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Operation Chastise: The RAF's Most Brilliant Attack of World War II
Book
The attack on Nazi Germany’s dams on May 17, 1943, was one of the most remarkable feats in...
Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory
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In 1943, from a windowless basement office in London, two brilliant intelligence officers conceived...
Dark Voyage
Book
May 1941. At four in the morning, a rust-streaked tramp freighter steams up the Tagus River to...
The Room on Rue Amélie
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For fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Martha Hall Kelly’s Lilac Girls, this powerful...
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Home Fire in Books
Aug 7, 2017
Not quite Antigone, interesting take on modern Islamophobia
There are two very distinctive opinions on this book about how British Muslims are treated in a western society, split between being seen as subservient and loyal as well as dangerous and dogmatic. It is absolutely relevant to the current political climate hence it is an intriguing read. At times it borders on satirical because some of the elements appear very far fetched. From a Romeo and Juliet style love story played out in the media, to the extreme Islamophobic views of a Muslim politician. While there are definite elements of truths planted in this book, the extreme nature of the funeral scene just bordered on slightly ridiculous especially when there are real examples in the public eye. It is a gripping and engaging read with something lacking.
Not my favourite but still great
Not my favourite book in the Max Wolfe series but still very enjoyable with a very relevant and disturbing story line with great characters, twists, gritty tension, violence and humanity all written at a great pace that makes you want to continue reading well into the wee small hours of the night. I continue to love getting to know Max and adore his relationship with his daughter, Scout and their dog, Stanley with their moments adding a depth and warmth to Max that can be hidden under his strong policeman persona.
Although not my favourite, I would still highly recommend this series and Tony Parsons as a great British author and would like to thank the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for my copy in return for a review.
Although not my favourite, I would still highly recommend this series and Tony Parsons as a great British author and would like to thank the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for my copy in return for a review.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Body Stealers (Invasion of the Body Stealers) (1969) in Movies
Mar 16, 2019 (Updated Mar 16, 2019)
British sci-fi emanating from a weird dimension deep below the bottom of the barrel. When parachutists start vanishing into thin air mid-drop, the authorities call in rugged investigator and borderline sex pest Bob Megan (Patrick Allen). It turns out aliens from Outer Space are responsible!
One of those films where you quickly become pleasantly surprised when something isn't cheesy, inept, or horribly inappropriate; the kind of movie which gives science fiction a bad name (fans of the genre will doubtless recognise the alien spaceship from a more prominent appearance in another film). Various fairly capable actors find themselves adrift in a sea of uproarious nonsense; Neil Connery proves once again that, limited though his range may be, big brother Sean got all the acting ability in the family. Kind of fun to watch if you like bad movies.
One of those films where you quickly become pleasantly surprised when something isn't cheesy, inept, or horribly inappropriate; the kind of movie which gives science fiction a bad name (fans of the genre will doubtless recognise the alien spaceship from a more prominent appearance in another film). Various fairly capable actors find themselves adrift in a sea of uproarious nonsense; Neil Connery proves once again that, limited though his range may be, big brother Sean got all the acting ability in the family. Kind of fun to watch if you like bad movies.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) in Movies
Mar 4, 2018 (Updated Mar 4, 2018)
Justly acclaimed black comedy is a somewhat atypical film from Ealing Studios, better known for their affectionate depictions of post-war British life. Calculating man-on-the-make Dennis Price sets out to get on in the world by murdering the eight members of the D'Ascoyne family who stand between him and inheriting the dukedom of Chalfont.
Best known for the fact that Alec Guinness plays all the D'Ascoynes, but Dennis Price is just as good as the homicidal would-be aristocrat. The broad comedy of some of Guinness' performances, plus the staging of several of the murders, is underpinned by some much subtler and more understated humour about class and morality. One of those films you can watch several times and still find new layers to enjoy; very funny, too, though that should go without saying.
Best known for the fact that Alec Guinness plays all the D'Ascoynes, but Dennis Price is just as good as the homicidal would-be aristocrat. The broad comedy of some of Guinness' performances, plus the staging of several of the murders, is underpinned by some much subtler and more understated humour about class and morality. One of those films you can watch several times and still find new layers to enjoy; very funny, too, though that should go without saying.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Avengers in TV
Mar 4, 2018 (Updated Mar 4, 2018)
Iconic British cult adventure series. Very few shows change as much as The Avengers did over its seven season run; what started off as a gritty thriller about Ian Hendry's crime-busting doctor gradually transformed first into virtual science fiction (the Diana Rigg episodes feature mind-swapping machines, killer robots and a brain-controlling alien plant) and then a much more whimsical fantasy show for its final year or so.
Many of the early episodes are quite hard work now, but the two seasons where Macnee is paired with Diana Rigg are classic TV, and the sometimes-maligned final season with Linda Thorson also contains many neglected gems (the episode with the murderous clowns, for instance). Even when the show is not quite firing on all cylinders, there is always Patrick Macnee's inimitable performance as Steed to enjoy.
Many of the early episodes are quite hard work now, but the two seasons where Macnee is paired with Diana Rigg are classic TV, and the sometimes-maligned final season with Linda Thorson also contains many neglected gems (the episode with the murderous clowns, for instance). Even when the show is not quite firing on all cylinders, there is always Patrick Macnee's inimitable performance as Steed to enjoy.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Cashback (2007) in Movies
Oct 5, 2018
A charming little British comedy, originally a short film that won a lot of awards. So they decided to just expand it a lil to a full length film. Starring Michelle Ryan in a small role, the cast is largely unknown. It also caused a stir when released as it featured a topless model (Keeley Hazell) although very briefly. It does have a few nude scenes, but they are actually quite artfully done. It's a good story, with some nice ideas right from the opening break up scene. It uses a lot of different techniques film wise, the idea of freezing time is done well. It is quite funny, add a great soundtrack and I have to say I prefer this over 500 days of summer which was a bit similar in theme. Check it out.