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General Recommendations
@Riveting_Reviews of The Hamilton Public Library's Teen Review Board
By:
t
TEENREVIEWCREW
Hamilton Public Library
Community-created list
Check out items reviewed by @Riveting_Reviews, a Teen Review Board volunteer at the Hamilton Public Library.
By:
t
TEENREVIEWCREW
Hamilton Public Library
Book - 2013
This book is a memoir written by the late Stephen Hawking. Unlike some of his other books, such as, The Brief History of Time, the world renowned scientis...Show more
This book is a memoir written by the late Stephen Hawking. Unlike some of his other books, such as, The Brief History of Time, the world renowned scientist discusses the various periods of his life, including his birth, early childhood, schooling, marriage, and fatherhood, to name a few. However, as the title suggests, these periods are only briefly discussed. In fact, as the book progresses, they are easily overshadowed by his focus on his theories, discoveries, and experiences while working as a theoretical physicist and a cosmonaut. Much of the book explains scientific concepts and theories that are an integral part of his field of work. The details on his life as a child, husband, and father are only touched on a superficial level. Thus, those who are more interested about his life and personality rather than his work may be slightly dissatisfied. All in all, the book moves along at a decent pace and sheds light on one of the greatest scientists of recent times, which leads me to give it a rating of 3.5 stars.
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This book is a memoir written by the late Stephen Hawking. Unlike some of his other books, such as, The Brief History of Time, the world renowned scientis...Show more
This book is a memoir written by the late Stephen Hawking. Unlike some of his other books, such as, The Brief History of Time, the world renowned scientist discusses the various periods of his life, including his birth, early childhood, schooling, marriage, and fatherhood, to name a few. However, as the title suggests, these periods are only briefly discussed. In fact, as the book progresses, they are easily overshadowed by his focus on his theories, discoveries, and experiences while working as a theoretical physicist and a cosmonaut. Much of the book explains scientific concepts and theories that are an integral part of his field of work. The details on his life as a child, husband, and father are only touched on a superficial level. Thus, those who are more interested about his life and personality rather than his work may be slightly dissatisfied. All in all, the book moves along at a decent pace and sheds light on one of the greatest scientists of recent times, which leads me to give it a rating of 3.5 stars.
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Book - 2012
Written by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano, and illustrated by Michael Carroll, this book brings black holes to life with its simplistic explanations along wi...Show more
Written by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano, and illustrated by Michael Carroll, this book brings black holes to life with its simplistic explanations along with beautiful illustrations. The book is targeted towards a younger audience, such as kids and young teenagers who want to explore space through science. In order to make discoveries, theories, and explanations easy to understand for the readers, the book has various diagrams and analogies. It covers different concepts, such as the speed of light, the relationship between mass and gravity, different types of stars and supernovas, etc. Another great feature is the timeline provided which shows the progress made in the field, and how various great minds contributed to each other’s work. This scientific development over centuries has resulted in astounding discoveries about space. In conclusion, I would give this book 4 stars, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in understanding the basics on how black holes work.
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Written by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano, and illustrated by Michael Carroll, this book brings black holes to life with its simplistic explanations along wi...Show more
Written by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano, and illustrated by Michael Carroll, this book brings black holes to life with its simplistic explanations along with beautiful illustrations. The book is targeted towards a younger audience, such as kids and young teenagers who want to explore space through science. In order to make discoveries, theories, and explanations easy to understand for the readers, the book has various diagrams and analogies. It covers different concepts, such as the speed of light, the relationship between mass and gravity, different types of stars and supernovas, etc. Another great feature is the timeline provided which shows the progress made in the field, and how various great minds contributed to each other’s work. This scientific development over centuries has resulted in astounding discoveries about space. In conclusion, I would give this book 4 stars, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in understanding the basics on how black holes work.
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Avicii by Avicii
by Avicii
Music CD - 2014
This album, True, includes some of Avicii’s most well-known and iconic songs, such as “Wake me Up”. The Swedish musician was known for his generally upbea...Show more
This album, True, includes some of Avicii’s most well-known and iconic songs, such as “Wake me Up”. The Swedish musician was known for his generally upbeat EDM music, complemented by strong vocals and catchy lyrics from featuring artists. The trend continued with this album, where various singers were featured, and different moods were created across 10 songs, ultimately bound together by his iconic “feel-good” style. I think Avicii’s music was unique and different from other mainstream EDM musicians at the time because it proved to be a “softer” alternative to their heavy use of the bass and drops. I really enjoyed the album as a whole, and I would give it 4.5 stars.
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This album, True, includes some of Avicii’s most well-known and iconic songs, such as “Wake me Up”. The Swedish musician was known for his generally upbea...Show more
This album, True, includes some of Avicii’s most well-known and iconic songs, such as “Wake me Up”. The Swedish musician was known for his generally upbeat EDM music, complemented by strong vocals and catchy lyrics from featuring artists. The trend continued with this album, where various singers were featured, and different moods were created across 10 songs, ultimately bound together by his iconic “feel-good” style. I think Avicii’s music was unique and different from other mainstream EDM musicians at the time because it proved to be a “softer” alternative to their heavy use of the bass and drops. I really enjoyed the album as a whole, and I would give it 4.5 stars.
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Secrets of Isaac Newton, Reveal'd
by Losure, Mary
Book - 2017
This is a fantastic book written by Mary Losure. The book reveals the life of one of the greatest scientists to ever live: Sir Isaac Newton. It moves alon...Show more
This is a fantastic book written by Mary Losure. The book reveals the life of one of the greatest scientists to ever live: Sir Isaac Newton. It moves along at a perfect pace, allowing readers to learn a lot about the phases of Newton’s life, which include his childhood and upbringing, teenage years, life in university, and his later years as a scientist. As a young boy from a very average household, Newton took such a keen interest in understanding how the world works. He had a different nature and signs of great intelligence from the start. This book shows how these characteristics were developed over time, which led him to make amazing discoveries that changed the world forever. There are also many diagrams of some of his notes and mechanisms at the time. I would give the book 4.5 stars.
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This is a fantastic book written by Mary Losure. The book reveals the life of one of the greatest scientists to ever live: Sir Isaac Newton. It moves alon...Show more
This is a fantastic book written by Mary Losure. The book reveals the life of one of the greatest scientists to ever live: Sir Isaac Newton. It moves along at a perfect pace, allowing readers to learn a lot about the phases of Newton’s life, which include his childhood and upbringing, teenage years, life in university, and his later years as a scientist. As a young boy from a very average household, Newton took such a keen interest in understanding how the world works. He had a different nature and signs of great intelligence from the start. This book shows how these characteristics were developed over time, which led him to make amazing discoveries that changed the world forever. There are also many diagrams of some of his notes and mechanisms at the time. I would give the book 4.5 stars.
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DVD - 2016
This documentary, directed by David Grubin, explores the life of Nikola Tesla. It shows how many of the items we use on a day-to-day basis can be traced b...Show more
This documentary, directed by David Grubin, explores the life of Nikola Tesla. It shows how many of the items we use on a day-to-day basis can be traced back to his creations. The documentary includes various interviews with different people, including those who have studied Tesla and written books on him. One thing I really liked was that the documentary made it clear that Tesla was far superior to Edison as an inventor. This is because Edison is a lot more well known, even though his method of spreading electricity through direct current was not as efficient as Tesla’s alternating current. In addition, the documentary explores the characteristics of Tesla, and what made him different from other inventors at the time. I would give it a rating of 4 stars.
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This documentary, directed by David Grubin, explores the life of Nikola Tesla. It shows how many of the items we use on a day-to-day basis can be traced b...Show more
This documentary, directed by David Grubin, explores the life of Nikola Tesla. It shows how many of the items we use on a day-to-day basis can be traced back to his creations. The documentary includes various interviews with different people, including those who have studied Tesla and written books on him. One thing I really liked was that the documentary made it clear that Tesla was far superior to Edison as an inventor. This is because Edison is a lot more well known, even though his method of spreading electricity through direct current was not as efficient as Tesla’s alternating current. In addition, the documentary explores the characteristics of Tesla, and what made him different from other inventors at the time. I would give it a rating of 4 stars.
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Season Three
DVD - 2014
Sherlock Holmes is an old and well-known character, regarded as the most famous detective of all time. So what better way to keep his name alive than to c...Show more
Sherlock Holmes is an old and well-known character, regarded as the most famous detective of all time. So what better way to keep his name alive than to create a TV series on him? This series, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes, and Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson, doesn’t fail to amaze audiences with its interesting storylines set in today’s world. Each episode takes viewers on a puzzling case that can only be deciphered by the greatest detective of all time. But what really adds to the greatness of the show, apart from the witty dialogues and the generally fast-paced plot, is that you get to be Sherlock and Dr. Watson as you solve cases with them. This leaves viewers guessing until the last moments, which makes the show very entertaining. I would rate it as 4.5 stars.
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Sherlock Holmes is an old and well-known character, regarded as the most famous detective of all time. So what better way to keep his name alive than to c...Show more
Sherlock Holmes is an old and well-known character, regarded as the most famous detective of all time. So what better way to keep his name alive than to create a TV series on him? This series, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes, and Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson, doesn’t fail to amaze audiences with its interesting storylines set in today’s world. Each episode takes viewers on a puzzling case that can only be deciphered by the greatest detective of all time. But what really adds to the greatness of the show, apart from the witty dialogues and the generally fast-paced plot, is that you get to be Sherlock and Dr. Watson as you solve cases with them. This leaves viewers guessing until the last moments, which makes the show very entertaining. I would rate it as 4.5 stars.
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Season Four
DVD - 2017
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes, and Martin Freeman as Dr. Holmes, this TV series takes on a modern look at the most well-known detective...Show more
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes, and Martin Freeman as Dr. Holmes, this TV series takes on a modern look at the most well-known detective of all time. The events take place in today’s world, which can make it difficult for the show to have the same charm as the classic stories set in the Victorian Era. But the show manages to do this by having complicated cases, and by providing an insight on different people’s personalities, skills, and weaknesses, apart from the main character. Season 4 brings in new characters and increasingly puzzling cases to solve, leaving audiences unsure if even the great Sherlock Holmes is capable of solving them. As it is unclear whether or not there will be a season 5, the final episode takes sudden and surprising turns, bringing an end to the series in a way no one would expect. I rate season 4 as 4.5 stars.
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Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes, and Martin Freeman as Dr. Holmes, this TV series takes on a modern look at the most well-known detective...Show more
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes, and Martin Freeman as Dr. Holmes, this TV series takes on a modern look at the most well-known detective of all time. The events take place in today’s world, which can make it difficult for the show to have the same charm as the classic stories set in the Victorian Era. But the show manages to do this by having complicated cases, and by providing an insight on different people’s personalities, skills, and weaknesses, apart from the main character. Season 4 brings in new characters and increasingly puzzling cases to solve, leaving audiences unsure if even the great Sherlock Holmes is capable of solving them. As it is unclear whether or not there will be a season 5, the final episode takes sudden and surprising turns, bringing an end to the series in a way no one would expect. I rate season 4 as 4.5 stars.
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DVD - 2013
This documentary, directed by Sarah Colt, sheds light on the life of one of the most successful and influential businessmen of the last century. Henry For...Show more
This documentary, directed by Sarah Colt, sheds light on the life of one of the most successful and influential businessmen of the last century. Henry Ford, who was raised in an ordinary family on a farm, showed a liking towards machinery from the start. In this two hour long documentary, Ford’s journey towards becoming one of the richest Americans at the time is described through great narration. In spite of focusing on some of his personality traits that were an integral part of his success, the documentary doesn’t fail to show his negative side as well. Thus, rather than being simply glorified for two hours, Ford is also criticized at times for some of his actions and ways of thinking. While many details of his life are discussed, the strong narration, along with various old pictures and videos, helps maintain interest throughout the two hours. Well-directed and eye-opening, I would give this documentary 4.5 stars.
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This documentary, directed by Sarah Colt, sheds light on the life of one of the most successful and influential businessmen of the last century. Henry For...Show more
This documentary, directed by Sarah Colt, sheds light on the life of one of the most successful and influential businessmen of the last century. Henry Ford, who was raised in an ordinary family on a farm, showed a liking towards machinery from the start. In this two hour long documentary, Ford’s journey towards becoming one of the richest Americans at the time is described through great narration. In spite of focusing on some of his personality traits that were an integral part of his success, the documentary doesn’t fail to show his negative side as well. Thus, rather than being simply glorified for two hours, Ford is also criticized at times for some of his actions and ways of thinking. While many details of his life are discussed, the strong narration, along with various old pictures and videos, helps maintain interest throughout the two hours. Well-directed and eye-opening, I would give this documentary 4.5 stars.
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DVD - 2015
San Andreas is another film based on a natural disaster which takes place on a catastrophic scale. Directed by Brad Peyton, the film moves at a fast pace ...Show more
San Andreas is another film based on a natural disaster which takes place on a catastrophic scale. Directed by Brad Peyton, the film moves at a fast pace with amazing visual effects. Its stars Dwayne Johnson in the lead role, who must do whatever he can to survive the disaster along with his family and other characters. Though the film is backed by its superb effects and breathtaking moments, it’s clear flaw is its weak plot. In spite of being eye-catching, San Andreas falls into the disaster movie cliche, not offering much more as a story than a few people trying to escape a large earthquake. Apart from that, Dwayne Johnson falls into a similar role as in many of his other movies. All in all, if you prefer movies that don’t offer much more than pure action, you may find this film worth a watch. I would give it a rating of 3 stars.
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San Andreas is another film based on a natural disaster which takes place on a catastrophic scale. Directed by Brad Peyton, the film moves at a fast pace ...Show more
San Andreas is another film based on a natural disaster which takes place on a catastrophic scale. Directed by Brad Peyton, the film moves at a fast pace with amazing visual effects. Its stars Dwayne Johnson in the lead role, who must do whatever he can to survive the disaster along with his family and other characters. Though the film is backed by its superb effects and breathtaking moments, it’s clear flaw is its weak plot. In spite of being eye-catching, San Andreas falls into the disaster movie cliche, not offering much more as a story than a few people trying to escape a large earthquake. Apart from that, Dwayne Johnson falls into a similar role as in many of his other movies. All in all, if you prefer movies that don’t offer much more than pure action, you may find this film worth a watch. I would give it a rating of 3 stars.
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DVD - 2006
Rocky was the first of an iconic movie series that lasted for decades. Sylvester Stallone, who plays the role of local boxer named Rocky Balboa, is given ...Show more
Rocky was the first of an iconic movie series that lasted for decades. Sylvester Stallone, who plays the role of local boxer named Rocky Balboa, is given the opportunity to contend with the world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed. Rocky’s life changes at this point, as he is given the chance to channel his talent, discover his potential, and take his success to the next level through hard work and dedication. With many scenes showing Balboa’s strict training routine, the film manages to create an inspiring mood. I really enjoyed the movie, and in spite of having a somewhat predictable plot, the performances, direction, and the inspiring mood make it worth a watch. I would give it a rating of 4 stars.
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Rocky was the first of an iconic movie series that lasted for decades. Sylvester Stallone, who plays the role of local boxer named Rocky Balboa, is given ...Show more
Rocky was the first of an iconic movie series that lasted for decades. Sylvester Stallone, who plays the role of local boxer named Rocky Balboa, is given the opportunity to contend with the world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed. Rocky’s life changes at this point, as he is given the chance to channel his talent, discover his potential, and take his success to the next level through hard work and dedication. With many scenes showing Balboa’s strict training routine, the film manages to create an inspiring mood. I really enjoyed the movie, and in spite of having a somewhat predictable plot, the performances, direction, and the inspiring mood make it worth a watch. I would give it a rating of 4 stars.
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DVD -
Written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone, this film is a sequel to the original Rocky. The story continues from where it left off of, where R...Show more
Written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone, this film is a sequel to the original Rocky. The story continues from where it left off of, where Rocky Balboa has now achieved more fame and recognition than ever before. His life has changed, and he’s a married man who’s about to become a father. However, when the world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed, wants a rematch, Rocky has to convince his wife to return to the ring in spite of his injuries. While the film may seem a bit slow at times, its emotional scenes are contrasted by the action sequences. However, despite the decent acting performances, the movie’s plot is somewhat similar to the first part, and Rocky 2 doesn’t offer much to make it a unique film in the series. This is why I give it a rating of 3.5 stars.
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Written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone, this film is a sequel to the original Rocky. The story continues from where it left off of, where R...Show more
Written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone, this film is a sequel to the original Rocky. The story continues from where it left off of, where Rocky Balboa has now achieved more fame and recognition than ever before. His life has changed, and he’s a married man who’s about to become a father. However, when the world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed, wants a rematch, Rocky has to convince his wife to return to the ring in spite of his injuries. While the film may seem a bit slow at times, its emotional scenes are contrasted by the action sequences. However, despite the decent acting performances, the movie’s plot is somewhat similar to the first part, and Rocky 2 doesn’t offer much to make it a unique film in the series. This is why I give it a rating of 3.5 stars.
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DVD - 2014
As the third installment in the series, this movie is also directed, written by, and starring Sylvester Stallone as the protagonist, Rocky Balboa. After b...Show more
As the third installment in the series, this movie is also directed, written by, and starring Sylvester Stallone as the protagonist, Rocky Balboa. After becoming the World Heavyweight Champion, Rocky enjoys his new found fame and fortune, while another young and motivated opponent, Clubber Lang (played by Mr. T), challenges him to a fight. After getting knocked out easily, Rocky is approached by the former champion, Apollo Creed (played by Carl Weathers), to be trained for a rematch with Lang. This is probably my favourite movie in the series, since the role of Clubber Lang has been played very well, and he is the most aggressive and hot-headed villain in the franchise. Rocky’s training is more serious and physically demanding than ever before, as he has to train to fight his strongest opponent yet. The movie also shows how we must continue striving for improvement, because a lack of focus and practice can diminish our talent. I give it a rating of 4 stars.
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As the third installment in the series, this movie is also directed, written by, and starring Sylvester Stallone as the protagonist, Rocky Balboa. After b...Show more
As the third installment in the series, this movie is also directed, written by, and starring Sylvester Stallone as the protagonist, Rocky Balboa. After becoming the World Heavyweight Champion, Rocky enjoys his new found fame and fortune, while another young and motivated opponent, Clubber Lang (played by Mr. T), challenges him to a fight. After getting knocked out easily, Rocky is approached by the former champion, Apollo Creed (played by Carl Weathers), to be trained for a rematch with Lang. This is probably my favourite movie in the series, since the role of Clubber Lang has been played very well, and he is the most aggressive and hot-headed villain in the franchise. Rocky’s training is more serious and physically demanding than ever before, as he has to train to fight his strongest opponent yet. The movie also shows how we must continue striving for improvement, because a lack of focus and practice can diminish our talent. I give it a rating of 4 stars.
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DVD - 2005
Once again, this film is written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone in the lead role of Rocky Balboa. It also features Apollo Creed (played by ...Show more
Once again, this film is written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone in the lead role of Rocky Balboa. It also features Apollo Creed (played by Carl Weathers) and Ivan Drago (played by Dolph Lundgren). After watching the Russian boxer, Ivan Drago, defeat and kill Apollo Creed in the boxing ring, Rocky challenges Drago to a fight. In spite of being the fourth film in the franchise, this film manages to create its own identity by taking on the theme of the Cold War, where America and the Soviet Union are metaphorically pitted against each other in the boxing ring. While the movie continues the trend of Rocky training hard to face a fearsome opponent, and the plot has become too repetitive and predictable by now, Rocky 4 was intended to evoke feelings of patriotism in Americans, which creates more depth than its prequels. I would rate the film as 4 stars.
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Once again, this film is written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone in the lead role of Rocky Balboa. It also features Apollo Creed (played by ...Show more
Once again, this film is written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone in the lead role of Rocky Balboa. It also features Apollo Creed (played by Carl Weathers) and Ivan Drago (played by Dolph Lundgren). After watching the Russian boxer, Ivan Drago, defeat and kill Apollo Creed in the boxing ring, Rocky challenges Drago to a fight. In spite of being the fourth film in the franchise, this film manages to create its own identity by taking on the theme of the Cold War, where America and the Soviet Union are metaphorically pitted against each other in the boxing ring. While the movie continues the trend of Rocky training hard to face a fearsome opponent, and the plot has become too repetitive and predictable by now, Rocky 4 was intended to evoke feelings of patriotism in Americans, which creates more depth than its prequels. I would rate the film as 4 stars.
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DVD - 2017
M. Knight Shyamalan is the writer and director of Split, a sequel to the 2000 film, Unbreakable. In this film, three teenagers are abducted by Kevin Wende...Show more
M. Knight Shyamalan is the writer and director of Split, a sequel to the 2000 film, Unbreakable. In this film, three teenagers are abducted by Kevin Wendell Crumb (played by James McAvoy), a man who has 23 split personalities. When the girls are caged underground, Kevin approaches them as a seemingly different person each time, while all his personalities await for the 24th personality, known as The Beast. This personality is rumoured to grant him superhuman abilities when it arrives. While the plot seems very far-fletched, its strength is its unpredictability, which makes the story quite interesting. Each scene is unsettling yet engaging, and James McAvoy’s portrayals of different personalities are brilliant, which add to the thrilling storyline. This horror-thriller movie is unique in its plot and its direction, and I believe it deserves a rating of 4.5 stars.
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M. Knight Shyamalan is the writer and director of Split, a sequel to the 2000 film, Unbreakable. In this film, three teenagers are abducted by Kevin Wende...Show more
M. Knight Shyamalan is the writer and director of Split, a sequel to the 2000 film, Unbreakable. In this film, three teenagers are abducted by Kevin Wendell Crumb (played by James McAvoy), a man who has 23 split personalities. When the girls are caged underground, Kevin approaches them as a seemingly different person each time, while all his personalities await for the 24th personality, known as The Beast. This personality is rumoured to grant him superhuman abilities when it arrives. While the plot seems very far-fletched, its strength is its unpredictability, which makes the story quite interesting. Each scene is unsettling yet engaging, and James McAvoy’s portrayals of different personalities are brilliant, which add to the thrilling storyline. This horror-thriller movie is unique in its plot and its direction, and I believe it deserves a rating of 4.5 stars.
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by Bowie, David
Music CD - 2014
This album is a compilation of David Bowie’s songs across different time periods. There is a very diverse range of music across three discs in the album, ...Show more
This album is a compilation of David Bowie’s songs across different time periods. There is a very diverse range of music across three discs in the album, which allows David Bowie to explore different ideas and emotions across all the songs in the discs. Due to the variety of music, if you don’t like some of the songs, there are many more to hear from that may change your opinion on the album as a whole. Moreover, most music tends to appeal to people of a specific age bracket or generation. However, what’s great about this is that Nothing Has Changed takes you down a road consisting of some of the legendary musician’s best work, with some older songs, and some that are a bit more recent. This makes the music likable for a larger audience across different generations, and it shows how David Bowie was an evergreen artist. All in all, I think this album deserves 4.5 stars.
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This album is a compilation of David Bowie’s songs across different time periods. There is a very diverse range of music across three discs in the album, ...Show more
This album is a compilation of David Bowie’s songs across different time periods. There is a very diverse range of music across three discs in the album, which allows David Bowie to explore different ideas and emotions across all the songs in the discs. Due to the variety of music, if you don’t like some of the songs, there are many more to hear from that may change your opinion on the album as a whole. Moreover, most music tends to appeal to people of a specific age bracket or generation. However, what’s great about this is that Nothing Has Changed takes you down a road consisting of some of the legendary musician’s best work, with some older songs, and some that are a bit more recent. This makes the music likable for a larger audience across different generations, and it shows how David Bowie was an evergreen artist. All in all, I think this album deserves 4.5 stars.
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DVD - 2015
This documentary is part of the Frontline series, created by PBS. An hour long, the documentary is relatively short for Putin, who is a man of such power ...Show more
This documentary is part of the Frontline series, created by PBS. An hour long, the documentary is relatively short for Putin, who is a man of such power and influence. That is why the focus is on Putin’s rise in politics, rather than an insight on his complete life. While the documentary provides many details and facts about the world-view on Putin, stories of other Russian politicians, and events that changed Russian politics, I feel that Putin’s Way is very one-sided and biased. This is because even though Putin’s spokesperson states that this is propaganda, the majority of the people spoken with talk about scandals and cases Russian politicians have been involved with during Putin’s tenure. There isn’t much of a mention on some of the good things Putin has done for his country, and the reasons for which many people support him. Therefore, I would give Putin’s Way 3 stars.
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This documentary is part of the Frontline series, created by PBS. An hour long, the documentary is relatively short for Putin, who is a man of such power ...Show more
This documentary is part of the Frontline series, created by PBS. An hour long, the documentary is relatively short for Putin, who is a man of such power and influence. That is why the focus is on Putin’s rise in politics, rather than an insight on his complete life. While the documentary provides many details and facts about the world-view on Putin, stories of other Russian politicians, and events that changed Russian politics, I feel that Putin’s Way is very one-sided and biased. This is because even though Putin’s spokesperson states that this is propaganda, the majority of the people spoken with talk about scandals and cases Russian politicians have been involved with during Putin’s tenure. There isn’t much of a mention on some of the good things Putin has done for his country, and the reasons for which many people support him. Therefore, I would give Putin’s Way 3 stars.
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DVD - 2014
As the fifth installment in the series, the film follows Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone), after he defeats Ivan Drago and returns to America. ...Show more
As the fifth installment in the series, the film follows Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone), after he defeats Ivan Drago and returns to America. After dealing with various financial problems, Rocky manages to begin training a young fighter, Tommy Gunn, who aims to win the world championship title from Union Cane. As Rocky shifts careers from a boxer to a trainer, the film follows a different course of route than its prequels. The movie avoids showing Balboa training and entering the ring. Instead, it addresses other topics, such as family-related issues. However, this makes the plot quite slow, and Rocky 5 fails to maintain the charm that the previous 4 movies did. In other words, though the plot is somewhat unique to the series, viewers who are used to seeing the iconic boxer will be dissatisfied with the film. I give it 3 stars.
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As the fifth installment in the series, the film follows Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone), after he defeats Ivan Drago and returns to America. ...Show more
As the fifth installment in the series, the film follows Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone), after he defeats Ivan Drago and returns to America. After dealing with various financial problems, Rocky manages to begin training a young fighter, Tommy Gunn, who aims to win the world championship title from Union Cane. As Rocky shifts careers from a boxer to a trainer, the film follows a different course of route than its prequels. The movie avoids showing Balboa training and entering the ring. Instead, it addresses other topics, such as family-related issues. However, this makes the plot quite slow, and Rocky 5 fails to maintain the charm that the previous 4 movies did. In other words, though the plot is somewhat unique to the series, viewers who are used to seeing the iconic boxer will be dissatisfied with the film. I give it 3 stars.
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by Brown, Chris
Music CD - 2015
Named after his daughter, Chris Brown’s album, Royalty, features various songs that are part of the R&B genre. Although Chris Brown is known to be a d...Show more
Named after his daughter, Chris Brown’s album, Royalty, features various songs that are part of the R&B genre. Although Chris Brown is known to be a decent singer and a performer, many of his songs are not very lyrical. This album wasn’t an exception since the lyrics weren’t great, and I felt that the album was somewhat of a disappointment. In spite of having other featuring artists across the album, such as Future, many of the songs sounded similar to each other. Whether it was the beats, singing, rapping, or the lyrics, there was nothing unique at all. In addition, apart from a few songs, the album was quite forgettable. All in all, I would give Royalty 2.5 stars out of 5, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone unless they are a big fan of Chris Brown.
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Named after his daughter, Chris Brown’s album, Royalty, features various songs that are part of the R&B genre. Although Chris Brown is known to be a d...Show more
Named after his daughter, Chris Brown’s album, Royalty, features various songs that are part of the R&B genre. Although Chris Brown is known to be a decent singer and a performer, many of his songs are not very lyrical. This album wasn’t an exception since the lyrics weren’t great, and I felt that the album was somewhat of a disappointment. In spite of having other featuring artists across the album, such as Future, many of the songs sounded similar to each other. Whether it was the beats, singing, rapping, or the lyrics, there was nothing unique at all. In addition, apart from a few songs, the album was quite forgettable. All in all, I would give Royalty 2.5 stars out of 5, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone unless they are a big fan of Chris Brown.
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by Drake
Music CD - 2018
Scorpion is easily one of the biggest albums of 2018 for a variety of reasons. It features 25 songs across 2 sides, with one side focusing on rap, while t...Show more
Scorpion is easily one of the biggest albums of 2018 for a variety of reasons. It features 25 songs across 2 sides, with one side focusing on rap, while the other focuses on a slower R&B style. Many individual songs from the album went viral overnight, such as “God’s Plan”, “I’m Upset”, “Nice For What”, and “Nonstop”. However, none of those songs could match the popularity of “In My Feelings”, which became an international sensation due to the infamous challenge named after the song. Scorpion features a wide range of songs to choose from, along with different featuring artists. Even though the album isn’t as lyrical or iconic as some of Drake’s previous albums, Scorpion offers something of its own to those who enjoy listening to rap and R&B music. I would give the album 4 stars.
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Scorpion is easily one of the biggest albums of 2018 for a variety of reasons. It features 25 songs across 2 sides, with one side focusing on rap, while t...Show more
Scorpion is easily one of the biggest albums of 2018 for a variety of reasons. It features 25 songs across 2 sides, with one side focusing on rap, while the other focuses on a slower R&B style. Many individual songs from the album went viral overnight, such as “God’s Plan”, “I’m Upset”, “Nice For What”, and “Nonstop”. However, none of those songs could match the popularity of “In My Feelings”, which became an international sensation due to the infamous challenge named after the song. Scorpion features a wide range of songs to choose from, along with different featuring artists. Even though the album isn’t as lyrical or iconic as some of Drake’s previous albums, Scorpion offers something of its own to those who enjoy listening to rap and R&B music. I would give the album 4 stars.
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DVD - 2016
Directed by Ryan Coogler, this film takes on the story of Apollo Creed’s illegitimate son, Adonis, who is played by Michael B. Jordan. Leaving his comfort...Show more
Directed by Ryan Coogler, this film takes on the story of Apollo Creed’s illegitimate son, Adonis, who is played by Michael B. Jordan. Leaving his comfortable house and secure job, Adonis travels to Philadelphia to get in touch with Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone. After revealing himself to be Apollo’s son, he convinces Rocky to begin training him as a boxer for the world title. It is clear that this film’s protagonist is Adonis, and unlike the Rocky Balboa series, this movie shows Rocky as an aging trainer. The story is quite different from the Rocky series, and in spite of a few scenes that may create nostalgia, there are several different elements to Creed, such as new love interests. This gives Creed its own distinct feel, which is why it did well commercially. Apart from that, the film is also directed well and the acting is decent. That’s why I think Creed deserves 4 stars.
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Directed by Ryan Coogler, this film takes on the story of Apollo Creed’s illegitimate son, Adonis, who is played by Michael B. Jordan. Leaving his comfort...Show more
Directed by Ryan Coogler, this film takes on the story of Apollo Creed’s illegitimate son, Adonis, who is played by Michael B. Jordan. Leaving his comfortable house and secure job, Adonis travels to Philadelphia to get in touch with Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone. After revealing himself to be Apollo’s son, he convinces Rocky to begin training him as a boxer for the world title. It is clear that this film’s protagonist is Adonis, and unlike the Rocky Balboa series, this movie shows Rocky as an aging trainer. The story is quite different from the Rocky series, and in spite of a few scenes that may create nostalgia, there are several different elements to Creed, such as new love interests. This gives Creed its own distinct feel, which is why it did well commercially. Apart from that, the film is also directed well and the acting is decent. That’s why I think Creed deserves 4 stars.
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DVD - 2018
When it comes to the world of superhero movies, we are often treated with similar storylines and direction. However, this is not the case with Black Panth...Show more
When it comes to the world of superhero movies, we are often treated with similar storylines and direction. However, this is not the case with Black Panther. This superhero comes from the land of Wakanda: a technologically advanced African nation that has an abundance of vibranium. Black Panther has its own unique elements because the film sticks to African culture and roots. The movie has been directed very differently from most superhero movies, with a fast-paced plot, intriguing storyline, great dialogues, and various references to the treatment of the African people by European colonists in the past. The film has a star cast including Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman, and Andy Serkis, among others. The director, Ryan Coogler, has done a fantastic job, which is why I would give Black Panther 4.5 stars, and I would recommend anyone to watch it if they haven’t already.
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When it comes to the world of superhero movies, we are often treated with similar storylines and direction. However, this is not the case with Black Panth...Show more
When it comes to the world of superhero movies, we are often treated with similar storylines and direction. However, this is not the case with Black Panther. This superhero comes from the land of Wakanda: a technologically advanced African nation that has an abundance of vibranium. Black Panther has its own unique elements because the film sticks to African culture and roots. The movie has been directed very differently from most superhero movies, with a fast-paced plot, intriguing storyline, great dialogues, and various references to the treatment of the African people by European colonists in the past. The film has a star cast including Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman, and Andy Serkis, among others. The director, Ryan Coogler, has done a fantastic job, which is why I would give Black Panther 4.5 stars, and I would recommend anyone to watch it if they haven’t already.
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DVD - 2014
Snowpiercer is a dystopian sci-fi film, starring Chris Evans in the lead role. The film is about cooling temperatures on Earth, turning the planet into a ...Show more
Snowpiercer is a dystopian sci-fi film, starring Chris Evans in the lead role. The film is about cooling temperatures on Earth, turning the planet into a frozen wasteland, while killing nearly all life. The only human survivors are aboard the Snowpiercer: a train continuously travelling the world. In spite of its far-fletched story, South Korean director, Bong Joon-ho, takes the audience on a trip with great performances, a fast-paced plot, and a thought-provoking theme. He explores the idea of human behavioral flaws, along with the ideas of hierarchy and social structure, as all passengers on the train are divided into classes to maintain order. What drives the plot forward is the underlying theme of revolution against suppressors, as those on the lowest level of the social structure decide to challenge the status-quo by attempting to take charge of the train. The film only derails on occasional moments, which is why I give it 4.5 stars.
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Snowpiercer is a dystopian sci-fi film, starring Chris Evans in the lead role. The film is about cooling temperatures on Earth, turning the planet into a ...Show more
Snowpiercer is a dystopian sci-fi film, starring Chris Evans in the lead role. The film is about cooling temperatures on Earth, turning the planet into a frozen wasteland, while killing nearly all life. The only human survivors are aboard the Snowpiercer: a train continuously travelling the world. In spite of its far-fletched story, South Korean director, Bong Joon-ho, takes the audience on a trip with great performances, a fast-paced plot, and a thought-provoking theme. He explores the idea of human behavioral flaws, along with the ideas of hierarchy and social structure, as all passengers on the train are divided into classes to maintain order. What drives the plot forward is the underlying theme of revolution against suppressors, as those on the lowest level of the social structure decide to challenge the status-quo by attempting to take charge of the train. The film only derails on occasional moments, which is why I give it 4.5 stars.
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DVD - 2007
The Prestige is about two magicians who attempt to create the greatest trick ever. While both of them work together at first, things take a turn for the w...Show more
The Prestige is about two magicians who attempt to create the greatest trick ever. While both of them work together at first, things take a turn for the worse when Robert Angier (played by Hugh Jackman) loses his wife in an accident during a magic show, and he seeks revenge on Alfred Borden (played by Christian Bale). While both magicians are intent on defeating each other and performing the greatest trick, one wonders whether their obsession has driven them into madness. Apart from the two lead actors, The Prestige has a star cast including Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine, David Bowie, and Andy Serkis, among others. Though the movie is a bit slow at times, it is very intriguing. As a psychological film and a mystery, viewers get so caught up in the plot that until the end, they don’t realize that the biggest trick is played on them, right under their noses. I would give the film 4 stars.
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The Prestige is about two magicians who attempt to create the greatest trick ever. While both of them work together at first, things take a turn for the w...Show more
The Prestige is about two magicians who attempt to create the greatest trick ever. While both of them work together at first, things take a turn for the worse when Robert Angier (played by Hugh Jackman) loses his wife in an accident during a magic show, and he seeks revenge on Alfred Borden (played by Christian Bale). While both magicians are intent on defeating each other and performing the greatest trick, one wonders whether their obsession has driven them into madness. Apart from the two lead actors, The Prestige has a star cast including Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine, David Bowie, and Andy Serkis, among others. Though the movie is a bit slow at times, it is very intriguing. As a psychological film and a mystery, viewers get so caught up in the plot that until the end, they don’t realize that the biggest trick is played on them, right under their noses. I would give the film 4 stars.
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The True Story of A Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time
by Sobel, Dava
Book - 2007
Written by Dava Sobel, this book is about one of the greatest problems that baffled people for centuries: the problem of longitude. Centuries ago, sailors...Show more
Written by Dava Sobel, this book is about one of the greatest problems that baffled people for centuries: the problem of longitude. Centuries ago, sailors were unable to navigate the seas with the ease and effectiveness as today’s people. While scientists and nations were unable to successfully solve the problem, many shipwrecks and deaths continued at sea. However, as time passed, progress was made in solving the problem and measuring longitude effectively. This book takes readers on that journey, and it shows how the collective ideas of people over time helped change travel over sea, and to some extent, it reshaped the world. People who are interested in science, geography, history, and navigation may find the book interesting. However, even though it is well-written and informative, I found it quite boring, which is why I would give it 3.5 stars.
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Written by Dava Sobel, this book is about one of the greatest problems that baffled people for centuries: the problem of longitude. Centuries ago, sailors...Show more
Written by Dava Sobel, this book is about one of the greatest problems that baffled people for centuries: the problem of longitude. Centuries ago, sailors were unable to navigate the seas with the ease and effectiveness as today’s people. While scientists and nations were unable to successfully solve the problem, many shipwrecks and deaths continued at sea. However, as time passed, progress was made in solving the problem and measuring longitude effectively. This book takes readers on that journey, and it shows how the collective ideas of people over time helped change travel over sea, and to some extent, it reshaped the world. People who are interested in science, geography, history, and navigation may find the book interesting. However, even though it is well-written and informative, I found it quite boring, which is why I would give it 3.5 stars.
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DVD -
This is an iconic movie that changed the face of Batman for the better. Thanks to the director, Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight was a critical and a co...Show more
This is an iconic movie that changed the face of Batman for the better. Thanks to the director, Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight was a critical and a commercial success. It features Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Katie Holmes, and Gary Oldman, among others. The movie shows the story of Bruce Wayne from the beginning, as a child who witnessed the murder of his parents, and then his journey that transformed him from an ordinary person into a hero for Gotham. Bruce goes on to fight the crime in his city while facing villains such as Ra’s al Ghul, Falcone, and The Scarecrow. Apart from having a variety of emotions, Batman Begins is filled with great acting, entertaining action, and many underlying themes that add depth to the film. The movie revived the superhero for a new generation, and it kickstarted the trilogy with great success, which is why I would give it 4.5 stars.
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This is an iconic movie that changed the face of Batman for the better. Thanks to the director, Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight was a critical and a co...Show more
This is an iconic movie that changed the face of Batman for the better. Thanks to the director, Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight was a critical and a commercial success. It features Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Katie Holmes, and Gary Oldman, among others. The movie shows the story of Bruce Wayne from the beginning, as a child who witnessed the murder of his parents, and then his journey that transformed him from an ordinary person into a hero for Gotham. Bruce goes on to fight the crime in his city while facing villains such as Ra’s al Ghul, Falcone, and The Scarecrow. Apart from having a variety of emotions, Batman Begins is filled with great acting, entertaining action, and many underlying themes that add depth to the film. The movie revived the superhero for a new generation, and it kickstarted the trilogy with great success, which is why I would give it 4.5 stars.
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