Feels a Little Forced

Advantages: Plenty of action
Disadvantages: Missing some of the human touch

...At the end of "Firemask", the second book in Chris Bunch's "Last Legion" series, there seemed to be only one direction the series could go in. Throughout the previous two books, Protector Redruth of Larix and Kura has been a floating menace and the Legion needs to take care of the threat he poses. Catching a Larissan spy on Cumbre gives the Legion an idea and Njangu Yoshitaro is sent in as a double agent. Whilst his mission goes well, Garvin Jaansma attempts to cause unrest on Kura are less successful. Yoshitaro's subsequent release of the Cambrian prisoners and his own escape alerts Protector Redruth that something may be wrong. So once again, the Legion is going to war. Whilst this will seem familiar to existing fans, if this is all new to you, this isn't the book to be reading. Bunch is conscious that he is writing a series...

Soho_Black 06.04.2008 · Read review
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Review of Stormforce (Last Legion 3) - Chris Bunch

Not In Last Place

Advantages: An entertaining read
Disadvantages: Keeps switching between character's forenames and surnames

..., managing to escape when space pirates capture it. They make it to Cumbre and start their service at the worst possible moment; the planet has recently lost contact with the Confederation, the 'Raum who do all the menial work are starting to revolt and the Protector of neighbouring system Larix and Kura is keen to extend his empire. We follow the recruits through their basic training and as they discover that the old saying about nice girls loving sailors also applies to Confederation soldiers. It's not all fun, however, and when the real work and the real danger starts, we get to see that as well. The Army has to try and put down the rebellion with ancient equipment and insufficient numbers, as well as a lack of support from the Confederation. "The Last Legion" is a fast paced read pretty much the whole way through, although it does start...

Soho_Black 01.03.2008 · Read review
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Review of The Last Legion - Chris Bunch

Funny & touching but perhaps not for everyone

Advantages: Interesting story with more to it than meets the eye, funny, Mos Def and Glover
Disadvantages: May be too sentimental for some, Black gives another mediocre performance, possibly the ending

...the movie trailer, that it would be probably more of a 3 star movie, ok but a bit weak storywise but it turned out to be better than I had presumed... read on for more information on the movie and what I thought of it... Oh and also, incase anyones wondering, it was me that posted a short review of the movie on the Lovefilm site, so it is indeed the same IzzyS... - Main Credits (non-actors, which are mentioned further on in the review) - Source:- IMDB (see:- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0799934/fullcredits) Director - Michel Gondry Writer - Michael Gondry Producers - Georges Bermann, Julie Fong Associate Producer - Raffi Adlan Co-producer - Ann Ruark Executive Producers - Toby Emmerich, Guy Stodel Cinematography - Ellen Kuras - Story (incl. some of the acting cast) - 'Be Kind Rewind' starts off by talking about the jazz...

IzzyS 03.10.2008 · Read review
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Review of Be Kind Rewind (DVD)

Meet me in Montauk

Advantages: Kaufman's script, Gondry's direction, Winslet
Disadvantages: Minor let-down sub-plots

...with the inevitability of the ending, it was still surprising. Michel Gondry did the film justice; taking Kaufman?s oddball script and making it work on the big silver screen. Gondry and director of photography Ellen Kuras are a duo of intelligent and sharp directors. The direction was extraordinarily stylish, but with Kaufman?s scripting and thought, it does not lack much needed substance. ?Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? doesn?t attempt to be spectacular or gain instant status as being excellent or worthy of prestigious awards; it?s just an indie-esque film which is a delightful change from Hollywood?s usual cack ? perhaps that?s why very distinguished Focus Features picked it up. Focus Features is the anti-Universal sibling of Universal Studios, responsible for releasing films such as the superlative ?Lost in Translation? and ?21 Grams?. I was...

j_mcb 01.06.2004 · Read review
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Review of Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (DVD)

Welcome to FTC's Backyard UPDATE

Advantages: Tbilisi is a meeting point of the orient and occident. It provides a journey through time (antiquity, middle ages, Soviet rule, modern Georgia).
Disadvantages: Parts of the city have decayed under Soviet rule. Public utilities (electricity, water, heating) are in terrible condition.

..., and yet a Must-See for anyone wishing to expand his or her horizon on a journey completely off the beaten tracks. Old Tbilisi: a Peaceful Version of Jerusalem Old Tbilisi is a unique mix of ancient cultures and religions which is hard to find anywhere else in the world. An important station on the ancient Silkroad, Old Tbilisi includes Arab, Turkish, Jewish, Armenian, Greek and old Georgian quarters on both sides of the Kura River. Only Jerusalem can match this diversity of Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions and cultures, but Old Tbilisi is denser, more picturesque and - unlike Jerusalem - no longer troubled by ethnically or religiously motivated violence. The old town is overlooked by Metechi church from a rock on the left side of the river. Metechi church is one of Georgia...

From_The_Continent 15.05.2001 (22.07.2001) · Read review
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Review of Tbilisi (Georgia)