Movie Review: Gods of Egypt (2016)

Gods of Egypt (2016)

Directed By: Alex Proyas
Written By: Burk Sharpless, Matt Sazama
Cast: Gerard Butler, Nikolaj Coster-Walda, Brenton Thwaites, Geoffrey Rush, Chadwick Boseman, Elodie Yung 
In Theaters: Feb 26, 2016

On DVD: May 31, 2016
Rating: PG-13 (for fantasy violence and action, and some sexuality)
Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Runtime: 2 hr. 7 min.

Lionsgate - Official Site

In this spectacular action-adventure inspired by the classic mythology of Egypt, the survival of mankind hangs in the balance as an unexpected mortal hero Bek [Brenton Thwaites] undertakes a thrilling journey to save the world and rescue his true love. In order to succeed, he must enlist the help of the powerful god Horus [Nikolaj Coster-Waldau] in an unlikely alliance against Set [Gerard Butler], the merciless god of darkness, who has usurped Egypt's throne, plunging the once peaceful and prosperous empire into chaos and conflict. As their breathtaking battle against Set and his henchmen takes them into the afterlife and across the heavens, both god and mortal must pass tests of courage and sacrifice if they hope to prevail in the epic final confrontation.

We missed this when it came out in the theaters, but it go panned pretty bad. My husband, 15 year old daughter and I watched it On Demand. While I'm glad we didn't pay movie ticket prices, it wasn't that bad—as in so bad it was good. It was campy and reminded me of the original Clash of the Titans movie. It was a CGI mess, but entertaining as a whole. You pretty much get what you see in the trailer, but with cheesy dialogue.

All three of us enjoyed it. Worth watching with a bunch of friends/family you can laugh with.

3.5 "becoming unacceptable" sheep

SharonS

Book Review: Welcome to Sortilege Falls by Libby Heily

Welcome To Sortilege Falls
by Libby Heily

May 31st 2016
by Fire & Ice Young Adult Books
Paperback, 250 pages

Sixteen-year-old Grape Merriweather has just moved to Sortilege Falls and already she knows something isn't right. A small pack of teenage models, too beautiful for words, holds the town in their sway. The models have no plans on making Grape's life easy. But no matter how cruel they are to Grape and the other “Normals”, no one can stay angry with them for long.

Grape's life changes for the better, or so she thinks, when Mandy, the only “nice” model, befriends her. But that’s when the trouble truly begins. Mandy's friendship places Grape smack in the middle of a medical mystery that has the entire town on edge. One by one, the models fall ill from an incurable disease. Grape quickly realizes that the models' parents are hiding a secret, even as they watch their children die. To save her only friend, Grape will have to find the truth–and that means putting her life in danger.

The author's statement at the beginning of the book about being written "For all those who have ever been made to feel less than" gives you the flavor of this read. A "normal" in this case is someone who is NOT "georgeous, magnetic and rich". I assume the lesson in this book is to show that everyone has problems. That the grass is not always greener for those who seem to have it all. That definitely seems to be the case in the town of Sortilege falls.

The first few chapters had me looking forward to the play out in the life of Grape Merriweather (cool name but it sounded familiar to me?). Her mother, brother and she moved to Sortilege Falls after the death of her father. Hoping to fit in with other teens she finds making friends and being noticed is a lot harder than she thought it would be. And when she does make a friend she finds herself trying to solve the problem of a mysterious health issue that is claiming the lives of other teens in the community.

After the initial interest I thought there was a whole lot of time spent on the "beautiful" students and little time spent on getting to a recognizable point of the story. The last few chapters brought a little more clarity but for me it was too little too late. Trying to give no spoilers, I was a little depressed with the ending and thought the twist came out of left field.

This story didn't really need any magical theme to get the point across and in fact the "magical" parts seemed to muddy the waters. I was left with many questions such as: "What was with constant twisting of her ring?", "How did her brother obtain his ability to enter the 'tree'?", "What was the background and involvement with the "magic" of the parents of the 'models'"? The ending left me thinking this may become a series and perhaps some of the introductory background will be covered there.

This may be the author's first journey into the world of YA and urban fantasy so I will give her a little leeway because I thought her writing was well done. I just felt the story needed a little more development and redistribution of character emphasis.

Giving this 2 3/4 "reeling" sheep.

Jeanie G

About the Author:

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I was born during a blizzard. I’m told it was pretty cool but I have no memory of that time. I grew up in two tiny towns in Virginia and spent most of my twenties moving around the US. I’ve lived in Virginia, Florida, Missouri, and Washington. I’ve settled down, for now, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

I’m a writer and improviser. I studied acting in college but spent more time rewriting lines than memorizing them. My first play, Fourth Wall, was produced my junior year. Since then, I’ve written several full length plays, one acts, and screenplays. I started writing fiction in my late twenties. Now, I focus mainly on novels but still dabble in theater.

Fun facts about me: There are none. I’m sorry to disappoint you so soon. But, I do love to read, write, and run. My hubby is my favorite person on earth. Dogs are my second favorite. All dogs. Know that. I love orange juice, especially when it’s mixed with club soda. Carbonation is better than alcohol. Jaws is my favorite movie. Everything I’ve said so far is true.

Winning the Internet this week...vacation pictures and dog lips

This couple is winning at life!

http://toughtink.tumblr.com/post/144785031598/demho3zhatinq-boredpanda-taiwanese-couple

cause...dog lips

http://ismellsheep.tumblr.com/post/144969824667/georgetakei-dont-give-me-any-lip-source

Book Review: Cast in Faefire (The Magecraft Series Book 3) by SM Reine

Cast in Faefire (The Magecraft Series Book 3)
by SM Reine
May 23rd 2016 by Red Iris Books
Pages: 247
Marion Garin, the Voice of God, is due to marry the Prince of the Autumn Court by the end of the week - assuming that the world's preternatural leadership doesn't have anything to say about it. They plan to strip Prince ErlKonig of his title, ensuring that Marion can't form a god-forbidden treaty with the angels.

Still injured from his final fight in Sheol, Seth Wilder is seeking a way to stay alive. If he dies, he'll lose more than his life - he'll be slave to the gods' whims for all eternity. He's ready to take drastic steps. Maybe even make a bargain with the vampires. But what the gods want, they get. And they don't appreciate being defied.

amazon

This is the third book in the Mage Craft series by SM Reine. The Magecraft books are a continuation of Reine’s long running series which is complex and one of the best series I've ever read. The reason her series is so successful is because it is comprised of many mini series. This way you get new characters to love without having to give up the old favorites since they still appear from time to time. The story lines never get dull because they continue to evolve with each new series.

Marion is going to marry Prince ErlKonig so that he can take charge of the wards in the Winter Court and carry the treaty of the Autumn Court over to the Winter Court. Deep down Marion knows she doesn't really love him but wants to save lives and do right by those in her charge. She will never have her memories back but she is a new person and hopefully that will be enough. Seth was badly injured during his fight in Sheol and has to find a way to stay alive. He doesn't want to be the third god in the triad and if he dies he won't have a choice. The chemistry between Marion and Seth is fantastic. Konig is just too smug and underhanded for my tastes. If you've never read any of Reine's books what are you waiting for! Her books are too good to miss.

Review: Cast in Angelfire (The Magecraft Series Book 1)
Review: Cast in Hellfire (The Magecraft Series Book 2)

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
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Hi everyone! My name is Sara, and I'm the New York Times Bestselling Author of urban fantasy known as SM Reine. I collect swords, cat hair, and typewriters (which I do use for writing!). You can usually find me writing on my treadmill desk at 2am whilst listening to dubstep. Yes, dubstep.

If you would like to know the instant I have a new book available, you should enlist in my Army of Evil! I'll only email you when I have a new release, which is generally no more than once a month. I can't write any faster than that. :) http://smarturl.it/armyofevil

THE #DASHNERDASH BINGE READ + signed book giveaway

JAMES DASHNER FANS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN

THE #DASHNERDASH BINGE READ,

A REREAD OF ALL THE BELOVED NOVELS IN

Live Google Hangouts with James Dashner at the End of Each Month

(Details below)

The reread will kick off on May 27 with The Maze Runner—fans can submit questions via the James Dashner Facebook page. Selected questions will then be discussed by the author and his editor, Krista Marino, in a series of live Google Hangouts during the last week of each month.

The first Google Hangout with Dashner and Marino will happen the week of June 27. Specific details will be posted on the Facebook page and shared via social media.

Sept 27, 2016

Pre order: The Fever Code (Maze Runner, Book Five; Prequel) (The Maze Runner Series)

http://amzn.to/1YF51uI

About the Author:

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JAMES DASHNER is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series—The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, and The Kill Order—as well as the bestselling Mortality Doctrine series, which includes The Eye of Minds, The Rule of Thoughts, and The Game of Lives.

Giveaway

One USA winner will receive a signed copy of

The Maze Runner

#DASHNERDASH Giveaway