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David McK (3245 KP) rated Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) in Movies
Mar 19, 2023
I've always quite liekd Zachary Levi, going back to when I first encountered him in his TV days on the spy comedy drama show 'Chuck' (remember that?)
Beyond that - and a few side character appearances in the early Thor films - I would struggle to name a single movie with him in it.
Except for 2019s Shazam!, where he took the leading role of the grown-up alter-ego of a teenager who is granted magic (superheroic) powers when he shouts the word Shazam!
That movie, itself, was enjoyable and a breath of fresh air from the grimdark of the DC brand (in the movies) at the time.
This follows on from the events of the first movie, with a certain select group of people now aware of who Shazam *is*, and with the same sprinkling of the horror genre throughout; albeit not quite so much 'on the nose' as the Seven Deadly Sins were. Instead, we have the mythical Daughters of Atlas out for revenge, viewing their powers as having been stolen and gifted to the mortals by the (still nameless) Wizard (who makes a return, despite having turned to dust previously - don't ask).
Whilst the future structure of the whole DC universe is currently 'under review', it may be interesting to see where this lesser-known (at least, to me) brand goes!
Beyond that - and a few side character appearances in the early Thor films - I would struggle to name a single movie with him in it.
Except for 2019s Shazam!, where he took the leading role of the grown-up alter-ego of a teenager who is granted magic (superheroic) powers when he shouts the word Shazam!
That movie, itself, was enjoyable and a breath of fresh air from the grimdark of the DC brand (in the movies) at the time.
This follows on from the events of the first movie, with a certain select group of people now aware of who Shazam *is*, and with the same sprinkling of the horror genre throughout; albeit not quite so much 'on the nose' as the Seven Deadly Sins were. Instead, we have the mythical Daughters of Atlas out for revenge, viewing their powers as having been stolen and gifted to the mortals by the (still nameless) Wizard (who makes a return, despite having turned to dust previously - don't ask).
Whilst the future structure of the whole DC universe is currently 'under review', it may be interesting to see where this lesser-known (at least, to me) brand goes!
Merissa (11800 KP) rated The Foes Between Us (The Last Wizard Series #1) in Books
Jan 11, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)
THE FOES BETWEEN US is the first book in The Last Wizard series, and we start off with a funeral. Brynn is distraught at the loss of her cousin. His death though, leads her to new adventures.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story although there were parts that I'm not sure of the relevance. I'm hoping it will become clear as the story progresses in future books.
Brynn was a brilliant character who feels stifled by the conditions placed upon young women by Queen Victoria. I have no idea if these were real but there was still an enormous amount of detail given. Zadicayn, although billed as the main male, is still something of an enigma. We didn't actually meet him until about half to two-thirds through the book. This means I don't know him as much as I would like to.
This was a great story that kept my attention from start to finish. It has left me with questions I can't wait to see answered. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more in this series.
* 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!
Jan 11, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this story although there were parts that I'm not sure of the relevance. I'm hoping it will become clear as the story progresses in future books.
Brynn was a brilliant character who feels stifled by the conditions placed upon young women by Queen Victoria. I have no idea if these were real but there was still an enormous amount of detail given. Zadicayn, although billed as the main male, is still something of an enigma. We didn't actually meet him until about half to two-thirds through the book. This means I don't know him as much as I would like to.
This was a great story that kept my attention from start to finish. It has left me with questions I can't wait to see answered. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more in this series.
* 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!
Jan 11, 2021
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated The Philosopher's Flight in Books
May 29, 2018
For anyone who has been suffering withdrawal from the end of a certain magical boy wizard series, The Philosopher's Flight by Tom Miller is the perfect antidote! It's clever, and sharp, but also a quick read based on alternative history where special "powers" can do different things, and one boys journey to"fit in" this world where girls rule! The opposite sexism is interesting (women typically have the most refined powers and go to war, do the dangerous stuff, etc.) and Robert wants to do everything the women do - and we see if he attains that goal, while facing some pretty crazy "roadblocks" along the way.
I love stories that take me away to another place - get me out of reality and imagine what life would be like if things were "different". And this book does just that. It's very clever how it's pretty historically accurate, just with this twist of Sigilry, these signs and symbols drawn to move energy and ultimately produce some sort of effect (hovering/flying, restoring health, moving an object, sending messages). There are great stories of friendship, interesting characters, and stories of love as well. All wrapped up in a creative story of action, adventure and social-awareness.
There are a few "racy" scenes...so I'd recommend a more mature audience, but its fantastic all-around in general. I'm excited to see if the Philosopher Flies Again! Thanks NetGalley!
I love stories that take me away to another place - get me out of reality and imagine what life would be like if things were "different". And this book does just that. It's very clever how it's pretty historically accurate, just with this twist of Sigilry, these signs and symbols drawn to move energy and ultimately produce some sort of effect (hovering/flying, restoring health, moving an object, sending messages). There are great stories of friendship, interesting characters, and stories of love as well. All wrapped up in a creative story of action, adventure and social-awareness.
There are a few "racy" scenes...so I'd recommend a more mature audience, but its fantastic all-around in general. I'm excited to see if the Philosopher Flies Again! Thanks NetGalley!
I was very apprehensive going in to this book as I have heard hit and miss reviews. There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed and some that let it down. I think all fantasy books should come with a map! I don’t care if this book was set in a valley – I would still like a map to help me visualise the land and follow the characters on journeys. It took me a little while to get used to the writing style in this book.It was written in such a way that you had to take your time and not miss a word – if you have read Laini Taylor’s writing then you will probably like the style. The magic system was not very well explained and just seemed to happen conveniently. The Dragon was supposed to be this brooding handsome wizard that looks like he is in his 20’s but actually like a 150 years old and just annoying. The romance was blah, there was no tension and I didn’t feel any connection between the characters. There is a great friendship in this book between Agnieszka and Kasia which was one of the strongest parts. I did like the woods that were corrupted and how clever it was. This could have been an amazing book it was just underdeveloped. It would have been better as a series rather than a standalone.
Gareth von Kallenbach (971 KP) rated Your Highness (2011) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
For all you minotaur lovers out there, the movie Your Highness is the film for you. Not that the movie is about them but it has the most unique minotaur I have ever seen in a movie. Your Highness takes place long ago in a land far away in a kingdom that has two princes. The oldest and heir-to-the-throne is Prince Fabious (the fabulous James Franco). He is a prince’s prince, a knight’s knight, he enjoys protecting the innocent, he slays evil cyclops and other evil things that should be slayed.
The youngest is Prince Thadeous (film co-writer Danny McBride), he is a slacker’s slacker, a player’s player, he enjoys booze and other mind-altering stuff, he lays with easy maidens and…well, you get the point. Even though the two brothers are so very different they still love each other, even if Thadeous won’t admit it. So when Prince Fabious was to be married to the beautiful yet naive Belladonna (the enchanting Zooey Deschanel) he wanted none other than his younger brother to be his best man.
But fate had other plans and what should have been the happiest of wedding days was ruined when the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux) kidnaps Belladonna so he can produce an evil dragon offspring that he would use to rule the world. The two brothers vow to save her and kill Leezar. Ok, technically Thadeous is told by their father the King (Charles Dance) that either he goes with his older brother or he will be kicked out of the kingdom and it is Fabious who does the vowing. So they ride out with their most trusted knights and along the way they meet the Great Wize (not a typo) Wizard (voiced by Mario Torres. Jr.), the highly skilled fighter Isabel (played by a pretty intimidating Natalie Portman), the Minotaur (Brian Steele, a surprisingly fitting name), forest people (I loved the forest people!). Epic adventure and treachery ensue – dun dun dunn! Will they save Belladonna and the world? Will Thadeous become a respectable prince? Will the minotaur live happily ever after?
The movie is funny but the humor is on par with middle-school-aged male humor so approximately 80% of all adult males will probably find the movie funny and a lot of wives will be wondering why they married them. It also had some decent fight scenes sprinkled throughout the movie. I’ll be honest, there were a couple of scenes in the film that I wish I could un-see… the kind of stuff that never happened in any dice role-playing game that I have ever played.
Now I am sure we have all seen movies where one person’s performance was so well done that it made the other people’s performances seem lacking (whether they truly were or not). To me this movie fell victim to that problem. After all with people like Charles Dance, Natalie Portman, James Franco, Zooey Deschanel and Damian Lewis, who plays Boremont, one of the trusted Knights, it was bound to happen. Overall, a very entertaining and funny movie.
The youngest is Prince Thadeous (film co-writer Danny McBride), he is a slacker’s slacker, a player’s player, he enjoys booze and other mind-altering stuff, he lays with easy maidens and…well, you get the point. Even though the two brothers are so very different they still love each other, even if Thadeous won’t admit it. So when Prince Fabious was to be married to the beautiful yet naive Belladonna (the enchanting Zooey Deschanel) he wanted none other than his younger brother to be his best man.
But fate had other plans and what should have been the happiest of wedding days was ruined when the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux) kidnaps Belladonna so he can produce an evil dragon offspring that he would use to rule the world. The two brothers vow to save her and kill Leezar. Ok, technically Thadeous is told by their father the King (Charles Dance) that either he goes with his older brother or he will be kicked out of the kingdom and it is Fabious who does the vowing. So they ride out with their most trusted knights and along the way they meet the Great Wize (not a typo) Wizard (voiced by Mario Torres. Jr.), the highly skilled fighter Isabel (played by a pretty intimidating Natalie Portman), the Minotaur (Brian Steele, a surprisingly fitting name), forest people (I loved the forest people!). Epic adventure and treachery ensue – dun dun dunn! Will they save Belladonna and the world? Will Thadeous become a respectable prince? Will the minotaur live happily ever after?
The movie is funny but the humor is on par with middle-school-aged male humor so approximately 80% of all adult males will probably find the movie funny and a lot of wives will be wondering why they married them. It also had some decent fight scenes sprinkled throughout the movie. I’ll be honest, there were a couple of scenes in the film that I wish I could un-see… the kind of stuff that never happened in any dice role-playing game that I have ever played.
Now I am sure we have all seen movies where one person’s performance was so well done that it made the other people’s performances seem lacking (whether they truly were or not). To me this movie fell victim to that problem. After all with people like Charles Dance, Natalie Portman, James Franco, Zooey Deschanel and Damian Lewis, who plays Boremont, one of the trusted Knights, it was bound to happen. Overall, a very entertaining and funny movie.
Ross (3282 KP) rated The Dwarves in Books
Jan 30, 2018
Superb pacing and storytelling
This story follows the plight of Tungdil, a dwarf who was found by humans as a baby and has never seen another dwarf. He works as blacksmith for a wizard, but soon becomes embroiled in a quest to win the battle for the world.
From very early on, this turns into a journey novel, where he starts off alone with a simple journey and task to achieve and gradually meets people who join him along the way. Once he is reunited with the rest of the dwarves he finds he has been set up as a rival to the king of one of the tribes and has to go on a quest to prove his worth. At this point, knowing there were 4 follow-up books, I feared this quest was going to be drawn out over the 5 books and what had been a decent paced novel up to then would suddenly falter (see Wheel of Time series!). However, without spoilers, the quest is completed within this book. Such an epic quest in a little over 700 pages is testament to Heitz's pacing and ability to keep the story on track. Despite the scale of the quest, he isn't afraid to jump days or dozens of miles to keep to the important events of the story.
I really enjoyed the character development, in all of the dwarves and the cast of other races and creeds introduced along the way, and found the story to be truly gripping and enjoyable.
From very early on, this turns into a journey novel, where he starts off alone with a simple journey and task to achieve and gradually meets people who join him along the way. Once he is reunited with the rest of the dwarves he finds he has been set up as a rival to the king of one of the tribes and has to go on a quest to prove his worth. At this point, knowing there were 4 follow-up books, I feared this quest was going to be drawn out over the 5 books and what had been a decent paced novel up to then would suddenly falter (see Wheel of Time series!). However, without spoilers, the quest is completed within this book. Such an epic quest in a little over 700 pages is testament to Heitz's pacing and ability to keep the story on track. Despite the scale of the quest, he isn't afraid to jump days or dozens of miles to keep to the important events of the story.
I really enjoyed the character development, in all of the dwarves and the cast of other races and creeds introduced along the way, and found the story to be truly gripping and enjoyable.
Merissa (11800 KP) rated Stone Cursed: Taurus (Highland Gargoyles #6) in Books
Jul 17, 2018
Stone Cursed: Taurus (Highland Gargoyles #6) by Lisa Carlisle
Stone Cursed is the sixth book in the Highland Gargoyles series, although it can be read as a standalone being as it is part of the Zodiac Shifters set too. Some references are made to the other gargoyles - where they live, why they left, the war, etc, but nothing you need to read for this to make sense.
Alec is one of the shifters who left the Isle of Stone to move to the Highlands of Scotland. He misses the sea though, so takes every opportunity to fly near to it. On one such flight, he hears voices and goes to investigate, where he finds more than he bargained for. With one wizard rapidly going dark, and a witch who believes in the light, Alec is confused given his history with witches. However, when the witch, Veda, saves him, he will do all he can to save her in return.
This is a fast-paced and smooth story that nevertheless gives you all you could want. There were no editing or spelling mistakes that disrupted my reading flow, and I was able to read this book in one go as it kept my attention. This is part of two great series, and I can highly recommend either one. A wonderful read, and recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Alec is one of the shifters who left the Isle of Stone to move to the Highlands of Scotland. He misses the sea though, so takes every opportunity to fly near to it. On one such flight, he hears voices and goes to investigate, where he finds more than he bargained for. With one wizard rapidly going dark, and a witch who believes in the light, Alec is confused given his history with witches. However, when the witch, Veda, saves him, he will do all he can to save her in return.
This is a fast-paced and smooth story that nevertheless gives you all you could want. There were no editing or spelling mistakes that disrupted my reading flow, and I was able to read this book in one go as it kept my attention. This is part of two great series, and I can highly recommend either one. A wonderful read, and recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (11800 KP) rated The Nexus Games (Nexus Games #1) in Books
May 10, 2022 (Updated Jun 20, 2023)
THE NEXUS GAMES is the first book in a new series of the same name that takes you into a game world where kindness is seen as a disadvantage.
Kellen is taken to this world, along with the woman he met that night, Mavis. He is told they have to play the game to get back home. Think of it as a cross between The Hunger Games and Wizard of Oz! It turns out, there is more to the world than Kellen or Mavis ever thought, with other dimensions and different versions of themselves in every dimension.
The team Kellen is playing with is full of secrets -- and you don't get the answers, not in this book! So prepare yourself because you will finish the book with questions unanswered. Also, it ends on a HUGE cliffhanger, so consider yourself warned.
As with all books by this author, the world-building is second to none. You find out what you need to know, when you need to know it. You learn about the magic of this world as Kellen does.
This is a long story so plenty to get your teeth into. It is definitely recommended by me and I can't wait to see where it goes next.
Just one question though, where can I get an albino wyvern?
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
May 9, 2022
Kellen is taken to this world, along with the woman he met that night, Mavis. He is told they have to play the game to get back home. Think of it as a cross between The Hunger Games and Wizard of Oz! It turns out, there is more to the world than Kellen or Mavis ever thought, with other dimensions and different versions of themselves in every dimension.
The team Kellen is playing with is full of secrets -- and you don't get the answers, not in this book! So prepare yourself because you will finish the book with questions unanswered. Also, it ends on a HUGE cliffhanger, so consider yourself warned.
As with all books by this author, the world-building is second to none. You find out what you need to know, when you need to know it. You learn about the magic of this world as Kellen does.
This is a long story so plenty to get your teeth into. It is definitely recommended by me and I can't wait to see where it goes next.
Just one question though, where can I get an albino wyvern?
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
May 9, 2022
Rob Zombie recommended Taxi Driver (1976) in Movies (curated)
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Beauty and the Werewolf (Five Hundred Kingdoms, #6) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I have enjoyed every book in the Five Hundred Kingdoms series by Mercedes Lackey, and I eagerly waited for her to cover my favorite fairy tale, that of Beauty and the Beast. This book combines my favorite fairy tale with Little Red Riding Hood and a dash of Cinderella, all with its own unique twist characteristic of the series. While I had the ending predicted quite early in my reading, I still enjoyed following the character development and watching it all play out.
Bella is very much the modernized damsel in distress, as she finds a way to do her own saving, and chooses who she would rather fall in love with, rather than let the Tradition dictate her actions. As she learns about the manipulations of the Tradition, she also realizes her own way of unconsciously dealing with it and the power she has over it. I loved her intelligence and creativity in solving the daily problems that riddled her life, especially with the invisible servants at the Duke's residence.
Duke Sebastian is an interesting character -- a wizard werewolf with hermit-like habits -- he is the direct opposite of the type of character I expected to play the role of "Beast" in this fairy tale, but I like him all the same. His devotion to his craft makes him absentminded about everything else in his life, and except for when he is a werewolf, he likely would not hurt a fly. Bella's interactions with him draw him out and show him that he can have so much more in his life.
I also enjoyed Godmother Elena's part in the book, along with her mirror servant, as they cemented this book into the series and reminded me of some of the details that I had forgotten from previous books.
Bella is very much the modernized damsel in distress, as she finds a way to do her own saving, and chooses who she would rather fall in love with, rather than let the Tradition dictate her actions. As she learns about the manipulations of the Tradition, she also realizes her own way of unconsciously dealing with it and the power she has over it. I loved her intelligence and creativity in solving the daily problems that riddled her life, especially with the invisible servants at the Duke's residence.
Duke Sebastian is an interesting character -- a wizard werewolf with hermit-like habits -- he is the direct opposite of the type of character I expected to play the role of "Beast" in this fairy tale, but I like him all the same. His devotion to his craft makes him absentminded about everything else in his life, and except for when he is a werewolf, he likely would not hurt a fly. Bella's interactions with him draw him out and show him that he can have so much more in his life.
I also enjoyed Godmother Elena's part in the book, along with her mirror servant, as they cemented this book into the series and reminded me of some of the details that I had forgotten from previous books.