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China Beach - Season 4
10.0
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TV Season
Sand dunes and scalpels, surfboards and shrapnel, blue sea and red blood, R&R and CPR... Welcome to...
Vietnam war medical drama hospital nurse doctor history
My Sister, the Serial Killer
7.8
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Book
Satire meets slasher in this short, darkly funny hand grenade of a novel about a Nigerian woman...
Cross
7.3
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Book
Ray Cross wasn’t a hero; he could die too easily. But some things are worth risking death... ...
Young_Adult Urban Fantasy Paranormal
David McK (3425 KP) rated Thor (2011) in Movies
Sep 12, 2021
One of the earliest movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), - I think it's the 4th - way back in Phase 1, with what was seemingly an odd choice of director in our very own (I'm from Northern Ireland, as he is) Kenneth Branagh.
However, you can soon see why he was chosen, with this film - in particular - having a very Shakespearian feel to it, what with the whole plot of two brothers to the throne (as an aside, also the first film to leave Earth for large portions) and the whole familial drama going on ...
I also remember, prior to this, that my whole recollection of the character came from the old 70s/80s 'The Incredible Hulk' tv show and mini movies, where Thor was more-or-less somewhat similar to Jekyll and Hyde, in that he shared a body with the lead character ('who-so-ever be so worthy') of the crippled doctor Donald Blake - a name dropped in this movie as an Easter egg, as Jane Foster's ex boyfriend, and - temporarily - borrowed by this version of Thor.
Unlike many of the later MCU movies, this has a surprisingly small finale, and the scene with Thor breaking into the SHIELD camp in his attempt to recover Mjolnir is still the best bit of the whole thing.
However, you can soon see why he was chosen, with this film - in particular - having a very Shakespearian feel to it, what with the whole plot of two brothers to the throne (as an aside, also the first film to leave Earth for large portions) and the whole familial drama going on ...
I also remember, prior to this, that my whole recollection of the character came from the old 70s/80s 'The Incredible Hulk' tv show and mini movies, where Thor was more-or-less somewhat similar to Jekyll and Hyde, in that he shared a body with the lead character ('who-so-ever be so worthy') of the crippled doctor Donald Blake - a name dropped in this movie as an Easter egg, as Jane Foster's ex boyfriend, and - temporarily - borrowed by this version of Thor.
Unlike many of the later MCU movies, this has a surprisingly small finale, and the scene with Thor breaking into the SHIELD camp in his attempt to recover Mjolnir is still the best bit of the whole thing.
Merissa (12069 KP) rated The Willing in Books
Oct 21, 2021
THE WILLING is a standalone novel in the same vein as The Handmaid's Tale. Gypsy is in a world where women are the rulers but, paradoxically, they pay for that role by not being allowed to say no to whenever men want to have sex with them. No matter who, how many, you get the picture.
This story is told from different perspectives - Gypsy, her sister Sadie, Doctor Gino, and Miles. There are many twists to the story, some of which happen so quickly, with no build-up, that you will be left re-reading the last page or so, just to ensure you haven't missed anything.
The ending is a rather hurried affair. Almost as though there was a rapidly approaching wordcount which couldn't be extended, so everything is put in without much else. Gypsy goes from not saying a word to explaining all, just by having her arms held.
This book has some interesting aspects but, for me, there were too many characters left undeveloped and plot holes for me to fully enjoy it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This story is told from different perspectives - Gypsy, her sister Sadie, Doctor Gino, and Miles. There are many twists to the story, some of which happen so quickly, with no build-up, that you will be left re-reading the last page or so, just to ensure you haven't missed anything.
The ending is a rather hurried affair. Almost as though there was a rapidly approaching wordcount which couldn't be extended, so everything is put in without much else. Gypsy goes from not saying a word to explaining all, just by having her arms held.
This book has some interesting aspects but, for me, there were too many characters left undeveloped and plot holes for me to fully enjoy it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (12069 KP) rated Dragon Consultant (Supernatural Consultant #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018 (Updated May 8, 2023)
Dane is a Supernatural Consultant who gets a job to find out why air space is being terrorized by dragon kits. What he finds when he gets there is an adult male dragon suffering from dragon fever and a bunch of kits that he can't figure out just how they all fit together. He makes a quick decision and takes them all to his large home, calling for help from a doctor friend for the adult male, and help from a mum for the kits.
This is a fast-paced novella as Dane finds out that there is much more to the dragons' story than he originally assumed. Dane is known as the Genie of the East but is in fact a son of a God, which has made having a relationship difficult. There is a bit of confusion between Mercury and Dane as both of them feel inadequate for the other one.
It is well-written, with plenty of story and character development, whilst still leaving plenty to hook you in for the coming stories. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 9, 2015
This is a fast-paced novella as Dane finds out that there is much more to the dragons' story than he originally assumed. Dane is known as the Genie of the East but is in fact a son of a God, which has made having a relationship difficult. There is a bit of confusion between Mercury and Dane as both of them feel inadequate for the other one.
It is well-written, with plenty of story and character development, whilst still leaving plenty to hook you in for the coming stories. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 9, 2015
ClareR (5726 KP) rated We All Want Impossible Things in Books
Feb 17, 2023
What a wonderful book this is! I started reading with trepidation, but as I read, I realised that this isn’t just a book about dying, it’s about the living right up until you die. It’s a book about life - and about having a good death. It’s incredibly moving, I wouldn’t say it’s depressing or morose at all, in fact I would say that it’s life affirming.
Edi and Ash have been best friends since childhood. When Edi is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Ash offers to take her home to where she lives, so that her young son doesn’t have to watch her final weeks.
The hospice that Edi stays in is full of interesting characters: from the patient who plays Fiddler on the Roof at full glorious volume, to the doctor who reminds Ash of one of the Sopranos, and a musician who can play any song you request.
This is a book of laughter and sadness, of letting go and moving on. Ash is a wonderful friend with a rather messy, frankly hilarious, sex life. Ash and Eli’s relationship is truly special.
We All Want Impossible Things is a touching novel that had me laughing and crying in equal measure, as well as bringing back memories of my own experiences.
This book really is worth reading. Utterly beautiful.
Edi and Ash have been best friends since childhood. When Edi is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Ash offers to take her home to where she lives, so that her young son doesn’t have to watch her final weeks.
The hospice that Edi stays in is full of interesting characters: from the patient who plays Fiddler on the Roof at full glorious volume, to the doctor who reminds Ash of one of the Sopranos, and a musician who can play any song you request.
This is a book of laughter and sadness, of letting go and moving on. Ash is a wonderful friend with a rather messy, frankly hilarious, sex life. Ash and Eli’s relationship is truly special.
We All Want Impossible Things is a touching novel that had me laughing and crying in equal measure, as well as bringing back memories of my own experiences.
This book really is worth reading. Utterly beautiful.
The Professor's Lady (The Thompsons of Locust Street #3)
Book
Meet the Thompsons of Locust Street, an unconventional family taking Philadelphia high society by...
American Historical Romance Gilded Age Philadelphia
Merissa (12069 KP) rated The Quid Pro Quo (The Bradfield Trilogy #2) in Books
Jan 7, 2022 (Updated Jul 5, 2023)
THE QUID PRO QUO is the second book in the Bradfield Trilogy although you could, as I have, read it as a standalone.
It is set in 1920s England where magic comes alive in a not-so-fun way. Walt is the nurse to Sylvia's doctor, and the story starts with them being called to the village duck pond as a body has been found. The mystery unravels as the story progresses, giving you insight into a world 'other' than our own.
This is paced perfectly for a cosy mystery - with questions aplenty until it is all explained nicely and wrapped in a bow. I really want to read books one and three now (even though book three isn't even available yet) just to see where it takes me. The characters are wonderfully relatable and the world is both realistic and nostalgic in a rose-tinted glasses kind of way.
The story and characters held my attention from the beginning and kept me enthralled until the end. Thoroughly enjoyable and absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 7, 2022
It is set in 1920s England where magic comes alive in a not-so-fun way. Walt is the nurse to Sylvia's doctor, and the story starts with them being called to the village duck pond as a body has been found. The mystery unravels as the story progresses, giving you insight into a world 'other' than our own.
This is paced perfectly for a cosy mystery - with questions aplenty until it is all explained nicely and wrapped in a bow. I really want to read books one and three now (even though book three isn't even available yet) just to see where it takes me. The characters are wonderfully relatable and the world is both realistic and nostalgic in a rose-tinted glasses kind of way.
The story and characters held my attention from the beginning and kept me enthralled until the end. Thoroughly enjoyable and absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 7, 2022
David McK (3425 KP) rated The Tomorrow War (2021) in Movies
Aug 27, 2021 (Updated Nov 23, 2024)
I was unaware until a spot of research after I had watched this (via Amazon Prime) that this was actually one of those movies that was originally meant to be shown in the cinema.
And then the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
Which - aside from the obvious! - is a pity where this was concerned: I do feel that it would have had more of an impact, more of a presence, on the big screen than on the small.
The plot is a take on the usual timey-wimey (to steal a phrase from the BBCs Doctor Who) type of stuff, where visitors from the future (IIRC, about 30 years or so) arrive in the present to recruit their ancestors to fight in an ongoing war against alien 'White Spikes' invaders: a war which humanity is currently losing.
The film then follows Chris Pratt's ex-military (natch) character Dan Forester, who ends up being one of those drafted to fight in the future: I say drafted, as the tour of duty is only meant to be about 7 days long, but most don't make it back or come back horribly (and psychologically) scarred, so - not surprising - most people try to avoid having to go!
Yes, if you think about it too much your head will probably hurt from all the paradoxes involved ...
Yes, it's enjoyable
And then the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
Which - aside from the obvious! - is a pity where this was concerned: I do feel that it would have had more of an impact, more of a presence, on the big screen than on the small.
The plot is a take on the usual timey-wimey (to steal a phrase from the BBCs Doctor Who) type of stuff, where visitors from the future (IIRC, about 30 years or so) arrive in the present to recruit their ancestors to fight in an ongoing war against alien 'White Spikes' invaders: a war which humanity is currently losing.
The film then follows Chris Pratt's ex-military (natch) character Dan Forester, who ends up being one of those drafted to fight in the future: I say drafted, as the tour of duty is only meant to be about 7 days long, but most don't make it back or come back horribly (and psychologically) scarred, so - not surprising - most people try to avoid having to go!
Yes, if you think about it too much your head will probably hurt from all the paradoxes involved ...
Yes, it's enjoyable