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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Invaders in TV
Mar 15, 2018 (Updated Mar 15, 2018)
One of the classic TV alien invasion shows; the theme tune and the various visual gimmicks (aliens with crooked little fingers who incinerate when killed) are quite well-remembered, along with (possibly) the fact that many of the episodes aren't actually any good.
Larry Cohen's original concept - a paranoid thriller with few overt SF elements - was rapidly abandoned, and Cohen himself had little involvement. The programme is really a victim of the time it was made: episodic storytelling means that the aliens come up with bizarrely different schemes on a weekly basis (weather control, infiltrating industry, man-eating butterflies), and there are nagging problems with the format - it is required that the aliens never just kill Vincent, and that he never manages to get evidence of their activity, either. Some would say that Roy Thinnes' intensely dour performance is not exactly what a show like this needs.
Still, there are some good individual episodes, and the iconography of the show does hang around in your head (it's clearly one of the shows that was a major influence on The X Files). It's a shame this kind of story has since been done to death as you could easily imagine a contemporary Invaders remake being really good (even though the 90s mini-series really wasn't).
Larry Cohen's original concept - a paranoid thriller with few overt SF elements - was rapidly abandoned, and Cohen himself had little involvement. The programme is really a victim of the time it was made: episodic storytelling means that the aliens come up with bizarrely different schemes on a weekly basis (weather control, infiltrating industry, man-eating butterflies), and there are nagging problems with the format - it is required that the aliens never just kill Vincent, and that he never manages to get evidence of their activity, either. Some would say that Roy Thinnes' intensely dour performance is not exactly what a show like this needs.
Still, there are some good individual episodes, and the iconography of the show does hang around in your head (it's clearly one of the shows that was a major influence on The X Files). It's a shame this kind of story has since been done to death as you could easily imagine a contemporary Invaders remake being really good (even though the 90s mini-series really wasn't).
Bubba Gee (147 KP) rated Breaking Bad in TV
Jun 23, 2019
The best ever
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is an epic journey of a nice guy gone bad as he simply has had enough of being shat on.
We start with a nice mild mannered high school chemistry teacher Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) who pays his taxes has an average life and finds out he has cancer.
Through his brother in law, a DEA agent and all around asshole, Walter White discovers how with his knowledge of chemistry he can make the purest crystal meth on the street.
Enter Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul)
an ex student of Mr White and low level weed dealer.
Walter uses Jesse to connect himself to the local alberquerque criminal underworld and begins production.
Over the next few series Walter White evolves into his alter ego Heisenberg, a badass, producer, seller, murderer, and generally all around kingpin of New Mexico.
From dealings with other criminals to Mexican drug cartels and beyond,this is an epic tale of a good man gone bad with murder, revenge, international trafficking, twists and turns all along the way.
It really is an absolute credit to the writers and cast.
It also enforces that you shouldn't underestimate anyone no matter how insignificant they may seem.
We start with a nice mild mannered high school chemistry teacher Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) who pays his taxes has an average life and finds out he has cancer.
Through his brother in law, a DEA agent and all around asshole, Walter White discovers how with his knowledge of chemistry he can make the purest crystal meth on the street.
Enter Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul)
an ex student of Mr White and low level weed dealer.
Walter uses Jesse to connect himself to the local alberquerque criminal underworld and begins production.
Over the next few series Walter White evolves into his alter ego Heisenberg, a badass, producer, seller, murderer, and generally all around kingpin of New Mexico.
From dealings with other criminals to Mexican drug cartels and beyond,this is an epic tale of a good man gone bad with murder, revenge, international trafficking, twists and turns all along the way.
It really is an absolute credit to the writers and cast.
It also enforces that you shouldn't underestimate anyone no matter how insignificant they may seem.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Ill Wind (Weather Warden, #1) in Books
Aug 5, 2019
Better second time round
Some Weather Wardens control fire, others control earth, water, or wind -- and the most powerful can control more than one element. Without Wardens, Mother Nature would wipe humanity off the face of the earth...
Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden. Usually, all it takes is a wave of her hand to tame the most violent weather. But now Joanne is trying to outrun another kind of storm: accusations of corruption and murder. So she's resorting to the very human tactic of running for her life.
Her only hope is Lewis, the most powerful Warden. Unfortunately, he's also on the run having stolen not one but three bottles of Djinn -- making him the most wanted man on earth. Still, Joanne and her classic Mustang are racing hard to find him -- because there's some bad weather closing in fast...
<strong>Second time round</strong>
I remember trying to read this a few years ago and seriously struggled so after finishing the Morganville series I decided to try again. I struggled again at first but actually stick with it and quite enjoyed it. It was fast paced and a bit patchy in places but well worth sticking with.
This time round I will be going on to book 2!
⭐⭐⭐

Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden. Usually, all it takes is a wave of her hand to tame the most violent weather. But now Joanne is trying to outrun another kind of storm: accusations of corruption and murder. So she's resorting to the very human tactic of running for her life.
Her only hope is Lewis, the most powerful Warden. Unfortunately, he's also on the run having stolen not one but three bottles of Djinn -- making him the most wanted man on earth. Still, Joanne and her classic Mustang are racing hard to find him -- because there's some bad weather closing in fast...
<strong>Second time round</strong>
I remember trying to read this a few years ago and seriously struggled so after finishing the Morganville series I decided to try again. I struggled again at first but actually stick with it and quite enjoyed it. It was fast paced and a bit patchy in places but well worth sticking with.
This time round I will be going on to book 2!
⭐⭐⭐

John George Haigh, the Acid-Bath Murderer: A Portrait of a Serial Killer and His Victims
Book
What motivated John George Haigh to murder at least six people, then dissolve their corpses in...
SG
Slow Growth: On the Art of Landscape Architecture
Book
The art of landscape architecture is in need of description and illustration in the broad...
Michael Graves: Design for Life
Book
One of the most prominent and prolific designers and architects of the late twentieth century,...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 KP) rated Candy Slain Murder in Books
Oct 1, 2020
Skeleton at Christmas
This Christmas is bringing plenty of surprises to Robbie Jordan’s life. The first is the young man who walks into Pans N’ Pancakes, Robbie’s country store and restaurant, and claims to be Robbie’s assistant’s half brother. Danna never knew she had any siblings. The bigger surprise is the skeleton discovered when a house catches fire. As gossip about who the remains belong to heats up, a fresh murder takes place, and Robbie is once again drawn into the case. Can she figure out what happened?
Since the last book took place outside of South Lick, it was fabulous to be back and see all the regulars again. Everyone gets a scene or two to shine and give us updates on their lives. Unfortunately, the plot could be stronger. While there are plenty of suspects and red herrings, the suspects are weaker than they need to be. The climax is suspenseful and does answer all our questions, however. I’m a sucker for Christmas set cozies, and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. The scenes in the restaurant will make you hungry for the six recipes at the end. Fans of the series will certainly welcome this Christmas entry.
Since the last book took place outside of South Lick, it was fabulous to be back and see all the regulars again. Everyone gets a scene or two to shine and give us updates on their lives. Unfortunately, the plot could be stronger. While there are plenty of suspects and red herrings, the suspects are weaker than they need to be. The climax is suspenseful and does answer all our questions, however. I’m a sucker for Christmas set cozies, and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. The scenes in the restaurant will make you hungry for the six recipes at the end. Fans of the series will certainly welcome this Christmas entry.
Bluebird, Bluebird
8.0
Rate It
Book
Southern fables usually go the other way around: a white woman killed or harmed in some way, real or...
Thriller
Scarecrow: An international mystery full of murder and mayhem (Danny Sanchez Thrillers Book 1)
8.5
Rate It
Book
If the killer’s been caught, why are people still turning up dead…? When Danny Sanchez, a...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2395 KP) rated Villains’ Realm in Books
Jun 6, 2024 (Updated Jun 6, 2024)
Enchantment Creating New Lands
Disney’s CEO has completely changed his mind about opening a Villains’ Realm in each park. The man was opposing it because it was a clear threat, giving the villains a foothold. But now, he’s greenlit them, and constructions has started immediately. In order to stop them from being completed, Eli and his friend Blair are going to have to team up with Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. Can they stop it in time?
If you haven’t been following this saga, you’ll probably be lost trying to follow what is happening. Fans will want to read this book since it sets up the next book. Unfortunately, it falls into middle book trap. We don’t get any real battles with the villains, just stand offs. The climax is abrupt and the story just kind of stops. As usual in the series, the characters are thin as well. Plus some editing left me confused a couple of times. On the positive side, it’s always fun to watch the Kingdom Keepers interacting with Disney characters, and I enjoyed seeing a lot of the action taking place at the California parks. I’m curious to see where things are going, so I’ll be back for the conclusion.
If you haven’t been following this saga, you’ll probably be lost trying to follow what is happening. Fans will want to read this book since it sets up the next book. Unfortunately, it falls into middle book trap. We don’t get any real battles with the villains, just stand offs. The climax is abrupt and the story just kind of stops. As usual in the series, the characters are thin as well. Plus some editing left me confused a couple of times. On the positive side, it’s always fun to watch the Kingdom Keepers interacting with Disney characters, and I enjoyed seeing a lot of the action taking place at the California parks. I’m curious to see where things are going, so I’ll be back for the conclusion.
