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Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Big Game (2015) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
It’s been a long time since a simple action movie was just good fun, rather than being exasperatingly long, complex and full of mind-boggling CGI.
Big Game is the complete opposite of those things and much fresher because of it. With Samuel L Jackson’s trademark wit and brilliant comic timing, he plays President Bill Moore with fantastic energy, very much like he did in Matthew Vaughan’s Kingsman: The Secret Service earlier this year.
With a plot that doesn’t require any knowledge of prequels or sequels, this is pure popcorn entertainment and a brilliant way to spend an evening. Yes it’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination with a poor first third, but when the finale is this much fun, you’ll have too much of a good time to remember what came before it.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2015/05/10/incredibly-well-made-big-game-review/
Big Game is the complete opposite of those things and much fresher because of it. With Samuel L Jackson’s trademark wit and brilliant comic timing, he plays President Bill Moore with fantastic energy, very much like he did in Matthew Vaughan’s Kingsman: The Secret Service earlier this year.
With a plot that doesn’t require any knowledge of prequels or sequels, this is pure popcorn entertainment and a brilliant way to spend an evening. Yes it’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination with a poor first third, but when the finale is this much fun, you’ll have too much of a good time to remember what came before it.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2015/05/10/incredibly-well-made-big-game-review/
Ross (3284 KP) rated Of Gods and Men in Books
Jan 31, 2018
Enough hints to anticipate twists and reveals (1 more)
Short and concise
Fantastic taster of Aryan's writing and world
*** I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***
This novella serves as an excellent taster of Stephen Aryan's writing style and the world in which his other books take place. I haven't read any of his other work yet, but as this is a prequel I didn't feel I was missing out on any inside knowledge. If anything, this book serves as an expanded backstory to one of the main characters of the first series, Vargus.
I really enjoyed the entry into the world, Aryan's easy-flowing narrative and the short, concise self-contained story which contains some good, well described action scenes, good dialogue and hints at a larger world to be explored and does lead you to want to read more.
This novella serves as an excellent taster of Stephen Aryan's writing style and the world in which his other books take place. I haven't read any of his other work yet, but as this is a prequel I didn't feel I was missing out on any inside knowledge. If anything, this book serves as an expanded backstory to one of the main characters of the first series, Vargus.
I really enjoyed the entry into the world, Aryan's easy-flowing narrative and the short, concise self-contained story which contains some good, well described action scenes, good dialogue and hints at a larger world to be explored and does lead you to want to read more.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Quest for Earth in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I have really been on a sci-fi romance kick lately so I was looking forward to this story. It had its good points and bad points, While it was enjoyable, it wasnt perfect.
The bad is that it was a cliché stereotype of sci-fi romance that did not bring anything new to the table. I felt that the reader was thrown into the story with no prior knowledge of the world building, leaving the reader lost and frustrated. I felt the descriptions we were given werent relevant. I also loathe the idea of alpha males and their fated mates. I feel most authors use it as an excuse to force two characters together so that the eventually can stand each other.
The good is that there are strong female leads and, despite not having much background given, the worlds were pretty interesting.
The bad is that it was a cliché stereotype of sci-fi romance that did not bring anything new to the table. I felt that the reader was thrown into the story with no prior knowledge of the world building, leaving the reader lost and frustrated. I felt the descriptions we were given werent relevant. I also loathe the idea of alpha males and their fated mates. I feel most authors use it as an excuse to force two characters together so that the eventually can stand each other.
The good is that there are strong female leads and, despite not having much background given, the worlds were pretty interesting.
Autumn (3 KP) rated Breaking Beautiful in Books
Jan 19, 2018
this book wasn't what I was expecting. most YA novels aren't when I think about it. anyway, this was wonderful. I think of it as a story of a girl discovering who she is and what she needs.
thankfully I have about zero experience and only academic knowledge about abusive relationships. therefore my only complaint was that there was no explanation in how Allie got into this destructive relationship. from a moralistic standpoint this is probably one of the worst books to give a teenager in an abusive relationship. it demonstrates no means of prevention or plausible solutions of extracting oneself from such a situation. apparently your only means of escape are 1. getting the shit beat out of you until your partner thinks you're dead or 2. your partner dies. not terribly plausible.
points for self-actualization and having a character with CP; big WTF for not helping anyone.
thankfully I have about zero experience and only academic knowledge about abusive relationships. therefore my only complaint was that there was no explanation in how Allie got into this destructive relationship. from a moralistic standpoint this is probably one of the worst books to give a teenager in an abusive relationship. it demonstrates no means of prevention or plausible solutions of extracting oneself from such a situation. apparently your only means of escape are 1. getting the shit beat out of you until your partner thinks you're dead or 2. your partner dies. not terribly plausible.
points for self-actualization and having a character with CP; big WTF for not helping anyone.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated 7 Wonders in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
High Player Count (3 more)
Card Drafting Stratagy
Building your engine
Artwork
Card Drafting and Civilization building at it's finest, with a large player count which is so hard to find.
love this game, plus it's 2 player version 7 Wonders Duel. it's a really great light to medium weight game about how you choose to build your civilization. You start with a wonder, which gives you a starting power/resource, then you build from there by adding card to your tableau which in turn gives you the ability to buy more things. you can build your military and bully your neighbors, or focus on knowledge, or make sure your civilization is rich with resources and money, and trade with your neighbors... Each thing you do builds up to doing more. Great Game especially showcases what modern games can do and still good for relative beginners to the Board game world.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Orléans in Tabletop Games
Mar 21, 2018
The many different options on how to play (1 more)
I kinda like the old european art
A multi dimensional multipath to victory game with bag building and worker placement.
This game is one of my wife's favorites too. So many different ways to win this game, and the special buildings are the key to different paths. I will warn you as a first time player, make sure you don't neglect the knowledge path (books) or the map, those are the key to the game, how you get those down are how you win. This game is all about how you find your personal efficiency, and use your strengths which you've built better than you neighbor. I've not yet played the expansions as we've played the central game only about 20 times so far, holding out on opening those up till after the base game gets stale.
MissCagey (2652 KP) rated The Gift (2015) in Movies
Jun 4, 2018
Contains spoilers, click to show
An engaging enough film, essentially making the point that things you do in the past can catch up with you. However, it frustrated me so much, if a bloke who I actually didn't know but was an old friend of my husband's kept turning up at my door uninvited and when my hubby was in work I would not be letting him in and spending time with him, if I suspected someone was entering my house without my knowledge I would be keeping all the doors locked, why would you leave your dog to roam around outside when it's unfamiliar with the area?.... Would you really want to divorce your husband whom I presume you have grown to know and love over the years because you find out he bullied a kid at school and sent an email about a work rival? I don't think so...
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War in Books
Jul 12, 2018
I own an Advanced Reader Copy of this book but I ended up listening to it on audiobook. The narrator (Abby Elvidge) did an really good job at pulling off the humor and snark that Mary Roach puts into her books. The book was fascinating and it is always fun to see how much research Mary Roach puts into her book. I'm never disappointed and I always leave her novels knowing more than I ever thought I could have learned.
Mary Roach has a way of making you want to gag and laugh at the same time. Her snark and humor is always fun and adds a lot when you start learning about decomposing shark flesh. I love reading/listening to her books because it delivers knowledge with a side of humor.
All in all, this was really fascinating. I would recommend reading this.
Mary Roach has a way of making you want to gag and laugh at the same time. Her snark and humor is always fun and adds a lot when you start learning about decomposing shark flesh. I love reading/listening to her books because it delivers knowledge with a side of humor.
All in all, this was really fascinating. I would recommend reading this.
LilyLovesIndie (123 KP) rated The Penguin History of the USA in Books
Nov 5, 2018
A very concise and yet still strangely detailed history of one of the youngest super powers ever to exist. It is an effective and informative text that provides a complete history of the United States, although I must admit I was slightly let down by the lack of detail in later years, from Kennedy onwards. Brogan has a good degree of insight into the events and imparts this in a sometimes comical, but always fair way, never making assumptions unless he had solid foundations. All in all I found this an incredibly informative, if not slightly hard going due to the amount of fact covered, and one that deserves every attribute given to it by critics and ordinary readers alike. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is seriously interested in developing a more in depth knowledge about the history of this great country, scholars and casual readers alike.
Merissa (13600 KP) rated Revision is a Process--how to take the frustration out of self-editing in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Revision is a Process is a well-thought out, easy-to-read, informative book, that gives plenty of examples and descriptions on just how you can tighten up a manuscript. There is plenty of knowledge within the pages, plus shortcuts that the author is happy to share. In bite-sized chunks, you could either read it in one go, or focus on the particular chapter that will help you currently. Personally, I found it very helpful, and will certainly be putting into practice some of the recommended routines.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who is self-editing, and wants to know more about what they should do, and how they should do it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who is self-editing, and wants to know more about what they should do, and how they should do it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!