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The Wild Swans ( Timeless Fairytales book 2)

K M Shea

8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Elise is the foster-daughter of the King of Arcainia, a mathematician, and the country’s...

Awix (3310 KP) rated Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) in Movies

Oct 24, 2018 (Updated Oct 24, 2018)

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

2018 | Biography, Drama, Music

8.5

(155 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Unimaginatively-titled, probably-inevitable Queen movie doesn't really take many risks in telling the remarkable story of Farrokh Bulsara, a gay Asian baggage-handler at Heathrow Airport who reinvents himself as the supremely charismatic frontman of one of the most enduringly popular rock bands in history. Very much the family-friendly Hollywood version of the band's story, hitting all the beats you'd expect and soft-pedalling some of the excesses of Freddie Mercury's lifestyle.

That said, assuming you're okay with the fact that this is a rather fictionalised retelling of the tale (history is quietly rewritten throughout), there is a huge amount here to enjoy: the band are well-cast, it's not afraid of the odd Spinal Tap moment, and obviously the music is tremendous (assuming you're a Queen fan, and if you're not why would you be watching a Queen movie?). It's also unexpectedly moving in places, particularly in the closing stages. Not perfect by any means, but still a really good piece of entertainment.

Kudos

David McK (3649 KP) rated Cúchulainn & The Crow Queen in Books

Jan 30, 2019

Honestly?

I'm not really sure how this fits into the categories I have set up on my Goodreads account.

This is a re-telling of the stories of 'The Hound of Ulster', of Cuchulainn, from his birth through to the cattle raid of Ulster and his final death at the hands of the Morrigu, the Crow Queen.

It's also a straight re-telling, which is both its strong point (there's no trying to fit modern sensibilities / political statements into it) and it's weak point (these stories were originally intended to be told orally).

I have to say, I did find that most of the chapters didn't really 'flow' into each other; that there was no connection to the stories other than (occasionally) having Setanta (Cuchulainn's real name) himself appear in them every so often: for my money, Neil Gaiman's Norse Myths is a better retelling of stories that have helped shape modern society.

(Oh, and in the end, I opted for shelving this as Educational)

Kudos

Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) in Movies

Aug 9, 2019

Everything (0 more)

No sequel (0 more)

You have to be a real man to wear tights!

Cary Elwes stars a robin hood in this comical retelling of the legendary hero who after returning to England after fighting in the crusades and then being captured, enslaved only to escape from prison in Jerusalem and seim home to England (what a guy ;) ) to find that the evil Prince John (Richard Lewis) has confiscated his family estate and is following the script and ruining Nottingham. Robin enlists his family's loyal blind servant Blinkin (Mark Blankfield), Will Scarlett O'Hara (Matthew Porretta) and Little John (Eric Allan Kramer) to help rebel. Robin also hopes to woo the beautiful Maid Marian (Amy Yasbeck), but her chastity belt may prove a challenge (and her keeper)

Great jokes, Mel Brooks, hilarious performances, subtle nods and a robin hood who can speak with an England accent.

A classic spoof on the legend who had it coming.