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Steph (468 KP) rated The Wall of Storms (The Dandelion Dynasty #2) in Books
Jul 9, 2018
I am incredibly impressed with the amount of research that must have gone into this book, for politics, military strategy, engineering, physics, and more. That being said, to me the most important thing is characters and I think they fell a little short on this one. Parts of the plot were a little confusing and hard to follow as well. Jia's struggle for power/efforts to unite the throne seemed silly and it was difficult to see the political accumen involved. I was also surprised at how cold and calculating she became. The plot started off rather slow and seemed to end too soon with a lot happening far too quickly at the end. Ultimately this book read more like the first in a series with The Grace of Kings as a prequel. Nevertheless, I still admire the work that went into this book and the brilliance behind the ideas.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Red Turtle (2016) in Movies
Jun 16, 2019 (Updated Jun 16, 2019)
Animated Belgo-Japanese allegorical fantasy is nice to look at and relaxing to watch. A man is washed up on a desert island after a storm, finds his attempts to leave are frustrated by a large crimson chelonian; after an attempt to kill the creature, he resolves to make friends, successfully bringing the turtle out of her shell (thanks, I'm here all week) - the two of them fall in love and have a family together.
As you can see, not short on the traditional 'WTF?!?!?' element of Studio Ghibli films, but it also possesses the typical virtues of being a really, really beautiful and well-told story. Maybe a touch under-powered story-wise, and it doesn't feel rushed even at only about 80 minutes long, but a finely-crafted and very pleasant film. The romance that HP Lovecraft never got around to writing.
As you can see, not short on the traditional 'WTF?!?!?' element of Studio Ghibli films, but it also possesses the typical virtues of being a really, really beautiful and well-told story. Maybe a touch under-powered story-wise, and it doesn't feel rushed even at only about 80 minutes long, but a finely-crafted and very pleasant film. The romance that HP Lovecraft never got around to writing.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Mary Queen of Scots (2018) in Movies
Dec 29, 2019
Dull
I've never been a big fan of period dramas aside from a few exceptions, and I'm afraid to say this definitely isn't one of the exceptions.
This has a great cast but aside from Saoirse Ronan, nobody really gets their chance to shine. Even Margot Robbie seems drastically underused which is a shame. This film looks great, the costumes are very well done and the landscapes and scenery are beautiful, but this is really the only thing this film has going for it. Despite being based on an interesting period in history, it is beyond dull yet plows along at a very quick pace. It lacks in any real detail and just comes across a little confusing and uninteresting. I struggled to get into this at all and by the end just found it irritating, which is a little sad considering the talent in this.
This has a great cast but aside from Saoirse Ronan, nobody really gets their chance to shine. Even Margot Robbie seems drastically underused which is a shame. This film looks great, the costumes are very well done and the landscapes and scenery are beautiful, but this is really the only thing this film has going for it. Despite being based on an interesting period in history, it is beyond dull yet plows along at a very quick pace. It lacks in any real detail and just comes across a little confusing and uninteresting. I struggled to get into this at all and by the end just found it irritating, which is a little sad considering the talent in this.
Natari (73 KP) rated Embrace the Night (Cassandra Palmer, #3) in Books
Jul 19, 2019
I'm rereading this book for the third time and it's still as funny and sexy as the first time. Cassie is so engaging, it's hard to find such well written characters that you can truly see yourself being friends with and wanting to meet. Not just because you like them, but because they feel real.
In Embrace the Night, the third book in the Cassie Palmer series, we start to see a much wider picture with new characters and new enemies popping up - and it doesn't seem like Cassie's "usual run of bad luck" no there seems to be a greater - more sinister - purpose that is getting the baddies with the big guns to crawl out to the woodwork to attack our poor little clairvoyant.
Tons of fun, and be prepared to fall even more irrevocably in love with Pritkin and Mircea. What a love triangle to be in.
In Embrace the Night, the third book in the Cassie Palmer series, we start to see a much wider picture with new characters and new enemies popping up - and it doesn't seem like Cassie's "usual run of bad luck" no there seems to be a greater - more sinister - purpose that is getting the baddies with the big guns to crawl out to the woodwork to attack our poor little clairvoyant.
Tons of fun, and be prepared to fall even more irrevocably in love with Pritkin and Mircea. What a love triangle to be in.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Small Gods in Books
Nov 6, 2019
Your usual good Discworld story
I love the Discworld novels however if I’m being honest, I prefer the non-standalone series such as the City Guard, Death or the Moist Von Lipwig. Small Gods is one of the few standalone stories in the Discworld catalogue and whilst a Discworld novel is always good, this isn’t one of my favourites.
Brutha is a likeable main character but not lovable. Not because he’s a little bit dim but just because there’s not much to him. Om as the tortoise is rather funny, and the rest of the characters in this are good but not particularly memorable. The story itself is obviously a tongue in cheek take on religion and is funny in parts, although sadly considering when it was written maybe isn’t quite as relevant as it could be today. Overall it’s just a well written entertaining Discworld story.
Brutha is a likeable main character but not lovable. Not because he’s a little bit dim but just because there’s not much to him. Om as the tortoise is rather funny, and the rest of the characters in this are good but not particularly memorable. The story itself is obviously a tongue in cheek take on religion and is funny in parts, although sadly considering when it was written maybe isn’t quite as relevant as it could be today. Overall it’s just a well written entertaining Discworld story.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Captain Disaster Collection in Books
Nov 11, 2019
Captain Disaster is the hapless hero of a series of computer games by the author and his (mis)adventures are ripe for some rib tickling short stories.
This book is a collection of these tales, with only the most tenuous connection between them. The author is clearly heavily influenced by Douglas Adams, but although Seaman doesn't match Adams in terms of with his writing or humour, that is not a criticism as he was unique. Instead Captain Disaster has his own voice - aspiring to Adams certainly but with a good mix of silly jokes, slapstick and toilet humour.
Not everything flies but enough works that this is a fun and entertaining read. This is only supposed to be a very lighthearted, knock-about science fiction spoof after all. If you need a smile putting on your face, as well as a few groans being elicited, this is just what you need.
This book is a collection of these tales, with only the most tenuous connection between them. The author is clearly heavily influenced by Douglas Adams, but although Seaman doesn't match Adams in terms of with his writing or humour, that is not a criticism as he was unique. Instead Captain Disaster has his own voice - aspiring to Adams certainly but with a good mix of silly jokes, slapstick and toilet humour.
Not everything flies but enough works that this is a fun and entertaining read. This is only supposed to be a very lighthearted, knock-about science fiction spoof after all. If you need a smile putting on your face, as well as a few groans being elicited, this is just what you need.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Populaire (2012) in Movies
Nov 30, 2019 (Updated Nov 30, 2019)
Charming, feather-light French rom-com. The plot is typical of the genre: two beautiful young people meet near the start and are instantly attracted to one another, and the script has to contrive reasons to keep them apart for the best part of two hours. The incidental material this time around concerns typing very quickly, and the way the film drolly converts sports movie cliches into a word-processing context generates a lot of gentle humour.
Mainly succeeds due to a hugely charming performance by Deborah Francois, though; also through simply being very well put-together in nearly every department. It's not trying too hard to be clever, or deep, or deliver a big message - in fact, some might find the gender politics a bit problematic, but if you complain about that I really think we're in butterfly-on-a-wheel territory. Nice to look at, light and fun.
Mainly succeeds due to a hugely charming performance by Deborah Francois, though; also through simply being very well put-together in nearly every department. It's not trying too hard to be clever, or deep, or deliver a big message - in fact, some might find the gender politics a bit problematic, but if you complain about that I really think we're in butterfly-on-a-wheel territory. Nice to look at, light and fun.
Jordan Binkerd (567 KP) rated Charlie's Angels - Full Throttle (2003) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
The Angels are hot, which is basically the point. (5 more)
Crispin Glover
Good villain casting
I thought the action was better than the first one
Ridiculous double-entendres
Carrie Fisher
Bernie Mac is a poor substitute for Bill Murray (1 more)
Plot is basic and predictable
More dumb fun
While not as well received as the first film (probably down to losing Bill Murray), this is still a good deal of fun. The action works a little better for me than the first time around, the girls are still hot, still kicking ass.... what more do you want from a Charlie's Angels film? The plot is a bit basic and predictable, but being up against a former Angel (not a twist, though the writer seems to think it is) gave the conflict a bit more heart than the first one. It's a dumb action movie, but still fun.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Regulators in Books
Aug 7, 2019
Good but bonkers
I haven't yet read Desperation, so fortunately could judge this solely on it's own merits and it's definitely one of King's better books.
It reads a lot like his other epic novels like The Stand, Needful Things etc but in a much smaller size, and it's all the better for it. The plot is interesting and your typical King story, although being based around kid's tv shows makes it a little bit bonkers. It also means that some of the book can feel a little childish at times and some times it can get a bit irritating. But that said, as always with King it's well written with some interesting and developed characters, with lots of horror and gore and just about the right length of book to fit the story. This would make a hell of a good tv show.
It reads a lot like his other epic novels like The Stand, Needful Things etc but in a much smaller size, and it's all the better for it. The plot is interesting and your typical King story, although being based around kid's tv shows makes it a little bit bonkers. It also means that some of the book can feel a little childish at times and some times it can get a bit irritating. But that said, as always with King it's well written with some interesting and developed characters, with lots of horror and gore and just about the right length of book to fit the story. This would make a hell of a good tv show.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated What's So Wonderful About Webster? in Books
Feb 18, 2020
What's So Wonderful About Webster? is a book that seems to be about learning that everyone is different and unique. They all can help by just being them. God seems to know what you are good at even if you don't. This book focuses on that.
What's So Wonderful About Webster? Is about Webster trying to find out what he good at. The concept is that you may want to look to god. As he already knows. This book is good for children and parents. Parents can read it to their children so that they learn the lesson that god as a plan for them.
The pictures tell the story. The pictures are done well. I see that Webster kind struggles with he good at. But websites parents try and help him out or at least guide him. That God knew before he was born at what he was good at.
What's So Wonderful About Webster? Is about Webster trying to find out what he good at. The concept is that you may want to look to god. As he already knows. This book is good for children and parents. Parents can read it to their children so that they learn the lesson that god as a plan for them.
The pictures tell the story. The pictures are done well. I see that Webster kind struggles with he good at. But websites parents try and help him out or at least guide him. That God knew before he was born at what he was good at.