Search

Search only in certain items:

Collection by Electric Light Orchestra
Collection by Electric Light Orchestra
1995 | Rock
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I grew up in London, but I spent my teens in the countryside, and I’d come to London on the weekends. It was the early stages of the band where we were meeting new people, getting drunk and stoned - all of those really formative experiences of exploring the decadent debauchery that London has to offer. Then at the end of the weekend I’d have to hop on a train and go back to the sanity of school life. “Whenever I hear this song it evokes that feeling, the sense of the early days of the band and discovering my gang. Your early twenties are about finding your tribe, which is what I did during that time by travelling to London and having those formative experiences with them. “Last Train to London” evokes that sense of finding where you belong, and it happens to contextually fit in with my experience at the time. “It’s a stark contrast to the previously mentioned songs, which are a little darker and heavier. It’s a feel-good tune to me, although it’s a song which has a kind of sad, bittersweet mood in the lyrics, like “I really want tonight to last forever / I really want to be with you.” I felt that bittersweet feeling at the time. “It’s also just a great disco banger! It’s mixed so loud and so relentlessly; and sonically it’s an incredible song. I’m uplifted whenever I hear it, it makes me feel elated. I always drop it when I DJ, it bulldozes the songs on either side of it when I play it."

Source
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2269 KP) rated Golden Gate in Books

Apr 19, 2021 (Updated Apr 19, 2021)  
Golden Gate
Golden Gate
James Ponti | 2021 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The City Spies Cross the Pond
As this book opens, Brooklyn and Sydney, two of the team of City Spies, are on board a ship for a week of marine biology targeted at young women. While they certainly do appreciate the science they are getting, they are really there to covertly guard two of the other teens on the ship. And it’s a good thing, too, when Umbra agents show up trying to kidnap the girls. Meanwhile, there is a new lead on a mole inside MI-6 and a lead in a secret project for Mother, the spy in charge of all the City Spies. Might it tie into the kidnapping?

Last year, I fell in love with these characters with the first book in the series, and I’m delighted to say that this book was just as good as the first one. The story kept me engaged the entire way, and there were times I was turning pages as quickly as I could to find out what would happen next. While all of the characters get their moments to shine, this is really Sydney’s book since she sees the most growth. One thing I love is how much the characters care for each other, so we see them working through conflicts they have. I might have even teared up a time or two as I read. We also get plenty of laughs along the way. I especially enjoyed the scenes in San Francisco since I recognized so many of the places they went. Kids will love this book. I know I’m already anxious to find out what happens next.
  
Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (2021)
Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (2021)
2021 | Horror
8
7.7 (12 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
We get a recap of the previous movie, then when the movie starts properly we see a young woman who lives alone. This woman has alarms set for different times of the day, keeps her house locked up like a prison and appears to be scared of everything. It eventually turns out it was her who the teens in the previous movie had called for help, and they take a possessed Sam to her house in the hope that she would help. Initially she refuses, but then tells them a story about her time at camp when her sister died.

We get a flashback to 1978 where a young girl called Ziggy was being accused of being a witch and constantly bullied by a group of girls because of it. She isn't a witch but it isn't long before the first attack and ziggys sister Cindy realises something strange is going on and goes searching for answers.

Just like the first it was very teen Slasher, but I enjoyed this one more than the first one. There was more murders and more gore with a shocking twist at the end. It has the feel of the Friday the 13th movies, though I did find the scenes inside the cave difficult to watch, not because of the content but because it was so dark visually.

I find the movie let's you start to like certain characters and then when they're taken away you feel all the emotions because you get attached to them, especially the final kills, which was a surprisingly powerful moment, you tend not to get that in Slasher movies so I thought that was a nice touch.
  
Zombeavers (2015)
Zombeavers (2015)
2015 | Action, Comedy, Horror
6
4.8 (8 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
Zombeavers is more an attempted at an 80's slasher film than a Zombie movie, you have your house by the lake, your horny teens and your monsters. The narrative is almost 'by the book' and once you work out what the threat is you could pretty much wright the script yourself. And it doesn't take much to work out the threat, between the title and opening credits you know what's going on before the protagonists do.
The effects are ok, the actual beavers are obviously fake animatronics but this is probably deliberate to help with the cheesy feel of the film, there is blood but not too much guts although there is a scene with a beaver ripped in half which is quite good (I'm not going to mention the scene meant to make any male's eyes water).
As with most 80's slashers there's sex, boobs and pruds. There are a few secondary characters, most of whom have no character and are really only there to flesh out the number victims and, to be honest the main characters don't really have much, well character.
Some of the water scenes seem to be going for a 'Friday the Thirteenth' feel but, where most films would have the characters messing about and joking about the monster and thus adding to their development, Zombeavers just gets down to the action and, as it's run time is is only around 1 hour 17 there is plenty of time for expansion.
If you like slashers then you may like Zombeavers, most of the elements are there but it's predictable, slightly funny and has mostly been done before, just not with Beavers.
  
Goosebumps (2015)
Goosebumps (2015)
2015 | Family, Horror, Mystery
A mother and son move into their new home. Upon arrival Zack notices someone watching him but thinks nothing of it. He soon meets the person watching him and her dad who tells him to stay away from her.
One evening after hanging out with Hannah (the girl next door), Zack hears her screaming and her dad shouting at her. Worried, Zack calls the police but when they investigate hannahs dad claims that hannah had gone back to her mother's and the screaming was from the TV. Zack, however, is not buying this so he seeks help from a school mate and goes searching hannahs house. There they find a basement full of bear traps, a bookshelf full of locked Goosebumps books and of course Hannah. They unlock one of the books and an abominable snowman comes out of it jumanji style. After it's recaptured back into the book we learn that hannahs dad is R. L Stine, the author of Goosebumps and he explains about the books.
His most evil creation slappy opens all the books unleashing every monster he's ever created. It is now upto Stine and the teens to return them to their rightful place.
As a teen I loved Goosebumps and owned many of the books. I was really looking forward to this movie. Its definitely not one to take seriously and is very silly and cringy in places, and the CGI isn't the best but it is entertaining nonetheless. It gives you all the nostalgia from the books, though I was disappointed they didn't take the opportunity to use the theme tune from the show.
  
The Naughty List
The Naughty List
Thomas Conway | 2019 | Children, Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
9
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
My thoughts seem to be hitting the mark on with is one. A really good book for the season. It is also good for everyone that wants to read it. It will tell the history of Christmas and how it differs for each person and Santa Claus.

It is for young adults and adults. I do not believe it is limited to them; it could go to children and teens as well. You will go on an adventure and a journey. There seem to be a group of kids that end up on a mission to rescue Santa. You will be surprised at each turn of the page.

There are surprises as to what the author puts into this story. I was surprised to learn about the history of Santa Claus and Christmas. This is told through the eyes of the children. They are from around the world. Christmas seems like it got a different meaning and Santa Claus has different names. You may learn something.

Did you know that Christmas has been around for many years? There seem to be different versions of it. We learn about the different Christmas traditions that happen around the world through the children and their families. We also learn about the meaning of Christmas and Santa Claus.

There are some actions and battles. Will good beat Evil? I was not expecting what I learned through this book but what a happy surprise and twist. There is plenty of action and adventure in this book. There a modern take on our favorite Christmas traditions. Everyone will love this book.
  
The Necromancer's Prison
The Necromancer's Prison
Alec Whitesell, Craig Bonacorsi | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Daring adventure with realistic teens
**I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**

I will admit I was a little hesitant to read this book. Science fiction and I have a love-hate relationship. I tend to get bored if the book is too logical, so it's always a gamble for me. Luckily, this book was right up my alley. It's science fiction that verges on the cusp of fantasy. It's logical, but it doesn't get bogged down by too much logic which I appreciated.

The Necromancer's Prison is a daring adventure book that is sure to keep you turning the page. I loved seeing the interaction between the main characters, and I loved the bickering & comradery they had as well. Each character was there for a reason, and I liked that they acted like teenagers. They had a great connection to each other, and even as an adult, I could connect with them.

Something else that I loved about this book is the plot and how fast-paced it was. Once I got into the story, I devoured it. The plot was intricate and engaging. It also had some twists & turns, which kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next. Though I will admit, the present tense threw me for a loop. It took me a bit to get into the book, but once I got into the meat of the book, I enjoyed it.

All in all, this book left me satisfied, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. I recommend this book to anyone that wants a quick-paced science fiction that verges on fantasy.
  
Fire Magic (Abnormals Underground #2)
Fire Magic (Abnormals Underground #2)
Holly Hook | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
103 of 200
Kindle
Fire magic (Abnormals underground book 2)
By Holly A. Hook

 
Alyssa's a rare mix of supernatural according to Thoreau, the demonic mayor, and she was every reason to believe him. She's already got a rare gene that turned her into a vampire and now her enemies burn from the inside out whenever she stabs them. On top of that, biting her hot Mage battle partner, Xavier, will strengthen them both and bring her one step closer to becoming the "Dark Pentagram," who will merge Earth with the Infernal world. Therefore, it's best to stay out of Thoreau's clutches unless she wants to see Hell on Earth.

But then Thoreau steals the secret to destroying the Underground, the society of supernaturals that Alyssa now calls home, she and Xavier have no choice but to go after him. Demons? No problem. Crossing the world? No sweat. Finding out whether or not Xavier likes her? That's tricky, along with learning where her strange powers came from. But none of that compares to her growing thirst for Xavier's blood, a thirst she may not be able to resist. Alyssa just might have to become the monster she's vowed never to be...



I’m actually really enjoying this series for a YA it’s a very good concept! I get a bit annoyed with Xavier sometimes he can be a bit premenstral! It’s definitely worth giving it a go if you enjoy the magic in books! I also find it a struggle that a whole powerful council don’t do anything about the big bad bit two teens do!
  
40x40

Amy Norman (1042 KP) rated The Dead Don't Die (2019) in Movies

Oct 2, 2020 (Updated Oct 3, 2020)  
The Dead Don't Die (2019)
The Dead Don't Die (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Horror
This film won't be for everyone, it is a very niche humour; if you have watched any of Jarmusch's other films you will understand how unique this film is, and how he doesn't bow down to 'conventional' film making.

I lifted the below directly from Wikipedia:

Jarmusch has been characterized as a minimalist filmmaker whose idiosyncratic films are unhurried. His films often eschew traditional narrative structure, lacking clear plot progression and focus more on mood and character development. In an interview early in his career, he stated that his goal was "to approximate real time for the audience."

This pretty much sums up the film. It is an unhurried take on a zombie film, in a small American town.
The characters are uncomplicated by the fact that they are very much one thing, and fall into strict stereotyoes i.e. straightforward, rude, weird, the nerd, the unbothered teens etc.
The cast was also huge, it was a true who's who, and each of them played to their strengths perfectly.

Bill Murray and Adam Driver were a fantastic pairing, as the slack jawed police chief, and main officer, that were undertaking the investigation of the towns unusual disturbances, and quite contentedly bumble through to the films conclusion.

The humour was painfully matter of fact, and delivered flawlessly dead pan. A style of humour I have always appreciated.

This isn't a straight up horror/zombie film, so if you are looking for a more mellow and laid back film then you may be able to appreciate this one, but it is certainly not one for the traditional horror fan.