Search

Search only in certain items:

Baki
Baki
2018 | Action, Animation, Drama
7
7.2 (9 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Ridiculously Crazy Yet Insanely Hardcore
Baki is the third season of an anime series based on manga series titled Grappled Baki or Baki The Grappled. It is directed by Toshiki Hirano, written by Tatsuhiko Urahata and produced by Kei Watahiki, Yuki Yokoi, and Executive Producer Tetsu Kohima. Baki is made by TMS Entertainment and licensed by Netflix.


Baki is anything but a normal teenage high school student. After becoming one of the greatest martial artists in the world by winning a legendary underground fighting tournament, Baki continues to train with intense focus to become strong enough to surpass his father, Yujiro Hanma, the strongest fighter in the world. He is warned by Mitsunari Tokugawa, ruler of the underground fight arena, that five of the world's most dangerous, violent and brutal death row inmates have escaped and they are all converging on Tokyo. Their unmatched skill and strength have made them bored and their objective is to taste defeat. Tokugawa warns Baki that they are seeking him in hopes of being overwhelmed and utterly crushed. Other underground martial art warriors gather to fight by Baki's side after being summoned by Tokugawa.


This anime is pretty freaking crazy. Whether it's the ridiculous amount of muscles the characters have or the amount of damage they can handle, this anime is over the top. From the beginning they hype up these individuals with the stories of why they're in prison and the impossible ways that they escape. But when they start fighting it really picks up. This series was a guilty pleasure of mine for a bit, I totally binge watched the first season and eagerly awaited the second. That being said it is far from perfect. There is a lot of talking sometimes (a bit too much exposition) and waiting for action but when it happens it rarely disappoints. I mean the fight scenes are really graphic with blood, broken bones, teeth breaking, eye stabbing etc. I really hate that it has CGI at all but it's far and in between. At first I didn't like the art style at all but it kinda grew on me. Also to me the second season didn't live up to the hype of the first one but that's just my opinion. If you're looking for straight up action then this is the anime you're looking for. I give it a 7/10.
  
The One (The Selection, #3)
The One (The Selection, #3)
Kiera Cass | 2014 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.4 (23 Ratings)
Book Rating
The One is the third book in the Selection series by Kiera Cass, following The Selection and The Elite.

Again, it tells the story of America Singer, an Elite, and Maxon Schreave, the heir to the throne.

On top of the Selection, the inhabitants of the palace also have to face the Northern and Southern rebels. One group is harmless, but the other... wants the royal family gone.

America isn't the king's favourite girl in the Selection, but once the people of Illéa catch a glimpse of her fighting spirit, they soon fall in love with her. Little do they know, she's joining forces with the rebels, and little does she know that it runs in the family.

Although I'm not much into romance novels, I really do enjoy this series. I find each book so easy to read, and I love all the different aspects thrown in. The only thing about The One is that there are so many deaths, and they seem almost rushed. The first few tragedies are really touching, but then the crisis at the end - and the loss of such massive members of the royal family - just didn't have as much detail and emotion as I would have expected.

I'm not going to lie, I also got a bit tired of Maxon and America's constant fall-outs and arguments. Yes, it added another dimension to the story, but it was essentially just the same thing over and over.

America also has a moment of total desperation in this book, where she just goes way too over the top trying to win Maxon over. I just didn't like it. But the relationship that developed amongst the Elite was nice, though I doubt it would happen quite so smoothly in real life. If a bunch of girls were fighting over a guy, let alone a prince, I'm pretty sure it would involve a little more bickering, even at the end.

Anyway, I did like this book, and it might actually be my favourite out of this series. I flew through it with no trouble, and can forgive the faults I found. Like the rest of this series, I'm giving The One 4 stars. I hope to read the next book, The Heir, soon!
  
40x40

MPMcDonald (8 KP) rated Salem Falls in Books

Jan 12, 2018  
SF
Salem Falls
Jodi Picoult | 2001 | Fiction & Poetry
6
8.3 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
First, I enjoyed the book and it was one that I didn't want to stop reading once I started. The premise is one that I love, the innocent man fighting to prove his innocence. The book starts strong, making us feel for both Jack and Addie. We see Jack as a kind, sensitive man who due to his good looks and profession (teacher, coach) is the kind of guy schoolgirl dreams are made of. It turns into a curse when accusations are aimed at him and he's forced to into a corner.

Addie has a tragic past that she can't or won't forget, and when Jack walks into her life, the two are drawn to each other.

The first half of the book sucked me in, but the second half focused on other characters, with Jack and Addie turned into almost secondary characters, even though it is their fate that is going to be decided at the end of the book. For me, that made the book less compelling. I wanted it to stick with Jack and Addie's pov, but instead, we see most of the rest of the book through the defense attorney's eyes.
  
40x40

Ishmael (30 KP) rated Absolver in Video Games

Sep 9, 2017  
Absolver
Absolver
2017 | Fighting
It is a quiet soothing game that is engrossing and addictive. A highly developed combat system allow real time combat and strategic concepts to support each other. (0 more)
Released on Aug 27, 2017 there may be some tweaks to be made, still very engaging game (0 more)
Soothing Combat..?!..
There are no guns in Absolver. Set in the ruins of a great city, you are a prospective (prospect) monk (absolver) Your first task either alone or with others is to seek out the Marked Ones and defeat them. This is the only way you will gain the title of Absolver. The artwork is stylized and sparse. The game leaves the player with the minimum instructions to navigate through the city. The prospect can choose from three different fighting styles. Each style has four directional stances and moves that available in that stance and direction. The player builds her combat moves in a strategic manner called a combat deck. This game is a blast and soothing at the same time. Note.. it can be played with a keyboard and mouse or a game controller. It is available for pc and ps4 and can be downloaded through Steam
  
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)
2019 | Adventure, Animation, Comedy
Everything is no longer awesome
I liked the first Lego Movie a lot. I liked the Lego Batman movie even more. I should have liked this movie too. Maybe I was just having a grumpy Monday, but unfortunately I didn't like this one very much at all.

The Lego movies thrive on being fast paced - a visual feast for the eyes with rapid fire gags and knowing little nods and references to film and other pop culture. Lego Movie 2 is certainly fast paced, but because I didn't find any of the gags funny, I quickly grew tired and annoyed by it all. Only when we start to see a lot more of the real world - brother and sister fighting, Mum getting involved (Will Ferrell reduced to just shouting something out from another room rather than appearing on screen, weirdly) - that we get a real understanding of the impact on the Lego world and why everything is happening. That brought a real coherency and sentimentality to everything and meant that I enjoyed the final third of the movie a lot more than the rest of it.