Lenni Reviews: "Behave" by Andromeda Romano-Lax

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"Behave" is a fictional biography of Rosalie Rayner Watson; the wife and assistant of John B. Watson. Together they carried out The Little Albert Experiment; which studied classical conditioning in human beings. The novel starts with her time at Vassar and goes through Rosalie meeting John, becoming involved with him, and the experiment itself.

Though lovingly written, it was difficult to get fully into this book. The feel of it is poetic and lush but the main character seems so distant and cold it's hard to relate to her. It is not the writing at all because some of the descriptions are very detailed; even beautiful at times. But yikes, it was hard to pick this book back up if I put it down. And if Rosalie was distant, John was flat out unpleasant. You don't have to love babies but his flippant attitude towards his test subjects was grating. Despite being a pair of smart, capable characters; reading about them experimenting on these kids was distressing. Or maybe that's just me, I'm not a fan of making babies cry.

Overall, if reading about what Rosalie may have been like interests you and you are a fan of good writing, this book will please you. It's a solid 4 out of 5 since I just couldn't get over my dislike of the two main characters. 

For more reviews and various hi-jinks, check out Lenni's blog at Haunting Hypatia.

30 for 30: This Magic Moment (Review)

Reviewed By Justin D Williams

In the mid-1990s, Orlando was the epicenter of excitement in the NBA. The young franchise, led by mega-stars Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway, beat the mighty Bulls en route to the 1995 NBA Finals. They lost that year but it was clear this team from Orlando was a dynasty in the making. But the Magic’s moment on top was never fully realize.

30 for 30: This Magic Moment was a story I was personally waiting for. It's the story of the most popular teams of 90's basketball the Orlando Magics. Just like previous 30 for 30 entries this gives full light on the true story of the team. The team focuses on two main figures Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway. One thing I really enjoy about the documentary is how they showed the origins of each player. We follow the rise of Shaq from his college days to when he was picked by the Magics. On the parallel side we see the rise of Penny and how was also chosen by the Magics. Each man had their own path and journey to get to the NBA. However both men had the same goal in mine and that was winning the NBA Championship. While the film first half is heavily focus on Shaq and his influence on Orlando and his career as a hall. It was great to see that Shaq himself didn't shy away from his faults. Shaq admitted that his ego and wanting to be in the spotlight played a hand in the fall of the Magics. His insecurity of when he was injured and how Penny's rise was making him envious. Don't get me wrong the film is not all about Shaq and Penny but it shows how much of an impact these two had on the team. The film also focuses on the franchise as a whole. It tells the story of the birth of the Orlando Magics and the fear and struggles of starting a brand new franchise. Interviews with past GM''s, players and coaches are all feature in this documentary. Key moments such as Shaq breaking the rim with a slam dunk to Nick Anderson missing foul shots are all touch and explored. 

The film is one of the best I've seen from the series. It paints a great story of triumph, heartbreak and ends with a bittersweet what if question with Shaq and Penny. What if Penny didn't get hurt? What if Shaq put his ego and pride to side and didn't leave? What if Nick Anderson made that shot? 30 for 30: This Magic Moment is a story of friends, brothers and team that shocked the world but ultimately fell short due to pressure and egos. This is a must see film for any 90s basketball fan and something that will be talked about for a while.

Final Grade 4.5/5 Stars

Syfy Hunters Series Premiere (Review)

Decorated FBI agent Flynn Carroll's world is turned upside down when his wife, Abby, goes missing. When it becomes clear her abduction is tied to a group of ruthless - and extraterrestrial - terrorists called Hunters, Flynn is recruited by a secret government organization to bring the aliens down.

Hunters has a lot going for it and a lot going against it. The first thing Hunters has going for it that will have you tune in is the concept. The concept of aliens being terrorist is fresh and sold me on the goal of the antagonist. The aliens have been monitor by a special task force of our government hell bent on stopping them. I like the setup of this threat and this episode we get from the first scene that the alien is indeed a threat. Another thing I enjoyed about episode one is our main character Flynn. He is reaction to this new world filled with aliens is great. One minute you, your wife and the teenager staying with you are dealing with the normal teenage problems. The next minute your wife Abby is kidnapped by the aliens known as Hunters.  The show setups a lot of questions in the first episode. Why do the Hunters want Abby? Why are the Hunters targeting this planet? What is their motive? Finally Regan is clearly the best part of this show. There is much mystery around her character. Regan is a Hunter and she sides with the humans. Her back story is not shown but their is a hint during a fight scene that give clues. She also seems to like humans in an intimate matter as well which raises more questions. Regan has a no nonsene attitude and her link to the Hunters will have you watching if you can get pass certain things holding the show back.

With an interesting concept, two characters to get invested in especially Regan. The show has a few problems. One of the main problems is a show like this needs a bigger budget. I think with a bigger budget the full vision of the show can be realized. The effects are not the best and you can see it in the action. Also what takes me out of the alien element is that they look like humans with a few effects to make them different. Maybe in later episodes the true form of the aliens will show so I wouldn't write it off yet. Finally some of the acting is way over the top. The dramatic scenes that I was supposed to feel something I felt nothing because of the overselling. As stated it's just the first episode and I still think you should judge for yourself. I will stay for Regan backstory and why she's sided witg the humans. However so far the show has a nice concept but it needs a bigger budget, a shift more on Regan and improvement with some acting.

Final Score 3 out of 5: Not bad but needs improvements.

Hardcore Henry Review (The Fathom fan Experience)

Hey O&G fans, Thursday April 7th we were invited to Fathom Hardcore Henry Fan experience to see a early showing of the movie. The Fan experience featured a Q&A with the writer/Director and star of the film. Fans were also given a prequel comicabout the main villain of the movie. As always here is a synopsis of the film:

Hardcore Henry is a first-person action film from the eyes of Henry, who's resurrected from death with no memory. He must discover his identity and save his wife from a warlord with a plan to bio-engineer soldiers.

REVIEW

First I want to say in my opinion this film, that is a little over an hour and thirty mins was pretty awesome. I'm a fan of FPS games so this was something I would enjoy. Hardcore Henry was shot almost entirely with Gopro camera's (Which the director explained during the Q&A that the camera's are mounted just under the nose and not the forehead for an accurate view). Anyone who saw director Ilya Naishuller youtube short Bad Mother F%$ker will recognize a few of the scenes and characters in the movie.

The Russian-made action flick, mimics the experience of watching someone else play afirst-person shooter with sub-Duke Nukem humor. The title character, played by a team of stuntmen, is an amnesiac super-soldier who wakes up in an airship above Moscow and plummets into the city below in an escape pod so he can rescue his scientist wife, Estelle (Haley Bennett), from the clutches of telekinetic albino Akan (Danila Kozlovsky).

The action was good and pretty brutal (especially the last fight scene). Henry dispatches with his enemies with a number of weapons from Knives, Guns, Bricks, Sticks, etc... so the killings get very creative. The story didn't lag (C.O.D Joke) and had a cute song/Dance number whileone of the characters explains his Avatars. One of my two problem with the movie is the shaky camera at times, which can make you a bit dizzy if you're not used to it. You also start to lose the point of the story a few times, but it will all make sense when you get to the end.

Overall Hardcore Henry is a good movie that might not be everyone. The action is great and will appeal to anyone into FPS. My final review of Hardcore Henry is 3 stars.

by Sean Tucker

Maken-Ki! Season 2 Review

Takeru and his Leadership Committee comrades are the last line of defense when it comes to ridding Tenbei Academy of mischievous Maken users. But saving all these succulent student bodies from a hoard of hocus pocus hornballs is no easy trick. Not when there's a pervy creeper pinning bras to the bulletin boars, a magical feline turning coed cuties into irresistible sex kittens, and a must see manga fest where the costumes get mysteriously shrunken down to scandalous sizes! Through it all, Takeru keeps his mind on the mammaries and the mammaries on his mind as the luscious ladies of the Leadership Committee prove that their magic is breast in class!

If I was to describe Maken-Ki! in word that word will be hilarious. I didn't get a chance to see season 1 of the show. In fact I was skeptical about entering a season and show with a blind eye. Usually when I watch anything I like to start from the first season, this way I have a full understanding of the characters, plot, setting and tone of the show. Thankfully Maken-Ki! is a show that you can start from the season 2 and still understand everything that has happen previously. Maken-Ki! succeeds because of the way the story is presented, writing, voice acting and animation. This show doesn't take itself seriously and knows what to do or say to deliver the comedic laughs. As a comedy show it does something some anime shows do, that necessarily don't work but here it does. The show constantly breaks the forth wall and say things that the audience might be thinking. As I was watching the show there was a harem scene and I was saying to myself okay this is cliche. Long and behold one of the characters points out the scene as a typical anime cliche and proceeded to end the cliche. It moments like this that really deliver and worked for me. The show is aware that it's not something we haven't seen before, and it points that out when they do something that has been done tons of times.

In addition I must stress that this show is NOT FOR YOUR KIDS! Part of what makes Maken-Ki a funny show is the an adult/immature humor. The jokes, situations are not for everyone. There is tons of boob jokes, sexual situations and fan service. If you're not a fan of fan service this show might not be for you. Maken-Ki! is uncut and does show everything expect for the genitalia. The characters are teenagers and what usually is on the mind of a perverted teenage male? The answer to that is sex of course. The fan service and sex jokes work in this anime because it's part of the story and it's not doing fans ervice or being perverted, misogynistic just for the sake of it. The story has perverted characters and the show is just showcasing what perverts do. However beyond the jokes, perverted antics and what some might consider misogynistic behavior. Maken-Ki has a lot of heart and a few messages along the way. A few messages hidden in the show is women empowerment. For every perverted joke, misogynistic act by our male protagonist there was an action from the girls correcting them. The female characters make it known of their independence, strength and definitely that their not objects. One episode that stuck with me was episode 5. Here our protagonist Takeru is stuck on an island with the school nurse. While he thinks this could be a chance to capitalize on the situation he instead learns about this woman's life, her insecurity and we as audience see that Takeru can be serious when he needs to be. It's one of the highlights of the show with a great production, pacing and stellar voice casting.

Overall if you want a good laugh, not easily offended and know that a show might is not taken seriously this one is for you. The voice acting is enjoyable both English and Japanese dub. The animation is good with a lot of shots of fan service. There is some hidden messages and themes to pay attention once you look beyond the jokes. The show is enjoyable, smart and delivers a good time. 

Blu- Ray Features Note - The Blu-Ray features commentary from the people who worked on the show. They describe characters and what's it like filming. Very funny as well.

Final Score 4 out of 5 Stars.

Lenni Reviews: Choices: Golden Collar Book 1 by Grace R. Duncan

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Teman and his best friend Jasim are thieves for hire in the 11th century; living a life of relative freedom. When they're caught after a job goes wrong, they are given a choice: dungeons or place pleasure slave. Iron collar or gold. Vowing to escape, the pair chooses pleasure slave and end up serving the royal court and their guests.

Bathasar is a reluctant prince uninterested in the throne. When Teman saves Bathasar's life and in return is publically abused by Bathasar's brother, Mukesh, Bathasar becomes infatuated with Teman. When Mukesh's sadism threatens war with another nation, Bathasar must step up to save his country. However, rising to rule would give him the power to release Teman from slavery and Bathasar must decide if he can let Teman go.

Despite how trippy it is for me to read an audiobook, narrated in my edition by Joel Leslie, this book is long, decadent, and very heavy on the sex scenes. You're pretty deep into the book (around chapter 10) before the story between Bathasar and Teman kicks off. This is not the book for you if you don't like a slow build to your romance or massive amounts of man on man sex (since you get several full chapters on the 'training'). But if you like a well developed, smutty, and beautifully written (and spoken, in this case) romance in a historically based setting, 'Choices' is an amazing book. I'd give it a 4.5 out of 5 for being nearly perfect; as I tended to zone out during some of the sex scenes waiting for the plot to keep going.

For more reivews: check me out at Haunting Hypatia at literaryloon.com

Batman V Superman: Who Will Win Review

The Official Movie Game for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  Mankind faces a new threat as darkness falls on Gotham and Metropolis. A personal vendetta has been made, side between Batman or Superman to set the record straight. Race against time and go the distance. Dodge obstacles, collect power-ups and battle against your opponent. Who Will Win is an endless runner and the Official Movie Game for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Fear The Walking Dead: BLU-RAY Special Edition Review

Set in Los Angeles, California, the series follows a dysfunctional family composed of high school guidance counselor Madison Clark, her English teacher boyfriend Travis Manawa, her daughter Alicia, her drug-addicted son Nick, and Travis' son from a previous marriage, Chris, at the onset of the zombie apocalypse. They must either revamp themselves or cling to their deep flaws as they come to terms with the impending collapse of civilization.

Fear The Walking Dead is the prequel to hit series on AMC “The Walking Dead.” The Blu-Ray/DVD will be released tomorrow March 22nd on 2016 and if you’re a fan of the franchise this is a must buy. One thing I really like about the show it’s more focus on the characters more than the actual event. This is the birth of the zombie apocalypse and what is happening to the people around it. The pacing of the show is much slower than The Walking Dead. However the build up to the actual event is intense, engaging and scary at times. Characters like Madison Clark played greatly by Kim Dickens and Travis Manawa by Cliff Curtis. The show focuses mostly on how the citizens and family are dealing with this epicdeimic. It’s more of a personal story surrounding these characters. While the zombie apocalypse is on the horizon you still get real human drama to the story. Such as Alicia the daughter of Madison who is going through her teenage girl phase. Nick who has a drug addiction and the relationship between Travis, his son and his ex-wife all comes together. The focus more on the human dynamic of the people around the beginning of this epidemic is a big focal point. In these six episodes questions are raised but not all are explain. Overall the first six episodes are great.

The Blu-Ray Special Edition is pack with special features that give fans a more in depth look at the show. Which I really enjoyed.

Pilot Episode: The Widescreen Version - For those who likes more of the Widescreen format for the television show. The special feature has the entire pilot in widescreen. I actually like the pilot in this format. It felt more like a movie.

Inside Fear The Walking Dead: This feature has the actors and executive producers breaking down the overall plot, characterization of each episode. Each section is about 4 to 6 minutes long. If you like more of information on how actors see the characters from each episode or just want a more in depth overview. This is a great section.

Fear The Beginning: This another more in depth look at actors and executive producers perspective on characters and story line.

Five Things You Need To Survive: This was a very fun special feature where the cast gives a list of 5 things they will need to survive.  Spoiler alert Cliff Curtis needs positive music with him. I can agree with that. You will need something uplifting during the zombie apocalypse.

Locations LA & Vancouver : The cast and executive producers talk about shooting in locations LA & Vancouver. This was one of my favorite features. Not only does the feature gives us a behind the scenes look at the filming. We get a better understanding of why LA was chosen for the show and how certain interior scenes were film for the show. As someone who thinks that the setting is a character in itself. It was great to here an explanation of how LA was the choice location and why.

Other special features such as Quarantined, The Faces of Fear and The Infected offer more looks into the show. There is also some delete scenes which I did enjoyed I just wish there was an indication on what episodes it was deleted from. My favorite special feature is Stunts and Anarchy. This gives a behind the scenes look at how certain stunts were done like Nick car hit from the pilot. Overall the special edition is nicely put together. You get an in depth look at the show, great audio commentary with some great behind scenes stories and the show is great. 

Final Score 4/5

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