Search

Search only in certain items:

LiE  by Mudhoney
LiE by Mudhoney
2018 | Alternative, Indie, Rock
The grunge survivors leap back into the moshpit of time on a live album culled from their 2016 tour of Europe.
As anyone—or at least anyone over the age of 30—will tell you, the world is moving way too fast. Five weeks ago might as well be five years ago in today’s news cycle. Our social feeds are loaded with “want to feel old?” listicles of stuff that really isn’t that old. The avalanche of music now available at our fingertips—with our virtual listening piles growing exponentially by the second—can feel overwhelming. But then you remember that Mudhoney are still around, doing what Mudhoney have always done: laying down a fuzz-punk sludge that’s murky and quicksand-thick enough to stop time itself. And suddenly it’s as if order in the universe has been restored. Because in a world where everything is constantly changing, Mudhoney’s decision to endure and staunch refusal to evolve feel less like a case of comfort-zoned arrested development than a valorous act of defiance.

By Stuart Berman
Original Score - 6.9
Read The Full Review Here - https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/mudhoney-lie/
  
40x40

Reiko LJ (126 KP) rated Artemis in Books

Aug 2, 2018  
Artemis
Artemis
Andy Weir | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
7.7 (34 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fast paced plot, hard to put down (0 more)
Tropey OP main character (0 more)
Much like Weir's first book, I absolutely devoured this one. I haven't read a book this fast in a while. His style of writing makes for easy and relatable reading and despite having a lot of scientific concepts it doesn't make the reader feel dumb, nor catered to. It's a style few seem to manage.

Jazz's inner monologues were interesting and funny. The only thing that bothered me sometimes was the repeated 'she's a total genius' moments all the way through. That gave it a bit of a YA novel vibe when they came up. Especially at one point where she monologues something about having an amazing memory. The comment just felt unnecessary and was just chucking it on the laundry list of feats she is capable of.

I see other reviews taking great umbrage with his portrayal of a female character but I didn't have any issues with that. Anyone expecting a woman to act or think in a certain way is missing the point a little bit. There is no one way for a woman to be. Everyone is different. This is Jazz Bashara.
  
The Daughter's Secret
The Daughter's Secret
Eva Holland | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
__ <b>2 Snail Paced Stars</b>

After reading some really positive reviews I must admit that I'm disappointed that I didn't enjoy this book more. The blurb sounded interesting and different to what I would usually go for but I'm very open minded when it comes to books.
What got to me the most about this book was that it was so very slow, my eyes would start to glaze over after every couple of pages, it would repeat itself and the jumping forwards and backwards in time got a bit confusing. The main characters were unique but others got swept under the rug and many questions were left unanswered. I would of liked to know more about Stephie's dad and why he was...well...the way he was.
If the mother wasn't so anxious and didn't question everything in life then I feel that we may not have had much of a story.
The prejudice towards tattooed people and the gothic subculture left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth...because they're just as bad as paedophiles right? <I>*Grumble*</I>

I didn't hate it but I didn't love it.
  
Goodreads: Book Reviews
Goodreads: Book Reviews
Book, Social Networking
10
8.8 (453 Ratings)
App Rating
Keep track of your reading (5 more)
Meet people interested in the same things as yourself
Set yourself reading challenges
Discover new books
Giveaways
Links with kindles
My favourite app (sorry Smashbomb)
I’ve been a member of goodreads for a fair few years now and I quite honestly cant stand the thought of not having it now.

It’s a brilliant place to keep track of all your reading, make ‘shelves’ to save books you like the look of, books you have, books you’ve read.. the possibilities are endless!

As well as this, there are features such as adding friends (and having little competitions to see who can reach their reading goal first), setting yearly reading challenges, looking up a book you might like and seeing the reviews to decide if to get it. There are groups to speak to likeminded people.

Many a time I have spent *cough* hours *cough* just sat scrolling through books and I LOVE it.

If there are any readers out there who haven’t discovered the joys of Goodreads yet then what are you waiting for?? Go!!

(Also feel free to add me on there;))
  
2 Lava 2 Lantula! (2016)
2 Lava 2 Lantula! (2016)
2016 | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
5
6.3 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Verdict: Lacklustre Sequel

 

Story: 2 Lava 2 Lantula starts as the characters from the first film are living off their fame as Colton West (Guttenberg) now trying to be a big movie star once more. When the Lavalantulas return Colton must work with Marty (Winslow) to try and save his stepdaughter Raya (Weaver) and kill all the Lavalantulas before they take over the world.

2 Lava 2 Lantula does everything you want it too but unlike the Sharknados this time we get a sequel that knows it is a sequel but it feels like it is once movie too early to be acting like this already. I will say this is a fun easy watch but you do feel like this could be really clutching at straws with trying to give us new ways to create kills in the world created. We don’t get too much original material to work with but it is easy enough to watch.

 

Overall: This isn’t the greatest addition to the film and it doesn’t reach the levels the first did.

https://moviesreview101.com/2016/08/22/movie-reviews-101-midnight-horror-2-lava-2-lantula-2016/
  
The Arts of Love: Stories of Sensual Creativity
The Arts of Love: Stories of Sensual Creativity
Harley Easton | 2018 | Erotica, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
a fabulous little collection!
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

16 short stories, written by the same author, based around love and the Arts. Music, acting, writing and everything inbetween.

A 16 book collection was never going to get 16 individual reviews, so here's what I thought about them all, as a whole.

I rather enjoyed it!

It's a great collection of shorts, average about 15 pages each, some a little shorter or longer, but that gives you just enough for each story, I thought, to give you a brief connection, a glimpse into these people's lives.

Some stories are a bit more explicit, some almost clean, in my opinion. Mostly written from one person's view, in the third person.

Each short is well written, and well delivered. I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading experience.

This is the first I've read of this author, and I'd like to read more. Something much longer than these shorts, just to see what they can do with more pages!

A thoroughly enjoyable Sunday afternoon spent reading, thank you.

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
40x40

Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Devil Aspect in Books

Jan 27, 2019  
The Devil Aspect
The Devil Aspect
Craig Russell | 2019 | Crime, History & Politics, Thriller
7
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Hmmm ... this is a difficult one for me to review because I loved the story, the characters, the setting, the time and the writing style but thought it a little drawn out and it dragged on a little too much for me BUT please do not let me put you off, I appear to be in the minority as this has had a lot of praise and 5 star reviews and it will definitely be perfect for people who want to have a lot of information to enable them to become totally immersed in a story; clearly the author has done a lot of research into the location, time period, culture, traditions and history and it certainly transported me there but I felt a little bogged down by it all at times which did detract from my overall experience.

Overall, although not a book that I find myself gushing about, it was mostly enjoyable and one which I definitely feel would transfer well onto the big screen.

Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
  
I really enjoyed the first book, None But You, and really wanted to like this one as much..... just looking down at some of the other reviews, it seems I'm not alone in not caring much for the ending.

In fact, the whole wrapping up of the story seems to drag on for longer than needs be, in my opinion, and the ending didn't seem to me realistic. Considering [i:]Persuasion[/i:] is Austen's most romantic novel, the chosen ending was decidely unromantic in many ways!

There are also a few things that don't seem to be satisfactorily concluded; I expected to hear more of the future planned for George Tuggins for one. Also I expected to hear of Mr Elliot running off with Mrs Clay and the Wentworths having something to say about that! I wasn't clear about Mr Elliot being seen earlier visiting Westgate Buildings, as in [i:]Persuasion[/i:] Mrs Smith indicates she hasn't seen him in sometime.

Overall, I liked it better than a lost of Austen sequels out there, but it could have been concluded more satisfactorily to my mind.
  
40x40

Nick Beaty (70 KP) rated Stan & Ollie (2018) in Movies

Jan 12, 2020 (Updated Jan 13, 2020)  
Stan &amp; Ollie (2018)
Stan & Ollie (2018)
2018 | Biography, Comedy, Drama
A must see for Laurel & Hardy fans...
This movie is a funny, moving and heartfelt biopic of the great Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy.

Director Jon S. Baird and writer Jeff Pope clearly have a great love for Laurel & Hardy and this shines through in Stan & Ollie. You can definitely see this film has been made with love and respect for the legendary comedy duo, which makes it a must see for Laurel & Hardy fans.

Steve Coogan & John C. Reilly are absolutely faultless with their performances. I have read a few reviews that don't really give Steve Coogan the credit he deserves for this role. For me he proves he is so much more than his Alan Partridge character that a lot of people can't seem to see past. Like the real thing it takes near on perfect comedy timing from both men to perform the routines and they do the original performances a huge justice.

To wrap things up whether you are a Laurel & Hardy fan or not this is still a very well made movie, with two exceptional performances from the lead actors. This should definitely be one to add to your watch list.
  
A Gate at the Stairs
A Gate at the Stairs
Lorrie Moore | 2010 | Fiction & Poetry
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not bad but ultimately forgettable
I read this as part of a local reading group I’ve joined recently, and I was sceptical as some of the Goodreads reviews are scathing to say the least. However fortunately this isn’t as bad as others seem to think.

The problem is that this book is mostly forgettable. The writing is rather good, although does have a tendency to ramble off at rather bizarre tangents. I’m not sure if this is meant to be a nod to the disjointed and random thoughts of the narrator, but for me this didn’t quite work. When it got a little rambling I found my mind began to wander and I ended up skim reading more than I should. I also struggled with the anti-racism group, while they didn’t feature too often when they did their inane ramblings and chat I just couldn’t stand. Despite this the rest of the book isn’t too bad. Tassie is a rather shambolic protagonist and for the most part not very sympathetic or endearing. But the development of her and her friends and family is engaging enough to keep you reading, even if sadly this book is ultimately forgettable.