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David McK (3219 KP) rated Perilous Shield (The Lost Stars, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The second part of Jack Campbell's <i>The Lost Stars</i> series, this picks up directly from the end of the previous ([b:The Lost Stars Tarnished Knight|13542832|The Lost Stars Tarnished Knight (Lost Stars, #1)|Jack Campbell|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1338076136s/13542832.jpg|19060811]), with Midway in imminent danger of being (re)invaded by the Syndicates.
This time around, however, Black Jack is involved in the story, albeit only peripherally, as he arrives in the system on his way home in time to aid in the defense of the planet.
Like the previous novel(s), this is an enjoyable read from start to finish, but I wouldn't advise diving in here without first reading any of the previous.
This time around, however, Black Jack is involved in the story, albeit only peripherally, as he arrives in the system on his way home in time to aid in the defense of the planet.
Like the previous novel(s), this is an enjoyable read from start to finish, but I wouldn't advise diving in here without first reading any of the previous.
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Green Knight (2020) in Movies
Aug 2, 2021
Green Knight, based upon the poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, does the poem justice. We join our relatively pure-hearted Sir Gawain (Dev Patel) on Christmas morning, as he wakes up in what appears to be a brothel. He rushes home to his Mother (Sarita Choudhury), to change for the Christmas Day feast with the aged King (Sean Harris). Mother is left behind as Gawain goes to the feast, and conjures the appearance of the Green Knight.
Gawain agrees to the Christmas game proposed by the Green Knight, so he can be knighted himself. The game is the same as the poem, a knight gives a blow to the Green Knight, and a year from that date, the knight will visit the Green Chapel so he can return the favor.
The year passes, and Gawain sets out on his quest. Mother gives him the gift of a green sash, that will protect him as he faces the journey and the Green Knight. He sets off on his trippy journey, encountering a scavenger (Barry Keoghan) along the way and is quickly delayed in his quest and left for dead, losing his green sash. After freeing himself, he sets out on his allegory-filled quest again, encountering St. Winifred (Erin Kellyman), giants, and is led by a fox to a castle near the Green Chapel.
The castle is where the film gets back on track with the poem. The Lord (Joel Egerton) shows kindness and hospitality, while his wife (Alicia Vikander), takes the role as temptress. Alicia Vikander plays both the Lady, and the prostitute that Gawain is in love with back home. It’s understandably confusing for Gawain. The same deal is struck between the Lord and Gawain, while the Lord is away on the hunt, he will give Gawain everything he catches, while Gawain promises to give the Lord anything he receives at the castle. Gawain does not end up keeping the agreement as he’s seduced by the Lady and gets the green sash back. He escapes the castle and goes to the Green Chapel to finish the Christmas game. The end was very interesting, would Gawain choose to be courageous and maintain his honor, accepting death? Or would he be a coward, running away to be knighted, then subsequently become King? The ending was scary good.
My first thought after the film ended was that we finally got a film that did an Arthurian legend justice. I happened to be really into Arthuriana, so this film was such a treat. Though, I am left with some questions. I’m not sure which sister Mother was supposed to be. Was Mother Morgaine or Morgause? I assume it was Morgause, but Mother was a little more witchy, so maybe Morgaine? I also don’t know if in the film, the Green Knight was the Lord. The characters were played by two different actors, but the Lord is definitely supposed to be the Green Knight.
Another thing I did like is that I don’t believe they ever called the King by his name, Arthur. This was a smart move, as the story was centralized on Sir Gawain, and not about Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
The one sore thumb for me was Alicia Vikander. Her accent when she was the prostitute, Essel, was horrid. I also think that character wasn’t really needed at all because she was just annoying. The whole brothel situation itself was kind of lame because Gawain was supposed to be pure and innocent. The innocence being lost at the Castle was a major part of the poem.
Dev Patel was excellent as Gawain; I was entranced by him, and he kept my attention the entire film. I know there were grumblings about his casting, but seriously, this is a fantasy story. It also is not impossible for people of a different race to be present all over Europe. There once was this empire called Rome, that encompassed a very large area, and enabled people to travel around and settle in areas.
I had been looking forward to this film since March of 2020, and it completely delivered. I hope we get more films like this, rather than the barrage of big dumb action and comic book films. I can’t wait to go see this film again!
Gawain agrees to the Christmas game proposed by the Green Knight, so he can be knighted himself. The game is the same as the poem, a knight gives a blow to the Green Knight, and a year from that date, the knight will visit the Green Chapel so he can return the favor.
The year passes, and Gawain sets out on his quest. Mother gives him the gift of a green sash, that will protect him as he faces the journey and the Green Knight. He sets off on his trippy journey, encountering a scavenger (Barry Keoghan) along the way and is quickly delayed in his quest and left for dead, losing his green sash. After freeing himself, he sets out on his allegory-filled quest again, encountering St. Winifred (Erin Kellyman), giants, and is led by a fox to a castle near the Green Chapel.
The castle is where the film gets back on track with the poem. The Lord (Joel Egerton) shows kindness and hospitality, while his wife (Alicia Vikander), takes the role as temptress. Alicia Vikander plays both the Lady, and the prostitute that Gawain is in love with back home. It’s understandably confusing for Gawain. The same deal is struck between the Lord and Gawain, while the Lord is away on the hunt, he will give Gawain everything he catches, while Gawain promises to give the Lord anything he receives at the castle. Gawain does not end up keeping the agreement as he’s seduced by the Lady and gets the green sash back. He escapes the castle and goes to the Green Chapel to finish the Christmas game. The end was very interesting, would Gawain choose to be courageous and maintain his honor, accepting death? Or would he be a coward, running away to be knighted, then subsequently become King? The ending was scary good.
My first thought after the film ended was that we finally got a film that did an Arthurian legend justice. I happened to be really into Arthuriana, so this film was such a treat. Though, I am left with some questions. I’m not sure which sister Mother was supposed to be. Was Mother Morgaine or Morgause? I assume it was Morgause, but Mother was a little more witchy, so maybe Morgaine? I also don’t know if in the film, the Green Knight was the Lord. The characters were played by two different actors, but the Lord is definitely supposed to be the Green Knight.
Another thing I did like is that I don’t believe they ever called the King by his name, Arthur. This was a smart move, as the story was centralized on Sir Gawain, and not about Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
The one sore thumb for me was Alicia Vikander. Her accent when she was the prostitute, Essel, was horrid. I also think that character wasn’t really needed at all because she was just annoying. The whole brothel situation itself was kind of lame because Gawain was supposed to be pure and innocent. The innocence being lost at the Castle was a major part of the poem.
Dev Patel was excellent as Gawain; I was entranced by him, and he kept my attention the entire film. I know there were grumblings about his casting, but seriously, this is a fantasy story. It also is not impossible for people of a different race to be present all over Europe. There once was this empire called Rome, that encompassed a very large area, and enabled people to travel around and settle in areas.
I had been looking forward to this film since March of 2020, and it completely delivered. I hope we get more films like this, rather than the barrage of big dumb action and comic book films. I can’t wait to go see this film again!
Movie Critics (823 KP) rated The Dark Knight (2008) in Movies
Jun 15, 2017
Not a single dull moment in The Dark Knight. It's captivating, exciting, and emotionally riveting. I give everyone involved much credit for their hard work, but I would like to give special mention to two people, Christopher Nolan and Heath Ledger
Critic- Anthony's Film Review
Original Score: 10 out of 10
Read Review: http://www.anthonysfilmreview.com/Film/D/The_Dark_Knight.htm
Original Score: 10 out of 10
Read Review: http://www.anthonysfilmreview.com/Film/D/The_Dark_Knight.htm
Emily Simmons (4 KP) rated Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike in Books
Jun 27, 2017
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2084 KP) rated Cowardly Clyde in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Life is hard for Clyde, the horse of a brave knight. But when the time comes, will he show true courage? This is a predictable but extremely fun picture book that kids and their parents will enjoy.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-cowardly-clyde-by-bill-peet.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-cowardly-clyde-by-bill-peet.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Chip Kidd recommended Batman: Year One in Books (curated)
Dean (6921 KP) rated Killers (2010) in Movies
Apr 30, 2018
Quite poor overall I felt, looked like it could have been fun, but misses the mark badly. Not that funny, not many great action scenes and by the end I thought it was just about to get going, then the credits rolled! Knight and Day is much better in every department and came out around the same time, watch that instead.
Andrew Koltuniuk (753 KP) rated The Dark Knight Rises (2012) in Movies
Jul 28, 2020
Always a classic film to watch. Unfortunately, I think that this movie lives under the shadow of the Dark Knight, a movie that it could never hope to live up to. So I think it is unfortunate that so many people dislike it. This movie is incredibly well done, is super engaging, and is extremely well-acted. I will always rewatch this film!
Movie Critics (823 KP) rated Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) in Movies
Jun 23, 2017
it's a significant improvement over the previous sequels it still isn't very exciting or captivating. It's never boring which pretty much sums up the last film. I kind of liked the first film but it doesn't hold a candle to the animated movie.
Critic- Ernie Trinidad
Original Score: 3.5 out of 5
Read Review: http://www.ernietrinidad.com/single-post/2017/06/21/Transformers-The-Last-Knight-FILM-REVIEW
Original Score: 3.5 out of 5
Read Review: http://www.ernietrinidad.com/single-post/2017/06/21/Transformers-The-Last-Knight-FILM-REVIEW
BPiehl (1 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
Jul 11, 2018
Visual effects (1 more)
Story
A step in the right direction
Honestly, DC did well with this movie. Easily their best movie since the Dark Knight trilogy. You get to see Diana learning about humanity and finding that everything isnt as cut and dry as she learned back home. The supporting cast does a great job to help teach her and bring a bit of comedy to their dire mission.