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Ross (3284 KP) rated Thor: Ragnarok (2017) in Movies
Dec 4, 2017
Hulk smash plenty (2 more)
Jeff Goldblum
More cameos than an Edwardian garden party
Having suffered through the first Thor film, given up on the second one, and detested him in the Avengers films I wasn't expecting to enjoy Thor all that much and was really only in it for the Hulk. However I was pleasantly surprised. Chris Hemsworth seems to have learned to act in the last few years, and seems to have developed an awareness of comic timing.
The film sees Thor team up with Loki, Hulk and a former Valkyrie to defeat Thor's sister Hela and avoid Ragnarok as she looks to lead an army of the dead throughout the galaxy.
There is a great deal of comedy throughout the film but also top notch action sequences, most notably Thor vs Hulk and Hela's assault on Asgard.
Having been disappointed with the absence of Thor and Hulk from Captain America: Civil War (Huffy Cry-baby) I had hoped this film would make amends, and it did indeed.
Of particular enjoyment was the theatrical interpretation of Loki's death where Matt Damon and the other Hemsworth act out Loki's apparent death, overseen by Sam Neill's Odin.
The film sees Thor team up with Loki, Hulk and a former Valkyrie to defeat Thor's sister Hela and avoid Ragnarok as she looks to lead an army of the dead throughout the galaxy.
There is a great deal of comedy throughout the film but also top notch action sequences, most notably Thor vs Hulk and Hela's assault on Asgard.
Having been disappointed with the absence of Thor and Hulk from Captain America: Civil War (Huffy Cry-baby) I had hoped this film would make amends, and it did indeed.
Of particular enjoyment was the theatrical interpretation of Loki's death where Matt Damon and the other Hemsworth act out Loki's apparent death, overseen by Sam Neill's Odin.
Still gritty (1 more)
More involved plot and exploration of the Misery
Superb follow-up
* I received an advance copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *
The sequel to the highly praised Blackwing sees Ryhalt Galharrow trying to move on from losing the love of his life and investigating the theft of a magical artefact from a heavily protected vault.
For the first few chapters this book felt like a Captain Vimes Discworld novel (in a good way) with the humour toned down a little. We were exploring the pre-industrial city and investigating a crime that could have dire consequences for the safety of the city.
The book spends significantly more time in the city than in the Misery (the strange, twisting wasteland) than was the case for the first book, which gives it a very different feel. Plotting and intrigue abound as an evil sorcerer's plot to achieve ultimate power starts to unfold.
The book felt slightly less dark than the first, and has quite a different feel to it than Blackwing, but is still absolutely superb. The flowing prose and cracking dialogue make this a true page-turner and one of the best fantasy books I have read in quite some time.
The sequel to the highly praised Blackwing sees Ryhalt Galharrow trying to move on from losing the love of his life and investigating the theft of a magical artefact from a heavily protected vault.
For the first few chapters this book felt like a Captain Vimes Discworld novel (in a good way) with the humour toned down a little. We were exploring the pre-industrial city and investigating a crime that could have dire consequences for the safety of the city.
The book spends significantly more time in the city than in the Misery (the strange, twisting wasteland) than was the case for the first book, which gives it a very different feel. Plotting and intrigue abound as an evil sorcerer's plot to achieve ultimate power starts to unfold.
The book felt slightly less dark than the first, and has quite a different feel to it than Blackwing, but is still absolutely superb. The flowing prose and cracking dialogue make this a true page-turner and one of the best fantasy books I have read in quite some time.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Season 1 in TV
Feb 18, 2019
Hilarious
I usually avoid comedy shows, mostly because I have a very discerning/picky sense of humour and I've never really been able to get into most mainstream comedy shows (Friends, Big Bang etc). Whilst Brooklyn Nine-Nine probably isn't quite mainstream, it's by far the funniest show I've seen in a long time.
Andy Samberg is a writing genius, and a great actor too. I can't imagine anyone else playing Peralta as well as he does. Andre Braugher too is brilliantly deadpan as the Captain, and even Terry Crews is pretty funny. This is such a smart, witty and funny show, and I love that the humour is deadpan and just adult enough without bordering on crude or too childish. I'm also so happy that this show doesn't rely on the usual cheesy canned laughter that comes with sitcoms, and it's all the better off for it. This isn't a typical formulaic cop show, but you wouldn't expect it. Most of the plots are entirely irrelevant but there is at least a lot of character development over the course of the series.
I'm only one series in but I can't get enough of this show. I haven't laughed out loud like this in forever!
Andy Samberg is a writing genius, and a great actor too. I can't imagine anyone else playing Peralta as well as he does. Andre Braugher too is brilliantly deadpan as the Captain, and even Terry Crews is pretty funny. This is such a smart, witty and funny show, and I love that the humour is deadpan and just adult enough without bordering on crude or too childish. I'm also so happy that this show doesn't rely on the usual cheesy canned laughter that comes with sitcoms, and it's all the better off for it. This isn't a typical formulaic cop show, but you wouldn't expect it. Most of the plots are entirely irrelevant but there is at least a lot of character development over the course of the series.
I'm only one series in but I can't get enough of this show. I haven't laughed out loud like this in forever!
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Unicorn Store (2017) in Movies
Apr 11, 2019
Magical and meaningful
I'm surprised at Brie Larson. Instead of picking something intensely serious and dramatic for her directorial debut, she goes for the whimsical Unicorn Store, and I commend her for it as it isn't half bad.
This is a very silly surreal film about a young woman who still believes in rainbows and unicorns and all things most people grew out of as children. Brie Larson is charming and loveable as the main character Kit and her turn at directing is also quite good too. It was also nice to see her and Samuel L Jackson back together again after Captain Marvel, and it was fun to see him looking silly and covered in streamers.
This might have a silly sounding plot about a unicorn store and there is a few laughs thrown in too, but beneath all of the sparkles and glitter this film has a few serious messages about life and love. To the point where I was almost shedding a tear at the end (and also wishing I had a unicorn and lots of rainbows and glitter in my life).
This film isn't perfect and I probably wouldn't watch it again, but it's a very heartwarming watch that should bring out the child in everyone.
This is a very silly surreal film about a young woman who still believes in rainbows and unicorns and all things most people grew out of as children. Brie Larson is charming and loveable as the main character Kit and her turn at directing is also quite good too. It was also nice to see her and Samuel L Jackson back together again after Captain Marvel, and it was fun to see him looking silly and covered in streamers.
This might have a silly sounding plot about a unicorn store and there is a few laughs thrown in too, but beneath all of the sparkles and glitter this film has a few serious messages about life and love. To the point where I was almost shedding a tear at the end (and also wishing I had a unicorn and lots of rainbows and glitter in my life).
This film isn't perfect and I probably wouldn't watch it again, but it's a very heartwarming watch that should bring out the child in everyone.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Season 1 in TV
May 28, 2019
A (mostly) enjoyable start to this MCU spin off show
Contains spoilers, click to show
Clark Gregg's Phil Coulson was a fan favourite in the MCU before his untimely demise in Avengers, so it's a pleasure to see him back, heading a SHIELD based spin off show.
The first season, for the first half at least, is pretty average, every week, Coulson and his team come across some kind of comic book threat, and swiftly put an end to said threat, rinse and repeat.
It's when the events of Winter Soldier happen when things really go up a gear.
As soon as the HYDRA plot point from the second Captain America film is put into action, the show turns into a thrilling drama, full of plot turns, good guys turned bad, and pretty solid action for the most part.
The main cast are all extremely likable and in turn, it's easy to become invested in what they do.
Add in some comic book characters here and there (Dethlok was a highlight here) and a cheeky cameo from Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury, and you end up with a debut series that is pretty entertaining, even if it does take a while for it to find it's footing.
The first season, for the first half at least, is pretty average, every week, Coulson and his team come across some kind of comic book threat, and swiftly put an end to said threat, rinse and repeat.
It's when the events of Winter Soldier happen when things really go up a gear.
As soon as the HYDRA plot point from the second Captain America film is put into action, the show turns into a thrilling drama, full of plot turns, good guys turned bad, and pretty solid action for the most part.
The main cast are all extremely likable and in turn, it's easy to become invested in what they do.
Add in some comic book characters here and there (Dethlok was a highlight here) and a cheeky cameo from Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury, and you end up with a debut series that is pretty entertaining, even if it does take a while for it to find it's footing.
Kyera (8 KP) rated Daughter of the Pirate King in Books
Jan 31, 2018
Daughter of the Pirate King is a swashbuckling adventure for young adult/teen fans of pirate shenanigans. Alosa is a strong, fearless pirate with flaming red hair and a taste for blood. Although her father is the Pirate King, she captains her ship under her own merit and inspires loyalty in her crew.
I went into this story knowing only that it featured a lead character who was essentially a female Jack Sparrow. As a huge fan of Pirates of the Caribbean, Captain Jack Sparrow and pirate tales in general – I knew this was a book for me and was glad that I didn’t know more about it than that. There as aspects, allegiances, and secrets about our characters that might be spoiled by reading a synopsis and were better to discover on our own organically while reading the book.
The plot was unexpected and enjoyable from start to finish and left me wanting more. It can easily and satisfyingly be read by itself but also leaves plenty of room to continue to the storyline. (Thankfully there is at least one more book in this series, but unfortunately, it is not out yet.)
Highly recommended read for those who enjoy adventure books with a strong female lead and just a dash of debauchery.
I went into this story knowing only that it featured a lead character who was essentially a female Jack Sparrow. As a huge fan of Pirates of the Caribbean, Captain Jack Sparrow and pirate tales in general – I knew this was a book for me and was glad that I didn’t know more about it than that. There as aspects, allegiances, and secrets about our characters that might be spoiled by reading a synopsis and were better to discover on our own organically while reading the book.
The plot was unexpected and enjoyable from start to finish and left me wanting more. It can easily and satisfyingly be read by itself but also leaves plenty of room to continue to the storyline. (Thankfully there is at least one more book in this series, but unfortunately, it is not out yet.)
Highly recommended read for those who enjoy adventure books with a strong female lead and just a dash of debauchery.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8 in Books
Mar 19, 2018
A great introduction to the City Watch
You've got to hand it to Terry Pratchett, he knows how to write a good fantasy novel.
Guards! Guards! is yet another great Discworld novel, and the first to introduce Captain Vimes and the City Watch. Vimes himself is a loveable anti-hero who develops greatly over the course of the novel and the same too can be said for the other members of the Watch. Carrot the 'dwarf' provides a real introduction to the Watch and also a lot of the humour from his exploits, and I loved seeing a lot more of the Librarian.
The plot itself on the face of it is a fantasy fairy tale filled story of dragons, maidens and heroes. But with every Pratchett novel, beneath it lies dark wit and humour, and a slightly sad social commentary on human greed and corruption. There are a lot of references in this to other media, like The Hobbit, which really poke fun at the myths and lore used in the fantasy genre.
A great read with some very engaging characters. A little rambling at times, but fortunately the rest of the book makes up for it! Discworld books are the only books that can really make me laugh out loud.
Guards! Guards! is yet another great Discworld novel, and the first to introduce Captain Vimes and the City Watch. Vimes himself is a loveable anti-hero who develops greatly over the course of the novel and the same too can be said for the other members of the Watch. Carrot the 'dwarf' provides a real introduction to the Watch and also a lot of the humour from his exploits, and I loved seeing a lot more of the Librarian.
The plot itself on the face of it is a fantasy fairy tale filled story of dragons, maidens and heroes. But with every Pratchett novel, beneath it lies dark wit and humour, and a slightly sad social commentary on human greed and corruption. There are a lot of references in this to other media, like The Hobbit, which really poke fun at the myths and lore used in the fantasy genre.
A great read with some very engaging characters. A little rambling at times, but fortunately the rest of the book makes up for it! Discworld books are the only books that can really make me laugh out loud.
David McK (3557 KP) rated Lieutenant Hornblower in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Chronologically the second of [a:C.S. Forester|932179|C.S. Forester|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1218219226p2/932179.jpg]'s Hornblower series, this is actually the seventh by Publication date, and is a marked contrast to most of the other Hornblower novels in that, while Horatio Hornblower is indeed the main character this is not told from his point of view, but rather from that of Lieutenant William Bush, who's date of commission makes him senior to Hornblower (who is, in fact, the junior lieutenant on board the HMS Renown).
Over the course of the novel, Bush sees how Hornblower becomes integral to dealing with an insane captain, as well as to the Renowns mission to the Spanish held possession of Santa Domingo (and the capture of one of the forts there) and finally back to England to see how the fact that peace has 'broken out' has dealt with Hornblower: the latter part showing him down on his luck, with his commission to post rank refused due to this peace, and with the Admiralty requiring him to pay back the excess pay he had withdrawn over the period between his (now refused) commission and his return home.
Like all of the Hornblower books, well worth a read!
Over the course of the novel, Bush sees how Hornblower becomes integral to dealing with an insane captain, as well as to the Renowns mission to the Spanish held possession of Santa Domingo (and the capture of one of the forts there) and finally back to England to see how the fact that peace has 'broken out' has dealt with Hornblower: the latter part showing him down on his luck, with his commission to post rank refused due to this peace, and with the Admiralty requiring him to pay back the excess pay he had withdrawn over the period between his (now refused) commission and his return home.
Like all of the Hornblower books, well worth a read!
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Avengers: Endgame (2019) in Movies
Nov 12, 2019
This is not cinema?
A hero of mine recently said this is not cinema. Is it the same as a pop puppet singing a song someone else has written with no emotion or soul? Well no actually. Good cinema is good art and art makes you feel things. Endgame will make you ride emotions from start to finish. Ok it is s visual feast but it's full of messages and commentary as well and the overall ethos is, well pretty much "for the many not the few", take that what you will. There is also that incredible moment when all the most powerful ones line up and they are female and you go "wow, go kick ass". They have been brave. They don't care if some spotty fanboy cries into his jerk off sock because captain marvel had a vagina, they wanted a strong female character so they did it. It is brave cinema.
It's almost as though they knew the people would leak spoilers too so they make the sentiment of the film and character start at the beginning almost as if they are mocking themselves. Brave.
Did I enjoy the actual film though I hear you ask? Yeah, it was great.
It's almost as though they knew the people would leak spoilers too so they make the sentiment of the film and character start at the beginning almost as if they are mocking themselves. Brave.
Did I enjoy the actual film though I hear you ask? Yeah, it was great.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Tongues of Serpents (Temeraire #6) in Books
Nov 27, 2019
On paper this book ticks all the boxes for one that I should like: Alternate history, historical setting and dragons.
Unfortunately the reality for me fell well short fo what I felt could be acheived. This is the first book by Novik I have read and perhaps starting at number 6 means I am missing something, but this just failed to gel.
The concept of the dragons being a reality and influencing history was one that was easy to grasp but so very little was done with it. The dragons themselves are quite dull - far from the spectacular beast of legend they have little interesting to do and virtually no personality. There is also not a great deal of plot strung out very thinly involving a chase across Australia, but it takes so long to get going and the chase is repettitive and didn't capture my imagination.
There are some sparks of good ideas here - the smuggling, the political issues in Sydney (caused by the governer - a certain Captain Bligh) - but they end up undeveloped and drowned by the plodding narrative which doesn't seem to want to examine anything that doesn't involve the dragons.
The central idea may have promise in other books of the series, just not this one. Sorry Naomi
Unfortunately the reality for me fell well short fo what I felt could be acheived. This is the first book by Novik I have read and perhaps starting at number 6 means I am missing something, but this just failed to gel.
The concept of the dragons being a reality and influencing history was one that was easy to grasp but so very little was done with it. The dragons themselves are quite dull - far from the spectacular beast of legend they have little interesting to do and virtually no personality. There is also not a great deal of plot strung out very thinly involving a chase across Australia, but it takes so long to get going and the chase is repettitive and didn't capture my imagination.
There are some sparks of good ideas here - the smuggling, the political issues in Sydney (caused by the governer - a certain Captain Bligh) - but they end up undeveloped and drowned by the plodding narrative which doesn't seem to want to examine anything that doesn't involve the dragons.
The central idea may have promise in other books of the series, just not this one. Sorry Naomi