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Rodney Barnes (472 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Tom Clancy's The Division 2 in Video Games
Apr 9, 2019
Great Sequel
I was a fan of The Division and The Division 2 holds up for me too. The antagonists of this game are Hyenas, Outcasts, True Sons and in the endgame Black Tusk. The game is very challenging and plenty to do. I suggest taking your time to play the game and don't do like youtubers and rush through it as fast as you can. The game consist of the story missions, side missions and as you level up, strongholds. There is also a Dark Zone of which I rarely go in. I am not a big PvP fan. The one thing I don't like about the game is the matchmaking. Main missions and strongholds are fine but when it comes to side missions and free roam; you either are on your own our can't do what you personally need to get done. I'm sure these issues will be fixed in the future but I highly recommend this game.
Rickey A. Mossow Jr. (689 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) in Movies
May 21, 2019
Tough watch...
Let me preface by saying I'm a fan and thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Potter franchise. The first of the Fantastic Beast series was passable at best so my expectations were low, to say the least heading into the sequel. And this film hit that low spot like a dart to a bullseye. I enjoy many of the actors and actresses in the movie, too. Redmayne does a great job and I really don't mind Johnny Depp as Grindelwald. But this movie is just a dark and confusing slog from start to finish. Every time you get to the point where you think you're about to give up on caring, they are like "Look, we have a cute creature." These little cute distractions are the highlight and lone fun part of the film. My ending thought with the closing credits was the same as it was for its predecessor: I wish Deathly Hallows would have been the end of this franchise. This is just blasphemy to Potterheads everywhere.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Spectre (Zoe Martinique #2) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Hmm. <i>Spectre</i> feels less like a sequel to <i>Wraith</i> than a chapter two, if that makes any sense. Both books are full-sized novels, but they're so closely related that book two wouldn't make any sense without having read book 1 (and the novella in between). Unfortunately, <i>Spectre</i> ends on a cliff-hanger. I hate that.
At least I know (from her blog) that Weldon is working on the third book. I can only hope that it comes out soon and wraps up all the loose threads without introducing new ones that aren't left hanging again.
I do have to agree with another GR reviewer who mentioned that the main character carries on more like a 13-year-old kid than a 28-year-old woman. I have to agree. I understand that losing one parent early might, for some people, to a closer relationship with the surviving parent—but give me a break! Zoë apparently needs to move across the country to learn to live without Mommy. Or maybe Mommy should move?
At least I know (from her blog) that Weldon is working on the third book. I can only hope that it comes out soon and wraps up all the loose threads without introducing new ones that aren't left hanging again.
I do have to agree with another GR reviewer who mentioned that the main character carries on more like a 13-year-old kid than a 28-year-old woman. I have to agree. I understand that losing one parent early might, for some people, to a closer relationship with the surviving parent—but give me a break! Zoë apparently needs to move across the country to learn to live without Mommy. Or maybe Mommy should move?
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated The Pilgrim's Progress in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Join Christian on his journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. He’ll encounter many dangers and trials as he tries to stay on the straight and narrow path. And then in the second half of the book, follow his wife Christiana’s journey.
I was obsessed with this story in other forms as a kid, and it was interesting to read the original many years later as an adult. Christian’s journey is book, with many powerful lessons and morals that still apply today. Even when the characters start to sermonize as they walk along, it is interesting. The second half isn’t as engaging, however, and feels like it suffers the fate of the sequel. There are still some good moments here, but overall the first part is better. Bunyan never tries to hide his allegory. This translation into modern English is very readable while still maintaining the voice of an author from the 1600’s.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-pilgrims-progress-by-john.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I was obsessed with this story in other forms as a kid, and it was interesting to read the original many years later as an adult. Christian’s journey is book, with many powerful lessons and morals that still apply today. Even when the characters start to sermonize as they walk along, it is interesting. The second half isn’t as engaging, however, and feels like it suffers the fate of the sequel. There are still some good moments here, but overall the first part is better. Bunyan never tries to hide his allegory. This translation into modern English is very readable while still maintaining the voice of an author from the 1600’s.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-pilgrims-progress-by-john.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated A First Date with Death (A Love Or Money Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Georgia Thornton has hit a new low – contestant on a reality dating show. Her job is to figure out which of her bachelors are in it for love and which just want the prize money. However, the show’s first group date ends in a tragic accident. When another contestant dies, Georgia begins to question what she has signed up for. Meanwhile, her ex-fiancee has appeared on the show. Is he investigating? What is really happening on the show? Will Georgia figure it out and pick the right bachelor?
This book definitely plays up the reality show aspect of things, with that part of the plot often overriding the mystery. Only a few of the characters get much development as well. And yet, I really did enjoy the book. I always had a hard time putting it down, and the pages flew by all too quickly. I’ll definitely be back for the sequel.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-first-date-with-death-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book definitely plays up the reality show aspect of things, with that part of the plot often overriding the mystery. Only a few of the characters get much development as well. And yet, I really did enjoy the book. I always had a hard time putting it down, and the pages flew by all too quickly. I’ll definitely be back for the sequel.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-first-date-with-death-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Amy-Faye and her friends have formed a book club in their town of Heaven, Colorado. The morning after they meet to discuss The Maltese Falcon, Amy-Faye goes to meet with a member only to find that member dying from poison. The police rule is a suicide, but Amy-Faye is certain it was murder. With the help of the other Readaholics, she starts poking around. But what secrets will they uncover?
There were a lot of characters introduced early on, and I had a hard time keeping them straight early on. However, as I began to get into the story, their different personalities made it easy to distinguish them. The plot was strong with great twists and a couple of good sub-plots. I was surprised by the ending, and set the book down wanting the next already. I can’t wait for the sequel.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-readaholics-and-falcon.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
There were a lot of characters introduced early on, and I had a hard time keeping them straight early on. However, as I began to get into the story, their different personalities made it easy to distinguish them. The plot was strong with great twists and a couple of good sub-plots. I was surprised by the ending, and set the book down wanting the next already. I can’t wait for the sequel.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-readaholics-and-falcon.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Mamma Mia! (2008) in Movies
Feb 16, 2018 (Updated Feb 16, 2018)
Licensed to Kill Songs
Massively successful Swedish power-pop jukebox musical. Proof that, when it comes to musicals, high-quality songs and music more than make up for dubious plotting, general cheesiness, and stars who can't actually sing or dance. Greek-island-hotelier's daughter is about to get wed, as a result she discovers her promiscuous youth coming back to haunt her - meanwhile a wounded howler monkey takes up residence in the hotel... oh, sorry, my mistake, that's just what Pierce Brosnan's vocals sound like.
Screenplay is sort of admirable for crossword-setter-like ability to crowbar in as many Abba songs as possible, no matter how tenuous their connection to the plot; cast hurl themselves into the spirit of proceedings with considerable courage. You do come away reminded of what brilliant songwriters Benny and Bjorn are; actual movie is more reminiscent of arriving late at office party and finding everyone else is much more drunk than you. Long-threatened sequel arrives this year; fingers crossed they find a way to include 'The Day Before You Came' and 'Dum Dum Diddle'.
Screenplay is sort of admirable for crossword-setter-like ability to crowbar in as many Abba songs as possible, no matter how tenuous their connection to the plot; cast hurl themselves into the spirit of proceedings with considerable courage. You do come away reminded of what brilliant songwriters Benny and Bjorn are; actual movie is more reminiscent of arriving late at office party and finding everyone else is much more drunk than you. Long-threatened sequel arrives this year; fingers crossed they find a way to include 'The Day Before You Came' and 'Dum Dum Diddle'.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Slipstream (A Crisis of Two Worlds, #1) in Books
Mar 15, 2018
After my playthrough of the "Mass Effect" trilogy of video games wound up as a tragically optimistic, sci-fi, gay love story; I decided to look into finding some gay sci-fi romance fiction and stumbled upon this title. I have to say I am glad I did. This book is by no means perfect; there are a few questionable character decisions and some of the dialogue just doesn't feel like something that people in the age group represented would ever actually say, but despite those flaws, this still wound up being a highly entertaining read. The romance elements are kept somewhat to a minimum, which actually works better for me, but when they do arise they are indeed pretty romantic and about 90% believable. The sci-fi / fantasy / adventure elements are more pronounced and while they can stretch credulity a bit more regularly, they were more than suitably exciting enough to allow for the requisite suspension of disbelief. It ends satisfactorily while still leaving quite a lot to be resolved in the sequel, which I can say I look forward to reading.
Charles Burbridge (13 KP) rated Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018) in Movies
Mar 24, 2018
If you were a fan of Pacific Rim and were looking forward to this movie, I'm sorry.
Where Pacific Rim was an action movie that had a soul, Uprising is the equivalent of a Transformers movie. Big things on a screen blowing up with characters that serve a non-existent plot.
Uprising is a big, expensive, stinking turd of a film, dropped on an audience that is expecting a treat and instead gets a face full of fresh, wet, crap. There's absolutely no excuse for how bad this film is. As of right now, less than five minutes after I walked out the theater's door, I cannot remember a single character's name, let alone motivations. Neither can I really remember the action sequences. All I can think of is the disappointment I'm feeling and, yes, anger that what could have been an entertaining franchise being trashcanned by this sequel.
Don't go to it. Don't rent it. Don't reward lazy films like this one. Let this become lost down the memory hole. Forever.
Where Pacific Rim was an action movie that had a soul, Uprising is the equivalent of a Transformers movie. Big things on a screen blowing up with characters that serve a non-existent plot.
Uprising is a big, expensive, stinking turd of a film, dropped on an audience that is expecting a treat and instead gets a face full of fresh, wet, crap. There's absolutely no excuse for how bad this film is. As of right now, less than five minutes after I walked out the theater's door, I cannot remember a single character's name, let alone motivations. Neither can I really remember the action sequences. All I can think of is the disappointment I'm feeling and, yes, anger that what could have been an entertaining franchise being trashcanned by this sequel.
Don't go to it. Don't rent it. Don't reward lazy films like this one. Let this become lost down the memory hole. Forever.
Spooner (0 KP) rated The Dark Tower (2017) in Movies
Feb 25, 2018
Could have been so good!!!
Omg. If there was a book that could have been a great movie franchise,Dark Tower was that book. What the hell was Stephen King thinking with selling the rights to a no name director. I heard the only reason the director got the job was because the books helped him learn English.
Yeah ok so what? Just because I played a video game all the way through doesen't mean I should direct a movie version of it.
Why the hell was this a sequel to the books also? Not everyone has read the books. Newcomers aren't gonna understand this because they never read the books.
Idris Elba was a great Roland and sadly the only good thing about the movie. Matthew mccoughnahey was ok as the man in black. Honestly I thought Ray liotta would have been better.
This isn't a god awful movie,it's just a very poor take on the books. If Ron Howard had stayed on I know he would have nailed it.
Yeah ok so what? Just because I played a video game all the way through doesen't mean I should direct a movie version of it.
Why the hell was this a sequel to the books also? Not everyone has read the books. Newcomers aren't gonna understand this because they never read the books.
Idris Elba was a great Roland and sadly the only good thing about the movie. Matthew mccoughnahey was ok as the man in black. Honestly I thought Ray liotta would have been better.
This isn't a god awful movie,it's just a very poor take on the books. If Ron Howard had stayed on I know he would have nailed it.