Search
Search results
Minecraft: Skin Studio
Games and Utilities
App
The OFFICIAL Minecraft Skin Creator! With 1.4 MILLION skins and support for PC / Pocket Edition......
Maps Pro For Minecraft PE
Games and Entertainment
App
EXPLORE the absolute BEST Minecraft PE Maps available right now! With this app you are ensured to...
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated 2001: A Space Odyssey in Books
Oct 16, 2017
The godfather of science fiction
Arthur C. Clarke's vision of a dystopian world, where technology has advanced to frightening levels, is how science fiction was really born in my opinion. Writing this book whilst working with Stanley Kubrick on the film makes it a good accompaniment, if not even better, because of the amount of detail into each facet.
But the main element is the eeriness which HAL brings to the book. At times you think the isolation is making the protagonist Dr Bowman hallucinate, and at times you think the machine really has become self-aware. No one can forget that epic monolith, and the symbolism that it brings - is it a metaphor for God or something much larger than oneself? The final chapter haunts me to this day.
There are a few obvious changes such as when Bowman visits Saturn rather than Jupiter, which Clarke explains is because of what could be feasibly built on set. So for fans of the film, definitely read the book.
But the main element is the eeriness which HAL brings to the book. At times you think the isolation is making the protagonist Dr Bowman hallucinate, and at times you think the machine really has become self-aware. No one can forget that epic monolith, and the symbolism that it brings - is it a metaphor for God or something much larger than oneself? The final chapter haunts me to this day.
There are a few obvious changes such as when Bowman visits Saturn rather than Jupiter, which Clarke explains is because of what could be feasibly built on set. So for fans of the film, definitely read the book.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Circe in Books
Apr 26, 2018
Circe was my April Book of the Month club pick, and WOW was it epic. I haven't read Song of Achilles, but I just put a hold on it with my library, because this book was amazing. So amazing, in fact, that it sent me into a bit of a reading slump - what book could follow up this masterwork?
This is actually going to be a pretty short review because I'm just in awe of this book. Circe begins as a somewhat naive child in her father's household, unaware of her own power until her brother points it out to her. For those powers, she is banished to a deserted island, but her powers only grow from there. We meet many figures of Greek mythology - from gods and goddesses to mortals and monsters like Scylla and the Minotaur.
I just don't even know how to properly review this book other than it was amazing. If you like Greek mythology at ALL, you should read this book. It's captivating.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
This is actually going to be a pretty short review because I'm just in awe of this book. Circe begins as a somewhat naive child in her father's household, unaware of her own power until her brother points it out to her. For those powers, she is banished to a deserted island, but her powers only grow from there. We meet many figures of Greek mythology - from gods and goddesses to mortals and monsters like Scylla and the Minotaur.
I just don't even know how to properly review this book other than it was amazing. If you like Greek mythology at ALL, you should read this book. It's captivating.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Schindler's List (1993) in Movies
May 16, 2018
Should be able to give this a 15
I remember reading and hearing about this film in 1993 before its release thinking "Wow, Spielberg made another movie this year besides Jurassic Park" and not having much confidence. It didn't open wide for me until January of 1994, so I had to wait.
The film ended up being unbelievable, breathtaking, emotional, inspirational, epic and a must watch for everyone. I know a lot of people watch in school these days. While I'm glad they are seeing, watching among other teenagers while broken up into 40 minute segments is not the way to go.
I always see different details when I have gone back and rewatched which makes the film even greater. I remember seeing a documentary a few years ago where they talked to relatives of German Nazi officers and they had talked to a descendant of Amon Goeth who wouldn't stop crying. I can't even even imagine having that type of ancestry within your family.
Needless to say, you must watch Schindler's List. Please say you will.
The film ended up being unbelievable, breathtaking, emotional, inspirational, epic and a must watch for everyone. I know a lot of people watch in school these days. While I'm glad they are seeing, watching among other teenagers while broken up into 40 minute segments is not the way to go.
I always see different details when I have gone back and rewatched which makes the film even greater. I remember seeing a documentary a few years ago where they talked to relatives of German Nazi officers and they had talked to a descendant of Amon Goeth who wouldn't stop crying. I can't even even imagine having that type of ancestry within your family.
Needless to say, you must watch Schindler's List. Please say you will.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Justice League (2017) in Movies
May 19, 2018
Felt a little small
As usual, I don't go to theatres much so I watched this on home video last night after rewatching Batman vs. Superman last week.
Having my expectations low, I actually enjoyed the film. Certainly has its flaws, but I was never bored while watching. The whole Superman mustache thing I thought was a little blown out of proportion, or maybe not as noticeable on a smaller screen.
The film is certainly carried by the larger-than-life perfect castings of Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot who continue their masterful portrayals of Superman and Wonder Woman. Ben Affleck looked bored throughout and the others didn't matter.
I was waiting the whole time for Aquaman to do something actually Aquamanish and he never did. Not even make a group of sharks go attack someone. I was surprised by that.
My main criticism is the film just feels small, meaning not epic. The final resolution was satisfying, but that's about it. Sort of anticlimactic I thought.
Still enjoyed a lot.
Having my expectations low, I actually enjoyed the film. Certainly has its flaws, but I was never bored while watching. The whole Superman mustache thing I thought was a little blown out of proportion, or maybe not as noticeable on a smaller screen.
The film is certainly carried by the larger-than-life perfect castings of Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot who continue their masterful portrayals of Superman and Wonder Woman. Ben Affleck looked bored throughout and the others didn't matter.
I was waiting the whole time for Aquaman to do something actually Aquamanish and he never did. Not even make a group of sharks go attack someone. I was surprised by that.
My main criticism is the film just feels small, meaning not epic. The final resolution was satisfying, but that's about it. Sort of anticlimactic I thought.
Still enjoyed a lot.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Scarface (1983) in Movies
Feb 7, 2019
Say hello to a modern classic!
Brian DePalma has had an interesting career making some truly classic films and a lot of real crap. Obviously, this film is the former and is probably his best work.
A role written for Al Pacino by Oliver Stone, the story is a basic one I suppose, the rise of a Cuban drug lord. The old replaced by the new. Gruesome violence (a lot of which isn't actually seen, but heard and implied).
The film still holds up as a tour de force performance by Pacino and an epic drug gangster film that has not been equaled.
The cinematography and beautiful look of the film is also interesting in that it seems to capture the locale well even though they only filmed in south Florida for a few weeks (the locals heard about the making of the film and decided they didn't like the idea of it before even seeing).
One of my all time favorites!
A role written for Al Pacino by Oliver Stone, the story is a basic one I suppose, the rise of a Cuban drug lord. The old replaced by the new. Gruesome violence (a lot of which isn't actually seen, but heard and implied).
The film still holds up as a tour de force performance by Pacino and an epic drug gangster film that has not been equaled.
The cinematography and beautiful look of the film is also interesting in that it seems to capture the locale well even though they only filmed in south Florida for a few weeks (the locals heard about the making of the film and decided they didn't like the idea of it before even seeing).
One of my all time favorites!
Andy K (10823 KP) rated 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) in Movies
Apr 29, 2019
One of the first Disney films to be shot in Cinema Scope
I swear Kirk Douglas has the best chin in film I have ever seen.
Another Disney classic I am ashamed I had not seen until today. What a grand epic undersea adventure! Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre and James Mason as Captain Nemo (my dog really liked the seal, Esmeralda as well).
After some mysterious encounters at sea results in several vessels going down, some survivors of one of the blasts find their way aboard the Nautilus and meet the nefarious captain. After discovering the captain's mission our heroes try and escape and end up sort of joining the crew to bide their time until another opportunity arises.
What about the giant squid?
For the time period, this film looked amazing and the art direction and special effects both won Academy Awards for that year. The design of the Nautilus was also very interesting and it photographed well underwater.
I thoroughly enjoyed embarking on this aquatic journey and had to hold my breath until it was over!
Another Disney classic I am ashamed I had not seen until today. What a grand epic undersea adventure! Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre and James Mason as Captain Nemo (my dog really liked the seal, Esmeralda as well).
After some mysterious encounters at sea results in several vessels going down, some survivors of one of the blasts find their way aboard the Nautilus and meet the nefarious captain. After discovering the captain's mission our heroes try and escape and end up sort of joining the crew to bide their time until another opportunity arises.
What about the giant squid?
For the time period, this film looked amazing and the art direction and special effects both won Academy Awards for that year. The design of the Nautilus was also very interesting and it photographed well underwater.
I thoroughly enjoyed embarking on this aquatic journey and had to hold my breath until it was over!
Dean (6927 KP) rated Game Of Thrones - Season 8 in TV
May 21, 2019
The writing (1 more)
The conclusion for many characters
Not the ending we hoped for
It's been a long time coming and expectations were very high for this final series to one of the best TV shows ever made. It really shows that this series goes past where the books ended I believe. It's only 6 episodes long despite some being over an hour long. Yet it feels rushed and short of content. When you have had 7 series to build up so many story and characters arcs, it feels rushed bringing it all to an end so quickly. Some storylines just don't pan out as expected. Some of them just don't seem to fit at all, others were far too short. Despite all of this it still has some amazing scenes and action, great SFX and still manages to surprise you with what happens as it always has done. Such a shame it has come to an end. So it's not the ending many hoped for but it has been an epic ride along the way.
Tracy Carr-Harding (4 KP) rated Never Coming Back in Books
Jan 16, 2018
The Hero, (3 more)
The Storyline
Well Written, The Story Flows
The Last Line! Epic!!
Had me Hooked
This was the first of Tim Weavers books that I read, although it is actually the 4th Book in the series, and I loved it so much, I went and bought the rest. The Hero is the kind of guy you want in your corner. He doesn't let anything, or anyone, get in the way of doing his best for the people who need him. No matter how much danger he finds himself in, he will always complete what has been asked of him, even if the result isn't what was hoped for. Tim writes in such a way that you can see the story through the hero's eyes, you want him to find out the truth, and feel good when he does. I wholeheartedly recommend Tim Weaver books to anyone who likes a good crime/thriller, he will not let you down, as he draws the picture in his words, and lets you see the tale unfold.