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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Assassin's Creed (2016) in Movies
Nov 10, 2017 (Updated Nov 10, 2017)
Underwhelming
Assassin's Creed is filled with some great action scenes, especially whilst in the animus, and as per usual acting from the leads Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, and Jeremy Irons, is superb.
However, the film may have tried too hard to cater for both fans of the game and newcomers alike, which does not seem possible, and as a result, it failed to engage either audience. The story is a tapestry of old-world mysticism and sci-fi tech that hangs together but also proves hard to follow if you haven't played the games. Despite a high-class cast, it is disorienting, and makes very little sense.
Visually captivating but a paper thin and over blown premise which could have been the basis of a very interesting film.
However, the film may have tried too hard to cater for both fans of the game and newcomers alike, which does not seem possible, and as a result, it failed to engage either audience. The story is a tapestry of old-world mysticism and sci-fi tech that hangs together but also proves hard to follow if you haven't played the games. Despite a high-class cast, it is disorienting, and makes very little sense.
Visually captivating but a paper thin and over blown premise which could have been the basis of a very interesting film.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Android Karenina in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Android Karenina was definitely a faster read than the original classic. Where before there was a lot of tension, now—thought the tension is still there—there is a lot of comic relief with the robots. Android Karenina is equally as enthralling as Tolstoy's "first novel," but the images of robots running around definitely make it lighter. The 2-inch wide novel isn't quite as… intimidating… with high-tech machinery involved.
The writing, in general, was witty. Tolstoy's words were still clearly seen and recognized, but Winters was able to make his own "quirks" in the story without them sticking out like a sore thumb. They blended right in nicely and made for a very entertaining read.
I loved Android Karenina and I definitely look forward to a re-read.
The writing, in general, was witty. Tolstoy's words were still clearly seen and recognized, but Winters was able to make his own "quirks" in the story without them sticking out like a sore thumb. They blended right in nicely and made for a very entertaining read.
I loved Android Karenina and I definitely look forward to a re-read.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Batman Begins (2005) in Movies
Jun 8, 2019
Batman Begins....again.
Christopher Nolan revives DCs dark vigilante in batman begins as Christian bale takes on the role of bruce Wayne/batman who is haunted by tragedy which occured as a child, until he decides to leave gotham behind. Wayne heads far east, there he meets Henri ducard (Liam Neeson) a martial arts master and ra's al Ghul- leader of the League of Shadows. After years away and extensive combat training,Wayne returns to Gotham intent on cleaning up the city without resorting to murder. With the help of Alfred the wayne family Butler (Michael Caine) and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), a tech expert at wayne enterprises, Bruce wayne will armour up and take to the city Rooftops as the one man war against crime known as Batman!
Gloria Steinem recommended We Are Makers: Real Women and Girls Shaping Our World in Books (curated)
David McK (3369 KP) rated Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) in Movies
Mar 24, 2019 (Updated Jan 18, 2020)
With the original 1996 film being, essentially, a B movie writ large (and one of those guilty pleasures), this one had quite a bit to live up to.
This is set 20 years after that original (and was also released 20 years after it), with Earth having survived the first alien attack and now having combined alien tech with our own. With most of the original cast returning - bar Will Smith, whose cost (I expect) wa too much - this moves the focus onto the younger generation, who have grown up in the shadow of that original invasion.
It also ends in an absolute set-up for a sequel (or series): to date, no sign of that happening as that is pretty much the epitome of a 'meh' movie.
This is set 20 years after that original (and was also released 20 years after it), with Earth having survived the first alien attack and now having combined alien tech with our own. With most of the original cast returning - bar Will Smith, whose cost (I expect) wa too much - this moves the focus onto the younger generation, who have grown up in the shadow of that original invasion.
It also ends in an absolute set-up for a sequel (or series): to date, no sign of that happening as that is pretty much the epitome of a 'meh' movie.
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, #2) in Books
Apr 6, 2019
Addictive magical read
My Kate love continues to grow and if I didn’t have study and arc obligations, I’d be running straight into book three. MAGIC BURNS showed a bit of a softer side to Kate with the introduction of Julie and I found that whole part of the storyline interesting. Curran piques my attention constantly and I’d like to see his presence in the book so much more than it is, but I’m grateful for any little peeks.
I feel like I have started to get some answers to my questions in this instalment, like how magic and tech works, how the pack and the people are organised and function. I’m still a bit foggy over the order. My big questions are...who is Kate’s father and what is so special about her blood (please don’t tell me).
I feel like I have started to get some answers to my questions in this instalment, like how magic and tech works, how the pack and the people are organised and function. I’m still a bit foggy over the order. My big questions are...who is Kate’s father and what is so special about her blood (please don’t tell me).
David McK (3369 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
Apr 9, 2019 (Updated Dec 23, 2020)
Spider-Man: The High School Spiderman
This is the web-slingers first full foray into the MCU, following his introduction in Captain America: Civil War (or, basically, Avengers 2.5).
And in this, thankfully, were spared yet another rendition of how he got his powers/Uncle Bens death, arriving already fully formed and with only a brief mention of getting bit by a spider and with no mention whatsoever of 'with great power comes great responsibilty'.
To the best of my knowledge, this is also the Vultures first big-screen appearance, although his own powers here come from scavenged alien tech rather than anything more 'comic-book'y. This also takes the unusual(?) approach of having Spider-Man being teenaged and still at school, rather than all the previous (non-MCU) movies in which he is leaving or has already left university.
And in this, thankfully, were spared yet another rendition of how he got his powers/Uncle Bens death, arriving already fully formed and with only a brief mention of getting bit by a spider and with no mention whatsoever of 'with great power comes great responsibilty'.
To the best of my knowledge, this is also the Vultures first big-screen appearance, although his own powers here come from scavenged alien tech rather than anything more 'comic-book'y. This also takes the unusual(?) approach of having Spider-Man being teenaged and still at school, rather than all the previous (non-MCU) movies in which he is leaving or has already left university.
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated Rogue (2020) in Movies
Sep 18, 2020
I hate giving poor reviews, but I'm not left with many options here. Most of the acting was average at best and at times outright hollow. The CGI used for the animals was pretty atrocious given the tech that's currently available and generally used in this type of movie. I understand that there was a giant blockbuster budget available, but the level of dodgy production is unacceptable at any budget. I'm usually fine with films who use sound and music throughout to add to the feel and suspense of the theme but the sounds and music used here did nothing to help. They actually did the opposite. Often ill timed and almost always a poor choice for the circumstances.
I'm able to forgive the lack of originality if that dearth is made up for otherwise. Sadly, there was no redemption found here.
I'm able to forgive the lack of originality if that dearth is made up for otherwise. Sadly, there was no redemption found here.
Dean (6925 KP) rated Anon (2018) in Movies
May 12, 2018 (Updated May 12, 2018)
Ambitious Sci-Fi Thriller
A classy Neo-Noir detective Thriller. From the same director as @In Time (2011) @Gattaca (1997) This is set in the near future where Humans have a minds eye tech. They can record memories, or anything from their point of view, or even make a type of video call all through the "ether". A kind of online, cloud system for data.
The technology ideas are very impressive and clearly touch on current issues around personal data and privacy laws. Despite this it doesn't have a big blockbuster feel to the film. The Sfx are kept quite simple overall. The film does have a certain visual style to it, including some impressive sets and locations.
A very interesting film that touches on some current issues whilst also being an enjoyable thriller. Short of being excellent but possibly a future cult classic!
The technology ideas are very impressive and clearly touch on current issues around personal data and privacy laws. Despite this it doesn't have a big blockbuster feel to the film. The Sfx are kept quite simple overall. The film does have a certain visual style to it, including some impressive sets and locations.
A very interesting film that touches on some current issues whilst also being an enjoyable thriller. Short of being excellent but possibly a future cult classic!
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Batman: Nightwalker - DC Icons Book 2 in Books
May 14, 2018
So I didn't actually realize, back when I reviewed Wonder Woman: Warbringer, that it was the start of a series of origin novels. The second is this one, about Batman, and the next is Catwoman: Soulstealer. (I can't wait for that one, Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, and Catwoman have been my three favorite superheroes for ages, even if Catwoman isn't exactly a hero!) After Catwoman's book, we get Superman's book, and that's all that's been announced, so I don't know if there will be any more. Though I hope there will be, because these first two have been excellent!
The name Batman is never actually mentioned in this book; he is Bruce Wayne the entire way through. He does get a suit, towards the end, and starts his career as Batman without really realizing he's doing so. We get a few nods to the Batman mythos - he stops to watch a swarm of bats heading out to hunt, and he mentions the broken grandfather clock that he hasn't fixed yet. But this is a Bruce around his high school graduation, just starting to learn about the kinds of tech that Wayne Tech produces. We do meet a few familiar faces beyond Alfred.
I had a few moments where I wanted to shake both Bruce and the adults around him because NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD DO THAT and if it needed to happen for plot's sake make it more believable! But it was overall pretty good.
There's no need to read this in order, from what I can tell - events in Wonder Woman have no effect on Gotham. Though the Catwoman book is also set in Gotham, so it will be interesting to see if they intertwine at all.
If you like DC Comics, these are definitely worth reading - if you don't, skip them.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
The name Batman is never actually mentioned in this book; he is Bruce Wayne the entire way through. He does get a suit, towards the end, and starts his career as Batman without really realizing he's doing so. We get a few nods to the Batman mythos - he stops to watch a swarm of bats heading out to hunt, and he mentions the broken grandfather clock that he hasn't fixed yet. But this is a Bruce around his high school graduation, just starting to learn about the kinds of tech that Wayne Tech produces. We do meet a few familiar faces beyond Alfred.
I had a few moments where I wanted to shake both Bruce and the adults around him because NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD DO THAT and if it needed to happen for plot's sake make it more believable! But it was overall pretty good.
There's no need to read this in order, from what I can tell - events in Wonder Woman have no effect on Gotham. Though the Catwoman book is also set in Gotham, so it will be interesting to see if they intertwine at all.
If you like DC Comics, these are definitely worth reading - if you don't, skip them.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com