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The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) rated Above and Below in Tabletop Games
Mar 20, 2018
The Art is exceptional (3 more)
the gameplay itself
the characters you use to build your village
The story aspect for exploring
I Love this game.... Ryan Laukat does amazing work.
This game is a great mix of a lot of ingenious aspects. You are leader of a village, and you have people in your village that not only have different skills and also look different. You want to utilize them to do the things they are good at, but just like in life sometimes you have to send a suboptimal person to accomplish something the village needs. And the exploration aspect is so much fun. each time to go exploring is a different short story predicated on the drawing of a card. then then you have to make a choice about what to do on that journey, and it might have dire consequences or or it might be light and fluffy. So it's sometimes hard to make a decision based on how many resources to send down to make sure everything works out, but then you can't do as much on the surface. The game is relatively short and makes us want to keep playing. which is the sign of a great game. Also check out near and far which is the sequel to this game.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Cloverfield Paradox (2018) in Movies
Feb 11, 2018
Totally unnecessary
What have we done to deserve yet another Cloverfield film? The first one was a surprise hit, but all these sequels/spin offs or whatever you want to call them are doing is cheapening the original.
This has a great cast, who are sadly very mis-used. The majority of the characters are undeveloped and those that aren't have slightly vague and irrational motivations. The sfx are okay although i think some of the physical props and costumes could have been better. The main issue with this film though is the plot. It is a little bit ridiculous and very confused. It uses alternate dimensions and realities as a general explanation for a load of weird things going on, which is such a poor justification and doesn't work. It seems to throw in as many sci-fi film cliches as it possibly can along with some oddly placed humour.
And the link to Cloverfield itself is there, albeit inferred until right at the end. And it doesn't quite go so far as explaining how this fits with the original film timeline wise and just isn't necessary. This is yet another stunning example of a completely pointless sequel/spin off.
This has a great cast, who are sadly very mis-used. The majority of the characters are undeveloped and those that aren't have slightly vague and irrational motivations. The sfx are okay although i think some of the physical props and costumes could have been better. The main issue with this film though is the plot. It is a little bit ridiculous and very confused. It uses alternate dimensions and realities as a general explanation for a load of weird things going on, which is such a poor justification and doesn't work. It seems to throw in as many sci-fi film cliches as it possibly can along with some oddly placed humour.
And the link to Cloverfield itself is there, albeit inferred until right at the end. And it doesn't quite go so far as explaining how this fits with the original film timeline wise and just isn't necessary. This is yet another stunning example of a completely pointless sequel/spin off.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016) in Movies
Jul 14, 2018
Unique characters (2 more)
Great cast
Another great tim burton style
Great movie, rather unique
This was a great Tim Burton movie. I do believe it is underrated, I've heard many bad things about this movie mainly being told it's boring but its far from it.
Each character is very unique and sometimes kinda creepy and there were some very interesting parts of the story I found very very interested, more specific the loops.
The cast was great but was surprised not to see Helana Boham Carter playing the lead. I've not heard anything about a sequel but I really hope it happens with the cast returning and maybe add a few new characters (I'm yet to read the books).
It was shot really well, you can see Tim Burton all over it and the CGI was pretty good. I loved the design of the monsters. I would have loved more and it is missing something that I can't quite put my finger on.
However, I could see myself going back and watching this again and that is the sign of a good movie. It was predictable and it's not going on my list of the greatest movies ever but it did not disappoint me.
Each character is very unique and sometimes kinda creepy and there were some very interesting parts of the story I found very very interested, more specific the loops.
The cast was great but was surprised not to see Helana Boham Carter playing the lead. I've not heard anything about a sequel but I really hope it happens with the cast returning and maybe add a few new characters (I'm yet to read the books).
It was shot really well, you can see Tim Burton all over it and the CGI was pretty good. I loved the design of the monsters. I would have loved more and it is missing something that I can't quite put my finger on.
However, I could see myself going back and watching this again and that is the sign of a good movie. It was predictable and it's not going on my list of the greatest movies ever but it did not disappoint me.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated Ready Player One (2018) in Movies
Jul 17, 2018
So many references to games and movies (2 more)
Great story
Visually beautiful
Perfect movie for gamers and movie buffs!
I want to start off by saying I've never read the book so I can't make comparisons like so many have. For the movie it's self it's incredible.
Visually it's beautiful. So much action and set pieces. It felt like a video game most times but as it kept going back to the real world, the CGI ended up being a little distracting at times but it never put me off. They did an amazing job with it. It was probably even intended to keep reminding you it wasn't real. To differentiate between was was real and what was not.
So much references and it's fun to spot them. I saw the back to the future delorian, iron giant, tracer from overwatch, master chief.....I can keep going. I was quite surprised at a lot of them though, especially of the shining.
The cast is great, the plot was great, the environments were great. It makes you want this world to be real.
I really hope a sequel is considered. I'd be happy with the same cast as long as the story is right. I had a lot of fun with this movie.
Visually it's beautiful. So much action and set pieces. It felt like a video game most times but as it kept going back to the real world, the CGI ended up being a little distracting at times but it never put me off. They did an amazing job with it. It was probably even intended to keep reminding you it wasn't real. To differentiate between was was real and what was not.
So much references and it's fun to spot them. I saw the back to the future delorian, iron giant, tracer from overwatch, master chief.....I can keep going. I was quite surprised at a lot of them though, especially of the shining.
The cast is great, the plot was great, the environments were great. It makes you want this world to be real.
I really hope a sequel is considered. I'd be happy with the same cast as long as the story is right. I had a lot of fun with this movie.
ClareR (5686 KP) rated Us Against You (Beartown #2) in Books
Aug 25, 2018
An outstanding sequel.
If I could give this more than 5 stars, I really would. I feel as though someone has sucker-punched me. I’m not usually someone who cries over a book: I get emotional, yes, but actual crying is something I seldom do. This book, though. I couldn’t tell you how many times it brought me to tears. The characters are so vulnerable - even those who you wouldn’t expect to be.
There’s a lot of ice hockey: not a sport we see much of here in the U.K., but it’s done in a particular way that I didn’t feel it was a story about sport.
“Have you ever seen a town fall? Ours did. We’ll end up saying that violence came to Beartown this summer, but that will be a lie; the violence was already here. Because sometimes hating one another is so easy that it seems incomprehensible that we ever do anything else.”
This is a story about human nature: all the good, bad and messy bits. And I loved it. Five stars for me means I would read it again, and I probably will.
Many, many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this wonderful book.
There’s a lot of ice hockey: not a sport we see much of here in the U.K., but it’s done in a particular way that I didn’t feel it was a story about sport.
“Have you ever seen a town fall? Ours did. We’ll end up saying that violence came to Beartown this summer, but that will be a lie; the violence was already here. Because sometimes hating one another is so easy that it seems incomprehensible that we ever do anything else.”
This is a story about human nature: all the good, bad and messy bits. And I loved it. Five stars for me means I would read it again, and I probably will.
Many, many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this wonderful book.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Bitter Twins in Books
Sep 10, 2018
Very good sequel to the Ninth Rain. Williams follows straight on from the conclusion of that book with another series of journeys, with an increasing cast of character heading in different directions. The worldbuilding is kicked up a notch, and the background behind this strange world full of strange creatures and people starts to be revealed.
While there is action aplenty here, as with the first book I found sections of it dragged quite a bit and I lost momentum. But once they were passed I rattled through the rest of the book.
Williams' narrative style is very heavy on the descriptions of people and places and I did find myself having to speed-read the last quarter of the book as it was getting a little tiring (there were times I would read a whole page and got nothing out of it). This is fine if you want a very very immersive experience and to picture everything exactly as the author intended, but I like to imagine things my own way sometimes so was content to scan through and pick up on the events and dialogue without the overly elaborate descriptions.
A good story in a very interesting world full of good quality characters and action.
While there is action aplenty here, as with the first book I found sections of it dragged quite a bit and I lost momentum. But once they were passed I rattled through the rest of the book.
Williams' narrative style is very heavy on the descriptions of people and places and I did find myself having to speed-read the last quarter of the book as it was getting a little tiring (there were times I would read a whole page and got nothing out of it). This is fine if you want a very very immersive experience and to picture everything exactly as the author intended, but I like to imagine things my own way sometimes so was content to scan through and pick up on the events and dialogue without the overly elaborate descriptions.
A good story in a very interesting world full of good quality characters and action.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018) in Movies
Oct 3, 2018
Could've been so much more
I knew relatively nothing about this film but having been impressed by the recent Goosebumps films (not the new sequel), I had fairly high expectations. Sadly it didn't live up to them.
For me this film seemed to be nothing new. I was bored for the most of this and there were only a few parts that I really enjoyed. A lot of the humour and banter between the characters seemed a little too ott and forced and made me cringe more than it made me smile. The effects were alright and there were some truly creepy scenes, just not enough. Cate Blanchett probably saved this, as even Jack Black couldn't bring back the magic he had with RL Stine. And the evil warlock wasn't particularly scary or threatening, and the whole ending was lacking any sort of menacing terror or suspense.
I also spent the entire film thinking the kid was the one from Room (Jacob Tremblay), and wondering why on earth his acting was so bad. The kid was one of the problems in this, I won't lie and his crying was particularly horrendous. And then when the credits rolled I realised it wasn't him after all...
For me this film seemed to be nothing new. I was bored for the most of this and there were only a few parts that I really enjoyed. A lot of the humour and banter between the characters seemed a little too ott and forced and made me cringe more than it made me smile. The effects were alright and there were some truly creepy scenes, just not enough. Cate Blanchett probably saved this, as even Jack Black couldn't bring back the magic he had with RL Stine. And the evil warlock wasn't particularly scary or threatening, and the whole ending was lacking any sort of menacing terror or suspense.
I also spent the entire film thinking the kid was the one from Room (Jacob Tremblay), and wondering why on earth his acting was so bad. The kid was one of the problems in this, I won't lie and his crying was particularly horrendous. And then when the credits rolled I realised it wasn't him after all...
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Terrifier (2017) in Movies
Oct 31, 2018
Intriguing new character "Art" (1 more)
Gore galore
Doesn't seem to really have any depth (1 more)
Style over substance?
Does what it promises...but little more
So I finally got around to watching Terrifier, and yeah, it was pretty good.
Art the Clown is a captivating antagonist, with the playful tendencies of pennywise combined with the raw savagery of Jason, with just a pinch of the sadistic in there too.
The kills are largely effective, and brutal, the other characters are mostly fine and bearable, and certainly this is a film worthy of a sequel.
However, there is a niggling criticism that Terrifier is just a series of largely unrelated scenes, where they try to make Art as Brutal/Weird/Unsettling as possible, without really concerning themselves with any sort of a deeper plot, lore or moral.
The rules and motivations surrounding Art are unclear, at times hinting at mother issues, him just being an ordinary lunatic, but also having some supernatural elements too.
Its enjoyable enough without the lore and background, but for Art to transcend from a one off (if you ignore the short film starring him) we need to understand more.
Still, if you like your 80's gore horror, I am sure you will find something to like here.
Art the Clown is a captivating antagonist, with the playful tendencies of pennywise combined with the raw savagery of Jason, with just a pinch of the sadistic in there too.
The kills are largely effective, and brutal, the other characters are mostly fine and bearable, and certainly this is a film worthy of a sequel.
However, there is a niggling criticism that Terrifier is just a series of largely unrelated scenes, where they try to make Art as Brutal/Weird/Unsettling as possible, without really concerning themselves with any sort of a deeper plot, lore or moral.
The rules and motivations surrounding Art are unclear, at times hinting at mother issues, him just being an ordinary lunatic, but also having some supernatural elements too.
Its enjoyable enough without the lore and background, but for Art to transcend from a one off (if you ignore the short film starring him) we need to understand more.
Still, if you like your 80's gore horror, I am sure you will find something to like here.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) in Movies
Jan 2, 2019
It seems only appropriate to close out the year which saw the passing of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko with a film celebrating their most successful creation; the result is a movie which appears to be under-performing at the box office simply because it's animated (a regrettable prejudice which I sometimes suffer from myself). On one level this is yet another Spider-Man origin story, the novelty value comes from the fact that the Spider-Man in question is the Ultimate version (Miles Morales) and the plot involves a hole being blown in the universe and numerous other Spider-People from parallel worlds being sucked through. Some of these are very weird.
Rock-solid storytelling, huge visual imagination and some very good jokes come together to make a film which works really well on virtually every level; there's perhaps not enough of the Nicolas Cage Spider-Man but you can't have everything. Not sure where they're going to go with the sequel (the novelty value of this film makes it a tough act to follow) but it does at least suggest possibilities for a meta-franchise based just on Spider-Man. A worthy and touching tribute to Stan and Steve.
Rock-solid storytelling, huge visual imagination and some very good jokes come together to make a film which works really well on virtually every level; there's perhaps not enough of the Nicolas Cage Spider-Man but you can't have everything. Not sure where they're going to go with the sequel (the novelty value of this film makes it a tough act to follow) but it does at least suggest possibilities for a meta-franchise based just on Spider-Man. A worthy and touching tribute to Stan and Steve.
Kelly (279 KP) rated Surviving the Evacuation: London in Books
Jan 11, 2019
An interesting first person insight into the Zombie Apocalypse
Contains spoilers, click to show
I confess I only downloaded this book originally because it was free on kindle, however, that being said, I was surprised at how good it was.
The story is written in diary form by fictional character Bill Wright. Similar to Rock Grimes (Walking Dead), Bill missed the initial apocalypse due to injury. His government links tried to rescue him during the evacuation, however, at the last stage the chauffeur fails. The story primarily centres around Bills attempts to escape London on his own, with a leg in cast, without falling victim to the Zombie virus.
The use of a diary to move the story forward is a different approach to most Zombie books, and allows us to to have a greater insight into the thoughts and feelings of the main character in hindsight of the events.
If you are looking for an in-depth and complex book, this is not the book for you, however if you are looking for a quick easy read on the go, I highly recommend this. I have already downloaded the sequel to this story (not free) in order to find out what is next in store for Bill.
The story is written in diary form by fictional character Bill Wright. Similar to Rock Grimes (Walking Dead), Bill missed the initial apocalypse due to injury. His government links tried to rescue him during the evacuation, however, at the last stage the chauffeur fails. The story primarily centres around Bills attempts to escape London on his own, with a leg in cast, without falling victim to the Zombie virus.
The use of a diary to move the story forward is a different approach to most Zombie books, and allows us to to have a greater insight into the thoughts and feelings of the main character in hindsight of the events.
If you are looking for an in-depth and complex book, this is not the book for you, however if you are looking for a quick easy read on the go, I highly recommend this. I have already downloaded the sequel to this story (not free) in order to find out what is next in store for Bill.
Akward (448 KP) Aug 4, 2018
The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) Aug 4, 2018