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LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Titan A.E. (2000) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
Design-wise nothing short of extraordinary, the blend of astounding nu-age CGI and trademark Bluth animation should by no means work but it ends up looking like heaven. Definitely also helps that this has exactly 0% fat to it and rides on one fun, kinetic wave from start to finish that's full of rapturous action sequences and endlessly creative visuals. That being said, outside of a couple nice turns the story is total copy-and-paste sci-fi template - but I digress, I guess it's still serviceable for this type of thing but this is just *begging* to have some depth injected into its potentially thought-provoking story. What kills this from greatness for me is how chained it is to the era it was made in; granted it still could have turned out much worse but the fakey-sounding, faux-edgy soundtrack sucks so much shit (sans a couple okay song choices [thx Powerman 5000]) that it single-handedly knocks the whole rating down a half star, and the totally repellent "tude" that was required in all of these mid-late 90s/early 2000s kids' films makes me want to rip my hair out. I suppose you can write this in with ๐๐ช๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ต๐ข๐ด๐บ: ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฑ๐ช๐ณ๐ช๐ต๐ด ๐๐ช๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ for flawed early-aughts orgasmically animated sci-fi bombs that I'm still a total softie for. Gets pretty gnarly sometimes, too.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated The Gentlemen (2020) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ช๐ฅ. I want to love Guy Ritchie returning to his gangster roots so badly, but I'm pretty sure I've seen this exact Ritchie movie before... multiple times... done less and less well with almost each subsequent attempt. I mean at least ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฏ ๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฎ ๐.๐.๐.๐.๐. had style, at least ๐๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ณ๐ต๐ฉ๐ถ๐ณ: ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ธ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฅ had energy, at least ๐๐ฆ๐ท๐ฐ๐ญ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ had nuance, and at least ๐๐ฐ๐ค๐ฌ๐ฏ๐๐ฐ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข had personality. I don't know whether the dire restraint he shows here is an attempt at showing maturity or a lack of caring towards this story (which even at best feels like a first draft) but it plays out like the latter. A bare-bones Ritchie premise mired with flatness and unoriginality which decides it wants to be ๐๐ถ๐ค๐ฌ๐บ ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐๐ญ๐ฆ๐ท๐ช๐ฏ in all its convoluted bullshit at the last second. Intermittently has its moments when it finally decides to put some much needed pep in its step, and overall it's at least watchable - sometimes even tricking you into thinking it might be alright - but by Lord if this just had some fun it'd be ten times better even in spite of the been-there-done-that script. Forgets it ever existed quicker than you will, even the characters are dull. Also holy shit this is easily the worst dialogue of his career.
ClareR (6106 KP) rated Antiemetic for Homesickness in Books
Nov 28, 2020
I donโt often review poetry, because I just donโt have the experience to do so effectively, I think. But I do like to read poetry, and listen to it being read. This book of poems centres around the poets lived experience - leaving the Philippines as an older teenager and coming to live in the UK with her mother, a nurse in the NHS, and the rest of her family. As it says in the title of the book, there is a real feeling of homesickness and guilt of having left family behind. The wish to hold on to her heritage comes across strongly as well. At the same time, Anteโs life and work as a nurse in the NHS is in many of these poems - the hard work, the racism she encounters and the care she takes of her patients.
I really enjoyed the glimpses into life in the Philippines, and I made good use of the โBoodle Fight of Words and Terminologiesโ, the notes and Google translate (itโs the linguist in me ๐คท๐ผโโ๏ธ) It sounds like hard work, doesnโt it - but it wasnโt. This will be a book that goes on my poetry shelf (yes, I have one!) that I will revisit often, I think.
Thank you to Vintage Books for sending me this book - itโs always worth entering the competition because sometimes I do win!!
I really enjoyed the glimpses into life in the Philippines, and I made good use of the โBoodle Fight of Words and Terminologiesโ, the notes and Google translate (itโs the linguist in me ๐คท๐ผโโ๏ธ) It sounds like hard work, doesnโt it - but it wasnโt. This will be a book that goes on my poetry shelf (yes, I have one!) that I will revisit often, I think.
Thank you to Vintage Books for sending me this book - itโs always worth entering the competition because sometimes I do win!!
Merissa (13828 KP) rated Amongst the Chaos in Books
Oct 19, 2020
Amongst the Chaos is a standalone (I think) but could be part of a series. (I hope it is part of a series and I want to more about these guys.) It is also the first book by this author I have read but it won't be the last.
The character building in this book is second to none. It was obvious what was going on between Asher and Chloe but the tense expectation about killed me! It was definitely a case of when and not if. Grayson was a brilliant character who supported Chloe in all ways but wasn't afraid to show his emotions. This was sometimes detrimental to his own cause but he owned it.
Paige and Dom are two brilliant supporting characters, the same as the rest of the 'brothers'. And just because he irritated me, I'd love to know more about Gabe!
This was a great, page-turning story that kept my attention from the very beginning with excellent scene-setting and amazing characters and full of suspense and steam. I loved every moment of this and have no hesitation in recommending it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The character building in this book is second to none. It was obvious what was going on between Asher and Chloe but the tense expectation about killed me! It was definitely a case of when and not if. Grayson was a brilliant character who supported Chloe in all ways but wasn't afraid to show his emotions. This was sometimes detrimental to his own cause but he owned it.
Paige and Dom are two brilliant supporting characters, the same as the rest of the 'brothers'. And just because he irritated me, I'd love to know more about Gabe!
This was a great, page-turning story that kept my attention from the very beginning with excellent scene-setting and amazing characters and full of suspense and steam. I loved every moment of this and have no hesitation in recommending it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Broken Beauty (Broken Beauty Novellas #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2021
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars.
This is a novella length story, the first of six, and deals with the aftermath and issues surrounding rape. It was a tough read at times but a good strong story.
I felt sorry for Mia. Being brought up in a political family and then being rapedโฆand her father wants to glorify it to get more voters so he can win his election. How twisted can your life get? Her family do and say things to get voters, whether itโs helping Mia cope or notโmainly notโand I wanted to scream and shout at them in her defence.
And despite all that, some people do care. Dom, the policeman that found her in the first place, tries to help her realise that the only way her attackers will not get away with it, is to tell the truth and stop following her familyโs wish to let it drop. Heโs so nice and gentle with her. Her friend, Ari, tries to do whatever Mia wants but seeing how sheโs strugglingโฆwhat can you do?
Itโs an emotional and sometimes tough story to read but after finishing this, Iโm looking forward to the next part in the series to see what Mia does next. I hope sheโs strong enough to go against her family.
3.5 stars.
This is a novella length story, the first of six, and deals with the aftermath and issues surrounding rape. It was a tough read at times but a good strong story.
I felt sorry for Mia. Being brought up in a political family and then being rapedโฆand her father wants to glorify it to get more voters so he can win his election. How twisted can your life get? Her family do and say things to get voters, whether itโs helping Mia cope or notโmainly notโand I wanted to scream and shout at them in her defence.
And despite all that, some people do care. Dom, the policeman that found her in the first place, tries to help her realise that the only way her attackers will not get away with it, is to tell the truth and stop following her familyโs wish to let it drop. Heโs so nice and gentle with her. Her friend, Ari, tries to do whatever Mia wants but seeing how sheโs strugglingโฆwhat can you do?
Itโs an emotional and sometimes tough story to read but after finishing this, Iโm looking forward to the next part in the series to see what Mia does next. I hope sheโs strong enough to go against her family.
Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated 07-Ghost, Volume 01 in Books
Jun 24, 2019
Honestly, this is the first graphic novel I've properly read so I don't have anything to compare it to. So this review may not be that helpful, and I'm just going to keep it quite short.
I'm not going to lie, I found this pretty confusing. It was a bit all over the place - but I've heard it gets better. It starts at the military academy with Teito Klein and Mikage, who are best friends. But then Teito's repressed memories are jogged when he overhears a secret conversation, forcing him to flee the district. From there, he finds himself in a strange church. The bishops there begin to help him understand the war between two empires, the legend of seven ghosts, and the battle between good and evil.
The art in this is fantastic! Sometimes it seems a little busy and hard to follow, but maybe that's just because I'm new to it.
The dialogue is great - the jokes and everything really make this a good novel. And the premise is good, too - I intend to read on and hopefully make sense of it all!
I did like it, but I also got lost a fair bit. It was a lot better toward to end, with Mikage's surprise appearance and all, but I think I can only give this 3 stars.
I'm not going to lie, I found this pretty confusing. It was a bit all over the place - but I've heard it gets better. It starts at the military academy with Teito Klein and Mikage, who are best friends. But then Teito's repressed memories are jogged when he overhears a secret conversation, forcing him to flee the district. From there, he finds himself in a strange church. The bishops there begin to help him understand the war between two empires, the legend of seven ghosts, and the battle between good and evil.
The art in this is fantastic! Sometimes it seems a little busy and hard to follow, but maybe that's just because I'm new to it.
The dialogue is great - the jokes and everything really make this a good novel. And the premise is good, too - I intend to read on and hopefully make sense of it all!
I did like it, but I also got lost a fair bit. It was a lot better toward to end, with Mikage's surprise appearance and all, but I think I can only give this 3 stars.
Josh Napper (40 KP) rated Sing (2016) in Movies
Sep 27, 2019
HEADLINE:
sing
plot
In a city of humanoid animals, a hustling theater impresario's attempt to save his theater with a singing competition becomes grander than he anticipates even as its finalists' find that their lives will never be the same.
What lessons did you learn from this story (theme/moral)? What do you think others will learn from it?
Sometimes it takes others to bring out the best in you. No matter what you look like on the outside, something talented and awesome is secretly lurking on the inside. Always believe in yourself even if everyone, even the ones closet to you, doesnโt believe in you because the only person that needs to believe in you is yourself. When you hit rock bottom there is only one way to goโฆ and that way is up, up and up.
What group of people would like this movie? Who would you recommend it to? Who would you not recommend it to?
i would recommend it to anyone that has a family with a little kid.
What is your final word on the film: Is it good or bad?
i have decided that sing, the movie, is a ok movie. it is somewhere between a good and a bad movie.
RATING SYSTEM:
crap
poor
decent
even
Good
Great
perfect
I give the movie sing a movie rating of 4.
sing
plot
In a city of humanoid animals, a hustling theater impresario's attempt to save his theater with a singing competition becomes grander than he anticipates even as its finalists' find that their lives will never be the same.
What lessons did you learn from this story (theme/moral)? What do you think others will learn from it?
Sometimes it takes others to bring out the best in you. No matter what you look like on the outside, something talented and awesome is secretly lurking on the inside. Always believe in yourself even if everyone, even the ones closet to you, doesnโt believe in you because the only person that needs to believe in you is yourself. When you hit rock bottom there is only one way to goโฆ and that way is up, up and up.
What group of people would like this movie? Who would you recommend it to? Who would you not recommend it to?
i would recommend it to anyone that has a family with a little kid.
What is your final word on the film: Is it good or bad?
i have decided that sing, the movie, is a ok movie. it is somewhere between a good and a bad movie.
RATING SYSTEM:
crap
poor
decent
even
Good
Great
perfect
I give the movie sing a movie rating of 4.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Fifth Grave Past the Light (Charley Davidson, #5) in Books
Sep 6, 2019
I adore this series! It is amazing!
I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more.
How can you not love Charley? She has this strange but sometimes brilliant way of thinking that makes you laugh out loud half the time. And Reyes? Come on! Reyes is hot! And he's incredibly sweet a lot of the time when he's not going all sever-your-spinal-cord mad at people who hurt Charley, though that's actually kinda hot, too, come to think of it :P
I love the progression of their relationship in this one. Having wild hot sex within the first 60 pages or so? Yeah! The post-its and him buying her things. I really think he loves you, Charley, and after what you did and said during those pages, I think you love him to. Aww, you'll make an amazing couple :')
For the first time ever (I think, anyway) I actually cried while reading one of these books. That scene near the end. God! I could hardly see the words in front of me because of the tears. You should have called Reyes, though, in my opinion.
And then that cliff-hanger question of an ending?!?! Girl, you have to say YES! of course.
Eagerly awaiting book 6 now to find out what she does say.
I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more.
How can you not love Charley? She has this strange but sometimes brilliant way of thinking that makes you laugh out loud half the time. And Reyes? Come on! Reyes is hot! And he's incredibly sweet a lot of the time when he's not going all sever-your-spinal-cord mad at people who hurt Charley, though that's actually kinda hot, too, come to think of it :P
I love the progression of their relationship in this one. Having wild hot sex within the first 60 pages or so? Yeah! The post-its and him buying her things. I really think he loves you, Charley, and after what you did and said during those pages, I think you love him to. Aww, you'll make an amazing couple :')
For the first time ever (I think, anyway) I actually cried while reading one of these books. That scene near the end. God! I could hardly see the words in front of me because of the tears. You should have called Reyes, though, in my opinion.
And then that cliff-hanger question of an ending?!?! Girl, you have to say YES! of course.
Eagerly awaiting book 6 now to find out what she does say.
Ducklady (1174 KP) rated Mansions of Madness: Second Edition in Tabletop Games
Aug 25, 2019
Want to play more!
Despite the price tag, I took the plunge on this one. I own the first one and thoroughly enjoyed it, but the lengthy rules put quite a few people off that I was playing with. If you have the patience, then once youโve learnt the rules then he game goes a lot quicker. This particular edition attracted me as the app makes learning the rules a lot easier. Ive played the shorter adventure twice already and i am keen to do the longer ones if i can get the people to play, although Iโm pretty sure you can actually play 1 player. The figures in the game look amazing and all the house/scene tiles are nicely illustrated.
The downside for me is that the longer adventures seem to take a LOT longer than it states on the app which usually leads to it overrunning and a non-completion of the game. When we went to return to the game, the app had deleted where we were, which was frustrating. The app sometimes crashed and reset, but in general it worked smoothly. But saying that, the app really encourages players who arenโt as into board games as I am, meaning I could enlist more players at Christmas time XD.
The downside for me is that the longer adventures seem to take a LOT longer than it states on the app which usually leads to it overrunning and a non-completion of the game. When we went to return to the game, the app had deleted where we were, which was frustrating. The app sometimes crashed and reset, but in general it worked smoothly. But saying that, the app really encourages players who arenโt as into board games as I am, meaning I could enlist more players at Christmas time XD.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated American Horror Story - Season 1 in TV
Aug 29, 2019 (Updated Sep 17, 2019)
The start of something weird and (sometimes) wonderful
I recently convinced my partner to watch Game of Thrones (she loved it in case you were worried) and the deal was, when we were done with GoT, we would watch one of her favourite shows - American Horror Story.
As we sat down to watch the first season (often referred to as Murder House) of this anthology style series, I wasn't too sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying our time with the Harmons.
The season has a suitably creepy tone throughout, and a plot line that keeps you in the dark with what happens throughout, and a pretty impressive amount of violence and horror effects.
The huge positive about this show though is obviously the ensemble cast.
Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Frances Conroy, and Jessica Lange in particular all carve in some really memorable parts to the overall series.
Sarah Paulson doesn't star too much in season 1, but her short time is a nice taster for the important roles she will play moving forwards.
The overall tone can be campy and hammy at times, but that balance throughout Murder House is pretty good.
We ended up watching the whole season in a couple of nights, and I'm glad that I let AHS into my viewing life ๐
As we sat down to watch the first season (often referred to as Murder House) of this anthology style series, I wasn't too sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying our time with the Harmons.
The season has a suitably creepy tone throughout, and a plot line that keeps you in the dark with what happens throughout, and a pretty impressive amount of violence and horror effects.
The huge positive about this show though is obviously the ensemble cast.
Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Frances Conroy, and Jessica Lange in particular all carve in some really memorable parts to the overall series.
Sarah Paulson doesn't star too much in season 1, but her short time is a nice taster for the important roles she will play moving forwards.
The overall tone can be campy and hammy at times, but that balance throughout Murder House is pretty good.
We ended up watching the whole season in a couple of nights, and I'm glad that I let AHS into my viewing life ๐