Search
Search results
Joe Schiavi (4 KP) rated Flatliners (2017) in Movies
Dec 27, 2017
Flatliners flatlined
Movie was interesting in building up the science behind what could happen after we pass. Better then the original in that aspect, otherwise it turned mundane and monotonous. Could tell where everything was going step by step. Jump scares were predictable, acting was subpar (even for "Juno" star Ellen Page). I was disappointed in this remake overall. Wanted to see more setup then, jumping right into killing each other.
LissaBeth21 (6 KP) rated The Years of Rice and Salt in Books
Jan 8, 2018
What a stunning, epic tale. A collection of lives, a group of souls described as a jati, wending their way across the centuries of an alternate history.
What if the western / European world was wiped out completely in the 14th century instead of only 1/3rd of the population? Kim Stanley Robinson vividly imagines the stages of life and consequences to the world. The rise and spread of Islam instead of Christianity. The different minds who would awaken to the natural sciences. The empire building of China into the New World. The continuation of Native American cultures through their cooperation and shared values.
Dystopian historical science fiction with serious questions of religion, philosophy, and sociopolitical theories expertly woven together.
What if the western / European world was wiped out completely in the 14th century instead of only 1/3rd of the population? Kim Stanley Robinson vividly imagines the stages of life and consequences to the world. The rise and spread of Islam instead of Christianity. The different minds who would awaken to the natural sciences. The empire building of China into the New World. The continuation of Native American cultures through their cooperation and shared values.
Dystopian historical science fiction with serious questions of religion, philosophy, and sociopolitical theories expertly woven together.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Dirty Work (1933) in Movies
Feb 19, 2019
A cautionary tale of hubristic science operating beyond the constraints of morality, and poor health and safety standards too. Stan and Ollie's latest venture is sweeping people's chimneys for them; they pitch up at the home of mad scientist Professor Noodle who is working on a rejuvenation elixir.
Not quite one of the boys' first-rate shorts - obviously there is boundless potential in the notion of Laurel and Hardy as chimney sweeps (Ollie falls down the chimney, off the roof, etc, etc, while Stan destroys the interior decorations of the house), but the mad scientist plotline feels oddly grafted on and the concluding scenes are peculiar rather than funny. First two-thirds makes the film more than worthwhile, though.
Not quite one of the boys' first-rate shorts - obviously there is boundless potential in the notion of Laurel and Hardy as chimney sweeps (Ollie falls down the chimney, off the roof, etc, etc, while Stan destroys the interior decorations of the house), but the mad scientist plotline feels oddly grafted on and the concluding scenes are peculiar rather than funny. First two-thirds makes the film more than worthwhile, though.
Auburn (57 KP) rated The Dysasters (The Dysasters #1) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
I really loved the premise of this book. Science mixed with magic and what happens when you don't exactly know the problems that could arise. The action was abundant and exciting. I mean it starts with a tornado and people dying. If that isn't throwing you right into the middle of it.
The book includes artwork that is reminiscent of comic books and give you a sense of what the characters look like in the authors mind. It helped me picture a lot of things that weren't properly shown.
The ending was enjoyable and showed that not all family is blood.
If you liked any of the other books by these authors then definitely check it out.
The book includes artwork that is reminiscent of comic books and give you a sense of what the characters look like in the authors mind. It helped me picture a lot of things that weren't properly shown.
The ending was enjoyable and showed that not all family is blood.
If you liked any of the other books by these authors then definitely check it out.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated 2001: A Space Odyssey in Books
Mar 15, 2018
I absolutely loved the Stanley Kubrick movie that was developed in tandem with this book, but felt that the ending of the film left me wanting some clarification, and so I have finally gotten around to the book in hopes of receiving the explanations I wanted. Luckily, it provided them. It is a very deep, and somewhat surreal story, and it lacks some of the suspense that the movie manages to create around HAL, but the mystery of the obelisks is handled far better in the book and the ending makes exponentially more sense. A great story that is definitely worth a read, especially if one is even remotely into science fiction and/or theoretical physics.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) in Movies
Nov 24, 2019
so terrible its hilarious
Well what can I say? Netflix has just released a cartoon about Santa Klaus and that is more realistic and believable than this, a film so ridiculous I was laughing out loud all the way through. With moments like a car being attached to a helicopter and the helicopter is lifting up the car but they flip nitrous on and so the wheels start turning fast, gripping the road and thus stopping the helicopter pulling it. Erm, science?
Also the show has more holes than Swiss cheese.
My girlfriend loved it and thought it was a brilliant film.
Also the show has more holes than Swiss cheese.
My girlfriend loved it and thought it was a brilliant film.
ClareR (5726 KP) rated Not Buying It in Books
Dec 19, 2019
Fake news in a post truth era.
Not Buying It describes the ‘post-truth’ era really well, how social media and the media manipulates our opinions, and how politics is becoming a central area where we are seeing the results of this (as well as science). It covers both sides of the Atlantic and Charlotte Henry looks at how ‘fake news’ became a thing, how we were (and are) fed alternative facts, and finally what we can do to better inform ourselves.
It’s NOT a cheery read, but it’s an essential one! Highly recommended, and I enjoyed it very much.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, Unbound and Charlotte Henry for reading along.
It’s NOT a cheery read, but it’s an essential one! Highly recommended, and I enjoyed it very much.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, Unbound and Charlotte Henry for reading along.
Star Finder
Education and Reference
App
-----> Observe in real time what stars, planets, and constellations hover above. <----- -...
Living, Thinking, Looking
Book
From the internationally bestselling author of What I Loved and The Summer Without Men, a dazzling...
Oil: A Beginner's Guide
Book
Packed with fascinating facts and insight, this book will fuel dinner party debate, and provide...