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Kieran Harvey (51 KP) rated Alien: Covenant (2017) in Movies
Jul 18, 2017
Great cast (6 more)
Michael Fassbender
Action
Genuinely scary in some parts
Visuals are amazing
Cinematography
Great twist
A solid Alien Sequel that's more Alien than Prometheus
I love the alien movies and I really liked Prometheus despite mixed reviews so it's fair to say I was excited for this movie, and rightly so. From the start this is clearly going to be a great horror/thriller and a true alien movie and it doesn't disappoint. Michael Fassbender in this movie is amazing as he plays android Walter and David from Prometheus. The action is outstanding and horrific despite not occurring frequently, and there are a couple of great twists in the story. The final twist completely shocked me and I loved it and couldn't stop thinking about it for a long time it's so genius but that's for you to find out and hopefully love as well. Some may have predicted it but I don't care because I try not to predict where a film will go, I just enjoy the ride and this ride is fantastic!
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Wake of Vultures in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Wake of Vultures was an exciting, fast paced, interesting read. It was fun and different for me. It wasn’t phenomenal. I would probably read the next one in the series, but I wouldn’t spend money on it.
The biggest problem I had with the story was I felt that it tried to deal with too many things at once. Racism, sexism, sexual identity, slavery, nudity, and religion are all important and heavy topics. All of them together in one YA urban fantasy novel? It’s a bit excessive. Even though I of all people understand that sometimes when a story comes to you, as an author, you can’t change your character! That’s just who they are! And don’t get me wrong, the story was great and I enjoyed listening to it, and I was totally caught up in it. But there were times when I would listen and something would come up and I’d be like “this is too much. this is ridiculous.” It felt like overkill.
That aside, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the sequel.
The biggest problem I had with the story was I felt that it tried to deal with too many things at once. Racism, sexism, sexual identity, slavery, nudity, and religion are all important and heavy topics. All of them together in one YA urban fantasy novel? It’s a bit excessive. Even though I of all people understand that sometimes when a story comes to you, as an author, you can’t change your character! That’s just who they are! And don’t get me wrong, the story was great and I enjoyed listening to it, and I was totally caught up in it. But there were times when I would listen and something would come up and I’d be like “this is too much. this is ridiculous.” It felt like overkill.
That aside, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the sequel.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Witchfinder General (1968) in Movies
May 10, 2018
Famously nasty cult horror movie looks a bit like another Poe-Corman-Price adaptation (and was marketed as such in the States) but is really the work of a much darker sensibility. No actual supernatural elements, just people being sadistic to each other in the middle of a vicious civil war.
The story is a pretty standard revenge melodrama, made distinctive by the sheer bleakness of tone throughout the movie. At a time when pretty much every Hammer movie concluded with the defeat of the forces of evil (at least until the next sequel) the sheer amoral nihilism of Witchfinder General is distinctive.
Notable for the closest thing to a completely straight performance you will ever find Vincent Price contributing as the star of a horror movie, and also for the censor-troubling levels of violence and general grisliness. As is standard for British horror films of this period, fun is also to be had spotting youthful appearances by people who went on to have rather distinguished appearances in less extreme material.
The story is a pretty standard revenge melodrama, made distinctive by the sheer bleakness of tone throughout the movie. At a time when pretty much every Hammer movie concluded with the defeat of the forces of evil (at least until the next sequel) the sheer amoral nihilism of Witchfinder General is distinctive.
Notable for the closest thing to a completely straight performance you will ever find Vincent Price contributing as the star of a horror movie, and also for the censor-troubling levels of violence and general grisliness. As is standard for British horror films of this period, fun is also to be had spotting youthful appearances by people who went on to have rather distinguished appearances in less extreme material.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated The Devouring (The Devouring, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
For a book classified as young adult horror, THE DEVOURING defies the usual so-called teen horror and actually does feel horrific. I wouldn't say it's in the same league as some of the best adult horror books out there, but it holds its own and the author does a terrific job creating a tense and creepy atmosphere. I've never been one who has ever scared easily, but if I had read this at a younger age I just might have become a little paranoid. The narrative is swift, engaging and simply told (I simply 'devoured' it. Oh har har har. Okay I'll shut-up now. ;P). Reggie is relatable and strong, while Vour Henry if effectively disturbing, and Eben is enigmatic. The other characters are fine for their purpose, although I do wonder at the twins, and I have a feeling they might feature more in the sequel, which I look forward to reading. A warning for the queasy: disturbing and violent imagery is used quite a bit, so some people might want to pass on this book.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Raid 2 (2014) in Movies
Feb 19, 2019 (Updated Jul 29, 2019)
Astoundingly violent sequel to The Raid (hope that doesn't constitute a spoiler). Hapless but extremely handy cop Rama is obliged to go undercover in the Malaysian underworld and infiltrate one of the major crime families. The plot is complex and coherent, surprisingly so for a martial arts action movie, but it's all really just a pretext for jaw-droppingly lavish, inventive and brutal fight sequences. Film doesn't shy away from the consequences of violence - at one point the first time I watched this, someone pulled a claw hammer out of their bag and I found myself instinctively cringing down in my seat in anticipation of the crunching gore to come.
Nevertheless, the film is lifted not just by the director's grasp of pacing and camerawork, but by some surprisingly strong performances. I imagine many people will not be able to take the intensity and violence of this film, but that doesn't lessen its achievement. Not the greatest gangster movie ever, nor the greatest martial arts film, but almost certainly the most accomplished fusion of the two genres.
Nevertheless, the film is lifted not just by the director's grasp of pacing and camerawork, but by some surprisingly strong performances. I imagine many people will not be able to take the intensity and violence of this film, but that doesn't lessen its achievement. Not the greatest gangster movie ever, nor the greatest martial arts film, but almost certainly the most accomplished fusion of the two genres.
Rodney Barnes (472 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Tom Clancy's The Division 2 in Video Games
Apr 9, 2019
Great Sequel
I was a fan of The Division and The Division 2 holds up for me too. The antagonists of this game are Hyenas, Outcasts, True Sons and in the endgame Black Tusk. The game is very challenging and plenty to do. I suggest taking your time to play the game and don't do like youtubers and rush through it as fast as you can. The game consist of the story missions, side missions and as you level up, strongholds. There is also a Dark Zone of which I rarely go in. I am not a big PvP fan. The one thing I don't like about the game is the matchmaking. Main missions and strongholds are fine but when it comes to side missions and free roam; you either are on your own our can't do what you personally need to get done. I'm sure these issues will be fixed in the future but I highly recommend this game.
Rickey A. Mossow Jr. (689 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) in Movies
May 21, 2019
Tough watch...
Let me preface by saying I'm a fan and thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Potter franchise. The first of the Fantastic Beast series was passable at best so my expectations were low, to say the least heading into the sequel. And this film hit that low spot like a dart to a bullseye. I enjoy many of the actors and actresses in the movie, too. Redmayne does a great job and I really don't mind Johnny Depp as Grindelwald. But this movie is just a dark and confusing slog from start to finish. Every time you get to the point where you think you're about to give up on caring, they are like "Look, we have a cute creature." These little cute distractions are the highlight and lone fun part of the film. My ending thought with the closing credits was the same as it was for its predecessor: I wish Deathly Hallows would have been the end of this franchise. This is just blasphemy to Potterheads everywhere.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Spectre (Zoe Martinique #2) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Hmm. <i>Spectre</i> feels less like a sequel to <i>Wraith</i> than a chapter two, if that makes any sense. Both books are full-sized novels, but they're so closely related that book two wouldn't make any sense without having read book 1 (and the novella in between). Unfortunately, <i>Spectre</i> ends on a cliff-hanger. I hate that.
At least I know (from her blog) that Weldon is working on the third book. I can only hope that it comes out soon and wraps up all the loose threads without introducing new ones that aren't left hanging again.
I do have to agree with another GR reviewer who mentioned that the main character carries on more like a 13-year-old kid than a 28-year-old woman. I have to agree. I understand that losing one parent early might, for some people, to a closer relationship with the surviving parent—but give me a break! Zoë apparently needs to move across the country to learn to live without Mommy. Or maybe Mommy should move?
At least I know (from her blog) that Weldon is working on the third book. I can only hope that it comes out soon and wraps up all the loose threads without introducing new ones that aren't left hanging again.
I do have to agree with another GR reviewer who mentioned that the main character carries on more like a 13-year-old kid than a 28-year-old woman. I have to agree. I understand that losing one parent early might, for some people, to a closer relationship with the surviving parent—but give me a break! Zoë apparently needs to move across the country to learn to live without Mommy. Or maybe Mommy should move?
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated The Pilgrim's Progress in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Join Christian on his journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. He’ll encounter many dangers and trials as he tries to stay on the straight and narrow path. And then in the second half of the book, follow his wife Christiana’s journey.
I was obsessed with this story in other forms as a kid, and it was interesting to read the original many years later as an adult. Christian’s journey is book, with many powerful lessons and morals that still apply today. Even when the characters start to sermonize as they walk along, it is interesting. The second half isn’t as engaging, however, and feels like it suffers the fate of the sequel. There are still some good moments here, but overall the first part is better. Bunyan never tries to hide his allegory. This translation into modern English is very readable while still maintaining the voice of an author from the 1600’s.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-pilgrims-progress-by-john.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I was obsessed with this story in other forms as a kid, and it was interesting to read the original many years later as an adult. Christian’s journey is book, with many powerful lessons and morals that still apply today. Even when the characters start to sermonize as they walk along, it is interesting. The second half isn’t as engaging, however, and feels like it suffers the fate of the sequel. There are still some good moments here, but overall the first part is better. Bunyan never tries to hide his allegory. This translation into modern English is very readable while still maintaining the voice of an author from the 1600’s.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-pilgrims-progress-by-john.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated A First Date with Death (A Love Or Money Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Georgia Thornton has hit a new low – contestant on a reality dating show. Her job is to figure out which of her bachelors are in it for love and which just want the prize money. However, the show’s first group date ends in a tragic accident. When another contestant dies, Georgia begins to question what she has signed up for. Meanwhile, her ex-fiancee has appeared on the show. Is he investigating? What is really happening on the show? Will Georgia figure it out and pick the right bachelor?
This book definitely plays up the reality show aspect of things, with that part of the plot often overriding the mystery. Only a few of the characters get much development as well. And yet, I really did enjoy the book. I always had a hard time putting it down, and the pages flew by all too quickly. I’ll definitely be back for the sequel.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-first-date-with-death-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book definitely plays up the reality show aspect of things, with that part of the plot often overriding the mystery. Only a few of the characters get much development as well. And yet, I really did enjoy the book. I always had a hard time putting it down, and the pages flew by all too quickly. I’ll definitely be back for the sequel.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-first-date-with-death-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.