Search

Search only in certain items:

Hero Mask
Hero Mask
2018 | Action, Animation, Crime
6
7.5 (2 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Great storytelling, James Blood is an action hero personified, great action sequences grounded in reality instead of over the top was cool (0 more)
Kinda full of clichés and not the most original (0 more)
Part Crime Mystery Part Sci-fi Thriller - 6/10
Hero Mask is a sci-fi action thriller anime series written and directed by Hiroyasu Aoki and animated by Studio Pierrot; with character designs by Takahisa Katagiri and music by Hisaki Kato.


James Blood is an officer for the elite "Special Service of Crime" (SSC) division of the Capital Police Department in London. After Monica Campbell, Crown Prosecutor, suddenly drops dead mysteriously and an enemy James thought dead goes on a rampage at a police station, the SSC begins to investigate. James teams up with Sarah Sinclair, a subordinate of Monica's, to uncover the truth behind who's involved in a ever growing conspiracy including a powerful paramilitary corporation, escaped prisoners who were executed, and masks that give their wearers superhuman abilities.


Hero Mask is in no way a perfect anime, but that didn't stop me from enjoying a lot of what it had to offer. It is full of cliches and might not be the most original but I thought the story telling was great and the way it unfolded over the 15 episodes was done quite well. James Blood is an action hero personified. As I watched I felt like I was watching an actual action thriller. Critics complained about the action being slow but to me it felt more grounded in reality and believable instead of over the top. Also I really liked the way the whole mystery and investigation unfolded piece after piece and how it all came together. The animation was top notch and what originally drew me into viewing it as well as the concept. I wouldn't recommend this to the average anime fan but if you are looking for a crime/mystery plot, then you shouldn't write this one off. I give it a 6/10.
  
It Comes At Night (2017)
It Comes At Night (2017)
2017 | Horror
There are some things that are truly frightening. For some, it could be ghosts while others fear zombies. There are many things that concern us and even keep us awake at night. With It Comes At Night, audiences are faced with one of the greatest fears that man has: the unknown.

The film features Paul (Joel Edgerton) a father and husband who is seeking to keep his family safe in the wilderness from unknown threats. He and his family are uncertain of what has taken place. They are not sure if the population has become victims to terrorism, disease, or some sort of supernatural occurrence. Paranoia builds as a stranger arrives on their land. What are his intentions? Can they trust each other long enough to survive? Will they outlast whatever has consumed countless others?

The film is haunting and will have its audience trying to guess and discover what exactly is taking place. The film is reminiscent of The Village, The Happening, and other movies that rely on ambiguity. For some films, the mystery may be the downfall as it leads nowhere. With It Comes At Night, the filmmakers allow for reality to seep into the lives that viewers are witnessing on the screen. For this film, the ambiguity allows for the audience to question how they would behave or adapt in a seemingly post-apocalyptic environment. We like to think that we know, but we can never be sure. This comes through with the actions of each of the characters. They are alone and afraid.

The film is deep in its approach to what the world would look like should calamity approach. People would become distrustful, fight, turn on each other, kill without thinking, and eventually sink into the realization that they don’t know what to do. It Comes at Night allows for the reality of horror to be exposed. It is not knowing how to face a certain danger, it is about having to come to terms with the unknown.
  
    NAVIGON Middle East

    NAVIGON Middle East

    Navigation and Travel

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    With NAVIGON you can turn your iPhone or iPad into a fully functional mobile navigation system....

Dark Indiscretions (Dark Indiscretions #1)
Dark Indiscretions (Dark Indiscretions #1)
Shakuita Johnson | 2013 | Erotica, LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the fast-paced tale of Jennifer Johnston, a Mystic (that's part vampire, part shape-shifting witch to you and me). Now Mystics have a bad reputation and for the most part, that's well deserved. Jennifer, however, is the anomaly. She's the one who doesn't want to be bad, who has gotten on with her life and is doing just dandy. That is until her daughter finds her mates.

I liked the idea of this book but have to say that I had some problems with it in reality. The thing for me is that there is no build-up, no impact, and no time to process. It is all done quite matter-of-factly and almost unemotionally. And I'm saying that for parts of the story that really, really should have had more of an impact.

I will give one example which is not Jennifer's story but is to do with her. She has met her mates - Yey! One of them rejects her because she is a Mystic - Boo! But instead of this building up and finding out how it would affect the trio with one of them so against the idea, this is what happens. He has a temper tantrum, she goes upstairs. The second male gives the first one a dirty look and follows her upstairs. They then have sex (!), first male joins in, everything's fine, let's carry on with the story. Nothing was resolved, no questions answered, just let's have sex and that will sort it.

It's the same throughout the book, even at the ending. Now I like a fast-paced book that doesn't drag but I would still like to have had 'more'. I liked the concept but struggled with the reality.
 
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

August 27, 2016
  
40x40

Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Breadcrumbs in Books

Jan 15, 2018  
B
Breadcrumbs
Anne Ursu | 2011
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was an okay read. I went into it with really no expectations so I guess an okay is pretty good.
The story telss of 2 5th grade best friends, Hazel and Jack. Jack made Hazel feel like she had a place in the world until one day he just up and changed on her. Her turnd into a jerk in the blink of an eye. The interesting part comes when reality turns to fantasy as Jack takes off into the woods on a sleigh pulled by white wolves. And of course no one sees it except Tyler, Hazel's archenemy when it comes to matters involving Jack.
The best writing comes as Hazel takes off into the woods to bring Jack home. The real world part of the story tends to drag a bit and the writing is much more simplistic. The fantasy part is the real meat of the stoey in terms of writing quality and plot.
  
Johnny Frank Garrett's Last Word (2016)
Johnny Frank Garrett's Last Word (2016)
2016 | Horror
3
5.3 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Disappointing even though it's based on a terrifying true story
I was looking forward to watch this film given that the story of Johnny Frank Garrett is on par with the real life mysteries of Amityville and The Omen. However, the film completely missed the point and went straight to a Rob Zombie type horror film.

Garrett was executed in reality in 1992 following the rape and murder of a nun. On what many believe shoddy evidence, he was found guilty despite proclaiming his innocence throughout. His last words were chillingly prophetic as much of what he said allegedly came true.

Many of those involved in the case including jury members met mysterious deaths as well as their family members post-execution. And this is where this filmmaker came in. Instead of exploring the connections and insanity of the deaths itself, he turns Garrett into a demon-like character which makes the whole film a bit of a joke. What a disappointment.
  
This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor
This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor
Adam Kay | 2017 | Biography
10
9.0 (44 Ratings)
Book Rating
Humorous, insightful and fascinating
We all know about the NHS and doctors and hospitals, yet I'm sure for the majority of us that don't work in this sector, we don't have the slightest idea what goes on in reality.

Adam Kay's book is a fascinating insight into the NHS and the real working life of a doctor. It's ridiculously funny, emotional, heartwarming and also depressing to think this is the state of our health service. I dare you to read this and not feel anything. You can't say a bad word about the NHS after reading this (not that I ever did). I feel glad that Adam has provided such an insightful and thought provoking view of the NHS. I shed a tear when I reached the end and I would have quite happily read a lot more of his stories and anecdotes, they're fascinating.

A must read for anyone in the UK.