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Tracy Carr-Harding (4 KP) rated Assassin's Creed in Video Games
Jan 16, 2018
The Good Guys Win Again
I know I am not your conventional gamer, I'm over 50 and a woman, but my son thought I should try this, as I have enjoyed playing other similar format games. I agreed, albeit unwillingly, but was hooked within a short time. I found that time ran away with me, when I was being Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, and I wanted to complete one more mission, find one more treasure, and rescue one more innocent. The story was easy to follow, the maps fairly easy to read, and the graphics made it a very pretty place to venture around. All in all, I am very happy that my son talked me into playing, and am now on game 7 in the series, and still loving them!!!!

Awix (3310 KP) rated Fury (2014) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
Tanks for Nothing
Good-looking but very, very violent war movie with a convincingly horrible depiction of life as a tanker during the dying days of the Second World War. In time-honoured style a green young recruit joins Brad Pitt's crew, loses his innocence, earns respect of his fellows.
Movie can't quite seem to decide what it wants to be - the characters are portrayed as brutalised victims, executing prisoners, and there's an extraordinarily long and uncomfortable sequence in which they avail themselves of the hospitality of some recently-liberated German women, but on the other hand it concludes with them heroically mowing down Nazis by the dozen. In the end it's not really clear whether Fury thinks that War is Hell or not, but David Ayer always tells this kind of guys-in-extremis story well.
Movie can't quite seem to decide what it wants to be - the characters are portrayed as brutalised victims, executing prisoners, and there's an extraordinarily long and uncomfortable sequence in which they avail themselves of the hospitality of some recently-liberated German women, but on the other hand it concludes with them heroically mowing down Nazis by the dozen. In the end it's not really clear whether Fury thinks that War is Hell or not, but David Ayer always tells this kind of guys-in-extremis story well.

Marqees (17 KP) rated xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017) in Movies
Feb 14, 2018
Look if your looking for an Oscar-quality plot with great acting and cinematography this movie is not for you. This is a movie that plays to its strengths blowing stuff up, beautiful women and people doing dope things. It is a generic take over the world plot and I can't tell if Vin Diesel is phoning his return to XXX in but all things considered it wasn't that bad. High points were with Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, and Micheal Bisping I want another flick with these 3 guys as a team of mercenaries it sells itself. If you like over the top action this film is for you.

The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast in Podcasts
Mar 23, 2018
Board Game Talk (2 more)
Knowledgeable Board Game Geeks
They sound like my friends, only they don't know me.
My Personal number 1, favorite podcast about boardgames. Give it a listen...
I love these guys, and they throw a great party at all the major conventions. This past year at Gen Con they took over a brewery and an entire city block. They are generous with their time and energy, and love what they talk about. The host does a kickstarter to do this professionally. The quality and the sheer amount of content is amazing, I can't imagine doing what he does with a day job. The scope of games they cover ranges from light weight card games to really heavy miniatures and they even have a Roleplaying podcast that wins awards too. Give them a listen and delve into the secret cabal world.

Awix (3310 KP) rated Robocop (1987) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Murphy's Law
Heavy metal action satire from Dutch director Paul Verhoeven that established him as one of the world's leading SF directors. The story is functional, if hardly original - dedicated cop is shot to pieces by bad guys, rebuilt as an armoured cyborg by heartless corporation, struggles to reclaim his humanity - but what makes it special is Verhoeven's ability to turn the movie on a dime, switching the mood from black comedy to sincere drama in a moment.
The setting is futuristic, but few films capture the look and feel of the 80s quite as effortlessly as Robocop. There are a few wobbles in the plotting and some uninspired supporting performances, but this is directed with heart and intelligence. At least as good as The Terminator or Aliens; would probably be much better remembered if any of the sequels had been any good.
The setting is futuristic, but few films capture the look and feel of the 80s quite as effortlessly as Robocop. There are a few wobbles in the plotting and some uninspired supporting performances, but this is directed with heart and intelligence. At least as good as The Terminator or Aliens; would probably be much better remembered if any of the sequels had been any good.

Gail (4 KP) rated Agony & Ecstasy (The Marcy Series, #3) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Agony and Ecstasy by Linda Burson
Four Stars
This is book three in the series. We start with Marcy still trying to unlock her nightmares. During one session things start to become clear and her nightmares start to become clear. She is still seeing Liam but has Brad on the side. Its a very interesting story and held my attention. Marcy gets on my nerve with the back and forth between the guys. I don’t understand how you say you love someone but go and find comfort in another mans arms. The author writing style was different and seems to start you out slow and than bam there’s the climax. If your looking for a book series that will have you wanting to know wth this is for you. The author does great with the details but the characters need new personalities.
Four Stars
This is book three in the series. We start with Marcy still trying to unlock her nightmares. During one session things start to become clear and her nightmares start to become clear. She is still seeing Liam but has Brad on the side. Its a very interesting story and held my attention. Marcy gets on my nerve with the back and forth between the guys. I don’t understand how you say you love someone but go and find comfort in another mans arms. The author writing style was different and seems to start you out slow and than bam there’s the climax. If your looking for a book series that will have you wanting to know wth this is for you. The author does great with the details but the characters need new personalities.

The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Peppermint (2018) in Movies
Sep 12, 2018
Depth of story not associated with Bad Ass-ness (1 more)
Only one reference to peppermint, doesn't warrant the name of the movie as a whole
Solid Suburban Mom Vigilante Bad Ass Movie.
This was a good time. It's like Boondock Saints (minus the style) meets Shooter and Alias. Everyone loves it when untouchable bad guys get their comeuppance. We all like watching the take down of corruption. That said I could've used a little more depth of story. It was mostly by the numbers as far as action films go. I went into this one not knowing the basic premise, my wife picked it and I said ok. Had I known the premise I would've seen most of this movie coming. That's not to say it's less enjoyable, just that it's slightly less awesome. (hence the 7)

Stephanie Neve (104 KP) rated Arrested Development (2011) in Movies
Jun 23, 2019
Arrested Development was a beautiful cult television right up until it was picked up by Netflix. It is dry, witty comedy and hosts some of the best one liners in TV history.
Tobias Funke is quite possibly my spirit animal.
However season 4 was filmed differently as the cast all had commitments when they came back together. Even though the directors recut this to make it similar to the others (which improved it considerably) the plot still didn't hold up to the rest of the previous seasons.
By season 5 it was just a mess. The cast look tired and the aftermath of that awful New York Times article can be felt.
Just watch the first three seasons guys.
Tobias Funke is quite possibly my spirit animal.
However season 4 was filmed differently as the cast all had commitments when they came back together. Even though the directors recut this to make it similar to the others (which improved it considerably) the plot still didn't hold up to the rest of the previous seasons.
By season 5 it was just a mess. The cast look tired and the aftermath of that awful New York Times article can be felt.
Just watch the first three seasons guys.

Remy Tankel Carroll (36 KP) rated Gangsterland in Books
Dec 19, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion). I enjoyed reading this book. The depth of the author's research is evident from the beginning. The gangster-speak, the religious references, the anatomical knowledge and more all add up to a thoroughly entertaining reading experience. The story starts as a typical mob tale...gangster kills good guys, gets shipped to another "family", gets new identity, etc. Where it gets interesting for me is when said gangster, Sal, is introduced to his new life. You can slowly see the battle between "good & evil" grow, like his old life and new life are fighting for control. The other characters are just as genuine, each playing a specific role in Sal's transformation. I'm looking forward to catching up with Sal and the gang in the next installment of the series.

Dean (6927 KP) rated 6 Underground (2019) in Movies
Dec 14, 2019 (Updated Dec 15, 2019)
Great action scenes, especially the car chase (1 more)
Reynolds humour
Under the radar hit
This seemed to pop on Netflix out of nowhere and has got great reviews. One of the best Netflix films to date. A great action film with a fair share of humour but you expect nothing less with Ryan Reynolds in the lead role. A team of 6 come together each with their unique set of skills to kick ass to some bad guys on a grand scale. With a mix of action set all over the globe it feels like a Mission impossible film mixed with the A-Team. Definitely featuring one of the best car chases of any action film for many years. It's full on action film for almost the entire run time. Move this to the top of your Netflix list!