Search
Search results
Micah Ulibarri (79 KP) rated Hari Kondabolu: Warn Your Relatives in TV
May 10, 2018
I had never heard anything from this Indian-American comedian, but I was excited cause I'm always down for stand-up.
It's important to know going in that his stand up is pretty heavily political and definitely left-leaning. That in and of itself didn't bother me. In fact, I found quite a bit of that part hilarious (the Trump bit and the Universal healthcare bit). However, I discovered that a solid hour+ of that material does start to feel heavy handed. Especially when the last 15 minutes or so feel more like a sermon and less like a stand up.
If you lean that way or are an American immigrant, you will probably enjoy it much more than me. For me it was a bit much by the end.
It's important to know going in that his stand up is pretty heavily political and definitely left-leaning. That in and of itself didn't bother me. In fact, I found quite a bit of that part hilarious (the Trump bit and the Universal healthcare bit). However, I discovered that a solid hour+ of that material does start to feel heavy handed. Especially when the last 15 minutes or so feel more like a sermon and less like a stand up.
If you lean that way or are an American immigrant, you will probably enjoy it much more than me. For me it was a bit much by the end.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Troy (2004) in Movies
Mar 26, 2019
Hollywood retelling of the tale of Troy is just a bit better than you might expect in pretty much every department. Trojan prince Paris steals Greek queen Helen, leading to... does no-one read the Iliad any more? There's a lot of bother, let's put it that way.
Whole thing is handled in broad strokes and there are quite a few divergences from the traditional legend (the Trojan war lasts about a fortnight, not ten years, and you can forget any notion of Brad Pitt's Achilles being into, er, Greek-style romance, if you know what I mean), but overall this is fun, rousing stuff. Looking back on it now the various bits of political subtext not-so-subtly inserted into the film seem amusingly quaint more than anything else. A well-staged, classy blockbuster.
Whole thing is handled in broad strokes and there are quite a few divergences from the traditional legend (the Trojan war lasts about a fortnight, not ten years, and you can forget any notion of Brad Pitt's Achilles being into, er, Greek-style romance, if you know what I mean), but overall this is fun, rousing stuff. Looking back on it now the various bits of political subtext not-so-subtly inserted into the film seem amusingly quaint more than anything else. A well-staged, classy blockbuster.
ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air, #2) in Books
Apr 21, 2019
This series gets better and better!
It’s not often that the second book in a trilogy is better than the first, but I really feel that’s the case with this book. The machinations against one another (that’ll be EVERYONE!), the political intrigue - no-one trusts anyone else in this series, and for good reason! Nobody is particularly nice. The sexual tension between Jude and Carden reaches a whole new level, but even then, there’s no trust. I didn’t see ANY of the double crosses coming, but then I was so sucked in to the story, so it’s hardly surprising.
This is such a good series, and I have a year to wait for the last instalment!!
Many thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book, and for feeding the Faerie land addiction!
This is such a good series, and I have a year to wait for the last instalment!!
Many thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book, and for feeding the Faerie land addiction!
Dean (6927 KP) rated The Society in TV
Jun 8, 2019 (Updated Jun 8, 2019)
Odd Netflix series
I heard some good things about this and it seemed mysterious, so I gave it a whirl. You'll be hooked early on given the strange premise. A towns teenager's go on a bus trip and come back to find all the adults have gone. There also appears to be no contact with the outside world. It has various religious, political themes running through it. About halfway through though it becomes quite slow and focuses on who has the power in the town. The ending was abrupt and felt unfinished. No doubt to set up a second series. It's quite long with 10 episodes each around an hour long. It's ok but could have been a lot better.
David (771 KP) rated Terminal Rage in Books
Feb 5, 2018
Fantastic, gripping thriller
Fantastic, this is not my usual genre for reading but for watching, I would. This book is screaming to be made into a successful film. The plot twists and turns then all connects together at the end like completing a jigsaw and seeing the finished picture. The locations are described so well you may as well be standing next to the character. The characters, good and bad are made so real and you feel their emotions. This review is honest and unbiased even though I won a paperback copy of the book, signed by the talented author himself (which I will treasure) but I had previously purchased the kindle edition too. Highly recommended whether you are a fan of political thrillers or not, you won't be disappointed.
Dana (24 KP) rated Inferno (The Divine Comedy, #1) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I have been wanting to read the Divine Comedy for a while now, especially since it is constantly referenced in other works. I thought it was cool how Dante brought in so many well-known political, religious, and just generally famous people then showed them all suffering in Hell. Yes, there was a lot of humor strewn throughout this epic poem, but there were obviously a lot of serious moments that made you have to think. Even if you are not religious, this is a very interesting thing to pick up because of its historical connections as well as being an insight into the minds of some more religious figureheads during this time period. Overall, this was a pretty cool read and I am excited to read the other two.
LeahBeth (15 KP) rated American Graffiti (1973) in Movies
Jul 12, 2018
American awesomeness
The first time I watched this iconic movie, I am pretty sure I wasn't old enough to appreciate more than young Harrison Ford in his sweet ride, the music, and the great representation of souped up hot rods. When I watched it as an adult it was like watching a totally different movie! And even now, when I watch it I realize the depth and development of the characters, and the personal and political reflections of the time. This movie brought Coppola to my attention, and introduced the idea of how a good director can weave so many minute details into characters and themes.
America Graffiti is one of the best 'coming of age' movies I have seen. Well worth watching
America Graffiti is one of the best 'coming of age' movies I have seen. Well worth watching
Dalicat (20 KP) rated The Tin Roof Blowdown in Books
Sep 1, 2018
A novel one lives rather than reads
Each of the fifteen Dave Robicheaux novels which preceded this one are masterpieces and this is the Grand Finale. The plot and characters move within the devasted landscape of New Orleans following the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina. The scenes of environmental destruction are described with heartbreakingly beautiful poetic prose which serves as a counterpoint to a seering indictment of the socio-economic political landscape of the time. The extreme conditions under which the plot develops drive the characters to their limits of good and evil. The plot is as relentless as the driving force of the hurricane. Often difficult to read due to the sheer emotional weight of the work but too compelling to put down.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Tempests and Slaughter: the Numair Chronicles Book 1 in Books
Nov 30, 2018
If you are a fan of the Tortall world you should live this book. Set before the Immortals Sonnet, we get to see what Numair's childhood was like as he grows up in Carthak and meets Ozorne and Valice. Unlike most of her books this is completely set in Numair' s aka Arran Draper' s p.o.v.
I would recommend to pre-teens and older however, suggest that parent's read first because male puberty is discussed. Also discussed is Bullying, slavery, death, learning mage craft, political intrigue, friendship, love, gods, war. and has a few graphic fighting and healing scenes. A fast-paced read that has world building to reacquaint people to known characters. it does have an abrupt ending but I'm also selfish in I didn't want the book to end.
I would recommend to pre-teens and older however, suggest that parent's read first because male puberty is discussed. Also discussed is Bullying, slavery, death, learning mage craft, political intrigue, friendship, love, gods, war. and has a few graphic fighting and healing scenes. A fast-paced read that has world building to reacquaint people to known characters. it does have an abrupt ending but I'm also selfish in I didn't want the book to end.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Sorry to Bother You (2018) in Movies
Jan 16, 2019
Boisterous, anarchic satire with absurdist elements, concerning the socio-political awakening of a young African-American man. Cash Green (it's not always subtle) discovers a talent for telemarketing, but only while he uses his 'white voice' (the actor is ostentatiously dubbed at these moments). Success beckons, but can he overlook the moral consequences of the things his employers do?
Scatter-gun satire is mixed in with some not-especially-profound commentary on the nature of American society and economics; luckily the film is filled with enough energy and ideas to stay interesting and entertaining throughout. Comes a bit unravelled towards the end, but still features some of the funniest, most provocative scenes in recent memory. Very good performances from Stanfield and Hammer in particular. A passionate, vibrant, very inventive film.
Scatter-gun satire is mixed in with some not-especially-profound commentary on the nature of American society and economics; luckily the film is filled with enough energy and ideas to stay interesting and entertaining throughout. Comes a bit unravelled towards the end, but still features some of the funniest, most provocative scenes in recent memory. Very good performances from Stanfield and Hammer in particular. A passionate, vibrant, very inventive film.