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Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
1980 | Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Loved this film even though all three of the original films were filmed and seen before the first part of the Star Wars series. Mark Hamell, Harrison Ford, The late Carrie Fisher were the best as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Lai she soon should everyone that she was not some helpless princess who let everyone else do things while she sat back and did nothing. Her costumes were amazing, she was right in there fighting along with them to save their homelands/worlds from the Dark Lord Darth Vada. The ariel battles were fantastic. Storm Troopers were meant to be menacing when in fact they were quite funny at times. R2 D2 and 3PO where hilarious and Chewie adorable. The Jedi training was good. The shock about Luke's father I mean who would not be shocked and disgusted at finding out your father is Darth Vada and the girl you love turns out to be your sister.
  
Sophie Foster has never quite felt like she fit in with her family. Turns out, that's because she isn't human. When she meets Fitz, her entire life changes as she leaves the Forbidden Cities of the human world to join the Lost Cities of the Elves. But her presence stirs up trouble in the Lost Cities as two different hidden factions start fighting over her. Can she navigate this new world and figure out who to trust?

This set contains the first three books in the series in paperback. They are filled with twists, turns, and surprises as well as wonderful characters and a fantasy world I would love to go visit. If you enjoy Middle Grade fantasy, you need to read these books, and when you do, you'll devour these three books as quickly as you can.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-keeper-of-lost-cities.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
The Raid (2011)
The Raid (2011)
2011 | Action
Best Fight choreography ever (1 more)
100 minutes of non-stop action, it's beautiful in the way the violence is done. Amazing.
Nothing. (0 more)
Wow, just wow
Lots of movies get described as "an adrenaline rush, from start to finish" and rarely do they deliver. The Raid does exactly that. The best fight choreography, its more of a violent dance than fighting...stunning in its visceral display. The story is simple, yet goes deeper than just "get the bad guy". It's survival behind enemy lines, at all cost...but manages to preserve the hero's humanity as well. There are mine.t's of little action, but they are filled with nail-biting tension...and with the rate of the body count, there isn't a guarantee even the hero makes it out alive.

Sidenote: while a different movie altogether, yet with the same feel, if you like The Raid then give Dredd (with Karl Urban) a watch. Also a great film, and highly underrated.
  
GA
Go Ask Fannie
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really enjoyed Go Ask Fannie by Elisabeth Hyde. The characters were very well-defined, as well as likeable, and the story progressed so, so well and it was a very satisfying read from start to finish.

Fannie, is not the character I presumed her to be! But a clever feature of the story that I really enjoyed! The three siblings followed, Lizzie, George and Ruth, as well as they patriarch of the family, Murray, are going through some stuff. A LOT of stuff. There are secrets, and fighting, and lots of unspoken words. It was a sneak peek into a weekend of this family, and all the issues they possess. And also all the Love.

I'm a big fan of Elisabeth Hyde now - and will definitely look out for anything else she has written! I received a copy of Go Ask Fannie as part of the Penguin First to Read program in exchange for my honest review.
  
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Surviving ELE (ELE, #4)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the fourth book in the ELE Series, and once again, the authors do not disappoint. The war between Willow and her friends and Zack and his minions has reached epic proportions, and they'll stop at nothing to take each other down. Willow's fighting for her family, her friends, her love, and her life, as Zack wants to sell her blood and powers to the highest bidder, while also keeping some for himself. He has to be stopped, and fast!

"Surviving ELE" is a wonderful continuation of Willow's story, as we see further into Zack's evil plot and Willow's relationships with her family, friends, and especially Tony. He's under Zack's control, and she knows she has to stay away from him, but how can she when he's the love of her life? I can't wait for what happens next, this is such an awesome series!

5 stars
  
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The Titans Squaring off (0 more)
Rubbish Storyline Cheesy lines The Human Characters (0 more)
The King Deserved Better
Was looking to forward to this next chapter in the Godzilla movies but alas bar one or two good things about it the majority of this film was poor.

My main criticism is for the human characters all fell flat.You couldn't really care about them,it seemed their only purpose in the film was to go on about their scientific theories or make crass jokes (can't pronounce one of the monsters names so let's call it gonorrhea instead) and is it just me or was millie bobby brown just plain annoying.They could have made Charles Dance bad guy a little more bladder,he just seemed to polite for my liking.

The CGI was good in parts with the final showdown between godzilla and ghidorah being the best of the titans fighting each other.

I really hope they improve things for the next installment in the series when godzilla faces kong.
  
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)
1993 | Comedy
Everything (0 more)
No sequel (0 more)
You have to be a real man to wear tights!
Cary Elwes stars a robin hood in this comical retelling of the legendary hero who after returning to England after fighting in the crusades and then being captured, enslaved only to escape from prison in Jerusalem and seim home to England (what a guy ;) ) to find that the evil Prince John (Richard Lewis) has confiscated his family estate and is following the script and ruining Nottingham. Robin enlists his family's loyal blind servant Blinkin (Mark Blankfield), Will Scarlett O'Hara (Matthew Porretta) and Little John (Eric Allan Kramer) to help rebel. Robin also hopes to woo the beautiful Maid Marian (Amy Yasbeck), but her chastity belt may prove a challenge (and her keeper)

Great jokes, Mel Brooks, hilarious performances, subtle nods and a robin hood who can speak with an England accent.

A classic spoof on the legend who had it coming.
  
6 Underground (2019)
6 Underground (2019)
2019 | Action, Thriller
Ryan Reynolds (0 more)
Another Reynolds Success
Meet a new kind of action hero. Six untraceable agents, totally off the grid. They've buried their pasts so they can change the future...

Not sure where to start on this review without giving too much away...

Firstly Reynolds pulls off yet another solid performance. He is obviously still making up for his failings as Green Lantern!!! There is just something about this man and lethal weapons that leave me panting (in anticipation)!

6 unlikely people band together for the soul purpose of overthrowing a horrendously evil dictator, but there is a whole movie full of planning and action before the final scenes happen!

The opening car scene is awesome! The fighting and action scenes are also incredible, and kind of gross, hope you’re not squeamish... and of course it comes with the Reynolds humour, so expect a few giggles.

Good casting, well directed and acted. An overall rather enjoyable film!
  
The Winter King
The Winter King
Bernard Cornwell | 1995 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
9
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Gritty and authentic take on the Arthurian Legends (3 more)
Feels like a true historical tale
Interesting characters
Gripping first part to a trilogy worth getting into
The goriness might not be to everyone's tastes (0 more)
I would definitely recommend this Novel – the first book in the Warlord Trilogy. It retells the mythical story of King Arthur but in such a gritty and credibly realistic way, that it feels like a historical epic.
This story is told from the perspective of Derfel, a young soldier and loyal follower and friend of Arthur. There are many intriguing and complex characters that are woven into the tale. The battles are quite grisly, and things can be quite brutal at times, but I guess it would have been living and fighting through the dark ages.
As a Lord of the Rings fan, this is my next favourite ‘fantasy’ trilogy. If you liked ‘The Vikings’ or ‘The Last Kingdoms’ series on TV, I would highly recommend that you give this trilogy a read.
  
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Shame about the humans
This film felt like it slipped in and out of cinemas here with very little attention drawn to it. Blink and you'll miss it, and I barely even remember the trailer either. Having now seen the film, I can see why it's pretty forgettable.

The main enjoyment in this film comes from the monster battles. Whenever the monsters are fighting each other on screen, it's hugely entertaining and these fights are impressively done. It's just a shame that Godzilla seems fairly lacking on screen until the finale, and that some of the CGI is patchy in parts. The humans are the biggest annoyance in this film. There's a great cast in this but they're let down by a cheesy script and a rather silly plot with a few gaps in the science & logic. And the ending is an obvious set up to yet another sequel.

Overly it was vaguely entertaining but dragged whenever the monsters weren't on screen, and ultimately a little forgettable.