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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated White House Down (2013) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
They don’t make them like this anymore. White House Down is like watching an action movie from 1988-1994. It is over the top with a weak unbelievable and absurd plot. Not to mention a Scooby-doo like plot twist ending that is trying too hard.
There really is not much to say about this film. Channing Tatum is a police officer who is interviewing for a secret service job to impress his somewhat estranged daughter. While taking her on the tour of the white house, some ho hum bad guys take over the place on some convoluted quest for money, vengeance, power…whatever.
Tatum finds himself protecting the president played by Jamie Fox in which the movie tries to create a buddy dynamic that does not quite work. In fact, in 1990s action film style, Tatum and Fox are such caricatures of the resourceful cop and the idealist president that they possess no depth at all. That would be fine if the action was filled with eye candy explosions, only the action was actually subdued, predictable and unremarkable at best.
As if that was not enough, the one-liners in this film are so bad that they actually become laughably good. Not because of what was said, but rather because they are so ridiculous you cannot help but laugh at them. This may in fact be the film’s saving grace though. If you approach this film with zero expectations and are just looking for mindless fun, you may actually enjoy yourself.
http://sknr.net/2013/06/28/white-house-down/
There really is not much to say about this film. Channing Tatum is a police officer who is interviewing for a secret service job to impress his somewhat estranged daughter. While taking her on the tour of the white house, some ho hum bad guys take over the place on some convoluted quest for money, vengeance, power…whatever.
Tatum finds himself protecting the president played by Jamie Fox in which the movie tries to create a buddy dynamic that does not quite work. In fact, in 1990s action film style, Tatum and Fox are such caricatures of the resourceful cop and the idealist president that they possess no depth at all. That would be fine if the action was filled with eye candy explosions, only the action was actually subdued, predictable and unremarkable at best.
As if that was not enough, the one-liners in this film are so bad that they actually become laughably good. Not because of what was said, but rather because they are so ridiculous you cannot help but laugh at them. This may in fact be the film’s saving grace though. If you approach this film with zero expectations and are just looking for mindless fun, you may actually enjoy yourself.
http://sknr.net/2013/06/28/white-house-down/
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2510 KP) rated The First Rule (Elvis Cole, #13; Joe Pike, #2) in Books
Dec 13, 2018
Revenge – Pike Style
There have been a string of home invasions in Los Angeles, but the latest target was Frank Meyer. He and his family have been found murdered in the aftermath, and their nanny has been rushed to the hospital, barely clinging to life. However, this time, the gang behind the crimes has made a big mistake. Frank was one of Joe Pike's men from his days as a mercenary. Even though the two haven't spoken in years, Pike still feels that loyalty and sets out to avenge his friend. Can he figure out why they were targeted and who is responsible?
I tend to think of Joe Pike as the strong, silent type, probably because he famously doesn't like to talk. The plot of this book shows us a different side of the character. He's still not a talker, but he is much more active and driven in his quest to avenge his friend. Unfortunately, the result didn't quite work for me. Part of it is me since I'm not a fan of revenge stories in general. The book is dark and violent, even for this series, and the twists weren't as good, some of them feeling forced into the story. Since it was the next in the series for me to read, I'm not sorry I read it, but it isn't author Robert Crais at this best. I suspect the fans who love the character of Joe Pike will enjoy this book more than I did.
I tend to think of Joe Pike as the strong, silent type, probably because he famously doesn't like to talk. The plot of this book shows us a different side of the character. He's still not a talker, but he is much more active and driven in his quest to avenge his friend. Unfortunately, the result didn't quite work for me. Part of it is me since I'm not a fan of revenge stories in general. The book is dark and violent, even for this series, and the twists weren't as good, some of them feeling forced into the story. Since it was the next in the series for me to read, I'm not sorry I read it, but it isn't author Robert Crais at this best. I suspect the fans who love the character of Joe Pike will enjoy this book more than I did.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated The Bees in Books
Dec 24, 2018
I was cautiously optimistic about this book, because I'd heard good things about it, but really? Bees? An entire book from the viewpoint of a worker bee? Even fictionalized, how much material is there really to work with?
SO MUCH.
My fears were completely ungrounded because this book is AMAZING. Flora 717 is a sanitation bee, tasked with taking dead bodies out of the hive, cleaning up wax cells after new bees have hatched, and other duties to keep the hive clean. Somewhat extraordinarily, it is discovered that she can produce the liquid needed to feed bee larva, and is taken to serve in the nursery for a bit, where she starts to develop a mind of her own.
As Flora develops new abilities and works her way through the ranks of the hive, we start to learn that something in the governing of the hive is not quite what it should be. Something is wrong. But the strictly enforced castes and other outside factors, like weather and predators, delay Flora's quest to ferret it out.
Between lying wasps, conniving spiders, and a conspiracy within the ranks of her own hive, Flora bounces from danger to danger trying to protect what she loves in an engrossing story of bravery and sacrifice.
I absolutely loved this book. I especially liked that anywhere possible, actual bee behavior was described and used to further the plot. This is definitely one of my favorite reads this year!
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
SO MUCH.
My fears were completely ungrounded because this book is AMAZING. Flora 717 is a sanitation bee, tasked with taking dead bodies out of the hive, cleaning up wax cells after new bees have hatched, and other duties to keep the hive clean. Somewhat extraordinarily, it is discovered that she can produce the liquid needed to feed bee larva, and is taken to serve in the nursery for a bit, where she starts to develop a mind of her own.
As Flora develops new abilities and works her way through the ranks of the hive, we start to learn that something in the governing of the hive is not quite what it should be. Something is wrong. But the strictly enforced castes and other outside factors, like weather and predators, delay Flora's quest to ferret it out.
Between lying wasps, conniving spiders, and a conspiracy within the ranks of her own hive, Flora bounces from danger to danger trying to protect what she loves in an engrossing story of bravery and sacrifice.
I absolutely loved this book. I especially liked that anywhere possible, actual bee behavior was described and used to further the plot. This is definitely one of my favorite reads this year!
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated 2 To The 6 - Single by Unchained in Music
Jun 21, 2019
Unchained XL is a UK-born “Afro-roots hip-hop” artist and producer with Nigerian roots. Not too long ago, he released a music video for his “2 to the 6” single.
“Already got labels tryna doctor me. If you can’t beat ‘em then join ‘em that’s their philosophy. You can try to change the tides, however obviously. It never works out how you want it like democracy.” – lyrics
‘2 to the 6’ finds Unchained XL dropping a thoughtful 64-bar verse in the main room of Black Orange Studios.
The likable tune’s cryptic title refers to the mathematical expression 2^6 (2 raised to the 6th power), which equals 64, representing the number of bars.
‘2 to the 6’ contains a relatable narrative, supreme rap vocals, and lush instrumentation scented with an Afrocentric hip-hop fragrance.
Also, the song covers a range of hard-hitting topics such as issues of racism, corruption, and economic injustice.
Unchained XL sneaks in a few references to various icons such as Nigerian filmmaker, Genevieve Nnaji (Lionheart); British Nigerian artist, “Burna Boy”; “Split” main character Kevin Crumb; and famous inventor, Thomas Edison.
The progressive emcee writes songs of protest, social commentary, and everyday experiences through the lens of a ‘third culture’ African migrant.
He draws inspiration from Afrobeat legend and political icon Fela Kuti, as well as artists like M.anifest, Antibalas, and A Tribe Called Quest.
2018 saw him touring the UK with shows in London, Bristol, Sheffield, Leeds, and Cardiff. Also, he performed alongside artists such as Mungos HiFi, Afro Cluster, and Eva Lazarus.
“Already got labels tryna doctor me. If you can’t beat ‘em then join ‘em that’s their philosophy. You can try to change the tides, however obviously. It never works out how you want it like democracy.” – lyrics
‘2 to the 6’ finds Unchained XL dropping a thoughtful 64-bar verse in the main room of Black Orange Studios.
The likable tune’s cryptic title refers to the mathematical expression 2^6 (2 raised to the 6th power), which equals 64, representing the number of bars.
‘2 to the 6’ contains a relatable narrative, supreme rap vocals, and lush instrumentation scented with an Afrocentric hip-hop fragrance.
Also, the song covers a range of hard-hitting topics such as issues of racism, corruption, and economic injustice.
Unchained XL sneaks in a few references to various icons such as Nigerian filmmaker, Genevieve Nnaji (Lionheart); British Nigerian artist, “Burna Boy”; “Split” main character Kevin Crumb; and famous inventor, Thomas Edison.
The progressive emcee writes songs of protest, social commentary, and everyday experiences through the lens of a ‘third culture’ African migrant.
He draws inspiration from Afrobeat legend and political icon Fela Kuti, as well as artists like M.anifest, Antibalas, and A Tribe Called Quest.
2018 saw him touring the UK with shows in London, Bristol, Sheffield, Leeds, and Cardiff. Also, he performed alongside artists such as Mungos HiFi, Afro Cluster, and Eva Lazarus.
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