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Death in the Shape of a Young Girl: Women's Political Violence in the Red Army Faction
6.0
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In the early 1970s, a number of West German left-wing activists took up arms, believing that...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020) in Movies
Sep 23, 2020
The DC Animated movies are a mixed bags. There are some great ones, and a whole bunch of not so great ones. The top of the pile for me has always been the 2-part adaption of The Dark Knight Returns, until now that is.
Apokolips War is the final movie in the 16-part connected DC Animated Movie Universe, which started back in 2013 with The Flashpoint Paradox, and as a culmination of this particular storyline, it's near perfect.
In terms of plot, things are batshit insane from the get go - notable heroes are slaughtered as Darkseid lays waste to Earth, leaving a broken and small crew left to hold the fort and try and claw a win from a seemingly desperate situation. Everyone gets involved - Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, Etrigan, Shazam, Martian Manhunter, Raven, the whole Suicide Squad roster, just to name a few, and with all these heavy hitters in tow, it's an absolute pleasure to have Constantine at the forefront of it all, once again voiced by the fantastic Matt Ryan.
He's joined by the likes of Rosario Dawson, Tony Todd, Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O'Connell, Taissa Farmiga, Jason O'Mara, Camilla Ludington, John DiMaggio - it's a stacked voice cast to say the least.
The animation is wonderful, the action is non-stop and brutal, gritty yet smooth - it just feels like the creative team on this one pulled out all the stops to make sure the DCAMU finished with and Avengers Endgame sized flex.
It knocks spots off the first Justice League Dark entry and is ultimately my pick for the finest animated DC feature out there.
Apokolips War is the final movie in the 16-part connected DC Animated Movie Universe, which started back in 2013 with The Flashpoint Paradox, and as a culmination of this particular storyline, it's near perfect.
In terms of plot, things are batshit insane from the get go - notable heroes are slaughtered as Darkseid lays waste to Earth, leaving a broken and small crew left to hold the fort and try and claw a win from a seemingly desperate situation. Everyone gets involved - Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, Etrigan, Shazam, Martian Manhunter, Raven, the whole Suicide Squad roster, just to name a few, and with all these heavy hitters in tow, it's an absolute pleasure to have Constantine at the forefront of it all, once again voiced by the fantastic Matt Ryan.
He's joined by the likes of Rosario Dawson, Tony Todd, Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O'Connell, Taissa Farmiga, Jason O'Mara, Camilla Ludington, John DiMaggio - it's a stacked voice cast to say the least.
The animation is wonderful, the action is non-stop and brutal, gritty yet smooth - it just feels like the creative team on this one pulled out all the stops to make sure the DCAMU finished with and Avengers Endgame sized flex.
It knocks spots off the first Justice League Dark entry and is ultimately my pick for the finest animated DC feature out there.
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Doctor Who: Christmas on a Rational Planet in Books
Nov 30, 2020
I first read this book once, back in 1999. I had not revisited again until two weeks ago. This review is based upon my re-reading it.
First, let me just write that this is clearly one of the more effed up New Adventures you will ever read. The things I witnessed within were horrible and chilling in a number of ways, far more so than I recall them being when I first read the book!
For those not aware, this was Lawrence Miles' (or, as some like to refer to him as, "Mad Larry") first published DW work. The seeds are planted, offering us glimpses at ideas, like Grandfather Paradox, which will be elaborated on further in his Eighth Doctor Adventures ALIEN BODIES and INTERFERENCE BOOKS 1 & 2.
Yes, as many have commented, his writing is not as polished or focused as it would be later in his career. However, that is not to say that it's rubbish or worthy of being snubbed. There are some damned good ideas here, both abstract and otherwise. The book requires a lot of focus, but it was worth it in the end.
I miss the writing that DOCTOR WHO used to have. Nothing in the 2005-onward NuWHO stories can hold a candle to this! And at least the Doctor's companions weren't all following him with lust-filled, puppy dog eyes like they were in the current stories!
If you are looking for something WHO-related, with a bit more bite and a whole lot more to tickle your brain, look no further than CHRISTMAS ON A RATIONAL PLANET!
First, let me just write that this is clearly one of the more effed up New Adventures you will ever read. The things I witnessed within were horrible and chilling in a number of ways, far more so than I recall them being when I first read the book!
For those not aware, this was Lawrence Miles' (or, as some like to refer to him as, "Mad Larry") first published DW work. The seeds are planted, offering us glimpses at ideas, like Grandfather Paradox, which will be elaborated on further in his Eighth Doctor Adventures ALIEN BODIES and INTERFERENCE BOOKS 1 & 2.
Yes, as many have commented, his writing is not as polished or focused as it would be later in his career. However, that is not to say that it's rubbish or worthy of being snubbed. There are some damned good ideas here, both abstract and otherwise. The book requires a lot of focus, but it was worth it in the end.
I miss the writing that DOCTOR WHO used to have. Nothing in the 2005-onward NuWHO stories can hold a candle to this! And at least the Doctor's companions weren't all following him with lust-filled, puppy dog eyes like they were in the current stories!
If you are looking for something WHO-related, with a bit more bite and a whole lot more to tickle your brain, look no further than CHRISTMAS ON A RATIONAL PLANET!
The Silent Guides
6.3
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Understanding and developing the mind throughout life - the NEW book from the creator of the chimp...
Merissa (12502 KP) rated A Paradox of Fates (Prevent the Past #1) in Books
Apr 26, 2023
A PARADOX OF FATES is the first book in the Prevent the Past series and if you're looking for a science fiction/time travel with hot romance, then you've definitely got the right book.
Now, I'll be honest here, I love science and respect the hell out of anyone who can understand it. Me? Not so much. It's too much for my head to get around and when we start talking about paradoxes and how many times this has looped before? My eyes start glazing over. This is in no way caused by the author's writing. That was gripping stuff, full of humour, betrayal, loss, you name it.
This is absolutely character-led and I am invested in each and every one of them. I'd only read about a quarter of the book and I was looking to see who came next and how the trilogy finished. I was already that invested!
Did anyone mention plot twists? Cause there's more than a couple here! Honestly, I loved how it kept me on my toes. And can I just say - I've never cried so hard over a cat!
This isn't a genre I normally read but after reading Etherya's Earth series and loving Ms Hefner's style of writing, I thought I'd give it a go. And I'm so very glad I did! I am hooked on this series and can definitely 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 26, 2023
Now, I'll be honest here, I love science and respect the hell out of anyone who can understand it. Me? Not so much. It's too much for my head to get around and when we start talking about paradoxes and how many times this has looped before? My eyes start glazing over. This is in no way caused by the author's writing. That was gripping stuff, full of humour, betrayal, loss, you name it.
This is absolutely character-led and I am invested in each and every one of them. I'd only read about a quarter of the book and I was looking to see who came next and how the trilogy finished. I was already that invested!
Did anyone mention plot twists? Cause there's more than a couple here! Honestly, I loved how it kept me on my toes. And can I just say - I've never cried so hard over a cat!
This isn't a genre I normally read but after reading Etherya's Earth series and loving Ms Hefner's style of writing, I thought I'd give it a go. And I'm so very glad I did! I am hooked on this series and can definitely 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 26, 2023
Merissa (12502 KP) rated Garbage (The SPARK Files, #1) in Books
Jul 20, 2023
GARBAGE is the first book in The SPARK Files and I firstly want to say that I love these characters!
Quincy is a sentient robot, commonly known as a Spark. He goes about doing his job, not hurting anyone else, when he is attacked by a small group of Human Firsters. Yep, they're as bad as they sound! Evan stops the attack and takes Quincy home, where Quincy is subjected to a whole new world of possibilities, more than he was ever aware of.
Oh, man. This story! It is a paradox - dealing with hard-hitting (pun intended) storylines with characters too cute and cuddly... and undeniably HOT! The thing I loved the most is that both of them had insecurities. Both of them needed to work through their own personal issues. They were both there for the other and I just wanted to squidge them so badly!
One thing - there is an on-page assault and it's horrible. So incredibly well written! My eyes were leaking all the way through that scene, even as I appreciated how we managed to get a dual perspective of it. I'd just composed myself when we got the 'feet' scene when Quincy is detained. Boom! I was gone... again!
Quincy and Evan are so perfect together. I loved the whole book and can't wait to continue with the series. HIGHLY recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 20, 2023
Quincy is a sentient robot, commonly known as a Spark. He goes about doing his job, not hurting anyone else, when he is attacked by a small group of Human Firsters. Yep, they're as bad as they sound! Evan stops the attack and takes Quincy home, where Quincy is subjected to a whole new world of possibilities, more than he was ever aware of.
Oh, man. This story! It is a paradox - dealing with hard-hitting (pun intended) storylines with characters too cute and cuddly... and undeniably HOT! The thing I loved the most is that both of them had insecurities. Both of them needed to work through their own personal issues. They were both there for the other and I just wanted to squidge them so badly!
One thing - there is an on-page assault and it's horrible. So incredibly well written! My eyes were leaking all the way through that scene, even as I appreciated how we managed to get a dual perspective of it. I'd just composed myself when we got the 'feet' scene when Quincy is detained. Boom! I was gone... again!
Quincy and Evan are so perfect together. I loved the whole book and can't wait to continue with the series. HIGHLY recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 20, 2023
Thomas Hardy: The Time-torn Man
Book
Thomas Hardy is the acclaimed biography by bestselling author Claire Tomalin 'An extraordinary...
The Buy Side: A Wall Street Trader's Tale of Spectacular Excess
8.0
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The Buy Side is Turney Duff's high-adrenaline journey through the trading underworld, as well as a...
Free as in Freedom: Richard Stallman's Crusade for Free Software
Book
Free as in Freedom interweaves biographical snapshots of GNU project founder Richard Stallman with...
M: The True Story of Maxwell Knight: Maxwell Knight, MI5's Greatest Spymaster
Book
Maxwell Knight was a paradox. A jazz obsessive and nature enthusiast (he is the author of the...