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Dean (6927 KP) rated Killing Eve - Season 2 in TV
Jun 15, 2019 (Updated Jun 7, 2020)
Good quirky drama
The first series was a bit of a surprise hit. A quirky English drama about a MI6 agent tracking a flamboyant female assassin across Europe. It is very funny at times, in a typical English kinda way. Whilst also being quite violent as well.
The 2nd series picks up 30 seconds after the end of the first series. It's very similar to the first in terms of style, humor. This time a second assassin seems to be in play and Eve makes connections to a bigger plot. It's still just as fun as the first series. It's quite short with 8 episodes around 40 minutes each. I just preferred the cat and mouse storyline of the first series. Fans will love it just as much.
The 2nd series picks up 30 seconds after the end of the first series. It's very similar to the first in terms of style, humor. This time a second assassin seems to be in play and Eve makes connections to a bigger plot. It's still just as fun as the first series. It's quite short with 8 episodes around 40 minutes each. I just preferred the cat and mouse storyline of the first series. Fans will love it just as much.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Fury (2014) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
Tanks for Nothing
Good-looking but very, very violent war movie with a convincingly horrible depiction of life as a tanker during the dying days of the Second World War. In time-honoured style a green young recruit joins Brad Pitt's crew, loses his innocence, earns respect of his fellows.
Movie can't quite seem to decide what it wants to be - the characters are portrayed as brutalised victims, executing prisoners, and there's an extraordinarily long and uncomfortable sequence in which they avail themselves of the hospitality of some recently-liberated German women, but on the other hand it concludes with them heroically mowing down Nazis by the dozen. In the end it's not really clear whether Fury thinks that War is Hell or not, but David Ayer always tells this kind of guys-in-extremis story well.
Movie can't quite seem to decide what it wants to be - the characters are portrayed as brutalised victims, executing prisoners, and there's an extraordinarily long and uncomfortable sequence in which they avail themselves of the hospitality of some recently-liberated German women, but on the other hand it concludes with them heroically mowing down Nazis by the dozen. In the end it's not really clear whether Fury thinks that War is Hell or not, but David Ayer always tells this kind of guys-in-extremis story well.
Lumos (380 KP) rated Near and Far in Tabletop Games
Mar 14, 2018
I think this is one of my new favorite games. I love games that have a campaign option. It allows for greater playability. This game is competitive, however, it is not a "sabotage" style of competitiveness. My friends and I tend to not handle those games well because someone always takes a move personally. In this game, there really isn't any of that. The storybook is my favorite part. We have other players read the story you land on for you and then the title of your two choices and then you decide which choice you are going to make before the rest of the story is read. It adds to the mystery! It becomes a "choose your own adventure" game and makes it possible to play the game again and again without repeating the same story line.
Mike Carlson (115 KP) rated Django (1966) in Movies
Mar 15, 2018
Spaghetti Western
I love spaghetti westerns. The atmosphere is grittier than the mostly sanitized American ones. The blood looks like bright, thick Kool-Aid. Every hero has a casually disgruntled attitude without making an effort. Machismo with style. Violent and bloody, these films just feel more wild than your typical wild west film.
This one is no exception. Our man Django walks into town dragging a coffin behind him. His motives for antagonizing the villainous Major Jackson becomes more clear when the Mexican revolutionaries arrive. It all plays out with everyone adopting what are now stereotypical attitudes for each role. The climax is brief yet memorable.
Casual viewers may avoid this, but film buffs should see it simply for the inspiration it provided to other filmmakers.
This one is no exception. Our man Django walks into town dragging a coffin behind him. His motives for antagonizing the villainous Major Jackson becomes more clear when the Mexican revolutionaries arrive. It all plays out with everyone adopting what are now stereotypical attitudes for each role. The climax is brief yet memorable.
Casual viewers may avoid this, but film buffs should see it simply for the inspiration it provided to other filmmakers.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Deadpool (2016) in Movies
Feb 19, 2018
Not the first R-rated superhero movie, nor the first superhero comedy film, nor even the first movie to feature Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson, but it does a good job of appearing to do something new and different, and has lots of good jokes. Garrulous mercenary volunteers for special procedure in attempt to fend off terminal illness; basically ends up with cancer as a super-power.
The plot is really very secondary to the style of the film, anyway, which is all about being very irreverent and transgressive towards the perceived conventions of the superhero movie; there's a bit of a straw man argument being made here, but the action is well staged and it is, as mentioned, very funny. Not the future of the genre, no matter what people may say, but a well-crafted piece of entertainment nevertheless.
The plot is really very secondary to the style of the film, anyway, which is all about being very irreverent and transgressive towards the perceived conventions of the superhero movie; there's a bit of a straw man argument being made here, but the action is well staged and it is, as mentioned, very funny. Not the future of the genre, no matter what people may say, but a well-crafted piece of entertainment nevertheless.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Black Hole (1979) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
Big-budget attempt by Disney to cash in on the success of Star Wars; this sort of thing doesn't happen any more, obviously. Science vessel from Earth discovers fabled lost vessel from a generation before, mysteriously hanging over a black hole; they choose to investigate, eventually there are ray gun battles.
Distinctly odd movie which can't seem to decide whether it's a cheery George Lucas-style family-friendly adventure extravaganza with cute robots and zap guns aplenty, or a post-Stanley Kubrick tale of existential contemplation and all-pervading gloom. In the end the dark tone is mostly triumphant - bemusing final sequence reveals black hole is actually a gateway to hell, which may explain why this has been acclaimed as the most scientifically inaccurate movie in history. Decent cast try hard; very good score from John Barry helps keep things moving along.
Distinctly odd movie which can't seem to decide whether it's a cheery George Lucas-style family-friendly adventure extravaganza with cute robots and zap guns aplenty, or a post-Stanley Kubrick tale of existential contemplation and all-pervading gloom. In the end the dark tone is mostly triumphant - bemusing final sequence reveals black hole is actually a gateway to hell, which may explain why this has been acclaimed as the most scientifically inaccurate movie in history. Decent cast try hard; very good score from John Barry helps keep things moving along.
Connie (244 KP) rated Super Powereds: Year 2 in Books
Jun 8, 2018
I love Drew Hayes' writing style, and it only gets better in book two. His characters continue to deepen and you begin to see the differences in the thoughts of the Melbrook crew. They develop very naturally in my opinion, and I loved the occasional shots of other people, staff and outsiders alike.
There were a couple of major events that really threw me for a loop, but it made me wonder how the students would overcome them. They aren't fictional anymore... They're real. It's rare that an author can immerse me that deeply. Well done!
I can't wait to see what happens in book 3 (thankfully it's already out, so that's a bonus) and where the crew goes next!
This book also cost me $4 and is about 850 pages long. Well worth the price!
There were a couple of major events that really threw me for a loop, but it made me wonder how the students would overcome them. They aren't fictional anymore... They're real. It's rare that an author can immerse me that deeply. Well done!
I can't wait to see what happens in book 3 (thankfully it's already out, so that's a bonus) and where the crew goes next!
This book also cost me $4 and is about 850 pages long. Well worth the price!
Gail (4 KP) rated Agony & Ecstasy (The Marcy Series, #3) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Agony and Ecstasy by Linda Burson
Four Stars
This is book three in the series. We start with Marcy still trying to unlock her nightmares. During one session things start to become clear and her nightmares start to become clear. She is still seeing Liam but has Brad on the side. Its a very interesting story and held my attention. Marcy gets on my nerve with the back and forth between the guys. I don’t understand how you say you love someone but go and find comfort in another mans arms. The author writing style was different and seems to start you out slow and than bam there’s the climax. If your looking for a book series that will have you wanting to know wth this is for you. The author does great with the details but the characters need new personalities.
Four Stars
This is book three in the series. We start with Marcy still trying to unlock her nightmares. During one session things start to become clear and her nightmares start to become clear. She is still seeing Liam but has Brad on the side. Its a very interesting story and held my attention. Marcy gets on my nerve with the back and forth between the guys. I don’t understand how you say you love someone but go and find comfort in another mans arms. The author writing style was different and seems to start you out slow and than bam there’s the climax. If your looking for a book series that will have you wanting to know wth this is for you. The author does great with the details but the characters need new personalities.
Gail (4 KP) rated Twice As Fatal (Jarvis Mann Detective #2) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Jarvis Mann is back with another amazing adventure. With two cases taking over his life he may have bitten more than he can chew. The author’s writing style is very detailed and visual. I enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end.
The first case has him trying to find a football player. Hired by the father Jarvis sets out and finds Ray. Thinking it’s over a video is threatened to be released if Ray that could destroy his present and future.
The second case his landlord has him following her husband. She thinks he’s either gambling, cheating and taking her money. When Jarvis finds that the husband is connected to the wrong people. Life just got harder.
A must read if you have fallen for Jarvis Mann. This author creates magic with her words and visual detail. Great job!
The first case has him trying to find a football player. Hired by the father Jarvis sets out and finds Ray. Thinking it’s over a video is threatened to be released if Ray that could destroy his present and future.
The second case his landlord has him following her husband. She thinks he’s either gambling, cheating and taking her money. When Jarvis finds that the husband is connected to the wrong people. Life just got harder.
A must read if you have fallen for Jarvis Mann. This author creates magic with her words and visual detail. Great job!
Aasiyah Sidat (34 KP) rated A Study in Scarlet in Books
Jul 5, 2018
Although I might be a fan of historical fiction, books that were published before I was born are not ones I usually pick up.
Don't get me wrong, there are some brilliant writers; Charles Dickens, John Steinbeck, the Austen's, all amazing writers, brilliant minds, but their writing style doesn't appeal to me. I would only pick up their books because of an academic reading list, and since academia doesn't need me to read fiction, I avoid it.
A very wise person recently told me that avoiding things is something I should avoid. Which is one of the reasons why I love this read harder challenge, taking you out of your comfort zone and expanding your reading is the best way to gain perspective.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2017/01/read-harder-1900-1950.html
Don't get me wrong, there are some brilliant writers; Charles Dickens, John Steinbeck, the Austen's, all amazing writers, brilliant minds, but their writing style doesn't appeal to me. I would only pick up their books because of an academic reading list, and since academia doesn't need me to read fiction, I avoid it.
A very wise person recently told me that avoiding things is something I should avoid. Which is one of the reasons why I love this read harder challenge, taking you out of your comfort zone and expanding your reading is the best way to gain perspective.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2017/01/read-harder-1900-1950.html