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Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Hotel Artemis (2018) in Movies
Sep 28, 2018 (Updated Sep 28, 2018)
Brilliant ensemble cast (2 more)
Cool setting
Great score
You can check out anytime you like, but probably won't want to leave
This was one of those movies that had a really weird release. After seeing the trailer, I was really looking forward to going and seeing this at the cinema. Then, America got it a month before the UK did and when it did drop in Britain, it was a very limited release and was only showing in one cinema in my area. At around the same time, I went on holiday for a fortnight and it is only now, a full 2 months after the movie's initial release that I finally got to get to a screening.
Thankfully, it was worth the wait.
Hotel Artemis is the directorial debut of Drew Pearce and he does a fantastic job as a first-time director. The beautiful cinematography adds a great deal of style and flair to the film and the brilliant score by Cliff Martinez also provides an atmosphere that is an awesome mix of ambient and intense in all of the right moments.
The cast is also great and is made up of an eclectic mix of talented actors. Sterling K Brown does an incredible job of tying the whole thing together and being the anchor that the audience can relate to. Dave Bautista is brilliant as the orderly Everest. Charlie Day is really good at being a totally obnoxious asshole. Jeff Goldblum and Zachary Quinto are great as always and Jodie Foster is also fantastic as the Nurse who runs the hotel. Sofia Boutella is here too, but she doesn't do a great amount any different to what we have already seen from her in past movies.
Overall, this is a stylish, well-acted, exciting action/thriller with great direction and a fantastic score to boot. It is reminiscent of other movies in places, such as Smokin' Aces, but it is still a brilliantly written, well made, fairly original movie well worth seeking out.
Thankfully, it was worth the wait.
Hotel Artemis is the directorial debut of Drew Pearce and he does a fantastic job as a first-time director. The beautiful cinematography adds a great deal of style and flair to the film and the brilliant score by Cliff Martinez also provides an atmosphere that is an awesome mix of ambient and intense in all of the right moments.
The cast is also great and is made up of an eclectic mix of talented actors. Sterling K Brown does an incredible job of tying the whole thing together and being the anchor that the audience can relate to. Dave Bautista is brilliant as the orderly Everest. Charlie Day is really good at being a totally obnoxious asshole. Jeff Goldblum and Zachary Quinto are great as always and Jodie Foster is also fantastic as the Nurse who runs the hotel. Sofia Boutella is here too, but she doesn't do a great amount any different to what we have already seen from her in past movies.
Overall, this is a stylish, well-acted, exciting action/thriller with great direction and a fantastic score to boot. It is reminiscent of other movies in places, such as Smokin' Aces, but it is still a brilliantly written, well made, fairly original movie well worth seeking out.
Lindsay (1807 KP) rated The Healing Jar in Books
Aug 10, 2019
Ever seem like you are looking for answers to a question? What if you can not at first find those answers. Do you seem ready to give up or do let it go for the time being? Well you would not think I be asking this except this exactly how Sarah Marry feels about herself? Will she find out Who her biological father is or will she not.
The Healing Jar pick this up once again where we left off. We are told about Lenore and her backstory a bit and why she is where is when we open up the book. Lenore seem like she has questions of her own. Will she find love and start a family of her own?
We meet Jesse Smucker and his daughter that are new to the community. He seem determined to not marry as he loss his first wife. God seem to have a different plan for him and his daughter. While Jesse is looking for someone to watch his 6 month old daughter while he at work, Lenore is asked if she could watch her. She accepts.
There are surprises and twist as you turn the pages. We also know that Sarah is still has a mystery to solve and we also hear and learn about Michelle story a bit more. All three girls are still pulling with the mystery of who wrote the notes in the prayer jars.
This book is everything you want in a book. It a tear tearjerker as well as being heartfelt. You will feel emotions as you turn the pages. What and ending it has. I know I could not put this book down toward the end. I was crying tears while reading. This series is another great one and one that I am thankful that own. I hope you enjoy as well. I hope to see more from these characters.
The Healing Jar pick this up once again where we left off. We are told about Lenore and her backstory a bit and why she is where is when we open up the book. Lenore seem like she has questions of her own. Will she find love and start a family of her own?
We meet Jesse Smucker and his daughter that are new to the community. He seem determined to not marry as he loss his first wife. God seem to have a different plan for him and his daughter. While Jesse is looking for someone to watch his 6 month old daughter while he at work, Lenore is asked if she could watch her. She accepts.
There are surprises and twist as you turn the pages. We also know that Sarah is still has a mystery to solve and we also hear and learn about Michelle story a bit more. All three girls are still pulling with the mystery of who wrote the notes in the prayer jars.
This book is everything you want in a book. It a tear tearjerker as well as being heartfelt. You will feel emotions as you turn the pages. What and ending it has. I know I could not put this book down toward the end. I was crying tears while reading. This series is another great one and one that I am thankful that own. I hope you enjoy as well. I hope to see more from these characters.
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated The Hard Way (2019) in Movies
Jul 5, 2020
The Way Or Not The Hard Way - 6/10
The Hard Way is a 2019 action movie directed by Keoni Waxman and written by Keoni Waxman and Thomas J. Churchill; also produced by Binh Dang and Phillip B. Goldfine. Starring Michael Jai White, Luke Goss and Randy Couture.
In Romania, Cody (Grant Campbell) is killed pursuing a criminal while involved in an undercover operation. After learning of his brother's death, Payne (Michael Jai White), travels to Romania to investigate and exact revenge. He speaks with his brother's partner Mason (Luke Goss) and their employer, local chief investigator Briggs (Randy Couture) and finds possible leads while also attending the funeral.
This movie wasn't too bad but as a big fan of Michael Jai White, I was surprised I didn't like it more. Of course the fight scenes were awesome but I liked how the firefight scenes were really well done as well. That being said t wasn't one of his best movies. The acting of the two Russian mobsters in the opening scene was horrible and cliche. The casting was good as Luke Goss and Michael Jai White seem to have good chemistry on screen but the lack of a clear and captivating plot definitely brought the film down. The writing wasn't the greatest either as some dialogue said by Michael didn't come off natural. Not sure how I thought about Randy Couture being cast, his acting didn't seem to fit as well in the movie but he did kind of grow on me. Overall the film feels like it left something unfulfilled, it lacks some of the emotions that it should've had and doesn't live up to its potential. It's a good action flick if that's all you care about seeing on screen. I give it a 6/10.
In Romania, Cody (Grant Campbell) is killed pursuing a criminal while involved in an undercover operation. After learning of his brother's death, Payne (Michael Jai White), travels to Romania to investigate and exact revenge. He speaks with his brother's partner Mason (Luke Goss) and their employer, local chief investigator Briggs (Randy Couture) and finds possible leads while also attending the funeral.
This movie wasn't too bad but as a big fan of Michael Jai White, I was surprised I didn't like it more. Of course the fight scenes were awesome but I liked how the firefight scenes were really well done as well. That being said t wasn't one of his best movies. The acting of the two Russian mobsters in the opening scene was horrible and cliche. The casting was good as Luke Goss and Michael Jai White seem to have good chemistry on screen but the lack of a clear and captivating plot definitely brought the film down. The writing wasn't the greatest either as some dialogue said by Michael didn't come off natural. Not sure how I thought about Randy Couture being cast, his acting didn't seem to fit as well in the movie but he did kind of grow on me. Overall the film feels like it left something unfulfilled, it lacks some of the emotions that it should've had and doesn't live up to its potential. It's a good action flick if that's all you care about seeing on screen. I give it a 6/10.
ClareR (6106 KP) rated The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle in Books
Apr 9, 2021
The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle rather intoxicated me, if I’m honest. It’s one of those witty yet heart-rending books that I didn’t want to stop listening to.
Ben Aldridge, the narrator, did his part so well. I believed that he was each of the separate characters - he made each of them sound so different, and he especially made Lavelle sound just how I would have imagined him to.
Two brothers, Benjamin and Edgar are on what is probably the most exciting and daunting trip of their young lives - a Grand Tour of Europe. It was what all the well-heeled young men and women would do at the time, in the hope that they’d make good business and, you never know, romantic connections. However, it quickly becomes apparent that the Bowen brothers are looked down on as being of the mercantile class. This horrified me as a modern day reader. Firstly, that two sheltered, innocent boys should be sent out to travel across Europe alone (must be the ‘Mother of Sons’ in me), secondly, that the upper classes were so bloody rude! They had the power to destroy someone with just a word. I could have scooped these boys up and taken them home, just to remove them from these horrendous people.
This is also the story of Benjamin’s self discovery. He meets and falls in love with Horace Lavelle at a time when men could be hanged as a ‘sodomite’. The author is upfront at the start that he had taken some liberties with this book. Homosexuality was illegal. No-one would take a chance of showing that they were gay. And there is that element of danger, of being found out, in this book despite those liberties.
But it’s such a lovely book - I wanted Benjamin to be happy, and I could see the potential for a train wreck ahead. And that’s all I’ll say! What I will say, is that this is a novel well worth your time!
Ben Aldridge, the narrator, did his part so well. I believed that he was each of the separate characters - he made each of them sound so different, and he especially made Lavelle sound just how I would have imagined him to.
Two brothers, Benjamin and Edgar are on what is probably the most exciting and daunting trip of their young lives - a Grand Tour of Europe. It was what all the well-heeled young men and women would do at the time, in the hope that they’d make good business and, you never know, romantic connections. However, it quickly becomes apparent that the Bowen brothers are looked down on as being of the mercantile class. This horrified me as a modern day reader. Firstly, that two sheltered, innocent boys should be sent out to travel across Europe alone (must be the ‘Mother of Sons’ in me), secondly, that the upper classes were so bloody rude! They had the power to destroy someone with just a word. I could have scooped these boys up and taken them home, just to remove them from these horrendous people.
This is also the story of Benjamin’s self discovery. He meets and falls in love with Horace Lavelle at a time when men could be hanged as a ‘sodomite’. The author is upfront at the start that he had taken some liberties with this book. Homosexuality was illegal. No-one would take a chance of showing that they were gay. And there is that element of danger, of being found out, in this book despite those liberties.
But it’s such a lovely book - I wanted Benjamin to be happy, and I could see the potential for a train wreck ahead. And that’s all I’ll say! What I will say, is that this is a novel well worth your time!
Becs (244 KP) rated Max Einstein: Rebels with a Cause in Books
Oct 8, 2019
fast-paced (2 more)
adventure packed
lessons that are taught within
Amazing sequel to Max Einstein: the Genius Experiment
You can also find this review on my blog: bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
TRIGGER WARNINGS: a bit of violence, anger issues, absent parent(s), manipulation, kidnapping
REVIEW:
Rebels with a Cause is book two (2) of the Max Einstein series and it was just as great as book one (1)! The adventures that were packed into this little novel along side Max Einstein still being a great role model was seriously so refreshing.
In Rebels with a Cause, we get to see more of Max thinking on her feet and implementing crazy plans to save not only herself, but her team and the world as well. You also learn more about the villains in this novel, which made for an interesting addition to the plot!
Again, James Patterson really knows how to write a captivating story that is not only well-written but fast-paces as well. There are more math/science lessons in Rebels with a Cause and I really enjoyed that they were applied to real life problems. The way that each were explained were written in an extremely easy to understand way so that the reader, young or old, can know what is being put into the solution.
The task that Max and her team were given to fix was a water crisis and I really loved that this was the main problem in the story. Having clean water available to all is a real world crisis. Water is an extremely important part of the human survival and this topic really hit the spot while reading. James wrote Rebels with a Cause again with a fast-paced, adventure packed, and informative nature. I highly recommend to all!
"I believe that Ghandi's views were the most enlightened among all the political men of our time. We should strive to do things in his spirit; not to use violence in fighting for a cause, but by non-participation and what we believe is evil. - Albert Einstein”
TRIGGER WARNINGS: a bit of violence, anger issues, absent parent(s), manipulation, kidnapping
REVIEW:
Rebels with a Cause is book two (2) of the Max Einstein series and it was just as great as book one (1)! The adventures that were packed into this little novel along side Max Einstein still being a great role model was seriously so refreshing.
In Rebels with a Cause, we get to see more of Max thinking on her feet and implementing crazy plans to save not only herself, but her team and the world as well. You also learn more about the villains in this novel, which made for an interesting addition to the plot!
Again, James Patterson really knows how to write a captivating story that is not only well-written but fast-paces as well. There are more math/science lessons in Rebels with a Cause and I really enjoyed that they were applied to real life problems. The way that each were explained were written in an extremely easy to understand way so that the reader, young or old, can know what is being put into the solution.
The task that Max and her team were given to fix was a water crisis and I really loved that this was the main problem in the story. Having clean water available to all is a real world crisis. Water is an extremely important part of the human survival and this topic really hit the spot while reading. James wrote Rebels with a Cause again with a fast-paced, adventure packed, and informative nature. I highly recommend to all!
"I believe that Ghandi's views were the most enlightened among all the political men of our time. We should strive to do things in his spirit; not to use violence in fighting for a cause, but by non-participation and what we believe is evil. - Albert Einstein”
The Next America: Boomers, Millennials, and the Looming Generational Showdown
Paul Taylor and Pew Research Center
Book
The America of the near future will look nothing like the America of the recent past. America is...
Politics social issues
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Vengeance 101 (Vengeance Demons Series Introduction) in Books
May 22, 2019
Megan Aequitas is the only vengeance demon and trickster hybrid ever born. Unbeknownst to her family, she has always yearned to become a licensed member of the vengeance trade. There is something about punishing wrongdoers that just speaks to her at a primal level
But being born into the vengeance race was one thingwell, being half born into it, anywayand being professionally qualified as a vengeance demon is quite another.
Getting admitted into the elite vengeance training program is only the first step. Afterwards, Megan has to deal with professors and students who doubt her right to be there, trickster siblings who mortify her with their pranks and, worst of all, her terrifying and powerful grandmother, who promises expulsion from the program if Megan steps as much as a single toe out of line. But Megan is determined to achieve her dreams, no matter what the costand it soon becomes clear that what everyone views to be her greatest weakness may actually present an interesting advantage.
This prequel is a good introduction to the Vengeance Demons series.
Vengeance 101 gives just a taste of the vengeance demons as Megan's journey into the academy begins.
We get a glimpse of how she got started at the university and began her dream of becoming a licensed Vengeance Demon.
This was a fun and entertaining read.
I love Louisa's style of writing. she's an amazing author.
Highly recommend reading.
I received this copy free but this is my honest voluntary review.
But being born into the vengeance race was one thingwell, being half born into it, anywayand being professionally qualified as a vengeance demon is quite another.
Getting admitted into the elite vengeance training program is only the first step. Afterwards, Megan has to deal with professors and students who doubt her right to be there, trickster siblings who mortify her with their pranks and, worst of all, her terrifying and powerful grandmother, who promises expulsion from the program if Megan steps as much as a single toe out of line. But Megan is determined to achieve her dreams, no matter what the costand it soon becomes clear that what everyone views to be her greatest weakness may actually present an interesting advantage.
This prequel is a good introduction to the Vengeance Demons series.
Vengeance 101 gives just a taste of the vengeance demons as Megan's journey into the academy begins.
We get a glimpse of how she got started at the university and began her dream of becoming a licensed Vengeance Demon.
This was a fun and entertaining read.
I love Louisa's style of writing. she's an amazing author.
Highly recommend reading.
I received this copy free but this is my honest voluntary review.
I had to read this book for my craft of fiction class. This was my first time reading it, but we were able to look at it as more than just plot, and more about how it was written and why it was written that way.
There are spoilers, so read at your own risk.
I very much enjoyed this book. I loved this view into a post slavery world filled of women who have to deal with the grief that has followed them throughout their lives. Sethe, though she has made her mistakes in her life, is still a sympathetic character who relies on her grief to survive through what she has done. Her daughters are strong women in their own rights. Beloved, being childlike and taking out her rage of her death on her mother and her family through stealing the attention and food for herself. She isolates, makes it so the others feel death hanging over themselves to understand her pain.
The format, being more stream of consciousness and not a cohesive, linear narrative, lends itself well to the magical realism of this book. This is nothing like a Harry Potter type of magical realism though. This is steeped in the tradition of former slaves, magical in their beliefs of the world and the afterlife. Not the people being able to control magic, but allowing it to be a real thing in their lives either way.
I really liked this book. If you want to understand why, check it out for yourself.
There are spoilers, so read at your own risk.
I very much enjoyed this book. I loved this view into a post slavery world filled of women who have to deal with the grief that has followed them throughout their lives. Sethe, though she has made her mistakes in her life, is still a sympathetic character who relies on her grief to survive through what she has done. Her daughters are strong women in their own rights. Beloved, being childlike and taking out her rage of her death on her mother and her family through stealing the attention and food for herself. She isolates, makes it so the others feel death hanging over themselves to understand her pain.
The format, being more stream of consciousness and not a cohesive, linear narrative, lends itself well to the magical realism of this book. This is nothing like a Harry Potter type of magical realism though. This is steeped in the tradition of former slaves, magical in their beliefs of the world and the afterlife. Not the people being able to control magic, but allowing it to be a real thing in their lives either way.
I really liked this book. If you want to understand why, check it out for yourself.
Merissa (13840 KP) rated Curse of the Healer (The Derbfine Series #1) in Books
Mar 30, 2018
Curse of the Healer (Derbfine, #1) by Ashley York
Curse of the Healer is the first book in the Descendants of the High King series, and introduces us to a world gone by, a world very different to our own. Aednat was born with a clubbed foot, and banished from her clan by her grandfather. Her cousin, Sean, returns her to the fold when he takes over, but Aednat is never quite welcomed. Also, as a healer, she is regarded with suspicion and mostly ignored unless her skills are needed. Sean calls for a meeting of all the clan leaders, but betrayal leads to Aednat being on the run, under the care of Diarmuid. Oengus believes she is the Great Healer, and as such, wants her power. Diarmuid will do anything he can to protect her.
This is an exceedingly well written book that will enfold you within the mists of time. There was nothing about this story that stood out as being false, or as being in the wrong time zone! There were no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow, and the pace was smooth. With a very good group of main and supporting characters, I can't wait to head back and read more in this series. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is an exceedingly well written book that will enfold you within the mists of time. There was nothing about this story that stood out as being false, or as being in the wrong time zone! There were no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow, and the pace was smooth. With a very good group of main and supporting characters, I can't wait to head back and read more in this series. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Contains spoilers, click to show
I read this novel for the Smashbomb book club and, even though the premise is good, it missed the mark for me.
The characters were very well crafted, I particularly liked Dustfinger, because he's a complex mixture of good and evil. The interaction between the characters was very good.
The problem for me, was the plot. The idea of book characters coming to life in the real world, sounded really appealing. When I started reading this, I expected it conjure up the magic I experienced when I read stories as a child. What I found was, that the plot of this book revolved around the characters going to a location, being captured, escaping and being recaptured and taken back to where they were before. This meant that.even though this was over 500 pages, I felt this book completely lacked drive.
I liked the message of reading books being magical, but I felt like this idea was integrated into the story in a forced way. By the end it felt like it was preaching a little bit in my opinion.
I also didn't like some of the decisions the characters made. It took a long time for any kind of resolution to happen and even then, the plan they carried out, felt a bit feeble and slightly rushed.
I wanted to love this, but unfortunately, it was just an ok read for me.
The characters were very well crafted, I particularly liked Dustfinger, because he's a complex mixture of good and evil. The interaction between the characters was very good.
The problem for me, was the plot. The idea of book characters coming to life in the real world, sounded really appealing. When I started reading this, I expected it conjure up the magic I experienced when I read stories as a child. What I found was, that the plot of this book revolved around the characters going to a location, being captured, escaping and being recaptured and taken back to where they were before. This meant that.even though this was over 500 pages, I felt this book completely lacked drive.
I liked the message of reading books being magical, but I felt like this idea was integrated into the story in a forced way. By the end it felt like it was preaching a little bit in my opinion.
I also didn't like some of the decisions the characters made. It took a long time for any kind of resolution to happen and even then, the plan they carried out, felt a bit feeble and slightly rushed.
I wanted to love this, but unfortunately, it was just an ok read for me.