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Dalicat (20 KP) rated A Million Little Pieces in Books
Sep 3, 2018
The beautifully stark poetical prose (2 more)
The spectrum of emotion through which the reader follows the author
A plot that could go in any direction
Brutally honest
There is a wealth of literature about drug addiction, alcoholism and recovery out there. Most of it seems contrived and tries much too hard to preach to the reader about the awfulness of addiction and the
redemptive process of recovery. I find most of these hard to stomach. There is nothing contrived about this work. It tells it as it is. The author is neither trying to shock nor preach. This autobiographical novel is written in a stark prose which allows the horrors and joys of the story to speak for themselves. The comedy is deepest black as is the despair. The story is filled with wonderful and terrible characters and events. I wanted to read it straight through but had to stop to rest and sleep.
redemptive process of recovery. I find most of these hard to stomach. There is nothing contrived about this work. It tells it as it is. The author is neither trying to shock nor preach. This autobiographical novel is written in a stark prose which allows the horrors and joys of the story to speak for themselves. The comedy is deepest black as is the despair. The story is filled with wonderful and terrible characters and events. I wanted to read it straight through but had to stop to rest and sleep.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Cargo (2017) in Movies
Sep 16, 2018
Nothing new
The problem with zombie films now is that the whole zombie genre has been done to death (ha). There's far too many zombie films out there and sadly Cargo doesn't add anything new.
Whilst it has a slightly different take on the transformation into a zombie and this is done very well, this is just another apocalyptic zombie film, but this time it's set in Australia. The plot is okay but suffers from the main character doing a number of unexplainable and explicable things - he's got very limited time left, yet seems to thing it's fine to dawdle, faff and sit around doing nothing. Its a shame as Martin Freeman puts in a fantastic performance, he just doesn't have the unique plot to back it up.
I really wish they'd stop making zombie films now. This isn't a terrible film by far, it's just an entirely unnecessary addition to the genre.
Whilst it has a slightly different take on the transformation into a zombie and this is done very well, this is just another apocalyptic zombie film, but this time it's set in Australia. The plot is okay but suffers from the main character doing a number of unexplainable and explicable things - he's got very limited time left, yet seems to thing it's fine to dawdle, faff and sit around doing nothing. Its a shame as Martin Freeman puts in a fantastic performance, he just doesn't have the unique plot to back it up.
I really wish they'd stop making zombie films now. This isn't a terrible film by far, it's just an entirely unnecessary addition to the genre.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Munchkin in Tabletop Games
Oct 5, 2018
The most popular terrible game since monopoly
This is a game where you stab your friends in the back as you play king of the hill essentially. people gang up on the leader, and the game only ends when someone take a substantial lead.... which means the game can and does go on, and on, and on, and on, and on, until people get frustrated and don't want to play any more and give up and let someone win.... kinda like monopoly.... If you like these games, go out and get one of the 15,000 expansion and themed versions.... if you like boardgames to be strategic and have challenging choices and interesting mechanics, look elsewhere. I've played this game 4 times over 10 years, and each one reminded me why I didn't play it for so long between.... I will not be tricked again. I veto this on game nights.....
Katie (868 KP) rated The Haunting of Hill House in TV
Oct 13, 2018
I tried giving this show the benefit of the doubt. The first episode wasn't terrible, but unfortunately, the subsequent episodes displayed a real lack of creativity and understanding of the novel. It basically became a checklist of modern horror cliches.
The original novel and the 1963 film, The Haunting, were wonderful because of the subtlety. There weren't any jump scares or visible monsters. It was all a question of one's sanity rather than an unambiguous haunting. This all lent to the eeriness of the story. The eeriness was the question, the not knowing.
If you've seen any run of the mill horror films in the last 10 years you know what this series is going to throw at you and it will not surprise you one bit. Despite all that I'm still watching it so it must have something that's keeping my interest. Because of that, I'm giving it a 3/10 rather than 1/10.
The original novel and the 1963 film, The Haunting, were wonderful because of the subtlety. There weren't any jump scares or visible monsters. It was all a question of one's sanity rather than an unambiguous haunting. This all lent to the eeriness of the story. The eeriness was the question, the not knowing.
If you've seen any run of the mill horror films in the last 10 years you know what this series is going to throw at you and it will not surprise you one bit. Despite all that I'm still watching it so it must have something that's keeping my interest. Because of that, I'm giving it a 3/10 rather than 1/10.
Andrea D (21 KP) rated A Simple Favor in Books
Jan 10, 2019
Awful
Hello my name is Stephanie I'll be your protagonist tonight my best friend has disappeared and I've decided I'm going to wank over her husband while he's in the next room, also did I mention I had a sexual affair with my half brother that only ended when he and my husband died in a car crash?
No its not game of thrones its yet another shitty thriller I've put myself through the misery of reading because I can't remember what 90% of the books on my kindle are about. If the opening lines aren't enough of a warning about how terrible this book is then perhaps this accurate description might help - Gone Girl without the writing, without the character development, with incest and clearly written after the author had drunk a bath full of prosecco and found a over used thriller story line generator somewhere in the dark places of the internet. or probably tumblr.
No its not game of thrones its yet another shitty thriller I've put myself through the misery of reading because I can't remember what 90% of the books on my kindle are about. If the opening lines aren't enough of a warning about how terrible this book is then perhaps this accurate description might help - Gone Girl without the writing, without the character development, with incest and clearly written after the author had drunk a bath full of prosecco and found a over used thriller story line generator somewhere in the dark places of the internet. or probably tumblr.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Freddy vs. Jason (2003) in Movies
Jul 16, 2019
The guiltiest of pleasures
It's always fun and when we get something like this.- two horror icons going toe to toe, but was Freddy vs. Jason ever destined to be a good film?
No. No it was not. Freddy vs. Jason is pretty damn terrible.
The human cast are hugely unlikable - but I imagine that's the point, as when the slaughter begins, it's easy to find yourself rooting for the killers.
The effects have aged pretty badly, but for all it's shortcomings, it's definitely the kind of movie I will always watch when it's on. Its fun enough to be enjoyable.
It's hard to imagine anyone but Robert Englund in the role of Freddy, so it's nice to see him once again in a more modern film before he was recast.
In terms of horror - it's not a particularly scary film, but its pretty gory - and the kills are pretty ludicrous.
Worth a watch just for what it is.
No. No it was not. Freddy vs. Jason is pretty damn terrible.
The human cast are hugely unlikable - but I imagine that's the point, as when the slaughter begins, it's easy to find yourself rooting for the killers.
The effects have aged pretty badly, but for all it's shortcomings, it's definitely the kind of movie I will always watch when it's on. Its fun enough to be enjoyable.
It's hard to imagine anyone but Robert Englund in the role of Freddy, so it's nice to see him once again in a more modern film before he was recast.
In terms of horror - it's not a particularly scary film, but its pretty gory - and the kills are pretty ludicrous.
Worth a watch just for what it is.
ClareR (6106 KP) rated The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August in Books
Jul 1, 2019
It’s a Claire North book, isn’t it?!
I love Claire North books, and this is no exception. It really is a case of buying the book based purely on her name being on the cover, and I haven’t been disappointed yet (thankfully!). This is the book that started it all for me.
Harry has lived his life many times. He’s an Ourabouros, and one of a few. On his deathbed, a young girl comes to see him and asks him to help find someone who is doing something that they shouldn’t be doing with their ability to live their lives repeatedly, and they’re changing the potential future of the world for the worst.
Her writing really is sublime. It’s a ‘don’t skip a word’ type of writing. I’m terrible for skim-reading, but I don’t do that with Claire North books: it’s all about the journey of the story, and the way in which it’s told.
So yes, I do recommend this book! I loved it.
Harry has lived his life many times. He’s an Ourabouros, and one of a few. On his deathbed, a young girl comes to see him and asks him to help find someone who is doing something that they shouldn’t be doing with their ability to live their lives repeatedly, and they’re changing the potential future of the world for the worst.
Her writing really is sublime. It’s a ‘don’t skip a word’ type of writing. I’m terrible for skim-reading, but I don’t do that with Claire North books: it’s all about the journey of the story, and the way in which it’s told.
So yes, I do recommend this book! I loved it.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Fandom of the Operator in Books
Nov 13, 2019
I like Rankin's work a lot. Some of his works are just amazingly inventive, incredibly humorous and reliably off-the-wall.
Unfortunately this really isn't quite up to his normal standards, although the plot has all his usual hallmarks - essentially someone discovers it is possible to phone the dead, which ends up with potentially terrible consequences for the living.
This sounds like quite a slight premise to hang a whole book of of, and I think that is the heart of the problem here. Some of the writing and twists are amongst the very best. We follow the main character through his life and although we know he's pretty unpleasant, the shock when he is asked how many people he has murdered, and is response, is pure Rankin cleverness.
Unfortunately such moments are too few and the plot too slow moving for this to be counted as a good Rankin novel. One for the completists but certainly not one that demonstrates his true ability.
Unfortunately this really isn't quite up to his normal standards, although the plot has all his usual hallmarks - essentially someone discovers it is possible to phone the dead, which ends up with potentially terrible consequences for the living.
This sounds like quite a slight premise to hang a whole book of of, and I think that is the heart of the problem here. Some of the writing and twists are amongst the very best. We follow the main character through his life and although we know he's pretty unpleasant, the shock when he is asked how many people he has murdered, and is response, is pure Rankin cleverness.
Unfortunately such moments are too few and the plot too slow moving for this to be counted as a good Rankin novel. One for the completists but certainly not one that demonstrates his true ability.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Little Monsters (2019) in Movies
Nov 16, 2019
Hilarious
I didn’t really know what to expect with this film, I always watch a direct to Sky film with reservations but for a change this one was pleasantly enjoyable.
The majority of the entertainment in this film comes from the highly inappropriate actions, language and conversation of the adult characters around the young children. Alexander England is a riot as the terrible uncle Dave, and Josh Gad’s Teddy McGiggle was delightfully funny as the crude children’s tv personality, although I think his character could’ve been used a lot better in parts. The physical effects in this are good and nice to see, especially in what is most likely a very low budget film. The ending (apart from a few choice zombie moments) is maybe a little bit OTT and cheesy, but overall this is just a fun, entertaining and different take on the zombie film. Maybe we haven’t seen everything zombie films have to offer just yet!
The majority of the entertainment in this film comes from the highly inappropriate actions, language and conversation of the adult characters around the young children. Alexander England is a riot as the terrible uncle Dave, and Josh Gad’s Teddy McGiggle was delightfully funny as the crude children’s tv personality, although I think his character could’ve been used a lot better in parts. The physical effects in this are good and nice to see, especially in what is most likely a very low budget film. The ending (apart from a few choice zombie moments) is maybe a little bit OTT and cheesy, but overall this is just a fun, entertaining and different take on the zombie film. Maybe we haven’t seen everything zombie films have to offer just yet!
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Batwoman in TV
Dec 3, 2019 (Updated Dec 3, 2019)
This is ok, and fingers crossed 🤞 it'll get better the longer it's part of the Arrowverse. It's definitely entertaining....but some of the acting is downright terrible. I suppose it's the writing as well. Ruby Rose - I adore her face, but she has literally one facial expression and that's it. In the most recent episode, she learns something that's supposed to make her cry, and it's honestly painful watching her try to show the emotion. The best acting so far has come from Rachel Skarsten as I-know-I-should-hate-her-but-I-can't villain Alice.
Also: why does everyone know who Batwoman is? I swear every time I turn around someone else is having an "ah ha!" moment.
Kate Kane's very much in the closet former lover Sophie is probably the most annoying character on the show. Loving the next gen characters of Luke Fox and and Julia Pennyworth, and the actual Batwoman costume is pretty badass.
Also: why does everyone know who Batwoman is? I swear every time I turn around someone else is having an "ah ha!" moment.
Kate Kane's very much in the closet former lover Sophie is probably the most annoying character on the show. Loving the next gen characters of Luke Fox and and Julia Pennyworth, and the actual Batwoman costume is pretty badass.