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Awix (3310 KP) rated Busy Bodies (1933) in Movies
Feb 17, 2019 (Updated Feb 17, 2019)
Either an ironic commentary on the alienation of modern man and the dehumanising effects of modern production techniques, or two idiots in bowler hats smashing everything up by accident. The usual miraculous Laurel and Hardy alchemy is in play, manifesting in the duo's ability to milk a joke longer than is surely humanly possible - on this occasion with the 'walking into a plank' bit and the extended sequence in which Ollie gets a paintbrush glued to his chin and Stan has the job of removing it.
One of the pair's denser, more relentless comedies in terms of jokes, most of them good ones - the indiscriminate property damage is also more extravagantly spectacular than in many of their films. Written by Stan, but as ever the magic is in the two of them together.
One of the pair's denser, more relentless comedies in terms of jokes, most of them good ones - the indiscriminate property damage is also more extravagantly spectacular than in many of their films. Written by Stan, but as ever the magic is in the two of them together.

ClareR (5879 KP) rated The Kingdom of Copper (The Daevabad Trilogy #2) in Books
Apr 2, 2019
I’ll be honest: my heart sank when I saw this book and realised there were 619 pages. By halfway through, I couldn’t believe that there were only 619 pages - I needed more!
The world building in this is immense and impressive - like Game of Thrones with more magic (I am in no way comparing storylines here!!).
I don’t know what I can say without giving too much away, so here goes. Each chapter is from a different characters viewpoint: Nahri, Ali, Darra (yes, he did ‘kind of’ die, but he’s back. Boy, is he back!), and we learn a lot more of the hatred between the Daevas and Geziris.
I honestly cannot wait for the third book to see how this will all pan out, because that ending is one heck of a cliffhanger!
The world building in this is immense and impressive - like Game of Thrones with more magic (I am in no way comparing storylines here!!).
I don’t know what I can say without giving too much away, so here goes. Each chapter is from a different characters viewpoint: Nahri, Ali, Darra (yes, he did ‘kind of’ die, but he’s back. Boy, is he back!), and we learn a lot more of the hatred between the Daevas and Geziris.
I honestly cannot wait for the third book to see how this will all pan out, because that ending is one heck of a cliffhanger!

Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Clerks (1994) in Movies
Jun 11, 2019
CLERKS
Clerks is an indie comedy shot in black and white about dante hicks (Brian O'Halloran) a man reluctantly left in charge of the Quick Stop. His place of work...on his day off! Working with his best friend Randall (Jeff Anderson) at the adjoined video store (when it suits him) who's hate for his job and its customers become problematic for dantes attempt at a customer service a nice guy,
Problems continue as dantes continuous fight with girlfriend veronica and feeble attempts at getting back with his ex caitlyn, not to mention local dealers Jay (jason mewes) and silent Bob (kevin smith).
Released in 1994, and spawning a sequel and multiple spin offs, written and directed by Kevin Smith, CLERKS is a magic cult hit with characters we can all identify ourselves with.
Problems continue as dantes continuous fight with girlfriend veronica and feeble attempts at getting back with his ex caitlyn, not to mention local dealers Jay (jason mewes) and silent Bob (kevin smith).
Released in 1994, and spawning a sequel and multiple spin offs, written and directed by Kevin Smith, CLERKS is a magic cult hit with characters we can all identify ourselves with.

Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated 47 Ronin (2013) in Movies
Jun 14, 2019
Entertaining
I've read reviews of this movie and they mostly were not good. I honestly don't know why. Perhaps people were trying to take it too seriously? Anyway, I enjoyed it very much. A fun fantasy story filled with magic, monsters, samurai and of course, sword fights. I have always enjoyed samurai movies(Seven Samurai is my absolute favorite). This one was just a lot of fun. The acting and cinematography were well done and the story flowed nicely. Plenty of intense action and it even had a love story. Didn't have the happiest of endings but not all movies do. Supposedly based on a historical group of samurai in Japan but, of course, with some great fantastical story telling weaved throughout. This one is definitely worth a watch!

Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Panzer '44 in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
Interactive Magic had the opportunity to exploit the wide-open market for a serious World War II tank simulation. Unfortunately, those who pinned their hopes on this game are in for a major disappointment.
For years, armor fans have been waiting for a realistic World War II tank simulation. Most publishers have followed in the tracks of MicroProse's 1989 classic game, M1 Tank Platoon, basing their simulations primarily on the American M1 Abrams. In 1995, it appeared that MicroProse would break through with its World War II game, Across the Rhine. However, as a simulation, it was a disaster and not well received as a tactical real-time game.
Original rating: 3.3
Critic: Gamespot Staff
Read the full review here: https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ipanzer-44-review/1900-2535531/
Original rating: 3.3
Critic: Gamespot Staff
Read the full review here: https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ipanzer-44-review/1900-2535531/
Hilary dreams of become a pirate. But she' s a girl and the daughter of an admirable. Still, at the first chance, she runs away and joins up. Tasked with finding a treasure using a map with no markings, she might be in over her head. Can she do it?
This was a complete delight. The characters are warm and charming, the plot moves forward quickly, and the book is filled with great humor. I can't wait for the next one to come out (fall of 2014, but I'm not counting at all). Definitely recommended for anyone in the target middle grade audience or older.
NOTE: I got this book via the Amazon Vine program.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-review-magic-marks-spot-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was a complete delight. The characters are warm and charming, the plot moves forward quickly, and the book is filled with great humor. I can't wait for the next one to come out (fall of 2014, but I'm not counting at all). Definitely recommended for anyone in the target middle grade audience or older.
NOTE: I got this book via the Amazon Vine program.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-review-magic-marks-spot-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Dana (24 KP) rated The Raven Boys in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This was surprisingly good. Since I wasn't the biggest fan of Shiver from the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, I wasn't sure how I would like this book. I really enjoyed it. Thank you to all of my tumblr friends who kept recommending this to me so that I would actually read it. I had been putting it off for about a year and a half.
The plot line was very well paced. Though the chapters were narrated by different characters (something I don't always like) it was clear as to who was speaking. The characters were interesting and fun. I loved the growing relationships between the boys and Blue. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys supernatural novels with mystery and a crap ton of psychic magic. Great job Ms. Stiefvater!
The plot line was very well paced. Though the chapters were narrated by different characters (something I don't always like) it was clear as to who was speaking. The characters were interesting and fun. I loved the growing relationships between the boys and Blue. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys supernatural novels with mystery and a crap ton of psychic magic. Great job Ms. Stiefvater!

Awix (3310 KP) rated Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972) in Movies
Mar 16, 2018
Hammer's attempt to make Dracula more with-it succeeds as far as it does despite, rather than because of, the contemporary elements. Dracula pops up in the present day, causes the usual trouble, is disposed of with surprising ease. (The plot is essentially a retread of that of Taste the Blood of Dracula but with more flared trousers and Peter Cushing.)
Christopher Lee's disdain for the whole project is virtually palpable, but Peter Cushing works his usual magic in lifting some rather duff material. Movie may deserve some kind of award for the sheer number of before-they-were-famous people appearing in it. It's not quite actively bad, but it feels much more dated than any of the films set in the 19th century. Somewhat groovy; hardly fab.
Christopher Lee's disdain for the whole project is virtually palpable, but Peter Cushing works his usual magic in lifting some rather duff material. Movie may deserve some kind of award for the sheer number of before-they-were-famous people appearing in it. It's not quite actively bad, but it feels much more dated than any of the films set in the 19th century. Somewhat groovy; hardly fab.

Awix (3310 KP) rated The Company of Wolves (1984) in Movies
Feb 23, 2018
Curious British-made feminist werewolf movie retells the story of Little Red Riding Hood (along with various others). A young girl dreams of a fairy-tale world of wolves and dark magic, where some people are hairy on the inside and everyone has a bit of a beast in them.
One of those movies laden with a slightly ponderous symbolism; doesn't really make sense except as an allegory for something-or-other; quite what that is is a bit unclear. It's not that all men are wolves at heart, but something slightly more even-handed. Good cast, nice production values; some of the special effects have dated a bit, but not risibly so. In the end it is all quite impressive but at the same time wilfully oblique.
One of those movies laden with a slightly ponderous symbolism; doesn't really make sense except as an allegory for something-or-other; quite what that is is a bit unclear. It's not that all men are wolves at heart, but something slightly more even-handed. Good cast, nice production values; some of the special effects have dated a bit, but not risibly so. In the end it is all quite impressive but at the same time wilfully oblique.

Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House, #1) in Books
Jul 10, 2018
I was looking for a palate cleanser book and I stumbled upon this one through audible channels. I've always noticed the Magic Tree House series but I haven't ever had the chance to read any of them. When I saw this was on there & I could listen to it for free, I knew I had to listen to it.
This is obviously a very easy read where the writing is written for those just learning to read. It was a cute story and it was a really quick and fun listen. It doesn't stand out for me, but obviously, I'm not the proper age for this book.
All in all, if I have kids this would be one of the series I would read to them. It's educational along with adding an element of fantasy.
This is obviously a very easy read where the writing is written for those just learning to read. It was a cute story and it was a really quick and fun listen. It doesn't stand out for me, but obviously, I'm not the proper age for this book.
All in all, if I have kids this would be one of the series I would read to them. It's educational along with adding an element of fantasy.