Tumgik
#3.5 stars
film-slut · 4 months
Text
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) ☆ ☆ ☆½
Eggman is hot. I don't care.
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
10 notes · View notes
drwhowatch · 4 months
Text
The Star Beast
Tumblr media
David Tennant really does fit like a glove to this role, great to have him back. Honestly think he looks better than before with a shinier TARDIS and a sonic with more gimmicks than ever before. Miriam Margoyles did a great job as Beep the Meep. It's a shame that, as the comic was 43 years ago, I was spoiled for the twist regarding them. Decent mix of puppet and CGI. The guards were fine, balanced the mass of action well. Great to have the Nobel family back; Sylvia hasn't aged a day, Shaun is friendly, Wilf doesn't show up disappointedly and Rose is so woke. Absolutely love the wokeness in true RTD fashion for a new generation, and it serves the story by saving the day and providing a solution to have Donna stay around. She also slips back into the role well, with some great comic bits.
Tumblr media
youtube
8 notes · View notes
airplanes924 · 2 months
Text
Tumblr media
Books I've Read in 2024
Number 3
Orr: My Story by Bobby Orr
4 notes · View notes
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
wandering souls ; cecile pin
in vietnamese culture, there's a belief that if a body is not buried, the soul will never find rest. it's fated to wander the earth, the equivalent of a ghost or spirit. 'wandering souls', on multiple levels, is a story about being lost, searching the earth, trying to find refuge, security and meaning in the unknown
our main story arc is following anh and her two brothers as they escape communist vietnam, in hope for a new life in the usa. their parents and the rest of their siblings are to follow shortly after anh leaves. tragedy strikes and anh and her brothers find themselves alone, orphaned and refugees
alongside this main arc, we have a narrative following dao, the ghost of anh's young brother. as well as short clippings of real moments in history that are scattered throughout the novel
i think that for such a short book, the decision of having three different narratives (or two with historical inserts) creates a really fragmented, disjointed story. part of me thinks it nicely reflects the fractured lives of our characters, but it did feel jarring at times to keep track of the constant switches to different timelines and historical moments. i do think it was important to include all these different narratives, but i did find myself wanting it to be a little more cohesive or executed more efficiently
saying that, i think that cecile pin has created something that is quietly powerful, moving and impactful. from familial duty to documenting the horrors and struggles of the refugee experience, the racist politics of britain and the psychological aftermath of surviving traumas…. lots of important themes are tackled. i love reading about sibling relationships, and anh's role as the elderly sister had me🥺 and i really appreciated how vietnamese cultural beliefs were interwoven with the character’s journey
‘wandering souls’ felt like a deeply personal, unflinching story that needed to be told, but it does have a few small issues with execution & a lack of space for some of the narratives it was constructing, imo
30 notes · View notes
wakingupnexttoyou · 1 month
Text
3.5 ⭐
I love these boys honestly. I want to be friends with them. I want to stuff them in my pocket and take care of them. They deserve so much better. Especially Noah!!!
This books concept is so good. It was a little slow and a lot of the characters need to be fleshed out more. But honestly I'm so excited for the rest of this series.
Tumblr media
3 notes · View notes
i-rate-horse-games · 9 months
Text
Horse Life 4
Tumblr media
first off, the picture on the box has nothing to do with the game?? who are those people?? that's just a photograph. false advertising!
the game starts out having you ride around and be led around the area by the friend of your recently deceased grandma, who left you the farm. fortunately you don't have to do any farm management, just use the resources and hang out. the riding mechanic is cool, you tap A repeatedly to build speed and then hold it forever to not slow down. it's exhausting! and a majority of this game is riding around the farm!
you get to care for your horse via minigames. to feed your horse, you get to actually prepare its grains using the 3ds tilting mechanism to pour feed bags, stir it with the touch screen, and then pour into the feeding trough. i like this because i rarely see games use tilting on the 3DS. you also brush your horse, which you can lose if you accidentally brush its face three times in a row like i did. you also pick its hooves, but you just tap four rocks per hoof four times.
it's relaxing. there's pretty scenery and ok background music with lovely bird songs that fooled my cat! for 3d 3DS graphics, i don't think it gets any better than this! the character actually posts trot and canter!
your horse apparently never learned how to jump, but as soon as your dead grandma's old friend suggests you try it, they sail right over low obstacles no problem first try lol
there's this girl named Elizabeth
Tumblr media
to progress, you have to ride back and forth all over the place. you don't have to progress to enjoy it, though. as far as I can tell the entire map is open to explore from the start, as well as the events. although a few minigames seem to get unlocked as you go.
this tourist is my favorite. i too collect pinecones and ask people for them
Tumblr media Tumblr media
wait oh no
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
no no no PLEASE no i do NOT want to break this couple up and end up in a romance with this man. no no no. wait. where did Joshua's horse go. this was all the same cut scene but in the second pic he's just standing there. you can't even get off your horse in this game.
Tumblr media
nooo not you too mr lumberjack man....
Tumblr media
NOOOOO
forget that. check out these limp sleepy cats
Tumblr media
we had to cross a river over and over to pick them up off a little island and plunk them down on the other side. we are a hero
in the forest area it's hard to go fast because the paths are narrow and even touching the air off the path makes the horse stop and rear. Elizabeth was there and asked for a rematch and it took me three tries to beat her and the only reason we won was because we learned where she passes us and physically blocked her. "my horse must have stepped on a splinter! there's no pride in your narrow victory." you're right, Elizabeth.
"even if you cheat your way to victory again, it doesn't matter. joshua isn't watching this time. i know exactly what you're up to!" EVERYONE STOP i am NOT HERE to get a Man
starting to get seriously annoyed every time my horse senses a wall and stops dead in its track to rear and screech. we just did like 5 timed quests and my word that did not help
for now, i rate this game 3.5 out of 5 stars!
★★★✬☆
the music is nice, the game is nice, and the quests are pretty fun! the plot didn't hook me but all things considered i think it's alright. there's a two player minigame mode but the other player needs their own copy of the game, but that's still pretty neat. it's a sweet little 3DS horse game, and a tiny world of its own! i wasn't invested enough to finish it, but i did enjoy what time i spent with it.
if you're interested in playing it you can get there pretty quickly if you have a homebrewed 3Ds! wink
18 notes · View notes
bloodmaarked · 1 month
Text
Tumblr media
flux // jinwoo chong
first published: 2023 read: 12 february 2024 – 26 february 2024 pages: 387 format: ebook
genres: fiction, adult, science fiction (time travel), LGBTQ+ (queer protag) favourite character(s): bo, hal least favourite character(s): brandon, blue (esp. after what he did at the end)
rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 thoughts: flux was a weird one... in terms of being a cool, unusual, experimentative piece, this worked. in terms of the message i suspect the author wanted the reader to take from it, i'm not sure it did.
the general vibe and narrative was stylish and unique compared to anything else i've read before. the pacing was pretty quick, i felt, and you piece things together and get taken on a wild ride. i think the main thing for me is that it tried to tackle too many plot points and themes in quite a compact story, which meant i came away from it a little lukewarm and not quite knowing what the author had wanted me to feel or think about after turning the last page. if it had been a bit more focused, i think this book could've been really special. also, while i grasped most of the plot easily and didn't find it too confusing, there are still some unanswered questions and parts i wonder why they were added to the story.
i also think our main character (brandon) could've been more compelling. he's not particularly likeable, which i didn't mind, but he also wasn't particularly interesting and i did find myself wanting to know what was happening with bo and blue.
not terrible overall, butt not as stellar as i hoped it would be from the cover and blurb.
3 notes · View notes
max-imumbooks · 3 months
Text
The Camelot Betrayal (#2 of Camelot Rising trilogy), by Kiersten White
This sequel to The Guinevere Deception is largely more of the same. Unfortunately, it was to this novel’s detriment. Many of the same plot points and pitfalls are repeated in this installment, reflecting very little character development. The text relates a deepening relationship between Guinevere and Arthur, however there is no tangible expression of this in their public actions. I’d hoped that Guinevere would have gained more confidence following the events of book one, but even the most blatant insults to her authority are demurely glossed over.
Even in the moments where Guinevere is given room to be awesome and an absolute badass, the almost immediate guilt and second-guessing she does undermines those moments completely. I mean, some of those instances do warrant guilt, but the self-flagellation gets a little old when it’s her reaction to every decision she makes. Even the big mystery of the previous installment (which I correctly guessed, for the record) was resolved almost as an afterthought. The revelation is mentioned so in passing that it completely took the wind out of it. 
This stagnant characterization forces the reader to rely on the plot to maintain their interest, however I felt the narrative didn’t fully live up to the challenge. Between the repeated beats and the undermined decisions from Guinevere, there wasn’t much to grip my attention. The sole exception was Lancelot. Lancelot is my favorite character, full stop. Her devotion to her queen pierces her stoicism, putting her unprofessed feelings for an oblivious Guinevere on full display. Gets me right in the feels every time.
I didn’t not like the book. I think it’s still worth the read, if only to get to the next book. It’s my hope that the ending of The Camelot Betrayal will set us up to see Guinevere in her element, learning to stand on her own power and authority. The potential is there, and I’m hungry to see it– I’m anticipating the emotional glow up of the century.
Rating: 3.5 stars
2 notes · View notes
proceduralbob · 1 year
Quote
It did no good to cry, she had learned that early on. She had also learned that every time she tried to make someone aware of something in her life, the situation just got worse. Consequently it was up to her to solve her problems by herself, using whatever methods she deemed necessary.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson
16 notes · View notes
hagfishviperfish · 6 months
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
what movie are you guys talking about. its not bones and all
2 notes · View notes
Text
Artemis - Andy Weir
Tumblr media
I enjoyed this book in a kind of trashy, easy-to-read way. Jazz is a protagonist that I entirely don't understand, and never really do, even though I completed the book. She feels like she was originally written as a teenage boy, and then the author just swapped the name and pronouns. The author attempts to add diversity through the Muslim and gay characters, but they're played up to such an extent and tie into common stereotypes in a way that makes it much less enjoyable, and completely breaks down any sense of relatability for people from those groups reading them. This is kind of reinforced by the fact that she's the only significant female character in the novel. A decent amount of the subplots never really go anywhere and are slightly shallow and unnecessary. As a whole, it reads pretty much like a first or second draft before its been sent to the editor. But to be completely fair, I did enjoy it, and read the whole thing. I was invested pretty much the whole time I read it and I really enjoyed the worldbuilding and the setting of the moon. The book kind of encompasses both the best bits of Weir's humour and the worst.  Hence the 3 stars rather than lower.
2 notes · View notes
sharpyzreviews · 1 year
Photo
Tumblr media
We're All Going to The World's Fair - An Exercise in Isolation in the Digital Age
Are you alone right now? How alone do you feel reading this post? Think about where you are and how isolated you may feel from the people around you. Are you at home? In the office? On a crowded bus or subway? Regardless, you are most likely alone. Most people are alone most of the time. This film is about isolation, the internet, and how far people will go to feel less alone.
While not outstandingly complex, Jane Schoenbrun's debut feature film offers an uncomfortable yet rewarding journey through the mind of Casey, a young teenage girl who joins an online horror role-playing community of people who have taken "The World's Fair Challenge". The role-playing game consists of completing a short ritual and then vlogging the events that follow. After completing the ritual, we see Casey's descent into madness as she documents her "changes". Casey is eventually contacted by a man named JLB, a "world's fair" veteran, who introduces her to the deeper lore behind the game and encourages her to keep making more of her videos.
Casey and JLB's relationship forms the emotional core of the film. Their roleplay is initially reminiscent of the typical "final girl" and "creepy mentor", a familiar trope from any number of horror flicks. At first, their interactions feel tense and uncomfortable. JLB feels almost predatory as he garners more of a liking towards Casey. But as the film continues, genuine warmth begins to emerge JLB shows how he genuinely cares for Casey. Casey's troubled nature is something that JLB recognizes and so he's reaching out in any way that he can. Whether Casey accepts that help and whether JLB can provide that help is something you can see for yourself.
Now, while I have been singing the praises of this film, it is not without its faults. The film is admittedly slow in certain scenes even with its relatively short length (1hr 26mins). Long scenes of nothing of note happen infrequently but enough to make you really feel the length. JLB's performance can come off as pathetic and creepy. Only until the very end will you ever feel any sort of sympathy or kinship to him at all. Certain lines of dialogue are difficult to understand without subtitles. This seems to be a trade-off for realism because of the handheld camera-work in some scenes.
Overall, "We're All Going to the World's Fair" is an excellent exercise in how to accurately portray the rampant isolation in online communities. While not exceptionally groundbreaking or especially interesting, if you're willing to engage the material it feels rewarding enough to be worth a watch.
We’re All Going to the World’s Fair : ★★★½
4 notes · View notes
codenamebooks · 2 years
Text
City of Heavenly Fire Book Review
(The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare | Goodreads | 3.5 stars | CW: violence, death, grief | Series and Plot Spoilers
In the final book of The Mortal Instruments series, we continue the journey towards what could be death and despair for many Shadowhunters. Sebastian's path to war has yet to slow down and the drama between friends and family and council don't make it any easier.
This isn't the neatest or more clear review because it took me exactly three months to read so I don't remember every little details bout the begin, but bare with me for what I do have written down to talk about.
Relationships are a huge part of the dynamics of this book and the way the plot moves. I really enjoyed the dynamic of the Seelie Queen and Sebastian. I have no idea how old she is (which makes me notice that there aren't enough old people that aren't immortal for a lot of this book to make sense...), but there sexual scene was the least awkward of them all. Their dynamic and power-seeking personalities work well together. I'm sorry to say it but... Evil King and Queen, my loves. Clary and Jace grew on me a lot during this final installment because I think they finally matured and made decisions based on helping others, and not their own selfish intents.
Breaking this down into individual characters, Sebastian really stole the show for a fully rounded, developed character. The choice to have him be so willing to be evil that he attacks virtually innocent institutes and the people inside is smart. There are many other morally gray characters that he could attack but it is solidified how terrible he is by making this decision. Once again, I'm sorry to say it but... I actually really love Sebastian as a villain. Sue me for it.
I don't have much to say about other characters, but I realized how much attention Cassandra Clare gives to characters we literally see for one scene. There were times when I couldn't keep up with the names because, well, the people talking during meetings didn't matter. It was an interesting way to fill the room with faces but we already have a large cast, I don't think unnecessary characters are needed besides a few written markers about where they may be in the room.
A lot of sad things happened in this final book. Lots of people were hurt, whether because of the Endarkened or more specifically Simon or due to family drama or wonky relationships but the second to most upsetting was killing of Jordan. He was so innocent in all of this. I can literally read Cassandra Clare's intentions clearly: he's the newest to the pack of friends (pun intended) so we, and the other friends, connected to him the least because she had to kill someone important enough to care. Who cares about Amatis when she's been an Endarkened this entire book? You know what I mean?
The moment that gut wrenched me, even though it was eventually amended, was losing Simon. He is one of four characters that I genuinely care about in this series (those being him, Magnus, Alec, and Isabelle). Him looking at Isabelle?! And not saying a word?! The possibilities he knew he'd be missing?! Please spare my heart because I actually cried. I didn't think I would but it got me knowing my favorite was taken from everyone.
Overall, I enjoy how this was wrapped up with tidy lessons about love and trust and forgiveness and memory and empathy and family and friendship. It does a lot to nullify the future of these characters they're so young. It also serves as a good way to frame the prequel trilogy because I was wondering what the hell Tessa and Zachariah and even Jocelyn and Magnus and Catarina were talking about. I expect to see a lot of the same same lessons battled with and learned, given they're the ones giving the advice.
If you loved the rest of the series, you should finish it off! If you like studies on morality, you should read this book. If you enjoy friendships and relationship drama, you should read this book.
3 notes · View notes
Text
Review: A Circle of Stars by Craig Montgomery
Title: A Circle of Stars Series: The Stardust Duology: Book One Author: Craig Montgomery Publisher: Amazon/Kindle Unlimited Length: 483 Pages Category: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, YA/Teen Rating: 3.5 Stars At a Glance: A Circle of Stars is a political saga and comes with some content cautions, including homophobia and abuse. Craig Montgomery’s writing is straightforward without being overly…
Tumblr media
View On WordPress
1 note · View note
literatureaesthetic · 2 years
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
some thoughts on jade city!!
9 notes · View notes
wakingupnexttoyou · 1 month
Text
Read this one. Is not what I usually choose to read but was still a good quick romance read. I didn't connect with the characters the way I wish I did but it was still good overall.
3.5⭐
Tumblr media
2 notes · View notes