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Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Aoléon The Martian Girl (Part 2) in Books
Apr 9, 2019
This another part of the story that just get more fun. We meet Aoléon's family and few of Aoléons classmates. We meet Bizwat. The story get a bit more interesting. Gilbert faces some experience with the Luminess. Somethings up or as I call it going on at the Luminon Palace.
I also enjoyed the a few of the pictures. One of my favorite picture is one of the Royal Palain Guard. The picture are down well. They all looked real. We learn about Bizwat and his job. We get more action and adventures. I wonder if Aoléon and Gilbert will seek into the Lauminon Palace.
We meet Charm Lepton and her friends Quarkina. Gilbert get a history lesson on the martian people. This after he visiting Aoléon's school. There a Psi-ball match. Gilbert overhears something that Charm and her friends plan to do. Though Gilbert does not know. Some of picture are cool when you see some of the students that are visiting Martian Space Academy. Some over classmates are somewhat strange but nice to see some of them in the pictures.
I also enjoyed the a few of the pictures. One of my favorite picture is one of the Royal Palain Guard. The picture are down well. They all looked real. We learn about Bizwat and his job. We get more action and adventures. I wonder if Aoléon and Gilbert will seek into the Lauminon Palace.
We meet Charm Lepton and her friends Quarkina. Gilbert get a history lesson on the martian people. This after he visiting Aoléon's school. There a Psi-ball match. Gilbert overhears something that Charm and her friends plan to do. Though Gilbert does not know. Some of picture are cool when you see some of the students that are visiting Martian Space Academy. Some over classmates are somewhat strange but nice to see some of them in the pictures.
David McK (3372 KP) rated Star Wars, Vol. 9: Hope Dies in Books
Apr 11, 2019
Now that is more like it.
Collecting Star Wars Comics #50-55 (and, for some reason, a seemingly tacked-on story from Star Wars Annual #4), this finally feels like the Star Wars we all know and love.
I think a large part of that is because this, effectively, in the graphic novel equivalent of the denouement of all the stories leading up to this: the whole thing, really, is one giant battle in space (think Return of the Jedi) after the Rebels secret location is betrayed while they are all gathered in that one place and their fighters are (at least initially) all unable to launch.
And so, we have Vader (in his TIE Advanced prototype) vs Han's Millennium Falcon, a guerrilla raid on the Super Star Destroyer Executor (in order to get the over-ride codes to let those fighters launch), Han in an X-Wing, Luke trusting the guidance of the Force and a lead-in, basically, to the start of The Empire Strikes Back
Collecting Star Wars Comics #50-55 (and, for some reason, a seemingly tacked-on story from Star Wars Annual #4), this finally feels like the Star Wars we all know and love.
I think a large part of that is because this, effectively, in the graphic novel equivalent of the denouement of all the stories leading up to this: the whole thing, really, is one giant battle in space (think Return of the Jedi) after the Rebels secret location is betrayed while they are all gathered in that one place and their fighters are (at least initially) all unable to launch.
And so, we have Vader (in his TIE Advanced prototype) vs Han's Millennium Falcon, a guerrilla raid on the Super Star Destroyer Executor (in order to get the over-ride codes to let those fighters launch), Han in an X-Wing, Luke trusting the guidance of the Force and a lead-in, basically, to the start of The Empire Strikes Back
Elizabeth (1521 KP) rated Entwined with You (Crossfire, #3) in Books
Apr 24, 2019
I'm going to assume that this series is not a trilogy because just about everything was left unresolved. The story felt rushed and all over the place, things added just to fill space or for shock value. Too often I found myself thinking how incredibly unbelievable it was and couldn't understand how they could overreact one minute and then completely underreact the next.
Maybe it was the amount of time that passed between my reading the first two books and this one, or maybe it was all of the other books I'd read during that time that had me more aware of its shortcomings. The number of times the word "deft" appeared made me never want to see or hear the word ever again. I was reminded of its overuse in "Fifty Shades" as well. I'm sure there are other ways that these authors can convey the prowess and skill these men possess.
If I could give half stars, I would have given this 2 1/2, but since I can't, I rounded up to 3.
Maybe it was the amount of time that passed between my reading the first two books and this one, or maybe it was all of the other books I'd read during that time that had me more aware of its shortcomings. The number of times the word "deft" appeared made me never want to see or hear the word ever again. I was reminded of its overuse in "Fifty Shades" as well. I'm sure there are other ways that these authors can convey the prowess and skill these men possess.
If I could give half stars, I would have given this 2 1/2, but since I can't, I rounded up to 3.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Inquest of Pilot Pirx (Test Pilota Pirxa) (1979) in Movies
May 4, 2019 (Updated May 4, 2019)
Soviet sci-fi movie explores much of the same territory as western films from around the same time like Alien and Blade Runner: androids who are virtually indistinguishable from human beings are on the verge of mass production, but can they be relied upon? It's hardly a spoiler to say the answer is 'not entirely'.
The first half of the film is a rather drab earthbound thriller as various corporate interests try to dissuade the title character from taking command of the crucial mission that will assess whether the androids have a future in space exploration; the second half is proper sci-fi. Some interesting, if slightly underpowered discussion of what the difference really is between organic and synthetic people, but the story is slow and talky and never manages to bring its ideas to life. The special effects and sets are a bit reminiscent of Blake's 7, which wasn't a problem for me but may well be for other people. Watchable if you're interested in the development of sci-fi.
The first half of the film is a rather drab earthbound thriller as various corporate interests try to dissuade the title character from taking command of the crucial mission that will assess whether the androids have a future in space exploration; the second half is proper sci-fi. Some interesting, if slightly underpowered discussion of what the difference really is between organic and synthetic people, but the story is slow and talky and never manages to bring its ideas to life. The special effects and sets are a bit reminiscent of Blake's 7, which wasn't a problem for me but may well be for other people. Watchable if you're interested in the development of sci-fi.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Crack in the World (1965) in Movies
May 5, 2019 (Updated May 5, 2019)
Decent sci-fi / disaster movie hybrid doesn't dwell on its limited special effects budget or somewhat shaky grasp of geology and concentrates on solid characterisation and storytelling basics. Scientists meddle with forces they do not fully understand (again), it all goes pear-shaped, a large chunk of the Indian Ocean winds up being launched into space while Janette Scott's costume disintegrates in a suspiciously rapid and unprovoked manner.
I always get this one mixed up with The Day the Earth Caught Fire and When the Earth Cracked Open, which is some achievement considering the latter film was never even made. The storyline with the crack is kind of predictable and suffers because the movie doesn't have the budget to actually show towns being wiped out or islands crumbling into the sea; characters just hear about it over the phone. The human interest B-story is really a melodrama, but it's written and played just well enough to keep the film credible and engaging. Well-mounted climax even if it really comes out of nowhere.
I always get this one mixed up with The Day the Earth Caught Fire and When the Earth Cracked Open, which is some achievement considering the latter film was never even made. The storyline with the crack is kind of predictable and suffers because the movie doesn't have the budget to actually show towns being wiped out or islands crumbling into the sea; characters just hear about it over the phone. The human interest B-story is really a melodrama, but it's written and played just well enough to keep the film credible and engaging. Well-mounted climax even if it really comes out of nowhere.
Awix (3310 KP) rated High Life (2019) in Movies
May 13, 2019 (Updated May 13, 2019)
Art-house sci-fi movie takes the genre to a place it has never been before, but not necessarily somewhere you'd actually want to follow it. A ship-load of death-row inmates are launched into space to go and perform experiments on black holes; along the way nearly everyone's sex drive gets the better of them and there are tears (along with most other bodily fluids) before bedtime. And at bedtime. And after bedtime. Yes, this really is the plot.
High Life presumably is an attempt at a grand statement on the human condition, but ends up looking more like what would happen if the Big Brother house was sent into orbit - this is a film with a bleak, squalid, misanthropic outlook, not helped by its total lack of humour and increasingly odd and confounding plotting as it continues. It betrays a certain familiarity with the history of the genre, has reasonable production designs, and Pattinson's performance is not bad. But it's a strange, repugnant, impenetrable film with little actual entertainment value.
High Life presumably is an attempt at a grand statement on the human condition, but ends up looking more like what would happen if the Big Brother house was sent into orbit - this is a film with a bleak, squalid, misanthropic outlook, not helped by its total lack of humour and increasingly odd and confounding plotting as it continues. It betrays a certain familiarity with the history of the genre, has reasonable production designs, and Pattinson's performance is not bad. But it's a strange, repugnant, impenetrable film with little actual entertainment value.
Peter Shephard (2822 KP) rated Munchkin in Tabletop Games
Jun 12, 2019
Excellent group game
One of the easiest to learn games, yet the most fun, games I've played. The cards are almost entirely self explanatory, and the huge amount of nods to the different variations and flavours of games (particularly Dungeons and Dragons) is brilliant.
Whether you fight the Level 8 Gazebo, the Level 1 Potted Plant, or the Level 20 Plutonium Dragon, the deals you can make with your friends and enemies can be almost anything - we even house rule that it can be outside of the game (for example, "I will make the next drink if you help me in this fight, and only take 1 treasure"). Its also entirely possible to "help" in the fight, but sabotage the fight so they dont gain levels!
With dozens of expansions, too, the game can grow and grow, and if you like a particular genre, they probably have it as an option (Sci Fi? Space Munchkin. Vampires? Munchkin Bites etc) - and they can all be played in one huge pile, if you want!!
Brilliant game
Whether you fight the Level 8 Gazebo, the Level 1 Potted Plant, or the Level 20 Plutonium Dragon, the deals you can make with your friends and enemies can be almost anything - we even house rule that it can be outside of the game (for example, "I will make the next drink if you help me in this fight, and only take 1 treasure"). Its also entirely possible to "help" in the fight, but sabotage the fight so they dont gain levels!
With dozens of expansions, too, the game can grow and grow, and if you like a particular genre, they probably have it as an option (Sci Fi? Space Munchkin. Vampires? Munchkin Bites etc) - and they can all be played in one huge pile, if you want!!
Brilliant game
Beckie Shelton (40 KP) rated Saving Grace (Hearthfire Romance, #1) in Books
Feb 8, 2018
Grace Thatcher is the granddaughter of the duke of Salisbury and due to his death and an issue with her and her siblings inheritance is strong armed by her waste of space gambler father, into acquiring, or at least pretending to a husband.Grace feels better her than her younger shy timid sister. What follows is series of events that puts the three main characters of the story in the spotlight. We have Grace, sweet caring and totally unspoiled by her unfortunate upbringing which was untill later life a background of poverty. mr Samuel Preston a kind charming gentleman still grieving for his dead wife Elizabeth but determined to live his life as she would have wanted and lastly Nicholas Sutherland Elizabeth brother a dark bitter gruff man who blames Samuel for the death of his sister and his bent on revenge. Saving Grace is a clean sweet romance which shows the characters evolving through their interaction, i breezed through very quickly and loved seeing the way everyone changed for the better a must read for all historical romance fans..
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Quatermass Xperiment (1955) in Movies
Mar 4, 2018 (Updated Mar 4, 2018)
The original Hammer horror movie; the studio did actually know how to spell 'experiment', but the title refers to the 'X' certificate that all self-respecting horror films had at the time this was made. Astronaut comes back from space a changed man; the rest of his crew mysteriously vanished - just what went on out there? Professor Q must figure it out before the mutation afflicting the astronaut reaches its final form.
Actually really, really tame as a horror movie by modern standards, obviously, but also of great historical interest as the birth of a legend in British cinema. One can't help suspecting the TV show was a lot more thoughtful, but this still works pretty well as an SF movie, and an influential one at that, and the juxtaposition of B-movie SF ideas and images with post-war Britain is interesting. Imported American star Brian Donlevy is not very good as Professor Q (original writer Nigel Kneale claimed he was on the sauce all the time); Richard Wordsworth is mesmerising as the doomed astronaut.
Actually really, really tame as a horror movie by modern standards, obviously, but also of great historical interest as the birth of a legend in British cinema. One can't help suspecting the TV show was a lot more thoughtful, but this still works pretty well as an SF movie, and an influential one at that, and the juxtaposition of B-movie SF ideas and images with post-war Britain is interesting. Imported American star Brian Donlevy is not very good as Professor Q (original writer Nigel Kneale claimed he was on the sauce all the time); Richard Wordsworth is mesmerising as the doomed astronaut.
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Star Wars: Imperial Assault in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
Star Wars: Imperial Assault: The Kotaku Review
Imperial Assault is a board game that was released in late 2014. I only got around to playing it over the weekend, and I already count those months between as wasted.
Having made a ton of money off their excellent X-Wing game before moving onto capital ship battles, Imperial Assault is Fantasy Flight’s shot at moving Star Wars into more traditional tabletop territory.
If you’ve ever played HeroQuest, Space Crusade or even XCOM, you’ll be familiar with the basics here: players take control of a character and take turns to move about a grid-based battlefield, using terrain as cover as they battle enemies and complete objectives.
It’s designed for 2-5 players, but shines brighter the closer you get to the latter. A single player—basically the dungeon master—takes control of all Imperial forces, while everyone else selects a single Rebel character, choosing from a stable of RPG class stalwarts (support, sniper, etc).
Reviewer: Luke Plunkett
Read the full review here: https://kotaku.com/star-wars-imperial-assault-the-kotaku-review-1734772222
Having made a ton of money off their excellent X-Wing game before moving onto capital ship battles, Imperial Assault is Fantasy Flight’s shot at moving Star Wars into more traditional tabletop territory.
If you’ve ever played HeroQuest, Space Crusade or even XCOM, you’ll be familiar with the basics here: players take control of a character and take turns to move about a grid-based battlefield, using terrain as cover as they battle enemies and complete objectives.
It’s designed for 2-5 players, but shines brighter the closer you get to the latter. A single player—basically the dungeon master—takes control of all Imperial forces, while everyone else selects a single Rebel character, choosing from a stable of RPG class stalwarts (support, sniper, etc).
Reviewer: Luke Plunkett
Read the full review here: https://kotaku.com/star-wars-imperial-assault-the-kotaku-review-1734772222