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Animation & Drawing by Do Ink
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*** Featured – App Store Essentials: Painting & Drawing *** *** Featured – App Store: Middle...
The Earth by Tinybop
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Dig into our planet and the forces that shape it. Trigger earthquakes! Make volcanos erupt!...
Ross (3284 KP) rated Black Mirror - Season 1 in TV
Jan 8, 2018
These three near-future / alternative reality episodes tell of a different chilling aspect of human life. All are fantastical, though worryingly plausible. Charlie Brooker has pretty much nailed the line between believable and speculative fiction.
The first episode sees the UK prime minister forced into considering an unpleasant act after a ransom demand from a kidnapper. It serves as a good representation of media coverage and their involvement in spreading panic and stoking outrage.
The next episode was a near-future look at a world where some classes of people spend their days on exercise bikes, presumably powering society. They are forced to watch endless hours of a small number of TV shows and are charged a fee to skip pop-up adverts for porn shows. The indictment of where society is headed, including the disposability of talent shows and how much more mandatory watching adverts could become, felt like something of a warning to turn back now!
The final episode revolved around people having the ability to instantaneously rewind and re-view moments of their lives and cast it to TV screens. The story looks at how this plays a part in a man's suspicions over his wife's faithfulness to their marriage. Similar to the previous 2 episodes, it shows that the technology, and people's reliance on it, does not help real life in any way, rather it further fuels suspicion and malcontent.
Three stories about the way the human race is headed told brilliantly.
The first episode sees the UK prime minister forced into considering an unpleasant act after a ransom demand from a kidnapper. It serves as a good representation of media coverage and their involvement in spreading panic and stoking outrage.
The next episode was a near-future look at a world where some classes of people spend their days on exercise bikes, presumably powering society. They are forced to watch endless hours of a small number of TV shows and are charged a fee to skip pop-up adverts for porn shows. The indictment of where society is headed, including the disposability of talent shows and how much more mandatory watching adverts could become, felt like something of a warning to turn back now!
The final episode revolved around people having the ability to instantaneously rewind and re-view moments of their lives and cast it to TV screens. The story looks at how this plays a part in a man's suspicions over his wife's faithfulness to their marriage. Similar to the previous 2 episodes, it shows that the technology, and people's reliance on it, does not help real life in any way, rather it further fuels suspicion and malcontent.
Three stories about the way the human race is headed told brilliantly.
tapestry100 (306 KP) rated American Gods in Books
Jul 26, 2017
Originally reviewed on http://www.frommybookshelf.com
There's not much I could probably add to the discussion about American Gods that hasn't already been said, but I can say that I loved this story. I had been meaning to get around to reading this, and when the show finally starting running on Starz, I thought now is as good a time as any. I'm surprised by how different the show is from the book; I can understand the updates to technology in the show as the book is over 15 years old and tech has evolved in that time, but in addition to that, there are some significant changes to how the show is being altered, and to be honest, there's a part of me that likes the show better than the book, but Gaiman's story is still marvelous. I'm very interested to see how the show will play out, especially given the story arc and character changes.
I'm wildly interested in reading Anansi Boys, but I'll be taking a short break in between the two books. I don't want to get overloaded on gods!
A note on the full cast reading of the 10th Anniversary Edition
I decided to listen to the book on my work commute, and I'm not going to lie, I loved the cast reading. They various narrators handled each of their characters perfectly and were totally believable. I'm really hoping that the audio of Anansi Boys is handled just as well.
There's not much I could probably add to the discussion about American Gods that hasn't already been said, but I can say that I loved this story. I had been meaning to get around to reading this, and when the show finally starting running on Starz, I thought now is as good a time as any. I'm surprised by how different the show is from the book; I can understand the updates to technology in the show as the book is over 15 years old and tech has evolved in that time, but in addition to that, there are some significant changes to how the show is being altered, and to be honest, there's a part of me that likes the show better than the book, but Gaiman's story is still marvelous. I'm very interested to see how the show will play out, especially given the story arc and character changes.
I'm wildly interested in reading Anansi Boys, but I'll be taking a short break in between the two books. I don't want to get overloaded on gods!
A note on the full cast reading of the 10th Anniversary Edition
I decided to listen to the book on my work commute, and I'm not going to lie, I loved the cast reading. They various narrators handled each of their characters perfectly and were totally believable. I'm really hoping that the audio of Anansi Boys is handled just as well.
tapestry100 (306 KP) rated American Gods in Books
Sep 18, 2017
There's not much I could probably add to the discussion about American Gods that hasn't already been said, but I can say that I loved this story. I had been meaning to get around to reading this, and when the show finally starting running on Starz, I thought now is as good a time as any. I'm surprised by how different the show is from the book; I can understand the updates to technology in the show as the book is over 15 years old and tech has evolved in that time, but in addition to that, there are some significant changes to how the show is being altered, and to be honest, there's a part of me that likes the show better than the book, but Gaiman's story is still marvelous. I'm very interested to see how the show will play out, especially given the story arc and character changes.
I'm wildly interested in reading Anansi Boys, but I'll be taking a short break in between the two books. I don't want to get overloaded on gods!
A note on the full cast reading of the 10th Anniversary Edition
I decided to listen to the book on my work commute, and I'm not going to lie, I loved the cast reading. They various narrators handled each of their characters perfectly and were totally believable. I'm really hoping that the audio of Anansi Boys is handled just as well.
I'm wildly interested in reading Anansi Boys, but I'll be taking a short break in between the two books. I don't want to get overloaded on gods!
A note on the full cast reading of the 10th Anniversary Edition
I decided to listen to the book on my work commute, and I'm not going to lie, I loved the cast reading. They various narrators handled each of their characters perfectly and were totally believable. I'm really hoping that the audio of Anansi Boys is handled just as well.
Sarah (7799 KP) rated Black Mirror - Season 4 in TV
Mar 26, 2018
Back on form
I'm probably one of the few people who didn't rate the third series of Black Mirror. In my eyes, it just wasn't up the high standards set by the previous series. So I'd put off watching series 4 as i didn't have very high expectations, but I'm now very sad that I didn't watch it sooner!
This is a fantastic series with a lot of very strong episodes. From the USS Callister which really makes fun of the old school sci-fi shows, to Hang the DJ which introduces a whole new method to modern dating. Virtually every episode is full of dark humour, with very ominous overtones. My favourite would have to be Black Museum, as it is ridiculously funny and I loved the references to the previous episodes. The only truly weak episode would probably be Metalhead and that was more due to the execution rather the premise itself.
For me, the best thing about Black Mirror is the social and cultural commentary and the use of technology for sinister means. As this is set in an alternate or near future, you can almost see these things happening in reality and each episode is a great talking point (if you happen to be watching it with someone else). Arkangel is a great example, highlighting the pitfalls of overprotective parenting.
A fantastic return to form for Black Mirror, and has left me wanting more!
This is a fantastic series with a lot of very strong episodes. From the USS Callister which really makes fun of the old school sci-fi shows, to Hang the DJ which introduces a whole new method to modern dating. Virtually every episode is full of dark humour, with very ominous overtones. My favourite would have to be Black Museum, as it is ridiculously funny and I loved the references to the previous episodes. The only truly weak episode would probably be Metalhead and that was more due to the execution rather the premise itself.
For me, the best thing about Black Mirror is the social and cultural commentary and the use of technology for sinister means. As this is set in an alternate or near future, you can almost see these things happening in reality and each episode is a great talking point (if you happen to be watching it with someone else). Arkangel is a great example, highlighting the pitfalls of overprotective parenting.
A fantastic return to form for Black Mirror, and has left me wanting more!
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Walk in the Flesh in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I was provided a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review***
In Walk in the Flesh, Neil, an ex-soldier on the brink of death, is given the chance to live on and exact revenge on the people who killed his wife in a terrorist attack. The British government will use nanotechnology to insert his consciousness into host bodies, allowing him to carry out covert missions undetected. Now, besides becoming a perfect killing machine, Neil has also become a monster. Or perhaps he was one all along
The story has a very scary premise and one that technology might not be too far away from making a possibility. There is no shortage of action in this thriller, and I was caught up in it right away. The story moves quickly, but it takes a while to really understand what is happening with Neil. Eventually the reader knows more about him than he does himself. The most suspenseful bits come near the end when he has a young woman travelling with him, and youre left guessing at his motivations.
There were a few editing issues. Once or twice I had to re-read a sentence due to a missing word, but the issues were infrequent or the story kept moving well enough for me not to notice too much.
If you enjoy military adventure novels, cyberpunk, or techno-thrillers, this one is worth a read.
In Walk in the Flesh, Neil, an ex-soldier on the brink of death, is given the chance to live on and exact revenge on the people who killed his wife in a terrorist attack. The British government will use nanotechnology to insert his consciousness into host bodies, allowing him to carry out covert missions undetected. Now, besides becoming a perfect killing machine, Neil has also become a monster. Or perhaps he was one all along
The story has a very scary premise and one that technology might not be too far away from making a possibility. There is no shortage of action in this thriller, and I was caught up in it right away. The story moves quickly, but it takes a while to really understand what is happening with Neil. Eventually the reader knows more about him than he does himself. The most suspenseful bits come near the end when he has a young woman travelling with him, and youre left guessing at his motivations.
There were a few editing issues. Once or twice I had to re-read a sentence due to a missing word, but the issues were infrequent or the story kept moving well enough for me not to notice too much.
If you enjoy military adventure novels, cyberpunk, or techno-thrillers, this one is worth a read.
Sarah (7799 KP) rated Fahrenheit 451 (2018) in Movies
Aug 15, 2018
Too much of a slow burner...
It’s been a long time since I read (and hugely enjoyed) the book, however I’m afraid the same can’t be said for this. Although I don’t remember too much about the book, I’m sure I recall it being a fairly dark and gritty dystopian future quite like the one in 1984, but this depiction makes it out to be a little too slick and advanced, and not quite dark enough. I appreciate that the book was written some years ago, but I feel like this version has taken in too much of our idea of future technology instead of sticking closer to the source material. I’m known for not liking films that don’t stick close enough to the books, so maybe that’s affecting my judgement.
Michael B Jordan does okay although I feel he’s a little young for how I imagined Montag to be. Michael Shannon is good as the Captain but i think his character motivations are very well defined and they come across as a bit confused. The plot itself is well explained but the problem is it’s quite slow paced and seems to come across as dull and drags at times. Yet Montag’s motivations seem to too quickly change from devoted Fireman to deviant.
Whilst I don’t think this is a terrible adaptation, it’s not one I’d recommend unless you’ve read the book. The only thing this has done is prompted me to read the book again!
Michael B Jordan does okay although I feel he’s a little young for how I imagined Montag to be. Michael Shannon is good as the Captain but i think his character motivations are very well defined and they come across as a bit confused. The plot itself is well explained but the problem is it’s quite slow paced and seems to come across as dull and drags at times. Yet Montag’s motivations seem to too quickly change from devoted Fireman to deviant.
Whilst I don’t think this is a terrible adaptation, it’s not one I’d recommend unless you’ve read the book. The only thing this has done is prompted me to read the book again!
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Recursion in Books
Jul 8, 2019
Wow! A well-thought-out and well-executed story with great writing. Just wow!
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Wow! Wow! Wow!
I write 200-word reviews. They are exactly 200 words. For Blake Crouch's Recursion, my review could be just writing the word "wow" 198 times and to end it with "read this!".
I rarely rate a book 5 stars. They have to be extraordinary, either extraordinarily written or be an extraordinary story. This was both. I also usually write my reviews soon after finishing a book but I needed time to decompress and process this story.
I was a Psychology major and had several people close to me suffer from Alzheimer’s so I am fascinated by memory. In Recursion, in 2007, a scientist works to create technology to preserve our memories to help her mother who has Alzheimer’s. In 2018, people suffer from False Memory Syndrome, an affliction that drives people mad with memories of living an entirely different life, a life they never lived.
Recursion asks, "what if you could go back through your memories and “fix” them? Change events in order to protect children, countries, civilizations." Would you?
I have wanted to read Blake Crouch for more than a decade but did not get around to it. I am annoyed I did not read him sooner.
This review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/2/19.
Wow! Wow! Wow!
I write 200-word reviews. They are exactly 200 words. For Blake Crouch's Recursion, my review could be just writing the word "wow" 198 times and to end it with "read this!".
I rarely rate a book 5 stars. They have to be extraordinary, either extraordinarily written or be an extraordinary story. This was both. I also usually write my reviews soon after finishing a book but I needed time to decompress and process this story.
I was a Psychology major and had several people close to me suffer from Alzheimer’s so I am fascinated by memory. In Recursion, in 2007, a scientist works to create technology to preserve our memories to help her mother who has Alzheimer’s. In 2018, people suffer from False Memory Syndrome, an affliction that drives people mad with memories of living an entirely different life, a life they never lived.
Recursion asks, "what if you could go back through your memories and “fix” them? Change events in order to protect children, countries, civilizations." Would you?
I have wanted to read Blake Crouch for more than a decade but did not get around to it. I am annoyed I did not read him sooner.
This review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/2/19.
