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Awix (3310 KP) rated Hummingbird (aka Redemption, Crazy Joe) (2013) in Movies
May 16, 2019
Well, if anyone was going to play an ex-special forces homeless man who interferes romantically with a nun and turns up to a knife fight carrying a spoon, it was going to be Jason Statham. The plot of this one honestly feels a bit like a mix-tape of the best bits from the great man's back catalogue (Chinese gangsters, people trafficking, mob enforcement, improbable threats) but it's put together with skill and conviction.
It does have that slightly crazy quality you often get in J-Stat films, but for me this is the source of much of their charm, and this one also manages to address some slightly deeper topics than usual and even ends up with a bit of gravitas and emotional depth. It almost feels like a drama as much as an action film, and you genuinely do care for the characters by the end of it. Definitely one of the better Statham vehicles, although one has to wonder about the film's fairly blatant attempts to position him as a gay icon - is J-Stat on board with this? Has anyone even thought to tell him? Good fun either way.
It does have that slightly crazy quality you often get in J-Stat films, but for me this is the source of much of their charm, and this one also manages to address some slightly deeper topics than usual and even ends up with a bit of gravitas and emotional depth. It almost feels like a drama as much as an action film, and you genuinely do care for the characters by the end of it. Definitely one of the better Statham vehicles, although one has to wonder about the film's fairly blatant attempts to position him as a gay icon - is J-Stat on board with this? Has anyone even thought to tell him? Good fun either way.
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Pandemic in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
Pandemic Review
Pandemic was my first cooperative game. I had always played games where there was one clear winner and the thought of playing a game that we either all win or all lose was intriguing. It’s a blast playing together in co-op games. I have found that this genre is one that I will play any time the opportunity arises. Playing as a team, working together, and dealing with crisis makes co-op games exciting. However, just because a game is co-op doesn’t mean it’s a good one. Luckily for you, Pandemic is a great one.
Pandemic is just a blast to play. With everyone throwing out opinions on what players should do on their turn and trying to decide the best course of action there is plenty of discussion during the game. There is also the potential issue with one person becoming the leader and making the decisions for everyone’s turn, but in my experience, I have found that people have worked together to win the game.
Reviewer: Tyler Nichols
Read the full review here: https://www.boardgamequest.com/pandemic-board-game-review/
Pandemic is just a blast to play. With everyone throwing out opinions on what players should do on their turn and trying to decide the best course of action there is plenty of discussion during the game. There is also the potential issue with one person becoming the leader and making the decisions for everyone’s turn, but in my experience, I have found that people have worked together to win the game.
Reviewer: Tyler Nichols
Read the full review here: https://www.boardgamequest.com/pandemic-board-game-review/
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Death of a Toy Soldier (Vintage Toyshop Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Liz McCall is helping her father run Well Played, a vintage toy shop. One day, a man walks in with a box of toys he wants appraised. However, a couple of days later, the man is dead in their shop, killed by a lawn dart, and the box of toys is missing. Liz’s father is a retired police man, and he begins to investigate the case unofficially with Liz helping him. Will they be able to figure out what happened?
Toys and nostalgia as a setting for a new cozy series? Sign me up! And I was as delighted with his debut as I thought I would be. The mystery is strong with some nice red herrings before we reach an ending that wraps everything up. The characters are strong and so much fun. If the store were real, I’d love to hang out for vintage board game night, but as it is, I’ll gladly return for the sequel.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-death-of-toy-soldier-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Toys and nostalgia as a setting for a new cozy series? Sign me up! And I was as delighted with his debut as I thought I would be. The mystery is strong with some nice red herrings before we reach an ending that wraps everything up. The characters are strong and so much fun. If the store were real, I’d love to hang out for vintage board game night, but as it is, I’ll gladly return for the sequel.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-death-of-toy-soldier-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Dressed to Confess (Costume Shop Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
It’s time for the annual Sagebrush Festival, and this year, the theme is board games, inspired by the opening act, the Domino Divas. This local group is reuniting after something broke them up 50 years ago. But the reunion isn’t going that well. After a bad rehearsal, group member Ronnie Cass doesn’t show up for their first performance. That’s when costume shop owner Margo Tamblyn finds Ronnie dead in her trailer. Did her murder have anything to do with what broke the group up 50 years ago?
As Margo investigates, she finds a bit of a conspiracy surrounding this murder, which just adds to the fun of the mystery. A couple of things get glossed over in the climax, but for the most part, everything is wrapped up well. I love this setting, a town that goes all out for every occasion, including throwing costume parties. And the characters are fantastic, just like they are in the earlier books in the series.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-dressed-to-confess-by-diane.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As Margo investigates, she finds a bit of a conspiracy surrounding this murder, which just adds to the fun of the mystery. A couple of things get glossed over in the climax, but for the most part, everything is wrapped up well. I love this setting, a town that goes all out for every occasion, including throwing costume parties. And the characters are fantastic, just like they are in the earlier books in the series.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-dressed-to-confess-by-diane.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Meet Your Baker (A Bakeshop Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
After years at sea, Jules Capshaw has returned to Ashford, Oregon. While she figures out what to do with her life, she is helping her mother with Torte, the family bakeshop. But she’s hardly back in town before she meets Nancy Hudson. Nancy is a new member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival board, and she is obnoxious, picking fights with everyone she meets. When Jules finds Nancy one more in Torte’s kitchen, there are quite a few suspects. But with the police focuses on Jules’s friends, she starts to investigate herself in order to find out the truth. Can she do it?
I’ve long heard of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and I’d love to go sometime. Until that happens, this is a great alternative. The characters are wonderful and already fully formed, although I do feel like part of Jules’s backstory isn’t strong enough for her actions. But that’s probably just me. The plot is good, although it was a little weak at the end. Still, everything is wrapped up in a logical way.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-meet-your-baker-by-ellie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I’ve long heard of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and I’d love to go sometime. Until that happens, this is a great alternative. The characters are wonderful and already fully formed, although I do feel like part of Jules’s backstory isn’t strong enough for her actions. But that’s probably just me. The plot is good, although it was a little weak at the end. Still, everything is wrapped up in a logical way.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-meet-your-baker-by-ellie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lou Grande (148 KP) rated The Endless (2018) in Movies
Jul 20, 2018
I saw Benson and Moorhead’s Resolution (2012) back when it was released, so I was excited when I saw they would be teaming up again for The Endless. Especially when it was marketed as Lovecraftian with a cult theme. Maybe I built it up too much in my mind, because I was really disappointed.
Two brothers have escaped from a UFO Doomsday cult and participate in deproframming while eking out a meager existence. Until they receive a cassette with a message from one of the cult members. They decide to return to “Camp Arcadia” to “get it out of their system.”
The Endless is a slow burn that ultimately fizzles. It involves time travel and something vast and infinite in the woods. Normally I’d be right on board, but this movie was really...boring. I’ve never seen a bunch of white guys that looked so similar, and the setting gets monotonous after a too-long run time of 112 minutes. There are callbacks to Resolution that answer questions for that film, but raise more for the one you’re watching. The effects (when utilized) were meh. I expected cosmic horror and got—well, nothing, really.
Two brothers have escaped from a UFO Doomsday cult and participate in deproframming while eking out a meager existence. Until they receive a cassette with a message from one of the cult members. They decide to return to “Camp Arcadia” to “get it out of their system.”
The Endless is a slow burn that ultimately fizzles. It involves time travel and something vast and infinite in the woods. Normally I’d be right on board, but this movie was really...boring. I’ve never seen a bunch of white guys that looked so similar, and the setting gets monotonous after a too-long run time of 112 minutes. There are callbacks to Resolution that answer questions for that film, but raise more for the one you’re watching. The effects (when utilized) were meh. I expected cosmic horror and got—well, nothing, really.
Dawn Marie (22 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
Oct 27, 2018 (Updated Oct 27, 2018)
Dc best movie to date
I have been a fan of wonder woman since I was a little girl. I would sit in front of the tv watching Linda Carter go from Diana to wonder woman with a spin. When I first heard that a movie was definitely happening I was happy but real leary. When gal gadot was cast I was one who just didn't see how she could be diana, but the more I saw for her own movie the more I was on board. This movie was everything it should of been (just wish Lynda Carter would of had a cameo or something) all the characters were likable and the scenes with the amazons were amazing. If there was any flaw I would have to say Ares did not look as good as he could of. Chris pine was great and him and gadot had great chemistry. I am hoping the sequel which will take place in 1984( when I was 9) will be just as good. DC should take a look at this and use what made this good into all their love action movies
Otway93 (580 KP) rated Resident Evil 2: The Board Game in Tabletop Games
Oct 25, 2019
Game (4 more)
Pieces
Expansions Available
1-4 Players
Tension
Cost (1 more)
Packaging
Excellent game, though far too expensive!
A truly superb game that thoroughly surprised me!
At first I was a little sceptical about how Resident Evil 2 would translate to a board game, but the creators managed to capture the story and the horror perfectly, somehow making everybody involved absolutely terrified, just like the game!
The game is slightly complicated for those new to dice based games (me included), but I believe it to be an excellent starter for beginners.
The game is also unusually for 1-4 players, though I can't imagine it being much fun solo.
Another plus is the number of expansions, all enjoyable, but just like the core game, they are all considerably expensive for what's involved.
The cost is the main issue with this game, the core game costing between £60-80, and expansions anywhere between £15-30 each.
The expansions, with the exception of the rather good B-Files Expansion, contain very little, and add very little. They contain very little and still use the same amount of packaging, using a lot of plastic and wasting paper and cardboard.
At first I was a little sceptical about how Resident Evil 2 would translate to a board game, but the creators managed to capture the story and the horror perfectly, somehow making everybody involved absolutely terrified, just like the game!
The game is slightly complicated for those new to dice based games (me included), but I believe it to be an excellent starter for beginners.
The game is also unusually for 1-4 players, though I can't imagine it being much fun solo.
Another plus is the number of expansions, all enjoyable, but just like the core game, they are all considerably expensive for what's involved.
The cost is the main issue with this game, the core game costing between £60-80, and expansions anywhere between £15-30 each.
The expansions, with the exception of the rather good B-Files Expansion, contain very little, and add very little. They contain very little and still use the same amount of packaging, using a lot of plastic and wasting paper and cardboard.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Harbinger Down (2015) in Movies
Nov 13, 2019
Old Movie Revisited: Harbinger Down. Now if you're anything like me, you've spent a fair amount of time thinking, Man, they should remake The Thing with Lance Henriksen. Well those dreams have been answered in the form of Harbinger Down. Now sure there are differences, Instead of an Arctic outpost, they are on a cargo ship in the arctic... Instead of a ufo crashing to earth with a nasty alien on board, this one has a russian space capsule, crashing to earth contaminated with a space virus... And from there its pretty much the same... including the mimicking of the host... Shit even the ending is the same, sorta, a lone survivor stranded in the arctic. Now all that aside, it wasn't a bad little low budget flick, and c'mon it has the low budget movie God in it, Mr Lance Henrikson, remember how he wowed us all in Close Encounters of the Third Kind as the guy standing in the background. Its almost as incredible as Cliff Clavin being part of the Rebel Alliance, its true!! But that was a long, long time ago, in what seems like a galaxy far far away... Filmbufftim on FB
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Cold Granite (Logan McRae #1) in Books
Dec 19, 2019
Gritty Police procedural.
If you are not going to manage with descriptions of horrendous crimes committed against young children though I would step away from this one.
Listening to the audio of this book narrated by Steve Worsley felt a lot like curling up in front of the TV to watch a post-watershed BBC police procedural series set in Scotland. If you like a good dark down to earth police procedural then this may well be up your alley.
Logan McRae is just returning to work following sustaining horrific injuries in the line of duty and is thrown straight back into the thick of it when the mutilated body of a young boy is discovered. Numerous threads, involving various cases and a smattering of personal life then intertwine to give a very solid down to earth police procedural. OK, I could of done with Logan being a bit less obsessed with every bit of leg he saw but for the time and place set probably fairly accurate…
First in a long-running series and as there's not much on the TV at the minute I'm on board for more of these
Listening to the audio of this book narrated by Steve Worsley felt a lot like curling up in front of the TV to watch a post-watershed BBC police procedural series set in Scotland. If you like a good dark down to earth police procedural then this may well be up your alley.
Logan McRae is just returning to work following sustaining horrific injuries in the line of duty and is thrown straight back into the thick of it when the mutilated body of a young boy is discovered. Numerous threads, involving various cases and a smattering of personal life then intertwine to give a very solid down to earth police procedural. OK, I could of done with Logan being a bit less obsessed with every bit of leg he saw but for the time and place set probably fairly accurate…
First in a long-running series and as there's not much on the TV at the minute I'm on board for more of these