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Connor Sheffield (293 KP) rated RWBY in TV

May 27, 2017  
RWBY
RWBY
2012 | Action, Animation, Comedy
10
7.6 (16 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Hilarious (6 more)
Adorable characters
Brilliant and ever improving animation
Insanse action sequences
Great voice cast
Brilliant Character developments
Awesome plot
You may find it better if you know the Rooster Teeth Team (0 more)
This show is incredible
RWBY is an anime show created by the Rooster Teeth team famous for their many YouTube channels such as Lets Play, Achievement Hunter, and many more. With a cast starring some of their own team as well as some other voice actors, this show has some great references to a variety of things such as the Grimm monsters, one being called a Nevermore which is a giant bird, clearly a reference to Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven.

The action sequences are insane and so entertaining, and the characters are really adorable and hilarious. Perfectly timed gags, with adorable voices make this an incredible show.

Some viewers may find it easier to watch if you know the Rooster Teeth Team since some of the main cast are voiced by them and represent them in a way such as Yang making bad puns just like her voice actress Barbara Dunkelman, does in a lot of the Rooster Teeth shows.

However, if you are a fan of anime shows, I recommend this show, because it doesn't take long to get through as each of the episodes are a maximum of 10-20 minutes long each depending on the season and the importance of the events. Some can be as short at 2-3 minutes, whilst other, more important event based episodes, can be between 15-20 minutes. So it's easy to binge watch and enjoy it to the fullest as quick as you can. This means that whilst some shows struggle to keep you hooked, this show will quickly get through the lesser entertaining areas (of which there are very few in this, if any) and get you back to the fun and action.
  
RB
Ryken's Bible Handbook
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had trouble deciding how to review this book, since it's not necessarily meant to be read cover-to-cover, but used alongside the Bible as a study guide. Flipping through the pages, it's apparent that nearly every aspect that I can think of regarding the Bible is addressed in the text, such as format, author, audience, theme, writing style, timeline, purpose, cast of characters, both general and specific topics highlighted in the Bible, flow, places, definitions, historical references, and even tips for reading and studying the Bible. Each book is addressed separately, quotes from other sources are scattered across the pages, and interesting factoids are made mention of in the margins. A One Year Bible Reading Plan is also found at the end of the handbook, followed by multiple maps and charts that correspond to information addressed in the handbook.
It is important to note that the Bible version that the writers use when quoting scripture is the English Standard Version (ESV), which I think is poor form. Bible versions now adays are a dime-a-dozen, and everyone thinks that their version is the best and easiest to understand. If a person is going to put out something of this nature, that claims a certain authority in the interpretation of Biblical scripture, they should either be willing to use a wide variety of Bible versions or stick with the version that servived centuries before this modern era of multiple Bible versions - the King James Version (KJV). Bible versions is a hot topic, so I'm not going to dwell on this.
I have been studying the Bible for most of my life, so anything that puts a fresh perspective on the text, I appreciate. I especially like the quotes and fact tidbits, since these are things that I won't get from the Bible alone. I will definitely be using this handbook alongside my Bible reading and study, as well as taking advantage of the One Year Bible Reading Plan, though I won't consider this my only source of Bible reference.
  
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
2018 | Biography, Drama, Music
Missed the mark by some way
Given the length of the film, there was a real chance to tell the compelling story of one of the biggest rock bands in history.
However, so much of the band's story is missed out in favour of portraying Mercury as a troubled man. The opening 10 minutes of the film basically covers the band's formation, first gigs and name change and within 15 minutes they are pretty much world famous. For me, this would have been the most interesting aspect of their fame. Instead it all just happens in some very short, throwaway scenes where the editing is so abrupt as to make you queasy.
There then follows an over-indulgent, though enjoyable, section showing how the recording of Bohemian Rhapsody came about. Very little about where the inspiration came from, just how it was recorded. Again, this felt like a missed mark.
There were some amusing scenes - arguing over the artistic merit of songs like "I'm in love with my car" for example, and Mike Myers' character saying he couldn't see a group of teenagers listening to Bo-Rap in their car (Wayne's World reference).
The film then spirals into misery, with Freddie's coming out, isolation from friends and family, the band's split and his solo career (with none of the highs of that material, just that it was hard work and the band hated it). His eventual realisation that he'd been lead astray by a negative influence and came back was pretty badly handled.
The culmination of the film, the Band Aid scenes, was excellent and thoroughly enjoyable.
I think the film was trying to show Freddie as being a troubled genius. Instead I found it to show him as being an irritating gullible drama queen.
Malek's portrayal of Freddie was mostly fine, but not Oscar-worthy.
All in all, a boring over-dramatized telling of the worst parts of Mercury's life, and by no means a celebration of his career and talent.
  
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Rob P (30 KP) rated Norse Mythology in Books

Apr 22, 2019 (Updated Apr 23, 2019)  
Norse Mythology
Norse Mythology
Neil Gaiman | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.4 (38 Ratings)
Book Rating
very accessible (3 more)
reads like an anthology
simplified for story format
great starting point
no information related to the Norse religion as it was practiced. (1 more)
presumes the knowledge of certain intricacies on behalf of the reader
Norse My"Thor"logy
Contains spoilers, click to show
Ah what an enjoyable read.

I love mythology, and this book is a great starting point if you wish to know about the more "Hollywood" stars of Norse myth (Odin, Thor, Loki, the dwarves and frost giants, Hel (or Hela, as marvel would have it) Frey and Freya and Mimir and Heimdall and a host of others whose names you may have heard).

One of the acclaims on the front of the book sums this up quite well. "Gaiman takes on the role of the fireside Bard" - it's an easy metaphor to use, as this really is a collection of stories simplified to tales of adventure and deceit.

The vikings (or Scandinavians in general) were clearly looking to explain certain phenomena using these characters (much like Greek and Roman mythology) and I love reading about that. Trying to put myself in the position of an awed villager hearing thunder and the seeing the flash of lighting, reasoning that it must be the indomitable Thor, wielding the mighty Mjollnir, ending the life of a wicked Frost Giant with a gigantic blow. Or feeling an earthquake, and believing it must be Loki, trapped in his mountain prison, the burn of the snake's venom corroding his face as his screams of agony set the very mountains to trembling. Waiting for Ragnarok to break his bonds and have his revenge on the gods. Wonderful stuff.

If you have any interest in mythology and (like me) you don't want to dive into more reference or poetry-based offerings right away, this is a great place to start.

I guarantee that once you do, you may very well want to carry on into the more heavy hitting titles out there pertaining to Norse myth.

Definitely recommended.

Rob
  
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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Black Panther (2018) in Movies

May 19, 2019 (Updated Jun 8, 2019)  
Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther (2018)
2018 | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
A by the numbers origin story, with some great performances that elevate
Black Panther was introduced into the MCU during Civil War, with little time for much backstory. And Ryan Cooglers efforts to illustrate said back story works for the most part.

This film is filled to the brim with vibrant colours, and an extremely likable cast.
Chadwick Boseman, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira (literally throwing wigs at one point), Daniel Kaluuya, and Lulita Nyong'o are all great, and really paint a picture of the tribal togetherness that is Wakanda.

The two villains are where the cast really shines however, and of course, mainly Michael B. Jordan.
Here we have a layered Marvel villain, someone who you can truly sympathise with, whose backstory is fleshed out enough to almost side with him. Almost.
Jordan does a great job of bringing Killmonger to life.
Similar props to Andy Serkis. After a tiny roll in Age of Ultron, he gets a chance here to play Klaue like and absolute psychopath, and it's clear just how much fun he has in to roll.

A few negatives.... The way that Klaue's story arc is concluded is hugely unsatisfying.
The CGI is dodgy in parts, especially during then climatic battle.
The last battle itself is fun for the most part, but the fight between Black Panther and Killmonger falls into the age old MCU trope of 'the-hero-fighting-an-evil-version-of-themselves-in-a-similar-oufit' (see Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Ant-Man for reference)
Martin Freeman's character seems and largely unnecessary addition here, but it's always fun to see characters from other MCU movies.

All in all, Black Panther can be bland in places, but it's done the important part of finally establishing Wakanda in the MCU, and I for one am looking forward to what other stories will occur there (fingers crossed for a Sub-Mariner story line in a sequel!)