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Lou Grande (148 KP) rated Teratologist in Books
May 15, 2018
Like a Buddy Cop movie directed by Satan
THE TERATOLOGIST--a researcher of physical abnormalities--is both a disgusting and fun (short) horror novel. Something like a Buddy Cop movie, a writer and photographer go to the mansion of a young billionaire who collects people with birth defects for a single nefarious purpose: to see God.
If you've read Edward Lee's Infernal Series, you may notice the similarities in theme. It isn't just good vs evil, it's Good vs Evil. It has the same dash of irreverent humor and more than enough depravity to make it a fun read for readers with iron stomachs.
That said, this is absolutely not for the faint of heart. If you're easily offended, why are you looking at a book by Edward Lee and Wrath James White to begin with? Both are masters of the splatterpunk genre, which has given birth to the "extreme horror" subgenre. This book will gross you out. Even seasoned readers might cringe at some of the acts depicted in THE TERATOLOGIST. They disgust on a moral and visceral level, but isn't that the point?
If you've read Edward Lee's Infernal Series, you may notice the similarities in theme. It isn't just good vs evil, it's Good vs Evil. It has the same dash of irreverent humor and more than enough depravity to make it a fun read for readers with iron stomachs.
That said, this is absolutely not for the faint of heart. If you're easily offended, why are you looking at a book by Edward Lee and Wrath James White to begin with? Both are masters of the splatterpunk genre, which has given birth to the "extreme horror" subgenre. This book will gross you out. Even seasoned readers might cringe at some of the acts depicted in THE TERATOLOGIST. They disgust on a moral and visceral level, but isn't that the point?
Bubblesreview (110 KP) rated The Alchemist in Books
Feb 12, 2019
Easy read (1 more)
Only 158 pages
Simple language (2 more)
Short
Unbelievable
Short and sweet
My standards were high for this book, everyone refers to it as a 'must read', in a sense it could be, for some people. If you are a bit lost in life, feel like you've hit a wall in your career or life and need a bit of inspiration to carry on and achieve your dreams then this is the book for you.
Don't get me wrong, it did make me smile and it is a beautiful book to read, but it's very short and very simple. The main character is referred to as the boy so you can't really build a relationship with the character, but then I guess that is the moral of the book and the lesson we should take from it.
For me, this book hasn't changed my life, but I feel pretty happy with my life right now so maybe I read it at the wrong time. If I ever become stuck in life and need a lift I will reread this as I feel it could be much more appreciated in times of need
Don't get me wrong, it did make me smile and it is a beautiful book to read, but it's very short and very simple. The main character is referred to as the boy so you can't really build a relationship with the character, but then I guess that is the moral of the book and the lesson we should take from it.
For me, this book hasn't changed my life, but I feel pretty happy with my life right now so maybe I read it at the wrong time. If I ever become stuck in life and need a lift I will reread this as I feel it could be much more appreciated in times of need
Heathski (173 KP) rated The Dragon Prince - Season 1 in TV
Apr 25, 2019
Voice acting (2 more)
Animation
Story
Surprisingly good
I was bored and decided to watch an episode to see if it was any good. I was hooked. I don't like anime, I like well drawn animation and this has pretty decent art.
Each characters design is unique and matches their personality.
Fans of the Avatar animated series might like this. Its created by the same person, Aaron Ehasz and has voice actor Jack De Sena. Its a world of magic, elves and dragons. Magic that is similar to airbending skills in Avatar. I dont want to give too much away, but i can tell you theres lots of funny parts without being cheesy. Theres lots of action and cool looking fight scenes. Touching emotional and dramatic moments. Its really well written, epicly rich world building, interesting history and lore.
Theres also sort of a moral theme running throughout.. "for the greater good" So whether they are likeable or not, you can see the motivations behind each characters actions as the story progresses.
And the story is pretty awsome. Its so compelling, I had to binge watch the entire season! I cannot wait till season 2.
Each characters design is unique and matches their personality.
Fans of the Avatar animated series might like this. Its created by the same person, Aaron Ehasz and has voice actor Jack De Sena. Its a world of magic, elves and dragons. Magic that is similar to airbending skills in Avatar. I dont want to give too much away, but i can tell you theres lots of funny parts without being cheesy. Theres lots of action and cool looking fight scenes. Touching emotional and dramatic moments. Its really well written, epicly rich world building, interesting history and lore.
Theres also sort of a moral theme running throughout.. "for the greater good" So whether they are likeable or not, you can see the motivations behind each characters actions as the story progresses.
And the story is pretty awsome. Its so compelling, I had to binge watch the entire season! I cannot wait till season 2.
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (1951) in Movies
Apr 26, 2019
Good cast. (3 more)
Good acting, even among the children.
Scenery
Not too religious.
Subservient wife role. (2 more)
Some plot holes.
Lack of character development in minor roles.
A sweet, simple feel-good movie.
This is a simple film about a new wife (from the city) who has gone to live with her preacher husband in the country around the turn on the century. It's based on the protagonist's biography. At first, she's unsure that she'll like it or will fit in but she grows into her role as a preacher's wife and grows to love those in the community.
Though the characters are religious, they are not all fire and brimstone about their faith. Instead, the characters are simple, gentle, kind, and moral. The preacher's attitude reminds me of Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird.
Susan Hayward plays the preacher's wife in a very believable way as the character journeys from a new wife to a more well-rounded person. Her character grows through hardship and shows real grit and backbone.
If you like classic movies and long for simpler times, this is a good one to watch.
Though the characters are religious, they are not all fire and brimstone about their faith. Instead, the characters are simple, gentle, kind, and moral. The preacher's attitude reminds me of Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird.
Susan Hayward plays the preacher's wife in a very believable way as the character journeys from a new wife to a more well-rounded person. Her character grows through hardship and shows real grit and backbone.
If you like classic movies and long for simpler times, this is a good one to watch.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Spartacus (1960) in Movies
May 19, 2019 (Updated May 19, 2019)
Kubrick famously disowned the historical epic he took on as work-for-hire, but almost any other director would and should have been proud of the result. Based on a true story (albeit very loosely), Spartacus the slave (Douglas) is sold to a gladiator trainer, leads his fellow inmates in a revolt, and resolves to free every slave in Italy; ruthless autocrat Crassus (Olivier) scents the chance to exploit the crisis for his own political ends.
Slightly disjointed in its structure: the opening act in the gladiator school barely puts a foot wrong (the fight between Douglas and Woody Strode is exceptional), but then the story splits between the story of the growing slave army, which is hokey and sentimental, and that of the political games in Rome, which features a bunch of great actors giving terrific performances. Usual epic spectacle, but a very atypical downbeat ending: the film works very hard to give Spartacus a moral victory, but it's hard not to see this as a conclusion as bleak as that of any of the films that Kubrick actually admitted to. Stirring entertainment anyway; they don't make 'em like this any more.
Slightly disjointed in its structure: the opening act in the gladiator school barely puts a foot wrong (the fight between Douglas and Woody Strode is exceptional), but then the story splits between the story of the growing slave army, which is hokey and sentimental, and that of the political games in Rome, which features a bunch of great actors giving terrific performances. Usual epic spectacle, but a very atypical downbeat ending: the film works very hard to give Spartacus a moral victory, but it's hard not to see this as a conclusion as bleak as that of any of the films that Kubrick actually admitted to. Stirring entertainment anyway; they don't make 'em like this any more.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Music of the Heart (Runaway Train, #1) in Books
Jul 12, 2018
This book was an entertaining novel but it really didn۪t speak to me. The fact that Abby was so quick to lose her morals did not impress me. I۪m one for smut, but it felt a little weird to have the heroine give up her moral stance so quickly.
ۏAnd just what do you plan to do? Rape me? ۏNo, I intend on making love with you ے Seriously?!? Agh!
It also seemed that Abby and Jake۪s romance was a little forced. I couldn۪t help but roll my eyes at the plot line and the actions of the characters. This girl is supposed to be angelic yet she gives lap dances to prove someone wrong۟ correct me if I۪m wrong, but that isn۪t very angelic.
While on the subject of angelicness I would like to point out that the religious part of the book also felt forced. The only time her religion came into play was when she was lecturing individuals on being too judgmental.
I liked the concept of the book but for me it felt like a cup of decaf coffee, has a similar taste to coffee but didn۪t give me anything to look forward to.
ۏAnd just what do you plan to do? Rape me? ۏNo, I intend on making love with you ے Seriously?!? Agh!
It also seemed that Abby and Jake۪s romance was a little forced. I couldn۪t help but roll my eyes at the plot line and the actions of the characters. This girl is supposed to be angelic yet she gives lap dances to prove someone wrong۟ correct me if I۪m wrong, but that isn۪t very angelic.
While on the subject of angelicness I would like to point out that the religious part of the book also felt forced. The only time her religion came into play was when she was lecturing individuals on being too judgmental.
I liked the concept of the book but for me it felt like a cup of decaf coffee, has a similar taste to coffee but didn۪t give me anything to look forward to.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Room for Doubt in Books
Aug 21, 2018
Suicide or a Serial Killer?
A body has been found hanging from the Hollywood sign, and radio reporter Carol Childs is sent to the scene. The police have ruled it a suicide, but Carol thinks something else is going on. Before the weekend is over, Carol is contacted by a PI who shares her belief that there is more to this death. Then a caller to Carol’s new late Sunday show all but confesses. What is really going on?
From this intriguing premise, we get another fun mystery filled with plenty of suspense. I did have some issues with some moral issues brought up in this book, which is funny because I am on the opposite side of things on some TV shows I watch. A psychic we met in the first book is back, but I was happy that her “ability” only played a small part in the book. In fact, I enjoyed seeing her again since she is a fun foil for Carol. I really liked the cast of characters as well. There were some timeline issues in the middle of the book, but overall, they were a minor annoyance.
From this intriguing premise, we get another fun mystery filled with plenty of suspense. I did have some issues with some moral issues brought up in this book, which is funny because I am on the opposite side of things on some TV shows I watch. A psychic we met in the first book is back, but I was happy that her “ability” only played a small part in the book. In fact, I enjoyed seeing her again since she is a fun foil for Carol. I really liked the cast of characters as well. There were some timeline issues in the middle of the book, but overall, they were a minor annoyance.
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Struck By Lightning in Books
Sep 24, 2018
A good quick read
Carson Phillips is a high school senior with big dreams. He is an outcast who is disliked by most of his peers. This becomes a problem when he decides to create a literary magazine in hopes of getting accepted into the college of his dreams. To get the submissions he needs from other students he blackmails those around him.
Carson is a main character that you will either love or hate. The book is wrote as his diary entries, so the reader gets an inside look at his life. This makes it hard to dislike him despite his questionable moral choices. He is a sarcastic and funny character who often times critical about high school life. He does experience some personal growth throughout the book, and the reader can't help but cheer for his success.
The other characters make for an entertaining cast. Many of them depict stereotypes, but they all prove to be more complicated than they first appear. This book isn't super long so it's a good weekend read. If you like stories about high school under dogs chasing there dreams then you should definitely pick this up.
Carson is a main character that you will either love or hate. The book is wrote as his diary entries, so the reader gets an inside look at his life. This makes it hard to dislike him despite his questionable moral choices. He is a sarcastic and funny character who often times critical about high school life. He does experience some personal growth throughout the book, and the reader can't help but cheer for his success.
The other characters make for an entertaining cast. Many of them depict stereotypes, but they all prove to be more complicated than they first appear. This book isn't super long so it's a good weekend read. If you like stories about high school under dogs chasing there dreams then you should definitely pick this up.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Shoplifters (Manbiki Kazuko) (2018) in Movies
Dec 3, 2018 (Updated Dec 3, 2018)
Got to admit, feels a bit odd to be giving a Palm d'Or winning film only a 9 out of 10, but you have to call them as you see them. A loving but totally amoral family make a living from various types of fraud and petty crime; when they find an abused child lives not far from them they end up benevolently and accidentally kidnapping her. Not one of those films which is really driven by plot (until close to the end, at least), but an examination of the idea of family and its importance at all levels of society.
A notably warm and non-judgemental film, no matter how bleak the subject matter may sound, driven along by understated storytelling and with excellent performances from the 'parents' of the shoplifter family. The compassion of the director towards all of the characters is palpable, even when they are at their worst (which can be pretty bad). If the film never completely resolves the moral ambiguities at its heart, then it is surely wholly intentional. Probably no-one's idea of mainstream entertainment, but a notably fine and moving film nevertheless.
A notably warm and non-judgemental film, no matter how bleak the subject matter may sound, driven along by understated storytelling and with excellent performances from the 'parents' of the shoplifter family. The compassion of the director towards all of the characters is palpable, even when they are at their worst (which can be pretty bad). If the film never completely resolves the moral ambiguities at its heart, then it is surely wholly intentional. Probably no-one's idea of mainstream entertainment, but a notably fine and moving film nevertheless.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020) in Movies
Feb 7, 2020 (Updated Feb 7, 2020)
Garish and frantic comic book movie basically does your head in for nearly two hours. Never mind doing a Batman movie without Batman, now they've done a Joker movie without the Joker: annoying homicidal pole-dancer Harley Quinn breaks up with he of the green hair and gets mixed up in a hunt for a diamond-shaped McGuffin involving various other obscure and mostly female Batman characters. Full of movement and some not bad action choreography, but the plot is a disjointed mess and it's hard to escape the impression that the producers are treating you like an idiot.
Robbie's performance is basically just irritating; not sure whether this is entirely intentional or not. Ewan McGregor is definitely just bad, but the script is to blame anyway: when the writers appear to believe it's cool and funny to break someone's legs on a whim, it's hard to take them seriously when they try to take the high ground on any moral issue, as they also do. Amoral, superficial, and sadistically violent in places; generally quite dim-witted and depressing. Undoes all the good work of recent movies in detoxifying the DC brand: come back Zach Snyder, all is forgiven.
Robbie's performance is basically just irritating; not sure whether this is entirely intentional or not. Ewan McGregor is definitely just bad, but the script is to blame anyway: when the writers appear to believe it's cool and funny to break someone's legs on a whim, it's hard to take them seriously when they try to take the high ground on any moral issue, as they also do. Amoral, superficial, and sadistically violent in places; generally quite dim-witted and depressing. Undoes all the good work of recent movies in detoxifying the DC brand: come back Zach Snyder, all is forgiven.