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Awix (3310 KP) rated Journey's End (2018) in Movies
Feb 7, 2018 (Updated Feb 9, 2018)
Trench to Nowhere
Handsomely mounted and very well-performed war drama that does a good job of hiding its low budget. Made to mark the centenary of the (fictionalised) events it depicts, the focus is very much on the characters of the men in the front line of war, rather than action and adventure - when fighting takes place, it is confused and chaotic, and preceded by an almost palpable sense of dread.
There's a way in which this film adheres to the received narrative when it comes to the First World War, which is that it was a pointless slaughter in which a generation of young men were callously sacrificed by unfeeling senior staff, but this is not overplayed and the uniformly fine acting means that the focus is always on the individuals involved, rather than laboriously sending a message.
The fact that pretty much every speaking role goes to a white male means this is a film which is probably going to struggle to get traction with modern audiences and commentators, but it remains a sincere and powerful piece of drama.
There's a way in which this film adheres to the received narrative when it comes to the First World War, which is that it was a pointless slaughter in which a generation of young men were callously sacrificed by unfeeling senior staff, but this is not overplayed and the uniformly fine acting means that the focus is always on the individuals involved, rather than laboriously sending a message.
The fact that pretty much every speaking role goes to a white male means this is a film which is probably going to struggle to get traction with modern audiences and commentators, but it remains a sincere and powerful piece of drama.
Joni Thomas (33 KP) rated A Court of Wings and Ruin in Books
Jan 25, 2018
Completely engrossing
I couldn't read this book fast enough. I feel like we really got a good look at Feyre's character and just how brave she is. Her time with Tamlin at the beginning of the book was fascinating, seeing how to made everything work to her advantage. I thought I was going to dread it at first but I should have known better. The fighting scenes are rich with detail, I could see it all in my mind as I read. I was so happy to see a return of the Suriel. I also loved seeing and finding out about the other High Lords as well as seeing some of the other Courts. The last half of the book had me breathless. I was laughing and then crying and then on the edge of my seat and then that awkward relief laughing that turns to tears. I felt it all.
Now to wait for ACOFAS. I keep telling myself its not a long wait but it already feels endless.
Now to wait for ACOFAS. I keep telling myself its not a long wait but it already feels endless.
Gail (4 KP) rated Hot Georgia Rein in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Hot Georgia Rein by Martha Sweeney
Five Stars
I loved this book it was funny and steamy. The characters were well written and I enjoyed Ivy's and Henry's connection. I felt so bad for them because they lost so many years together. Neither was ready for what the other offered. I felt that Ivy only needed to leave because she wanted out of the small town life. Henry never left because Georgia is his home and that is where he knew he belonged. They both were stubborn and could've gave in but it made the story that much more fun to watch them jump around each other. I didn’t like that Ivy kept her secret for so long. Even if she didn’t want to cause trouble the man had a right to know. Henry was such a coward for not fighting for her and Ivy was really selfish. It all came together very nicely and I wish it was longer. Big props to the author who had me wishing I could be reading this book instead of working.
Five Stars
I loved this book it was funny and steamy. The characters were well written and I enjoyed Ivy's and Henry's connection. I felt so bad for them because they lost so many years together. Neither was ready for what the other offered. I felt that Ivy only needed to leave because she wanted out of the small town life. Henry never left because Georgia is his home and that is where he knew he belonged. They both were stubborn and could've gave in but it made the story that much more fun to watch them jump around each other. I didn’t like that Ivy kept her secret for so long. Even if she didn’t want to cause trouble the man had a right to know. Henry was such a coward for not fighting for her and Ivy was really selfish. It all came together very nicely and I wish it was longer. Big props to the author who had me wishing I could be reading this book instead of working.
ames_morgan (8 KP) rated The Girl in The Tower: The Winternight Trilogy in Books
Jun 19, 2018
I fell in love with The Bear and the Nightingale the second that I started reading it so I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of the second installment in this story.
The story picks up with Vasya driven from her village, orphaned and branded as a witch. She could not face the option of marriage or life in a convent so she decides to become a traveler and explore the world on her own.
Brave and reckless as ever Vasya disguises herself as a boy she travels through Moscow and ends up fighting at the Grand Prince's side as they try to discover the identity of the bandits who have been terrorizing the area.
I enjoyed dynamic between Morozko, Vasya and Solovey. We are also introduced to some new characters and reunited with some old ones as the story progresses.
I found the second installment of The Bear and the Nightingale just as captivating as the first one and am anxiously awaiting the third and final part of the story!
The story picks up with Vasya driven from her village, orphaned and branded as a witch. She could not face the option of marriage or life in a convent so she decides to become a traveler and explore the world on her own.
Brave and reckless as ever Vasya disguises herself as a boy she travels through Moscow and ends up fighting at the Grand Prince's side as they try to discover the identity of the bandits who have been terrorizing the area.
I enjoyed dynamic between Morozko, Vasya and Solovey. We are also introduced to some new characters and reunited with some old ones as the story progresses.
I found the second installment of The Bear and the Nightingale just as captivating as the first one and am anxiously awaiting the third and final part of the story!
Tim Fitzmaurice (1 KP) rated The Adventure Zone in Podcasts
May 31, 2018 (Updated May 31, 2018)
Well edited (2 more)
Humorus
Worked with fans for new content
Silly, funny, and sometimes a little bit stupid. Overall grear.
Loved listening to this. My physical therapist got me into this podcast. Thanked her a couple times as it was a blast. At first I wasn't too sure how I was going to like it... found I loved the way the characters interacted with each other and the npc's. Reminded me of how my players play... A bit serious but mostly silly. Want to try and charm an enemy instead of fighting it why not? Want to poke fun at npc's why not? Want to eat a unicorn horn because you can? Go for it! This show will make you laugh and even if your an experienced gamer or game master you will discover more exciting and humorous ways to mess with one another.
I know they make money via advertising revenue from this podcast and all. I only put it in there because I needed to put a negative and couldn't think of another.
I know they make money via advertising revenue from this podcast and all. I only put it in there because I needed to put a negative and couldn't think of another.
Carma (21 KP) rated Avengers: Infinity War (2018) in Movies
Jun 18, 2019
A great big cast of heroes take on the big bad Mad Titan
Infinity War was promised to be the big hero movie of the year. Reading from the comics it was looking like a bloodbath, I was curious to see how it would translate to the movies. It didn't slack on fight scenes, just about every represented Avenger was involved in at least 1 fight. Seeing Cap in his Nomad suit and facial hair was enough to get this girl's heart pumping. I preferred IW to Endgame with this being more action filled overall. While IW is darker than a normal avengers movie, it is with a purpose. This isn't a movie where the normal quips and jokes would fit in. While I didn't like the fact that the heroes were spread out over the world, I understand in the bigger scheme of things that it was needed. A great lead in movie to Endgame's payoff.
David McK (3663 KP) rated Marston Moor (Civil War Chronicles, #6) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Regarded as the turning point of the English Civil War, the battle of Marston Moor was the largest of the Civil War and saw a combined force of English Parliamentarians and Scottish Covenanters defeat the Royalist force under Prince Rupert of the Rhine.
As befitting any historical soldier protagonist of the ECW, it's also one in which (now) Major Stryker gets caught up (fighting for the Royalists). As the author states in the author's note at the end of the story, he'd originally intended to write the story just around the battle itself; however found the story needed the campaign to give it context. To my eyes, that was a good call - starting with the sack of Bolton and leading through the siege of York to Rupert's lightning march to relieve the same, this all leads into the reason for the battle (which itself takes up, say, roughly the last third of the story), providing more flavour and understanding to the reader of what is occurring than just diving headlong into said battle.
As befitting any historical soldier protagonist of the ECW, it's also one in which (now) Major Stryker gets caught up (fighting for the Royalists). As the author states in the author's note at the end of the story, he'd originally intended to write the story just around the battle itself; however found the story needed the campaign to give it context. To my eyes, that was a good call - starting with the sack of Bolton and leading through the siege of York to Rupert's lightning march to relieve the same, this all leads into the reason for the battle (which itself takes up, say, roughly the last third of the story), providing more flavour and understanding to the reader of what is occurring than just diving headlong into said battle.
Dan (19 KP) rated Dungeons and Dragons in Tabletop Games
Jul 20, 2019
Can create your own content (4 more)
Only need the core book, a pen/pencil, and paper to get started
Can always add scenery, figures, etc over time
Plenty of content online
Have as big a world or small a world as you want, you and the other players create it
Can be complex for beginners (1 more)
Can sometimes cause minor arguments
Easily adaptable for any age
Dungeons and Dragons is a massive table top game. You can stick to the core games all you want, or create your own content and game. For anyone with even a small amount of creativity, it's amazing.
This will probably be one of my poorer reviews, as D&D is so huge it's hard to describe it. You and your party can be a mix of fighters, rogues, magic users and all sorts, fighting off the dead, dragons, bandits, werewolves, goblins, and more. And while you do it, it's more than likely going to cause hilarity, and some exciting, tense moments.
It can be almost anything you want it to be.
This will probably be one of my poorer reviews, as D&D is so huge it's hard to describe it. You and your party can be a mix of fighters, rogues, magic users and all sorts, fighting off the dead, dragons, bandits, werewolves, goblins, and more. And while you do it, it's more than likely going to cause hilarity, and some exciting, tense moments.
It can be almost anything you want it to be.
Rather derivative SF movie that takes bits of Interstellar, The Martian, Z for Zachariah, etc, and comes up with something commendably thoughtful but honestly rather stodgy and predictable. Earth has been all but abandoned because the air's gone bad; a young scientist struggles to find a way that life can survive. When it seems that the planet is to be abandoned entirely she must choose whether to leave on the last ship or take a leap of faith.
Not one moment of this film will genuinely surprise you; but the production is competent, and it never actually collapses into silliness, which is impressive given how seriously it takes itself. None of it is honestly what you could call badly made, and it looks very nice - and kudos to the makers for fighting the perception that all SF films must either be horror movies or action-adventure. This isn't either of those, but on the other hand it isn't dramatic, funny, or romantic either. Not as profound as it thinks it is; mostly just dull.
Not one moment of this film will genuinely surprise you; but the production is competent, and it never actually collapses into silliness, which is impressive given how seriously it takes itself. None of it is honestly what you could call badly made, and it looks very nice - and kudos to the makers for fighting the perception that all SF films must either be horror movies or action-adventure. This isn't either of those, but on the other hand it isn't dramatic, funny, or romantic either. Not as profound as it thinks it is; mostly just dull.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated When I Hit You: Or, a Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife in Books
Nov 13, 2019
This book hit me
The writer searched for a tender embrace and found rape and punches. Kandasamy is a poet and beautifully she uses words to punch back or to make sense of a horrific and unimaginable monstrosity of a situation. However, when I say poetic please don't assume this is pretentious for it is not. you sometimes feel terrible for enjoying the words as a thing of beauty,and it is a beautiful piece of writing, but it is there to mind meaning in the inexcusable. It is a wonderful cathartic explosion of finding sense where there is none. of finding hope where there was only hatred in the name of love. My hope is it may give another legs to run or an abuser a reflection into their monstrosity. This may be listed as a feminist book but is fighting against evil cruelty, bullying and rape feminist or is it a struggle to be more human?