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Kaysee Hood (83 KP) rated Tower Of Dawn in Books
Nov 3, 2017
Badass Women (2 more)
Big Birds
Acceptance
Vlag Ladies (2 more)
Giant Spiders
Spies
Uncovered Secrets
With the sixth book in the Throne of Glass series we come find there is more to the Vlag than what was originally thought to be. Chaol and Nesryn both discover pieces of the puzzle as well as parts of themselves through the healer, Yrene Towers, and Prince Sartaq in an attempt to raise an army to move North and to have his back healed.
Once more Mass had me caught up in the pages of her book and it was kind of bizarre to be captured by a ToG novel, yet the focus is on the Hand of the King and the newly appointed Captain of the Guard rather than Aelin, which I was glad for. I don't believe if EoS and ToD were combined as planned it could not have conveyed important plot points, character growth, and development of new characters and plots as well as being two separate books. In ToD we're able to see Chaol progress not only with his injury, but within himself as he deals with the horrors from QoS. We're able to read through how Yrene is unwillingly to work with Chaol to how she realizes it is within herself. Nesryn is able to find herself, her actual self she was not able to express in Adarlan., Even the royal family here makes progress, tiny steps to better themselves. Combined that with what is found about the Vlag as well as a certain few people and Tower of Dawn is another successful ToG book.
So if you're a fan of the others then go find a copy. If you've been wanting to read the series then it is a good time to start as the end is getting closer.
Once more Mass had me caught up in the pages of her book and it was kind of bizarre to be captured by a ToG novel, yet the focus is on the Hand of the King and the newly appointed Captain of the Guard rather than Aelin, which I was glad for. I don't believe if EoS and ToD were combined as planned it could not have conveyed important plot points, character growth, and development of new characters and plots as well as being two separate books. In ToD we're able to see Chaol progress not only with his injury, but within himself as he deals with the horrors from QoS. We're able to read through how Yrene is unwillingly to work with Chaol to how she realizes it is within herself. Nesryn is able to find herself, her actual self she was not able to express in Adarlan., Even the royal family here makes progress, tiny steps to better themselves. Combined that with what is found about the Vlag as well as a certain few people and Tower of Dawn is another successful ToG book.
So if you're a fan of the others then go find a copy. If you've been wanting to read the series then it is a good time to start as the end is getting closer.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
Dec 10, 2017
The casting of Gal Gadot (1 more)
The correct spirit and mood for the film/character
Finally seeing Wonder Woman for the first time, I am torn between joining the film's praise bandwagon and complaining about another stupid villain. While I certainly don't want to go back to the cheesy Bane, Poisin Ivy, Mr. Freeze days of old, I also am not a big fan of the generic CGI villain, in this case Ares, God of War. I would think they could come up with a happy medium using The Dark Knight as a basis for a complex, grounded human character.
As for Wonder Woman herself, I thought Gal Gadot was amazing in personality, spirit, and the physical embodiment of Wonder Woman as a modern, yet retro female superhero.
Unfortunately, the film's historical setting and perspective has already been done better in the first Captain America film, but had to be the way they did it to make it close to the comic book origin of the character. The scene where Wonder Woman emerges on the battlefield was very strong as you, the viewer, had been anticipating this moment throughout the first half of the film.
The use of CGI during some of the fight scenes with the Nazi soldiers was poor and looked very false. Even when she jumped great distances, I thought that looked fake and was more believable in a Hulk film or even the Wonder Woman TV series from the 1970s.
I also sorely missed an appearance by the original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter. They have said they will have her in the next film. They had better. 😊
Overall, I enjoyed the film more than most recent superhero flicks, but in 10 years, won't all these films just start to run together?
As for Wonder Woman herself, I thought Gal Gadot was amazing in personality, spirit, and the physical embodiment of Wonder Woman as a modern, yet retro female superhero.
Unfortunately, the film's historical setting and perspective has already been done better in the first Captain America film, but had to be the way they did it to make it close to the comic book origin of the character. The scene where Wonder Woman emerges on the battlefield was very strong as you, the viewer, had been anticipating this moment throughout the first half of the film.
The use of CGI during some of the fight scenes with the Nazi soldiers was poor and looked very false. Even when she jumped great distances, I thought that looked fake and was more believable in a Hulk film or even the Wonder Woman TV series from the 1970s.
I also sorely missed an appearance by the original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter. They have said they will have her in the next film. They had better. 😊
Overall, I enjoyed the film more than most recent superhero flicks, but in 10 years, won't all these films just start to run together?
Kaylin (39 KP) rated Alien: Covenant (2017) in Movies
May 26, 2017
Had a genuinely creepy vibe (3 more)
Likeable characters for the most part
Michael Fassbender is great
That cameo!
Doesn't feel like an Alien movie to me (2 more)
Acting can be very flat
Characters make stupid decisions that it doesn't feel like their character should make
Felt like an alien movie, but didn't feel like an Alien movie
I love the Alien franchise. I have all 4 of the original movies and I've seen all of them multiple times, even 3 and Resurrection. I'm not a huge fan of Prometheus, but I was really looking forward to this movie despite knowing it would probably be more of a sequel to that instead of a true prequel to the Alien franchise.
I...am not entirely sure how I feel about this film. It's not a bad movie, but I don't feel like it's a true Alien film. There are great things about this movie. Michael Fassbender is pretty amazing in dual roles. Danny McBride shows that he can actually act outside of comedies. I cared about most of the characters. The gore was practical and not overbearing. Some of the characters actually made smart decisions. The "main character" is actually a decent action girl.
But, to go with the good there's the...not so good. For every good decision the "main character" makes, the "captain" makes 3 dumb ones. There's a couple scenes that make no sense. The "plot twist" is predictable. When you finally see the alien, it looks super human and not at all like xenomorphs we know.
It's a good sci-fi horror/thriller movie, but if you're expecting something in the vein of the originals, you're going to be disappointed.
I...am not entirely sure how I feel about this film. It's not a bad movie, but I don't feel like it's a true Alien film. There are great things about this movie. Michael Fassbender is pretty amazing in dual roles. Danny McBride shows that he can actually act outside of comedies. I cared about most of the characters. The gore was practical and not overbearing. Some of the characters actually made smart decisions. The "main character" is actually a decent action girl.
But, to go with the good there's the...not so good. For every good decision the "main character" makes, the "captain" makes 3 dumb ones. There's a couple scenes that make no sense. The "plot twist" is predictable. When you finally see the alien, it looks super human and not at all like xenomorphs we know.
It's a good sci-fi horror/thriller movie, but if you're expecting something in the vein of the originals, you're going to be disappointed.
Mekkin B. (122 KP) rated His Majesty's Dragon in Books
Sep 14, 2017
Set during the Napoleonic War, British officer and gentleman Captain William Laurence has his life turned upside down after seizing a rare dragon egg from a captured French vessel. Led by an unwavering sense of duty and a growing affection for his new dragonet, Temeraire, he must leave behind everything he knows to join the mysterious and disreputable Aerial Corps.
Naomi Novik knows her stuff. This book is chock full of amazing worldbuilding. Her mastery of naval maneuvers, English society, and the history of the Napoleonic wars is immersive in its completeness. She wastes no time coddling the reader with infodumps or explanations, although the drawback is that it is occasionally so detailed and alien to me that my eyes would glaze over and slide completely past a paragraph filled with information about where Napoleon's forces were and what they were doing.
Laurence himself gets flack as a character for being stiff and "unprogressive", but I feel this is somewhat unwarranted. He's compelling precisely because he exhibits a mindset that would be entirely normal for a man of his station in his time, and slowly has to adjust everything he thinks about class, gender, and duty. His stiffness and reserve can seem alien at times, but we empathize completely with his love of the bright and lovely Temeraire.
This book does have some pacing problems. It is slow in places, particularly during their training and Loch Laggan, and in others cuts chapters far too early, leaving one feeling a bit of whiplash as the next chapter starts up.
Still, the premise is amazing, the dragons are glorious, and I spent an entire night reading this book cover to cover. If you like Bloody Jack, or wondered what How To Train Your Dragon would look like if it were set during the Napoleonic war, you'll definitely enjoy this one.
Naomi Novik knows her stuff. This book is chock full of amazing worldbuilding. Her mastery of naval maneuvers, English society, and the history of the Napoleonic wars is immersive in its completeness. She wastes no time coddling the reader with infodumps or explanations, although the drawback is that it is occasionally so detailed and alien to me that my eyes would glaze over and slide completely past a paragraph filled with information about where Napoleon's forces were and what they were doing.
Laurence himself gets flack as a character for being stiff and "unprogressive", but I feel this is somewhat unwarranted. He's compelling precisely because he exhibits a mindset that would be entirely normal for a man of his station in his time, and slowly has to adjust everything he thinks about class, gender, and duty. His stiffness and reserve can seem alien at times, but we empathize completely with his love of the bright and lovely Temeraire.
This book does have some pacing problems. It is slow in places, particularly during their training and Loch Laggan, and in others cuts chapters far too early, leaving one feeling a bit of whiplash as the next chapter starts up.
Still, the premise is amazing, the dragons are glorious, and I spent an entire night reading this book cover to cover. If you like Bloody Jack, or wondered what How To Train Your Dragon would look like if it were set during the Napoleonic war, you'll definitely enjoy this one.
RəX Regent (349 KP) rated The Sound of Music (1965) in Movies
Mar 7, 2019
The hills are alive...
Contains spoilers, click to show
The film opens with a long travelogue styled flight through the Alps, with little music and just the wind and the clear air for company, until we end up on that now famous hill top, where the sound of music soars high and loud. This was shot in one of the many rival formats of the day, in this case, TODD-AO, a dynamic 70mm frame, and projected onto a massive screen, to great effect.
It is on that hilltop that we meet Maria, Julie Andrews, as she sings her way around the hills and Austria, unable to contain her musical aspiration or free spirit. We soon learn that she is finding it difficult to find her way as a nun, and is sent to work as a governess for Christopher Plummer's, Capatin von Trapp's, seven children.
Once there, she manages to endear herself to the family and well, the rest is history. The film is based on a true story but there a are several differences, mainly surrounding the political situation to added effect and the names and ages of the children to name but a few.
In the end the film looks great, with the von Trapp's villa set in a glorious location in Austria, relaxing a peaceful. There is a great sense of the family's interaction and growing bonds, both with the children and the Captain, whilst there is a gentle threat and tension from the baroness, the third party in the love triangle within the film, but there is little nastiness within the film, with the exception of the Nazi element, obviously.
With memorable songs, beautiful surroundings and great direction from Robert Wise, this has more than earned its place within the annuls of Hollywood greatness and will no doubt continue to flourish for generations to come, as timeless is not the word.
It is on that hilltop that we meet Maria, Julie Andrews, as she sings her way around the hills and Austria, unable to contain her musical aspiration or free spirit. We soon learn that she is finding it difficult to find her way as a nun, and is sent to work as a governess for Christopher Plummer's, Capatin von Trapp's, seven children.
Once there, she manages to endear herself to the family and well, the rest is history. The film is based on a true story but there a are several differences, mainly surrounding the political situation to added effect and the names and ages of the children to name but a few.
In the end the film looks great, with the von Trapp's villa set in a glorious location in Austria, relaxing a peaceful. There is a great sense of the family's interaction and growing bonds, both with the children and the Captain, whilst there is a gentle threat and tension from the baroness, the third party in the love triangle within the film, but there is little nastiness within the film, with the exception of the Nazi element, obviously.
With memorable songs, beautiful surroundings and great direction from Robert Wise, this has more than earned its place within the annuls of Hollywood greatness and will no doubt continue to flourish for generations to come, as timeless is not the word.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Captain Marvel (2019) in Movies
Mar 11, 2019
Great, exciting fun and so much more than an origin film
I think Marvel have finally nailed an origin story. Lord knows they've had plenty of shots at it, but have finally delivered one that also works as a film in its own right.
We join Vers as she travels with her Kree companions doing their bit against the evil Skrull forces. She doesn't seem to know much of her own past and over the two hours she gradually pieces things together. We are treated to hints and teasers and but by bit they are all tied together to tell a twisting and turning tale of war, good vs evil, propaganda, power and self belief, all wrapped up with some science-y stuff.
I wouldn't say the plot is perfect but made a good attempt at it and it all hangs together. We are even treated to an old school Mar-vell character (albeit as a female rather than the cringey 60s negative zone-dweller).
There is humour galore and Sam Jackson gets the majority of the laughs, mainly through his interaction with Goose the cat (CHEWIE DAMMIT!). Brie Larson is somewhat po-faced and serious throughout but still a believable superhero (and if she is set to replace Captain America as head of the Avengers it makes sense if she isn't all that entertaining in her own right!).
There is a good, female-dominated soundtrack for the majority of the film (Garbage, Sheryl Crow, TLC, Hole etc).
A fun film and a good backstory for someone set to be a big deal in the next MCU release.
We join Vers as she travels with her Kree companions doing their bit against the evil Skrull forces. She doesn't seem to know much of her own past and over the two hours she gradually pieces things together. We are treated to hints and teasers and but by bit they are all tied together to tell a twisting and turning tale of war, good vs evil, propaganda, power and self belief, all wrapped up with some science-y stuff.
I wouldn't say the plot is perfect but made a good attempt at it and it all hangs together. We are even treated to an old school Mar-vell character (albeit as a female rather than the cringey 60s negative zone-dweller).
There is humour galore and Sam Jackson gets the majority of the laughs, mainly through his interaction with Goose the cat (CHEWIE DAMMIT!). Brie Larson is somewhat po-faced and serious throughout but still a believable superhero (and if she is set to replace Captain America as head of the Avengers it makes sense if she isn't all that entertaining in her own right!).
There is a good, female-dominated soundtrack for the majority of the film (Garbage, Sheryl Crow, TLC, Hole etc).
A fun film and a good backstory for someone set to be a big deal in the next MCU release.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Searchers (1956) in Movies
Apr 28, 2019
Sprawling, wondrous, beautiful country
It's funny how movies make you interested in rewatching other movies sometimes.
In this case, I recently watched the Back to the Future trilogy again (seen way too many times). After watching Back to the Future 3, I listened to some of the audio commentary and the filmmakers mention many times how much fun they had making a western this time around and how much they were in awe of the countryside locations where they had filmed mentioning also this is where John Ford had filmed classic scenes from a lot of his more famous western epic films, like The Searchers. That was enough for me to give it another go.
The story is a relatively simple one of a man and his companion going on an epic journey to try and find and save his niece who had been abducted by the Comanche Indians in the Old West. Several of his relatives had also been killed and he was searching for the chief called "Scar" whom he had learned was leading this band of outlaws. His journey for vengeance would take 5+ years and would take him across the sprawling western countryside during both summer and winter.
The main character in the film is the magnificent landscapes and sprawling sunrises and sunsets featured throughout the film. The cinematography is breathtaking and the use of color is just majestic considering this movie is from the mid 50s.
I have to admit to not watching a lot of John Wayne movies (yet), but he gives a memorable performance not quite as heroey as in some of his other classics. Jeffrey Hunter (Captain Christopher Pike) is also very good in the film.
A true masterpiece.
In this case, I recently watched the Back to the Future trilogy again (seen way too many times). After watching Back to the Future 3, I listened to some of the audio commentary and the filmmakers mention many times how much fun they had making a western this time around and how much they were in awe of the countryside locations where they had filmed mentioning also this is where John Ford had filmed classic scenes from a lot of his more famous western epic films, like The Searchers. That was enough for me to give it another go.
The story is a relatively simple one of a man and his companion going on an epic journey to try and find and save his niece who had been abducted by the Comanche Indians in the Old West. Several of his relatives had also been killed and he was searching for the chief called "Scar" whom he had learned was leading this band of outlaws. His journey for vengeance would take 5+ years and would take him across the sprawling western countryside during both summer and winter.
The main character in the film is the magnificent landscapes and sprawling sunrises and sunsets featured throughout the film. The cinematography is breathtaking and the use of color is just majestic considering this movie is from the mid 50s.
I have to admit to not watching a lot of John Wayne movies (yet), but he gives a memorable performance not quite as heroey as in some of his other classics. Jeffrey Hunter (Captain Christopher Pike) is also very good in the film.
A true masterpiece.
Kaz (232 KP) rated 'Master and Commander' in Books
May 15, 2019
An Interesting Maritime Adventure
This book was recommended to me by a friend who has read all of the books in the series and this, is the first. I thought because I had watched the film version of this novel, that I knew what the story was going to be about, but the book is very different from the adaptation.
At first, I found this extremely difficult to get into. After about 100 pages I actually put this book down, because I found the maritime vocabulary, impossible to follow. However, I decided to pick it back up again and actually, when the character Stephen Maturin, the ship's doctor, comes into the story, I found that, because he was a novice with ships, he was asking questions about the different mechanisms etc of the ship and that helped me to feel that I had some idea of what it was all about.
I also found some of the battle scene a little bit static and difficult to visualize.
Even though this was a challenging book, I really like the relationship between Stephen and Jack Aubrey, the ship's captain. The writing was very humorous at times and I also liked how some of this book featured places in the Mediterranean that I'm really familiar with.
Being the first in the series, I'm sure as the novels progress, I might find this easier to get into. I won't be rushing out to read any more at the moment, I think you need to be in the right mood to read them. However, I may read more of this series in the future.
My Rating ***
At first, I found this extremely difficult to get into. After about 100 pages I actually put this book down, because I found the maritime vocabulary, impossible to follow. However, I decided to pick it back up again and actually, when the character Stephen Maturin, the ship's doctor, comes into the story, I found that, because he was a novice with ships, he was asking questions about the different mechanisms etc of the ship and that helped me to feel that I had some idea of what it was all about.
I also found some of the battle scene a little bit static and difficult to visualize.
Even though this was a challenging book, I really like the relationship between Stephen and Jack Aubrey, the ship's captain. The writing was very humorous at times and I also liked how some of this book featured places in the Mediterranean that I'm really familiar with.
Being the first in the series, I'm sure as the novels progress, I might find this easier to get into. I won't be rushing out to read any more at the moment, I think you need to be in the right mood to read them. However, I may read more of this series in the future.
My Rating ***
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Star Trek: Discovery - Season 1 in TV
May 24, 2019 (Updated May 24, 2019)
Klingons aren't very interesting in this (1 more)
Wired propulsion system makes little sense
Slick action packed adventure
I grew up on Star Trek The Next Generation and was pretty obsessed with it, all those now defunct VHS tapes...sigh. I enjoyed the Original series (in particular Doctor McCoy) but things started to go awry with Deep Space Nine and I struggled to get into it until the later series and the Dominion came into it. Voyager never did a lot for me the Borg made it tolerable at times and I just plain gave up on Enterprise so it’s safe to say I went into watching Discovery without much hope but came out of season 1 pleasantly surprised.
Set before the adventures of the Original series Discovery is a star-ship with a revolutionary propulsion system and set to be a key part in the battle against the Klingons which this series focuses on (the look they went for with the Klingons in this didn’t work for me - too much like a Cornish pasty head.)
Unlike previous incarnations, Discovery doesn't focus around the Captain, instead we focus more on the character of Michael Burnham who’s pretty a smart kick ass type of girl. It’s the characters and the acting in this that really engaged, I don’t think I’ve liked as many of the main cast as this before.
When we start dealing with the Mirror universe (remember goatee Spock in the original series?) this series really got going for me I love the Terran empire and when we meet the Emperor it’s just great.
This series was full of continuing story lines (unlike the more traditional Trek standalone episode formula) and had a lot more action based feel to it. It’s different but enjoyable, looking forward to watching series 2.
Set before the adventures of the Original series Discovery is a star-ship with a revolutionary propulsion system and set to be a key part in the battle against the Klingons which this series focuses on (the look they went for with the Klingons in this didn’t work for me - too much like a Cornish pasty head.)
Unlike previous incarnations, Discovery doesn't focus around the Captain, instead we focus more on the character of Michael Burnham who’s pretty a smart kick ass type of girl. It’s the characters and the acting in this that really engaged, I don’t think I’ve liked as many of the main cast as this before.
When we start dealing with the Mirror universe (remember goatee Spock in the original series?) this series really got going for me I love the Terran empire and when we meet the Emperor it’s just great.
This series was full of continuing story lines (unlike the more traditional Trek standalone episode formula) and had a lot more action based feel to it. It’s different but enjoyable, looking forward to watching series 2.
Lenard (726 KP) rated Men in Black International (2019) in Movies
Jun 14, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
Men in Black International expands the world of the galaxy defenders even though it already opened up the universe. The film itself is a huge missed opportunity. Similar to the first film, it is the story of a trainee on an important mission to save the universe. Instead of a hidden galaxy, there is a secret weapon located on Earth that needs to be protected from aliens (Bugs/The Hive, a Borg-esque collective that insinuates all life into its society). Very similar to the earlier Captain Marvel, the villains are not who you think they are--the people who look like the villain turn out to be trying to save themselves. The biggest problem is that the most important relationships are never really formed. There is a prince who is supposed to be a great friend to Agent H, but all he really tells us is that H changed in the ensuing years which given what happens leaves many questions unanswered. Second is this "Queen" who was in a romantic relationship with H, but we never see much of their history to show why she may or may not hate him. The movie is also too predictable. Early in the film, we see Mollie save an alien which will obviously save her. And, it seemed obvious that the events of Paris 2016 would reveal that the Hive took someone over, but why wait three years to come back. As Will Smith stated in the first MIB, the effects of the neuralizer would mess with a man's brain (I just rewatched it last night). But why would an agent ever allow another agent to neuralize him/her? This is the better movie.