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Awix (3310 KP) rated Alternative 3 in TV

May 4, 2019 (Updated May 4, 2019)  
Alternative 3
Alternative 3
1977 | Documentary, Sci-Fi
One of the great TV hoaxes, from back when such things were still considered an acceptable jape. Made, for the most part, with great care and attention to detail, the result is very convincing and unsettling viewing - although the presence of fairly well-known actors in a couple of roles does kind of blow the gaffe a bit, long before the end.

Some people will argue that claims that this is a hoax are just a smokescreen and the makers either stumbled onto the truth or were trying to blow the whistle on a real conspiracy, which is why this show vanished into obscurity for a long while after its transmission. I really don't know, but parts of the story here do seem eerily close to reality, 40 years on, and the questions Alternative 3 raises about how much to trust the media are still pertinent today.
  
40x40

Awix (3310 KP) rated Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition) in Tabletop Games

Jun 10, 2019 (Updated Jun 11, 2019)  
Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)
Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)
2014 | Horror, Murder & Mystery, Roleplaying
Latest edition of Chaosium's landmark horror RPG. Default setting is the 1920s and 1930s; default milieu is H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, as the title suggests - but the game has proven almost infinitely flexible, with published supplements set everywhere from the Roman Empire to a bleak Aliens-esque future. Emphasis is on investigation rather than combat - regular player character death and insanity come as part of the package.

This revised edition switches the whole system to a percentile basis, the first big change in many years. It's not a substantial alteration and most of the system is unchanged. It is still a little crunchy compared to some modern narrative-heavy games, and there are a few tricky questions you have to resolve if you want to play an extended campaign, but this is, as ever, an immensely engaging and enjoyable game when played with the right group.
  
The Reader (2008)
The Reader (2008)
2008 | Drama, Romance
A fine example of great actors, Winslet won an Oscar for this film telling a sad love story. The film has two different halves. The first with an impressive performance by David Kross as a teenage boy who begins an affair one summer with a much older woman. The couple appear naked for much of the first half of the film as the couple spend their time either reading or making love. The second half of the film is set a good few years later as their paths cross again at a war crimes trial. For me quite a few things in the film don't have much of a back story or make a lot of sense. For me the end of the film didn't have a satisfying conclusion and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. A sad story of two lonely lives and the impact they had on each other.
  
Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther (2018)
2018 | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Conquered or conqueror
Does a nation or peoples with ability have a responsibility? That seems to be one of the central questions. There is a long history of nonwhite civilizations that developed more advanced technology that became conquered by the white nations (more through their disease, but that is another story, than their weaponry although they had that too.) Wakanda and its king have remained hidden in an effort to prevent such a tragedy.
China gave us gunpowder, Japan feudalism, Arabs medicine and math, Africa astronomy, and Mayans soccer. Yet all of these people became conquered and enslaved over time. T'Chaka seems to attempt to prevent this eventuality, but T'Challa soon faces his own dilemma. When an African-African cousin wants to expose Wakandan ability to his oppressed "others," Black Panther, king of Wakanda, must come out of hiding to assist the world and possibly expose their many secrets.
  
TD
The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved Katie Alender’s Bad Girls Don’t Die series. I was ecstatic to find out she had written another horror ghost story. Miss Alender did not disappoint me with the Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall.

This was a book I didn’t want to put down. I would have read it all in one sitting too had it not been for real life getting in they way.

I loved all the characters and felt they were well written. Florence was my favorite character though for some reason.

The story line was well written. Plus, I love horror stories where an old house is involved.

Yes, some of the plot twists are predictable, and there were times I had some unanswered questions, but I still loved the book.

I would definitely recommend this book. I’m hoping Miss Alender will write another horror ghost story soon. She’s definitely one of my favorite authors.
  
Hotel Artemis (2018)
Hotel Artemis (2018)
2018 | Action, Crime, Sci-Fi
So Jodi Foster looks like my grandma and that's pretty upsetting, because that must mean I am also old. But she plays the role of the Nurse really well! (As if anyone expects anything different from Ms. Foster, right?) Overall, the acting in this movie was spot-on. I think Jeff Goldblum has reached the point in his career where he's allowed to play himself in every movie (like Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino), but he's always fun to watch. Dave Bautista was great. I think what kept this movie from being really great was the story. It was so close! It was almost good, but it felt unfinished or undeveloped. This movie suffered from a lack of context. Some stories can handle that, but this one felt shaky. There are so many unanswered questions and vague endings that it was an unsatisfying experience. I wanted more!
  
Black Mass (2015)
Black Mass (2015)
2015 | Drama
The Departed it isn't
When it's a gangster film set in Boston, it's always going to get compared to The Departed. The problem with Black Mass is it's very similar to The Departed, but sadly not in quality.

The acting and cast are great, there is some fantastic casting in this although it's Johnny Depp that I'm not too sure on. He seems to be a little over the top and his physical transformation is very creepy and disconcerting. The true story is very interesting, but it sometimes comes across as dull and I do have questions over how true some of this. The film is lacking in humour too and they would've done better to try and liven it up somehow. Whilst I appreciate it's a true story, I do feel it's a little lacking. Not one I'd go out of my way to watch again.
  
Out of Place
Out of Place
Jennifer Blecher | 2019 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Title: Out of Place ARC

Author: Jennifer Blecher

Read Dates: June 1st- July 4th

Why did I choose to read this book?
I chose to read this book because I received the ARC of it and also because I can relate to the main character.

Did I like it? Yes, I loved it. I can relate to Cove I was bullied all throughout my life and also have wanted to be a fashion designer too since I was younger. (Make handmade custom clothing now) The book kinda made me cry and get very emotional because of that.

One character I disliked: The Mean Girls

Do I recommend this book? Yes, it will show younger kid's never to give up on your dreams and to ignore the bullies.

Questions for you:
1. Have you read this book?
2. Have you ever been bullied?
3. What's your "dream" or dream job?