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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Crown - Season 2 in TV
Dec 9, 2017
Another stirring season of The Crown
The Crown returns with another great season, very different from the initial series, with less focus on an ongoing story. It delves further into the relationship between the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, and the clear tension that arises from his alleged infidelities. But the more interesting part is the fact that it feels educational, going through real-life situations such as diplomatic conflicts - the Suez crisis, former King Edward VIII's collusion with Nazis, and even the Profumo affair, all while showing actual images of the incident after the episode.
In this season, the Queen appears less timid, far more self-assured and stoic as a ruler, all the while attempting to hold the fort in her own growing household. Great Britain is flailing, with various political scandals arising, and as a result, she is heavily scrutinised. We see more of the Duke of Edinburgh's background as a child, while disturbing, it is also utterly heartbreaking. It's a much more realistic portrayal of the royal family than in the first series.
In this season, the Queen appears less timid, far more self-assured and stoic as a ruler, all the while attempting to hold the fort in her own growing household. Great Britain is flailing, with various political scandals arising, and as a result, she is heavily scrutinised. We see more of the Duke of Edinburgh's background as a child, while disturbing, it is also utterly heartbreaking. It's a much more realistic portrayal of the royal family than in the first series.
Amazing Crayon Drawing was truly amazing. Remember how Awesome used to be a word to describe something that was truly "Awe-some?" well, it's Awesome.
Looking at the drawings were really inspiring and amazing. When I think of crayons, I think of cheap kids art supplies. My family business is retail art supplies and art classes for kids ages 4-12, and we don't have your typical Crayola crayons. We have the fancy pastels and the high-quality pencils and stuff. But Hammond uses Crayola, something I never considered a professional artist's tool.
Crayon drawing looks a lot like colored pencil or hard pastel on a gritty paper. depending on how hard you press you get either a buffed glossy look, or a light colored pencil look.
The instructions are good, though I can't draw and don't feel that this book would make me any better at it, but it definitely leads artists through the step by step process of laying down colors in a realistic way.
Recommendation: Ages 8+ to anyone who loves to draw with color (at a very reasonable price).
Looking at the drawings were really inspiring and amazing. When I think of crayons, I think of cheap kids art supplies. My family business is retail art supplies and art classes for kids ages 4-12, and we don't have your typical Crayola crayons. We have the fancy pastels and the high-quality pencils and stuff. But Hammond uses Crayola, something I never considered a professional artist's tool.
Crayon drawing looks a lot like colored pencil or hard pastel on a gritty paper. depending on how hard you press you get either a buffed glossy look, or a light colored pencil look.
The instructions are good, though I can't draw and don't feel that this book would make me any better at it, but it definitely leads artists through the step by step process of laying down colors in a realistic way.
Recommendation: Ages 8+ to anyone who loves to draw with color (at a very reasonable price).
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Rosemary and Rue (October Daye, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Wow. That's about all I can think of to sum up my thoughts. <u>Rosemary and Rue</u> is a knock-out debut of what looks to be a fantastic series. The protagonist, October (Toby), is interesting, tough yet still fragile, sympathetic, and her character as a whole seems so realistic. The plot and mystery held my interest and I never fully grasped the truth, I pretty much found out when Toby did, and I respect an author who can do that without everything coming out of left field. The ending was melancholy, but perfectly done. The more I think about this book, the more impressed I am; there isn't one thing I would change (although I would like to know where I could get a rose goblin ;P). This secret world of faeries is well-developed, completely fascinating, and very different from other urban fantasy series, I can barely wait to see what the next book brings.
An aside: I appreciate the pronunciation guide at the front, it came in handy whenever I forgot how Cait or Luidgaeg were pronounced.
An aside: I appreciate the pronunciation guide at the front, it came in handy whenever I forgot how Cait or Luidgaeg were pronounced.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Silent in the Grave (Lady Julia Grey, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Smartly written, highly engaging, totally unputdownable - I love this book! Seriously, it's not often that a book will so capture my interest in the first page that I don't put it down for seventy pages (regrettably), and when I next pick it up, keep reading until it's finished - at 509 pages too!
Deanna Raybourn did a wonderful job bringing the characters and Victorian setting alive, and in a fairly realistic fashion. The only iffy thing was how easily it was accepted that Portia was a lesbian. I know that the March's are a peculiar and unconventional bunch, but still. All the 'gay' plotting felt too modern to me and that's my only beef with the book, not that I overly minded it (just enough to mention it :P). The way the story unfolded was seamless and fitting with the atmosphere of the mystery. Lady Julia was a wonderful character and it really is amazing how well everything was brought to life using a first-person narrative. I am looking forward to the next installment and know that won't be enough of these characters!
Deanna Raybourn did a wonderful job bringing the characters and Victorian setting alive, and in a fairly realistic fashion. The only iffy thing was how easily it was accepted that Portia was a lesbian. I know that the March's are a peculiar and unconventional bunch, but still. All the 'gay' plotting felt too modern to me and that's my only beef with the book, not that I overly minded it (just enough to mention it :P). The way the story unfolded was seamless and fitting with the atmosphere of the mystery. Lady Julia was a wonderful character and it really is amazing how well everything was brought to life using a first-person narrative. I am looking forward to the next installment and know that won't be enough of these characters!
Sam (74 KP) rated It Only Happens in the Movies in Books
Mar 27, 2019
Yes, yes, yes, yes and a million times, YES!!!
I never knew I needed this book so much. I love YA romances because of how they almost always have a happy ending and are a fairytale romance. Even though I love them though, I can still see that it is not a realistic idea.
It Only Happens In The Movies follows Audrey Winters. She chooses to study how unrealistic romance films are for her Media project, whilst at the same time meeting the bad-boy-turned-good stereotype and falling into her own romance movies.
I loved that nothing was sugar-coated. I wanted Audrey and Harry to last while at the same time I chewed Audrey on every time she stood up for what she believed in.
Out of the whole book, the last chapter was the best, but I can’t say anything about that without giving out spoilers.
I love that the whole book just points out that fairytale romances don’t happen in real life, and it shows that love changes over time.
I never knew I needed this book so much. I love YA romances because of how they almost always have a happy ending and are a fairytale romance. Even though I love them though, I can still see that it is not a realistic idea.
It Only Happens In The Movies follows Audrey Winters. She chooses to study how unrealistic romance films are for her Media project, whilst at the same time meeting the bad-boy-turned-good stereotype and falling into her own romance movies.
I loved that nothing was sugar-coated. I wanted Audrey and Harry to last while at the same time I chewed Audrey on every time she stood up for what she believed in.
Out of the whole book, the last chapter was the best, but I can’t say anything about that without giving out spoilers.
I love that the whole book just points out that fairytale romances don’t happen in real life, and it shows that love changes over time.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated You'd Be Mine in Books
Apr 2, 2019
While browsing NetGalley "You'd Be Mine" came up. It sounded interesting and I'm a sucker for a good rockstar romance. This is a little different simply because it features a bunch of country music references which did throw me for a loop simply because I don't listen to country.
This book was surprisingly good. The main characters are realistic & will definitely make you root for them to get their lives together. They both are damaged and I like that they struggled with issues. It was nice to see how Erin Hahn wrote them. I definitely enjoyed the storyline. My only issue with this book was how easily things were fixed. It seems like it was wrapped up a little too quickly. I wish that we would have seen more of the "getting our lives together" stuff and less of the "everything is perfect" stuff.
I do appreciate that Erin was able to create solid characters and I will definitely look into reading more of her books.
All in all, it's a good book that had solid characters.
This book was surprisingly good. The main characters are realistic & will definitely make you root for them to get their lives together. They both are damaged and I like that they struggled with issues. It was nice to see how Erin Hahn wrote them. I definitely enjoyed the storyline. My only issue with this book was how easily things were fixed. It seems like it was wrapped up a little too quickly. I wish that we would have seen more of the "getting our lives together" stuff and less of the "everything is perfect" stuff.
I do appreciate that Erin was able to create solid characters and I will definitely look into reading more of her books.
All in all, it's a good book that had solid characters.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Love, Death & Robots in TV
Apr 17, 2019
Amazing visuals and a little something for everyone
I really just watched rhis on a whom when I noticed how short the episodes ,less then 20 mintues each, were since I had no idea what I wanted to watch and I really got to say I was not disappointed. Love Death + Robots is a really awesome anthology series that has a little something for everyone and depending on who you ask most people are going to have a different favorite episode. Mine personally was episode 4 Suits.
The visuals on this show are gorgeous almost all are animated but some like episode 3 The Witness are so realistic looking you almost can't tell it's not actual people on screen. Then you also have other episodes like episode 5 Sucker of Souls which is very simple and rough animation but which I was still a fan of.
My only real complaint was how a lot of the episodes handled the female characters. Just your typical over sexualized taken on woman which in 2019 really is outdated and I expect better by now.
The visuals on this show are gorgeous almost all are animated but some like episode 3 The Witness are so realistic looking you almost can't tell it's not actual people on screen. Then you also have other episodes like episode 5 Sucker of Souls which is very simple and rough animation but which I was still a fan of.
My only real complaint was how a lot of the episodes handled the female characters. Just your typical over sexualized taken on woman which in 2019 really is outdated and I expect better by now.
Stampy ;) (90 KP) rated Exploding Kittens® - The Official Game in Apps
May 6, 2019
Great sounds and graphics (2 more)
Play with strangers
Keeps to the original card game, almost
For anyone who can't get enough of this game!
The mobile version of this game works really well and it's also got some nice cards I haven't seen. The gameplay is very similar to the card game and the 3 ways of playing are great. The play with strangers feature is my favourite, as it create the most realistic gameplay. Also the instructions and tutorials are really straight forward and I think it would really help someone new learn to understand the basic game dynamics. There are in game purchases which allow you to buy extra decks, I'm not a fan of this and would have preferred to pay a bit for for the game for everything but then I understand why as it allows them to charge 1.99 for the game making it much more appealing to new players.
If you enjoy playing exploding kittens the card game, I don't think you be disappointed with what they have achieved in this mobile version.
If you enjoy playing exploding kittens the card game, I don't think you be disappointed with what they have achieved in this mobile version.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Aladdin (2019) in Movies
May 22, 2019 (Updated May 22, 2019)
Very entertaining family film
Well I have to say I was a bit surprised when I saw Guy Ritchie come up as the director at the start, especially after the King Arthur film. Gladly none of his usual editing techniques are on show here. I can only just remember the cartoon version when I was younger. The humour of the genie voiced by Robin Williams made the film for me.
So a tough act to follow. The film is visually dazzling, in the costumes, sets, CGI and SFX in general. It all looks very realistic. I'm not a big fan of the songs, some are better than others. Overall it's a bit unfair to compare it to the original. It's a fun and light hearted film that goes by at a good pace and doesn't feel like a long film. Naomi Scott does look like a Disney princess. Maybe not as funny as the original but it's still a film all ages should enjoy.
So a tough act to follow. The film is visually dazzling, in the costumes, sets, CGI and SFX in general. It all looks very realistic. I'm not a big fan of the songs, some are better than others. Overall it's a bit unfair to compare it to the original. It's a fun and light hearted film that goes by at a good pace and doesn't feel like a long film. Naomi Scott does look like a Disney princess. Maybe not as funny as the original but it's still a film all ages should enjoy.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Say You Love Me (Malory-Anderson Family, #5) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
This is one of those novels that has you smiling even after you have finished and placed it back on your shelf. First of all, it is very realistic, especially historically. I cannot tell you have many historical romance novels I have read that is completely of sex. Not only that, but they make the female protagonists out to be strong, independent woman who are so unique against the rest of society that the man immediately falls for her because she is different.
False!
If either of these is in my historical romance, I immediately assume it is trash and donate it. I am unique heroines, in the right time that is. I like my history to be accurate thank you.
Not only that, but I loved the humor. Despite villain and Kelsey's circumstance, it was a pretty lighthearted novel filled with laughter, an simple plotline that was easy to enjoy, and a great continuations of the novels that came before it.
I cannot, however, give it a five due to the predictability of it.
False!
If either of these is in my historical romance, I immediately assume it is trash and donate it. I am unique heroines, in the right time that is. I like my history to be accurate thank you.
Not only that, but I loved the humor. Despite villain and Kelsey's circumstance, it was a pretty lighthearted novel filled with laughter, an simple plotline that was easy to enjoy, and a great continuations of the novels that came before it.
I cannot, however, give it a five due to the predictability of it.