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Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Passengers in Books

Apr 16, 2019  
The Passengers
The Passengers
John Marrs | 2019 | Contemporary, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller
9
9.4 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
A highly entertaining, twist filled read
When I first started this book i was a little concerned. The plot about 8 hijacked driverless cars seemed a little thin to be able to stretch over such a long 400+ page book, hug as soon as I started reading it had me hooked.

The 400+ pages flew past in record speed, I just couldn't put this book down. What seemed a fairly similar plot was filled with intriguing and well developed character, as well as some fantastic twists and reveals that I never saw coming. It also features quite a serious commentary on social media and bias and even racism, and despite being set in a society slightly more technologically advanced than our own, you can see the truth in the issues highlighted here. You can also imagine our societies becoming similar to this one in the very near future, which is a very sobering thought. This really is a highly entertaining read, and it's not often I get so enthralled in a story to not see the twists coming!
  
Men at Arms (Discworld, #15; City Watch #2)
Men at Arms (Discworld, #15; City Watch #2)
Terry Pratchett | 1993 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.5 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wonderfully wacky
I dare anyone to read a Discworld book and not smile at least once (if not multiple times). There's something about the wonderfully wacky world of Ankh-Morporkh that makes it so entertaining and delightful to read. Not only are the Discworld books well written, they're also full of flawed yet well developed and loveable characters.

Men at Arms is no different. The City Guard are a rather motley crew of loveable misfits, and every single one from Vimes to Carrot to Detritus has their moment or moments in this book. Some of the interactions and conversations between characters in this book are hilarious, especially those involving Detritus and Cuddy, or the conversations between Vimes, Carrot and Vetinari. Not only does Pratchett manage to fill the book with humour and fantasy, he also throws in a lot of real world problems like racism and species-ism (probably not a word) in such a manner that it's both thought provoking, meaningful and still funny. Pratchett really knows how to work his magic with these books.
  
Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019)
Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019)
2019 | Action, Biography, Drama
Ip Man 4 is indeed a finale. The Ip Man films are always solid, with interesting stories and beautifully choreographed fighting.
Donnie Yen, is, of course, amazing, and I've always loved his portrayal of Ip Man. I know Ip's family is very thankful for the films, and likes them. That's always a plus in my book.
Ip takes a trip to San Francisco when Bruce Lee provides the ticket and hotel. But, Ip is mainly using the trip so he can look at schools for his son.
The film portrays San Fransisco at the time, and the racism against the American-born Chinese and the immigrants. There was another interesting perspective to me as well, the Chinese Masters are mad with Bruce Lee for wanting to introduce Chinese Martial Arts to people that aren't Chinese.
Of course, it wouldn't be an Ip Man film if he wasn't going around, kicking people's asses justly. Overall, I really enjoyed the movie, and it was a nice break after seeing Uncut Gems earlier that day.
  
40x40

Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated Friends in TV

Jan 5, 2020 (Updated Jan 28, 2020)  
Friends
Friends
1994 | Comedy
9
8.4 (94 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Some classic 90's (0 more)
Would seem quite un-pc by today's standards (0 more)
I feel so O.L.D.!
I loved this show growing up, never spotted the sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia all in there. However, it was a different generation, so we should give it a pass, even by today's easily offended world, it is minor, and must be judged by its time, not how it would be received today. That said, for a show with a laughter track, it is pretty good.
It does give the characters some unconventional story arcs, and has interesting situations, such as Pheopbe having her brothers triplets (Though I will not lie, now I have had a baby, the way they gloss over labour now inrages me, so I skip those episodes).
To me fair, until very recently, it was keeping its age well, showing the passage of time clearly over the 10 years with changes in styles.
Though, even at 15, I wondered how any of them kept their jobs, while off so much. Time must move differently in New York...