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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Black Hole (1979) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
Big-budget attempt by Disney to cash in on the success of Star Wars; this sort of thing doesn't happen any more, obviously. Science vessel from Earth discovers fabled lost vessel from a generation before, mysteriously hanging over a black hole; they choose to investigate, eventually there are ray gun battles.
Distinctly odd movie which can't seem to decide whether it's a cheery George Lucas-style family-friendly adventure extravaganza with cute robots and zap guns aplenty, or a post-Stanley Kubrick tale of existential contemplation and all-pervading gloom. In the end the dark tone is mostly triumphant - bemusing final sequence reveals black hole is actually a gateway to hell, which may explain why this has been acclaimed as the most scientifically inaccurate movie in history. Decent cast try hard; very good score from John Barry helps keep things moving along.
Distinctly odd movie which can't seem to decide whether it's a cheery George Lucas-style family-friendly adventure extravaganza with cute robots and zap guns aplenty, or a post-Stanley Kubrick tale of existential contemplation and all-pervading gloom. In the end the dark tone is mostly triumphant - bemusing final sequence reveals black hole is actually a gateway to hell, which may explain why this has been acclaimed as the most scientifically inaccurate movie in history. Decent cast try hard; very good score from John Barry helps keep things moving along.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Shoah (1985) in Movies
Jul 20, 2018
Unforgettable
Director Claude Lanzmann, who recently passed away at the age of 92, spent a significant portion of his life working on interviews, editing and putting together this immaculate epic masterpiece portrait of the Holocaust through the words of people who were there and lived through the torture.
I sobbed for days after watching the more than 13 hours of footage from the documentary and the DVD extras. Some of the descriptions and scenes were so moving I actually had to pause for a moment to collect myself before continuing.
I purchased when Criterion had one of their 50% off sales and it was well worth it. You will be changed forever as a person after watching this and you will start to think all your first-world problems are minuscule in comparison.
I sobbed for days after watching the more than 13 hours of footage from the documentary and the DVD extras. Some of the descriptions and scenes were so moving I actually had to pause for a moment to collect myself before continuing.
I purchased when Criterion had one of their 50% off sales and it was well worth it. You will be changed forever as a person after watching this and you will start to think all your first-world problems are minuscule in comparison.
This is a wonderfully comprehensive book for anyone wanting to learn, or for anyone with basic knowledge who wants to expand their skills.
As someone who can crochet and often gets asked for help to learn I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Not only are there the usual how to make this stitch, but every stitch has a project to make so you can thoroughly practice than skill before moving on. There is also a mistakes guide... I often get sent pictures titled "what have I done wrong" and this book even has sections about the common mistakes, brilliant for someone who doesn't have a crocheter on the other side of social media.
Another nice surprise was the addition of tunisian crochet, great to see it in there when it has such a similar skill set.
All round a very good book.
As someone who can crochet and often gets asked for help to learn I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Not only are there the usual how to make this stitch, but every stitch has a project to make so you can thoroughly practice than skill before moving on. There is also a mistakes guide... I often get sent pictures titled "what have I done wrong" and this book even has sections about the common mistakes, brilliant for someone who doesn't have a crocheter on the other side of social media.
Another nice surprise was the addition of tunisian crochet, great to see it in there when it has such a similar skill set.
All round a very good book.
Full Disclosure - this was an unedited, pre-release Goodreads win.
This is book 3 in the "Me Before You" trilogy. Not sure if there will be another one in the series. This book picks up Louisa's (Lou) story after she stops caring for Will Traynor and dealing with her emotions and feelings afterward. It continues with her relationships built from the previous book, "After You". In this book, Louisa reunites with Nate in New York working for a wealthy family as an assistant to the wife. She discovers that, while this life in NY is totally different than her life in England, she really enjoys it but misses home and her family. She is seeing everyone around her (both in NY and England) moving on with their lives and, by the end of the book, it is her time to move on.
This is book 3 in the "Me Before You" trilogy. Not sure if there will be another one in the series. This book picks up Louisa's (Lou) story after she stops caring for Will Traynor and dealing with her emotions and feelings afterward. It continues with her relationships built from the previous book, "After You". In this book, Louisa reunites with Nate in New York working for a wealthy family as an assistant to the wife. She discovers that, while this life in NY is totally different than her life in England, she really enjoys it but misses home and her family. She is seeing everyone around her (both in NY and England) moving on with their lives and, by the end of the book, it is her time to move on.
Remy Tankel Carroll (36 KP) rated They Shall Not Grow Old (2018) in Movies
Jan 4, 2019
Very moving
This doc is for everyone, not just people interested in military history. Peter Jackson has done an amazing job putting together a seamless, cohesive film from the many hours of footage he had available. I am usually not a fan of black and white films being colorized but in this case, it really adds to the viewer's experience. You'll get a real sense of what it was like on front lines of WWI and see the universal experience of the soldiers, no matter what country they were from. At times it's funny, at times heartbreaking, always intense. It's definitely a must-see. And do yourself a favor, stay after the credits for Peter Jackson's discussion about what it took to make this film. The amount of research and detail he and his team put into this film is awesome.
David McK (3623 KP) rated Superman for All Seasons in Books
Jan 30, 2019
So, Superman For All Seasons.
Told over four seasons, with each season from the point of view of a different character, starting with Spring (Jonathan Kent) before moving onto Summer (Lois Lane), Autumn (Lex Luthor, here portrayed more as a business man than as a crime lord) and finally Winter (Lana Lang), this is really all about Clark Kent's early days as The Man of Steel.
Not long ago, I also read [b:All Star Superman|7719640|Absolute All-Star Superman|Grant Morrison|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1374351837s/7719640.jpg|10465171], which (I believe) is also commonly considered one of the better Superman stories. Of the two, I have to say: I preferred this one. Less fantastical, with more of the background that all we (should) know, showing how Clark Kent came to be who he is (and with easier-to-follow art panels!)
Told over four seasons, with each season from the point of view of a different character, starting with Spring (Jonathan Kent) before moving onto Summer (Lois Lane), Autumn (Lex Luthor, here portrayed more as a business man than as a crime lord) and finally Winter (Lana Lang), this is really all about Clark Kent's early days as The Man of Steel.
Not long ago, I also read [b:All Star Superman|7719640|Absolute All-Star Superman|Grant Morrison|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1374351837s/7719640.jpg|10465171], which (I believe) is also commonly considered one of the better Superman stories. Of the two, I have to say: I preferred this one. Less fantastical, with more of the background that all we (should) know, showing how Clark Kent came to be who he is (and with easier-to-follow art panels!)
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated 1917 (2020) in Movies
Jan 28, 2020
Whilst a relatively simple story about two soldiers on a journey to deliver a live saving message I found this to be a highly impressive film. Technically brilliant and also quite moving in the human story that it tells and its depiction of the pointlessness of war. The cinematography and use of long takes is very realistic and immersive, you really do feel like you are on the front line. Dedicating the film to his grandfather this is obviously a very personal project for Sam Mendes and the director is at the top of his game here. I found this to be far superior to 'Dunkirk' which whilst also being a feast for the eyes lacked characters that you could actually care about. Mendes manages to get the balance just right and has created one of the best war movies in years.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018) in Movies
Mar 7, 2020
Terry Gilliam emerges victorious from his epic battle to the death with Miguel Cervantes' famous novel. Not quite the movie he famously never finished making with Johnny Depp, nearly twenty years ago, but a subtly different tale of a film director finding himself entangled in different versions of the Quixote story and, perhaps, looking for redemption.
After a slow and rambling start the film eventually becomes a charming, funny, and occasionally thrilling and moving adaptation (sort of) of the book - if it's picaresque and episodic, that's the nature of Quixote. The knowing wit and intelligence of the novel survive too. Strong performances, visually very impressive - the fact the film exists at all is remarkable, let alone that it's this good. Very reminiscent of Gilliam's movies from the 1980s: hugely imaginative, narratively chaotic, very individual, and equally easy to like.
After a slow and rambling start the film eventually becomes a charming, funny, and occasionally thrilling and moving adaptation (sort of) of the book - if it's picaresque and episodic, that's the nature of Quixote. The knowing wit and intelligence of the novel survive too. Strong performances, visually very impressive - the fact the film exists at all is remarkable, let alone that it's this good. Very reminiscent of Gilliam's movies from the 1980s: hugely imaginative, narratively chaotic, very individual, and equally easy to like.
lurkykitty (3 KP) rated The Fowl Twins in Books
Mar 26, 2020
Fun, fast-paced and funny
have never read the original Artemis Fowl books but now I absolutely intend to. The Fowl Twins is highly enjoyable, even if, like me, you have never read the Artemis books. The action is fast-paced and grabs the reader right away. The personalities of the twins are very different and highly engaging. There is a constant funny banter between them. There are a lot of moving parts: a villainous nobleman, a nasty nun, a fairy who is called a pixel (pixie/elf hybrid) and a small but highly destructive troll. Artemis also plays an advisor role from outer space. I really liked Lazuli, the Pixel. The action, pacing and clever gadgets remind me of the James Bond stories, but this book is age appropriate, of course. It seems that Mr. Colfer is a very imaginative fellow.
Baby's Very First Play App - Animals
Book and Games
App
Babies will love looking at the delightful images and tapping the screen to discover hidden...