Search
Search results
Awix (3310 KP) rated Godzilla Vs Hedorah (1971) in Movies
May 17, 2019
The movie that goes to show that when it comes to allegorical fables about the environment featuring man-in-a-suit monsters, subtlety isn't always necessary. Pollution-spawned jelly-beastie develops various peculiar powers and threatens Japan; Godzilla turns up to deal with it. Is the subtext that we should choose nuclear power over fossil fuels? Unlikely but possible.
Godzilla Vs Hedorah makes itself distinctive amongst the Godzilla films of the early 70s by virtue of its sheer, insidious weirdness, most of it due to Banno's direction: there are sudden switches to black-and-white, split screen sequences, educational segments, and allegorical cartoons. Doesn't stop it being mostly awful, but in a strangely hypnotic way, and it least it's obviously about a serious issue for a change. Possibly most infamous for the sequence where Godzilla uses his atomic breath as rocket thrust to fly with, but much other weirdness is also present. Bad, but very watchably bad.
Godzilla Vs Hedorah makes itself distinctive amongst the Godzilla films of the early 70s by virtue of its sheer, insidious weirdness, most of it due to Banno's direction: there are sudden switches to black-and-white, split screen sequences, educational segments, and allegorical cartoons. Doesn't stop it being mostly awful, but in a strangely hypnotic way, and it least it's obviously about a serious issue for a change. Possibly most infamous for the sequence where Godzilla uses his atomic breath as rocket thrust to fly with, but much other weirdness is also present. Bad, but very watchably bad.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated DV8: Gods and Monsters in Books
Jan 18, 2018
What a fantastic series. It is a shame that more people don't know about it. As a sequel to the first DV8, the first thing I noticed about this comic is that the artwork is so much better than the first. In fact, I find it beautiful.
The story line is one of the best I have read in a long time. These eight people with powers are dropped onto a primitive planet where they are seen as gods. The story is told through Copy Cat, or Gem, who has the power to control people but also has split personalities. The story begins with her sitting in an interrogation cell. As she explains what happened to them after they were dropped on the planet, the art flashback to show what happened in the past.
Such an intriguing story that had me entranced from page one. I couldn't put it down. A must read for the comic fan looking for a different type of story.
The story line is one of the best I have read in a long time. These eight people with powers are dropped onto a primitive planet where they are seen as gods. The story is told through Copy Cat, or Gem, who has the power to control people but also has split personalities. The story begins with her sitting in an interrogation cell. As she explains what happened to them after they were dropped on the planet, the art flashback to show what happened in the past.
Such an intriguing story that had me entranced from page one. I couldn't put it down. A must read for the comic fan looking for a different type of story.
Gareth Michael Lewis (6 KP) rated Storm Front: The Dresden Files, Book 1 in Books
Jan 20, 2018
An exellent introduction into Harry Dresden's world
My lowest score for a Dresden novel ad it's only because I read this book after watching the short-lived TV series The Dresden Files. My perception of Harry was skewed by the excellent Paul Blackthorn portrayal and this book suffered because of it, in my eyes.
I went back to reread this book after the second novel came out and realised my error. The book was so much better than I remembered. Harry as a flawed individual but he is very human in that regard and we can identify with him, despite his magical powers.
Give it a read and dive into the world that keeps getting better with every new book, short story and graphic novel.
I went back to reread this book after the second novel came out and realised my error. The book was so much better than I remembered. Harry as a flawed individual but he is very human in that regard and we can identify with him, despite his magical powers.
Give it a read and dive into the world that keeps getting better with every new book, short story and graphic novel.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Catwoman (2004) in Movies
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Feb 15, 2018)
Kitty Litter
Wretched misfire of a superhero film proving that DC were quite capable of making bad movies before Zack Snyder was even on the premises. Attempt at a story of feminist empowerment ends up coupled to repeated spectacle of Halle Berry bending over in a leather bra while wearing jeans with holes in the bum cheeks. Dowdy wallflower discovers corruption, is flushed into harbour, given mouth-to-mouth by passing magic cat, wakes up with feline powers (including ability to stick to walls, unlike any cat I've ever seen).
It's not just that the story is poorly told, it's poorly conceived: around the same time Catwoman came out, Spider-Man was saving New York from a nuclear disaster while the X-Men were stopping psionic genocide. What case is Catwoman dealing with? Someone is trying to sell some dodgy make-up. Not just a really shoddy film, but an offensively patronising one, too.
It's not just that the story is poorly told, it's poorly conceived: around the same time Catwoman came out, Spider-Man was saving New York from a nuclear disaster while the X-Men were stopping psionic genocide. What case is Catwoman dealing with? Someone is trying to sell some dodgy make-up. Not just a really shoddy film, but an offensively patronising one, too.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Accountant (2016) in Movies
Mar 11, 2018 (Updated Mar 17, 2018)
Really-not-that-bad-at-all action thriller with Ben Affleck doing a surprisingly good job of playing a brilliant accountant-stroke-hitman. The film kind of dodges around the implication that Affleck's character is autistic, but the inference is clear and while this is still Movie Autism (never mind the crippling downsides, you get super powers!!!), it is still sympathetic and has at least a few vestiges of reality to it.
The plot eventually ends up being completely gonzo, involving corruption in the robotics industry and duelling assassins, but the movie fends off the moment when you shout 'this is all utterly ridiculous!' for a surprisingly long time. Eclectic cast includes Affleck, John Lithgow, Jon Bernthal, and Anna Kendrick (who appears to be about three feet tall in a few of her scenes). A fun and engaging movie; not a particularly great thriller but all the peripheral weirdness keeps it watchable.
The plot eventually ends up being completely gonzo, involving corruption in the robotics industry and duelling assassins, but the movie fends off the moment when you shout 'this is all utterly ridiculous!' for a surprisingly long time. Eclectic cast includes Affleck, John Lithgow, Jon Bernthal, and Anna Kendrick (who appears to be about three feet tall in a few of her scenes). A fun and engaging movie; not a particularly great thriller but all the peripheral weirdness keeps it watchable.
Zach Smith (62 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
May 29, 2018
The very best
The reboot of the reboot of our web slinger, this time around making Peter Parker with an actor who appears high school aged and not thirty something. It starts off without the origin which was a weird surprise but I think they believed the audience is well aware of how spidey got his powers so why not save some space and skip ahead to where he is experimenting being a superhero. Michael Keaton is cast as the Falcon but he is able to channel his badass side and make this character more than just a glider suite. The relationship between Tony Stark and Peter is cute and again the best part of this is Tom Hollands performance and youthfulness.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Logan (2017) in Movies
May 29, 2018
The Wolverine film we've all been waiting for
Finally we get a decent gory, angry Wolverine and for once a dark, violent character being stuck with a child doesn't make him more mild, it made her more ... violent.
The film sees Logan caring for Charles Xavier struggling with dementia and catastrophic seizures, driving a limousine to make ends meet in a world where mutants are outlawed. He ends up journeying across America with young Mexican mutant Laura, whose powers match Wolverine's. While the plot is not particularly new or complex, it is good enough to carry the action.
The action is so much darker and more bloody than in any other X-Men film - I strongly believe Deadpool opened the door for them to make a truly adult film (not like that!), with no spandex in sight.
I see this as the final chapter in Hugh Jackman's time as Wolverine, though I can see more life still in the X-Men franchise (or a re-boot thereof).
The film sees Logan caring for Charles Xavier struggling with dementia and catastrophic seizures, driving a limousine to make ends meet in a world where mutants are outlawed. He ends up journeying across America with young Mexican mutant Laura, whose powers match Wolverine's. While the plot is not particularly new or complex, it is good enough to carry the action.
The action is so much darker and more bloody than in any other X-Men film - I strongly believe Deadpool opened the door for them to make a truly adult film (not like that!), with no spandex in sight.
I see this as the final chapter in Hugh Jackman's time as Wolverine, though I can see more life still in the X-Men franchise (or a re-boot thereof).
Kristin (149 KP) rated Surviving ELE (ELE, #4) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fourth book in the ELE Series, and once again, the authors do not disappoint. The war between Willow and her friends and Zack and his minions has reached epic proportions, and they'll stop at nothing to take each other down. Willow's fighting for her family, her friends, her love, and her life, as Zack wants to sell her blood and powers to the highest bidder, while also keeping some for himself. He has to be stopped, and fast!
"Surviving ELE" is a wonderful continuation of Willow's story, as we see further into Zack's evil plot and Willow's relationships with her family, friends, and especially Tony. He's under Zack's control, and she knows she has to stay away from him, but how can she when he's the love of her life? I can't wait for what happens next, this is such an awesome series!
5 stars
This is the fourth book in the ELE Series, and once again, the authors do not disappoint. The war between Willow and her friends and Zack and his minions has reached epic proportions, and they'll stop at nothing to take each other down. Willow's fighting for her family, her friends, her love, and her life, as Zack wants to sell her blood and powers to the highest bidder, while also keeping some for himself. He has to be stopped, and fast!
"Surviving ELE" is a wonderful continuation of Willow's story, as we see further into Zack's evil plot and Willow's relationships with her family, friends, and especially Tony. He's under Zack's control, and she knows she has to stay away from him, but how can she when he's the love of her life? I can't wait for what happens next, this is such an awesome series!
5 stars
Sarah (82 KP) rated Chilling Adventures of Sabrina in TV
Nov 7, 2018
Absolutely amazing!
Contains spoilers, click to show
A great darker version of Sabrina!
Had me gripped from beginning of the series. Starting off as a half-mortal, half-witch, Sabrina must partake in a dark baptism. This is where her mortal side comes in, she doesn't want to lose Harvey or her friends and attend a new school so refuses to sign her name over to the dark lord. Cue a court case in the witching world and Sabrina with a mortal representative....what could go wrong?!
The series continues with it seems Sabrina leaning more to the darker side of her powers with the help of her 'school teacher'
I won't spoil the ending of the series but it is definitely worth watching. Having grown up with the Melissa Joan Hart version of Sabrina I thought I would of made more comparisons but this really does stand alone, the only similarities is obviously the names.
Really hoping I won't have to wait too long to watch the next series.
Had me gripped from beginning of the series. Starting off as a half-mortal, half-witch, Sabrina must partake in a dark baptism. This is where her mortal side comes in, she doesn't want to lose Harvey or her friends and attend a new school so refuses to sign her name over to the dark lord. Cue a court case in the witching world and Sabrina with a mortal representative....what could go wrong?!
The series continues with it seems Sabrina leaning more to the darker side of her powers with the help of her 'school teacher'
I won't spoil the ending of the series but it is definitely worth watching. Having grown up with the Melissa Joan Hart version of Sabrina I thought I would of made more comparisons but this really does stand alone, the only similarities is obviously the names.
Really hoping I won't have to wait too long to watch the next series.
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated The Captain Is Dead in Tabletop Games
Dec 13, 2018
I have only played this game once.
In The Captain is Dead, you and your teammates are going to be rushing around your ship attempting to hold the aliens off while you fix the ship’s engines (Jump Core).
I loved that you have to work as a team, and we would constantly be thinking of strategies, after every turn. It was great fun. You also get to choose from so many different characters, and they all do different things, have different number of actions you can play, and have different special powers.
I think that this game gets better and better the more you play, as you start to know what you're supposed to do, and how to win the game together. but there are so many ways to lose, and only one way to win, which makes the game almost unbeatable.
Needless to say, we lost (BADLY), but I was great fun and amazing experience.
In The Captain is Dead, you and your teammates are going to be rushing around your ship attempting to hold the aliens off while you fix the ship’s engines (Jump Core).
I loved that you have to work as a team, and we would constantly be thinking of strategies, after every turn. It was great fun. You also get to choose from so many different characters, and they all do different things, have different number of actions you can play, and have different special powers.
I think that this game gets better and better the more you play, as you start to know what you're supposed to do, and how to win the game together. but there are so many ways to lose, and only one way to win, which makes the game almost unbeatable.
Needless to say, we lost (BADLY), but I was great fun and amazing experience.