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David McK (3633 KP) rated Iron Man: Extremis in Books
Jan 30, 2019
I'll be honest - I was one of those who, before I saw the first Iron Man movie (2008?) had no idea who the character was.
That, of course, is not the case now, after 3 solo outings (to date) and 2 'team' entries (Avengers Assemble and Age of Ultron).
As my only real exposure to the character had also only come form those movies, I was also unaware that Tony Stark's identity (as Iron Man) was NOT common knowledge - I had always thought that was one thing that had set him apart from the likes of Batman, Superman, et al.
I also later discovered that this comic was one of those that had influenced those movies - while pretty obvious in Iron Man 3 (which also deals with Extremis), it had also had an impact on the first movie - reading this comic in 2016, it's interesting to see how: from the 'reboot' of his origins from the original Vietnam War to more modern Afghanistan, to even the look of the character (this came first, remember), and to the whole 'Genius Playboy Billionaire Philantropist' persona after he is injured by his own weaponry.
That, of course, is not the case now, after 3 solo outings (to date) and 2 'team' entries (Avengers Assemble and Age of Ultron).
As my only real exposure to the character had also only come form those movies, I was also unaware that Tony Stark's identity (as Iron Man) was NOT common knowledge - I had always thought that was one thing that had set him apart from the likes of Batman, Superman, et al.
I also later discovered that this comic was one of those that had influenced those movies - while pretty obvious in Iron Man 3 (which also deals with Extremis), it had also had an impact on the first movie - reading this comic in 2016, it's interesting to see how: from the 'reboot' of his origins from the original Vietnam War to more modern Afghanistan, to even the look of the character (this came first, remember), and to the whole 'Genius Playboy Billionaire Philantropist' persona after he is injured by his own weaponry.
Deborah (162 KP) rated The Dressmaker in Books
Dec 21, 2018
I have previously read Posie Graeme-Evans' trilogy based around Anne de Bohun, and very much enjoyed it. The Dressmaker was another well written book with a likeable female protagonist. I found the first half of the book a bit of a struggle to get through as so many bad things happen to Ellen, our heroine and you get a sense of how awful things are, but the lingering sense that worse is still to come! I liked the second half of the book better as it had a more positive feel to it and of course it did have a satisfying ending.
The book opens with Ellen visited by a mysterious man. We don't know very much about what is going on at this point, but she is clearly shaken by the encounter. After this, we are taken right back to the day of Ellen's birthday and see how events unfold that take her up to the moment we saw in the prologue.
Overall I did enjoy this, but especially to get through the first part I think you need to be in the right frame of mind.
The book opens with Ellen visited by a mysterious man. We don't know very much about what is going on at this point, but she is clearly shaken by the encounter. After this, we are taken right back to the day of Ellen's birthday and see how events unfold that take her up to the moment we saw in the prologue.
Overall I did enjoy this, but especially to get through the first part I think you need to be in the right frame of mind.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Terminal (2018) in Movies
Jan 13, 2019
Such a bore
I’d never really heard of this film until I saw it on Prime, I’m not even sure it’s been out at the cinema over here but I figured it couldn’t be that bad.... I was wrong.
This film is trying to be a sort of neon version of Sin City, but sadly it fails in every aspect that film succeeded. The plot is just dull and boring, with every predictable plot twist that you could think of thrown into a short 90 minute run time. The script is terrible, and I’m not sure some of the acting is any better. The usually fantastic Margot Robbie is bad in this, and her accent is downright terrible. It’s always pleasant to see Simon Pegg and it was nice to see Mike Myers back, but both were let down by the rest of this very poor film. For a film with such a short run time too, it didn’t half drag on and seems to have taken most of its plot points from other more well known (and much better) films. Now I know why this didn’t get shown in cinemas.
This film is trying to be a sort of neon version of Sin City, but sadly it fails in every aspect that film succeeded. The plot is just dull and boring, with every predictable plot twist that you could think of thrown into a short 90 minute run time. The script is terrible, and I’m not sure some of the acting is any better. The usually fantastic Margot Robbie is bad in this, and her accent is downright terrible. It’s always pleasant to see Simon Pegg and it was nice to see Mike Myers back, but both were let down by the rest of this very poor film. For a film with such a short run time too, it didn’t half drag on and seems to have taken most of its plot points from other more well known (and much better) films. Now I know why this didn’t get shown in cinemas.
Lenard (726 KP) rated Child's Play (2019) in Movies
Jul 2, 2019 (Updated Jul 2, 2019)
Contains spoilers, click to show
I saw the film opening weekend and sat next to an eight-year-old boy who was going to his first horror movie. Considering the original Child's Play was the first horror movie I watched after being scarred by It and The Shining, I could appreciate how this film would effect that boy. As a gateway to the genre, Child's Play is and will serve a purpose. The scares are simple and the terror tame. In this iteration, a doll with built-in artificial intelligence and wireless connectivity names itself Chucky after being given to the solitary Andy. The doll had been given a bug right before the worker who built him committed suicide (not an important plot point). Chucky imprints himself onto Andy and all he wants to do is please his best friend. Unfortunately, Andy is a little weird and doesn't make friends easily. But he does make friends with two neighbor children who expose Andy and Chucky to gore. A murderous plan is set into motion and the only person who can prevent a Robopocalypse before the Buddi2 dolls are put onto market is Andy.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Leprechaun Returns (2019) in Movies
Jul 25, 2019 (Updated Nov 11, 2020)
I think I sort of enjoyed this? Maybe?
I'm not a Leprechaun veteran by any means. I saw the first one years ago and that's about it, and I seem to remember that being pretty average.
As far as I can gather, Leprechaun Returns is a direct sequel to that original movie, discounting the many other sequels that followed.
"It's so bad that it's good" is an often used term that doesn't quite apply to LR.
There's certainly some fun to be had - the kills are fairly over the top and imaginative and the Leprechaun himself can be amusing at times, throwing limericks and rhymes all over the place whilst gleefully killing off the mostly annoying characters.
There's even a character from the original thrown into the mix, which I'm sure is a lovely inclusion for proper fans of the franchise.
Other than that, it's a pretty run-of-the-mill, unscary, teen horror movie.
It's the very meaning of mediocre, but for some reason I found myself satisfyingly entertained by the times the credits rolled.
I may even seek out the older sequels!
As far as I can gather, Leprechaun Returns is a direct sequel to that original movie, discounting the many other sequels that followed.
"It's so bad that it's good" is an often used term that doesn't quite apply to LR.
There's certainly some fun to be had - the kills are fairly over the top and imaginative and the Leprechaun himself can be amusing at times, throwing limericks and rhymes all over the place whilst gleefully killing off the mostly annoying characters.
There's even a character from the original thrown into the mix, which I'm sure is a lovely inclusion for proper fans of the franchise.
Other than that, it's a pretty run-of-the-mill, unscary, teen horror movie.
It's the very meaning of mediocre, but for some reason I found myself satisfyingly entertained by the times the credits rolled.
I may even seek out the older sequels!
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Eli (2019) in Movies
Nov 2, 2019
360. Eli. I dug it! I went in blind with this one. Saw new release horror on Netflix, I said yes please. So it starts out with a Bubble Boy senario, 500 dolla!! You want 500 dolla?? Sorry. Little Eli has some issues, he has to live in a bubble, due to an auto-immune disorder. If he breathes air, he dead. Luckily his parents care and find him a doctor thats doing some off the grid experimental stuff, oh and the hospital they take him to seems to be haunted, no biggie. While there, the treatments well just seem to be making him worse, but to help him through feeling like crap he meets, this random redhead that seems to only come out at night befriends him, and supports him when he starts to feel things aren't right. Stranger Things have happened... ;) And the longer Eli stays, the worse he feels, but he also knows that something ain't right, and maybe he's not sick at all? Maybe the doctor wants to kill him, his parents?? But...why???? Pretty creepy flick. Didn't know what to expect so I liked the outcome. I say, do. Filmbufftim on FB
Leah Lopez (7 KP) rated Prison Time in Books
Nov 6, 2019
Shaun Attwood: I wasn't expecting to appreciate a former inmate who used to abuse drugs and the freedom of women to his advantage. I never read the first two books, I didn't realise it was part of a trilogy. However, I do not think I missed anything to substantial that would make me confused in certain parts.
I loved his honesty and I loved that with the help of friendly inmates-as friendly as murderers can get on the inside-and Dr Owen he saw how his destructive life had brought him to prison. However, prison changed him, for the better. He became more mature and with the help of CBT realised he didn't need drugs to feel euphoric. Like me I too have an addictive personality just not with drugs nor alcohol. I am a Writer and I own two blogs. This keeps me going. Just like it kept Shaun going in prison.
Overall, I learnt not to mess with drugs, or watch women kiss one another-well-not an in addictive way :P
and get caught.
I will use my addictive personality into writing to the best of my abilities.
I loved his honesty and I loved that with the help of friendly inmates-as friendly as murderers can get on the inside-and Dr Owen he saw how his destructive life had brought him to prison. However, prison changed him, for the better. He became more mature and with the help of CBT realised he didn't need drugs to feel euphoric. Like me I too have an addictive personality just not with drugs nor alcohol. I am a Writer and I own two blogs. This keeps me going. Just like it kept Shaun going in prison.
Overall, I learnt not to mess with drugs, or watch women kiss one another-well-not an in addictive way :P
and get caught.
I will use my addictive personality into writing to the best of my abilities.
Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated The War of the Worlds in TV
Dec 3, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
I was really excited for this series. I have read the book a number of times and it is one of my favourites. I thought at first they were keeping very true to the book, although I have no idea why the writers decided to add an unnecessary love triangle into the mix which has no bearing on the story whatsoever. The filming and effects we good, I was really impressed with the tripods. However, when we finally saw the martians I was disappointed with the way they were portrayed, I was expecting tentacles and these beings (that I might add were meant to be of higher intelligence and based on the tripods have good dexterity) seemed a bit weak and useless. The acting on the whole was good, although at times it seemed people were unaware that the martians were terrifying and just seemed to be taking a leisure walk away rather than the chaos and fear driven manic you would expect. This is better than most adaptation of H.G.Wells's classic. The final episode was weak and didn't follow the storyline which was highly disappointing.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Cold Granite (Logan McRae #1) in Books
Dec 19, 2019
Gritty Police procedural.
If you are not going to manage with descriptions of horrendous crimes committed against young children though I would step away from this one.
Listening to the audio of this book narrated by Steve Worsley felt a lot like curling up in front of the TV to watch a post-watershed BBC police procedural series set in Scotland. If you like a good dark down to earth police procedural then this may well be up your alley.
Logan McRae is just returning to work following sustaining horrific injuries in the line of duty and is thrown straight back into the thick of it when the mutilated body of a young boy is discovered. Numerous threads, involving various cases and a smattering of personal life then intertwine to give a very solid down to earth police procedural. OK, I could of done with Logan being a bit less obsessed with every bit of leg he saw but for the time and place set probably fairly accurate…
First in a long-running series and as there's not much on the TV at the minute I'm on board for more of these
Listening to the audio of this book narrated by Steve Worsley felt a lot like curling up in front of the TV to watch a post-watershed BBC police procedural series set in Scotland. If you like a good dark down to earth police procedural then this may well be up your alley.
Logan McRae is just returning to work following sustaining horrific injuries in the line of duty and is thrown straight back into the thick of it when the mutilated body of a young boy is discovered. Numerous threads, involving various cases and a smattering of personal life then intertwine to give a very solid down to earth police procedural. OK, I could of done with Logan being a bit less obsessed with every bit of leg he saw but for the time and place set probably fairly accurate…
First in a long-running series and as there's not much on the TV at the minute I'm on board for more of these
Erika (17789 KP) rated Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020) in Movies
Feb 9, 2020
First, this film is better than Suicide Squad (I rated that film a 2); it wasn't a hard bar to pass though.
A more apt title for the film would be Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey. I'm definitely a fan of Birds of Prey, and not really a Harley Quinn fan. I find Harley Quinn kind of annoying, and the storytelling structure was headache inducing at times.
The positives: The fight choreography, that was basically it's saving grace. Ewan McGregor didn't have a lot of story to work with, it was all on the surface. I did think it was hilarious when he joined the dance number for 'Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend', that just made me want to go and watch Moulin Rouge again. He also reused his general American accent from Men Who Stare at Goats, which marks the second movie I thought about watching while I was in this film.
The overall plot was basic and it was very predictable. What made this film even worse was that I did a double-feature and saw Ford v Ferrari afterwards, and there's simply no comparison.
A more apt title for the film would be Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey. I'm definitely a fan of Birds of Prey, and not really a Harley Quinn fan. I find Harley Quinn kind of annoying, and the storytelling structure was headache inducing at times.
The positives: The fight choreography, that was basically it's saving grace. Ewan McGregor didn't have a lot of story to work with, it was all on the surface. I did think it was hilarious when he joined the dance number for 'Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend', that just made me want to go and watch Moulin Rouge again. He also reused his general American accent from Men Who Stare at Goats, which marks the second movie I thought about watching while I was in this film.
The overall plot was basic and it was very predictable. What made this film even worse was that I did a double-feature and saw Ford v Ferrari afterwards, and there's simply no comparison.