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Emily (1430 KP) rated Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth in Video Games
Feb 18, 2020
Same basic premise as the other games in the Civ series, except this is set on a strange new world that ships from earth have escaped to.
Uses the hex grid of the other newer versions of the game and also has indigenous alien life on land and in the sea. This can be quite tough to deal with early in the game, particularly the worms (think Dune-style enormous things) and the sea life, but is easily dealt with later on. It alternatively you can try and work with it so you kind of become allies, although it's not easy to achieve.
The best thing about the game is the tech tree. Every other version of Civ has a branched linear progression, this one has a web. The first few moves are relatively common to all play styles but then you can just go anywhere and what you pick changes what type of faction you end up as (which ends up like a combination of religion and ideology of the other versions of Civ).
If you're getting bored with normal Civ, this is definitely a fun alternative.
Uses the hex grid of the other newer versions of the game and also has indigenous alien life on land and in the sea. This can be quite tough to deal with early in the game, particularly the worms (think Dune-style enormous things) and the sea life, but is easily dealt with later on. It alternatively you can try and work with it so you kind of become allies, although it's not easy to achieve.
The best thing about the game is the tech tree. Every other version of Civ has a branched linear progression, this one has a web. The first few moves are relatively common to all play styles but then you can just go anywhere and what you pick changes what type of faction you end up as (which ends up like a combination of religion and ideology of the other versions of Civ).
If you're getting bored with normal Civ, this is definitely a fun alternative.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated The Internship (2013) in Movies
Jul 4, 2021
Look, however belligerently cringe you want to make this is your business I guess... but don't you dare bring down 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 like that, too. Listless, rambly, laborious 2+ hour Google commercial which indirectly becomes a more terrifying tech-campus nightmare than 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘭𝘦 simply because of how punishing it is to sit through. I'm certainly not opposed to a Vaughn + Wilson (who have such natural chemistry that they could build a picket fence together and I'd still go to see it) comedy where their trademark bullshit artistry is forced to find a workaround to Google's ubiquity - but this is packed with such hateable characters, shit visuals, and groan-worthy non-jokes that it makes you wonder how the hell they somehow stretched a *generous* 30 minutes worth of material into a 125+ minute bore. I struggle to find a time where Owen Wilson was worse than he is here, and why is every iteration of this movie's poster the worst thing I've ever seen? I would have vastly preferred the film with Will Ferrell and Rob Riggle's characters (AKA - the only funny ones in the movie) instead.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Sunshine (2007) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
Frantic, superhuman space escapism (spacapism? spacecapism? spacescapism?) which revels in chucking its cast of unfortunate characters head-first into ludicrous amounts of mental anguish, bodily torment, and spiritual deformation with nary a single solitary moment of repose. What do you do when you can't even trust your own mind (especially if it's scarier when you can) and don't even have the time to be sure before you act? Part sumptuous feast for the senses, part wildly fun men-on-a-mission space adventure, part bonkers slasher flick, part volatile mindfuck. Still one of the best looking movies you're likely to find, I'm never any less than blown away with how orgasmic this looks and sounds - the CGI is just immaculate. And the tech-fetish is so striking but never intrusive. Bonus points for being a pre-apocalyptic, time sensitive future sci-fi thriller that doesn't turn into a surface-level lecture on misplaced technophobia or "maybe *we're* the real virus" nonsense. Boyle and Garland are a dream team duo, knocked it right out of the park with this one - five hundred times the movie 𝘚𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘥𝘰𝘨 𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦 is.
David McK (3369 KP) rated The Matrix Resurrections (2021) in Movies
Feb 9, 2022 (Updated Oct 1, 2023)
Unnecessary sequel
Summer of 1999.
Pre Millennium.
Just at the start of our current high-tech always-on society.
And The Matrix was released, becoming hugely influential in the process and popularising the concept of 'bullet time'.
Both the sequels (Reloaded and Revolutions) were released during 'the year of the Matrix' in 2003, doubling down on the philosophical ponderings of the first movie (in particular, during Reloaded, with the whole still-to-this-day confusing Architect scenes), with Revolutions also seemingly leaving the trilogy with nowhere to go.
Until nearly 20 years later, when one of the two Wachowski siblings decided to resurrect both Neo and Trinity in this.
I's very much a film of two halves, with the first half in particular hugely self-referential (lots of nods and winks to the audience, and even clips from the earlier films shown on TV screens within the movie), while the second half settles down more into your standard action fare.
Whilst enjoyable enough, it lacks anything to match the sheer pizzaz of the first movie, or even the Freeway chase/burly brawl/chateau fight from the second or the Neo Vs Smith showdown in the third.
Pre Millennium.
Just at the start of our current high-tech always-on society.
And The Matrix was released, becoming hugely influential in the process and popularising the concept of 'bullet time'.
Both the sequels (Reloaded and Revolutions) were released during 'the year of the Matrix' in 2003, doubling down on the philosophical ponderings of the first movie (in particular, during Reloaded, with the whole still-to-this-day confusing Architect scenes), with Revolutions also seemingly leaving the trilogy with nowhere to go.
Until nearly 20 years later, when one of the two Wachowski siblings decided to resurrect both Neo and Trinity in this.
I's very much a film of two halves, with the first half in particular hugely self-referential (lots of nods and winks to the audience, and even clips from the earlier films shown on TV screens within the movie), while the second half settles down more into your standard action fare.
Whilst enjoyable enough, it lacks anything to match the sheer pizzaz of the first movie, or even the Freeway chase/burly brawl/chateau fight from the second or the Neo Vs Smith showdown in the third.
ClareR (5674 KP) rated The Book of Koli in Books
Mar 6, 2023
I’m a bit of a fan of dystopian fiction. I say “a bit” - I like it a lot. It’s just that I tend to dream about what I read, and a lot of dystopian fiction can be quite scary. So I had a few nights dreaming about killer trees and plants, drones that just want to shoot you, and people that want to eat other people (potentially - that becomes clearer as the book goes on!).
It’s entirely believable though (in MY head, anyway!). Some catastrophe has happened in the past that has rendered all technology completely useless - unless you have the gift, that is. And Koli, it turns out, has. Except he’s not supposed to, and he’s exiled from his village.
Tech is considered to be like magic, and so when Koli actually manages to switch something on and learns how it’s done - it’s a revelation!
This first book is really just the set up for the next one I think, where we get to know the main characters of the next book (Koli, Ursala, the Drudge), and I’m definitely up for book 2!
It’s entirely believable though (in MY head, anyway!). Some catastrophe has happened in the past that has rendered all technology completely useless - unless you have the gift, that is. And Koli, it turns out, has. Except he’s not supposed to, and he’s exiled from his village.
Tech is considered to be like magic, and so when Koli actually manages to switch something on and learns how it’s done - it’s a revelation!
This first book is really just the set up for the next one I think, where we get to know the main characters of the next book (Koli, Ursala, the Drudge), and I’m definitely up for book 2!
chandler ellis (3 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
Jul 14, 2017
Michael Keaton's portrayal of his character: The Vulture. (1 more)
The idea that his Peter Parker, tried to prove himself worthy for the Avengers, and that he wouldn't let someone die just because their bad.
Spiderman swings into a 9/10 place, giving a comical take on the teenage superhero
Contains spoilers, click to show
Spiderman Homecoming swung into theatres last week, and provided a comical take on the young superhero. It gives us an opening on Peter, enjoying his time and experience through the events of Civil War. But this comes to an end, when it shows him as a normal teen. Michael Keaton, gives a hatred to play-boy millionaire Tony Stark. So he retrieves pieces of weaponry and tech, from previous Marvel films. And he sells them to make money, and give his family a good life. Through this Peter learns of the idea of trust, bravery, and of course doing the right thing no matter what. All in all, Spiderman Homecoming makes a great film for the new generation and for some in the old generation.
Gareth von Kallenbach (977 KP) rated Escape Plan 2: Hades (2018) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
Following up “Escape Plan”; Lionsgate and Sylvester Stallone have teamed up for “Escape Plan 2: Hades”. This time around Dave Bautista is teamed with Stallone as security expert Ray Breslin (Stallone), is trying to find a locale known as “HADES” where one of his top operatives Shu Ren (Xiaoming Huang), has become an inmate.
Life in the high-tech Hades is harsh as inmates are matches up to fight one another and the place appears to be escape proof.
In a race against time, Breslin must find out all he can about HADES and find a way into the prison in order to break out with his man before it is too late.
The film has good production values for a home video release. It may not have the grand scope of the previous film but it does have enough elements to entertain. I would have liked a bit more screen time for Bautista and Stallone but with a third film already reportedly shot, it would be great to see where the series goes next.
For now, the film despite some flaws is entertaining enough for fans of the original and does make for some decent viewing at home as long as you set reasonable expectations.
http://sknr.net/2018/07/05/escape-plan-2-hades/
Life in the high-tech Hades is harsh as inmates are matches up to fight one another and the place appears to be escape proof.
In a race against time, Breslin must find out all he can about HADES and find a way into the prison in order to break out with his man before it is too late.
The film has good production values for a home video release. It may not have the grand scope of the previous film but it does have enough elements to entertain. I would have liked a bit more screen time for Bautista and Stallone but with a third film already reportedly shot, it would be great to see where the series goes next.
For now, the film despite some flaws is entertaining enough for fans of the original and does make for some decent viewing at home as long as you set reasonable expectations.
http://sknr.net/2018/07/05/escape-plan-2-hades/
Vegas (725 KP) rated Locked Up (2017) in Movies
Jul 16, 2019 (Updated Jul 16, 2019)
Why was she even sent to this place for a minor "crime" (1 more)
Plot holes
Not one to watch with your granny
An American teen in Asia gets bullied and retaliates, causing her to be sent to a correctional facility which was more like a Hellhole prison.
She is forced into situations that are awkward and uncomfortable to watch at times and doesn't make for easy viewing, so isn't a lets relax with a family friendly Sunday afternoon type film
That being said, it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good either, it is a, watch to pass the time film, but then forget about afterwards.
There are a lot of plot holes especially as to why on earth she ended up in this place, randomly after barely a mention of a "trial" (a 30 second to a minute scene) and how this place, looking like a high tech facility can be a front for the goings on behind the facade with nobody checking on the running of the place, even if corruption is rife i cant see how it got like this... I know we are supposed not to think of things like that but sometimes questions need to be asked of films.
She is forced into situations that are awkward and uncomfortable to watch at times and doesn't make for easy viewing, so isn't a lets relax with a family friendly Sunday afternoon type film
That being said, it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good either, it is a, watch to pass the time film, but then forget about afterwards.
There are a lot of plot holes especially as to why on earth she ended up in this place, randomly after barely a mention of a "trial" (a 30 second to a minute scene) and how this place, looking like a high tech facility can be a front for the goings on behind the facade with nobody checking on the running of the place, even if corruption is rife i cant see how it got like this... I know we are supposed not to think of things like that but sometimes questions need to be asked of films.
Touching. Witty. Heartbreaking. Emma Donoghue’s latest is all of those and more. This was such a wonderful read that I found myself savoring it, reading only a chapter or so a night, making it last.
Noah is a retired chemistry professor living in New York. His wife, Joan, passed away nearly a decade ago. Noah is originally from France, and he’s finally planned a trip to his birthplace, Nice. But shortly before his trip, he receives a call from social services: he is the only available relative able to take care of Michael, an eleven-year-old great-nephew he’s never even met. Noah reluctantly agrees to take Michael on his trip. This unlikely pair take on Nice together: looking at France through two very different lenses. But Michael’s tech savvy helps Noah as he attempts to unravel some details about his family’s past, and Noah can’t help but see some of his late troubled nephew in this funny, acerbic boy.
I fell hard for Noah and Michael. Donoghue captures them perfectly. Their wit, their banter, and their various insecurities. This book is alternately hilarious and heart wrenching. It’s beautifully written, touching, and just a lovely read. 4+ stars. Highly recommend!
Noah is a retired chemistry professor living in New York. His wife, Joan, passed away nearly a decade ago. Noah is originally from France, and he’s finally planned a trip to his birthplace, Nice. But shortly before his trip, he receives a call from social services: he is the only available relative able to take care of Michael, an eleven-year-old great-nephew he’s never even met. Noah reluctantly agrees to take Michael on his trip. This unlikely pair take on Nice together: looking at France through two very different lenses. But Michael’s tech savvy helps Noah as he attempts to unravel some details about his family’s past, and Noah can’t help but see some of his late troubled nephew in this funny, acerbic boy.
I fell hard for Noah and Michael. Donoghue captures them perfectly. Their wit, their banter, and their various insecurities. This book is alternately hilarious and heart wrenching. It’s beautifully written, touching, and just a lovely read. 4+ stars. Highly recommend!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Debonair in Death in Books
Nov 8, 2021
Art Shop Owner Murdered in Cabot Cove
Everyone in town, especially the women, seem captivated by Nelson Penzell, the new co-owner of the art gallery on the water front of Cabot Cove. Jessica Fletcher feels like something is off about him, however. Still, she didn’t expect him to be murdered. Sheriff Metzger is sure that Coreen, the nail tech from the hair salon, is a good suspect since she was seen screaming outside the gallery where Nelson was found covered in his blood. But Jessica thinks something else is going on. Can she prove it?
As much as I enjoyed the Murder, She Wrote books that came out over the last few years, I felt like something was off with the characters we loved from Cabot Cove. This book fixes so much of that. The characters and their relationships to each other feel like a natural extension of the series. The suspects are just as strong. Unfortunately, I did feel the pacing could have been better in the first half, but we get plenty of fun twists in the second half. Any fan of the TV series will be happy they picked up this book for a visit with old friends.
As much as I enjoyed the Murder, She Wrote books that came out over the last few years, I felt like something was off with the characters we loved from Cabot Cove. This book fixes so much of that. The characters and their relationships to each other feel like a natural extension of the series. The suspects are just as strong. Unfortunately, I did feel the pacing could have been better in the first half, but we get plenty of fun twists in the second half. Any fan of the TV series will be happy they picked up this book for a visit with old friends.