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Ross (3284 KP) rated The Incredibles 2 (2018) in Movies
Jul 16, 2018
I had characterised the first Incredibles film as a "boys' Disney film", alongside Cars - something for my son to get a little more out of than he does from Moana etc, but still enough for my daughters to enjoy too - plus a decent amount of action and humour for us parents. Interestingly, it is Violet, the teenage daughter of the family, that takes centre stage for a lot of the sequel, her struggle to find a balance between superhero-dom and normal teenage life teetering on the edge.
In terms of storyline, it really is much of a repeat of the original film - this time it is the mother, ElastiGirl, that is back in action while Mr Incredible is left holding the baby. The plot, and the motive of the villain, is at time a little confusing for kids, and also pretty tenuous - there really isn't any need for major twists in kids' films!
The humour mainly comes from the emergence of baby Jack-Jack's powers - a multitude of abilities appearing with little control over them.
A good film, but a little long and with a slightly failed plot.
In terms of storyline, it really is much of a repeat of the original film - this time it is the mother, ElastiGirl, that is back in action while Mr Incredible is left holding the baby. The plot, and the motive of the villain, is at time a little confusing for kids, and also pretty tenuous - there really isn't any need for major twists in kids' films!
The humour mainly comes from the emergence of baby Jack-Jack's powers - a multitude of abilities appearing with little control over them.
A good film, but a little long and with a slightly failed plot.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Yesterday (2019) in Movies
Jul 2, 2019 (Updated Jun 15, 2020)
Highly-anticipated high-concept collaboration between two of British cinema's biggest names doesn't really live up to expectations. Going-nowhere singer-songwriter falls off his bike during a mysterious black-out and when he wakes up discovers he is now living in a world where the Beatles have never existed. Fame and fortune naturally beckon, but will they come at the expense of The Important Things in Life?
It's a fascinating premise, but one the film largely ignores in favour of a very familiar rom-com storyline that doesn't do anything particularly interesting or engaging. You can't help wondering: what has happened to the world? How come (almost) nobody remembers the Fab Four? The whole point of this kind of story is surely for the absence of the Beatles to reveal, by implication, their greatness and significance, but the film suggests they can vanish leaving barely a ripple in terms of cultural or musical legacy. The results are intermittently amusing and occasionally interesting, but the film only succeeds at aiming low. Decent performances from the leads help; Kate McKinnon is good value as usual, but James Corden and Ed Sheeran are in it too.
It's a fascinating premise, but one the film largely ignores in favour of a very familiar rom-com storyline that doesn't do anything particularly interesting or engaging. You can't help wondering: what has happened to the world? How come (almost) nobody remembers the Fab Four? The whole point of this kind of story is surely for the absence of the Beatles to reveal, by implication, their greatness and significance, but the film suggests they can vanish leaving barely a ripple in terms of cultural or musical legacy. The results are intermittently amusing and occasionally interesting, but the film only succeeds at aiming low. Decent performances from the leads help; Kate McKinnon is good value as usual, but James Corden and Ed Sheeran are in it too.
Merissa (13816 KP) rated The Swan's Road (The Atheling Chronicles #1) in Books
Feb 4, 2020
The Swan's Road is the first book in the The Atheling Chronicles, which details the life of Harald and his father, Cnute. If you have read any Viking literature then these names will sound familiar. This story may have a basis in truth or it may be completely made up by the author. Either way, you will have a great historical novel to read.
Harald is the main character and he is travelling with his father. Excitement, adventure, love and sorrow, all wait for him as by his choices, he becomes separated from the main group.
This is full of action and adventure, in a medieval fashion. The characters grow throughout the book and behave true to themselves. I loved how it all worked out together, whilst keeping the reader on tenterhooks at the same time.
A brilliant medieval read in a series I hope to continue with. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Harald is the main character and he is travelling with his father. Excitement, adventure, love and sorrow, all wait for him as by his choices, he becomes separated from the main group.
This is full of action and adventure, in a medieval fashion. The characters grow throughout the book and behave true to themselves. I loved how it all worked out together, whilst keeping the reader on tenterhooks at the same time.
A brilliant medieval read in a series I hope to continue with. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Flatliners (2017) in Movies
Feb 27, 2020 (Updated Feb 27, 2020)
Just A Flat Line......
Flatliners- is a remake that i forgot that came out in 2017. I love the oringal and think its a very underrated film that has a great cast. I like Kiefer's cameo/small role in this film, their is a delted scene where it connects to the oringal film. So thats cool. I mean Ellen Page was good in it, and i like some of the psychological espects, that how the past haunts you and the past will bite you. Other than that this film was bad, really bad, awful.
The Plot: Five medical students embark on a daring and dangerous experiment to gain insight into the mystery of what lies beyond the confines of life. The bold adventure begins when they trigger near-death experiences by stopping their hearts for short periods of time. As their trials become more perilous, each must confront the sins from their past while facing the paranormal consequences of journeying to the other side.
Just skip this film, and go watch the oringal film. Cause like i said its a very underrated psycological horror jem.
The Plot: Five medical students embark on a daring and dangerous experiment to gain insight into the mystery of what lies beyond the confines of life. The bold adventure begins when they trigger near-death experiences by stopping their hearts for short periods of time. As their trials become more perilous, each must confront the sins from their past while facing the paranormal consequences of journeying to the other side.
Just skip this film, and go watch the oringal film. Cause like i said its a very underrated psycological horror jem.
If We Were Villains
7.0
Rate It
Book
On the day Oliver Marks is released from jail, the man who put him there is waiting at the door....
The Methods of Sergeant Cluff
Book
After battling for justice, at great personal risk, in his first recorded case, Sergeant Caleb Cluff...
Consider the Lobster
Book
Do lobsters feel pain? Did Franz Kafka have a sick sense of humour? What is John Updike's deal...
Merissa (13816 KP) rated The Hunter (Tales of Pern Coen: Bloodlines #1) in Books
Feb 17, 2023
An Absolute Corker of a Book!
THE HUNTER is the first book in the Tales of Pern Coen (Bloodlines) series and I'm already hooked.
I love the mix of Celtic names and fantasy places. The characters are all life-like, whether you like them or not. And I really enjoyed seeing the war through different eyes. Alekos isn't a bad person but his actions are. He doesn't see anything different. Rhiannon's eyes have been opened and she has heard both sides of the story. She sees herself as weak when she is stronger than she realises. And Conor... what do I say about him? He's the grumpy heart-of-gold character that I fall for every single time!
This is the first book by this author I have read and I read it in one sitting. The plot was great, the pacing perfect, and the characters made me smile. An absolute corker of a book that I highly recommend.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I love the mix of Celtic names and fantasy places. The characters are all life-like, whether you like them or not. And I really enjoyed seeing the war through different eyes. Alekos isn't a bad person but his actions are. He doesn't see anything different. Rhiannon's eyes have been opened and she has heard both sides of the story. She sees herself as weak when she is stronger than she realises. And Conor... what do I say about him? He's the grumpy heart-of-gold character that I fall for every single time!
This is the first book by this author I have read and I read it in one sitting. The plot was great, the pacing perfect, and the characters made me smile. An absolute corker of a book that I highly recommend.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
David McK (3721 KP) rated Gladiator 2 (2024) in Movies
Dec 6, 2024 (Updated Dec 6, 2024)
"My name is Gladiator"
It's only taken nearly a quarter of a century, and some insane ideas, before Ridley Scott made a sequel to his ground-breaking 2000 film Gladiator, often credited with kickstarting the resurgence in 'swords and sandels' films of the early 2000s.
In this, which plays a heavy debt to that earlier film, Paul Mescal stars as Hanno who, it turns out, also played a pivotal role in that earlier film (I don't want to give too much away, other than to say he's playing the same character circa 20 years later) and who, like Maximus before him, ends up fighting for his life in the Roman Arena for the amusement of the Roman mob.
Denzel Washington, this time, plays a role somewhat similar to Oliver Reed did in the first film, with - here - 2 Emperors instead of 1 (Commodus) in the persons of the twins Geta and Caracella - and with able support provided by the likes of Pedro Pascal (whom the trailers will make you think has a bigger role than he does) and Connie Nielsen.
Good, yes, but not up to the standards of the first.
In this, which plays a heavy debt to that earlier film, Paul Mescal stars as Hanno who, it turns out, also played a pivotal role in that earlier film (I don't want to give too much away, other than to say he's playing the same character circa 20 years later) and who, like Maximus before him, ends up fighting for his life in the Roman Arena for the amusement of the Roman mob.
Denzel Washington, this time, plays a role somewhat similar to Oliver Reed did in the first film, with - here - 2 Emperors instead of 1 (Commodus) in the persons of the twins Geta and Caracella - and with able support provided by the likes of Pedro Pascal (whom the trailers will make you think has a bigger role than he does) and Connie Nielsen.
Good, yes, but not up to the standards of the first.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2496 KP) rated Playing it Safe in Books
Jun 25, 2025 (Updated Jun 25, 2025)
Ellie Finds an Out of Town Mission Isn't Safe
With the Blitz now a nightly reality in London, Ellie is happy to be contacted by Major Ramsey with a new assignment. She is headed to the port city of Sunderland with only a book on birds as a clue to what her assignment is. She’s hardly arrived when someone’s she’s just met dies outside her boarding house. Is it connected to her mission?
While I’ve enjoyed the first two books, this one wasn’t as good. There is too much to the plot. While the ending makes sense, it is very rushed because of being overly ambitious. There’s also a focus on the love triangle, a storyline I’m not invested in since I know the outcome won’t be one I like. I also missed the regulars, although we did still get updates on some ongoing storylines. The book isn’t all bad. Ellie is enjoyable to spend time with, and the story kept my attention when it was the focus, allowing us to see another part of life in England in 1940. This is a book for fans of the series. Everyone else should start at the beginning.
While I’ve enjoyed the first two books, this one wasn’t as good. There is too much to the plot. While the ending makes sense, it is very rushed because of being overly ambitious. There’s also a focus on the love triangle, a storyline I’m not invested in since I know the outcome won’t be one I like. I also missed the regulars, although we did still get updates on some ongoing storylines. The book isn’t all bad. Ellie is enjoyable to spend time with, and the story kept my attention when it was the focus, allowing us to see another part of life in England in 1940. This is a book for fans of the series. Everyone else should start at the beginning.
