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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies

Nov 22, 2017 (Updated Nov 22, 2017)

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

2017 | Action, Adventure

8.1

(305 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Fun to watch but doesn't break new ground

No doubt Tom Holland's portrayal of Spiderman is the most accurate version that I have seen, given that Spiderman is a teenager in a high school. I can't help but feel that if Homecoming had more time in the oven, we would have been rewarded with the best Spider-man ever seen on the silver screen. As is, this Spider-man breaks no new ground that won't quickly be plowed under.

Michael Keaton's Vulture is the perfect villain for a downbeat in the MCU symphony. A regular, working-class but ambitious man who took an opportunity - a blue collar Tony Stark. The level of detail and forethought paid to the Vulture and his crew's dealings provides much needed grounding to these fabulous tales of super-heroism. Still, the refreshing qualities of Homecoming are far-outmatched by the staleness of its formula.

Too many of these beats have already been explored in other movies. Tony Stark has remote access to his suit. Tony Stark's dad. Retro-reflective plates. Tony Stark overdesigns stuff. Peter Parker has trouble managing his two lives. Peter Parker's enemy is a close friend's parent.

But the best part is definitely Michael Keaton, who is both seen as a 'hardworking' father trying to provide for his family, while being deeply flawed - the fact that he isn't killed off is also promising. Not a bad film, but not particularly novel.

Kudos

Kristin (149 KP) rated I Will Never Forget: A Daughter's Story of Her Mother's Arduous and Humorous Journey Through Dementia in Books

Dec 7, 2018

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Elaine and her mother have a special relationship, the kind every parent and child strive for. They have their ups and downs, but they both know the love and support of the other is there. That comes into play in a slow crawl towards dementia for Elaine's mother, Betty. First, it's the little things, but it slowly gets worse as time goes by, and Elaine has chronicled that journey, both for her mother as well as herself, in this wonderful book.

I used to work for a Neurology clinic where we saw many patients with Dementia, and while I could recognize the signs and symptoms because of that, it's understandable how someone so close to the person could miss them, or push them aside as something else. To see how Elaine and the rest of her family coped with this illness, and for her to share such a personal story in such a public way, is very awe-inspiring, and I wish both her and the rest of her family all the best. I feel as though this book could help open someone's eyes to what a family member or friend might be experiencing, and while it's a very emotional read, I would recommend everyone I know to give it a shot for that very reason.

5 stars

Kudos

David McK (3713 KP) rated Batman: A Death In The Family in Books

Jan 28, 2019

Batman: A Death In The Family

Jim Starlin | 1989 | Comics & Graphic Novels

6.2

(5 Ratings)

Book Rating

Ah, 1988/89.

I was just entering double digits, the Cold War was still in force, and DC decided to bump off Robin.

Of course, when I say 'Robin' I actually mean the second character (Jason Todd) to take that mantle (with the first being the more famous Dick Grayson, who has now become Nightwing), and when I say DC I actually mean the DC readers - in a (then) unprecedented move, DC had actually left it open to the readers to decide his fate, via a telephone poll.

It is, of course, Batman's nemesis Joker who is responsible for the killing, after he (yet again) breaks out of Arkham Asylum and heads to the middle East to sell a nuclear weapon that he just-so-happened to have lying around. Batman goes off in pursuit, with a sidelined-by-Batman (due to his erratic nature) Robin on the trail of his real parent; a trail that leads to the two of them meeting up (amazing coincidence, Batman!), Robin ignoring Batman's advice and proceeding to put himself in harms way.

Apparently there was also a media storm around this; around the fact that over the course - and due t 0the events of - this plot-line, that Batman was moving back to his nihilistic vigilante loner roots rather than the kid-friendly character he had become: he even goes so far, in this, to punch out at Superman! The horror!!

Kudos

Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The Glass Castle in Books

Jun 21, 2019

Jeannette Walls led a very interesting life. Living most of it way below the poverty line and "doing the skedaddle" all over the country. Her parents didn't care much for rules or parenting. The book starts off with Jeannette burning herself at the age of 3 making herself food to eat. What three year old is using a stove? The book continues through her life with some outrageous and mind blowing events. This was a very interesting story that made me hug my kids a little tighter and be thankful for the family I have.

I have heard a lot about this book and the movie, and I wanted to read it before I saw it. What really grabbed my attention during this book was the blatant disregard Rex & Rose Mary for their children was incredible.

I love that Ms. Walls had the courage to tell her story. She was able to make something of her life, despite the circumstances that she was raised in. Some people may see the situation and decide this is the life they have and they can't do anything better. Forced to grow up before she had to and become a parent when hers didn't seem to care that their children had no food to eat. Even though both of her parents were educated, they were more of free thinkers letting the world take them through life.

I enjoyed this book.