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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Avengers - Season 3 in TV
Jul 15, 2020
The third series of The Avengers is slicker, more confident, and slightly more inclined towards silliness than the one before, particularly as Brian Clemens writes more of the scripts. The occasional very serious thriller or crime episode still sneaks through, and these are often very good, but for the first time one finds stories about lunatics looking to restore the Roman Empire in addition to plots about drug smuggling.
It's still a slightly mixed bag but the two stars are endlessly watchable and the chemistry between them is great. The best episodes bear comparison to ones from the better-known filmed seasons that made up the rest of the series' run. Maybe not quite up to the standard of those later shows, but this is the foundation they were built on, and entertaining in its own right.
It's still a slightly mixed bag but the two stars are endlessly watchable and the chemistry between them is great. The best episodes bear comparison to ones from the better-known filmed seasons that made up the rest of the series' run. Maybe not quite up to the standard of those later shows, but this is the foundation they were built on, and entertaining in its own right.
David McK (3562 KP) rated Excalibur (The Arthurian Chronicles, #1) in Books
Oct 26, 2024 (Updated Oct 26, 2024)
King Arthur.
There's no proof he ever existed, with the 'original' (for want of a better word) imagining of him being all Medieval style, Knights on horses, shining armour, lances etc (think the film 'Excalibur').
More recently, that's shifted to post-Roman Dark Ages, in the period between the Romans leaving Britain and the Saxon invasion.
Which is very much the time period in which this novel is set, (re)imagining Arthur to belong to this period (and all that entails), and with Merlin as a Druid rather than a Wizard.
This also 'brings in' several notable characters from the Arthur story alongside both Arthur and Merlin - Guinevere, Kai, Igrainne and Uther all make appearances here - but there is one notable absence (Lancelot) who, I presume, will appear in later books.
Well worth a read.
There's no proof he ever existed, with the 'original' (for want of a better word) imagining of him being all Medieval style, Knights on horses, shining armour, lances etc (think the film 'Excalibur').
More recently, that's shifted to post-Roman Dark Ages, in the period between the Romans leaving Britain and the Saxon invasion.
Which is very much the time period in which this novel is set, (re)imagining Arthur to belong to this period (and all that entails), and with Merlin as a Druid rather than a Wizard.
This also 'brings in' several notable characters from the Arthur story alongside both Arthur and Merlin - Guinevere, Kai, Igrainne and Uther all make appearances here - but there is one notable absence (Lancelot) who, I presume, will appear in later books.
Well worth a read.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Oh my gosh...I LOVED this book!
I wasn't crazy about The Lost Hero. It was good, but just not what I was expecting. The sequel on the other hand was amazing! I could have easily stayed up all night reading it, if I didn't have to go to school & teach 20 4th graders the next day.
There was so much going on. Percy is back! I was thrilled about that. He is tossed into a very interesting situation by stumbling upon a Roman version of Camp Half-Blood. To make it worse, he can't remember much about his life before then, except for Annabeth of course!
I can not wait for the next installment. I'm keeping my figres crossed that it is just as good as this one! You've got a lot of work ahead of you Mr. Riordan, if you are going to accomplish that task!
I wasn't crazy about The Lost Hero. It was good, but just not what I was expecting. The sequel on the other hand was amazing! I could have easily stayed up all night reading it, if I didn't have to go to school & teach 20 4th graders the next day.
There was so much going on. Percy is back! I was thrilled about that. He is tossed into a very interesting situation by stumbling upon a Roman version of Camp Half-Blood. To make it worse, he can't remember much about his life before then, except for Annabeth of course!
I can not wait for the next installment. I'm keeping my figres crossed that it is just as good as this one! You've got a lot of work ahead of you Mr. Riordan, if you are going to accomplish that task!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition) in Tabletop Games
Jun 10, 2019 (Updated Jun 11, 2019)
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.
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.
David McK (3562 KP) rated Arrows of Fury (Empire, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
I had read 'Wounds of Honour' a few years back, but wasn't really all that sold on it so never picked up (this) the sequel. That changed, however, when it was on sale for about £2 in my local bargain books.
Truth be told, however, I found this to actually be rather dry: it never really held my attention, or seemed to me that the plot took off in any shape or form. It probably doesn't help that all the characters seem very generic (I got the impression that the novel was more concerned with the minutiae of the Roman Legions than with characterization), with similar-sounding names: so much so, that half the time you have to keep flicking back through the book to find out who is who!
All-in-all: I doubt I'll be picking up the third book in the series anytime soon.
Truth be told, however, I found this to actually be rather dry: it never really held my attention, or seemed to me that the plot took off in any shape or form. It probably doesn't help that all the characters seem very generic (I got the impression that the novel was more concerned with the minutiae of the Roman Legions than with characterization), with similar-sounding names: so much so, that half the time you have to keep flicking back through the book to find out who is who!
All-in-all: I doubt I'll be picking up the third book in the series anytime soon.
Jeremy Workman recommended Macbeth (2015) in Movies (curated)
David McK (3562 KP) rated The Druids Lair (Warrior #2) in Books
May 29, 2023
The second of, I believe, five e-book novellas based around the life of Caratacus, this is framed the same as the previous entry (The King in Rome, in that it is presented as Caratacus recounting his life - warts and all - to a minor Roman historian whilst in captivity/exile in Rome.
If that previous novella was centred around his younger life, then this one is around (roughly) his teenage years, where he is sent to be mentored by the Druids of Briton and initiated into their ways.
As is often the case, Caratacus must also find some way of dealing with the local bully, who is both older and stronger than the new initiates.
As a novella, this also must stand on it's own, as it were, complete with an opening, the main body of the story and then a conclusion within a relatively short number of (digital) pages!
If that previous novella was centred around his younger life, then this one is around (roughly) his teenage years, where he is sent to be mentored by the Druids of Briton and initiated into their ways.
As is often the case, Caratacus must also find some way of dealing with the local bully, who is both older and stronger than the new initiates.
As a novella, this also must stand on it's own, as it were, complete with an opening, the main body of the story and then a conclusion within a relatively short number of (digital) pages!
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Jojo Rabbit (2019) in Movies
Jun 21, 2020
I was not expecting to love Jojo Rabbit as much as I did. I would argue that it's one of the best films of 2019!
The subject of Nazis and Hitler is a touchy one to say the least, but it's also a subject that is ripe for satire, and one of the many aspects that stands out here, is how Taika Waititi has managed to craft a film that is absolutely hilarious, but never undermines how horrible this part of history was.
I laughed (a lot) before being slapped with a reminder of how bleak war is.
The main plot revolves around Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis), a 10 year old boy who looks up to Hitler, and is part of the Nazi Youth. He finds out that his mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl, Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie) in the attic of their house. Initially hostile, they begin to form a friendship as the Nazi regime begins to crumble.
Underneath all the goofiness, this main narrative is radiating in both warmth and sadness. I legit had a bit of a cry at one point.
The cast are brilliant. Roman Griffin Davis is one of the most likable protagonists in recent memory. His innocence and blind devotion to the war is humorous, and weirdly sweet. Thomasin McKenzie is great alongside him as well.
As well as directing, Taika Waititi also plays a version of Hitler, sort of like Jojo's imaginary friend, and he's honestly just the best, and provides the majority of the films comedy.
Elsewhere, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Alfie Allen, and Stephen Merchant all make up a pretty rock solid cast.
Screw it, I even liked Rebel Wilson (she usually makes me want to play in traffic.)
Jojo Rabbit is a truly wonderful experience. It evokes a whole range of emotions effortlessly, looks incredible throughout, and deserves all the praise thrown it's way.
The subject of Nazis and Hitler is a touchy one to say the least, but it's also a subject that is ripe for satire, and one of the many aspects that stands out here, is how Taika Waititi has managed to craft a film that is absolutely hilarious, but never undermines how horrible this part of history was.
I laughed (a lot) before being slapped with a reminder of how bleak war is.
The main plot revolves around Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis), a 10 year old boy who looks up to Hitler, and is part of the Nazi Youth. He finds out that his mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl, Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie) in the attic of their house. Initially hostile, they begin to form a friendship as the Nazi regime begins to crumble.
Underneath all the goofiness, this main narrative is radiating in both warmth and sadness. I legit had a bit of a cry at one point.
The cast are brilliant. Roman Griffin Davis is one of the most likable protagonists in recent memory. His innocence and blind devotion to the war is humorous, and weirdly sweet. Thomasin McKenzie is great alongside him as well.
As well as directing, Taika Waititi also plays a version of Hitler, sort of like Jojo's imaginary friend, and he's honestly just the best, and provides the majority of the films comedy.
Elsewhere, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Alfie Allen, and Stephen Merchant all make up a pretty rock solid cast.
Screw it, I even liked Rebel Wilson (she usually makes me want to play in traffic.)
Jojo Rabbit is a truly wonderful experience. It evokes a whole range of emotions effortlessly, looks incredible throughout, and deserves all the praise thrown it's way.
David McK (3562 KP) rated The Road to Rome: (The Forgotten Legion Chronicles No. 3) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Final part in Ben Kane's Forgotten Legion trilogy, this follows the same format as the previous two books ('The Forgotten Legion' and 'The Silver Eagle') in following it's protaganist section about, ending each section on a cliffhanger.
Whereas before this could be slightly jarring (moving from Rome to, eg, Alexandria, and then back to Rome), it works slightly better in this novvel as some of the characters are working their way back to the seat of the Roman Republic eventually taking it section about within the environs of the city.
As the series has been working up to, the novel also culminates in the fateful Ides of March, with the infamous assissination of Julius Caesar in the forum by a disgruntled group of nobles.
The series as whole was readable enough, and while I may read a few more by this author, I doubt I'll be going out of my way to look for them.
Whereas before this could be slightly jarring (moving from Rome to, eg, Alexandria, and then back to Rome), it works slightly better in this novvel as some of the characters are working their way back to the seat of the Roman Republic eventually taking it section about within the environs of the city.
As the series has been working up to, the novel also culminates in the fateful Ides of March, with the infamous assissination of Julius Caesar in the forum by a disgruntled group of nobles.
The series as whole was readable enough, and while I may read a few more by this author, I doubt I'll be going out of my way to look for them.
Debbiereadsbook (1454 KP) rated The Vampire's Curse (Beyond The Mist #1) in Books
Apr 13, 2022
good enough for me to want to continue with the series.
Independent reviewer for Book Sirens, I was gofted my copy of this book.
This is the first book in the Beyond The Mist series, and as such lays down the ground work, the background into these vampires and how they came to be.
I enjoyed it, I did. It didn't blow me away, but it's left me intrigued enough to want to continue on with the series.
Not least because there are a whole host of characters we meet here who now need their stories. Korinna, especially and Roman, I think, needs a happy ever after. Andrei's brothers too.
Some smexy times, some violence, some darker themes. Vampires who shift! I liked that, it's different.
All in all, a good read, for me, but not a great one.
so, 3 stars, but I will continue with the series.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is the first book in the Beyond The Mist series, and as such lays down the ground work, the background into these vampires and how they came to be.
I enjoyed it, I did. It didn't blow me away, but it's left me intrigued enough to want to continue on with the series.
Not least because there are a whole host of characters we meet here who now need their stories. Korinna, especially and Roman, I think, needs a happy ever after. Andrei's brothers too.
Some smexy times, some violence, some darker themes. Vampires who shift! I liked that, it's different.
All in all, a good read, for me, but not a great one.
so, 3 stars, but I will continue with the series.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere