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Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
2013 | Comedy
On par with the first movie, with the added benefit of looking like an actual film production and not a basement eyesore. Maintains the loose schema but ups the joke consistency and jovial absurdity at least five, maybe ten-fold. So if you had to pull me on it, I'd say this one is better. My biggest quibble is that it needed to shave off around fifteen minutes, and truthfully I have less qualms about the actual length as opposed to the steam all but fizzling out in the last act. Also helps that this leans much more into its setting and subject matter, aiming for some admittedly broad satire but no less accurate. A way better comedy movie let alone sequel than it has any right to be, and you all scared McKay away to mostly dull-arrowed political farces because he had the heart to offer us this. For shame. Funny as fuck most of the time, and I just love how lived-in and learned these performances are by actors who know their characters inside and out.
  
Black Panther Vol. 1: A Nation Under Our Feet
Black Panther Vol. 1: A Nation Under Our Feet
Ta-Nehisi Coates, Brian Stelfreeze | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
So what can I say? I liked it, yes. A bit dry in spots, felt like a bit of a slow burn in the very beginning, but really quite liked how Coates wrapped up the first arc of his run. Only thing not likable in this collection was the Jonathan Hickman-written material from NEW AVENGERS 18, 21, and 24 (if wasn't for this inclusion, I would have given it 5 Stars). Other than that, good stuff, great handling of the socio-political aspects of Wakanda. Looking forward to starting the 4th volume this week!

One concluding thought I want to put out there.. Don't go into Coates' BP run expecting a Marvel "paint by numbers" superhero book. This series is so much, offering a solid interpretation of the character. Coates has incorporated so much of what is going on in the world today, bringing into the comic, as well as stirring in Wakanda's rich historical background as well as the Wakanda pantheon of gods! If you go in with the approach I am recommending, you, too, will love Coates' BLACK PANTHER run!
  
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Erika (17788 KP) rated The Gallows Pole in Books

Dec 2, 2020 (Updated Dec 2, 2020)  
The Gallows Pole
The Gallows Pole
Benjamin Myers | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the first book I got from my branch of the Austin Public Library when they opened up after quarantine. So, it'll always have a special place in my heart. The cover is super cool too.

I love historical fiction most of the time, and when I opened up this book, I was worried. It was written in the vernacular. It only took me about a chapter to get into it. The story is about clipping coins, which has always fascinated me. I live in a state that's very much 'stick it to the man', so I could relate to the attitude of the characters.

Obviously, it was predictable, and you knew how it had to end, it is based in historical fact, after all... and the title happens to be The Gallows Pole. The novel really benefits from the fact that the author moved to the area this took place in, and did all of his research there. It resulted in an amazing novel. I can't wait to read something else from this author.
  
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ClareR (5674 KP) Dec 3, 2020

I really need to read this - it has been sat on my bookshelf for AGES!!! 🤦🏼‍♀️

Midnight Sun (Twilight, #5)
Midnight Sun (Twilight, #5)
Stephenie Meyer | 2020 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
7
7.2 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
Edward is darker than he’s portrayed in the 1st book. (1 more)
Stephanie Meyer is a much better writer than when she first started. I’d say that this is well written.
Edward is a prude (7 more)
I can’t tell if my boredom with the book was because I’ve moved on from this story emotionally, or if I just didn’t find Edward’s version of things compelling enough to care.
I almost dnf’ed it.
Wtf with that ugly cover?! I know why they used a pomegranate (it’s explained in the book) but it’s a bad choice IMO.
This book came too late. If this had come out at the height of the series popularity, I think I would have loved it. But it’s been what, 15 years?
It’s ridiculous that Edward is such a whiny, brooding virgin. His self righteousness about it is a huge turn off. What a d-bag
Can Rosalie just be written out of the series or something? Let her get eaten by a bear
I don’t love these characters anymore.
It turns out Edward is more boring and clingy than Bella
  
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Sarah (7798 KP) rated So Lucky in Books

Oct 28, 2020  
So Lucky
So Lucky
Dawn O'Porter | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Very enjoyable
This is the second book of Dawn O'Porter's that I've read after first trying The Cows, and I enjoyed both of them equally. Both of these books have similar themes but yet completely different stories, and O'Porter is obviously on a mission to promote female empowerment and strength (and rightly so).

The writing style in this is very good. I was gripped from the start and couldn't put this down. The main characters are all relatable in different ways, and even if you haven't necessarily experienced exactly the same things as them there's still a lot of yourself that you can recognise in all of them. To begin with, Ruby and Beth aren't exactly likeable characters mainly because as readers, we can see the problems with how they treat themselves (and others) and it's a bit frustrating. However you soon grow to love them and whilst the story itself is entirely predictable, it's still a joy to read. It promotes such a powerful message about loving and accepting yourself and about female empowerment, and you can't really go wrong with this.
  
The Fires of Vengeance
The Fires of Vengeance
Evan Winter | 2020 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Superb follow-up African fantasy
The follow-up to Rage of Dragons follows Tau and his sword-brothers as they seek to take back control of their country after its civil uprising and invasion by the less civilised former inhabitants of Xidda.
I had my misgivings about reading this second book as I had some issues with "Rage ...", finding the first two thirds really quite a slog. My love of the final third, where all the action was, really made my mind up. I am so glad I decided to read this book as it is truly superb. It has been a long time since a book kept me up reading at night, normally my eyes go quite quickly. Not so here, I was reading for over an hour at times.
The book is a nonstop thrill, every page either filled with action, strategy or concise dialogue that moves the plot along. There is simply no filler material at all.
I received a free copy in advance from the publishers and netgally in exchange for an honest review
  
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu  (2019)
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)
2019 | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
First, I confess I had no interest in Pokemon, the cards, the games, the plush toys, or anything related to the Pocket Monsters and Gotta Catch Em All Fever. I thought Bulbasaur was a Squirtle and Cubone was a member of the Mewtwo phenomenon. However, unlike the animated film, I was slightly impressed by the live action/animated hybrid. While the central mystery Detective Pikachu is on the trail of is a red herring, the story is heartwarming and almost made me miss my dad. Tim, after his mom died, spends a lot of time alone and dreams of being a Pokemon trainer, but as we see his emotionlessness inhibits his ability to connect to the little monsters. HIs dad, a world famous detective, tries to connect with him, but he is a constantly absent presence in his life. When Harry is reported dead from a car accident, Tim comes to Ryme City and meets Harry's Pokemon Pikachu who believes Harry didn't die. The true story is very incisive about the lengths we go to protect the things and people we love.
  
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
2019 | Sci-Fi, Thriller
How to find the words, because I'm first and foremost saying nothing about the movie, and secondly I'm truly at a loss to find words worthy enough to describe how amazing this movie is and the emotions I felt watching it. Supposedly it had a run time of three hours, but I was so sucked into the movie it went by in a snap; see what I did there? I don't think I realized just how emotionally invested I was in these characters until this movie. The past 11 years and 21 movies has been so truly special. The thought and time put into planning out the MCU universe and connecting every single one of these movies is something magical that has never been done in cinema to this level. We've been by their side in every battle, loved and lost right there with them. All leading up to this moment. I cried, I laughed, and I cried some more. Stan Lee, wherever you are in the ethers of the universe, much love.
  
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Mamma Mia! (2008)
2008 | Comedy, Musical, Romance
6
7.9 (35 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular 1970s group ABBA.

My name is Emma, and this is the first time I've seen Mamma Mia.

I did wonder if I was going a bit too far by seeing it in a singalong version, but then... this is me, and I love musicals so I thought, nah.

What can I say about it though? It's a passable film. Entertaining definitely. But let's face it, everyone is really there for the songs and the dancing, not the story. It definitely delivers on that.

I needed to see this one so that I can go see the new one... one of the perils of attempting to see every new films that comes on at my cinema! I'll be taking ear plugs with me to Mamma Mia 2 for every time Pierce Brosnan sings. I have loved that man ever since Goldeneye, but he was making it very difficult to keep those feelings.
  
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    Angel Tarot HD

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