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Ross (3282 KP) rated Avengers: Endgame (2019) in Movies
May 1, 2019
Fantastic
Contains spoilers, click to show
What a fantastic film!
I have waited a few days before reviewing this film, and honestly think it would have been 10/10 if I had reviewed it straightaway.
This is so very nearly the perfect superhero film. There is a massive cast of characters, there is humour, there are niche geek references, there are shocks and twists, there are highs, there are lows and there are tears.
But also (and here comes why 1 mark was lost) ... there is time travel. I have an uncomfortable relationship with time travel. I know you always have to give a bit of artistic license with time travel and not get too hung up on the nitty gritty. But here the plot revolves around the characters changing nothing in the past as it would change the future/make it not happen. And yet they go ahead and do it anyway! We have to go back and put the infinity stones back the instant after they were taken. But they didn't have to with Thor's hammer? And why did they have to do that at all because past-Thanos died which means the Infinity War never happened.
I have never been truly happy with time travel in film, with the notable exception of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure which somehow nails it. For me, Endgame failed in this regard purely by setting itself rules it then broke and didn't explore the consequences.
But still, an outstanding film and if I can get myself happy with a crude, straight-talking, machine gun-toting space-raccoon and a teenage living tree then I think I can overlook some timey-wimey things.
I have waited a few days before reviewing this film, and honestly think it would have been 10/10 if I had reviewed it straightaway.
This is so very nearly the perfect superhero film. There is a massive cast of characters, there is humour, there are niche geek references, there are shocks and twists, there are highs, there are lows and there are tears.
But also (and here comes why 1 mark was lost) ... there is time travel. I have an uncomfortable relationship with time travel. I know you always have to give a bit of artistic license with time travel and not get too hung up on the nitty gritty. But here the plot revolves around the characters changing nothing in the past as it would change the future/make it not happen. And yet they go ahead and do it anyway! We have to go back and put the infinity stones back the instant after they were taken. But they didn't have to with Thor's hammer? And why did they have to do that at all because past-Thanos died which means the Infinity War never happened.
I have never been truly happy with time travel in film, with the notable exception of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure which somehow nails it. For me, Endgame failed in this regard purely by setting itself rules it then broke and didn't explore the consequences.
But still, an outstanding film and if I can get myself happy with a crude, straight-talking, machine gun-toting space-raccoon and a teenage living tree then I think I can overlook some timey-wimey things.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2063 KP) rated Crime Travel in Books
Dec 9, 2019
Great Short Story Collection to Read Any Time
This short story collection features 15 stories from various authors that combine time travel and crime fiction. The stories are very creative, involving a variety of methods of time travel from people who build machines to those who stumble upon strange ways to get back in time. The periods range from people traveling to the present, to those traveling to Shakespeare’s England, a New Jersey beach town in the 1970’s, and a couple trips to the 1960’s to name a few. Meanwhile, we get a couple capers, a locked room mystery, and a hard-boiled PI among other great stories.
This is a very strong collection of stories. While a couple weren’t quite to my taste, I can see how others would love them and it was a very minor point. I laughed at a few of the stories, another couple made me cry, in a good way. Most importantly, I had fun. There are so many great stories in this collection, you’ll be glad you picked it up. And if you don’t get it now, you just might have to come back in time and yell at yourself for putting it off and depriving yourself of the joys of reading these stories right away.
This is a very strong collection of stories. While a couple weren’t quite to my taste, I can see how others would love them and it was a very minor point. I laughed at a few of the stories, another couple made me cry, in a good way. Most importantly, I had fun. There are so many great stories in this collection, you’ll be glad you picked it up. And if you don’t get it now, you just might have to come back in time and yell at yourself for putting it off and depriving yourself of the joys of reading these stories right away.
Lindsay (1693 KP) rated Halley's Casino: The Adventures of Nebula Yorker in Books
Aug 30, 2018
Halley’s Casino is a good action and adventure book. It got some historical fiction with science fiction with the time travel. I liked it. It kept you guessing and entertained. I loved the fact that you get to time travel by going back though earth history.
The author does a wonderful job. I like that Nebula Yorker is the problem solver. Is Halley a Comet or is it an Intergalactic Casino? We see what Rome looks like at 12 BCE? Who is Nebula Parents? You find all kinds of surprises and twists along the way. I enjoyed the plot.
Will Neb save earth or will not? It adventures of a lifetime. Find out by reading. This book has a few stories and adventures waiting from beginning to end. Is the world as we see it or his it something we never imagined?
The author does a wonderful job. I like that Nebula Yorker is the problem solver. Is Halley a Comet or is it an Intergalactic Casino? We see what Rome looks like at 12 BCE? Who is Nebula Parents? You find all kinds of surprises and twists along the way. I enjoyed the plot.
Will Neb save earth or will not? It adventures of a lifetime. Find out by reading. This book has a few stories and adventures waiting from beginning to end. Is the world as we see it or his it something we never imagined?
Jessica Cashen (1 KP) rated 30th Century: Escape in Books
May 16, 2018
I couldn't get into the book at first, but once I did it was fast paced. Levin blends hard science, with sci-fi fantasy very well. Anyone who loves time travel, sci-fi and secret agents will love this book. It also has some graphic sex scenes. I hope there is a sequel. I received an ARC copy from #NetGalley for an voluntary, honest review.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Silver Tomorrows in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Silver Tomorrows was a beautiful romance with wonderful characters. Emily is a modern day woman who's never felt at home in her time and is sent back to 1882 Colorado. She meets two men, Teigue and his nephew, Royle. While Teigue adopts her as his daughter and believes she's a good person, Royle refuses to see the good in her and is suspect.
I picked this up after reading a Civil War time-travel and wanted another set in the same era. Even though I'm somewhat organized, I still have books scattered around and the only time-travel romance I could find was set in post-war time, so it would have to do. I am so glad that I had this around to read!
The story unfolds marvelously and I love how logical Emily is, it's really refreshing change from a lot of romances. She doesn't try to convince them she's from the future, and really, the time-travel plays a very little part in the book. Royle is pigheaded in ignoring his feelings for what he thinks he has to do, but of course he can't fight forever (although it might seem so at times) and the chemistry between him and Emily is sizzling. I loved what Teigue added to plot and the direction the story went. I don't want to give too much away but I loved every second of it - a lot was covered, from mining in Colorado to a bit of society in post-war Williamsburg, Virginia over the course of six or so months.
For some reason I'm holding back on a perfect rating, the only thing I can think of is that I didn't get to read it in one sitting. The more I think about it though, the more I appreciate the book and how the author brought everything to life. Even if you don't like time-travel, I would recommend this because it's not an issue in the book, except for Emily finding a home and her logic. The romance is just lovely and that's why romance lovers should read it.
4.5 stars
I picked this up after reading a Civil War time-travel and wanted another set in the same era. Even though I'm somewhat organized, I still have books scattered around and the only time-travel romance I could find was set in post-war time, so it would have to do. I am so glad that I had this around to read!
The story unfolds marvelously and I love how logical Emily is, it's really refreshing change from a lot of romances. She doesn't try to convince them she's from the future, and really, the time-travel plays a very little part in the book. Royle is pigheaded in ignoring his feelings for what he thinks he has to do, but of course he can't fight forever (although it might seem so at times) and the chemistry between him and Emily is sizzling. I loved what Teigue added to plot and the direction the story went. I don't want to give too much away but I loved every second of it - a lot was covered, from mining in Colorado to a bit of society in post-war Williamsburg, Virginia over the course of six or so months.
For some reason I'm holding back on a perfect rating, the only thing I can think of is that I didn't get to read it in one sitting. The more I think about it though, the more I appreciate the book and how the author brought everything to life. Even if you don't like time-travel, I would recommend this because it's not an issue in the book, except for Emily finding a home and her logic. The romance is just lovely and that's why romance lovers should read it.
4.5 stars
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The ‘86 Fix in Books
Aug 22, 2020
Couldn’t put it down
Don’t you love it when you pick up a book that sounds good but you have little expectations of, and get completely blown away. This is what The ‘86 Fix did for me.
To start, this is not a massively sci-fi centric novel despite featuring time travel. The time travel element is almost secondary to the drama and humour that form the main plot of Craig Pelling’s life. In a book where the main plot device (the time travel) doesn’t feature until half way through, you’d be forgiven for expecting to be bored senseless by then but this really isn’t the case. This is mainly because Craig and his life is fascinating. Craig isn’t your usual protagonist - he’s flawed, living a dead end existence and feels just like your average Joe and you can’t help but root for him. It’s intriguing to read about him, his life and his relationships and by the time the time travel element happens, you’re very much invested in Craig and are cheering for him to make amends to his life via his past experiences. It’s all rather heartwarming and quite funny at times too, and it’s so well written.
And then the ending happens. I can’t lie, I was torn between crying and screaming in frustration by the time I reached the end of the book. Not because it was bad, but because I just didn’t see the ending coming and without spoilers, it’s not quite the ending you’d expect or want for a character you’ve been rooting for over the entire book. Despite my frustrations though, it was a surprising ending and enjoyable - I’m so glad the sequel is readily available as I can’t not jump right into it now as I really need to find out what happens to Craig.
This book reminds me a lot of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August as that’s another of my favourites too and has a similar drama/sci-if vibe, and I’d definitely recommend The ‘86 Fix if you’ve ever read Harry August (or even if you haven’t).
To start, this is not a massively sci-fi centric novel despite featuring time travel. The time travel element is almost secondary to the drama and humour that form the main plot of Craig Pelling’s life. In a book where the main plot device (the time travel) doesn’t feature until half way through, you’d be forgiven for expecting to be bored senseless by then but this really isn’t the case. This is mainly because Craig and his life is fascinating. Craig isn’t your usual protagonist - he’s flawed, living a dead end existence and feels just like your average Joe and you can’t help but root for him. It’s intriguing to read about him, his life and his relationships and by the time the time travel element happens, you’re very much invested in Craig and are cheering for him to make amends to his life via his past experiences. It’s all rather heartwarming and quite funny at times too, and it’s so well written.
And then the ending happens. I can’t lie, I was torn between crying and screaming in frustration by the time I reached the end of the book. Not because it was bad, but because I just didn’t see the ending coming and without spoilers, it’s not quite the ending you’d expect or want for a character you’ve been rooting for over the entire book. Despite my frustrations though, it was a surprising ending and enjoyable - I’m so glad the sequel is readily available as I can’t not jump right into it now as I really need to find out what happens to Craig.
This book reminds me a lot of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August as that’s another of my favourites too and has a similar drama/sci-if vibe, and I’d definitely recommend The ‘86 Fix if you’ve ever read Harry August (or even if you haven’t).
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated The Umbrella Academy in TV
Mar 4, 2019
Superheroes, time travel, doughnuts and talking chimps
Contains spoilers, click to show
Another day another superhero tv show - right?? Well this one is really something special. Was hooked from episode 1. The best way I can describe it is a not as dark watchmen tv series. Bunch of kids with powers adopted by man who turns them into a superhero team. Years later they reunite when their 'father' dies. Then happens time travel, drugs, assassins, talking chimps, bird watching, robots, JFK conspiracies, the apocalypse and doughnuts! Like watchmen this has an amazing soundtrack which adds to the quality of the show. This would get 10 out of 10 but I just find Ellen Page terrible and every scene with her just made me cringe so (SPOILER) when she turns out to be the villain (sort of) I was quite pleased!! Watch this show!!!
David McK (3180 KP) rated The Time Machine in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Classic HG Wells science fiction, which (I have read) is often credited with popularizing the phrase of a 'Time Machine'.
Presented in the first person, this is told mainly as that first person retelling the story as it was told to him (and several of his companions) by the (un-named) Time Traveller over dinner, with that Traveller claiming to have traveled several millenia into the future, to the year 802,701 (to be precise).
Once there, he finds that mankind has degenerated into two distinct species: the ephemeral child-like Eloi (who have a complete lack of curiosity) and the underground dwelling malicious Morlocks. Initially finding himself trapped when his mode of transportation disappears/is stolen and locked away by the Morlocks, the bulk of the novel deals with the Time Travellers (in the end successful) attempt to regain said machine in order to travel back to his own time, albeit with a brief excursion into the even-further future.
You know how time travel is often shown of TV/in the movies? With a clock hand whizzing around a face, or with day and night and seasons flickering past? The latter is almost exactly how the process is described in this - I think it may be a fair bet to say that, without this story, we would have movies the likes of (say) Back to the Future!
Presented in the first person, this is told mainly as that first person retelling the story as it was told to him (and several of his companions) by the (un-named) Time Traveller over dinner, with that Traveller claiming to have traveled several millenia into the future, to the year 802,701 (to be precise).
Once there, he finds that mankind has degenerated into two distinct species: the ephemeral child-like Eloi (who have a complete lack of curiosity) and the underground dwelling malicious Morlocks. Initially finding himself trapped when his mode of transportation disappears/is stolen and locked away by the Morlocks, the bulk of the novel deals with the Time Travellers (in the end successful) attempt to regain said machine in order to travel back to his own time, albeit with a brief excursion into the even-further future.
You know how time travel is often shown of TV/in the movies? With a clock hand whizzing around a face, or with day and night and seasons flickering past? The latter is almost exactly how the process is described in this - I think it may be a fair bet to say that, without this story, we would have movies the likes of (say) Back to the Future!
AquaWoman (37 KP) rated Somewhere in Time (1980) in Movies
Jun 11, 2019
Casting chemistry (3 more)
Beautiful love story
Gorgeous scenery
Beautiful writing
This is by far one of my favorite films of all time. A stunning and heart warming time travel love story. Where a man falls in love with a woman that can only be found in another time. Played by Christopher Reeve(Superman) and Jane Seymour, the main characters love story is not to be missed. I've actually visited the place where this movie was filmed. It took my breath away, I felt like I was part of the film when I was there. My grandmother introduced me to this movie, and I will definetely be introducing this to my future grandchildren