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Awix (3310 KP) rated Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) in Movies
Feb 8, 2019
Slightly curious true-life tale of literary forger Lee Israel (McCarthy) and her accomplice Jack Hock (Grant). Somewhat unevenly pitched between cheerily amoral caper comedy and downbeat, naturalistic drama exploring big ideas about creativity and authenticity, but the story is well told and fairly involving.
I'm not entirely sure how the two stars have both managed to swing Oscar nominations, for this particular movie at least - it's not as if either of them is actually bad, but they're both essentially delivering variations on their standard performance (McCarthy: abrasive, acid-tongued loudmouth; Grant: pantomime dame). It's hard to shake the impression that McCarthy has managed to get herself Oscar nominated mainly for putting on a wig, but there is a long if somewhat ignoble tradition of the academy rewarding actresses for being brave enough to de-glam themselves on screen. So it goes.
I'm not entirely sure how the two stars have both managed to swing Oscar nominations, for this particular movie at least - it's not as if either of them is actually bad, but they're both essentially delivering variations on their standard performance (McCarthy: abrasive, acid-tongued loudmouth; Grant: pantomime dame). It's hard to shake the impression that McCarthy has managed to get herself Oscar nominated mainly for putting on a wig, but there is a long if somewhat ignoble tradition of the academy rewarding actresses for being brave enough to de-glam themselves on screen. So it goes.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Come Find Me in Books
Apr 4, 2019
Megan Miranda is an author where I'll read whatever she writes. The topic of this book is slightly bizarre, but it's a completely compelling and fascinating read. I read it in less than 24 hours, as it's very easy-to-read, and I totally fell for the characters. Kennedy and Nolan are united in grief--two kids who have been through so much for being so young.
This novel is creepy and often inexplicable, but the plot is really great. I was completely hooked. Kennedy and Nolan are tied together in interesting ways, and there's also a mystery-type story that unfolds as well. There are a couple of great twists that fully surprised me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It's compelling and heartfelt, with strong characters and a sort of fun yet creepy undertone. 4 stars.
This novel is creepy and often inexplicable, but the plot is really great. I was completely hooked. Kennedy and Nolan are tied together in interesting ways, and there's also a mystery-type story that unfolds as well. There are a couple of great twists that fully surprised me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It's compelling and heartfelt, with strong characters and a sort of fun yet creepy undertone. 4 stars.
ClareR (6037 KP) rated Slaughterhouse 5: The Children's Crusade - A Duty-dance with Death in Books
Apr 29, 2019
This was not an easy read, and was odd in places (but that's the point of it, right?). If I'm right, it's about the pointlessness of war, and of living and dying. Anti-religion, anti-government, anti-war, basically. The act of the main character being able to move seamlessly through time gave the impression that everything had already happened, will happen again, and is yet to happen.
Confused yet? I was. Well, I was until I read some passages several times, and flicked back to certain parts. Honestly, I'm glad it wasn't any longer. This was hard work, and decidedly harrowing in places. I'm glad I've read it at last though.
I think I must have some masochistic tendencies when it comes to reading material (and not in the erotica sense, necessarily!!). I do like a book that's a challenge!
Confused yet? I was. Well, I was until I read some passages several times, and flicked back to certain parts. Honestly, I'm glad it wasn't any longer. This was hard work, and decidedly harrowing in places. I'm glad I've read it at last though.
I think I must have some masochistic tendencies when it comes to reading material (and not in the erotica sense, necessarily!!). I do like a book that's a challenge!
Fench Fletcher (5 KP) rated Five Nights at Freddy's in Apps
Apr 29, 2019
This game has a surprisingly good story, which isnt told to you straight forward, you have to search for clues within the game to find answers. The animatronics are well designed and can be fairly terrifying. The game itself is pretty scary and mildly stressful, between managing the batteries for the camera and doors, and still keeping an eye on the animatronics to ensure they dont come into your office and get you. You cannot move or leave your office, which creates a feeling of being trapped. You cannot fight the animatronics and your only means of defence is a pair of doors that you close to keep them out, which creates a feeling of helplessness. All in all a very spooky game. If you like horror games with micromanaging, this may be for you.
Erika (17789 KP) rated John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) in Movies
May 25, 2019
John Wick Chapter 3 picks up immediately after Chapter 2, which I liked, so it got going right away. The fighting is so well choreographed, and my favorite section of fighting was with the book in the New York Public Library. You apparently can kill someone with a very weighty book.
This chapter provided much more information on the Continental/High Table mythos, which I thought was cool. Asia Kate Dillon was stone cold as the Adjudicator, and I can't wait to see more of Dillon in Chapter 4.
I could have done without Halle Berry being in the film. She really didn't add anything, and both my father and I were annoyed that it cut away from Keanu fighting to show her, when frankly, the only person I really want to see kicking ass is Keanu.
This chapter provided much more information on the Continental/High Table mythos, which I thought was cool. Asia Kate Dillon was stone cold as the Adjudicator, and I can't wait to see more of Dillon in Chapter 4.
I could have done without Halle Berry being in the film. She really didn't add anything, and both my father and I were annoyed that it cut away from Keanu fighting to show her, when frankly, the only person I really want to see kicking ass is Keanu.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Killing Eve - Season 2 in TV
Jun 15, 2019 (Updated Jun 7, 2020)
Good quirky drama
The first series was a bit of a surprise hit. A quirky English drama about a MI6 agent tracking a flamboyant female assassin across Europe. It is very funny at times, in a typical English kinda way. Whilst also being quite violent as well.
The 2nd series picks up 30 seconds after the end of the first series. It's very similar to the first in terms of style, humor. This time a second assassin seems to be in play and Eve makes connections to a bigger plot. It's still just as fun as the first series. It's quite short with 8 episodes around 40 minutes each. I just preferred the cat and mouse storyline of the first series. Fans will love it just as much.
The 2nd series picks up 30 seconds after the end of the first series. It's very similar to the first in terms of style, humor. This time a second assassin seems to be in play and Eve makes connections to a bigger plot. It's still just as fun as the first series. It's quite short with 8 episodes around 40 minutes each. I just preferred the cat and mouse storyline of the first series. Fans will love it just as much.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Attack the Block (2011) in Movies
Feb 11, 2018
Original
A great little low budget, English comedy horror! This has a good B movie feel to it, featuring a young, largely unknown cast it has a good balance of laughs at the silliness of it all, followed by moments of danger. I also like these type of films when they are grounded in a real setting, this being an every day council estate in South London. Also unexpected for this type of film is how well shot it is, good use of light and cinematography is plain to see in most scenes. The creature design while simple is pretty good. The only downer for me was some of the over use, of so much slang, but again there are teenagers who do talk like that! An enjoyable small budget film that will put a big smile on your face!
Finally!
I cannot be happier that there is finally a Smashbomb app in my life. Although there's nothing wrong with the website, having an app to use on the go is so much easier.
And the app itself is so easy to use, just a condensed version of the site. It's very responsive and runs very well, and it's very easy to navigate around.
My only criticism (sorry @Bird) is that I'm an android user and the app doesn't work with my back button. This is mainly me and my ocd, but I rely heavily on the back button and using it in the app currently just closes the app & sends me back to my phone home screen. Not a massive issue obviously but I don't have this with my other apps, so just being picky!
And the app itself is so easy to use, just a condensed version of the site. It's very responsive and runs very well, and it's very easy to navigate around.
My only criticism (sorry @Bird) is that I'm an android user and the app doesn't work with my back button. This is mainly me and my ocd, but I rely heavily on the back button and using it in the app currently just closes the app & sends me back to my phone home screen. Not a massive issue obviously but I don't have this with my other apps, so just being picky!
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Stone Age in Tabletop Games
Mar 21, 2018
Great worker placement for beginning gamers (1 more)
The Art is Great!
Great Gateway Game: In the stone ages, you send your village out to accomplish different things
Worker placement is essentially you being the boss, and you tell people what to do, and you do this by putting your people in different areas like hunting for food, cutting down wood, building a farm, making tools, or maybe even making some more villagers (brown chicken, brown cow) You roll the dice to see how good your workers are at the jobs you assign them. This is a great version of this genre of game, It also has an ipad app we love as well. The expansion is out of print and very expensive, but we would love to own it when it gets reprinted.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Black Magic Sanction (The Hollows, #8) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I remember the earlier books as being more fun, but this one certainly was better written and it felt like it mattered more. Rachel has grown up, as have her friends. The stakes are higher now than they were in the first books, she's grown in power, and now she's going up against a coven of powerful white witches who are determined to see her stripped of her powers and permanently confined in a solitary prison for life - or some of them are.
Seeing Rachel try to figure out who she could trust and what her mistakes might cost the people she loves was touching. In earlier books she felt very young and fairly callow, and I really didn't care much for her. She's much more likable now, which surprised me. That speaks well for Harrison.
Seeing Rachel try to figure out who she could trust and what her mistakes might cost the people she loves was touching. In earlier books she felt very young and fairly callow, and I really didn't care much for her. She's much more likable now, which surprised me. That speaks well for Harrison.