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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated My Sister's Bones in Books
Sep 7, 2017
Predictable, what an anti-climax!
If I ever hear that another book is the "next Gone Girl" or the "next Girl On A Train", I'm going to rate it 0.
The genre has become predictable. There are three elements to look out for in these books:
1. Neurotic women are usually right
2. Nice men are psychopaths
3. The women won't be believed by authorities until the very end
And so goes this tale of two sisters, one who became a war correspondent suffering from post-traumatic stress, and the other an alcoholic - both abused as children. One's high functioning, the other is a deadbeat mother. In between are the stories of mysterious children appearing here, there and everywhere. And the women not being believed.
The writer attempts to make a difference by bringing in stories of the horrors of the Middle East, which was a nice change - but it seemed more like a tool to follow exactly the pattern. It seemed promising but it falls short.
The genre has become predictable. There are three elements to look out for in these books:
1. Neurotic women are usually right
2. Nice men are psychopaths
3. The women won't be believed by authorities until the very end
And so goes this tale of two sisters, one who became a war correspondent suffering from post-traumatic stress, and the other an alcoholic - both abused as children. One's high functioning, the other is a deadbeat mother. In between are the stories of mysterious children appearing here, there and everywhere. And the women not being believed.
The writer attempts to make a difference by bringing in stories of the horrors of the Middle East, which was a nice change - but it seemed more like a tool to follow exactly the pattern. It seemed promising but it falls short.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Devil Girl from Mars (1955) in Movies
Mar 30, 2019 (Updated Mar 30, 2019)
Notorious cheapo British SF film objectively deserves about a 2 or 3, but it's worth at least an 8 for connoisseurs of duff B-movies, so I've split the difference. Title character Nyah (Laffan) swishes about in a shower curtain, occasionally hypnotising men she wants to take home to Mars, and devastating the countryside with her pet robot (which looks like a fridge with legs). Everyone else tries to get on with some very soapy subplots.
Absolutely a horrendous collision between a homespun UK programme filler and a spangly American flying saucer B-movie, but the weirdest thing about this very odd film is that there are individual bits of it that are actually pretty good: just not the acting, script, or sci-fi props. Shameless in its economy and genuinely very funny (just not intentionally), the result is sort of like an episode of The Twilight Zone performed as amateur theatre. Awful, but a fun kind of awful.
Absolutely a horrendous collision between a homespun UK programme filler and a spangly American flying saucer B-movie, but the weirdest thing about this very odd film is that there are individual bits of it that are actually pretty good: just not the acting, script, or sci-fi props. Shameless in its economy and genuinely very funny (just not intentionally), the result is sort of like an episode of The Twilight Zone performed as amateur theatre. Awful, but a fun kind of awful.
Awix (3310 KP) rated X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) in Movies
Jun 6, 2019 (Updated Jun 6, 2019)
Final main-sequence entry in a film series that made a lot of noise about celebrating difference is likely to be met with indifference (at best). The sense that the X-Men franchise has finally run out of steam is only emphasised by the fact that this is another swing at the Dark Phoenix storyline, which somehow manages to be even less satisfying than the first time they did it.
A thin script and lacklustre direction are mainly to blame; there is the odd decent moment but they are not strung together effectively. Most of the X-Men feel like cardboard cut-outs this time. The usual charisma and acting skill is also largely absent, with only Michael Fassbender making much of an impression. I think it's fair to say that without the X-Men series there would not have been the MCU movies, so this franchise's place in history is assured - but the superhero movie has, ironically, evolved, and this film feels very tired and irrelevant.
A thin script and lacklustre direction are mainly to blame; there is the odd decent moment but they are not strung together effectively. Most of the X-Men feel like cardboard cut-outs this time. The usual charisma and acting skill is also largely absent, with only Michael Fassbender making much of an impression. I think it's fair to say that without the X-Men series there would not have been the MCU movies, so this franchise's place in history is assured - but the superhero movie has, ironically, evolved, and this film feels very tired and irrelevant.
Tezzie Bee (7 KP) rated Monstrous Regiment: (Discworld Novel 31) in Books
Jul 11, 2018
It’s All In the Trousers
Contains spoilers, click to show
Polly Perks leaves home to join the army, to look for her brother. Naturally, as it’s a male dominated institution, she has to disguise herself. The short hair cut is easy, it’s the learning to belch, fart and swagger like an ape that takes time. Plus a well placed pair of rolled up socks in a strategic position makes all the difference.
She’s off to fight for her country Borogravia, a country that picks wars with other countries almost as often as a small child picks its nose.
Polly (or Ozzer as she becomes known) joins a raggedy band which becomes known as the Monstrous Regiment, lead by the legendary Sergeant Jackrum. A troupe consisting of a troll, a vampire, an Igor, and others. All with a big secret.
Although part of the Discworld novels, this can be read as a stand-alone novel. a thoroughly enjoyable read, which brings in some old Discworld characters we know and love.
She’s off to fight for her country Borogravia, a country that picks wars with other countries almost as often as a small child picks its nose.
Polly (or Ozzer as she becomes known) joins a raggedy band which becomes known as the Monstrous Regiment, lead by the legendary Sergeant Jackrum. A troupe consisting of a troll, a vampire, an Igor, and others. All with a big secret.
Although part of the Discworld novels, this can be read as a stand-alone novel. a thoroughly enjoyable read, which brings in some old Discworld characters we know and love.
David McK (3562 KP) rated Brothers in Arms in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Sold with the tag-line "If you like Sharpe, Jack Steel is your man", it's not hard to see the influence of Bernard Cornwell's eponymous hero on this novel: the only real difference beng that, while Sharpe is set during the Napoleonic Wars, this novel (the third in a series, apparently), is set during the Wars of Marlborough (1702 - 1713).
However, an unlike a Sharpe novel, this one never really gripped me: I never really seemed to connect with the title character at all. While it is written as one, this book could also easily be split into three main sections: the first part concentrating on the battle of Oudenarde, the middle part with Steel going undercover in Paris, and the final part with the siege of Lille: it's just a pity that none of these really grips and so, while I may read some more in the series, I won't be going out of my way to look for them.
However, an unlike a Sharpe novel, this one never really gripped me: I never really seemed to connect with the title character at all. While it is written as one, this book could also easily be split into three main sections: the first part concentrating on the battle of Oudenarde, the middle part with Steel going undercover in Paris, and the final part with the siege of Lille: it's just a pity that none of these really grips and so, while I may read some more in the series, I won't be going out of my way to look for them.
DamsonRain (94 KP) rated Zen Koi 2 in Apps
Dec 17, 2018
Easy to pick up and put down. (3 more)
Relaxing
Strangely addictive
Soothing music
Fun little time-waster
I came across this app a while ago and for some reason, i csnt seem to stop playing.
There is nothing too challenging about this, you simply have to guide your koi around the pond, feeding it certain aquatic creatures.
As the game progresses, your koi will grow, the pond will expand and eventually your little koi will breed.
There are many colour variations of koi that can be need. Once your pond has grown to optimum size, your koi will evolve into a dragon.
The difference between Zen Koi and Zen Koi 2, is that in the second incarnation of the game you are still able to interact with your dragon in s limited fashion. You are able to guide them around a small patch of sky, collecting essence, which you can then use to decorate your pond.
There is nothing too challenging about this, you simply have to guide your koi around the pond, feeding it certain aquatic creatures.
As the game progresses, your koi will grow, the pond will expand and eventually your little koi will breed.
There are many colour variations of koi that can be need. Once your pond has grown to optimum size, your koi will evolve into a dragon.
The difference between Zen Koi and Zen Koi 2, is that in the second incarnation of the game you are still able to interact with your dragon in s limited fashion. You are able to guide them around a small patch of sky, collecting essence, which you can then use to decorate your pond.
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Good Will Hunting (1997) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Oh, look… 4 years later and a different Robin Williams. What is the difference? Well, Matt Damon for one thing. This is perhaps the most serious of the feel good films, riding that boundary boldly and without apology. I was obsessed with this film when it hit its Oscar vibe. I wanted it to win everything, such was its impact on me, and still is. No moment in cinema is more likely to break me than “It’s not your fault“. I am not sure I have ever seen it outside of the cinema without taking a pause there… Minnie Driver made two good films, this and Grosse Point Blank. And in this she is perfectly cast. The feel good factor comes from enduring the pain and seeing it to its conclusion, as Damon rides into the gloom to chase his girl. Perhaps the most satisfying end credits of all time! Just watch him drive towards happiness…
EasterBunnyKiller (31 KP) rated Truth or Dare (2018) in Movies
Jul 31, 2019 (Updated Jul 31, 2019)
My wife wanted to see this, because she loves Lucy Hale. Having seen parts of it from working in a movie theater, I knew it wasn't goin to be great, but I decided to bite the bullet and rent it.
I'm glad I used the points I accrued from my Redbox rentals instead of spending actual money to see it. It was exactly what I expected, a movie about young, attractive, and utterly milquetoast characters bumbling from scene to scene and a marginally interesting hook for why the bad thing is out to get them.
The acting is fine, and it's not terrible visually, but this movie lacks any kind of soul. Just your basic Friday night junk food horror flick. And don't get me wrong, I love junk food. But it's the difference between potato skins from TGIFridays and those terrible TGIFridays potat skin flavored chips.
Of course, my wife loved it.
I'm glad I used the points I accrued from my Redbox rentals instead of spending actual money to see it. It was exactly what I expected, a movie about young, attractive, and utterly milquetoast characters bumbling from scene to scene and a marginally interesting hook for why the bad thing is out to get them.
The acting is fine, and it's not terrible visually, but this movie lacks any kind of soul. Just your basic Friday night junk food horror flick. And don't get me wrong, I love junk food. But it's the difference between potato skins from TGIFridays and those terrible TGIFridays potat skin flavored chips.
Of course, my wife loved it.
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