Search
David McK (3425 KP) rated War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) in Movies
Apr 28, 2020
The final part of the 2010 version of the Planet of the apes films (after both Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), with Andy Serkis again portraying the noble Ape leader Caesar, and with this film set (I believe) roughly 15 years after the viral outbreak that occurred during Rise of the ...
Acting as a prequel of sorts to the Charlton Heston originals, this one - while perhaps a bit slow paced - also shows how mankind loses the ability to speak, starting their journey towards becoming the dumb brutes of that Heston original.
I have to say, however, that the title is a bit misleading (unless it's referring to Caesar's inner war?): perhaps "Skirmish for the Planet of the Apes" would be more apt … ?
Acting as a prequel of sorts to the Charlton Heston originals, this one - while perhaps a bit slow paced - also shows how mankind loses the ability to speak, starting their journey towards becoming the dumb brutes of that Heston original.
I have to say, however, that the title is a bit misleading (unless it's referring to Caesar's inner war?): perhaps "Skirmish for the Planet of the Apes" would be more apt … ?
AH
At Home at the Zoo
Book
'I've been to the zoo.' These opening words usher the audience into one of the most iconic plays in...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated A Tethered Duet in Books
May 13, 2020
78 of 200
Kindle
A Tethered Duet ( Tethered series book1)
By Jessica Wayne
Can love span centuries?Two hundred years ago, a jealous sorcerer robbed Aine and Aengus of their future together when he ended Aine's life. Now a spell will offer them a second chance...But when Aine returns as Abby to Ireland, can she and Aengus reignite their love? Have the lifetimes apart dampened the love they once felt for each other? Or have the centuries provided the sorcerer with enough power the keep them apart for eternity?
It was a very enjoyable read! A very sweet story with a few dramatic moments! The little prequel story after Was also very sweet! If you like a good old romance with a magical twist you will enjoy this Duet.
Kindle
A Tethered Duet ( Tethered series book1)
By Jessica Wayne
Can love span centuries?Two hundred years ago, a jealous sorcerer robbed Aine and Aengus of their future together when he ended Aine's life. Now a spell will offer them a second chance...But when Aine returns as Abby to Ireland, can she and Aengus reignite their love? Have the lifetimes apart dampened the love they once felt for each other? Or have the centuries provided the sorcerer with enough power the keep them apart for eternity?
It was a very enjoyable read! A very sweet story with a few dramatic moments! The little prequel story after Was also very sweet! If you like a good old romance with a magical twist you will enjoy this Duet.
A Tethered Duet
8.0
Rate It
Book
For as long as she can remember, Abby has been haunted by dreams of a man she’s never met. His...
Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne
6.0
Rate It
Book
The thrilling prequel to Dragon Age: Origins, the hit role-playing video game from award-winning...
Dragon Age
Star Trek: Enterprise
7.1
Rate It
TV Show
Set in the 22nd century 100 years before the USS Enterprise's five-year mission in Star Trek: The...
David McK (3425 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) in Movies
May 22, 2022
It's over, Anakin. I have the high ground!
The final part of the prequel trilogy, which at least - and in comparison to the sequel trilogy - had a clear vision and overarching narrative.
I remember going to see this in the cinema in '05.
I also remember there was a kid somewhere in the audience who didn't know Anakin became Vader.
Cue a shocked "noooo!" at that part of the film.
Anyway, the prequels had all been building to this; to the long awaited showdown between Obi-Wan and Vader, that ends with Vader encased in the suit.
It might take a while getting there, and it's maybe not *quite* up there with the Duel of the Fates from 'The Phantom Menace', bit it doesn't disappoint once it does!
I remember going to see this in the cinema in '05.
I also remember there was a kid somewhere in the audience who didn't know Anakin became Vader.
Cue a shocked "noooo!" at that part of the film.
Anyway, the prequels had all been building to this; to the long awaited showdown between Obi-Wan and Vader, that ends with Vader encased in the suit.
It might take a while getting there, and it's maybe not *quite* up there with the Duel of the Fates from 'The Phantom Menace', bit it doesn't disappoint once it does!
David McK (3425 KP) rated Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) in Movies
Mar 11, 2023
Caesar. Home.
A surprisingly good prequel/re-imagining/reboot of the seminal Charlton Heston starring sci-fi flick, with this being set in more contemporary time and with it tracing the origins of the smart Apes/the beginning of the decline of man.
Basically, don't mess with nature.
I have to say, the end credits - tracing the virus - also hits differently now (in 2023) than it did on release (in 2011), after the world has been through a global pandemic.
Anyway, Andy Serkis interpretation of Caesar is really the star of the show, with able support from his surrogate 'father' Will Rodman (James Franco), the scientist who first developed a drug that he hopes will cure Alzheimer's but which leads to super intelligence in the chimps exposed to it.
Basically, don't mess with nature.
I have to say, the end credits - tracing the virus - also hits differently now (in 2023) than it did on release (in 2011), after the world has been through a global pandemic.
Anyway, Andy Serkis interpretation of Caesar is really the star of the show, with able support from his surrogate 'father' Will Rodman (James Franco), the scientist who first developed a drug that he hopes will cure Alzheimer's but which leads to super intelligence in the chimps exposed to it.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Of Fire and Stars (Of Fire and Stars #1) in Books
Dec 25, 2018
Having read the prequel to this book already, I can see why a lot of people complained about the lack of worldbuilding. Even though the prequel is based in a neighboring country, there's a lot in this book that I understood based on events in Inkmistress. I definitely recommend reading that one first.
That said, I enjoyed this book a lot. I think Inkmistress is better, but that happens often with new authors. I think the sequel, Of Ice and Shadows, due out this summer, will probably be even better, and should bring the events of the previous two books together.
Like Inkmistress, bisexuality seems to be absolutely normal in Denna's country, with Denna not expressing a preference, Mare having had male and female lovers, and one of Denna's ladies having a female lover. (There is a brief mention of a gay couple as well.) I do wish nonbinary people would make an appearance, but it's something, at least.
There are a lot of twists and turns to the plot in this book, so while Inkmistress was fairly straightforward, this one took me by surprise multiple times. It also makes it much harder to talk about the plot without giving anything away!
I wish we'd discovered more about the King's council - several members of it seemed to have ulterior motives but we never got to see what those were. If we knew their motivations, some things might make a lot more sense and be a lot more satisfying.
Read Inkmistress. If you like the world, go ahead and read this book, because the events of this will be necessary to understand the third book, which takes us back to the country featured in Inkmistress. And I want to know more about that country!
You can read all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
That said, I enjoyed this book a lot. I think Inkmistress is better, but that happens often with new authors. I think the sequel, Of Ice and Shadows, due out this summer, will probably be even better, and should bring the events of the previous two books together.
Like Inkmistress, bisexuality seems to be absolutely normal in Denna's country, with Denna not expressing a preference, Mare having had male and female lovers, and one of Denna's ladies having a female lover. (There is a brief mention of a gay couple as well.) I do wish nonbinary people would make an appearance, but it's something, at least.
There are a lot of twists and turns to the plot in this book, so while Inkmistress was fairly straightforward, this one took me by surprise multiple times. It also makes it much harder to talk about the plot without giving anything away!
I wish we'd discovered more about the King's council - several members of it seemed to have ulterior motives but we never got to see what those were. If we knew their motivations, some things might make a lot more sense and be a lot more satisfying.
Read Inkmistress. If you like the world, go ahead and read this book, because the events of this will be necessary to understand the third book, which takes us back to the country featured in Inkmistress. And I want to know more about that country!
You can read all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated This Evening and The Morning in Books
Apr 9, 2021
Loved it!
46 of 250
Book
The Evening and the Morning ( 0.5 kingsbridge prequel )
By Ken Follet
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns.
In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined. A young boatbuilder's life is turned upside down when the only home he's ever known is raided by Vikings, forcing him and his family to move and start their lives anew in a small hamlet where he does not fit in. . . . A Norman noblewoman marries for love, following her husband across the sea to a new land, but the customs of her husband's homeland are shockingly different, and as she begins to realize that everyone around her is engaged in a constant, brutal battle for power, it becomes clear that a single misstep could be catastrophic. . . . A monk dreams of transforming his humble abbey into a center of learning that will be admired throughout Europe. And each in turn comes into dangerous conflict with a clever and ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power.
I absolutely loved it! After reading the other Kingsbridge books I knew I would enjoy this but not as much as I actually did! From the start I was sucked in I soon got wrapped up in the characters the places and stories! Ken Follet certainly knows how to keep you entertained I was annoyed every time real life dragged me away! Very good prequel!
Book
The Evening and the Morning ( 0.5 kingsbridge prequel )
By Ken Follet
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns.
In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined. A young boatbuilder's life is turned upside down when the only home he's ever known is raided by Vikings, forcing him and his family to move and start their lives anew in a small hamlet where he does not fit in. . . . A Norman noblewoman marries for love, following her husband across the sea to a new land, but the customs of her husband's homeland are shockingly different, and as she begins to realize that everyone around her is engaged in a constant, brutal battle for power, it becomes clear that a single misstep could be catastrophic. . . . A monk dreams of transforming his humble abbey into a center of learning that will be admired throughout Europe. And each in turn comes into dangerous conflict with a clever and ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power.
I absolutely loved it! After reading the other Kingsbridge books I knew I would enjoy this but not as much as I actually did! From the start I was sucked in I soon got wrapped up in the characters the places and stories! Ken Follet certainly knows how to keep you entertained I was annoyed every time real life dragged me away! Very good prequel!