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Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Hell or High Water (2016) in Movies
Aug 21, 2019
Classic Western in Modern Day
351. Hell or High Water. Have you ever wondered what a classic western style story would be like filmed today without much done to update the script? No, me either, until I realized that's exactly what I was watching... Story about two bank robbing brothers, Tanner and Toby Howard, raising enough cash to keep the bad bank man from taking the farm. Ya see, they struck oil on that land, not much, but enough to get by. Toby is the smart one, doing bad things for good reasons. Tanner is the wild card, doing bad things just to do bad things, but deep down, doing it for his brother! But coming up quick behind them is the law, Texas Ranger kinda law!! The old sheriff, Marcus Hamilton, just about to retire, and through pretty much intuition alone ends up in the right places at the right times, and with Marcus his Native American partner, Alberto, who is assaulted by the racist humor of the sheriff all day, but deep down, there's a bromance going on! And as Tanner and Toby continue their bank robbing ways, Tanner gets a little cocky takes on a bank full of people, shots fired, they barely escape with their lives, the townsfolk round up an armed posse to go after them chasing them up the road, but right around the corner is the sheriff, because deep down he knew where those pesky Howard boys were gonna strike next leading up to the ultimate showdown between the Texas Rangers and a couple of law breaking cowboys!! So this takes place in modern day, but it had the classic western set up. So if your looking for a modern day western, go for it, looking for Heat, or Point Break, i'd say probably not. Filmbufftim on FB
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2444 KP) rated The Key Lime Crime in Books
Aug 12, 2020
Murder Never Takes a Holiday
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is proving to be very busy for Hayley Snow. In addition to her regular food related articles for local magazine Key Zest, she is also covering the key lime pie contest, which is filled with more tension than Hayley expected. Meanwhile, her new husband, cop Nathan Bransford, is working overtime due to all the visitors on the island for the holiday. So when Nathan’s mother decides to come visit, Hayley finds herself playing hostess for a woman she’s never met before. Even worse, the pair stumble upon one of the pie contestants dead. Has the contest turned deadly? Or is there another motive for murder?
I’m always happy to escape to Key West via the pages of this series, although after reading this I may skip the New Year’s time period when I get to visit in real life. It sounded a little too crowded for me. Still, I loved getting to catch up with the characters, who are always a delight. We got to know one of the regulars much better here, which I really appreciated. The mystery itself could have been stronger, although we did have some good suspects and I was engaged and kept guessing until the end. Plan ahead before you pick up this book – I had to buy a key lime pie I was craving it so much. There isn’t a recipe for the pie at the end (we’ve gotten one in an earlier book), although one of the eight recipes is for a delicious sounding key lime parfait. This is another pleasant trip to Key West that will please the series’ fans.
I’m always happy to escape to Key West via the pages of this series, although after reading this I may skip the New Year’s time period when I get to visit in real life. It sounded a little too crowded for me. Still, I loved getting to catch up with the characters, who are always a delight. We got to know one of the regulars much better here, which I really appreciated. The mystery itself could have been stronger, although we did have some good suspects and I was engaged and kept guessing until the end. Plan ahead before you pick up this book – I had to buy a key lime pie I was craving it so much. There isn’t a recipe for the pie at the end (we’ve gotten one in an earlier book), although one of the eight recipes is for a delicious sounding key lime parfait. This is another pleasant trip to Key West that will please the series’ fans.
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated the PC version of Dead by Daylight in Video Games
Jun 12, 2020
Dead by Daylight is a 5-player survival horror game. 4 players play as survivors and one plays as the killer. The survivors have to repair 5 generators and then open a gate and escape through it whilst avoiding the killer. The killer has to attack the survivors and sacrifice them to ‘the Entity’ by placing them on hooks and keeping them there until they are dead.
Survivors can work as a team or as individuals and can help on generator repairs and lift other survivors off the hook and help to heal them. The killer has a bonus power to help in the capture of the survivors. Both survivors and killers earn ‘Blood Points’ which can be used to add bonuses and items to the characters to aid in the next match.
The base game comes with 7 different survivors and 5 killers and 5 maps. Each survivor has a slightly different skill, speed, stealth, faster healing etc and each killer has a different skill, setting traps, throwing weapons etc.
Each of the maps represents a killer but playing as a killer does not mean that you will play on their map, the map is random, based upon what the killer player owns. The generators, hooks, exits and player starting place are all random
There are also an increasing number of expiation packs some are just survivors and others are survivors, killers and a map. Many of the expansions are licenced to horror franchises so you can have characters like Freddy Kruger and Ash from Evil dead. There are also different costumes that can be brought in game.
Dead by Daylight is violent and is rated for mature audiences.
Survivors can work as a team or as individuals and can help on generator repairs and lift other survivors off the hook and help to heal them. The killer has a bonus power to help in the capture of the survivors. Both survivors and killers earn ‘Blood Points’ which can be used to add bonuses and items to the characters to aid in the next match.
The base game comes with 7 different survivors and 5 killers and 5 maps. Each survivor has a slightly different skill, speed, stealth, faster healing etc and each killer has a different skill, setting traps, throwing weapons etc.
Each of the maps represents a killer but playing as a killer does not mean that you will play on their map, the map is random, based upon what the killer player owns. The generators, hooks, exits and player starting place are all random
There are also an increasing number of expiation packs some are just survivors and others are survivors, killers and a map. Many of the expansions are licenced to horror franchises so you can have characters like Freddy Kruger and Ash from Evil dead. There are also different costumes that can be brought in game.
Dead by Daylight is violent and is rated for mature audiences.
The Secret Life of Mac
8.0
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Inspired by the true story of a kleptomaniac cat who stole his way into America’s heart . . . ...
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Becoming Superman
10.0
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In this dazzling memoir, the acclaimed writer behind Babylon 5, Sense8, Clint Eastwood’s...
One Night on the Island
7.0
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Day in December . . . When a double-booking at...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Stories #2) in Books
Oct 15, 2023
152 of 235
Book
The Pale Horseman ( The Last Kingdom 2)
By Bernard Cornwell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Uhtred, Northumbrian born, raised a Viking and now married to a Saxon, is already a formidable figure and warrior. But at twenty he is still arrogant, pagan and headstrong, so not a comfortable ally for the thoughtful, pious Alfred. But these two, with Alfred's family and a few of Uhtred's companions, are apparently all that remains of the Wessex leadership after a disastrous truce. It is the lowest time for the Saxons. Defeated comprehensively by the Vikings who now occupy most of England, Alfred and his surviving followers retreat to the trackless marshlands of Somerset. There, forced to move restlessly to escape betrayal or detection, using the marsh mists for cover, they travel by small boats from one island to another, hoping that they can regroup and find some more strength and support. They seek refuge in Athelney, a tidal swamp to which Alfred's kingdom has shrunk. Uhtred finds himself torn between his Danish foster brother and the winning Vikings, and his growing respect for the stubborn leadership of Alfred. He must decide whether to rebuild the Saxons' strength from his watery base and help them to take on the Vikings once more.
I loved this book! This is the second one in the The Last Kingdom series and book has this kicked me in the bum! I love historical fiction and this is becoming one of my favourite series. The end of this book made me want to throw it at losing a character I think is just fantastic and made me laugh. Im not going to mention which one as I don’t do spoilers, but if you’ve read it you’ll know!
Book
The Pale Horseman ( The Last Kingdom 2)
By Bernard Cornwell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Uhtred, Northumbrian born, raised a Viking and now married to a Saxon, is already a formidable figure and warrior. But at twenty he is still arrogant, pagan and headstrong, so not a comfortable ally for the thoughtful, pious Alfred. But these two, with Alfred's family and a few of Uhtred's companions, are apparently all that remains of the Wessex leadership after a disastrous truce. It is the lowest time for the Saxons. Defeated comprehensively by the Vikings who now occupy most of England, Alfred and his surviving followers retreat to the trackless marshlands of Somerset. There, forced to move restlessly to escape betrayal or detection, using the marsh mists for cover, they travel by small boats from one island to another, hoping that they can regroup and find some more strength and support. They seek refuge in Athelney, a tidal swamp to which Alfred's kingdom has shrunk. Uhtred finds himself torn between his Danish foster brother and the winning Vikings, and his growing respect for the stubborn leadership of Alfred. He must decide whether to rebuild the Saxons' strength from his watery base and help them to take on the Vikings once more.
I loved this book! This is the second one in the The Last Kingdom series and book has this kicked me in the bum! I love historical fiction and this is becoming one of my favourite series. The end of this book made me want to throw it at losing a character I think is just fantastic and made me laugh. Im not going to mention which one as I don’t do spoilers, but if you’ve read it you’ll know!
Merissa (13486 KP) rated Dark One's Mistress (Dark One's Trilogy #1) in Books
Nov 13, 2019
DARK ONE'S MISTRESS is the first book in the Dark One's Trilogy, and we start with Clara being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She lives in a village called Everdark and rumours abound that the Great Lord has died, and his heir now rules. If this is the case, then a new mistress will be called upon. Clara is one of those taken and she does everything she can to avoid being the one chosen, but to no avail.
This is a slow-paced book, with plenty of interaction between Lucias and Clara as he tries to prove to her that he is a man of his word, and he won't do anything before she is ready. She, of course, doesn't believe him and spends the first part of the book constantly trying to escape.
Interwoven with that is the constant threat of Lucias' mother and her barbarian bodyguard who want to kill Lucias because of who his father was. Trust me, that actually becomes acceptable the more you learn about the father.
I loved the attitudes of both Lucias and Clara and found it definitely to be a case of if you love someone, set them free. Clara is not a doormat, but is definitely set in her ways and has trouble seeing things from different perspectives.
Due to the emphasis on Lucias and Clara, I did feel that I missed out on some of the other characters. There were also questions raised to which I received no answers. However, this did not infringe upon my enjoyment of this book, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
This is a slow-paced book, with plenty of interaction between Lucias and Clara as he tries to prove to her that he is a man of his word, and he won't do anything before she is ready. She, of course, doesn't believe him and spends the first part of the book constantly trying to escape.
Interwoven with that is the constant threat of Lucias' mother and her barbarian bodyguard who want to kill Lucias because of who his father was. Trust me, that actually becomes acceptable the more you learn about the father.
I loved the attitudes of both Lucias and Clara and found it definitely to be a case of if you love someone, set them free. Clara is not a doormat, but is definitely set in her ways and has trouble seeing things from different perspectives.
Due to the emphasis on Lucias and Clara, I did feel that I missed out on some of the other characters. There were also questions raised to which I received no answers. However, this did not infringe upon my enjoyment of this book, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) in Movies
Mar 16, 2020
Gotta go fast...
Contains spoilers, click to show
After so many videogame movie adaptations to ever happen, I was ecstatic when this movie was announced but also very concerned aswell.
From the super mario bros movie to detective pikachu and every tomb raider in between, this seemed like it was designed to tank from the beginning.
So starting from the original trailer drop, I had no idea what had happened, I saw my childhood being destroyed by Hollywood and in a state of shock, looking very disturbing and more like a human/hedgehog genetic failure - sonic was in trouble and this time, Dr Robotnik wasn't to blame!?
Luckily the entire sonic fan base banded together & they were heard, this resulted in the team behind the movie redesigning sonic himself and the movies release being delayed several months.
On the plus side, the redesign was well worth the wait & was praised by fans and critics alike.
Since the release the movie has been shown so much love and is in line to topple detective pikachu as the best selling videogame movie adaptation in history.
Story:
As a young hedgehog, sonic was a wild child with an ability like no other who caught the attention of many.
This ability pinned sonic as a target and eventually forces sonic to escape to another realm/dimension -Earth.
After several years in hiding, sonic accidentally taps into his inner speed force (Ha!) Causing a total blackout & is then hunted by the evil genius, Dr Robotnik.
This brings with it an adventure, frienship & really cool & fun chase scenes.
A great family movie that does not disappoint.
From the super mario bros movie to detective pikachu and every tomb raider in between, this seemed like it was designed to tank from the beginning.
So starting from the original trailer drop, I had no idea what had happened, I saw my childhood being destroyed by Hollywood and in a state of shock, looking very disturbing and more like a human/hedgehog genetic failure - sonic was in trouble and this time, Dr Robotnik wasn't to blame!?
Luckily the entire sonic fan base banded together & they were heard, this resulted in the team behind the movie redesigning sonic himself and the movies release being delayed several months.
On the plus side, the redesign was well worth the wait & was praised by fans and critics alike.
Since the release the movie has been shown so much love and is in line to topple detective pikachu as the best selling videogame movie adaptation in history.
Story:
As a young hedgehog, sonic was a wild child with an ability like no other who caught the attention of many.
This ability pinned sonic as a target and eventually forces sonic to escape to another realm/dimension -Earth.
After several years in hiding, sonic accidentally taps into his inner speed force (Ha!) Causing a total blackout & is then hunted by the evil genius, Dr Robotnik.
This brings with it an adventure, frienship & really cool & fun chase scenes.
A great family movie that does not disappoint.
HX
Hokusai X Manga: Japanese Pop Culture Since 1680
Sabine Schulze and Nora von Achenbach
Book
Anime and manga are powerful pop-culture phenomena, capturing people's imaginations in the pages of...