne, and Mahershala Ali, and none them succeed in making positive impact.
It also stars Topher Grace, who's character goes through some absolute-nonsense-sudden-shift-to-evil-douche plot twist near the end, by which point, you just struggle to care.
As for the actual Predator side of things - it's pretty underwhelming. The trailer promised a big number of the alien hunters, where in reality we get 4, who hardly get any screen time (which wouldn't be a problem if the human characters were actually interesting).
The opportunity to explore an alien world, rather than the usual setting of Earth is a nice idea, but mostly wasted bar a couple of nice looking landscape shots.
The whole thing comes down to a showdown between a lone Predator, and a shirtless Adrian Brody covered in mud, in what I Imagine was supposed to be an ode and call back to the original, but in reality, it just reminds you that you could be spending your time watching that instead.
Final thought - after the lengths that Arnie went through in the original to take down the Predator, I absolutely refuse to accept that one dude with a katana can cut one down with relative ease.
Predators is just a bit of a mess from the get go. We're very swiftly introduced to a cast of bland, cliched, "badass" characters, none of whom are particularly likable, and I can only find myself blaming the script for the most part. This cast includes true talents, including Adrian Brody, Laurence Fishburne, and Mahershala Ali, and none them succeed in making positive impact.
It also stars Topher Grace, who's character goes through some absolute-nonsense-sudden-shift-to-evil-douche plot twist near the end, by which point, you just struggle to care.
As for the actual Predator side of things - it's pretty underwhelming. The trailer promised a big number of the alien hunters, where in reality we get 4, who hardly get any screen time (which wouldn't be a problem if the human characters were actually interesting).
The opportunity to explore an alien world, rather than the usual setting of Earth is a nice idea, but mostly wasted bar a couple of nice looking landscape shots.
The whole thing comes down to a showdown between a lone Predator, and a shirtless Adrian Brody covered in mud, in what I Imagine was supposed to be an ode and call back to the original, but in reality, it just reminds you that you could be spending your time watching that instead.
Final thought - after the lengths that Arnie went through in the original to take down the Predator, I absolutely refuse to accept that one dude with a katana can cut one down with relative ease.
The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) rated The Bottle Imp in Tabletop Games
Sep 17, 2018
So much deeper strategy that it appears (1 more)
every round is tense
Exceptional 3 player trick taking game.
This is the kind of game every person should own. It's simple, and easy to play, and yet is really tense and you are making fun decisions. Someone at the table is getting screwed, will it be you. You push your luck for a few more points, or play it safe. The simple mechanism of making the "trump" the highest low card. and then that becomes the new bar you have to play below to activate the trump. But it also gives you the bottle, and if you end up with the bottle at the end of the round you get none of the points you collected and the card people put in the middle at the start are your negative points. You can also "Control your destiny" by passing three cards from your hand, one to the left, one to the right and one you bury in the middle" At first this seems like an easy choice, but then you see the are layers to that decision. This is the kind of game with lots of ah-ha moments and I would say the first play reveals some, the 2nd play reveals more and by the time you have played 3 or 4 hands, you probably love the game as much as I do now. It's worth the $20, this will be in my collection a long time. I'm very strongly considering creating a 6 player version of this game, we have lots of game nights with 6 and almost none with 3. I'd love to get this game out more often.
Merissa (11830 KP) rated Fall Guy in Books
Feb 18, 2022 (Updated Jul 3, 2023)
FALL GUY is a standalone novel that tells the story of Ronan, our Fall Guy, and Gabriel, the bodyguard. Now, you might be thinking it's the same old, boring, bodyguard story and you'd be completely wrong. Yes, Gabriel is the bodyguard, and yes, they fall in love. But, man, the stories they tell along the way will have you hooked.
I loved this story. It was apparent from the beginning that it wasn't as clear-cut as you might expect. I really felt for Ronan and do think he needed a better class of friends. After all, none of them went to see him. None of them even questioned what had happened. Sometimes, people suck!
Was Ronan stupid? I don't think so. I think he was used, his love abused, but stupid? No. His sort of familial love is one I would love to have! And as for Gabriel. He gave his reasons for the decision and I absolutely agree with him. This isn't right all the time but, trust me, when a father is that weak, it takes a lot for him to change, and not everyone can or does.
The only issue I have with her standalone books is just that - they're standalone. I need more from other characters. Isaac, I'm looking at you. Packed full of emotions, this story absolutely delivers. You get steamy moments that are pure love, no unnecessary miscommunications, second chances, and a heart of gold, it's all here. In other words, it's a typical Felice Stevens book and as such, you know I'm going to highly recommend it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 18, 2022
I loved this story. It was apparent from the beginning that it wasn't as clear-cut as you might expect. I really felt for Ronan and do think he needed a better class of friends. After all, none of them went to see him. None of them even questioned what had happened. Sometimes, people suck!
Was Ronan stupid? I don't think so. I think he was used, his love abused, but stupid? No. His sort of familial love is one I would love to have! And as for Gabriel. He gave his reasons for the decision and I absolutely agree with him. This isn't right all the time but, trust me, when a father is that weak, it takes a lot for him to change, and not everyone can or does.
The only issue I have with her standalone books is just that - they're standalone. I need more from other characters. Isaac, I'm looking at you. Packed full of emotions, this story absolutely delivers. You get steamy moments that are pure love, no unnecessary miscommunications, second chances, and a heart of gold, it's all here. In other words, it's a typical Felice Stevens book and as such, you know I'm going to highly recommend it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 18, 2022
Ross (3282 KP) rated The Ritual (2017) in Movies
Apr 25, 2018
OK, this film isn't trying to do anything new. A bunch of friends decide to head off hiking and take a wrong turn/short cut into the woods. Luckily for us, they don't meet James Corden singing, instead they start to feel like they're being followed, have weird dreams and are eventually stalked by a strange giant monster (which is gradually revealed over time).
This does have a feel of the blair witch but benefits from not having that annoying "found footage" aspect where people running for their lives insist on filming the event.
The film builds tension brilliantly, has some particularly creepy moments and doesn't fall down for trying to explain what is happening too much. Rafe Spall is excellent and none of the characters make any stupid illogical decisions that cause you to shout at the screen.
This does have a feel of the blair witch but benefits from not having that annoying "found footage" aspect where people running for their lives insist on filming the event.
The film builds tension brilliantly, has some particularly creepy moments and doesn't fall down for trying to explain what is happening too much. Rafe Spall is excellent and none of the characters make any stupid illogical decisions that cause you to shout at the screen.
Auburn (57 KP) rated Picture Us In The Light in Books
Apr 10, 2019
Picture Us in the Light is a heartbreakingly honest book that feels so real you may find yourself second guessing if it is actually fiction.
Crying, laughing, and feeling your way through this unputdownable book is normal.
The main character feels real and the relationships between characters are well thought out and developed. None are just stand ins that make you second guess the plot. The plot is solid if not heartbreaking.
I am normally not one to read really emotional books but after getting the first look at this one I had to know what would happen next. The full book did not disappoint.
Perfect for fans of realistic contemporary fiction. Just be aware that this is one book you may just have to read in one sitting so you can get all of the emotions out at once.
Crying, laughing, and feeling your way through this unputdownable book is normal.
The main character feels real and the relationships between characters are well thought out and developed. None are just stand ins that make you second guess the plot. The plot is solid if not heartbreaking.
I am normally not one to read really emotional books but after getting the first look at this one I had to know what would happen next. The full book did not disappoint.
Perfect for fans of realistic contemporary fiction. Just be aware that this is one book you may just have to read in one sitting so you can get all of the emotions out at once.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Hellboy (2019) in Movies
Apr 11, 2019 (Updated Apr 11, 2019)
Headbanging new take on Mike Mignola's demonic superhero. Hellboy, summoned to end the world but raised to protect it, has to do battle with vampires, man-eating giants, murderous occultists, pig-headed fairies and an evil sorceress from Arthurian legend. Scores highly on the 'ugh' front with a lot of gore.
Directed by Neil Marshall, so taste and restraint are not much in evidence, while the script is extremely variable and most of the performances not much cop either. Were-beasts fight fairies, demons fight vampires, none of it makes a great deal of sense, and there's little sign of the wit and style of Guillermo del Toro's films about these characters. In the end the film has plenty of energy and a sense of humour about itself which keep it just about watchable, but it's still a bit of a disappointment.
Directed by Neil Marshall, so taste and restraint are not much in evidence, while the script is extremely variable and most of the performances not much cop either. Were-beasts fight fairies, demons fight vampires, none of it makes a great deal of sense, and there's little sign of the wit and style of Guillermo del Toro's films about these characters. In the end the film has plenty of energy and a sense of humour about itself which keep it just about watchable, but it's still a bit of a disappointment.
Lindsay (1706 KP) rated A Table by the Window (Two Blue Doors #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
I never thought I would like a series like this one. It was new to me and I did enjoy it. You get something that no other book does or often. You get recipes at the end of each chapter. I want to finish out this series when the books come out. I hope it soon. If you like recipes this book may be for you. None the less I hope you can decide for yourself. I hope you enjoy reading it. I hope you have a good experience with it but if not it okay. I really had a hard time putting it down. My other this is I had a little bit of a hard time reading it. It had nothing to do with the author or her writing. It had something to do with me myself and understanding the concept.
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair in Books
Mar 15, 2018
I'll be honest and say that none of the characters within this really gripped me into the point where I wanted to know more about that person and I wanted the story to progress in their direction, however it was an enjoyable story line. Lolita with murder.
As much as I liked this book, Dicker wasn't able to explain to me why Nola fell in love with Harry, it never explained that infatuation they had for each other deep enough for me to be able to get the love affair. As similar this book is to other books, it still had some sort of edge to it that made me keep on reading. The ending was a predictable shock, but nevertheless, I didn't mind the read. Not as good as it was made out to be.
As much as I liked this book, Dicker wasn't able to explain to me why Nola fell in love with Harry, it never explained that infatuation they had for each other deep enough for me to be able to get the love affair. As similar this book is to other books, it still had some sort of edge to it that made me keep on reading. The ending was a predictable shock, but nevertheless, I didn't mind the read. Not as good as it was made out to be.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Kitty's House of Horrors (Kitty Norville, #7) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
At some point, while watching any episode of a TV show like Buffy or a scary movie, you know that you have spoken to the characters on the screen, despite the fact that they can't hear you. "Don't split up! That's when he'll get you!" or "NO! No sex! The ones who have sex DIE you idiots!" And you've wondered how it is NONE of the characters have ever SEEN a horror movie in their lives, right?
Well, Kitty and friends find themselves in the middle of a snuff film being made by people who hate were-beings/vampires/psychics/etc. Kitty, at least, is smarter than your average scream queen. What ensures isn't exactly hilarity, but this being a Kitty Norville book there are a few bright spots here and there (although far fewer than usual).
Well, Kitty and friends find themselves in the middle of a snuff film being made by people who hate were-beings/vampires/psychics/etc. Kitty, at least, is smarter than your average scream queen. What ensures isn't exactly hilarity, but this being a Kitty Norville book there are a few bright spots here and there (although far fewer than usual).