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Awix (3310 KP) rated Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018 (Updated Mar 7, 2018)
Now, there's nothing wrong in principle with doing an animated Godzilla movie; most of the problems with this one arise from the fact it is largely unrecognisable as such.
Earth is abandoned due to excessive growth in the giant monster population; timey-wimey plot device means the survivors return twenty years later and find thousands of years have gone past and the place has reverted to a primeval state; the ecology is now distinctly Godzillaesque. Has their technology improved to the point where they can stand a chance against the Big G himself?
Reasonable, if somewhat convoluted premise is torpedoed by a persistent mood of nihilistic misery and absence of likeable human characters; Godzilla is largely absent, and mostly passive when he does appear. You want to see Godzilla demolishing Tokyo and fighting other monsters, not mooching about in a jungle, anyway. A good way of catching up on recent tropes in mainstream SF (this is just a nice way of saying the film is rather derivative), some interesting designs, but on the whole this is hard work to watch. English subtitles seem to have been written using Google Translate, which only adds to the essentially frustrating nature of the experience.
Earth is abandoned due to excessive growth in the giant monster population; timey-wimey plot device means the survivors return twenty years later and find thousands of years have gone past and the place has reverted to a primeval state; the ecology is now distinctly Godzillaesque. Has their technology improved to the point where they can stand a chance against the Big G himself?
Reasonable, if somewhat convoluted premise is torpedoed by a persistent mood of nihilistic misery and absence of likeable human characters; Godzilla is largely absent, and mostly passive when he does appear. You want to see Godzilla demolishing Tokyo and fighting other monsters, not mooching about in a jungle, anyway. A good way of catching up on recent tropes in mainstream SF (this is just a nice way of saying the film is rather derivative), some interesting designs, but on the whole this is hard work to watch. English subtitles seem to have been written using Google Translate, which only adds to the essentially frustrating nature of the experience.
Lou Grande (148 KP) rated It Looks Like This in Books
Jun 22, 2018
Hoo boy. I went into this book expecting to hate it. It's teen fiction, which can be okay, and I knew from the blurbs on the front cover and back that it was probably not a happy ending. I hate books like that, especially LGBT-themed books aimed at that audience. BUT!
This is the first book to make me cry in ages. I'm not a crier by nature. There's something very effective and hard-hitting about Mittlefehldt's style. It's spare and haunting and leaves a lot of room to read between the lines. It reminded me a lot of books I had to read growing up like Bridge to Terebithia and Where the Red Fern Grows. You have the vague notion that something is going to go wrong, but it still takes your breath away when it does.
It Looks Like This is a story about small towns, religion, young love, and tragedy. In many ways, it has universal appeal: we all remember our first love and how gut-wrenching it is when it's over. But it also describes a story that many queer people know very well: what it feels like to know that this will always be harder for you than the people who "hate the sin but love the sinner."
This is the first book to make me cry in ages. I'm not a crier by nature. There's something very effective and hard-hitting about Mittlefehldt's style. It's spare and haunting and leaves a lot of room to read between the lines. It reminded me a lot of books I had to read growing up like Bridge to Terebithia and Where the Red Fern Grows. You have the vague notion that something is going to go wrong, but it still takes your breath away when it does.
It Looks Like This is a story about small towns, religion, young love, and tragedy. In many ways, it has universal appeal: we all remember our first love and how gut-wrenching it is when it's over. But it also describes a story that many queer people know very well: what it feels like to know that this will always be harder for you than the people who "hate the sin but love the sinner."
Steph (468 KP) rated Eldritch Horror in Tabletop Games
Jul 10, 2018
One of my all-time favorites!
Eldritch Horror is a difficult, horror-themed, co-operative board game. You and your fellow teammates play as characters with different abilities and, together, you are trying to stop an elder monster from awakening and destroying the world. If you'd played Arkham Horror, Eldritch is a streamlined version of it. There are TONS of expansions (I have all of them) that really add to the game through different characters, mechanics, bad guys, etc.
I wouldn't say this game was friendly to people who don't usually play board games because of all of the different rules and elements, though because of it's co-operative nature, it's not too hard to teach to people who do usually play board games.
This game has GREAT re-playability. It scales fairly well for different numbers of players, but does not play as well with odd numbers (the difficulty is the same as the even number one higher, but you have fewer turns). Because it's co-operative, you can have some players control more than one character. This is what we usually do if we play with odd numbers. It's challenging to do this, though, if everyone is new to the game.
I wouldn't say this game was friendly to people who don't usually play board games because of all of the different rules and elements, though because of it's co-operative nature, it's not too hard to teach to people who do usually play board games.
This game has GREAT re-playability. It scales fairly well for different numbers of players, but does not play as well with odd numbers (the difficulty is the same as the even number one higher, but you have fewer turns). Because it's co-operative, you can have some players control more than one character. This is what we usually do if we play with odd numbers. It's challenging to do this, though, if everyone is new to the game.
Lizz Cook (11 KP) rated Practical Magic in Books
Jul 3, 2018
Good Witches based book!
I liked the book on a few different levels. Being a writer can be difficult, and she wrote in third person which to me can be very difficult.
The mother is the main character because she overshadowed her daughter's actions (lives). It's about the Owen's family, mainly the sisters who resided in Massachusetts with their aunts. I love the themes of a family bond, they have to learn to appreciate each other and for who they are but also highlights the differences in the sisters. Learning that magic doesn't always fix everything. They use magic sparingly, only when they needed it.
Alice made Fate a real and breathing thing, the secondary theme. If you haven't read the book, prepare yourself to have an open mind because the story is a bit darker than you would expect. It can be entirely entertaining towards the right audience.
The mother is the main character because she overshadowed her daughter's actions (lives). It's about the Owen's family, mainly the sisters who resided in Massachusetts with their aunts. I love the themes of a family bond, they have to learn to appreciate each other and for who they are but also highlights the differences in the sisters. Learning that magic doesn't always fix everything. They use magic sparingly, only when they needed it.
Alice made Fate a real and breathing thing, the secondary theme. If you haven't read the book, prepare yourself to have an open mind because the story is a bit darker than you would expect. It can be entirely entertaining towards the right audience.
Danii19936 (3 KP) rated This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate in Books
Aug 21, 2018
Easy to read (2 more)
Accessible
Powerful message
Undeniable.
I was given this book as a suggested read for my climate change and the law module and it was like no textbook I’ve read before. It is engaging and accessible, she really highlights the true problem that as a society we face and makes it seem so obvious and absolute there is no way anyone could read this and deny the truth. Better still Klein not only highlights the problem and the cause but continuously suggests and outlines how it can be fixed. I have never been a climate denier but neither have a been particularly climate conscious, this book definitely changed how I viewed the world and I think it’s such an important topic which needs much much much more recognition. The only reason this book doesn’t get a 10/10 is the slight repetitive nature, I accept how important the message is and that it is potential that it needs to be repeated until it is given recognition but as a book it makes some sections slightly tiresome! Other than that this was an extremely easy book to read and for those with no understanding of either the law or climate science klein very helpfully explains practically everything!
ClareR (5726 KP) rated Us Against You (Beartown #2) in Books
Aug 25, 2018
An outstanding sequel.
If I could give this more than 5 stars, I really would. I feel as though someone has sucker-punched me. I’m not usually someone who cries over a book: I get emotional, yes, but actual crying is something I seldom do. This book, though. I couldn’t tell you how many times it brought me to tears. The characters are so vulnerable - even those who you wouldn’t expect to be.
There’s a lot of ice hockey: not a sport we see much of here in the U.K., but it’s done in a particular way that I didn’t feel it was a story about sport.
“Have you ever seen a town fall? Ours did. We’ll end up saying that violence came to Beartown this summer, but that will be a lie; the violence was already here. Because sometimes hating one another is so easy that it seems incomprehensible that we ever do anything else.”
This is a story about human nature: all the good, bad and messy bits. And I loved it. Five stars for me means I would read it again, and I probably will.
Many, many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this wonderful book.
There’s a lot of ice hockey: not a sport we see much of here in the U.K., but it’s done in a particular way that I didn’t feel it was a story about sport.
“Have you ever seen a town fall? Ours did. We’ll end up saying that violence came to Beartown this summer, but that will be a lie; the violence was already here. Because sometimes hating one another is so easy that it seems incomprehensible that we ever do anything else.”
This is a story about human nature: all the good, bad and messy bits. And I loved it. Five stars for me means I would read it again, and I probably will.
Many, many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this wonderful book.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Hardcore Henry (2016) in Movies
Sep 5, 2018 (Updated Sep 5, 2018)
Action and Free-Running bonanza (1 more)
Frenetic Pace
Lack of narrative depth (1 more)
Some people won't enjoy the shaky-cam, first person style
Horrid Henry? Far from it!
Contains spoilers, click to show
If you want action of the most octane, Hardcore Henry is the film you want.
The plot and stylings are pure first person shooter, with an anime bad guy, a re-respawning side character played by the indomitable Sharlto Copley and a mute protagonist who acts as your vehicle for some of the most insane stuntwork, free running and combat ever seen on the big screen.
Yes the movie favours style over substance, yes the plot if ridiculously derivative and 2-dimensional, but this film delivers exactly what it promises, which is a hardcore action experience through a gamer's lens.
There are in jokes a plenty too, from the wilhelm scream kill in the stairwell, to the character "wiping blood from his (our) eyes" and the soundtrack which ranges from high tempo dance to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now", all of which adds to the light-hearted frame that surrounds the brutal violence.
Some wont like the shaky cam style, but for me it adds to the hyperactive nature of the whole film, and I enjoyed every minute, even the odd bit of body horror they threw in!
The plot and stylings are pure first person shooter, with an anime bad guy, a re-respawning side character played by the indomitable Sharlto Copley and a mute protagonist who acts as your vehicle for some of the most insane stuntwork, free running and combat ever seen on the big screen.
Yes the movie favours style over substance, yes the plot if ridiculously derivative and 2-dimensional, but this film delivers exactly what it promises, which is a hardcore action experience through a gamer's lens.
There are in jokes a plenty too, from the wilhelm scream kill in the stairwell, to the character "wiping blood from his (our) eyes" and the soundtrack which ranges from high tempo dance to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now", all of which adds to the light-hearted frame that surrounds the brutal violence.
Some wont like the shaky cam style, but for me it adds to the hyperactive nature of the whole film, and I enjoyed every minute, even the odd bit of body horror they threw in!
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Blue on Blue - Single by Just Loud in Music
Jun 17, 2019
Just Loud is a New York-based singer-songwriter from Virginia. Not too long ago, he released a music video for his “Blue on Blue” single.
The Ben Guzman-directed audiovisual is all about getting to know who Just Loud is and his constantly changing character. The music video reflects him as an entertainer, artist, and his real self.
‘Blue on Blue’ tells an interesting tale which echoes the aftermath of a toxic relationship and downward spiral of a young guy who self-medicates.
The likable tune contains a relatable storyline, Prince-style falsetto vocals, and neo-funk instrumentation scented with an alternative-pop fragrance.
Written by Just Loud with Dave Katz “Sluggo” (Neon Trees, Good Charlotte) and Patrick Nissley (Thirty Seconds to Mars, Yungblud.
Just Loud was raised around a small county church, but his rebellious and inquisitive nature saw him cast away at the age of 15. Shortly afterward, he found himself homeless in New York on a pursuit to pursue music.
Not too long ago, he released his debut EP, entitled, “Episode 1”. The pleasant project features the Top 25 US Alternative Radio hit, “Electrified”, which has amassed millions of streams online.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/just-loud-blue-on-blue/
The Ben Guzman-directed audiovisual is all about getting to know who Just Loud is and his constantly changing character. The music video reflects him as an entertainer, artist, and his real self.
‘Blue on Blue’ tells an interesting tale which echoes the aftermath of a toxic relationship and downward spiral of a young guy who self-medicates.
The likable tune contains a relatable storyline, Prince-style falsetto vocals, and neo-funk instrumentation scented with an alternative-pop fragrance.
Written by Just Loud with Dave Katz “Sluggo” (Neon Trees, Good Charlotte) and Patrick Nissley (Thirty Seconds to Mars, Yungblud.
Just Loud was raised around a small county church, but his rebellious and inquisitive nature saw him cast away at the age of 15. Shortly afterward, he found himself homeless in New York on a pursuit to pursue music.
Not too long ago, he released his debut EP, entitled, “Episode 1”. The pleasant project features the Top 25 US Alternative Radio hit, “Electrified”, which has amassed millions of streams online.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/just-loud-blue-on-blue/
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Rarest Of Birds by Grizfolk in Music
Jun 21, 2019
Grizfolk is an LA- & Nashville-based outfit with roots in Sweden. Not too long ago, they released a hearty indie-rock tune, entitled, “Hurricane”.
“Can we love like a hurricane? When the storm is here it’s hard to tame. Are we lost ‘cause we took it too far. If what it is isn’t all we are, shut the lights out, leave me in the dark. It wasn’t all supposed to fall apart.” – lyrics
‘Hurricane’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who is head-over-heels in love with his significant other.
Apparently, he compares his stormy love for his partner to the nature of a hurricane, which means what he feels is very hard to tame.
‘Hurricane’ contains a relatable storyline and pleasing vocals. Also, the song possesses guitar-driven instrumentation flavored with a groovy indie-rock aroma.
“This song is about loving someone or something as hard and as fast as you can, like you’re eventually going to lose it” – Adam Roth
Grizfolk consists of Adam Roth, Sebastian Fritze, Fredrik Eriksson, and Bill Delia.
Their ‘Hurricane’ single will be featured on their upcoming sophomore album, entitled, “Rarest of Birds”, which will be released on July 19, 2019.
“Can we love like a hurricane? When the storm is here it’s hard to tame. Are we lost ‘cause we took it too far. If what it is isn’t all we are, shut the lights out, leave me in the dark. It wasn’t all supposed to fall apart.” – lyrics
‘Hurricane’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who is head-over-heels in love with his significant other.
Apparently, he compares his stormy love for his partner to the nature of a hurricane, which means what he feels is very hard to tame.
‘Hurricane’ contains a relatable storyline and pleasing vocals. Also, the song possesses guitar-driven instrumentation flavored with a groovy indie-rock aroma.
“This song is about loving someone or something as hard and as fast as you can, like you’re eventually going to lose it” – Adam Roth
Grizfolk consists of Adam Roth, Sebastian Fritze, Fredrik Eriksson, and Bill Delia.
Their ‘Hurricane’ single will be featured on their upcoming sophomore album, entitled, “Rarest of Birds”, which will be released on July 19, 2019.
Spooky Kids Book
I listened to the audio book narrated by Gaiman himself, which I think helped enhance the experience as he does a great job. Despite really being a children's story I was still able to enjoy this and have little doubt if I’d come across it as a child it would of been a favourite, up there the my Dahl books.
It’s a spooky story about the young girl Coraline, she’s a likeable character with plenty of sass. When she discovers a door to a secret world where she has another Mother and Father who seem more loving and attentive then her own, it seems like a good place to spend some time despite their odd black button eyes. Coraline is rapidly pulled into a game of high stakes with her other Mother.
The sinister nature of the button eyed creatures was rather ruined for me because I had previously seen a bit of a Simpsons Halloween episode based on this. I did keep having flashes of Marge with button eyes which spoiled the atmosphere. The spooky rats singing on the audio version did send chills through me and along with Gaiman’s narration I would recommend the audio version.
It’s a spooky story about the young girl Coraline, she’s a likeable character with plenty of sass. When she discovers a door to a secret world where she has another Mother and Father who seem more loving and attentive then her own, it seems like a good place to spend some time despite their odd black button eyes. Coraline is rapidly pulled into a game of high stakes with her other Mother.
The sinister nature of the button eyed creatures was rather ruined for me because I had previously seen a bit of a Simpsons Halloween episode based on this. I did keep having flashes of Marge with button eyes which spoiled the atmosphere. The spooky rats singing on the audio version did send chills through me and along with Gaiman’s narration I would recommend the audio version.