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Foul Play on Words
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Between a kidnapping, a double booking, and a crew of hapless volunteers, Charlee is worried the...
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Sinner - Season 1 in TV
Nov 24, 2017 (Updated Nov 25, 2017)
Not as good as expected
I finished watching this series a couple of weeks ago and to be honest I have mixed feelings about it. It surrounds the story of an average housewife, played by Jessica Biel, who one day mysteriously snaps while on the beach with her husband and young son, and ends up stabbing a man to death. While investigating the case, Detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) becomes increasingly obsessed with finding out why exactly she carried out such an unprovoked attack, probing further into her psyche and revealing very dark and tormented secrets.
The premise is engaging, and the first few episodes quickly begin uncovering bits of her past. But by the fourth episode, there seems to be a lull, as if the director may have exposed too much in the first three chapters, and it begins to dip in terms of interesting content.
By the end, it is explosive, with very little build-up - and to be fair it may have gone slightly too far, appearing hyperbolic to the extreme. The problem was that when it became unappealing in the middle of the series, it was difficult to stay completely captivated until the end. Pullman's character was quite lecherous, as if the only reason he cared was because he found Biel's docile persona attractive.
Would I watch it again? Probably not - there are far better psychological crime shows such @True Detective - Season 1, that seem more carefully and thoughtfully produced.
The premise is engaging, and the first few episodes quickly begin uncovering bits of her past. But by the fourth episode, there seems to be a lull, as if the director may have exposed too much in the first three chapters, and it begins to dip in terms of interesting content.
By the end, it is explosive, with very little build-up - and to be fair it may have gone slightly too far, appearing hyperbolic to the extreme. The problem was that when it became unappealing in the middle of the series, it was difficult to stay completely captivated until the end. Pullman's character was quite lecherous, as if the only reason he cared was because he found Biel's docile persona attractive.
Would I watch it again? Probably not - there are far better psychological crime shows such @True Detective - Season 1, that seem more carefully and thoughtfully produced.
Paganfire (19 KP) rated LEGO Marvel Super Heroes in Video Games
Aug 10, 2017
Save the World LEGO Marvel Superheroes!
I've been playing this one for a couple of weeks now and have honestly enjoyed this entry in the LEGO-verse. Played about 50+ hours now and still have around 15 to 18% to do (don't have my game up or I'd give the exact percentage).
The story line itself is very engaging and it's own creature (in other words it is not following a movie or book, it is it's own stand alone story.) There are over 100 characters to gain throughout the story and free roam. Deadpool's Red Brick chapters were a delight if a bit simple.
Biggest complaint is the game mechanics where it comes to the races in the game. I've only managed a meager three or four of the twenty plus available and that is due to sheer luck. As of this moment I am not sure I will 100% this LEGO entry and it is totally due to the races.
Overall, even with the races being such a hassle, I've really enjoyed running around town as the various characters. They have the more common notable heroes and villains as well as some not so common characters (IE: Squirrel Girl). With the multitude of available characters very few overlap so it is very refreshing to actually have to use almost everyone for something (be it a maze, race, free play, etc).
The story line itself is very engaging and it's own creature (in other words it is not following a movie or book, it is it's own stand alone story.) There are over 100 characters to gain throughout the story and free roam. Deadpool's Red Brick chapters were a delight if a bit simple.
Biggest complaint is the game mechanics where it comes to the races in the game. I've only managed a meager three or four of the twenty plus available and that is due to sheer luck. As of this moment I am not sure I will 100% this LEGO entry and it is totally due to the races.
Overall, even with the races being such a hassle, I've really enjoyed running around town as the various characters. They have the more common notable heroes and villains as well as some not so common characters (IE: Squirrel Girl). With the multitude of available characters very few overlap so it is very refreshing to actually have to use almost everyone for something (be it a maze, race, free play, etc).
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Girl on Fire in Books
May 7, 2018
Addictive reading
"I woke up and the world was gone.
All was silent, all was black, the darkness so complete that it was as if all the light had been drained from the world."
Those are the dramatic opening lines to this book which had me hooked and eating up the pages as if my life depended on it.
Mr Parsons writes with grit, authenticity and humanity which I find very addictive and although Max isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, he is a very engaging character that I love getting to know a little more with each outing.
I must admit that there were times when I felt reality was ignored for the sake of the story (i.e. missed suspects which, in my opinion, were glaringly obvious) but I just put them to one side and continued to enjoy the ride on Mr Parsons' roller-coaster because, after all, this isn't a true story although the subject matter certainly is unfortunately.
Although this can be read as a standalone, I would very much recommend you read the others in the series as this will give more depth and understanding to the main characters and will enhance the whole reading experience.
I would 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 an impartial review.
All was silent, all was black, the darkness so complete that it was as if all the light had been drained from the world."
Those are the dramatic opening lines to this book which had me hooked and eating up the pages as if my life depended on it.
Mr Parsons writes with grit, authenticity and humanity which I find very addictive and although Max isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, he is a very engaging character that I love getting to know a little more with each outing.
I must admit that there were times when I felt reality was ignored for the sake of the story (i.e. missed suspects which, in my opinion, were glaringly obvious) but I just put them to one side and continued to enjoy the ride on Mr Parsons' roller-coaster because, after all, this isn't a true story although the subject matter certainly is unfortunately.
Although this can be read as a standalone, I would very much recommend you read the others in the series as this will give more depth and understanding to the main characters and will enhance the whole reading experience.
I would 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 an impartial review.
Becca Major (96 KP) rated The Greatest Showman (2017) in Movies
Apr 12, 2018
THE MUSIC (5 more)
The acting
The energy
The sets/enviornment/colors/costumes
Charity, Lettie, and Phillip
Not falling into cheating husband plot
Not historically accurate, but I didn't expect it to be (2 more)
Most characters are flat
Plot is pretty standard
Amazing Experience
Watching "The Greatest Showman" is a wonderful viewing experience, full of life and energy. You can tell with every shot that the creators of the movie wanted to make something amazing. The music is fantastic, the characters (well, the important ones anyway) are engaging and empathetic, and the costumes and sets are beautiful to look at. Truly, it is one of my favorite movies, and I am so happy to finally own it.
However, even I can admit that there are issues. While I am aware that it is not historically accurate, I don't particularly care that much because I didn't expect it to be a perfect biopic (and most biopics stretch the truth anyway). And, if nothing else, this lack of historical accuracy makes me want to research the actual history. I can also admit that the story is lacking, there is a lot going on. The three main threads are Phineas trying to become rich and achieve his dreams, the drama between Phillip and Anne, and the plight of the circus cast. These three problems don't gel very well narratively, and Phineas' story totally eclipses that of the other two, making them feel rushed.
However, even I can admit that there are issues. While I am aware that it is not historically accurate, I don't particularly care that much because I didn't expect it to be a perfect biopic (and most biopics stretch the truth anyway). And, if nothing else, this lack of historical accuracy makes me want to research the actual history. I can also admit that the story is lacking, there is a lot going on. The three main threads are Phineas trying to become rich and achieve his dreams, the drama between Phillip and Anne, and the plight of the circus cast. These three problems don't gel very well narratively, and Phineas' story totally eclipses that of the other two, making them feel rushed.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated The Sixth Surrender in Books
Feb 15, 2019
After much struggle, I made it to the halfway point (page 257 of 468) and just cannot go on. There seems to be too much going on and I'm still uncertain what the main plot is. Political intrigue? Possibly a romance between Juliana and Guérin? Although how that would ever happen is beyond me, seeing as their animosity towards each other isn't the hate-to-love you see in other books. This is real hatred. The book has moments where the passages are well-written and engaging, though they're few and far between, so I think the author does have potential. However, something about the book just isn't holding my attention or interest, and it doesn't help that Juliana is an irritating little mouse (Guérin calls her "mouse" repeatedly) who's rather stupid. Guérin isn't much better, he's a donkey, but at least he's interesting and not half as annoying. Perhaps if I knew where in the world the plot was actually going, I might have been able to carry on, but there are way too many plots that seem to be going in all sorts of directions and it's just a mess. I'm unsure who the target audience is for this: readers who know next to nothing of the history of this time or those who do, I'm not certain either would end up happy.
So will I pick this up and try again in the future? I doubt it.
So will I pick this up and try again in the future? I doubt it.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) in Movies
Jun 15, 2019 (Updated Jun 15, 2019)
Magical (I'm 30 years old dammit)
I was the exact target audience at the time of the original Pokémon cartoon series, and invested a fair portion of my childhood playing through Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, so seeing this all unfold on screen was quite something.
The action kicks off immediately, with Mewtwo (all of my friends bloody loved a bit of Mewtwo back in the day), ticking all the right nostalgia boxes from the start.
It's not long before were pushed into the wider world of Pokémon, both original and later generations, and it just filled me with childish joy to be honest.
The CGI is odd - in a way that I was aware that I was watching CGI creatures, but at the same time, they didn't feel out of place alongside the human characters, it all blends pretty well.
Looking past the blinding nostalgia, the story was engaging enough (even if it does get to absurd levels of silly towards the end), the action pieces were all pretty fun, and the cast were likable enough for the most part.
I spend more time than I probably should playing video games, so it's exited me to no end that we finally have a pretty decent video game movie, and I can only hope that Detective Pikachu is the start of something good, both for future Pokémon installments, and just video game adaptions in general.
The action kicks off immediately, with Mewtwo (all of my friends bloody loved a bit of Mewtwo back in the day), ticking all the right nostalgia boxes from the start.
It's not long before were pushed into the wider world of Pokémon, both original and later generations, and it just filled me with childish joy to be honest.
The CGI is odd - in a way that I was aware that I was watching CGI creatures, but at the same time, they didn't feel out of place alongside the human characters, it all blends pretty well.
Looking past the blinding nostalgia, the story was engaging enough (even if it does get to absurd levels of silly towards the end), the action pieces were all pretty fun, and the cast were likable enough for the most part.
I spend more time than I probably should playing video games, so it's exited me to no end that we finally have a pretty decent video game movie, and I can only hope that Detective Pikachu is the start of something good, both for future Pokémon installments, and just video game adaptions in general.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated A Girl's Guide to Landing a Greek God in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I usually dont read novels like this, but as someone who loves mythology, particularly Greek, I was hungry for a good mythology read. Unfortunately, I didnt enjoy this as a modern interpretation. Honestly, if the mythology wasnt involved, I probably would have enjoyed it more. I think I am just a mythology snob
Overall, I thought the story was humorous and engaging. That being said, it was obvious that the author was a male instead of a female. I cant explain it, but males just have a certain voice when it comes to trying to write chick lit/romance. While I liked his characters, sometimes I felt that his female lead was a bit of a caricature. I have to remember, however, that people like that actually do exist. With that in mind, she can be a strong yet quirky woman able to hold her own in the world even if she doesnt always make the best decisions.
As a whole, the story is pretty entertaining. As a woman, I feel a bit put out that a man wrote a novel titled A Girls Guide I dont think I will read the rest of the series but that is more for the fact that it wasnt my tastes, not because it isnt an good book.
I usually dont read novels like this, but as someone who loves mythology, particularly Greek, I was hungry for a good mythology read. Unfortunately, I didnt enjoy this as a modern interpretation. Honestly, if the mythology wasnt involved, I probably would have enjoyed it more. I think I am just a mythology snob
Overall, I thought the story was humorous and engaging. That being said, it was obvious that the author was a male instead of a female. I cant explain it, but males just have a certain voice when it comes to trying to write chick lit/romance. While I liked his characters, sometimes I felt that his female lead was a bit of a caricature. I have to remember, however, that people like that actually do exist. With that in mind, she can be a strong yet quirky woman able to hold her own in the world even if she doesnt always make the best decisions.
As a whole, the story is pretty entertaining. As a woman, I feel a bit put out that a man wrote a novel titled A Girls Guide I dont think I will read the rest of the series but that is more for the fact that it wasnt my tastes, not because it isnt an good book.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Year's Work at the Zombie Research Center in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I had to read this book for my zombie film course at UCI and I can honestly say it was incredibly interesting. I loved seeing all these ideas about how deep the zombie narrative is because it made me think in ways I would not have otherwise.
There are essays on race, post feminism, the health care system, and so many more.
I loved how it related to both zombie films from the 1930s as well as the more prevalent films known about today. These essays took into consideration the history of zombies and the actual cultural significance of these monsters instead of ignoring it. Many of these essays made references to the Haitian culture surrounding zombies which was awesome.
I enjoyed seeing the different cultural and gender perspectives on all of these issues. Instead of only seeing the viewpoint of some middle aged white male, we get to see women and men of color all engaging in this scholarship and being able to keep it entertaining enough to keep the readers engaged.
If you like reading essays on popular culture connecting to both social and political issues of the time period, then definitely pick this book up, it is worth the read. Honestly, even if you don't like reading those types of books, pick it up because it could give you a different perspective on something you feel like you already know.
There are essays on race, post feminism, the health care system, and so many more.
I loved how it related to both zombie films from the 1930s as well as the more prevalent films known about today. These essays took into consideration the history of zombies and the actual cultural significance of these monsters instead of ignoring it. Many of these essays made references to the Haitian culture surrounding zombies which was awesome.
I enjoyed seeing the different cultural and gender perspectives on all of these issues. Instead of only seeing the viewpoint of some middle aged white male, we get to see women and men of color all engaging in this scholarship and being able to keep it entertaining enough to keep the readers engaged.
If you like reading essays on popular culture connecting to both social and political issues of the time period, then definitely pick this book up, it is worth the read. Honestly, even if you don't like reading those types of books, pick it up because it could give you a different perspective on something you feel like you already know.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Divine Order (2017) in Movies
Mar 10, 2018 (Updated Mar 10, 2018)
It's not that uncommon for a certain kind of feminist film to turn up in art-house cinemas in the UK - these are usually about the struggle for self-determination as experienced by women in traditionalist societies around the world. What is unusual is to see this sort of story taking place in a recognisably modern European setting, as is the case with The Divine Order. The year is 1971, the setting is rural Switzerland, and a vote is looming over whether women should be given the right to vote. Yes, 1971; yes, Switzerland. Young housewife Nora finds herself almost by accident leading the women of her village in a campaign for, if not equality, then at least recognition.
A solidly scripted and involving film; not too heavy or worthy, it finds time for plenty of lighter moments along the way, though the mood is generally as serious as you might expect. Slightly manipulative, but then that's always the case with this type of film - there is a welcome degree of subtlety, compared to some (one of the leading opponents of women's suffrage is female, for instance). Sofia Helin gets a brilliant cameo as a visiting advocate of 'Yoni Power' (google it if you don't know; I'm not going there in a film review). The version we saw was let down by some inept subtitling but this is still an engaging and well-made drama, not just historical agitprop.
A solidly scripted and involving film; not too heavy or worthy, it finds time for plenty of lighter moments along the way, though the mood is generally as serious as you might expect. Slightly manipulative, but then that's always the case with this type of film - there is a welcome degree of subtlety, compared to some (one of the leading opponents of women's suffrage is female, for instance). Sofia Helin gets a brilliant cameo as a visiting advocate of 'Yoni Power' (google it if you don't know; I'm not going there in a film review). The version we saw was let down by some inept subtitling but this is still an engaging and well-made drama, not just historical agitprop.