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Ross (3284 KP) rated Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) in Movies
Nov 9, 2018
The 2016 adaptation of one of the best-known, most iconic graphic novels of all time had massive shoes to fill. For me, it fell a little short, but was saved by the voice-acting and by, largely, sticking to the storyline it had to work with.
Before we get into the Killing Joke story proper, there is an added storyline following the relationship between Batman and Batgirl. This, plus the more cartoon-y style of the animation were a definite downer for a first 20 minutes. It doesn't really add anything to the overall piece, there is no apparent impact on Batman's actions as a result of their relationship.
That aside, this is a thrilling, gripping adaptation of the book, which sticks close to it. We learn about the Joker's backstory and first interaction with Batman, and we see that he has got into Batman's head as he always wanted.
The use of Mark Hamill as Mr J is excellent, his voice totally captures the Joker's madness, softness and violence.
A great spend of an hour, but something of a let-down from the book.
Before we get into the Killing Joke story proper, there is an added storyline following the relationship between Batman and Batgirl. This, plus the more cartoon-y style of the animation were a definite downer for a first 20 minutes. It doesn't really add anything to the overall piece, there is no apparent impact on Batman's actions as a result of their relationship.
That aside, this is a thrilling, gripping adaptation of the book, which sticks close to it. We learn about the Joker's backstory and first interaction with Batman, and we see that he has got into Batman's head as he always wanted.
The use of Mark Hamill as Mr J is excellent, his voice totally captures the Joker's madness, softness and violence.
A great spend of an hour, but something of a let-down from the book.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Flu (Flu, #1) in Books
Nov 14, 2018
I thought this was an excellent book. A selection of stories that came together as it went along. I got completely hooked just before half way into the book and couldn't put it down. When I started this book I wasn't sure as there are so many Zombie novels out there I thought this one would be nothing new, but i was so wrong. A great read that just kept me asking for more. The story is very descriptive and gruesome but I thought this was great, not recommended for those with a weak stomach. The characters were very interesting and likable and the story kept running at a nice fast pace. Highly recommended for Zombie fans and fans of gore! I would have given this book 5 stars, however I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, it left me feeling like there should have been more and that not everything was really explained, it's like the story has been left open for a sequel...I hope so anyway, if not then the ending is a bit annoying. A part from that this was a great read!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Shoplifters (Manbiki Kazuko) (2018) in Movies
Dec 3, 2018 (Updated Dec 3, 2018)
Got to admit, feels a bit odd to be giving a Palm d'Or winning film only a 9 out of 10, but you have to call them as you see them. A loving but totally amoral family make a living from various types of fraud and petty crime; when they find an abused child lives not far from them they end up benevolently and accidentally kidnapping her. Not one of those films which is really driven by plot (until close to the end, at least), but an examination of the idea of family and its importance at all levels of society.
A notably warm and non-judgemental film, no matter how bleak the subject matter may sound, driven along by understated storytelling and with excellent performances from the 'parents' of the shoplifter family. The compassion of the director towards all of the characters is palpable, even when they are at their worst (which can be pretty bad). If the film never completely resolves the moral ambiguities at its heart, then it is surely wholly intentional. Probably no-one's idea of mainstream entertainment, but a notably fine and moving film nevertheless.
A notably warm and non-judgemental film, no matter how bleak the subject matter may sound, driven along by understated storytelling and with excellent performances from the 'parents' of the shoplifter family. The compassion of the director towards all of the characters is palpable, even when they are at their worst (which can be pretty bad). If the film never completely resolves the moral ambiguities at its heart, then it is surely wholly intentional. Probably no-one's idea of mainstream entertainment, but a notably fine and moving film nevertheless.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Dancing Master in Books
Jan 2, 2019
The Dancing Master is the first book I have read by Julie Klassen. This story is not only intriguing and suspenseful, but it is also full of romance and God's love and grace. Set in Regency England, I found this to be an excellent book. If you like Jane Austen's settings, you will most definitely like Julie Klassen's books.
Written in a more modern American voice, the language flows well and is easy to understand. I really love the characters in this story. Everyone seems to have secrets they are trying to hide and the past comes back to haunt more than one person in the story. However, all will be revealed in due course. Will our characters be able to overcome their differences? Or will the past come between them and drive them apart for good?
I found Alec and Julia's story to be fun, a bit suspenseful, and romantic. While romance isn't as prevalent in this book, it is still there.
I borrowed The Dancing Master from my local library. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Written in a more modern American voice, the language flows well and is easy to understand. I really love the characters in this story. Everyone seems to have secrets they are trying to hide and the past comes back to haunt more than one person in the story. However, all will be revealed in due course. Will our characters be able to overcome their differences? Or will the past come between them and drive them apart for good?
I found Alec and Julia's story to be fun, a bit suspenseful, and romantic. While romance isn't as prevalent in this book, it is still there.
I borrowed The Dancing Master from my local library. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Merissa (13919 KP) rated Memories of the Heart (Memories, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book from Enticing Journey Book Promotions in return for a fair and honest review.
This book doesn't pull any punches as it takes you along for the ride. Both Josh and Micah have things to learn to make their own lives better. Along the way, their grandmothers are there to help, just as they always have been. But what happens when life gets in the way and rushes by. Before you realise it, a year has gone past. Is it too late to reconnect? This is what Micah has to learn and decide as the book starts. He is a tool at the beginning and his attitude sucks. However, as the story progresses, you understand more and more about the whys and wherefores and it actually helps make him a more rounded character.
Felice Stevens has once again brought to life some amazing characters and circumstances - enough angst to make it seem real and yet not over the top. Her writing style is excellent and well paced to keep you turning the pages and wanting the next part RIGHT NOW!
Definitely recommended for all fans of the M/M genre.
This book doesn't pull any punches as it takes you along for the ride. Both Josh and Micah have things to learn to make their own lives better. Along the way, their grandmothers are there to help, just as they always have been. But what happens when life gets in the way and rushes by. Before you realise it, a year has gone past. Is it too late to reconnect? This is what Micah has to learn and decide as the book starts. He is a tool at the beginning and his attitude sucks. However, as the story progresses, you understand more and more about the whys and wherefores and it actually helps make him a more rounded character.
Felice Stevens has once again brought to life some amazing characters and circumstances - enough angst to make it seem real and yet not over the top. Her writing style is excellent and well paced to keep you turning the pages and wanting the next part RIGHT NOW!
Definitely recommended for all fans of the M/M genre.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Official Secrets (2019) in Movies
Oct 18, 2019
Superior based-on-fact thriller with Keira Knightley leading a strong cast. Huge demonstrations fill the streets of London but are totally ignored by the government, the British Prime Minister is a smirking liar, and the US administration is hugely embarrassed by a whistleblower. How very different things were 15 years ago. Said whistleblower (Knightley) reveals an attempt by the US and UK to blackmail members of the UN security council into authorising an otherwise-illegal invasion of Iraq, bringing the whole power of the establishment down on her head.
There's a lot going on here, plotwise, with various strands following Knightley's personal situation, the attempts of journalists to verify and publish her story, and the court case that ensued, but the story is always engrossing and never difficult to follow. Knightley's performance is possibly a little overcooked, but she is extremely well supported by a cast including Matt Smith, Ralph Fiennes, and Rhys Ifans. Raises some serious issues about the rights of a government to keep secrets from its secrets; stirs up some recent history, too, for what it's worth. An excellent piece of intelligent entertainment.
There's a lot going on here, plotwise, with various strands following Knightley's personal situation, the attempts of journalists to verify and publish her story, and the court case that ensued, but the story is always engrossing and never difficult to follow. Knightley's performance is possibly a little overcooked, but she is extremely well supported by a cast including Matt Smith, Ralph Fiennes, and Rhys Ifans. Raises some serious issues about the rights of a government to keep secrets from its secrets; stirs up some recent history, too, for what it's worth. An excellent piece of intelligent entertainment.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Close to Home in Books
Dec 29, 2019
Absorbing
This is the first in a series of novels starring DI Adam Fawley and his team and what a start to the series this is. I actually missed this first time round and was only reminded I had it when I was sent book 4!
Packed with fantastic characters not all of which are particularly likeable but all of whom are well developed and with interesting stories to tell in their own right. The story line is a difficult one to read being that of child abduction and exploitation however this is not written in a gratuitous way but with care and attention although not is all as it seems and so begins DI Fawley's task of unravelling just what has happened to young Daisy.
This is a fast paced, gripping and absorbing story that had me reading it in quick time in order to discover the secrets and lies contained within the twists and turns of this excellent book and I highly recommend this to those of you who love a great police procedural.
Thank you to Penguin Books (UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Packed with fantastic characters not all of which are particularly likeable but all of whom are well developed and with interesting stories to tell in their own right. The story line is a difficult one to read being that of child abduction and exploitation however this is not written in a gratuitous way but with care and attention although not is all as it seems and so begins DI Fawley's task of unravelling just what has happened to young Daisy.
This is a fast paced, gripping and absorbing story that had me reading it in quick time in order to discover the secrets and lies contained within the twists and turns of this excellent book and I highly recommend this to those of you who love a great police procedural.
Thank you to Penguin Books (UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Dogora (1964) in Movies
Jul 20, 2019 (Updated Jul 20, 2019)
Bonkers Japanese sci-fi from the Godzilla team makes most of those movies look like models of restraint and gritty realism. Odd things are afoot in Japan as seemingly random objects - coal, trucks, bank robbers, buildings - start spontaneously floating into the air. 'I never jump to conclusions but I think a giant space monster is probably responsible,' says the lead cop investigating the case. Of course, he is correct, and it's up to the usual team of cops, scientists, and soldiers to save the day.
The really weird thing about Dogora - and this is saying something - is that the giant diamond-eating monster element is not the oddest thing about this film. Most of it looks and feels like a particularly frantic cops-and-robbers thriller with the odd giant floating blob sequence edited in under protest. Still, the script has Shinichi Sekizawa's usual cheerful wit and the special effects are, believe it or not, excellent. Good fun if you like tokusatsu movies; the climax, in which wasp venom is used to try and petrify the monster and a gun battle turns into a dynamite-chucking contest, has to be seen to be believed.
The really weird thing about Dogora - and this is saying something - is that the giant diamond-eating monster element is not the oddest thing about this film. Most of it looks and feels like a particularly frantic cops-and-robbers thriller with the odd giant floating blob sequence edited in under protest. Still, the script has Shinichi Sekizawa's usual cheerful wit and the special effects are, believe it or not, excellent. Good fun if you like tokusatsu movies; the climax, in which wasp venom is used to try and petrify the monster and a gun battle turns into a dynamite-chucking contest, has to be seen to be believed.
Merissa (13919 KP) rated The Blood of Four Gods and Other Stories in Books
Dec 17, 2018
The Blood of Four Gods and Other Stories is a collection of short stories by Jamie Lackey, with a strong Asian/Native American theme. None of the stories are guaranteed a HAE, and in fact, I would say at least half have their own particular ending. These stories are all very vivid when you read them, which is excellent - Jamie Lackey's descriptive voice is in full flow. However, some of them are not so 'nice' to read, and so the descriptions can make you swallow slightly as you read them. Some only seem like snippets, and I would love to know more about the characters and the worlds in which they live.
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, I thoroughly enjoyed each of these stories. With smooth pacing, well rounded characters, and with individual stories for each and every one, this is a wonderful collection of stories, sure to delight. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, I thoroughly enjoyed each of these stories. With smooth pacing, well rounded characters, and with individual stories for each and every one, this is a wonderful collection of stories, sure to delight. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated On Writing: a memoir of the craft in Books
Jul 2, 2019
Helpful
Great book. I read it in a couple of days and it was exactly what I was looking for. I am not a Stephen King fan as I am not keen on the fantasy/ horror genre, but this book is non fiction. The first part of the book is a short memoir of writer's growth and early experiences, I found this part both funny and insightful and not at all what I expected from Stephen King. The 'On Writing' part was excellent. The author's hints and tips are subjective yet honest which is refreshing. Not all writers work the same and King is clear that this is only advice and may not be suitable for everyone. Bad habits and grammatical no-no's were probably the most helpful pieces of advice for myself, his huge dislike for the 'adverb' is something I may find myself becoming accustomed to in my own work revision. For non writers, do not dismiss this book, it is a little jewel that gives the reader a close and personal account of the authors honestly and quirks. I really loved it.