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David McK (3540 KP) rated The Time Machine in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Classic HG Wells science fiction, which (I have read) is often credited with popularizing the phrase of a 'Time Machine'.
Presented in the first person, this is told mainly as that first person retelling the story as it was told to him (and several of his companions) by the (un-named) Time Traveller over dinner, with that Traveller claiming to have traveled several millenia into the future, to the year 802,701 (to be precise).
Once there, he finds that mankind has degenerated into two distinct species: the ephemeral child-like Eloi (who have a complete lack of curiosity) and the underground dwelling malicious Morlocks. Initially finding himself trapped when his mode of transportation disappears/is stolen and locked away by the Morlocks, the bulk of the novel deals with the Time Travellers (in the end successful) attempt to regain said machine in order to travel back to his own time, albeit with a brief excursion into the even-further future.
You know how time travel is often shown of TV/in the movies? With a clock hand whizzing around a face, or with day and night and seasons flickering past? The latter is almost exactly how the process is described in this - I think it may be a fair bet to say that, without this story, we would have movies the likes of (say) Back to the Future!
Presented in the first person, this is told mainly as that first person retelling the story as it was told to him (and several of his companions) by the (un-named) Time Traveller over dinner, with that Traveller claiming to have traveled several millenia into the future, to the year 802,701 (to be precise).
Once there, he finds that mankind has degenerated into two distinct species: the ephemeral child-like Eloi (who have a complete lack of curiosity) and the underground dwelling malicious Morlocks. Initially finding himself trapped when his mode of transportation disappears/is stolen and locked away by the Morlocks, the bulk of the novel deals with the Time Travellers (in the end successful) attempt to regain said machine in order to travel back to his own time, albeit with a brief excursion into the even-further future.
You know how time travel is often shown of TV/in the movies? With a clock hand whizzing around a face, or with day and night and seasons flickering past? The latter is almost exactly how the process is described in this - I think it may be a fair bet to say that, without this story, we would have movies the likes of (say) Back to the Future!
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Depraved (2019) in Movies
Dec 29, 2019
Good but Needed a More Inventive Story
In this intriguing retelling of Frankenstein’s monster, a man finds himself the victim of a kidnapping and gruesome science experiment.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 8
Entertainment Value: 4
Memorability: 1
Pace: 10
One of the things Depraved does extremely well is keep you engaged. We move from one scene to the next at a pretty quick clip. Even during scenes with heavier dialogue, there are no lingering moments which I appreciate. Thoroughly enjoyed the speed as the movie didn’t feel like two hours in the slightest.
Plot: 5
The sum of the story’s parts doesn’t really pass the smell test. Fast is good, yes, but there are some speed bumps that are hard to overlook. It felt like it was trying so hard to mirror Frankenstein at times that it never fully tried to do its own thing.
Resolution: 5
Overall: 73
I try to support indie movies as often as I can. And not just Fox Searchlight type of movies but those up and coming from lesser known studios. Films like Depraved can find themselves outgunned and overmatched but I appreciate what directors like Larry Fessenden are able to do with less. I hope to see more of his work in the future.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 8
Entertainment Value: 4
Memorability: 1
Pace: 10
One of the things Depraved does extremely well is keep you engaged. We move from one scene to the next at a pretty quick clip. Even during scenes with heavier dialogue, there are no lingering moments which I appreciate. Thoroughly enjoyed the speed as the movie didn’t feel like two hours in the slightest.
Plot: 5
The sum of the story’s parts doesn’t really pass the smell test. Fast is good, yes, but there are some speed bumps that are hard to overlook. It felt like it was trying so hard to mirror Frankenstein at times that it never fully tried to do its own thing.
Resolution: 5
Overall: 73
I try to support indie movies as often as I can. And not just Fox Searchlight type of movies but those up and coming from lesser known studios. Films like Depraved can find themselves outgunned and overmatched but I appreciate what directors like Larry Fessenden are able to do with less. I hope to see more of his work in the future.
Very entertaining
I've grown up watching Who Wants to be a Millionaire although I have to admit the detail behind the Charles Ingram cheating scandal passed me by. I knew of it but that was it, so I found this show to be not only entertaining but informative too.
As far as tv dramas go, this is very entertaining. The 3 episodes are just enough to tell the story without being overly long and the whole scandal itself is an intriguing tale. I never knew the origins of the show or the real detail behind the scandal (like the brother being involved), so I found this to be fascinating and it was very well made. There's a great cast in this too, Matthew Macfayden is wonderful as the almost dim witted Ingram and he's ably supported by the rest of the cast. The star of the show though is definitely Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant. He's an absolute hoot and looks like he's having so much fun. It's just a shame that he isn't in this more, although understandable considering the story isnt about him.
Overall this is a very entertaining retelling of a true story and whilst the outcome is rather frustrating (as in real life), it's a lot of fun and has a great nostalgic feel.
As far as tv dramas go, this is very entertaining. The 3 episodes are just enough to tell the story without being overly long and the whole scandal itself is an intriguing tale. I never knew the origins of the show or the real detail behind the scandal (like the brother being involved), so I found this to be fascinating and it was very well made. There's a great cast in this too, Matthew Macfayden is wonderful as the almost dim witted Ingram and he's ably supported by the rest of the cast. The star of the show though is definitely Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant. He's an absolute hoot and looks like he's having so much fun. It's just a shame that he isn't in this more, although understandable considering the story isnt about him.
Overall this is a very entertaining retelling of a true story and whilst the outcome is rather frustrating (as in real life), it's a lot of fun and has a great nostalgic feel.
NM
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Merissa (12669 KP) rated Eira in Books
Aug 5, 2021
EIRA is a standalone novella giving The Snow Queen a FF fairytale retelling.
The descriptions of the national park, the weather, the hut, all those sorts of things were absolutely brilliant. I could see them so clearly in my mind as I read, which is always a good thing.
What I didn't like so much were the main characters themselves, which kinda makes it awkward! I didn't really feel any connection between them, not helped by the long periods of time that slipped them both by without them being in contact.
The other thing was when Kay had been told about the curse. She goes to the library and searches out information on Gwyn, finding out she was a historical figure who just disappeared. Then she makes a connection to fairy tales and decides - with no real proof, just a hunch - that Gwyn is The Snow Queen and she knows how to save her. I love fantasy and paranormal but even I found this to be a stretch of the imagination.
Overall, this was a nice coffee break book that I enjoyed but it is a one-and-done for me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The descriptions of the national park, the weather, the hut, all those sorts of things were absolutely brilliant. I could see them so clearly in my mind as I read, which is always a good thing.
What I didn't like so much were the main characters themselves, which kinda makes it awkward! I didn't really feel any connection between them, not helped by the long periods of time that slipped them both by without them being in contact.
The other thing was when Kay had been told about the curse. She goes to the library and searches out information on Gwyn, finding out she was a historical figure who just disappeared. Then she makes a connection to fairy tales and decides - with no real proof, just a hunch - that Gwyn is The Snow Queen and she knows how to save her. I love fantasy and paranormal but even I found this to be a stretch of the imagination.
Overall, this was a nice coffee break book that I enjoyed but it is a one-and-done for me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The Bachelor Auction (The Bachelors of Arizona, #1) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
*I received a copy of this books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
This is my first contemporary romance by the author where the characters weren't NA age.
I did enjoy this story. It took me a while to get into it at the start but by the end I think I loved pretty much all the Wellington family. It's a retelling of Cinderella in parts; evil sisters, glass slippers... but much more modern with manwhore brothers and some swearing
liked the characters. The twins grew on me so much throughout this book. They seemed so annoying at the beginning but by the end... *sigh* If their stories are going to be the next books in this series, then sign me up please because I am so intrigued after the auction.
Brock was a bit of a mystery when he was at the house, I couldn't really figure him out until he'd sorted out his demons and then I really started to like him.
Jane, I felt sorry for at the start. She was trying to uphold her fathers wishes and being treated like dirt in the process. She grew a lot in the book.
The ending was great. Everyone but the twins ended up happy, though I'm sure the twins' issues will be resolved in their own stories.
This is my first contemporary romance by the author where the characters weren't NA age.
I did enjoy this story. It took me a while to get into it at the start but by the end I think I loved pretty much all the Wellington family. It's a retelling of Cinderella in parts; evil sisters, glass slippers... but much more modern with manwhore brothers and some swearing
liked the characters. The twins grew on me so much throughout this book. They seemed so annoying at the beginning but by the end... *sigh* If their stories are going to be the next books in this series, then sign me up please because I am so intrigued after the auction.
Brock was a bit of a mystery when he was at the house, I couldn't really figure him out until he'd sorted out his demons and then I really started to like him.
Jane, I felt sorry for at the start. She was trying to uphold her fathers wishes and being treated like dirt in the process. She grew a lot in the book.
The ending was great. Everyone but the twins ended up happy, though I'm sure the twins' issues will be resolved in their own stories.