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BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Beast (2022) in Movies
Sep 24, 2022
More Tension Than I Anticipate
We are witnessing the after-effects of the COVID PANDEMIC shutdown in 2020 as the films that are being released at the tail end of summer/early fall of 2022 are not the most scintillating of efforts and thus, one must lower their expectations to have a good time at the Cineplex.
Such is the case with the “Cujo in Africa” killer lion saga BEAST starring Idris Elba as a widowed father of two teenage girls. The threesome head back to the African Village where the deceased mother was born and raised - to connect to their roots - unaware that poachers have unwittingly created a rogue, killer lion who is feasting on the humans in the area.
Directed by Batasar Kormakur (2 GUNS) and written, perfunctorily, by Ryan Engle (RAMPAGE) BEAST is a pretty by-the-book “wild animal goes after human” story with the first 1/3 of this 90 minute epic being the setup (in this case, clumsily setting up the daughter’s anger at their father who “was not there” as their mother was dying). Do you think the upcoming adventure is going to bring these 3 closer?
The middle third of the film is the hook where we put these 3 (and their friend, played by Sharlto Copley - DISTRICT 9) into harm’s way in such a way that they are trapped and must contend with the BEAST. And the final 1/3 is the payoff - how does this group conquer the BEAST?
Pretty mechanical, right?
Well…a funny thing happened while watching this film… I found myself invested in these characters, well…at least some of them, and I was genuinely interested and intrigued and (at times) a little on the edge of my seat as I watched them attempt to get out of their predicament.
Credit for this has to go to Director Kormakur who uses his camera to beautifully capture the Africa landscape that these folks are trapped in. It is a loving picture of Africa that Kormakur has drawn and it made the slow parts of this film (and there are plenty) bearable just by being able to look at the background.
Also helping this film is the friendship and camaraderie shown between Elba’s character and Copley’s character. These are 2 good actors looking like they actually are enjoying their time together and their actions on screen mirror their personalities that are drawn thinly and quickly during the first part of the film.
Fairing less well are the 2 daughters, played by Leah Jeffries and Iyana Halley. They are, for the most part, 1 dimensional “typical teenagers” who have a bone to pick with their father and don’t shy away from picking at that bone - and each other - throughout the course of this film.
But, enough about all of that, what one goes to see in these types of films is the animal attacks and Director Kormakur traps our foursome in and around a jeep while the BEAST attacks and attacks and attacks - and these scenes are shot very professionally and actually manage to ratchet up the tension as the CGI Lion goes after it’s victims.
There are enough plot holes to drive the aforementioned Jeep through in this film and sometimes the characters - especially the 2 teenage girls - make VERY dumb decisions, but the tension of the attack scenes and the work of Elba and Copley makes this film a decent (enough) viewing experience.
Letter Grade: B-
6 stars out of 10 and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Such is the case with the “Cujo in Africa” killer lion saga BEAST starring Idris Elba as a widowed father of two teenage girls. The threesome head back to the African Village where the deceased mother was born and raised - to connect to their roots - unaware that poachers have unwittingly created a rogue, killer lion who is feasting on the humans in the area.
Directed by Batasar Kormakur (2 GUNS) and written, perfunctorily, by Ryan Engle (RAMPAGE) BEAST is a pretty by-the-book “wild animal goes after human” story with the first 1/3 of this 90 minute epic being the setup (in this case, clumsily setting up the daughter’s anger at their father who “was not there” as their mother was dying). Do you think the upcoming adventure is going to bring these 3 closer?
The middle third of the film is the hook where we put these 3 (and their friend, played by Sharlto Copley - DISTRICT 9) into harm’s way in such a way that they are trapped and must contend with the BEAST. And the final 1/3 is the payoff - how does this group conquer the BEAST?
Pretty mechanical, right?
Well…a funny thing happened while watching this film… I found myself invested in these characters, well…at least some of them, and I was genuinely interested and intrigued and (at times) a little on the edge of my seat as I watched them attempt to get out of their predicament.
Credit for this has to go to Director Kormakur who uses his camera to beautifully capture the Africa landscape that these folks are trapped in. It is a loving picture of Africa that Kormakur has drawn and it made the slow parts of this film (and there are plenty) bearable just by being able to look at the background.
Also helping this film is the friendship and camaraderie shown between Elba’s character and Copley’s character. These are 2 good actors looking like they actually are enjoying their time together and their actions on screen mirror their personalities that are drawn thinly and quickly during the first part of the film.
Fairing less well are the 2 daughters, played by Leah Jeffries and Iyana Halley. They are, for the most part, 1 dimensional “typical teenagers” who have a bone to pick with their father and don’t shy away from picking at that bone - and each other - throughout the course of this film.
But, enough about all of that, what one goes to see in these types of films is the animal attacks and Director Kormakur traps our foursome in and around a jeep while the BEAST attacks and attacks and attacks - and these scenes are shot very professionally and actually manage to ratchet up the tension as the CGI Lion goes after it’s victims.
There are enough plot holes to drive the aforementioned Jeep through in this film and sometimes the characters - especially the 2 teenage girls - make VERY dumb decisions, but the tension of the attack scenes and the work of Elba and Copley makes this film a decent (enough) viewing experience.
Letter Grade: B-
6 stars out of 10 and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Life of Glass in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Melissa’s father died almost two years ago. She has been struggling, but is surviving with the help of her best friend Ryan. But through a series of events, her world gets turned upside down. A new girl comes to school and befriends her immediately, for some unknown reason. Ryan gets a girlfriend. Melissa’s mom is dating some guy. Ashley, her older sister, is… well just being an annoying older sister with problems. And in the middle of it all, Melissa still has unsolved mysteries about her father, her desires, and herself.
The Life of Glass is a fast read—I tore through it in a matter of hours. I wasn’t particularly sure why I couldn’t stop reading it. Maybe it was the easy language, maybe it was the characters, maybe I was just in the mood for a good romance novel and that was what was on my shelf. Either way, I didn’t stop reading until my sister turned the light out on me.
I liked the characters a lot (though some of them I despised) and others remained mysteries until later in the book; they were those “oh I had no idea they were that kind of person” characters, and I liked the mystery of their personalities. They were relatable and likeable.
That being said, there was nothing hugely spectacular about The Life of Glass: nothing that will make it a long lasting fantastic memory or escape for me. I enjoyed it and I won’t forget it, but it won’t be one of those “second reads.”
This was part of the 1 ARC Tours for Bloody Bad.
The Life of Glass is a fast read—I tore through it in a matter of hours. I wasn’t particularly sure why I couldn’t stop reading it. Maybe it was the easy language, maybe it was the characters, maybe I was just in the mood for a good romance novel and that was what was on my shelf. Either way, I didn’t stop reading until my sister turned the light out on me.
I liked the characters a lot (though some of them I despised) and others remained mysteries until later in the book; they were those “oh I had no idea they were that kind of person” characters, and I liked the mystery of their personalities. They were relatable and likeable.
That being said, there was nothing hugely spectacular about The Life of Glass: nothing that will make it a long lasting fantastic memory or escape for me. I enjoyed it and I won’t forget it, but it won’t be one of those “second reads.”
This was part of the 1 ARC Tours for Bloody Bad.
Merissa (13866 KP) rated This Ain't Love (Harry Dukes #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
This Ain't Love (Harry Dukes #1) by AJ Love
This Ain't Love is the first book in the Harry Dukes series, and we start off with Blake being told SHE is living with five different fellas! She's none too happy about this, but manages to make her niche. She wants to avoid Cameron because he is everything she falls for, and she just hasn't got the time for that! Of course, things don't go according to plan, which is what made this book such a delight to read.
One part deserves a mention all of its own - and that is when the five men are afraid to go into the living room due to female 'personal' reasons ? Every woman who reads this book will empathise with how both Blake and Ria are feelings. And if any men read it, I am 100% sure they will be able to relate to our men. I read through this part laughing out loud, and loving every moment.
This is a light-hearted book, with a story that moves at a fair pace. The world-building is spot on, with the college being completely believable. The characters are well-rounded out, and although we concentrate on Blake and Cameron in this one, the others certainly make their mark.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to continue the series. 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!
One part deserves a mention all of its own - and that is when the five men are afraid to go into the living room due to female 'personal' reasons ? Every woman who reads this book will empathise with how both Blake and Ria are feelings. And if any men read it, I am 100% sure they will be able to relate to our men. I read through this part laughing out loud, and loving every moment.
This is a light-hearted book, with a story that moves at a fair pace. The world-building is spot on, with the college being completely believable. The characters are well-rounded out, and although we concentrate on Blake and Cameron in this one, the others certainly make their mark.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to continue the series. 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!
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Glass (2019) in Movies
Apr 6, 2019
So close to a super super film
Contains spoilers, click to show
I try to not publish spoilers they're unavoidable here to explain why this only a 7/10 film. The first hour is great, building up the story leading to what you think will be an epic climax. The story starts with James McAvoy's 24 personalities having kidnapped 4 cheerleaders and Bruce Willis' David Dunn on the hunt to rescue them. After a confrontation they're taken to a psych hospital for evaluation which happens to be where they're keeping Samuel L Jackson's Mr Glass. All of this is awesome with the star of the show being McAvoy flowing through his personalities is a truly epic piece of acting. So the film plays out and leads to a good fight towards the end but then it goes a bit weird. You start to notice plot holes like this psych hospital only seems to have 1 orderly or security guard on duty at any one time. Or when McAvoy and Jackson are trying to escape they go through a security gate and get buzzed through straight away even though neither has their faces covered. It's like 'those 2 guys kinda look like 2 of the 3 highly dangerous multiple murderers that we're here guarding? Oh well!'...then we get into the obligatory M.Mike Salmonhands twist involving a secret society that just seemed uneeded and tacked on for no other reason than the film didn't have a twist...so there you have it. So close to being a truly great film but sloppy writing let it down.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Trouble in Paradise (Paradise, #4) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I am not entirely certain that I want to publicly acknowledge having read this book. The blurb is not only poorly written, but inaccurate. The cover art - is that art? I'm not sure what or who it's supposed to depict, and after reading the book I still couldn't describe the four main characters in terms of anything but sexual characteristics, and even then, all three men might as well be one guy copied a few times, what with all the huge, throbbing, hard, chiseled, tan, and muscled going on.
I probably wasn't supposed to demand any kind of real plot or continuity out of erotica, but I'm contrary that way. We meet a woman who has worked all night in her garage. We're told she has exceptionally good hearing as she takes off her iPod headphones. Shortly afterwards, we learn that some THING has been stalking her - wait, she worked all night in an unlocked place without an alarm system, wearing headphones that block her oh-so-good hearing, despite supposedly being all anxious about a killer who is after her? I don't buy it.
I frequently felt that this might be an excerpt of a larger work, or from a series of stories that readers are expected to be familiar with. Decent authors know how to repeat key information without boring returning fans so as to help new readers get their footing. Is that just not done in erotica?
Yes, I'm probably being too critical. But if it doesn't work for wanking, it should work as story. And it didn't work for either, for me, at least.
I probably wasn't supposed to demand any kind of real plot or continuity out of erotica, but I'm contrary that way. We meet a woman who has worked all night in her garage. We're told she has exceptionally good hearing as she takes off her iPod headphones. Shortly afterwards, we learn that some THING has been stalking her - wait, she worked all night in an unlocked place without an alarm system, wearing headphones that block her oh-so-good hearing, despite supposedly being all anxious about a killer who is after her? I don't buy it.
I frequently felt that this might be an excerpt of a larger work, or from a series of stories that readers are expected to be familiar with. Decent authors know how to repeat key information without boring returning fans so as to help new readers get their footing. Is that just not done in erotica?
Yes, I'm probably being too critical. But if it doesn't work for wanking, it should work as story. And it didn't work for either, for me, at least.
Dana (24 KP) rated Hamilton: The Revolution in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I am so happy Hamilton was made into a book, especially since I most likely won't be able to see the musical in person anytime soon!
The physical book is so freaking beautiful. I love how huge it is, the cover is amazing, the spine makes me think of all of the Barnes and Noble leather bound classics. I am just so freaking happy about this book!
I love the little annotations throughout the lyrics! It is so awesome to be able to see the amount of detail and thought that went into creating the musical that I didn't think went into writing the musical!
The stories about the cast and writing process were so interesting as well. It makes everything seem more grounded in the lives of the actors. They were all so perfect for their roles.
The stories in here were all very heartwarming. I cried at least four times that I'll admit to. Also, Lin's annotations about the lyrics and his note books are great insights into the depth of how he thought of these lyrics.
I love being able to see the pictures. It's almost like being there. (almost...)
Honestly, I just can't think about anything bad to say about this freaking book! I am just so happy and I love it so much!!
I know they probably do this for a lot of musicals, but this is the first one I've seen and I hope they keep doing this for more Broadway lays-it allows people to get access to something otherwise unavailable to them (myself included).
I just love this all so much!!
The physical book is so freaking beautiful. I love how huge it is, the cover is amazing, the spine makes me think of all of the Barnes and Noble leather bound classics. I am just so freaking happy about this book!
I love the little annotations throughout the lyrics! It is so awesome to be able to see the amount of detail and thought that went into creating the musical that I didn't think went into writing the musical!
The stories about the cast and writing process were so interesting as well. It makes everything seem more grounded in the lives of the actors. They were all so perfect for their roles.
The stories in here were all very heartwarming. I cried at least four times that I'll admit to. Also, Lin's annotations about the lyrics and his note books are great insights into the depth of how he thought of these lyrics.
I love being able to see the pictures. It's almost like being there. (almost...)
Honestly, I just can't think about anything bad to say about this freaking book! I am just so happy and I love it so much!!
I know they probably do this for a lot of musicals, but this is the first one I've seen and I hope they keep doing this for more Broadway lays-it allows people to get access to something otherwise unavailable to them (myself included).
I just love this all so much!!
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The Occasional Diamond Thief (#1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Kia is a 16 year old girl with a troubled family life and a penchant for languages. When her father dies, leaving her with a mother who seems to despise her and a sister who wont give her the time of day, she leaves home and starts school to become a translator. After being caught stealing to finance her new life, she is sent to Malem to act as a translator for a Select (a religious title, something akin to a nun or priest) named Agatha. This is the same world where her father contracted the illness that eventually killed him. Its also the world where her father acquired the gem he gave her right before he died a Malem diamond that it is illegal for anyone who is not Malemese to posses.
I really enjoyed this story. Kia didnt seem to be able to get a break at all, and even thought being sent to Malem kept her out of prison, it still seemed like punishment for her. Once she and Agatha arrived on Malem, the story kept moving at a pace that kept me reading, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Both Kia and Agatha were well developed, likable characters who learned and grew throughout the story. Sometimes I wanted to shout at Kia for her behavior, but considering her age it was perfectly appropriate.
There was no cliffhanger ending, and it may turn out to be a standalone novel, but I wouldnt be surprised to see more adventures for Kia in the future.
Disclaimer I received a free digital copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this story. Kia didnt seem to be able to get a break at all, and even thought being sent to Malem kept her out of prison, it still seemed like punishment for her. Once she and Agatha arrived on Malem, the story kept moving at a pace that kept me reading, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Both Kia and Agatha were well developed, likable characters who learned and grew throughout the story. Sometimes I wanted to shout at Kia for her behavior, but considering her age it was perfectly appropriate.
There was no cliffhanger ending, and it may turn out to be a standalone novel, but I wouldnt be surprised to see more adventures for Kia in the future.
Disclaimer I received a free digital copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Lila and the Crow in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lila and the Crow by Gabrielle Grimard is a beautiful story dealing with and sad and very
real issue. Lila arrives at her neScreen Shot 2016-06-21 at 9.04.55 PMw school with the hopes of making new friends; however, instead of being welcomed with open arms she is welcomed with a mean comment. It only takes that one comment to destroy her confidence.
The first day with the first comment was the start of ruining her confidence. The comment came from one student but there are other students who either stand by and allow the comments to come or join in laughing. Eventually, Lila decides not to let the differences defy her but to embrace the differences. This book will show children that there will be situations where other children will hurt of mock them but that they should stand up and not allow the situation to ruin their day, month or year.
This book will open the floor to have a discussion about bullying and how it should not happen and if it is, that you should help the person instead of joining in the bullying or being a bystander. Everyone is different and this book can teach children to embrace and accept the differences.
The illustrations are wonderful, they show such great emotion in the characters as well as creating a mood that fits the story. Lila and the Crow will be a great asset to any home, classroom or library.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lila and the Crow by Gabrielle Grimard is a beautiful story dealing with and sad and very
real issue. Lila arrives at her neScreen Shot 2016-06-21 at 9.04.55 PMw school with the hopes of making new friends; however, instead of being welcomed with open arms she is welcomed with a mean comment. It only takes that one comment to destroy her confidence.
The first day with the first comment was the start of ruining her confidence. The comment came from one student but there are other students who either stand by and allow the comments to come or join in laughing. Eventually, Lila decides not to let the differences defy her but to embrace the differences. This book will show children that there will be situations where other children will hurt of mock them but that they should stand up and not allow the situation to ruin their day, month or year.
This book will open the floor to have a discussion about bullying and how it should not happen and if it is, that you should help the person instead of joining in the bullying or being a bystander. Everyone is different and this book can teach children to embrace and accept the differences.
The illustrations are wonderful, they show such great emotion in the characters as well as creating a mood that fits the story. Lila and the Crow will be a great asset to any home, classroom or library.
Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor in Books
Nov 18, 2019
I finished this a while ago and it has taken me a while to find the words to describe how heartbreaking this truly is. This book is filled with diary entries from a doctor: from training to the end of his career. Behind the hysterically funny incidents (it amazing what people shove up vaginas and bum holes) is the painful truth in how we are working our NHS staff to the ground. How they have to advocate healthy mental well-being, work-life balance and self care but the majority of the time they cannot practice these vital aspects of life themselves. And it's through no fault of their own. It's through a system that is so understaffed that it relies on the goodwill of staff and something has to give. I cried for Adam when I read the diary entry about picking up his stuff after the break up from his partner. Another thing that shocked me about the anecdotes is how surprisingly "throw them in the deep end" the training seems to be. It must be truly terrifying to have a training system that is "watch once, do once, teach once". Please don't be put off by the negativity I've seemed to have painted here. It is truly an hilarious book. There are some really memorable anecdotes that had me in stitches and that I keep telling my friends about: my favourite being the sharpener comparison (I shan't spoil it for you, if you've read it and know what I'm talking about just give me a wave!) I cannot wait to read Adam's next book. It's on my Christmas list 😉
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Body of Ash (Victoria Cage Necromancer #3) in Books
Jan 26, 2020
Fab series
Contains spoilers, click to show
Fire, fire, burning higher, fairy better fight.
Victoria’s a necromancer, fairy, Blood Queen… hot freaking mess. Her identity is so twisted up in supernatural nonsense, that all she wants to do is go back to embalming bodies and coffin brochures. Being in love should make things easier, but when your beau’s a bear and you’ve got a fairy suitor waiting in the wings, romance is just another complication.
While preparing the victims of a tragic fire for their funerals, Victoria discovers that their deaths were not accidents, as the police have ruled. Soon, she’s hot on the trail of a Firestarter who’s been scorching their way through the surrounding counties. It’s about more than murder and flame, though.
Bodies with their hearts missing. A dark coven. And a gate to hell.
It’s not long before Victoria goes from the hunter, to the hunted. But she’ll do whatever it takes to bring the arsonist to justice—even if that means getting a few burns along the way.
I love this series!!
Body of ash we rejoin Tori as she battles to stop killer arsonists and a hellmouth being opened. Tori is struggling to keep out of fey politics as well staying of the radar as a necromancer. Her personal relationships with Kyle and Liam are getting harder to seperate when she relies on Liam and the fey to save Kyle's life. Also things with Terrance the detective becomes a little bit strained when he realises the damage magic has done this time. I almost cried as we watched Tori home and family business burn.
Really good series!
Recommended
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Victoria’s a necromancer, fairy, Blood Queen… hot freaking mess. Her identity is so twisted up in supernatural nonsense, that all she wants to do is go back to embalming bodies and coffin brochures. Being in love should make things easier, but when your beau’s a bear and you’ve got a fairy suitor waiting in the wings, romance is just another complication.
While preparing the victims of a tragic fire for their funerals, Victoria discovers that their deaths were not accidents, as the police have ruled. Soon, she’s hot on the trail of a Firestarter who’s been scorching their way through the surrounding counties. It’s about more than murder and flame, though.
Bodies with their hearts missing. A dark coven. And a gate to hell.
It’s not long before Victoria goes from the hunter, to the hunted. But she’ll do whatever it takes to bring the arsonist to justice—even if that means getting a few burns along the way.
I love this series!!
Body of ash we rejoin Tori as she battles to stop killer arsonists and a hellmouth being opened. Tori is struggling to keep out of fey politics as well staying of the radar as a necromancer. Her personal relationships with Kyle and Liam are getting harder to seperate when she relies on Liam and the fey to save Kyle's life. Also things with Terrance the detective becomes a little bit strained when he realises the damage magic has done this time. I almost cried as we watched Tori home and family business burn.
Really good series!
Recommended
⭐⭐⭐⭐