Readsalot

I, Robot (2004). 8/10 Haven't seen the movie in a while. Was fairly ambivalent the first time I saw it. Last night I watched it and really enjoyed it. Was it my own prejudices about some of the changes that caused mixed feelings when it came out? I don't know. Maybe I'm just growing up (though I doubt that). Now I think it's a great movie. Would Isaac Asimov have liked it? I don't know. But I like to think so.

@Slowbee Riccardo Patrese takes his wife for a lap. https://youtu.be/is9WryNkgzY

I loved that movie.

You mess with the bull... https://twitter.com/AwardsDarwin/status/917529341952692224

Pokey thing.

The Dark Tower (2017). 6/10 I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. I think most of the negativity comes from disappointment over what it could have been rather than what it is. Lots of missed opportunities, imo, and maybe I would have been more upset if I had spent the time and money to go and see it at a theater. But watching it at home on a rainy Sunday afternoon is as good a way to while away an hour and a half as any other. And really, I've seen worse. For reference: Yes, I did read the books. I think they're fantastic. But I tried to watch the movie as its own thing, based on the books but not attempting to be an exact replication of them.

On the other hand, since they got Whedon in to finish the movie and let him add a few scenes of his own, my optimism is really high. I recently watched Avengers again, also with lots of green screen scenes, and it is still very high on my list of all-time favourite movies. In fact, it might just be at the very top.

Have you seen the one with Steve Vai? https://youtu.be/qfGggAGITwg Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Have you seen this one?

On Book 4 of the Dagger and the Coin series. I find it fascinating, unlike any other fantasy series. Not as much focus on action, but the characters and story draw you in.

"In some countries, smiling might not be a sign of warmth or even respect. It’s evidence that you’re a fool—a tricky fool. ...in countries like Germany, Switzerland, China, and Malaysia, smiling faces were rated as significantly more intelligent than non-smiling people. But in Japan, India, Iran, South Korea, and—you guessed it—Russia, the smiling faces were considered significantly less intelligent. Even after controlling for other factors, like the economy, there was a strong correlation between how unpredictable a society was and the likelihood they would consider smiling unintelligent. In countries such as India, Argentina, and the Maldives, meanwhile, smiling was associated with dishonesty..." https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/05/culture-and-smiling/483827/

This is why I detest team sports/projects/activities. https://twitter.com/AwardsDarwin/status/916230634179387392

Today, four years ago, I got the most awesome dog in the universe.

Happy hump day.

I quite liked the Gifted. Got a bit of a Heroes vibe, I thought. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Aaah, puberty you bitch. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I don't hate The Orville - if it works for you, I'm happy. Since the two came out at the same time, however, it's kind of frustrating to be part of sci-fi forums at the moment - fans seem to feel the need to not just love one, but also hate the other. I like the Marvel shows a lot more than the DC shows. Again, just a personal preference. Same with the Shannara Chronicles. Didn't think they were bad, as such, but felt like they might be aimed at a somewhat younger audience than me.

I really liked Episode 3 of Star Trek Discovery. Colour me a convert - I think I'm going to like this show. I like complex characters and sensible writing. Can't stand The Orville though. I kinda like Seth McFarlane but the show just isn't working for me. They rely too much on jokes (which aren't always that funny) and therefore don't bother overmuch with character development, plot or narrative. I think Inhumans made a mistake with the whole Imax thing. They should have spent more money on writers and less on fancy cameras. I liked it enough that I want to see more, but I understand why people didn't like it. For me, the main problem was pacing. However, I still prefer it to the CW DC tweeny emo superhero shows like Flash and Arrow. Going to watch Marvel's The Gifted today: Hopefully that will be a good one.

Trying to read, so obviously the Gremlin has to come and lie right in front of my book. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Must... resist...

It's mildly amusing, but I'm never going to be very interested in watching a show about a little kid. I didn't hate it but (maybe because I'm not the intended target audience) I'm not going to watch it, either.

Orville isn't working for me. Not much of a story and (for me) the humour fell flat. I liked ST Discovery enough that I'm looking forward to the next episode to see where they're going with the story. Will decide after that, but I definitely prefer it to Orville. I still watch NCIS, Lucifer and Lethal Weapon but I've dropped most of the other series. Might try Gotham again but the other DC shows are too tweeny for me. Shows I'm looking forward to are The Punisher, Vikings, SIX and Into The Badlands.

I love balsamic vinegar, but it can be very overpowering. Once ate ostrich in a balsamic type sauce and it was delicious. Think it works well with the more gamey type of meats.

When the Devil wakes up and stretches, you need to make sure your balls are safely out of reach.

Watched two great movies last night. Fire in Babylon (2010) 8/10. 2010 British documentary film about the record-breaking West Indies cricket team of the 1970s and 1980s. The documentary describes the ascension of West Indies cricket from being a team largely composed of highly talented, entertaining, "Calypso Cricketers" to a determined unit that dominated world cricket for nearly twenty years. (Wiki) La Famille Bélier (2014) 8/10. French comedy-drama film that received six nominations at the 40th César Awards. Sixteen-year-old Paula is an indispensable interpreter for her deaf parents and brother on a daily basis, especially in the running of the family farm. One day, a music teacher discovers her gift for singing and encourages Paula to participate in a prestigious singing contest in Paris. (Wiki)