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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Wrath of the Titans (2012) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Sequels often struggle to live up to the expectations set by their predecessors. Wrath of the Titans delivers. Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, and Ralph Fiennes reprise their roles as Perseus, Zeus, and Hades in this continuation of the Clash of the Titans remake from 2010. They’re joined this time by Rosamund Pike, who portrays the strong, female love interest as the beautiful Queen Andromeda.
Perseus has settled down to become a fisherman with his son. His wife has been written out of the story — either by design or because the actress was not available. She seems to be dead for no particular reason. Perseus has chosen to live life as a mortal, despite his father, Zeus (Neeson), offering him a seat of power on Olympus. Early in the movie, Zeus comes to his son and asks for help, telling him something big is coming. Only Perseus, a demi-god, would have the strength to ensure humanity’s survival.
The rest of the story involves Perseus’s journey to save the world from the reawakening of Chronos. Mythology geeks and fantasy buffs will appreciate the severity of this situation.
While the makers of this film certainly didn’t reinvent the wheel, or even attempt to one-up their previous film, they surely succeeded in making an entertaining screenplay. In short: if you liked the first, you will like this one. It has all the action, sword-swinging, flying-horse-riding, and titan-killing you would expect from the series. The CGI is impressive, and the 3D effects were not too objectionable.
One scene in particular stuck out as ill-conceived. The kiss at the end of the film felt forced. There was very little romantic build-up throughout the movie, so it felt as if the filmmakers included the kiss because moviegoers expect to see romantic resolution. Perhaps this is one of the several endings they filmed, at which point they let focus groups make the call. Either way, it felt awkward.
As I said before, if you enjoyed the first, seeing the second is worth your time and money.
Perseus has settled down to become a fisherman with his son. His wife has been written out of the story — either by design or because the actress was not available. She seems to be dead for no particular reason. Perseus has chosen to live life as a mortal, despite his father, Zeus (Neeson), offering him a seat of power on Olympus. Early in the movie, Zeus comes to his son and asks for help, telling him something big is coming. Only Perseus, a demi-god, would have the strength to ensure humanity’s survival.
The rest of the story involves Perseus’s journey to save the world from the reawakening of Chronos. Mythology geeks and fantasy buffs will appreciate the severity of this situation.
While the makers of this film certainly didn’t reinvent the wheel, or even attempt to one-up their previous film, they surely succeeded in making an entertaining screenplay. In short: if you liked the first, you will like this one. It has all the action, sword-swinging, flying-horse-riding, and titan-killing you would expect from the series. The CGI is impressive, and the 3D effects were not too objectionable.
One scene in particular stuck out as ill-conceived. The kiss at the end of the film felt forced. There was very little romantic build-up throughout the movie, so it felt as if the filmmakers included the kiss because moviegoers expect to see romantic resolution. Perhaps this is one of the several endings they filmed, at which point they let focus groups make the call. Either way, it felt awkward.
As I said before, if you enjoyed the first, seeing the second is worth your time and money.

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Ares Is Mine (Rise of Hades #3) in Books
Nov 22, 2020
196 of 200
Kindle
Ares is mine ( Gods and Monsters book 3)
By Mila Young
I'm a Hero. Created to fight Chaos. Sworn to act as Zeus' spear to avenge Olympus.
And I need to fight harder.
When death comes for those I love, I fight. And despite the radiant love of Apollo and the swelling love of Poseidon, I must find room to embrace war. That means getting close to Ares.
To win a war you need allies you can trust and who trust each other. Apollo, Poseidon, and Ares don't see eye to eye at the best of times. Throw my deepening love for each of them into the mix and it seems impossible. I need to convince all of them we're on the same side, and war makes for strange bedfellows.
Then there's Hades. He might be the key to our success, or the trigger for our doom. But he triggers the best and worst in me, and I can't help but melt into his darkness.
Can a brooding vicious war god help me to fight this war across multiple fronts. Can the god of war even show love? Ares is Mine.
Elyse is back!! Kick I king ass and we got some double God action gotta say kinda hot!! I love these books can’t believe Hades is the last one and I’m hoping he gets some love he’s my favourite misunderstood God! By the way Zeus sucks!!!
Kindle
Ares is mine ( Gods and Monsters book 3)
By Mila Young
I'm a Hero. Created to fight Chaos. Sworn to act as Zeus' spear to avenge Olympus.
And I need to fight harder.
When death comes for those I love, I fight. And despite the radiant love of Apollo and the swelling love of Poseidon, I must find room to embrace war. That means getting close to Ares.
To win a war you need allies you can trust and who trust each other. Apollo, Poseidon, and Ares don't see eye to eye at the best of times. Throw my deepening love for each of them into the mix and it seems impossible. I need to convince all of them we're on the same side, and war makes for strange bedfellows.
Then there's Hades. He might be the key to our success, or the trigger for our doom. But he triggers the best and worst in me, and I can't help but melt into his darkness.
Can a brooding vicious war god help me to fight this war across multiple fronts. Can the god of war even show love? Ares is Mine.
Elyse is back!! Kick I king ass and we got some double God action gotta say kinda hot!! I love these books can’t believe Hades is the last one and I’m hoping he gets some love he’s my favourite misunderstood God! By the way Zeus sucks!!!

David McK (3562 KP) rated Clash of the Titans (2010) in Movies
Dec 18, 2019
Remake/reimagining of the 1981 original, I remember the big thing about this at the time as the special effects. Or, rather, the post-production 3D effects added released, as this was, only a few short years after James Cameras na exceptional 'Avatar'. Whereas 'Avatar', however, was filmed specifically in and for 3D, this film owes more of a debt to the older 1980s 3D films: watching this in 2D it's quite obvious to see what scenes were added specifically for the effects (I'm thinking mainly of the attack of the giant scorpions, or the Kraken at the end),
Starring Sam Worthingon - whatever happened to him? - as Perseus, the plot of this obviously takes inspiration from Greek myths, even down to having Liam Neeson playing the part of Zeus himself, and of the Pegasus.
Starring Sam Worthingon - whatever happened to him? - as Perseus, the plot of this obviously takes inspiration from Greek myths, even down to having Liam Neeson playing the part of Zeus himself, and of the Pegasus.

Awix (3310 KP) rated Clash Of The Titans (1981) in Movies
Jan 3, 2021
Rollicking but not exactly thought-through fantasy yarn, Ray Harryhausen's valedictory movie. Strapping lad Perseus attempts to win the hand of the princess Andromeda, but must contend with sea monsters, giant scorpions, the Medusa and so on. Meanwhile Laurence Olivier sits on the throne of Zeus and counts his appearance fee.
Knockabout stuff, if not strong on mythological accuracy or internal coherence, very much in the vein of the same producer's Jason and the Argonauts. Solid (if slightly eggy) performances from a good cast. Everything is in service to Harryhausen's animation sequences, anyway, which are technically immaculate even if the movie lacks a single stand-out set-piece like the skeleton battle or allosaurus-roping sequence of previous projects. Looks like a great movie when you're about eleven; pretty good fun when you grow up, too.
Knockabout stuff, if not strong on mythological accuracy or internal coherence, very much in the vein of the same producer's Jason and the Argonauts. Solid (if slightly eggy) performances from a good cast. Everything is in service to Harryhausen's animation sequences, anyway, which are technically immaculate even if the movie lacks a single stand-out set-piece like the skeleton battle or allosaurus-roping sequence of previous projects. Looks like a great movie when you're about eleven; pretty good fun when you grow up, too.

The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Santorini in Tabletop Games
Mar 19, 2018
Basic Gameplay is great (1 more)
Very Strategic
Great 2 player Abstract game, plus the God powers make it interesting
This game is beautifully made, you can make your own if you want but with this version available I wouldn't bother. This is a masterful production with gorgeous art and such a super simple and easy to pick up game. I teach this game to people all the time in under 5 minutes... move your guy one space and then build around him. you can move up or down f you want, but can't jump two levels up. the winner is the one who reaches an uncapped top. Great for young and old alike. and with th god powers, you can play Apollo against Zeus, or Aphrodite vs Herra... etc... This is another great gateway game.

Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Hercules (1997) in Movies
Aug 10, 2019
Zero to Hero
Contains spoilers, click to show
Disney's take on the Greek mythological Hero.
Hercules (Tate Donovan), son of Zeus, was kidnapped as a baby by minions of Hades (James Woods) and is found and raised by mortals in a superman-esque kinda way.
Now a teenager, Hercules wants to know about his real parents. Along the way he needs to perform a rite of passage on Earth to prove himself worthy of living with the gods on Mount Olympus and dealing with his first true love With help from his plucky satyr sidekick, Philoctetes (Danny DeVito), who's along for the ride, Hercules must learn how to use his strength to become the hero he's needed to be.
This movie is very light hearted and has an array of characters you can appreciate, many vibrant colours manage to draw you in, great dialogue and banter between characters with a meaningful story.
My personal favourite Disney animation.
Hercules (Tate Donovan), son of Zeus, was kidnapped as a baby by minions of Hades (James Woods) and is found and raised by mortals in a superman-esque kinda way.
Now a teenager, Hercules wants to know about his real parents. Along the way he needs to perform a rite of passage on Earth to prove himself worthy of living with the gods on Mount Olympus and dealing with his first true love With help from his plucky satyr sidekick, Philoctetes (Danny DeVito), who's along for the ride, Hercules must learn how to use his strength to become the hero he's needed to be.
This movie is very light hearted and has an array of characters you can appreciate, many vibrant colours manage to draw you in, great dialogue and banter between characters with a meaningful story.
My personal favourite Disney animation.

The Craggus (360 KP) rated Shazam! (2019) in Movies
Apr 6, 2019 (Updated Apr 6, 2019)
The Shazam! (2019) movie is the Billy Batson of the DCEU
The movie comes properly into focus when it becomes clear that thematically, the movie itself is echoing Billy Batson’s character arc. Just as SHAZAM derives his power from the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas; the energy bolts of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury, so “Shazam!” inherits potent traits from its forebears. Like “Man Of Steel”, it’s perhaps a little too fond of fight scenes featuring flying people being flung through skyscrapers. Like “Aquaman”, it suffers the curse of a conspicuously ropey special effects moment. Like “Suicide Squad”, it’s trying a little too hard with its soundtrack choices and like “Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice” it relies too heavily on YouTube clips for exposition. And just as Billy Batson has to battle his own mean-spirited, selfish and angsty urges to become the hero Shazam is meant to be, so too does “Shazam!” push back against the DCEU grimdark tropes to forge a bright new pathway to fun, adventure and a hopeful tone without sacrificing the superhero action...
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusShazam
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusShazam

Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Eighteen Below (Fabian Risk, #3) in Books
May 22, 2019
ON A HOT SUMMER'S DAY.
A car speeds through the streets of Helsingborg. When it reaches the harbour, the driver keeps going, straight into the cold, dark sea.
A BODY IN THE WATER.
But it is not a suicide. The autopsy reveals that this man has been dead for some time. He was murdered two months ago, and his body has been deep frozen.
TURNS EVERTHING COLDER.
As more bodies are discovered, Fabian Risk must hunt a killer with a mission: to preserve his victims, and create the perfect death...
This is a very good action thriller that involves a puzzling story-line and creepy villains.
While it seems that there are 2 completely different, unlinked cases going on in this book, you get the impression that is not the case at all; but how they're linked is what keeps you guessing.
Very action-packed indeed and the more so the further you read. I greatly enjoyed it.
The writing and plot are superb.
If you love Jo Nesbo- this is for you.
Recommend reading!!
Thanks to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this ARC.
A car speeds through the streets of Helsingborg. When it reaches the harbour, the driver keeps going, straight into the cold, dark sea.
A BODY IN THE WATER.
But it is not a suicide. The autopsy reveals that this man has been dead for some time. He was murdered two months ago, and his body has been deep frozen.
TURNS EVERTHING COLDER.
As more bodies are discovered, Fabian Risk must hunt a killer with a mission: to preserve his victims, and create the perfect death...
This is a very good action thriller that involves a puzzling story-line and creepy villains.
While it seems that there are 2 completely different, unlinked cases going on in this book, you get the impression that is not the case at all; but how they're linked is what keeps you guessing.
Very action-packed indeed and the more so the further you read. I greatly enjoyed it.
The writing and plot are superb.
If you love Jo Nesbo- this is for you.
Recommend reading!!
Thanks to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this ARC.

Hazel (2934 KP) rated The House of a Hundred Whispers in Books
Sep 20, 2020
Creepy and atmospheric
I have been a fan of Mr Masterton's books for more years than I care to remember but I have to admit though that I do find his books can be hit or miss with me but this one was definitely a hit.
This is a creepy, atmospheric story that starts off quite slowly but soon develops into a fast paced spine-tingling read with ghosts, demons, witches, wizards and a secret priest hole that isn't all as it seems. The characters are well developed and the setting is absolutely perfect and this adds to the mystery and tension that runs throughout.
This is a horror book but not an all out blood-and-guts horror book - there are a couple of gruesome scenes but they are definitely in the minority and I would recommend to those who like a bit of a scare but who are not into gratuitous violence or a lot of gore unless of course you live in a creepy, old house in which case I would leave it!
Thank you to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
This is a creepy, atmospheric story that starts off quite slowly but soon develops into a fast paced spine-tingling read with ghosts, demons, witches, wizards and a secret priest hole that isn't all as it seems. The characters are well developed and the setting is absolutely perfect and this adds to the mystery and tension that runs throughout.
This is a horror book but not an all out blood-and-guts horror book - there are a couple of gruesome scenes but they are definitely in the minority and I would recommend to those who like a bit of a scare but who are not into gratuitous violence or a lot of gore unless of course you live in a creepy, old house in which case I would leave it!
Thank you to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Die Hard 2 (1990) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
I'm not going to lie, about 10% of the reason I like this one is because of William Sadler doing naked tai chi.
Could you imagine Die Hard 2 filmed these days? There'd be no tasing Dick, what a disappointment.
Of the few things that bother me about this one the film's yippee ki-yay for me could have been better timed. He's got the perfect moment coming up, if he'd have just left it until after he lit the fuel... "Yippee ki-yay, motherf*****!" *two beats* BOOM.
Sadly Die Hard 2 is my least favourite out of the four... like I said, we don't count the fifth one. Not that that's a bad thing, it's still damn good, it's just up against some stiff competition.
In the first one McClane has Powell, in Vengeance he has Zeus and in 4.0 he has Farrell. For some reason in 2 they didn't give him someone to properly develop a relationship with, there are lots of people there for him to interact with, but nothing really lasts very long before he's off to the next one.
Could you imagine Die Hard 2 filmed these days? There'd be no tasing Dick, what a disappointment.
Of the few things that bother me about this one the film's yippee ki-yay for me could have been better timed. He's got the perfect moment coming up, if he'd have just left it until after he lit the fuel... "Yippee ki-yay, motherf*****!" *two beats* BOOM.
Sadly Die Hard 2 is my least favourite out of the four... like I said, we don't count the fifth one. Not that that's a bad thing, it's still damn good, it's just up against some stiff competition.
In the first one McClane has Powell, in Vengeance he has Zeus and in 4.0 he has Farrell. For some reason in 2 they didn't give him someone to properly develop a relationship with, there are lots of people there for him to interact with, but nothing really lasts very long before he's off to the next one.