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Debbiereadsbook (1617 KP) rated The Deception (The Secret Tales #2) in Books
Jun 26, 2024
Patrick and Charlotte are perfect for each other!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in The Secret Tales series, but can totally be read as a stand alone. I would say, as a personal point, that you will get a better understanding of the ladies of this time, and what they have to do to stay safe. It's also a stunning 5 star read, so you know, get to it!
I loved The Bond, and I loved this one too, for very different reasons!
The Bond is a slow burn, low steam book. Very much a fade to black book. And this one? Not so much! It's a tad steamier, but not explicit, at all. Patrick and Charlotte are perfect for each other, even if they were never meant to be. And I loved that difference about the two books, I really did.
I loved how Patrick deals with his injury: by not letting it get the better of him. Being confined to a wheelchair after a life at sea would be hard for anyone to deal with, but Patrick and his family set out to make his life easier, but not limiting. I gather from reading this, that injuries of this sort at that time were far more devastating than they are in this time. But once Patrick got his head round what HE needed, he got to it, and devised his new wheelchair, adapted his house to accomodate his chair. I love that his sister devised a new saddle for him to continue to ride his horse.
Lottie's forging her father's work is their only real stumbling block, but once Patrick knows WHY she does it, he understands, but makes sure Lottie knows it cannot continue once they are married. But that takes a nasty turn, and I really did not see that coming at me!
I had to giggle though, out loud! It was so funny, reading about what Lottie thought was going to happen on her wedding night. She really had no clue and it was Rose who educated her. Proper made me laugh! I loved that Rose and Rhys (since Rhys is Patrick's brother) play a huge part here, it was so lovely to catch up with them.
I wrote at the end of my review for The Bond that I thought one of Rose's sisters was the second book, but I cannot remember which one! However, Lottie is not one of Rose's sisters and one of LOTTIE'S sisters has the next book.
I love this group of ladies, and the men who fall for them and I really look forward to catching up with the supporting cast in future books, cos there are some interesting side characters!
Loved it, so it can only get:
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in The Secret Tales series, but can totally be read as a stand alone. I would say, as a personal point, that you will get a better understanding of the ladies of this time, and what they have to do to stay safe. It's also a stunning 5 star read, so you know, get to it!
I loved The Bond, and I loved this one too, for very different reasons!
The Bond is a slow burn, low steam book. Very much a fade to black book. And this one? Not so much! It's a tad steamier, but not explicit, at all. Patrick and Charlotte are perfect for each other, even if they were never meant to be. And I loved that difference about the two books, I really did.
I loved how Patrick deals with his injury: by not letting it get the better of him. Being confined to a wheelchair after a life at sea would be hard for anyone to deal with, but Patrick and his family set out to make his life easier, but not limiting. I gather from reading this, that injuries of this sort at that time were far more devastating than they are in this time. But once Patrick got his head round what HE needed, he got to it, and devised his new wheelchair, adapted his house to accomodate his chair. I love that his sister devised a new saddle for him to continue to ride his horse.
Lottie's forging her father's work is their only real stumbling block, but once Patrick knows WHY she does it, he understands, but makes sure Lottie knows it cannot continue once they are married. But that takes a nasty turn, and I really did not see that coming at me!
I had to giggle though, out loud! It was so funny, reading about what Lottie thought was going to happen on her wedding night. She really had no clue and it was Rose who educated her. Proper made me laugh! I loved that Rose and Rhys (since Rhys is Patrick's brother) play a huge part here, it was so lovely to catch up with them.
I wrote at the end of my review for The Bond that I thought one of Rose's sisters was the second book, but I cannot remember which one! However, Lottie is not one of Rose's sisters and one of LOTTIE'S sisters has the next book.
I love this group of ladies, and the men who fall for them and I really look forward to catching up with the supporting cast in future books, cos there are some interesting side characters!
Loved it, so it can only get:
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1617 KP) rated Vampire's Queens (The Bloodline Chronicles 3) in Books
Oct 30, 2025
well played with the leak!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Bloodline Chronicles, and you cannot read it as a stand alone. You MUST read book 1, Witch's Knight and book 2, Midnight Fear before this one. There is MUCH that is not recapped and you will need to know about this vampire society and how it works.
I 4 starred books one and 2 and this is another solid 4 star read. I thoroughly enjoyed them!
Sarai, Setanta and Marcelle are ruling as a throuple. Sarai is pregnant, MArcelle is trying to work out who is tipping the Vasri off before they get there, and Setanta is doing King stuff (not actually sure WHAT he was doing for most of the book, to be honest!) But there are those who want them gone, and they will go to great lengths to make that happen.
Couple things: I said in my review for book 2, something about Sarai's sister. There was no mention of a sister here, so I'm not sure what THAT point was about!
Again, Setanta is only given a minor (1 or 2 chapters) voice. I needed him, I really did. Had he been given a bigger voice, I think this book would have been a much better read. (not that it isn't already but it would have been BETTER!)
Sarai's pregnancy threw up some surprises that no one saw coming and I loved that as old as they are, Marcelle and Setanta had not much clue how to help!
I did NOT see who the leak was coming at me, I really did not! I just about threw my kindle across the room in that chapter!! So very well played there Ms Silver, VERY well played.
It's quite violent in places, fighting a shape shifting dragon with was never going to be a walk in the park!
I found the steam levels a bit higher than in previous books, but not by much. I think it was because the one scene between all three partners was more sweet than smexy and I really loved that Setanta and Marcelle were mindful of Sarai's pregnancy, while still providing her with what she needed from them. The "birthday party" for Sarai, while multi person (6, I think) I thought was well written but not especially explicit. Some FF scenes, as well as multi partner scenes, with every which way combination of male and female partners.
What I need now is something else from this author! Given as I can only find this series by Ms Silver, I need more and I need not to have to wait a whole year!
I wrote 4 stars in an earlier line, I do love it when a book talks itself into . . .
5 full and shiny stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 3 in the Bloodline Chronicles, and you cannot read it as a stand alone. You MUST read book 1, Witch's Knight and book 2, Midnight Fear before this one. There is MUCH that is not recapped and you will need to know about this vampire society and how it works.
I 4 starred books one and 2 and this is another solid 4 star read. I thoroughly enjoyed them!
Sarai, Setanta and Marcelle are ruling as a throuple. Sarai is pregnant, MArcelle is trying to work out who is tipping the Vasri off before they get there, and Setanta is doing King stuff (not actually sure WHAT he was doing for most of the book, to be honest!) But there are those who want them gone, and they will go to great lengths to make that happen.
Couple things: I said in my review for book 2, something about Sarai's sister. There was no mention of a sister here, so I'm not sure what THAT point was about!
Again, Setanta is only given a minor (1 or 2 chapters) voice. I needed him, I really did. Had he been given a bigger voice, I think this book would have been a much better read. (not that it isn't already but it would have been BETTER!)
Sarai's pregnancy threw up some surprises that no one saw coming and I loved that as old as they are, Marcelle and Setanta had not much clue how to help!
I did NOT see who the leak was coming at me, I really did not! I just about threw my kindle across the room in that chapter!! So very well played there Ms Silver, VERY well played.
It's quite violent in places, fighting a shape shifting dragon with was never going to be a walk in the park!
I found the steam levels a bit higher than in previous books, but not by much. I think it was because the one scene between all three partners was more sweet than smexy and I really loved that Setanta and Marcelle were mindful of Sarai's pregnancy, while still providing her with what she needed from them. The "birthday party" for Sarai, while multi person (6, I think) I thought was well written but not especially explicit. Some FF scenes, as well as multi partner scenes, with every which way combination of male and female partners.
What I need now is something else from this author! Given as I can only find this series by Ms Silver, I need more and I need not to have to wait a whole year!
I wrote 4 stars in an earlier line, I do love it when a book talks itself into . . .
5 full and shiny stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Train Simulator Racer 2017 - City Subway Driver 3D
Games
App
Do you ever think of Train Simulator Racing? This game gives you a chance to drive trains at high...
Purple Phoenix Games (2266 KP) rated Hey, That's My Fish! in Tabletop Games
Jul 1, 2020
How do you like your games, reader? Heavy and themeless? Dark and themey? ZANY AND KOOKY?! Well, this game is a combination of several categories of game type. I consider it cute and cutthroat. There aren’t many games that can fall into those two categories simultaneously, and maybe that’s why we like this one. Spoilers, sweetie.
Hey, That’s My Fish! is a game of attempting to gather the most fish possible before climate change engulfs your little penguin minis. I mean, before the land sinks into the sea. To setup, place all the shuffled fish tiles in a grid of alternating 8 and 7-tile rows. Then, each player will, in turn, place their penguins on tiles showing one fish until their play pieces are on the board. That’s the setup. Quick and easy.
Like I said, the idea here is to gather the most fish to be crowned the winner. You can gather fish tiles by simply moving off them and onto another tile. Choose a direction to travel from your hex, and travel to any fish tile along a straight line – stopping before jumping over any penguin and not travelling over a blank space. Collect the fish tile from where you originally left and add it to your pile. Play continues in this fashion until all players are stalemated and can no longer make any further legal moves on the ever-shrinking board of fish snacks.
So here’s the rub with this one. It’s simple. Like, really simple. Pick up your penguieeple (sheesh) and move them to another hex tile in a straight line without jumping over any obstacle. Take the tile from which you left. Repeat. It sounds so stinking boring. But when you actually have your little peng… minis… and you are trying to get those elusive 3-fish tiles, but you have no way of getting there because your dang brother cut off your route so that only he and Josh can get them because they’re jerks – sorry. I got a bit carried away. But it really do be like that sometimes.
Components. This is an easy one. There are a bunch of cardboard hex tiles and some great little penguineeples. The penguins are brightly colored, and the hexes are very easy to understand and read. No issues here at all. Bonus: the pengeeples have such awesome little sassy poses hahahaha!
So what do I think? As a seasoned gamer and the most elder of our group, I absolutely adore it. It’s not the greatest game ever published, but sometimes you want to let off some steam and play a little cutthroat. So don’t let the cute penguins fool you – this is survival and you NEEEEED those little fishies! I have now owned this game twice (which my wife totally loves when she hears that), because I did miss having it available to me. So it is no surprise that we at Purple Phoenix Games give this little darling a fishy-fishy-bite-my-hook 18 / 24. Go on, grab a copy and destroy friendships!
Hey, That’s My Fish! is a game of attempting to gather the most fish possible before climate change engulfs your little penguin minis. I mean, before the land sinks into the sea. To setup, place all the shuffled fish tiles in a grid of alternating 8 and 7-tile rows. Then, each player will, in turn, place their penguins on tiles showing one fish until their play pieces are on the board. That’s the setup. Quick and easy.
Like I said, the idea here is to gather the most fish to be crowned the winner. You can gather fish tiles by simply moving off them and onto another tile. Choose a direction to travel from your hex, and travel to any fish tile along a straight line – stopping before jumping over any penguin and not travelling over a blank space. Collect the fish tile from where you originally left and add it to your pile. Play continues in this fashion until all players are stalemated and can no longer make any further legal moves on the ever-shrinking board of fish snacks.
So here’s the rub with this one. It’s simple. Like, really simple. Pick up your penguieeple (sheesh) and move them to another hex tile in a straight line without jumping over any obstacle. Take the tile from which you left. Repeat. It sounds so stinking boring. But when you actually have your little peng… minis… and you are trying to get those elusive 3-fish tiles, but you have no way of getting there because your dang brother cut off your route so that only he and Josh can get them because they’re jerks – sorry. I got a bit carried away. But it really do be like that sometimes.
Components. This is an easy one. There are a bunch of cardboard hex tiles and some great little penguineeples. The penguins are brightly colored, and the hexes are very easy to understand and read. No issues here at all. Bonus: the pengeeples have such awesome little sassy poses hahahaha!
So what do I think? As a seasoned gamer and the most elder of our group, I absolutely adore it. It’s not the greatest game ever published, but sometimes you want to let off some steam and play a little cutthroat. So don’t let the cute penguins fool you – this is survival and you NEEEEED those little fishies! I have now owned this game twice (which my wife totally loves when she hears that), because I did miss having it available to me. So it is no surprise that we at Purple Phoenix Games give this little darling a fishy-fishy-bite-my-hook 18 / 24. Go on, grab a copy and destroy friendships!
Ultimate General™: Gettysburg
Games
App
A Tactical Wargame that allows you to command thousands of soldiers as a Union or Confederate...
I.N.S.P.I.R.E.
Book
Are you tired of change initiatives falling flat? Frustrated by resistance and lackluster results?...
Debbiereadsbook (1617 KP) rated The Hitman's Omega Priest (River City Omegas #1) in Books
Jul 2, 2025
A welcome return to Arthur's omegaverse world
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I found AM Arthur through the Breaking Free series, and I loved them. Painful reading in places, but amazingly written and well delivered. I found myself comparing those books to this and found this a little . . . different. So bare with me while I try to get out of my book brain what it needs to say.
Kensley presented as omega at 14, and in this world, a male omega is shut away for his own good, forced into the priesthood. He hated it, and it never really believed, he was basically paying lip service and keeping his head above water. He never forgave his brother, King, nor Bishop,King's 2nd in command. He still grieved when he heard Bishop had died. Except why does the man standing in front of him make him feel like Bishop did? And who wants Kensley dead?
There is much darkness in Kensley's world and being a male omega puts him way at the bottom of the totem pole. But he should be safe in the church. Until he isn't and the man who comes to save him, he thought dead. But he trusts Bishop, right from the very beginning and things spiral and they have to go into hiding until Kensley is safe.
And therein lies my biggest issue with this book. We never did find out who wants Kens gone, or why. I got that the Master person wanted him cos he is omega, but still. Questions, people, my brain has questions and I cannot dig any more out, no matter how many times I type this paragraph!
So, what I did like?? So much with the steam! It does tend to take over a bit, in places though. Emotional in places, both Kens and Bishop have some deep feelings towards the other that were never resolved and this is the perfect opportunity. But there are other emotions as well, Kensley's life as a priest, Bishop's reasons for disappearing. What King will do when he finds out his best friend ahs defiled his younger brother? And that, I saw coming! I was surprised King waited, but Bishop had just been shot after all. ANd Bishop took it, like a trooper, but he made his point to King and when King sees how Bishop is with Kens gone, he really knows that Bishop loves his brother.
I did not see the thing with King and Malori coming at me. I don't think KING saw it coming to be honest! Malori will need a good deal of love to recover enough to have some sort of reasonable life and I hope King is up to the mark.
Hopefully I will get some answers in their book!
Despite the missing questions/answers to those questions, I really enjoyed this, but there are some trigger warnings and if you have any, you should check out the list.
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I found AM Arthur through the Breaking Free series, and I loved them. Painful reading in places, but amazingly written and well delivered. I found myself comparing those books to this and found this a little . . . different. So bare with me while I try to get out of my book brain what it needs to say.
Kensley presented as omega at 14, and in this world, a male omega is shut away for his own good, forced into the priesthood. He hated it, and it never really believed, he was basically paying lip service and keeping his head above water. He never forgave his brother, King, nor Bishop,King's 2nd in command. He still grieved when he heard Bishop had died. Except why does the man standing in front of him make him feel like Bishop did? And who wants Kensley dead?
There is much darkness in Kensley's world and being a male omega puts him way at the bottom of the totem pole. But he should be safe in the church. Until he isn't and the man who comes to save him, he thought dead. But he trusts Bishop, right from the very beginning and things spiral and they have to go into hiding until Kensley is safe.
And therein lies my biggest issue with this book. We never did find out who wants Kens gone, or why. I got that the Master person wanted him cos he is omega, but still. Questions, people, my brain has questions and I cannot dig any more out, no matter how many times I type this paragraph!
So, what I did like?? So much with the steam! It does tend to take over a bit, in places though. Emotional in places, both Kens and Bishop have some deep feelings towards the other that were never resolved and this is the perfect opportunity. But there are other emotions as well, Kensley's life as a priest, Bishop's reasons for disappearing. What King will do when he finds out his best friend ahs defiled his younger brother? And that, I saw coming! I was surprised King waited, but Bishop had just been shot after all. ANd Bishop took it, like a trooper, but he made his point to King and when King sees how Bishop is with Kens gone, he really knows that Bishop loves his brother.
I did not see the thing with King and Malori coming at me. I don't think KING saw it coming to be honest! Malori will need a good deal of love to recover enough to have some sort of reasonable life and I hope King is up to the mark.
Hopefully I will get some answers in their book!
Despite the missing questions/answers to those questions, I really enjoyed this, but there are some trigger warnings and if you have any, you should check out the list.
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1617 KP) rated Blood of the Damned - Thorn (Vaughn Winery #1) in Books
Oct 15, 2025
I liked that it doesn't focus so much on the Divergent part of Ledger.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This book is set in the Divergent Omegaverse world, but spins off. You don't need to read those books before this one, you can pick it straight up. However, I personally recommend you read at least Alpha's Divergent Omega. It will give you a better picture of this world, and what it means to be Divergent here. Lane and Derick make a visit here.
Ledger is Divergent: He has an inner animal, a squirrel, but he cannot shift. He runs to the Vaugn Winery to get away from a break up. Meeting his mate was never in the plan, finding out that mate is his new boss AND a vampire?? Mind blowing but Ledger and Thorn run with it, until Thorn discovers just how vampire babies are born.
I love Ms Sayle, you know I do, but this book takes me back to the very beginning of her author career and I'm left with questions!
So many bloody questions and feelings!! And, as is par for the course with this author, I cannot voice all of them and that is so frustrating!! My book brain is doing overtime, while battling a nasty cold and I can't get them all out.
I can voice some though!
I liked this a lot. It doesn't focus so much on the divergent part of Ledger and more on the vampire part of Thorn, and his brothers: Calvert and Dacian. There is a sister, Elouise, but she is only talked about and to on the phone but doesn't really play a part, other than to tell Thorn just how vampire babies are born!
I found the relationship between the others amusing, Dacian takes great pleasure in winding Thorn up, but Calvert is more subdued. His feelings about Thorn and Ledger become known through the book and I wonder if Ms Sayle will make him wait til last to find his dhampir, his fated mate.
It's steamy, and that steam runs right through the book.
so, questions! What was the thing with the increased wine order?? That was mentioned and left hanging. And I wanna know!
Who is next?? Will each vampire be mated to a Divergent? Or will there be some surprises? OOOH Will Elouise get a book too??
Feelings?? You should know this is an m-preg world, and there is a male pregnancy in this book AND a vampire birth. (which was slightly faded to grey and I'm so glad it was! But now I know, I can prepare myself for next time, cos I have a feeling that the next one might not be quite so simple as using thrall!)
I feel this has been deliberately left sort of open ended. While there is the birth of Ledger's babies, the book ends there. And that is my biggest and strongest feeling: There is more to come for Thorn and Ledger.
And I want to be front and centre!!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This book is set in the Divergent Omegaverse world, but spins off. You don't need to read those books before this one, you can pick it straight up. However, I personally recommend you read at least Alpha's Divergent Omega. It will give you a better picture of this world, and what it means to be Divergent here. Lane and Derick make a visit here.
Ledger is Divergent: He has an inner animal, a squirrel, but he cannot shift. He runs to the Vaugn Winery to get away from a break up. Meeting his mate was never in the plan, finding out that mate is his new boss AND a vampire?? Mind blowing but Ledger and Thorn run with it, until Thorn discovers just how vampire babies are born.
I love Ms Sayle, you know I do, but this book takes me back to the very beginning of her author career and I'm left with questions!
So many bloody questions and feelings!! And, as is par for the course with this author, I cannot voice all of them and that is so frustrating!! My book brain is doing overtime, while battling a nasty cold and I can't get them all out.
I can voice some though!
I liked this a lot. It doesn't focus so much on the divergent part of Ledger and more on the vampire part of Thorn, and his brothers: Calvert and Dacian. There is a sister, Elouise, but she is only talked about and to on the phone but doesn't really play a part, other than to tell Thorn just how vampire babies are born!
I found the relationship between the others amusing, Dacian takes great pleasure in winding Thorn up, but Calvert is more subdued. His feelings about Thorn and Ledger become known through the book and I wonder if Ms Sayle will make him wait til last to find his dhampir, his fated mate.
It's steamy, and that steam runs right through the book.
so, questions! What was the thing with the increased wine order?? That was mentioned and left hanging. And I wanna know!
Who is next?? Will each vampire be mated to a Divergent? Or will there be some surprises? OOOH Will Elouise get a book too??
Feelings?? You should know this is an m-preg world, and there is a male pregnancy in this book AND a vampire birth. (which was slightly faded to grey and I'm so glad it was! But now I know, I can prepare myself for next time, cos I have a feeling that the next one might not be quite so simple as using thrall!)
I feel this has been deliberately left sort of open ended. While there is the birth of Ledger's babies, the book ends there. And that is my biggest and strongest feeling: There is more to come for Thorn and Ledger.
And I want to be front and centre!!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Paddington 2 (2017) in Movies
Feb 3, 2019
Wonderful, whimsical film for kids and adults alike
As I was perusing various "Top Films of 2018" lists, one surprising film kept showing up on these lists, so I thought I'd better check it out.
And I'm glad I did for PADDINGTON 2 is a charming family film that entranced me from beginning to end with wonderful performances and a charm and whimsy that hooked me from start to finish.
A follow-up to the moderate 2014 hit (based on the beloved children's books series) about a Peruvian bear that heads to 19th Century London seeking adventure - and finds a family - PADDINGTON 2 follows said Bear as he is caught up in a robbery and is mistakenly jailed for the crime. Can Paddington make friends with the burly inmates in the prison? Can the Brown family help find the true perpetrator of the crime and help spring Paddington? Can faith and love triumph in a time of skepticism and darkness?
It's a family film, what do you think?
The joy in this film is in the telling - and Paul King (returning as Director/Writer) does a wonderful job telling a joyous, family-friendly story without diving into sacrine-ness (is that a word? It is now) and schmaltz. He tells the story with a sly wink in his eye and dives deep into whimsical detail of late 19th century London - a London racing full throttle into the steam age. There is a light cyber-punk sensibility to the proceedings and this works wonderfully well.
As you would expect, King does a nice job getting the actors to click into the sensibilities and style of this film. Ben Wishaw is back as the voice of Paddington - and he is perfectly cast. Wishaw has a naivete and sense of wonder to his voice that serves the Paddington character well. Jim Broadbent, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins and Julie Walters all reprise their roles - in winning fashion. But it is the newcomers that shine. Brendan Gleeson shows off some comic chops as main prison bad guy "Knuckles" McGinty who forms an unlikely friendship/partnership with Paddington and, especially Hugh Grant as vain, egotistical actor Phoenix Buchanan. I won't spoil the antics of Grant's character but I have a feeling that Mr. Grant had as much fun bringing this character to screen as I did watching him.
Two final things - the finale really works for me as King sets up each character's "special skill" at the beginning of the film that they will need to bring to bear (no pun intended) during the action at the end. To often, character's and character threads are set up at the beginning of a film only to be abandoned by the end, so it is satisfying to me when King sets up items at the beginning of this film and then PAYS THEM OFF at the end.
And, finally, STAY THROUGH THE CREDITS. There is a scene in the credits that is as good as anything that is in the film. I won't spoil the fun for you, but want you to know about this so you won't miss it.
A wonderful, whimsical, time at the movies. If you have kids (5,6,7 years old), this is a MUST SEE. For the rest of you, if you're looking for fun escape from the world, this film will do it.
Letter Grade A-
8 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
And I'm glad I did for PADDINGTON 2 is a charming family film that entranced me from beginning to end with wonderful performances and a charm and whimsy that hooked me from start to finish.
A follow-up to the moderate 2014 hit (based on the beloved children's books series) about a Peruvian bear that heads to 19th Century London seeking adventure - and finds a family - PADDINGTON 2 follows said Bear as he is caught up in a robbery and is mistakenly jailed for the crime. Can Paddington make friends with the burly inmates in the prison? Can the Brown family help find the true perpetrator of the crime and help spring Paddington? Can faith and love triumph in a time of skepticism and darkness?
It's a family film, what do you think?
The joy in this film is in the telling - and Paul King (returning as Director/Writer) does a wonderful job telling a joyous, family-friendly story without diving into sacrine-ness (is that a word? It is now) and schmaltz. He tells the story with a sly wink in his eye and dives deep into whimsical detail of late 19th century London - a London racing full throttle into the steam age. There is a light cyber-punk sensibility to the proceedings and this works wonderfully well.
As you would expect, King does a nice job getting the actors to click into the sensibilities and style of this film. Ben Wishaw is back as the voice of Paddington - and he is perfectly cast. Wishaw has a naivete and sense of wonder to his voice that serves the Paddington character well. Jim Broadbent, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins and Julie Walters all reprise their roles - in winning fashion. But it is the newcomers that shine. Brendan Gleeson shows off some comic chops as main prison bad guy "Knuckles" McGinty who forms an unlikely friendship/partnership with Paddington and, especially Hugh Grant as vain, egotistical actor Phoenix Buchanan. I won't spoil the antics of Grant's character but I have a feeling that Mr. Grant had as much fun bringing this character to screen as I did watching him.
Two final things - the finale really works for me as King sets up each character's "special skill" at the beginning of the film that they will need to bring to bear (no pun intended) during the action at the end. To often, character's and character threads are set up at the beginning of a film only to be abandoned by the end, so it is satisfying to me when King sets up items at the beginning of this film and then PAYS THEM OFF at the end.
And, finally, STAY THROUGH THE CREDITS. There is a scene in the credits that is as good as anything that is in the film. I won't spoil the fun for you, but want you to know about this so you won't miss it.
A wonderful, whimsical, time at the movies. If you have kids (5,6,7 years old), this is a MUST SEE. For the rest of you, if you're looking for fun escape from the world, this film will do it.
Letter Grade A-
8 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated The Dark Tower (2017) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
10 years in the making
A film adaptation of Stephen King’s wildly successful Dark Tower novels has been rumoured for over a decade. In 2007, J.J. Abrams was attached to direct the film but dropped out in December 2009.
Then, in 2010, veteran director Ron Howard was to head the project, but that fell through in 2015. Finally, by June 2015 the film entered full-steam ahead production with Danish filmmaker Nikolaj Arcel at the helm.
So, 10 years on from the first murmurings of a Dark Tower film were discovered, what is the finished product like? And does it capture the wonder of that eight-novel behemoth by King?Roland Deschain (Idris Elba), the last Gunslinger, is locked in an eternal battle with Walter O’Dim (Matthew McConaughey), also known as the Man in Black. The Gunslinger must prevent the Man in Black from toppling the Dark Tower, the key that holds the universe together. With the fate of worlds at stake, two men collide in the ultimate battle between good and evil.
Unfortunately, this troubled production has resulted in a film that’s biggest sin is its averageness. There’s not a single thing about The Dark Tower that stands out as unique, even with charismatic stars like Matthew McCounaughey and Idris Elba at the helm.
The two of them perform well with the overtly expositional dialogue and Elba just reeks of charisma, despite the dross he unfortunately has to spout from time to time. Newcomer Tom Taylor is fine, but it pains me to say it, just a little bit bland.
The plot is nigh on impossible to understand for those who haven’t read King’s books with a story that never fully explains what the titular tower even does. How on earth can a film enter production without a script that fully describes such a vital plot point? It’d be like Mad Max: Fury Road never actually featuring Max, just referencing him occasionally.
Elsewhere, Tom Holkenborg’s score is bland, the special effects just about as average as you can get and the cinematography uninspiring. This is such a shame, because moments of excellence shine through.
The action is choreographed to a good standard and the sequences in which Elba and Taylor visit Earth are an enjoyable fish-out-of-water style distraction from an otherwise disappointing script. Think Thor on Earth but in NYC rather than New Mexico.
Ultimately though, films like this get me a little angry and I feel frustrated just writing this review. With eight books in which to take nuggets of story from, the film just kind of plods along for 95 minutes. I’m not normally one for suggesting a movie be longer, but The Dark Tower really did need an extra 30 minutes at least to flesh out the characters and plot.
Overall, despite two commanding performances from its lead stars, The Dark Tower is a royal mess. In a year that has featured numerous disappointing sequels, Sony could’ve kicked things up a gear with something completely new. In the end, we’re left with a film as bland and average as you can possibly get. What a shame.
Let’s just hope that It is the King adaptation we’ve been waiting for.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/08/19/the-dark-tower-review-10-years-in-the-making/
Then, in 2010, veteran director Ron Howard was to head the project, but that fell through in 2015. Finally, by June 2015 the film entered full-steam ahead production with Danish filmmaker Nikolaj Arcel at the helm.
So, 10 years on from the first murmurings of a Dark Tower film were discovered, what is the finished product like? And does it capture the wonder of that eight-novel behemoth by King?Roland Deschain (Idris Elba), the last Gunslinger, is locked in an eternal battle with Walter O’Dim (Matthew McConaughey), also known as the Man in Black. The Gunslinger must prevent the Man in Black from toppling the Dark Tower, the key that holds the universe together. With the fate of worlds at stake, two men collide in the ultimate battle between good and evil.
Unfortunately, this troubled production has resulted in a film that’s biggest sin is its averageness. There’s not a single thing about The Dark Tower that stands out as unique, even with charismatic stars like Matthew McCounaughey and Idris Elba at the helm.
The two of them perform well with the overtly expositional dialogue and Elba just reeks of charisma, despite the dross he unfortunately has to spout from time to time. Newcomer Tom Taylor is fine, but it pains me to say it, just a little bit bland.
The plot is nigh on impossible to understand for those who haven’t read King’s books with a story that never fully explains what the titular tower even does. How on earth can a film enter production without a script that fully describes such a vital plot point? It’d be like Mad Max: Fury Road never actually featuring Max, just referencing him occasionally.
Elsewhere, Tom Holkenborg’s score is bland, the special effects just about as average as you can get and the cinematography uninspiring. This is such a shame, because moments of excellence shine through.
The action is choreographed to a good standard and the sequences in which Elba and Taylor visit Earth are an enjoyable fish-out-of-water style distraction from an otherwise disappointing script. Think Thor on Earth but in NYC rather than New Mexico.
Ultimately though, films like this get me a little angry and I feel frustrated just writing this review. With eight books in which to take nuggets of story from, the film just kind of plods along for 95 minutes. I’m not normally one for suggesting a movie be longer, but The Dark Tower really did need an extra 30 minutes at least to flesh out the characters and plot.
Overall, despite two commanding performances from its lead stars, The Dark Tower is a royal mess. In a year that has featured numerous disappointing sequels, Sony could’ve kicked things up a gear with something completely new. In the end, we’re left with a film as bland and average as you can possibly get. What a shame.
Let’s just hope that It is the King adaptation we’ve been waiting for.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/08/19/the-dark-tower-review-10-years-in-the-making/