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Paige Lovelace (30 KP) rated The Black Dagger Brotherhood Novels 1-4 in Books
Dec 14, 2020
Love love love Black Dagger brotherhood
For me the Black Dagger brotherhood books have literally saved my life because I read all of them and during the pandemic and the quarantine and the lockdowns these books have kept me sane a. J r ward has the unique ability to get into her characters heads and that's what makes her book so good she flushes out the characters and weighs a lot of authors don't and I just love her
David McK (3188 KP) rated Lady and the Tramp (2019) in Movies
May 16, 2020
The latest (I think, and at the time of writing) in Disney's reimagining of their classic films (see also: Dumbo, Aladdin, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, etc …) , with this one being a mix of live action and CGI and also - to the best of my knowledge - not actually even released in cinemas, but instead being a Disney+ exclusive even before the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic.
Sticking pretty faithfully to the same beats as the animated original - spoiled Cocker Spaniel, Street Dog, the famous Spaghettis scene (which I can't watch now without thinking of the version with Santa's Little Helper in The Simpsons) - this nonetheless does slightly change parts of the story, with the most noticeable (to me) being the Siamese Cats, who here have a completely new song but are still responsible for Lady ending up on the streets (see, I told you: all Cats are evil!).
Sticking pretty faithfully to the same beats as the animated original - spoiled Cocker Spaniel, Street Dog, the famous Spaghettis scene (which I can't watch now without thinking of the version with Santa's Little Helper in The Simpsons) - this nonetheless does slightly change parts of the story, with the most noticeable (to me) being the Siamese Cats, who here have a completely new song but are still responsible for Lady ending up on the streets (see, I told you: all Cats are evil!).
David McK (3188 KP) rated No Time to Die (2021) in Movies
Oct 21, 2021 (Updated Sep 10, 2023)
The names Bond.... James Bond
The latest (at the time of writing) James Bond movie, this is both the 25th in the series and the one that is was much delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
It's also Daniel Craig's last outing as James Bond - the only actor whose Bond, I believe, has an arc across all the movies in which he starred, from his earliest days (Casino Royale) through to missions when he was in his prime (Skyfall) and finally - here - coming out of retirement for 'one last mission'. Daniel Craig's Bond is not the only returning character: Felix Leiter, M, Moneypenny, Q, Madeline Swann, and even Blofield all make a return.
Billie Eilish's theme song is completely forgettable, while I was also a bit surprised by the ending. Didn't mind it so much, though, as those who walked out of the showing I went to!
It's also Daniel Craig's last outing as James Bond - the only actor whose Bond, I believe, has an arc across all the movies in which he starred, from his earliest days (Casino Royale) through to missions when he was in his prime (Skyfall) and finally - here - coming out of retirement for 'one last mission'. Daniel Craig's Bond is not the only returning character: Felix Leiter, M, Moneypenny, Q, Madeline Swann, and even Blofield all make a return.
Billie Eilish's theme song is completely forgettable, while I was also a bit surprised by the ending. Didn't mind it so much, though, as those who walked out of the showing I went to!
ClareR (5561 KP) rated The End of Men in Books
Jun 8, 2021
Oh. My. Goodness. This book is totally my cup of tea (unlike in this book, it has both tea and milk in it). I’ve always been drawn to science fiction, dystopian and apocalyptic styles of novels ever since I read Stephen Kings The Stand as a teenager. The End of Men drew me in and had me checking the news outlets, just to check that Covid-19 hadn’t taken a turn for the even worse - and I’m not joking here. I did question whether reading a book about a global pandemic during a global pandemic was a good idea, and then I told myself to shut up, sit back and just enjoy it (much the same as when I read Last One at The Party by Bethany Clift!). And I really did!
This is told from multiple perspectives. There are mostly recurring characters, such as Dr Maclean, some scientists, the anthropologist, intelligence and government types, interspersed with ‘ordinary’ people who were also affected and lost friends and family. We see perspectives from all over the world. The voices of these people all seem so real: their pain, confusion and determination coming through in their own voices, as their stories are all told in journal form.
The End of Men had pretty much the same effect on me as World War Z: I was checking the news and the windows (just in case), completely preoccupied with the book whilst I was reading it, and I predictably experienced a stonking book-hangover when it ended.
This is science fiction for people who wouldn’t normally pick up science fiction (a bit like a gateway drug!). It reads like contemporary fiction - the here and now.
This novel had me on the edge of my seat and in tears - and a bit angry at times, truth be told. This doesn’t feel like you’re reading science-fiction, it has a tinge of the non-fiction about it. Perhaps that’s because of the times we’re living in...
Would I recommend it? You’d better believe I would!
This is told from multiple perspectives. There are mostly recurring characters, such as Dr Maclean, some scientists, the anthropologist, intelligence and government types, interspersed with ‘ordinary’ people who were also affected and lost friends and family. We see perspectives from all over the world. The voices of these people all seem so real: their pain, confusion and determination coming through in their own voices, as their stories are all told in journal form.
The End of Men had pretty much the same effect on me as World War Z: I was checking the news and the windows (just in case), completely preoccupied with the book whilst I was reading it, and I predictably experienced a stonking book-hangover when it ended.
This is science fiction for people who wouldn’t normally pick up science fiction (a bit like a gateway drug!). It reads like contemporary fiction - the here and now.
This novel had me on the edge of my seat and in tears - and a bit angry at times, truth be told. This doesn’t feel like you’re reading science-fiction, it has a tinge of the non-fiction about it. Perhaps that’s because of the times we’re living in...
Would I recommend it? You’d better believe I would!
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm (2020) in Movies
Oct 24, 2020
Is Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm as laugh out loud funny as the first one? I would argue that it isn't, however I would also argue that it's cleverer, and more shocking in some of it's content, with some truly outrageous moments.
It certainly feels more scripted than before, but the reasons behind it are sound. Firstly, the narrative is much more competent than the first, with a full blown story about family that has some weirdly touching moments. The scripted parts are essential to drive the plot forwards. No spoilers here, but it climaxes with a genuinely clever twist.
Another reason for the scripted sections is the little problem of Borat being recognized pretty much everywhere these days, causing Sacha Baron Cohen to re disguise a few times (all of his disguises are ridiculous by the way.)
It's also commendable how naturally the Coronavirus pandemic is written into the story. The pandemic hit half way through production and the way this was overcome is pretty well done.
To detail any of the scenes would serve only to spoil things - so all I'll say is this - the scene at a Michael Pence rally, the anti-lockdown protest concert, the part in a Synagogue, the Woman's clinic segment, and of course, the much discussed scene involving Rudy Giuliani all rival anything that Cohen has ever put out in terms of cringe and jaw dropping. I can absolutely respect that 14 years after the first movie, he still has balls of steel and doesn't hold back in what he puts out. Some of the stuff on display here could end up having some real life repercussions for certain individuals.
It's also worth mentioning how good Maria Bakalova is as Borat's daughter Tutar. She pretty much steals the show and will no doubt have a successful career off the back of this.
If you enjoyed the original, or even have an interest in politics, then there's something for you here. Looking forward to seeing how many people try to sue SBC this time around!
It certainly feels more scripted than before, but the reasons behind it are sound. Firstly, the narrative is much more competent than the first, with a full blown story about family that has some weirdly touching moments. The scripted parts are essential to drive the plot forwards. No spoilers here, but it climaxes with a genuinely clever twist.
Another reason for the scripted sections is the little problem of Borat being recognized pretty much everywhere these days, causing Sacha Baron Cohen to re disguise a few times (all of his disguises are ridiculous by the way.)
It's also commendable how naturally the Coronavirus pandemic is written into the story. The pandemic hit half way through production and the way this was overcome is pretty well done.
To detail any of the scenes would serve only to spoil things - so all I'll say is this - the scene at a Michael Pence rally, the anti-lockdown protest concert, the part in a Synagogue, the Woman's clinic segment, and of course, the much discussed scene involving Rudy Giuliani all rival anything that Cohen has ever put out in terms of cringe and jaw dropping. I can absolutely respect that 14 years after the first movie, he still has balls of steel and doesn't hold back in what he puts out. Some of the stuff on display here could end up having some real life repercussions for certain individuals.
It's also worth mentioning how good Maria Bakalova is as Borat's daughter Tutar. She pretty much steals the show and will no doubt have a successful career off the back of this.
If you enjoyed the original, or even have an interest in politics, then there's something for you here. Looking forward to seeing how many people try to sue SBC this time around!
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Men Explain Things to Me: And Other Essays in Books
Oct 20, 2017 (Updated Oct 20, 2017)
Some interesting points but doesn't connect together
Having read many of Rebecca Solnit's works, this is not one of the better ones. While there are some thoughtful ideas, the essays are disjointed from one another, so it seems to be lumped together.
That being said, some of the essays have some important points. This includes marriage equality between same sexes, ensuring inequality from a patriarchal standpoint can be dismantled.
And there is a small amount of intersectionality, discussing the rape of Native American and Indian women as part of a pandemic of violence against women rather than isolated incidents. And while this was written several years before and some of it no longer applies (Dominic Strauss-Kahn) it is still valid as the issues still continue.
The less said about slutwalk, the better.
I would say this is a good introduction to feminism for those who are seeking to understand parts, but I would recommend books with a little more substance than this.
That being said, some of the essays have some important points. This includes marriage equality between same sexes, ensuring inequality from a patriarchal standpoint can be dismantled.
And there is a small amount of intersectionality, discussing the rape of Native American and Indian women as part of a pandemic of violence against women rather than isolated incidents. And while this was written several years before and some of it no longer applies (Dominic Strauss-Kahn) it is still valid as the issues still continue.
The less said about slutwalk, the better.
I would say this is a good introduction to feminism for those who are seeking to understand parts, but I would recommend books with a little more substance than this.
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated It: Chapter Two (2019) in Movies
Mar 14, 2020
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first part, it had its moments but way overdone the cgi and just wasn’t scary.I was curious to see the second part but was put off by the 3 hour running time , but being stuck at home during a pandemic it seemed like a good excuse to catch up on long films like this.
Unfortunately I was as underwhelmed as part one, the casting for the grown up losers was pretty good and it has a powerful opening scene but the narrative was very incoherent, consisting mainly of random jump scenes and descending once again into a mess of cgi monsters. The origins of Pennywise was all very poorly done. My God did it drag in the middle as well , I found myself checking my phone on several occasions (never a sign I am enjoying a movie) and was relieved when it was over. It was at least half an hour too long and really didn’t need to be.
Unfortunately I was as underwhelmed as part one, the casting for the grown up losers was pretty good and it has a powerful opening scene but the narrative was very incoherent, consisting mainly of random jump scenes and descending once again into a mess of cgi monsters. The origins of Pennywise was all very poorly done. My God did it drag in the middle as well , I found myself checking my phone on several occasions (never a sign I am enjoying a movie) and was relieved when it was over. It was at least half an hour too long and really didn’t need to be.
David Baldacci recommended Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster in Books (curated)
David McK (3188 KP) rated Soul (2020) in Movies
Dec 27, 2020
Pixar's latest (at the time of reviewing), released exclusively on Disney+.
I don't know whether it was always intended to be so, or because of the current worldwide Covid-19 pandemic (I lean towards the latter).
In any case, this is somewhat along the lines of 'Inside Out', although more metaphysical in nature, examining just what life is all about. It takes a good 40 minutes or so - I felt - to get going, and probably could have trimmed the ending down a bit.
I guess what I'm trying to say is there there is the kernel of a good idea and film here, but - for me - it just doesn't really cut it, with too much padding (IMO) to make it a really enjoyable movie. Definitely not up there with the likes of any of the 'Toy Story' films, or even with the aforementioned 'Inside Out' despite the similarities
Animation is top-notch, though.
I don't know whether it was always intended to be so, or because of the current worldwide Covid-19 pandemic (I lean towards the latter).
In any case, this is somewhat along the lines of 'Inside Out', although more metaphysical in nature, examining just what life is all about. It takes a good 40 minutes or so - I felt - to get going, and probably could have trimmed the ending down a bit.
I guess what I'm trying to say is there there is the kernel of a good idea and film here, but - for me - it just doesn't really cut it, with too much padding (IMO) to make it a really enjoyable movie. Definitely not up there with the likes of any of the 'Toy Story' films, or even with the aforementioned 'Inside Out' despite the similarities
Animation is top-notch, though.
David McK (3188 KP) rated I Am Legend in Books
Jul 7, 2019 (Updated Mar 19, 2023)
Richard Matheson's classic 1954 horror story, that (according to Wikipedia) has been converted four times into movies: The Last Man on Earth (1964), The Omega Man(1971),I Am Legend(2007) and I Am Omega(2007)
Of those, I was aware of only Charlton Heston's The Omega Man and Will Smith's I Am Legend, only having seen the latter. I'm also aware that that film also deviates from the source material (when do they not!), with the book describing the pandemic as (more-or-less) turning people into vampires rather than the zombies of the film. In both cases, Robert Neville seems to be immune to the virus, and is trying to work out how to cure it, while seemingly the last human being on the planet. The two versions, however, also end rather differently, with the novell(a) suiting the title 'I am legend' (and explaining why) more than the movie does!
Of those, I was aware of only Charlton Heston's The Omega Man and Will Smith's I Am Legend, only having seen the latter. I'm also aware that that film also deviates from the source material (when do they not!), with the book describing the pandemic as (more-or-less) turning people into vampires rather than the zombies of the film. In both cases, Robert Neville seems to be immune to the virus, and is trying to work out how to cure it, while seemingly the last human being on the planet. The two versions, however, also end rather differently, with the novell(a) suiting the title 'I am legend' (and explaining why) more than the movie does!