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Dana (24 KP) rated Crown of Midnight in Books
Mar 23, 2018
If I could, I would give this book more than five stars. I know I say this about a lot of books, but honestly, this was one of the best books I have read. As you know, I freaking loved the first book. When people say that it only gets better from there, they are not lying. A lot of times, second books fall flat, just place markers for the next book. This one far exceeds those. The characters are continuously evolving and reshaping their identities. The plot is very interesting and has almost no slow spots (which is really rare for books). The stuff that happens will make you sit on the edge of whatever seat you are reading this book on! Even though the book has a lot of pages, the pace is set so you don't even realize how fast you are reading it.
I am not going to lie, there are a lot of really intense moments in this book. You will have to be prepared for that. The emotion is very raw and it gets dark, but if you work through those dark places with the characters, you will not be disappointed! There are a lot of really cute and fluffy moments too that will make your heart very happy! (I know those moments made me have a lot of feels!!)
This is a great series to start fantasy with if you are not very acquainted with it. While there are quite a few magical elements to the story, there are a lot of really down to earth moments that go along with them. You never feel like there is too much going on at once with the fantastical things. It all blends very nicely together!
If you want my advice, pick up this series right now and start reading it. You will definitely not regret it.
Sarah J Maas, you did an awesome job with this and I can't wait to read the next one!!
I am not going to lie, there are a lot of really intense moments in this book. You will have to be prepared for that. The emotion is very raw and it gets dark, but if you work through those dark places with the characters, you will not be disappointed! There are a lot of really cute and fluffy moments too that will make your heart very happy! (I know those moments made me have a lot of feels!!)
This is a great series to start fantasy with if you are not very acquainted with it. While there are quite a few magical elements to the story, there are a lot of really down to earth moments that go along with them. You never feel like there is too much going on at once with the fantastical things. It all blends very nicely together!
If you want my advice, pick up this series right now and start reading it. You will definitely not regret it.
Sarah J Maas, you did an awesome job with this and I can't wait to read the next one!!
Grumpy Goblin (123 KP) rated Mechs vs. Minions in Tabletop Games
Mar 27, 2018
Very easy to learn (2 more)
Quick to setup
Great in-game items
Only 10 scenarios (3 more)
Hard to obtain in the UK
No expansions (at present)
Very big, so quite hard to store
I had wanted to play this game for a long time, but just couldn't get hold of it in the UK.. luckily I came across it second hand.
The first thing that caught my attention when it arrived was how big the box was... it is massive! This didn't bother me too much, but those who may not have much storage or use Kallax to store their games might find this a bit of a pain..
On opening the box, I was a little deterred by the amount of items that were in there.. it was very daunting, but I persevered and started reading the rules and first scenario that come with it and soon realised there was nothing to worry about.
The rules are really well written (compared to this review) and the tutorial scenario teaches you (and party members) in a quick, fun and easy way. One thing I don't like about a lot of games is the learning curve and sometimes lack of explanation or badly written rules, there is none of that with MvM, they have really thought about teaching this to the player in the easiest way possible.
After finishing the tutorial scenario, I was excited to carry on and work my way through the rest of the game.. at this point i'd like to point out I was doing this solo and was playing for both player 1 and player 2 , the experience was still very enjoyable. I carried on through the game for the next couple of days and enjoyed every minute of it.. I am looking forward to breaking it out with my friends when they're next over.
Definitely a well worth game in my opinion, especially if you are just wanting to play something that isn't too intense and a bit of fun!
The first thing that caught my attention when it arrived was how big the box was... it is massive! This didn't bother me too much, but those who may not have much storage or use Kallax to store their games might find this a bit of a pain..
On opening the box, I was a little deterred by the amount of items that were in there.. it was very daunting, but I persevered and started reading the rules and first scenario that come with it and soon realised there was nothing to worry about.
The rules are really well written (compared to this review) and the tutorial scenario teaches you (and party members) in a quick, fun and easy way. One thing I don't like about a lot of games is the learning curve and sometimes lack of explanation or badly written rules, there is none of that with MvM, they have really thought about teaching this to the player in the easiest way possible.
After finishing the tutorial scenario, I was excited to carry on and work my way through the rest of the game.. at this point i'd like to point out I was doing this solo and was playing for both player 1 and player 2 , the experience was still very enjoyable. I carried on through the game for the next couple of days and enjoyed every minute of it.. I am looking forward to breaking it out with my friends when they're next over.
Definitely a well worth game in my opinion, especially if you are just wanting to play something that isn't too intense and a bit of fun!
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Hotel Artemis (2018) in Movies
Sep 28, 2018 (Updated Sep 28, 2018)
Brilliant ensemble cast (2 more)
Cool setting
Great score
You can check out anytime you like, but probably won't want to leave
This was one of those movies that had a really weird release. After seeing the trailer, I was really looking forward to going and seeing this at the cinema. Then, America got it a month before the UK did and when it did drop in Britain, it was a very limited release and was only showing in one cinema in my area. At around the same time, I went on holiday for a fortnight and it is only now, a full 2 months after the movie's initial release that I finally got to get to a screening.
Thankfully, it was worth the wait.
Hotel Artemis is the directorial debut of Drew Pearce and he does a fantastic job as a first-time director. The beautiful cinematography adds a great deal of style and flair to the film and the brilliant score by Cliff Martinez also provides an atmosphere that is an awesome mix of ambient and intense in all of the right moments.
The cast is also great and is made up of an eclectic mix of talented actors. Sterling K Brown does an incredible job of tying the whole thing together and being the anchor that the audience can relate to. Dave Bautista is brilliant as the orderly Everest. Charlie Day is really good at being a totally obnoxious asshole. Jeff Goldblum and Zachary Quinto are great as always and Jodie Foster is also fantastic as the Nurse who runs the hotel. Sofia Boutella is here too, but she doesn't do a great amount any different to what we have already seen from her in past movies.
Overall, this is a stylish, well-acted, exciting action/thriller with great direction and a fantastic score to boot. It is reminiscent of other movies in places, such as Smokin' Aces, but it is still a brilliantly written, well made, fairly original movie well worth seeking out.
Thankfully, it was worth the wait.
Hotel Artemis is the directorial debut of Drew Pearce and he does a fantastic job as a first-time director. The beautiful cinematography adds a great deal of style and flair to the film and the brilliant score by Cliff Martinez also provides an atmosphere that is an awesome mix of ambient and intense in all of the right moments.
The cast is also great and is made up of an eclectic mix of talented actors. Sterling K Brown does an incredible job of tying the whole thing together and being the anchor that the audience can relate to. Dave Bautista is brilliant as the orderly Everest. Charlie Day is really good at being a totally obnoxious asshole. Jeff Goldblum and Zachary Quinto are great as always and Jodie Foster is also fantastic as the Nurse who runs the hotel. Sofia Boutella is here too, but she doesn't do a great amount any different to what we have already seen from her in past movies.
Overall, this is a stylish, well-acted, exciting action/thriller with great direction and a fantastic score to boot. It is reminiscent of other movies in places, such as Smokin' Aces, but it is still a brilliantly written, well made, fairly original movie well worth seeking out.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated Searching (2018) in Movies
Oct 27, 2018
The screen life genre is new and different (3 more)
Great story
Felt very realistic
1 of my favourite movies of the year
A great intense movie with good twists
This was a fantastic movie. By far 1 of my favourites if the year. The screen life genre is so small right now. There are not many movies like this apart from the unfriended movies but this surpasses those in every aspect.
I like the idea of the whole movie being set on a computer screen. The whole thing felt very realistic from the processes performed to the way the typing us done. What I mean by this is the way the user types out a messages, thinks about it then deletes and changes it. It's something so small yet something we all do.
The only thing that took me out of it was when it zooms into a notification or message which didn't need to happen. I like seeing them whole screen because that's what we see in real life but at this point in just trying to find a flaw but it is the only reason it gets a 9 and not a 10.
The story was fantastic and the twists great too. It got to a point I'll admit I had a year in my eye. For a movie set only on a screen the acting and the actors were great. They gave so much emotion which felt necessary since it's a movie about a father trying to find his missing daughter. And this goes back to what I said about the realistic processes. The way he goes about getting into emails and social media were impressive but realistic and believable.
I don't want to say anymore now except this is a must watch and I can't wait to see what they do with this genre in the future because my first experiences with it were with unfriended which is a horror but this worked so much better.
I like the idea of the whole movie being set on a computer screen. The whole thing felt very realistic from the processes performed to the way the typing us done. What I mean by this is the way the user types out a messages, thinks about it then deletes and changes it. It's something so small yet something we all do.
The only thing that took me out of it was when it zooms into a notification or message which didn't need to happen. I like seeing them whole screen because that's what we see in real life but at this point in just trying to find a flaw but it is the only reason it gets a 9 and not a 10.
The story was fantastic and the twists great too. It got to a point I'll admit I had a year in my eye. For a movie set only on a screen the acting and the actors were great. They gave so much emotion which felt necessary since it's a movie about a father trying to find his missing daughter. And this goes back to what I said about the realistic processes. The way he goes about getting into emails and social media were impressive but realistic and believable.
I don't want to say anymore now except this is a must watch and I can't wait to see what they do with this genre in the future because my first experiences with it were with unfriended which is a horror but this worked so much better.
Steven Sklansky (231 KP) rated Overlord (2018) in Movies
Nov 8, 2018
Action (2 more)
Great Acting
Intense
F******* Insane
Holy crap, this movie was amazing in IMAX, so you have the chance go see it there. On to the review. From the begin of this movie it was absolutely amazing. The film opens with the paratroops in the the plane getting ready to jump out in France to knock out a radio tower to let the planes know when to make their bombing run. This opening scene was done so well. It made you feel like you were in the plane being shot at and trying to get blown out of the sky. The soldiers getting ready to jump, you could really feel their fear and not wanting to die. It was edge of your seat fun wait to see what was going to happen.
Once they hit the ground the action did not stop, you had Germans shoot at you and explosions and wondering who was going to survive. This really did start like every other war movies, except for some reason I felt more invested the characters and not knowing what was going to happen. Once they arrived to the small town to take out the radio tower you just knew something strange was going on. There was a curfew and if you were out after dark you got taken to the church.
Now this was a really good plot about the Nazis and the crazy science experiments that Hitler was known for working on during the war. Now Nazi-zombies aren't necessarily new but I was a good take. This movie really had the feel of the video game Wolfenstein which was really cool.
Overall the action and scare factor was there on display, props to the crew for making this a great movie. If you are a fan of war and horror and not know what is going to happen. Get out there and enjoy the show.
Once they hit the ground the action did not stop, you had Germans shoot at you and explosions and wondering who was going to survive. This really did start like every other war movies, except for some reason I felt more invested the characters and not knowing what was going to happen. Once they arrived to the small town to take out the radio tower you just knew something strange was going on. There was a curfew and if you were out after dark you got taken to the church.
Now this was a really good plot about the Nazis and the crazy science experiments that Hitler was known for working on during the war. Now Nazi-zombies aren't necessarily new but I was a good take. This movie really had the feel of the video game Wolfenstein which was really cool.
Overall the action and scare factor was there on display, props to the crew for making this a great movie. If you are a fan of war and horror and not know what is going to happen. Get out there and enjoy the show.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Evaporation of Sofi Snow (The Evaporation of Sofi Snow, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Talk about a book hangover! I have spent the last few days trying to sort through all the emotions and feelings this book evoked in me.
Sofi Snow is a young woman with a lot of confusion about her self worth. She has had her fair share of rejection in life. Miguel had been satisfied with his life...that is until he met Sofi. As their lives get thrown into a web of lies, deceit, blackmail, and hidden agendas. Will Sofi and Miguel be able to push their past aside and work together for the future of Earth and all of its inhabitants?
There is SO MUCH that happens in this book. It started off fast paced and ended with a major cliff hanger in the middle of a VERY INTENSE scene. (We do get a little breather from all the action in the middle of the book.) Between Sofi's struggle to find herself, Miguel's determination to be a "new man", and the whole mess with Shiloh...My brain was on overload. There were a few aspects to the story that still sit uneasy with me regarding Sofi and Miguel's past. I do think the situation calls for the background our characters have and I am curious to see how Mary Weber addresses this and where she takes them in the next book.
One of the main themes in this story is Human Trafficking. I commend Mary for addressing the very real and very serious issue that has been swept under the rug for too long. To hear her heart, you will want to read this book! I look forward to reading more from Mary and finding out how Sofi's story ends.
I received a complimentary copy of The Evaporation of Sofi Snow from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Sofi Snow is a young woman with a lot of confusion about her self worth. She has had her fair share of rejection in life. Miguel had been satisfied with his life...that is until he met Sofi. As their lives get thrown into a web of lies, deceit, blackmail, and hidden agendas. Will Sofi and Miguel be able to push their past aside and work together for the future of Earth and all of its inhabitants?
There is SO MUCH that happens in this book. It started off fast paced and ended with a major cliff hanger in the middle of a VERY INTENSE scene. (We do get a little breather from all the action in the middle of the book.) Between Sofi's struggle to find herself, Miguel's determination to be a "new man", and the whole mess with Shiloh...My brain was on overload. There were a few aspects to the story that still sit uneasy with me regarding Sofi and Miguel's past. I do think the situation calls for the background our characters have and I am curious to see how Mary Weber addresses this and where she takes them in the next book.
One of the main themes in this story is Human Trafficking. I commend Mary for addressing the very real and very serious issue that has been swept under the rug for too long. To hear her heart, you will want to read this book! I look forward to reading more from Mary and finding out how Sofi's story ends.
I received a complimentary copy of The Evaporation of Sofi Snow from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Siren's Fury in Books
Jan 2, 2019
**Please note that this is the second book in The Storm Siren Series. While I always strive to keep my reviews spoiler-FREE, if you have not read the first book, you MAY encounter unknown information in this review**
Mary Weber's unique world is completely incredible. Rich with colorful descriptions and details, I feel like this is a real place I would read about in my history books. Granted...the magical elements kind of give it away as being fiction.
One thing that I have come to appreciate in Young Adult Fiction is the use of symbolism. Reminds me a lot of Ted Dekker's circle trilogy. The evil and darkness vs. The good and pure. The struggle that can occur when we open ourselves to the darkness...And the power that it can have over us IF WE LET IT! Ahh! SO GOOD!!!! And this story just keeps getting more and more intense. This book has a much more steam punk feel to it vs the first book. Different country, different culture, different feel. I LOVE IT!
I do enjoy a book series that continues the story line because it gives the author a chance to develop the characters and thicken the plot. And also makes me glad that I usually wait till these books are all released before I dive into them...So I can, you know...BINGE READ!!!
As Nym continues on her journey of harnessing her powers and stopping a war before it starts...We meet a few new characters and a few old ones tag along. Forget everything you think you know.......And be prepared to be enchanted by this tale of good vs. evil. Make sure you have book 3 ready to go before you start this one...TRUST ME...You are going to want to keep reading.
I found Siren's Fury at my local library. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Mary Weber's unique world is completely incredible. Rich with colorful descriptions and details, I feel like this is a real place I would read about in my history books. Granted...the magical elements kind of give it away as being fiction.
One thing that I have come to appreciate in Young Adult Fiction is the use of symbolism. Reminds me a lot of Ted Dekker's circle trilogy. The evil and darkness vs. The good and pure. The struggle that can occur when we open ourselves to the darkness...And the power that it can have over us IF WE LET IT! Ahh! SO GOOD!!!! And this story just keeps getting more and more intense. This book has a much more steam punk feel to it vs the first book. Different country, different culture, different feel. I LOVE IT!
I do enjoy a book series that continues the story line because it gives the author a chance to develop the characters and thicken the plot. And also makes me glad that I usually wait till these books are all released before I dive into them...So I can, you know...BINGE READ!!!
As Nym continues on her journey of harnessing her powers and stopping a war before it starts...We meet a few new characters and a few old ones tag along. Forget everything you think you know.......And be prepared to be enchanted by this tale of good vs. evil. Make sure you have book 3 ready to go before you start this one...TRUST ME...You are going to want to keep reading.
I found Siren's Fury at my local library. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
AyL (16 KP) rated Evil Genius in TV
Jan 7, 2019
An explosive documentary and must-watch for true crime lovers
Content:
A man casually walks into a bank, with a bomb strapped to his neck and demands money. He gets caught on the parking lot after leaving the bank but he never makes it into a police car. 44 minutes after the first 911 call about the robbery and the bomb, the device around the mans neck detonates and kills him, all documented by CCTV and the Police. The man is Brian Wells, a pizza delivery man from this area. The documentary investigates the events around the murder of Brian Wells in Pennsylvania in 2003, which also became known as the „Pizza-Bomber“ Case.
Review:
If you are looking for a casual show to watch while playing candy crush on your phone, this is not the documentary for you, because things become complicated quick, with loads of suspects, different crime scenes and a lot of different stories that are told.
To really enjoy this documentary, you have to give it your full focus so you catch all the minute details. It’s like working the crime scene yourself. The documentary is not for the faint hearted. It shows the original CCTV footage of Brian Wells death!
The documentary includes interviews with people that worked on the cases, suspects and the family and friend of Brian Wells, which gives it a personal touch and makes it very attractive and fascinating to watch. It creates new questions in the viewers mind: Was Brian victim or perpetrator? Was the detonation an accident, murder or even suicide? And who is Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong and what does this woman have to do with all of this?
Trey Borzillieri, director and narrator of the documentary, shows his quite intense research for this documentary which ended in a deeper relationship with one of the suspects.
Evil genius is fascinating to watch, it grabs you and takes you through all Episodes, leaving you wanting more. A must watch for true crime lovers!
A man casually walks into a bank, with a bomb strapped to his neck and demands money. He gets caught on the parking lot after leaving the bank but he never makes it into a police car. 44 minutes after the first 911 call about the robbery and the bomb, the device around the mans neck detonates and kills him, all documented by CCTV and the Police. The man is Brian Wells, a pizza delivery man from this area. The documentary investigates the events around the murder of Brian Wells in Pennsylvania in 2003, which also became known as the „Pizza-Bomber“ Case.
Review:
If you are looking for a casual show to watch while playing candy crush on your phone, this is not the documentary for you, because things become complicated quick, with loads of suspects, different crime scenes and a lot of different stories that are told.
To really enjoy this documentary, you have to give it your full focus so you catch all the minute details. It’s like working the crime scene yourself. The documentary is not for the faint hearted. It shows the original CCTV footage of Brian Wells death!
The documentary includes interviews with people that worked on the cases, suspects and the family and friend of Brian Wells, which gives it a personal touch and makes it very attractive and fascinating to watch. It creates new questions in the viewers mind: Was Brian victim or perpetrator? Was the detonation an accident, murder or even suicide? And who is Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong and what does this woman have to do with all of this?
Trey Borzillieri, director and narrator of the documentary, shows his quite intense research for this documentary which ended in a deeper relationship with one of the suspects.
Evil genius is fascinating to watch, it grabs you and takes you through all Episodes, leaving you wanting more. A must watch for true crime lovers!
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Creed II (2018) in Movies
Jun 23, 2019
Dripping with nostalgia
Creed finally becomes WBC champion. Now a new challenge is forthcoming. The son of the man who killed his father has become a boxer as well and wants to take on Creed. His father's loss to Rocky sent his father down a downward spiral losing face with the State and having his mother leave him so he is out for revenge.
Creed has to again wrestle with his own emotions about the death of his famous father and also still wanting to get out of his shadow and strike his own course.
After the initial brawl ends in controversy, Creed is beaten physically and emotionally. He becomes engaged and also finds out he is going to have a child which changes his perspective on life and helps him try and flush out what is important to him.
His pal Rocky is torn as to stay with Creed as this brings out old memories for him as well and also the desire to maybe reconnect with his estranged son. He doesn't want Creed to fight for the wrong reasons.
Michael B Jordan really comes into his own in this film and displays not only intense physical prowess, but emotional range and muscles as well.
The film hits all the usual notes you have seen countless times in the Rocky/Creed franchise. If you have been a lifelong fan or coming to the film just during the Creed portion, the nostalgia of seeing Dolph Lundgren (who couldn't act his way out of a paper bag) and Rocky in the ring together again this time alongside their proteges in the ring is exciting and worth the reteam.
The boxing scenes are very well done; however, so are the slower emotional scenes which is really what the film is about. The relationships and bonds we all need and search for our entire lives.
Well worth it.
Creed has to again wrestle with his own emotions about the death of his famous father and also still wanting to get out of his shadow and strike his own course.
After the initial brawl ends in controversy, Creed is beaten physically and emotionally. He becomes engaged and also finds out he is going to have a child which changes his perspective on life and helps him try and flush out what is important to him.
His pal Rocky is torn as to stay with Creed as this brings out old memories for him as well and also the desire to maybe reconnect with his estranged son. He doesn't want Creed to fight for the wrong reasons.
Michael B Jordan really comes into his own in this film and displays not only intense physical prowess, but emotional range and muscles as well.
The film hits all the usual notes you have seen countless times in the Rocky/Creed franchise. If you have been a lifelong fan or coming to the film just during the Creed portion, the nostalgia of seeing Dolph Lundgren (who couldn't act his way out of a paper bag) and Rocky in the ring together again this time alongside their proteges in the ring is exciting and worth the reteam.
The boxing scenes are very well done; however, so are the slower emotional scenes which is really what the film is about. The relationships and bonds we all need and search for our entire lives.
Well worth it.
Kelly Knows (95 KP) rated White Squall (1996) in Movies
Jul 3, 2019
Skipper Kills All The Waves
The fantastic telling of the true story of the ill-fated Albatross. Sometimes you watch a movie at a young age, and the power of it sticks with you well into adulthood. White Squall is such a movie for me, and I imagine, many others. A sailor once, and a sailor someday to be, my father and I first watched this movie together when I was a youngster. Those silvered memories can be tarnished if a movie doesn't age well. Not the case with White Squall. Jeff Bridges is a powerhouse as the indomitable Skipper. You will instantly become caught up in the story of these young men learning what it means to indeed be called a man, especially on the sea. Some of the tropes are clunky, but merely a product of the time. You still buy in to the plot with little to no eye rolling. The archetypes of the characters run from Oscar level to 2D flat, but with a main cast of over a dozen, that is to be expected. Again, Jeff Bridges is amazing and more than carries the slack, performance wise. Parents be warned, this is based on a tragedy at sea. Do the math on that one, and adjust accordingly for the kids. The plot is fairly tame for the first half of the movie. The reason this movie gets high marks from me is the incredible direction from Ridley Scott, and the powerhouse sea visuals. The effects department really went to town on this one. You can feel the fury of the ocean, for she is a fickle mistress. They even used a full-scale mock-up of the ship in a horizon tank. Google that. It's awesome. With an amazing story, cast, score, all the above, this movie will always be the perfect with side of popcorn and a comfy recliner.