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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2615 KP) rated The Warlord of Mars (Barsoom, #3) in Books

Mar 9, 2018

When John Carter follows his mortal enemies Thurid and Matai Shang, he learns of a plan to free his beloved wife, Dejah Thoris, from her prison six months early. But his race to beat them to the rescue turns in to a race across Mars. Will John Carter ever defeat his enemies and be reunited with his wife?

Even written 100 years ago, this feels like a modern action movie with a science fiction setting. You’ve got a character overcoming overwhelming odds with a bit of ease and characters that are just developed enough to make us care. And just like an action film, it’s plenty of fun if you approach it with the right attitude. I certainly enjoyed finding out what happened next to these characters despite the flaws I mentioned.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-warlord-of-mars-by-edgar.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

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Awix (3310 KP) rated 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) in Movies

Feb 20, 2018 (Updated Feb 20, 2018)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

1968 | Classics, Sci-Fi

8.1

(49 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Kubrick and Clarke's proverbial good SF movie encompasses the entire history of the human race in 142 minutes (it takes the Fifty Shades trilogy 343 minutes to say considerably less about slightly more trivial matters). Much of the plot is left for the viewer to infer: where do we come from? Where are we going? What is our essential nature? What does it all mean? Probably appears to concern uplift of human race from primitive apes to transcendent star-beings by extraterrestrial forces, with the odd problem along the way.

Not the warmest or paciest of films, but still fabulous to look at and displaying a consummate mastery of image and sound. Probably says something about the film that the only performance most people can remember is that of Hal the computer. Not so much a film with a story as a series of unforgettable linked audio-visual experiences; one of those movies that everyone should see at least once, preferably on the big screen.

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Show all 3 comments.

Awix (3310 KP) Feb 20, 2018

Planet of the Apes, too. (Also Destroy All Monsters.) :)

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Andy K (10826 KP) Feb 20, 2018

I know. Awesome films!

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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2615 KP) rated Race For The Park Street Treasure (Accidental Detectives, #9) in Books

Mar 9, 2018

When sorting books in the basement of the town library, Ricky Kidd stumbles on what he thinks might be a treasure map. Soon, the entire town is buzzing about it, and the race is on to find the treasure that the town miser hid before his death. Can Ricky and his friends find the treasure first? Is there even a treasure to find?

It’s been a while since I first read this series or revisited the characters, but I quickly fell back under their spell. The characters are absolutely wonderful with hints at hidden layers. The plot is strong with wonderful clues and twists before the end. And there are some great laughs and nice thoughtful moments along the way as well. The target middle grade audience will love it, and any mystery reader will enjoy it as well.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-race-for-park-street.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.