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Kyera (8 KP) rated The Empress (The Diabolic, #2) in Books
Feb 1, 2018
The Empress is the second book in the Diabolic series, which is slated to be a three book series. The second book completely flips the story line on its head and I wasn't entirely sure how to feel. The pacing lagged at the beginning, but the final quarter of the book was so gripping that I couldn't put it down. Since this is a sequel, anything beyond this could be a spoiler so I would recommend proceeding with caution.
Despite having not re-read the previous book prior to reading the Empress, it did not take me long to fall back into the world. The sprawling and complex system created in the Diabolic is still as present and nefarious as it was in the first book. I enjoyed watching Nemesis and Tyrus battle the Grandiloquy with their wits and attempt to better the galaxy.
It was nice to see some of the main characters develop and feel like more three-dimensional characters than they were. Even though Nemesis is a Diabolic, she is learning that she can be more than what she was created to be and struggles to be more "human". It was fascinating to watch her development, see her attempt to be more empathetic and not immediately jump to the violent solution.
The plot made me so sad, but also need to know what the conclusion to this series will be - alas it will not be released until fall of 2018. I would recommend this series to young adult/teen readers who enjoy science fiction, battles of wits and intrigue, as well as a dash of violence and mass-murder.
Despite having not re-read the previous book prior to reading the Empress, it did not take me long to fall back into the world. The sprawling and complex system created in the Diabolic is still as present and nefarious as it was in the first book. I enjoyed watching Nemesis and Tyrus battle the Grandiloquy with their wits and attempt to better the galaxy.
It was nice to see some of the main characters develop and feel like more three-dimensional characters than they were. Even though Nemesis is a Diabolic, she is learning that she can be more than what she was created to be and struggles to be more "human". It was fascinating to watch her development, see her attempt to be more empathetic and not immediately jump to the violent solution.
The plot made me so sad, but also need to know what the conclusion to this series will be - alas it will not be released until fall of 2018. I would recommend this series to young adult/teen readers who enjoy science fiction, battles of wits and intrigue, as well as a dash of violence and mass-murder.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Deadpool 2 (2018) in Movies
May 31, 2018
More Marvel films should be like this
Deadpool really makes me want to see more Marvel films like this. It's refreshing to watch a more "adult" Marvel film, with the violence and rude humour and aside from Logan, Deadpool is the only film to have ventured into this adult territory.
That's not to say it always works, as sometimes the jokes are a little too crude or offensive. But for the most part Deadpool 2 is pretty funny and even verging on hilarious at times, and the blood and gore is actually great to see. The plot itself is maybe a tad predictable, but it more than makes up for it with everything else. The title credits, post credits scene and a lot of the tongue in cheek references are particularly hilarious. The soundtrack is eclectic and a bit bonkers, but Deadpool a manages to pull it off.
The cast and characters are fantastic, both the returning favourites (I love Dopinder) and some of the new cast too. Josh Brolin has always been a favourite and he does very well in this, Deadpool even managed to throw in a genius reference to Thanos. Zazie Beetz too is a great new addition. There are also some brilliant cameos in this, which I won't spoil for anyone who hasn't seen it.
My main problem with this film is that parts of it are way too serious and sombre and these scenes really bring down the tone of the film. They do need something serious, but I think with this they've gone a little too heavy handed which is a shame.
That's not to say it always works, as sometimes the jokes are a little too crude or offensive. But for the most part Deadpool 2 is pretty funny and even verging on hilarious at times, and the blood and gore is actually great to see. The plot itself is maybe a tad predictable, but it more than makes up for it with everything else. The title credits, post credits scene and a lot of the tongue in cheek references are particularly hilarious. The soundtrack is eclectic and a bit bonkers, but Deadpool a manages to pull it off.
The cast and characters are fantastic, both the returning favourites (I love Dopinder) and some of the new cast too. Josh Brolin has always been a favourite and he does very well in this, Deadpool even managed to throw in a genius reference to Thanos. Zazie Beetz too is a great new addition. There are also some brilliant cameos in this, which I won't spoil for anyone who hasn't seen it.
My main problem with this film is that parts of it are way too serious and sombre and these scenes really bring down the tone of the film. They do need something serious, but I think with this they've gone a little too heavy handed which is a shame.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Sky in the Deep in Books
Jul 31, 2018
Sky in the Deep came out in April to a LOT of hype. It's mostly deserved. The plot is a little odd; the two clans come together every five years to fight in a blood feud between their gods. But they only fight every five years in a designated place - if you really hated each other, why wouldn't you try to wipe out the other tribe all the time, instead of letting them rebuild their strength for five years? And then this third, mysterious tribe shows up and is enough for you to set aside all your anger at each other? I don't know. It's a little weird.
That oddness aside, I loved this story! I loved Eelyn's fierceness, and also her willingness to see the Riki as people too. Eventually, of course. In Eelyn we have the definition of a strong female character. (She's not the only one, either!) She is admired for her fierceness and strength, but not seen as any less female. Women are warriors in her culture too.
It's a pretty straightforward book, with a few graphic scenes of violence in the fights. Everything happened pretty much as I expected it to, but I still enjoyed seeing Eelyn grow and change throughout the book. It's also very atmospheric; I could almost hear the snow crunching beneath boots, the rushing roar of the mountain river, the quiet creaking of the frozen lake. Young's writing style pulls you right into the book and doesn't let you go.
Set aside your questions about the plot's logic and just enjoy this book. It's wonderful.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
That oddness aside, I loved this story! I loved Eelyn's fierceness, and also her willingness to see the Riki as people too. Eventually, of course. In Eelyn we have the definition of a strong female character. (She's not the only one, either!) She is admired for her fierceness and strength, but not seen as any less female. Women are warriors in her culture too.
It's a pretty straightforward book, with a few graphic scenes of violence in the fights. Everything happened pretty much as I expected it to, but I still enjoyed seeing Eelyn grow and change throughout the book. It's also very atmospheric; I could almost hear the snow crunching beneath boots, the rushing roar of the mountain river, the quiet creaking of the frozen lake. Young's writing style pulls you right into the book and doesn't let you go.
Set aside your questions about the plot's logic and just enjoy this book. It's wonderful.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated REC (2007) in Movies
Sep 5, 2018
28 Days Later in a stairwell
Possibly one of my favourite films, REC has everything that makes 28 days later such a monster of a movie, but it doubles down on claustrophobia and adds in the found footage aspect too, which makes the action just seem all the more immediate and in-your-face.
They do a great job of putting the viewer right there in the film, the performances feel genuine, and before long you are just along for the ride, the cameraman being your eyes and ears into a world when the infected become aggressive, murderous and frenetic, and the survivors are trapped inside an apartment building with no means of escape and no way to adequately defend themselves.
The film is paced marvelously, establishing its rules quickly, and without the need for huge amounts of clumsy exposition, and then begins an ebb and flow between periods of character recovery, followed by frantic action as the infected threaten to overwhelm the survivors.
There is just such a genuine and earnest feel to this film, reminiscent of Texas Chainsaw Massacre in the way that the glossy sheen common to well made movies is not present, and in its place is something which feels visceral, full of flawed but realistic characters.
If you like 28 days later or train to Busan, this is a must see.
They do a great job of putting the viewer right there in the film, the performances feel genuine, and before long you are just along for the ride, the cameraman being your eyes and ears into a world when the infected become aggressive, murderous and frenetic, and the survivors are trapped inside an apartment building with no means of escape and no way to adequately defend themselves.
The film is paced marvelously, establishing its rules quickly, and without the need for huge amounts of clumsy exposition, and then begins an ebb and flow between periods of character recovery, followed by frantic action as the infected threaten to overwhelm the survivors.
There is just such a genuine and earnest feel to this film, reminiscent of Texas Chainsaw Massacre in the way that the glossy sheen common to well made movies is not present, and in its place is something which feels visceral, full of flawed but realistic characters.
If you like 28 days later or train to Busan, this is a must see.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Kill List (2012) in Movies
Sep 7, 2018
Performances are strong (1 more)
Gruesome and Violent in a very effective way
The ending is very divisive (1 more)
Lots of elements are left unexplained
Intense, memorable but lacks clarity
Contains spoilers, click to show
Kill List is a very British Horror, that follows a clearly damaged ex-soldier that is drawn into the world of hit-men and assassinations in order to earn his way out of financial trouble.
Featuring a number of recognizable British tv actors, and a interesting edit style that chops out extraneous seconds here there and everywhere, often overlaying conversational narrative over a shot displaying a different scene, effectively giving you two informational elements at the same time.
It has some brutal violence, as the two hitman proceed to move down their list discovering generally bad people, which allows the viewer to avoid the moral conflict that might otherwise complicate the premise.
There are nods that the people hiring them know more than they are letting on, and the film builds to a slightly confusing crescendo with an ending similar to another very controversial horror film of recent years, that will shock some and disappoint others.
Overall it is an enjoyable but challenging film, that would have benefited from signposting a few more of the confusing elements more clearly, though the ending and its insinuations are more than likely intended to be of a vague and open nature by design.
Violent, upsetting and very dark in theme, Kill List is definitely a horror, and definitely not one for those of a weak constitution...it is flawed, and not a classic but it certainly is a solid choice for a rainy evening.
Featuring a number of recognizable British tv actors, and a interesting edit style that chops out extraneous seconds here there and everywhere, often overlaying conversational narrative over a shot displaying a different scene, effectively giving you two informational elements at the same time.
It has some brutal violence, as the two hitman proceed to move down their list discovering generally bad people, which allows the viewer to avoid the moral conflict that might otherwise complicate the premise.
There are nods that the people hiring them know more than they are letting on, and the film builds to a slightly confusing crescendo with an ending similar to another very controversial horror film of recent years, that will shock some and disappoint others.
Overall it is an enjoyable but challenging film, that would have benefited from signposting a few more of the confusing elements more clearly, though the ending and its insinuations are more than likely intended to be of a vague and open nature by design.
Violent, upsetting and very dark in theme, Kill List is definitely a horror, and definitely not one for those of a weak constitution...it is flawed, and not a classic but it certainly is a solid choice for a rainy evening.
TacoDave (3868 KP) rated Detroit: Become Human in Video Games
Nov 2, 2018 (Updated Nov 2, 2018)
Story (3 more)
Cinematic
Intense
Thought-provoking
Slow-moving (1 more)
A bit too on-the-nose politically
A unique gaming experience, but not necessarily a video game...
I won a copy of Detroit: Become Human here on Smashbomb and I'm really glad I did. I liked David Cage's previous games - specifically The Indigo Prophecy and Heavy Rain - but I wasn't sure about this one. A story about androids being treated badly (an obvious metaphor for racism) didn't intrigue me at first blush, although the demo was pretty good.
But after playing the game, I came away pleasantly surprised. Cage's games are more like interactive movies than full video games, and that's fine with me. It is refreshing to play something that is more about contemplation and decision-making than twitchy reactions. And the stories in Detroit: Become Human were interesting enough to keep me playing.
But be warned: this game isn't for precious snowflakes. It involves violence, crime, death, abuse, and several other topics that might make someone with thinner skin cry out "Trigger Warning!!!" But those are exactly the kinds of topics that deserve contemplation, and this game is a perfect fit for those themes. It also has tons of swearing, if that bothers you. I played with the subtitles on and the sound turned way down when my kids were around.
One other caveat: the gameplay revolves around following on-screen prompts to use the joystick a certain way or push the correct button. If you aren't very familiar with a PS4 controller, I suggest you study the button layout and figure out where everything is so you can react with the right button press when needed.
But after playing the game, I came away pleasantly surprised. Cage's games are more like interactive movies than full video games, and that's fine with me. It is refreshing to play something that is more about contemplation and decision-making than twitchy reactions. And the stories in Detroit: Become Human were interesting enough to keep me playing.
But be warned: this game isn't for precious snowflakes. It involves violence, crime, death, abuse, and several other topics that might make someone with thinner skin cry out "Trigger Warning!!!" But those are exactly the kinds of topics that deserve contemplation, and this game is a perfect fit for those themes. It also has tons of swearing, if that bothers you. I played with the subtitles on and the sound turned way down when my kids were around.
One other caveat: the gameplay revolves around following on-screen prompts to use the joystick a certain way or push the correct button. If you aren't very familiar with a PS4 controller, I suggest you study the button layout and figure out where everything is so you can react with the right button press when needed.
Kelly (279 KP) rated Orphan Black - Season 1 in TV
Dec 6, 2018
Unique plot line (1 more)
Fantastic actors
Hooked!
I was originally drawn to the series after reading the synopsis, and was hooked in the first 10 minutes. The story centres around Sarah, who assumes the identity of a woman who looks identical to her, trying to escape her own troublesome past, but instead finding she has just stepped into more trouble. As the story develops, we find out that they are actually clones of each other, and are not alone in the world.
The plot thickens quickly as the series develops, becoming more sinister as Sarah tries to protect her foster family and young daughter. In all, I could the plot line unique and refreshing in comparison to what is currently out their.
The clones are played by Tatiana Maslany, who acts each one individually, the fact that she is able to demonstrate a clear identity of several characters at the same time, is a credit to her acting career.
The show itself does have a lot of drama, suspense and a little violence throughout the series, however it never takes itself too seriously, with regular breaks to add a little light heartedness into the show. The clone Alison/ soccer mom, in particular adds an air of humour to the show, particularly with her turbulent relationship with her husband and the stark contrast between herself and Sarah.
The series itself is worthy of a complete box set binge, and is definitely not one that you want to stop until the very end. This has made it to my list of favourite TV shows of all time.
The plot thickens quickly as the series develops, becoming more sinister as Sarah tries to protect her foster family and young daughter. In all, I could the plot line unique and refreshing in comparison to what is currently out their.
The clones are played by Tatiana Maslany, who acts each one individually, the fact that she is able to demonstrate a clear identity of several characters at the same time, is a credit to her acting career.
The show itself does have a lot of drama, suspense and a little violence throughout the series, however it never takes itself too seriously, with regular breaks to add a little light heartedness into the show. The clone Alison/ soccer mom, in particular adds an air of humour to the show, particularly with her turbulent relationship with her husband and the stark contrast between herself and Sarah.
The series itself is worthy of a complete box set binge, and is definitely not one that you want to stop until the very end. This has made it to my list of favourite TV shows of all time.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2387 KP) rated The Promise in Books
Jun 18, 2019
I Promise, This is an Enjoyable Book
Elvis Cole is hired to track down a woman, and the most promising clue takes him to a house that appears to be empty. When Cole gets no answer, he tries to leave only to be trapped by the police swarming into the neighborhood looking for a suspect on the run. Meanwhile, K-9 officer Scott James and his dog, Maggie, are tracking the suspect to the very house Cole was interested in. Inside, they find a dead body and a room full of explosives. As the two cases intertwine, can the two find a way to work together?
Knowing Scott and Maggie were going to be featured very heavily in this book was what got me reading the Cole and Pike books several years ago, so it was nice to finally get to read this one. I’m happy to say it lived up to the promise of the premise. The book is another great thriller with plenty of things happening to keep us interested. Both sets of characters contribute something to the eventual outcome. I did think there was a plot hole early on in the book, but it was resolved by the time we reach the climax. The characters were a little thin again, although I enjoyed getting to see a bit of a different side to John Stone here. The violence, language, and general depravity is definitely toned down from the previous book, although there is still more than in my typical cozies, which is no surprise. Fans of author Robert Crais or either set of characters will be pleased by this book.
Knowing Scott and Maggie were going to be featured very heavily in this book was what got me reading the Cole and Pike books several years ago, so it was nice to finally get to read this one. I’m happy to say it lived up to the promise of the premise. The book is another great thriller with plenty of things happening to keep us interested. Both sets of characters contribute something to the eventual outcome. I did think there was a plot hole early on in the book, but it was resolved by the time we reach the climax. The characters were a little thin again, although I enjoyed getting to see a bit of a different side to John Stone here. The violence, language, and general depravity is definitely toned down from the previous book, although there is still more than in my typical cozies, which is no surprise. Fans of author Robert Crais or either set of characters will be pleased by this book.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Autómata (2014) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
In the near future following an ecological disaster, humanity lives behind a wall to protect itself from the radioactive and barren wastelands as well as the scavengers outside. This is the setting of the new film “Autómata” by Director Gabe Ibanez.
Antonio Banderas stars as Jacq Vaucan, an insurance agent who is tasked with representing ROC Robotics as their units have become standard for all tasks menial and otherwise in society.
With Acid Rain and pollution a threat to those in the walk, Jacq is happy to have a good job and has a baby on the way that he and his wife look forward to. Jacq becomes involved in a mystery when a robot is found repairing itself in violation of the basic programming for the machines.
The investigation takes a turn for the worse when violence erupts and Jacq is forced to flee into the radioactive areas with a small band of robots watching over him. Despite his bad condition, Jacq learns the truth behind the investigation and those who will stop at nothing to keep it a secret.
The film is very good for budget Science Fiction as the FX work is first rate. This is a take with humanity at its core, and Banderas does solid work in the role. The film also takes some jabs at society and human nature without being over the top or heavy handed and the pacing worked well for the film.
I must say this is one of the more interesting films of the year especially since it came out without the hype and fanfare of bigger studio films.
http://sknr.net/2014/10/10/automata/
Antonio Banderas stars as Jacq Vaucan, an insurance agent who is tasked with representing ROC Robotics as their units have become standard for all tasks menial and otherwise in society.
With Acid Rain and pollution a threat to those in the walk, Jacq is happy to have a good job and has a baby on the way that he and his wife look forward to. Jacq becomes involved in a mystery when a robot is found repairing itself in violation of the basic programming for the machines.
The investigation takes a turn for the worse when violence erupts and Jacq is forced to flee into the radioactive areas with a small band of robots watching over him. Despite his bad condition, Jacq learns the truth behind the investigation and those who will stop at nothing to keep it a secret.
The film is very good for budget Science Fiction as the FX work is first rate. This is a take with humanity at its core, and Banderas does solid work in the role. The film also takes some jabs at society and human nature without being over the top or heavy handed and the pacing worked well for the film.
I must say this is one of the more interesting films of the year especially since it came out without the hype and fanfare of bigger studio films.
http://sknr.net/2014/10/10/automata/
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated A Lesson in Love and Murder (Herringford and Watts Mysteries, #2) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
From the iconic cover through to the Epilogue, Rachel McMillan has delivered another thrilling Herringford & Watts adventure. Filled with love and mystery, sorrow and murder, trust and anarchy...You will be drawn into the story and fight alongside Merinda and Jem for justice and freedom. Can I just say..."Mounties"...Even this redneck American girl can appreciate the Royal North-West Mounted Police. And I was giddy with delight that Rachel incorporated them into this story. I loved this book so much (more than the first one I think). There was so much going on in history at this time. It was interesting to watch those with the desire to bring change, they had the passion and drive to see things through to the end...But they had a warped view of how to go about it. Unfortunately, it reminds me of society today. It breaks my heart knowing that not much has changed in that aspect. Protests, bombings, violence and murder...These are not the answers. That is all I will say about that...Back to the book...Full of the same witty dialogue and precarious circumstances that I have come to expect (and adore) from Herringford & Watts. The footnotes also make their appearance in this story, which I still think is BRILLIANT! If you are interested in mystery, humour, and romance, these are the books for you. You will want to start with the first book, A Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this adventure. I received a free copy of A Lesson in Love & Murder in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.