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Annie Chanse (15 KP) rated Fallout: Lois Lane in Books
May 25, 2018
I LOVE this book.
I absolutely loved this book. I read an uncorrected proof copy, so there were a few errors, but I am sure those will be fixed before actual publication. But the book was AMAZING. Lois Lane is and always has been one of my greatest heroes. And this book definitely did the teenage Lois justice. In fact, she is pretty perfect. I also love how the author incorporates Clark Kent into the story in such a way that he is important to the story, but he is still secondary to Lane's character. A lot of times, trying to write a story told from the point of view of another character from a story as popular as the Superman mythos, the central character being written about loses her voice in favor of the more well-known hero. Not the case in this novel. I loved it. It was perfect. I hope DESPERATELY that the author continues to write more Lois Lane books in this fashion.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated The Mummy Case (Voice of the Nile #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
I read this years ago but didn't realize at the time that it was a duet and had a cliff-hanger ending, so I was left bereft. So being in an Egyptology kick lately, and now having the concluding book, I decided to give it a go while waiting for the third Amelia Peabody mystery to come in at the library (which is coincidentally called The Mummy Case).
While <i>The Mummy Case</i> as a whole is highly improbable, it has a certain charm and was a cute read. Even though it is a Harlequin book, I liked that it dealt less with the romance and more with the mystery, probably because it is part of a duo. I've read Dawn Stewardson books before and have been impressed with how well she can develop the plot and characters in so few pages. I look forward to reading the completion the <b>Voice of the Nile</b>. ;P
3.25 stars
While <i>The Mummy Case</i> as a whole is highly improbable, it has a certain charm and was a cute read. Even though it is a Harlequin book, I liked that it dealt less with the romance and more with the mystery, probably because it is part of a duo. I've read Dawn Stewardson books before and have been impressed with how well she can develop the plot and characters in so few pages. I look forward to reading the completion the <b>Voice of the Nile</b>. ;P
3.25 stars
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Red in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Judging by thickness of the book, I thought there might be more story than there ended up being (74 pages, the rest sketches and the script). While the plot was decent, it seemed more like a prelude than a finished story. Though it had a beginning and middle, there was no end, just another beginning. I would have liked more. The artwork serves the story well and I had no trouble following the layout, though it is the color schemes that stood out to me. They were fantastic. From the subdued blues of darkened rooms to the sunnier colors when Paul is having a more carefree moment, they really brought the panels to life. Overall, a fine story but not something I'd care to read again.
This might just be me, but every time the C.I.A. Director, Michael Beesely, popped up, I thought <i>"Principal Flutie!"</i> (Ken Lerner) from Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series. :D
This might just be me, but every time the C.I.A. Director, Michael Beesely, popped up, I thought <i>"Principal Flutie!"</i> (Ken Lerner) from Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series. :D
RəX Regent (349 KP) rated Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) in Movies
Feb 19, 2019
With this classic, Johnny Weissmuller is introduced to the world as Tarzan. Already well known as an Olympic swimming star by 1932, whilst Johnny was not the first on screen Tarzan, his has become the most famous.
Playing the role as a naive childlike action hero, king of his domain whilst being pitched as fish out of water when round westerners or “Civilized” folk, these early action movies spend no time delving into the The Ape Man’s origins, as many subsequent adaptions have.
Here, he is simply Tarzan; the athletic protector of the jungle, able to summon help from his wild allies, apes, elephants etc… as he fights white men, “savages” and any number of wild foes, including crocodiles, hippos and a selection of wild cats.
But only up until his fateful meeting with feisty Jane Parker (Maureen O’Sullivan), a fairy tale, innocent romance blossoms which is actually portrayed in such a way, that it is genuinely heart warming as the series progresses.
Playing the role as a naive childlike action hero, king of his domain whilst being pitched as fish out of water when round westerners or “Civilized” folk, these early action movies spend no time delving into the The Ape Man’s origins, as many subsequent adaptions have.
Here, he is simply Tarzan; the athletic protector of the jungle, able to summon help from his wild allies, apes, elephants etc… as he fights white men, “savages” and any number of wild foes, including crocodiles, hippos and a selection of wild cats.
But only up until his fateful meeting with feisty Jane Parker (Maureen O’Sullivan), a fairy tale, innocent romance blossoms which is actually portrayed in such a way, that it is genuinely heart warming as the series progresses.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Captain Marvel (2019) in Movies
Mar 9, 2019
Mar-Vel-ous
At this point Marvel can really do no wrong. When it comes to their movies (esp original ones) they have a formula that's worked well so far so why change it. Really we've not had a bad MCU movie since iron man 3 & thor 2 and even they were watchable and in parts mildly enjoyable. Here we have excellent action with just enough comedy to give people laughs without being silly and considering this is about shape changing aliens, silly was a possibility. But theres a good story at its core and nice character development with a few twists and turns to keep everyone interested. We also get Goose - the greatest space cat since Jonesy from Alien!!...2 good post credits scenes as per normal - 1 serious story one and 1 funny but worth sticking around for. The next month or so needs to fly past.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Kid Who Would Be King (2019) in Movies
Apr 6, 2019 (Updated Apr 6, 2019)
Good-natured family fantasy based on Arthurian legend. Alex Elliot draws a magic sword from a stone and finds himself charged with defending Britain from an ancient sorceress, the problem being he's only twelve years old.
Scores highly on the CGI spectacle front, and some good gags as well, but some of the learning-and-growing stuff feels a bit laborious and it's probably about twenty minutes too long. Child acting is mostly acceptable and Patrick Stewart is always good value, even though he's hardly in it. Given the film is trying hard to hit the same beats as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, and mostly succeeding, it's a little hard to see why it has turned out to be such a flop; a victim of too many other dud films based on classic mythology leaving a bad taste in the mouth, I guess. No-one involved in this one has any real reason to feel ashamed of themselves, anyway.
Scores highly on the CGI spectacle front, and some good gags as well, but some of the learning-and-growing stuff feels a bit laborious and it's probably about twenty minutes too long. Child acting is mostly acceptable and Patrick Stewart is always good value, even though he's hardly in it. Given the film is trying hard to hit the same beats as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, and mostly succeeding, it's a little hard to see why it has turned out to be such a flop; a victim of too many other dud films based on classic mythology leaving a bad taste in the mouth, I guess. No-one involved in this one has any real reason to feel ashamed of themselves, anyway.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated A Letter from Lancaster County in Books
Apr 9, 2019
A Letter for Lancaster County is a good sweet story. It seems about a redemption and learning to deal with death and grief. What a lovely plot. Katie Lloyd does a good job with it. We get the perspective of the main characters named Rose and Angelina.
They get a letter from their aunt Sylvia. Both girls is dealing with their own problems and grief of their mother. Will they learn that letting go and have faith? There a budding romance going on as well. What could that be and can Glenn and Rose being a match? You will need to find out by reading.
Can Angelina figure out what going on at home and her husband and family? To find that out, you will need to read to determine that. They find out that their Aunt Sylvia is sick, Will Rose decide to stay or will she go back to her home in Washington? This is a lovely and sweet story of love, friendship, and redemptions.
They get a letter from their aunt Sylvia. Both girls is dealing with their own problems and grief of their mother. Will they learn that letting go and have faith? There a budding romance going on as well. What could that be and can Glenn and Rose being a match? You will need to find out by reading.
Can Angelina figure out what going on at home and her husband and family? To find that out, you will need to read to determine that. They find out that their Aunt Sylvia is sick, Will Rose decide to stay or will she go back to her home in Washington? This is a lovely and sweet story of love, friendship, and redemptions.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Shout (1979) in Movies
Apr 15, 2019
Watchable sort-of horror movie, distinguished by a good cast. These days we'd probably call it a post-horror movie, but they didn't have those back in the 1970s (maybe it's a pre-post-horror movie). An innocent couple are terrorised by a stranger who claims to have magical powers, including a deadly shout.
No-one in The Shout behaves remotely like a real person would, and the title is a bit misleading as the actual Shout itself (while a big moment and fairly well-staged when it comes) doesn't have much to do with the plot. But it does have a very good cast and the various strangenesses of the story can be explained by the fact this is a tall tale being told by the inmate of an insane asylum. Not the great lost British horror film some would have you believe it is, but a curious and distinctive tale.
No-one in The Shout behaves remotely like a real person would, and the title is a bit misleading as the actual Shout itself (while a big moment and fairly well-staged when it comes) doesn't have much to do with the plot. But it does have a very good cast and the various strangenesses of the story can be explained by the fact this is a tall tale being told by the inmate of an insane asylum. Not the great lost British horror film some would have you believe it is, but a curious and distinctive tale.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Lion (2016) in Movies
May 14, 2019
Based-on-a-true-story drama transcends the fact it looks rather like a big long advert for Google Earth and becomes something genuinely moving. A five year old child gets on the wrong train one night in India, and finds himself in a strange city hundreds of miles away, unable to speak the local language. After various hair-raising experiences he is adopted by a nice couple from Tasmania. Many years later, and apparently settled in his new life, he finds the urge to find his home still lingers...
Definitely a film of two halves, with the second one being a bit more internal and short on actual incident - nevertheless, strong performances from the cast keep this very involving and watchable. Covers a lot of the same ground as Slumdog Millionaire, but puts its own spin on it; the climax is honestly rather affecting. Probably won't rock your world but still a well-made movie.
Definitely a film of two halves, with the second one being a bit more internal and short on actual incident - nevertheless, strong performances from the cast keep this very involving and watchable. Covers a lot of the same ground as Slumdog Millionaire, but puts its own spin on it; the climax is honestly rather affecting. Probably won't rock your world but still a well-made movie.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Truth or Dare (2018) in Movies
May 22, 2019 (Updated May 22, 2019)
A sometimes fun, mainly mediocre teen horror
I didn't expect much going into Truth or Dare, and I got what I expected.
The concept is kind of cool, although it's a very slight variant and knock off of Final Destination.
It's low on scares (it's one of these more recent PG-13 horrors, to appeal to a wider audience after all), and as a result, shies away from any impactful violence or shocks.
The script is pretty laughable and the ending is dumb for sure, to the point that I kind of found myself accidentally enjoying it at times.
The acting is pretty sub par from most of the cast, as well as the characters being (mostly) selfish and unlikable, it's hard to care when they slowly get picked off.
I'd say it's maybe worth a one off watch, it's not the worst way to spend part of your day, but it's a by the numbers teen horror, with stabilisers firmly in place
The concept is kind of cool, although it's a very slight variant and knock off of Final Destination.
It's low on scares (it's one of these more recent PG-13 horrors, to appeal to a wider audience after all), and as a result, shies away from any impactful violence or shocks.
The script is pretty laughable and the ending is dumb for sure, to the point that I kind of found myself accidentally enjoying it at times.
The acting is pretty sub par from most of the cast, as well as the characters being (mostly) selfish and unlikable, it's hard to care when they slowly get picked off.
I'd say it's maybe worth a one off watch, it's not the worst way to spend part of your day, but it's a by the numbers teen horror, with stabilisers firmly in place