Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (2328)

Content

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Malcolm X, Alex Haley and Paul Gilroy

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Malcolm X's The Autobiography of Malcolm X was written in collaboration with Alex Haley, author of...

Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated Set Me Free: How Shakespeare Saved A Life in Books

Oct 5, 2020

This is a story about an Italian prisoner that tells us how the prison system works, all the unfairness in it, and this is also a story that tells us how a person can still turn up good into a bad environment, and I was very happy that I witnessed that change from one chapter into another.

The way it was written was quite good, even though at times it felt a bit blunt and boring. Shakespeare was used in the book a lot, and sometimes he was overused and was in places where he shouldn’t have been. I believe that Shakespeare had influence over Sasa, but not as much as the theatre itself. I believe it was the theatre that made Sasa free, and not Shakespeare in particular. At the end of the day, I actually think that Sasa made himself free… Sometimes you only need a little push and nothing else.

I loved Sasa’s character, and I loved the way he sees life. I love how he sees the positive in all the negative, and besides all, he still wants to be a better person. We are all human, and we all make mistakes, and sometimes people know they made mistakes, regret them and want to become better. That is exactly what Sasa did, in an unfair environment.

I thought the prison was presented a bit unrealistic, as we all know what happens inside, and as much as Sasa wouldn’t hurt anyone if not necessary, almost 90% of the other inmates would – on regular basis. This was a little fact that annoyed me a bit. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read another book from Salvatore Striano.

Kudos

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated The Walking Dead - Season 4 in TV

Sep 22, 2019 (Updated Oct 25, 2019)

A season of two halves

Contains spoilers, click to show

Season 4 of The Walking Dead is honestly a mixed bag.

The first half is pretty damn solid, wrapping up the Prison and Governor storyline nicely.
It shows off just how strong the cast is here - the characters we have come to know and love are stronger than ever, and a lot of new faces are welcome. I really liked how we got to know Tyrese more throughout this season.
As the group deals with a deadly flu outbreak within the prison walls, the show does a really good job of making you feel the claustrophobia.
I also really enjoyed the flashback Governor episodes - although these episodes introduced us to Tara - a character who I warmed to slowly later on, but in this season, damn she's annoying (nothing against Alanna Masterson just FYI)

The first half climaxes astonishingly with the episode "Too Far Gone" - possibly the best episode of TWD ever. It's sooooo tense. It's violent. It's upsetting. It's masterful. TWD at it's soaring best (although I don't think I'll ever get over what happened to my beloved Hershel)

Then the back half of the season is where it's loses its footing a bit. The group is scattered after the events of "Too Far Gone" and it really shows how TWD fares much better when everyone is together. It's just becomes a bit....boring, and it struggled to hold my attention.
There are still some great parts though - the sweet relationship between Daryl and Beth, the introduction of Abraham, the BRUTAL scene where Rick defends Carl from a truly disturbing fate in the finale...
And of course "The Grove" - another stellar episode.

Season 4 is the first season that became a little bit filler-infused for me but those stand out episodes elevate it and then some.