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David McK (3233 KP) rated Ship of Rome (Masters of the Sea, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Quite an unusual setting: the Roman Republic (not yet an Empire) at sea, during the early stages of what would later become known as the first Punic War between Rome and Carthage.
Plenty of novels focusing on Roman Legions: this is the only I can think of focusing on their fledging navy. Definitely in the style of Cornwell, Scarrow et al so if you like that kind of historical fiction, you'll probably like this too.
Plenty of novels focusing on Roman Legions: this is the only I can think of focusing on their fledging navy. Definitely in the style of Cornwell, Scarrow et al so if you like that kind of historical fiction, you'll probably like this too.
David McK (3233 KP) rated Captain of Rome (Masters of the Sea, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Second novel in John Stacks "Masters of the Sea" series, I have to say I found this one heavier going than the first ("A Ship of Rome").
A possible reason for that, however, might be simply that I was coming to this one straight off the back of one of Simon Scarrows Roman novels, with a somewhat similar setting ("The Eagle's Prophecy" - although that was set in a later part of the Roman Era),
A possible reason for that, however, might be simply that I was coming to this one straight off the back of one of Simon Scarrows Roman novels, with a somewhat similar setting ("The Eagle's Prophecy" - although that was set in a later part of the Roman Era),
Amy Fine Collins recommended La Dolce Vita (1960) in Movies (curated)
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Feast of Sorrow: A Novel of Ancient Rome in Books
Oct 7, 2020
What happens when a wealthy merchant and insatiable gourmand buys a talented slave to help him achieve his dream of becoming Cesar's gastronomic advisor in 1st Century Rome? Between the luscious dishes and out of the political turmoil of the time, Crystal King brings us a debut novel that will make us salivate. Read more in my review of this book here.
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2017/04/30/sins-and-secrets-of-the-ancient-epicure/
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2017/04/30/sins-and-secrets-of-the-ancient-epicure/
Bruce Robinson recommended Bicycle Thieves (1948) in Movies (curated)
Awix (3310 KP) rated Starcrash (1979) in Movies
Apr 25, 2019
Frankly astounding Star Wars rip-off featuring the likes of Christopher Plummer, Caroline Munro, and David Hasselhoff; none of them talk about it much these days, funnily enough. The plot concerns an oddly familiar mixture of inter-galactic royalty, space smugglers, evil space stations, vaguely-explained mysticism and laser-sword fights; none of it makes a great deal of sense, naturally.
Much to enjoy here, obviously: my favourite bit is possibly Elle the robot sheriff, who is basically a hillbilly with a bucket on his head, although Zarth Arn and his Doom Planet are also highly entertaining. Impossible to take remotely seriously, of course, but in a sensible world you would say the same thing about many film and TV series which people take very seriously indeed. When asked why he made this film, Christopher Plummer explained it was because the studio was in Rome - 'I'll do porno, as long as it's in Rome,' he said. I suppose making Starcrash was a reasonable silver medal if there was no porno available.
Much to enjoy here, obviously: my favourite bit is possibly Elle the robot sheriff, who is basically a hillbilly with a bucket on his head, although Zarth Arn and his Doom Planet are also highly entertaining. Impossible to take remotely seriously, of course, but in a sensible world you would say the same thing about many film and TV series which people take very seriously indeed. When asked why he made this film, Christopher Plummer explained it was because the studio was in Rome - 'I'll do porno, as long as it's in Rome,' he said. I suppose making Starcrash was a reasonable silver medal if there was no porno available.
Otway93 (567 KP) rated What? (1972) in Movies
Nov 15, 2019
Well Improvised (1 more)
Humour
Story (1 more)
Acting
Rather pointless...
Contains spoilers, click to show
Despite the controversy surrounding Roman Polanski for the past few decades, he has made some astounding movies over the past 50-something years, Rosemary's Baby, The Fearless Vampire Killers, The Pianist, and many others.
Unfortunately, this 1972 x-rated comedy doesn't come up to their standards, it's rumoured that the whole point of the film was so he could see Sydne Rome naked, which would explain the lack of effort put into this film.
The film itself has very little story, a woman (Sydne Rome) escapes from 3 rapists and comes to a luxurious Italian house full of strange sexual deviants, all of whom fit perfectly in with 1970s sex-comedies, but couldn't really do serious acting. That's basically the film.
The script itself is for the most improvised, and the humour from this is probably the best thing about this film, and does cause some funny moments.
For the most part though, the film is only good for those with a particular sense of humour, not dry, but also not crude, somewhere inbetween.
Unfortunately, this 1972 x-rated comedy doesn't come up to their standards, it's rumoured that the whole point of the film was so he could see Sydne Rome naked, which would explain the lack of effort put into this film.
The film itself has very little story, a woman (Sydne Rome) escapes from 3 rapists and comes to a luxurious Italian house full of strange sexual deviants, all of whom fit perfectly in with 1970s sex-comedies, but couldn't really do serious acting. That's basically the film.
The script itself is for the most improvised, and the humour from this is probably the best thing about this film, and does cause some funny moments.
For the most part though, the film is only good for those with a particular sense of humour, not dry, but also not crude, somewhere inbetween.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Sands of Time (Fate of the True Vampires, #1) in Books
Dec 12, 2017
What an extraordinary and well written novella. It was as if Kesi herself was right next to me relating her story. I was quickly pulled in and hung on to every word and I traveled from ancient Egypt to Rome and Scotland and so many other destinations. This is truly not a typical vampiric read and I wish I could give it more than five stars. I can't wait for the release of the second book and I applaud this author's ingenuity.
#savethevampires
#savethevampires
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Stardust Time in Books
Feb 15, 2019
<b>3.5 stars</b>
I found this to be a sweet story. Not the best time-travel romance I've read, but it is far from the worst. Rome and Adrian were pleasant characters, although Adrian's constant questioning and thought process could get annoying at times. The end was a bit rushed and I wish it could have been a little different, but it was decent. Still, I thought it was a lovely story with likeable, and one not so likeable, characters.
I found this to be a sweet story. Not the best time-travel romance I've read, but it is far from the worst. Rome and Adrian were pleasant characters, although Adrian's constant questioning and thought process could get annoying at times. The end was a bit rushed and I wish it could have been a little different, but it was decent. Still, I thought it was a lovely story with likeable, and one not so likeable, characters.
