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David McK (3547 KP) rated Independence Day (1996) in Movies
Nov 23, 2019 (Updated Feb 5, 2023)
Essentially a modern retelling of HG Wells perennial 'War of the Worlds' classic, this - I believe - was also the film that launched Will Smith (then more well known as a rapper and as the French Prince of Bel Air) to mega-stardom, alongside established favourites such as Bill Pullman (as the president of the USA) and Jeff Goldlum being, well, Jeff Goldlum.
Essentially like having USA! USA! USA! shouted in your face for 2+ hours, I remember seeing it in the cinema - the effects, for the time, were mind-blowing (although I do have to wonder how much they would have changed in showing the destruction of the White House and large swathes of the American cities following 9/11), and, yes, Bill Pullman must give the most Jingoistic speech I've ever heard in a movie, but I have to say: leave your brain at the door (the aliens brought down by a computer virus. Really??) and go enjoy!
Essentially like having USA! USA! USA! shouted in your face for 2+ hours, I remember seeing it in the cinema - the effects, for the time, were mind-blowing (although I do have to wonder how much they would have changed in showing the destruction of the White House and large swathes of the American cities following 9/11), and, yes, Bill Pullman must give the most Jingoistic speech I've ever heard in a movie, but I have to say: leave your brain at the door (the aliens brought down by a computer virus. Really??) and go enjoy!
Sensitivemuse (246 KP) rated Hemlock in Books
Mar 19, 2018
Great plot, great action
Contains spoilers, click to show
***Possible spoilers, you’ve been warned***
The book starts off well and has a good pace and momentum throughout the book. The setting is also well done and small with a handful of characters so it’s simple and makes the reading enjoyable. I particularly liked the dream sequences Mac has with Amy. They can be cliche but it helps move the plot along and adds to the mood.
The werewolf aspect is interesting in the book. The notion of them having a ‘rehabilitation’ camp has a dystopia feel and there’s also Mac trying to solve Amy’s murder. So there’s different characteristics of the book to please YA readers which makes the experience reading this fun and enjoyable.
Of course you need a bit of romance in the story as well right? I’m all for Kyle and Mac being together. I found the love triangle aspect here irritating and forced on. Jason did not have sort of chemistry at all with Mac. It felt forced, awkward, and well...it just didn’t sit well with me (your boyfriend likes your best friend...just. No.) The love triangle just made things so cliche and sappy. The story didn’t need this. It was fine with just Kyle and Mac!
The mystery aspect was good throughout the novel. The crumb trail to figuring out who was behind the attacks wasn’t that obvious until the late third of the book and although it was already known who it was, the action sequence and climax of the story was pretty exciting and a lot of things are revealed. The revelations weren’t the type to blind side you, it fits well into the story and puts the pieces together. Which is fine. I think the action scenes are enough to keep readers interested.
I was happy with the way the book ended and I’ll be picking up the second one. Recommended for YA lovers who just want a good light read with some good action and a readable enjoyable plot.
The book starts off well and has a good pace and momentum throughout the book. The setting is also well done and small with a handful of characters so it’s simple and makes the reading enjoyable. I particularly liked the dream sequences Mac has with Amy. They can be cliche but it helps move the plot along and adds to the mood.
The werewolf aspect is interesting in the book. The notion of them having a ‘rehabilitation’ camp has a dystopia feel and there’s also Mac trying to solve Amy’s murder. So there’s different characteristics of the book to please YA readers which makes the experience reading this fun and enjoyable.
Of course you need a bit of romance in the story as well right? I’m all for Kyle and Mac being together. I found the love triangle aspect here irritating and forced on. Jason did not have sort of chemistry at all with Mac. It felt forced, awkward, and well...it just didn’t sit well with me (your boyfriend likes your best friend...just. No.) The love triangle just made things so cliche and sappy. The story didn’t need this. It was fine with just Kyle and Mac!
The mystery aspect was good throughout the novel. The crumb trail to figuring out who was behind the attacks wasn’t that obvious until the late third of the book and although it was already known who it was, the action sequence and climax of the story was pretty exciting and a lot of things are revealed. The revelations weren’t the type to blind side you, it fits well into the story and puts the pieces together. Which is fine. I think the action scenes are enough to keep readers interested.
I was happy with the way the book ended and I’ll be picking up the second one. Recommended for YA lovers who just want a good light read with some good action and a readable enjoyable plot.
Andrew Furlong (14 KP) rated Teen Titans - Season 5 in TV
Oct 15, 2017
Lovable characters you can instantly connect with (2 more)
Mature and compelling, but still appropriate for kids, storytelling
Great mix of comedy, action, and dramatic moments
Not just a kids show
A Show I used to obsess over as a kid that holds up very well as an adult. The characters are some of my favorites in all of fiction and it provides a great mix of zany comedy and surprisingly heartfelt moments. The first three seasons are the best imo but 4 and 5 are great too. It's a real shame nothing like this is being made now. Recommended for fans of superheros and/or cartoons in general.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Dark Matter in Books
Jul 25, 2017
Would be a good concept for a movie
Being trapped in alternate realities is always a terrifying thought, which Blake Crouch has managed to portray quite well. It's a family story, mixed with a bit of sci-fi and Kafka-esque existentialism, about the choices we make in life, and how literally in this case, can set you on a different path in quantum existences.
While it seemed more engaging at the beginning, the lack of movement in terms of the end goal, made it slightly tedious and repetitive. It could be a tad shorter for what it is. It also terminates quickly leaving a lack of conclusion.
While it seemed more engaging at the beginning, the lack of movement in terms of the end goal, made it slightly tedious and repetitive. It could be a tad shorter for what it is. It also terminates quickly leaving a lack of conclusion.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series, Cinder. The plot moved along much more quickly and it didn't take me as long to get hooked in to the story. There are a bunch of new characters added in this book... Scarlet (little red riding hood) & Wolf (the bog bad wolf) being the two main additions. The 2 classic fairy tales mesh well together & add more interest along with several unexpected plot twists.
I'm going to stop this review now so I can get started with Cress. The only problem I have now is that the fourth & final book doesn't come out for a year!!!
I'm going to stop this review now so I can get started with Cress. The only problem I have now is that the fourth & final book doesn't come out for a year!!!
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated No Is Not Enough in Books
Jul 30, 2017
Politically-shifting mindblowing manifesto
Explosive, at times traumatizing and frustrating but ultimately hopeful - Naomi Klein's extensive knowledge and wealth of experience exudes in this mighty manifesto. Her anecdotes are both heartfelt and moving juxtaposed with endless hard-hitting facts, she's a master in her field and an appropriate figure attempting to initiate a global grassroots movement against ecocidal capitalism and right wing populism. This book, unlike her other works, feels much more personal as she states she didn't spend years researching, but it feels very much like a response to growing anger. That being said, it is still well structured and the arguments are coherent. A truly politically-shifting book
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Day After Tomorrow (2004) in Movies
Sep 14, 2017
Fantastic graphics, big budget Hollywood film
This film is a guilty pleasure of mine when I'm desperate to watch an apocalyptic film. It's much more intelligent than your run of the mill brainless action movie given that it is based on Al Gore's book about the reversal of the Gulf Stream.
That being said, it is still a Hollywood big budget movie so don't expect intelligent dialogue or anything particularly well explained. The graphics are phenomenal and the moment the eye of the storm freezes everything in sight still gives me shivers down my spine.
Not bad for a sit back and contemplate the end of the world kind of film.
That being said, it is still a Hollywood big budget movie so don't expect intelligent dialogue or anything particularly well explained. The graphics are phenomenal and the moment the eye of the storm freezes everything in sight still gives me shivers down my spine.
Not bad for a sit back and contemplate the end of the world kind of film.
Brea Lowther (26 KP) rated Lumberjanes: Beware the Kitten Holy: v.1 in Books
May 25, 2018
Camp Fun!
I am a big fan of Noelle Stevenson after reading Nimona. It was no surprise to me that this book was awesome! This comic has the same kind of strange girls being themselves, no matter how odd or different, vibe. Mix in some weirdness, some supernatural woodland creatures, fun adventures, an overbearing camp counselor, and a camp leader who seems a little flighty, and you have Lumberjanes. The girls’ robust personalities are so varied, and are illustrated so well. It is refreshing. The book was fun, interesting, hilarious, and appropriate for everyone. I cannot wait to pickup volume 2!!!
Andrew Koltuniuk (767 KP) rated Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) in Movies
May 25, 2018
Fun (1 more)
Chewbacca
It's fun.
If you go in to this movie thinking that it'll be a great movie you're going to be disappointed. What you need to do is to go into this movie thinking it's going to be solid four out of ten. It'll turn out that you actually ended up enjoying yourself. There were moments where I literally cringed.
That being said, I laughed during this movie. A lot. There were some great funny parts! Some really cool new sets and action scenes as well. I was also happy because I don't think that they made Han a flat character.
That being said, I laughed during this movie. A lot. There were some great funny parts! Some really cool new sets and action scenes as well. I was also happy because I don't think that they made Han a flat character.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Rampage (2018) in Movies
Feb 17, 2019
Fun action movie.
*I won a copy of this Blu-ray in a @Smashbomb giveaway!*
Let me preface this by saying that I think Dwayne Johnson is hilarious when he wants to be, while simultaneously being a great action "hero." Both are on display in this movie. His banter with George is so funny. The action is what it is, and it was done pretty well.
I know this was loosely based on the video game, which I fondly remember playing at the arcade, but I didn't see all that many parallels.
Overall not a bad way to spend a couple of hours!
Let me preface this by saying that I think Dwayne Johnson is hilarious when he wants to be, while simultaneously being a great action "hero." Both are on display in this movie. His banter with George is so funny. The action is what it is, and it was done pretty well.
I know this was loosely based on the video game, which I fondly remember playing at the arcade, but I didn't see all that many parallels.
Overall not a bad way to spend a couple of hours!