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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, #2) in Books

Nov 27, 2019  
The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, #2)
The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings, #2)
J.R.R. Tolkien | 1954 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.5 (39 Ratings)
Book Rating
The second part of the original epic fantasy starts where the first part ends. The Fellowship of the Ring is broken and scattered but thanks to Frodo and Sam the Ring is still heading towards Mordor. Meanwhile Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas persue the band of orcs that have captured Merry and Pippin.

This book carries on with the darker tone that The Fellowship Of The Ring developed as it went on though with Tolkien's grasp of narrative, story and saga it is always an engrossing read. More if Middle Earth is explored, from the horror of the Dead Marshes to the rolling plains of Rohan. Tolkien also keeps the twists coming, from alliances forged by desperation to unexpected allies.

This also features the first full scale battle of the saga - Helm's Deep. A desperate defence that in so many ways is the template for all the battles that have come after in fantasy books, a breathless and intense part of the story that really evokes the sense of grim determination in the combatants.

As with the whole of the trilogy, for something that is very much the genesis of a whole style of story telling there is so much that is complete, and still with that sense of massive depth of history that many of its imitators lack.
  
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Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019) in Movies

Jan 11, 2020  
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
6
7.0 (113 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Contains spoilers, click to show
Well JJ Abrams certainly had a helluva job to do here, wrapping up a 42 year saga whilst addressing the criticisms made of episode 8 and creating an entertaining movie. Whilst this isn't a complete disaster like the 'Game Of Thrones' ending I still couldn't help but come out of this feeling underwhelmed and disappointed. I wanted wow instead it was just ok and completely lacking in the magic and memorable moments we have come to expect from the series. The first half of the film felt very muddled and disjointed, it did get better in the second half but overall the storytelling felt very safe. I think that was particularly reflected in the decision to resurrect Emperor Palpatine which personally I didn't like. Whilst certainly the weakest of the new trilogy it's not boring, it's a fast paced adventure that does answer some unanswered questions and there's still plenty of fun to be had seeing all the spectacular effects millions of Disney dollars can buy. Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley also continue to turn in decent performances as Rey and Kylo Ren (shame the same can't really be said for the rest of the cast). So as the finale to the 9 film Star Wars saga it's sorely lacking but as a bog standard action blockbuster it's reasonably entertaining.
  
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Erika (17789 KP) rated Outlaw King (2018) in Movies

Nov 25, 2018  
Outlaw King (2018)
Outlaw King (2018)
2018 | Action, Drama, History
6
7.3 (12 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
There are two ways to do historical films; either show a lot about a little, or a little about a lot. This film opted for a little about a lot, glazing over some things, dwelling on others, then leaving the rest of the saga up to text at the end. I love history, but I was almost bored during it.
The accents were all over the place, which was slightly annoying. The acting was good, for the most part. Also, for all of the big hype over the full-frontal nudity... It was a weird thing to hype, and a weird time in the film to place it.