Search found 110 matches

by Koogie
Sun Jul 12, 2020 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

The Old Guard on Netflix It was pretty good ish in a OK sort of way.... super powers - good vs evil... Ending left it open for a sequel. Surprise, surprise Would recommend taking a look at it I would agree. Mundane but decent movie. They didn't lay into the mythology of the "Eternal Warrior" characters enough (By happenstance, my young niece has the comic books the movie was based on and I read them once while babysitting. They could have done a lot better with the backstories in the movies) I will say that Charlize Theron continues to prove that she is a great action star. See also: Atomic Blonde / Mad Max: Fury Road She has the build and the stunt skills to make her action scenes believable. A lot more so than some other movies...
by Koogie
Thu Jun 25, 2020 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 760
Views: 149448

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

Once upon a time, there existed a Golden Age of Science Fiction where great authors published short stories and novellas in pulp fanzines such as Galaxy, IF, Orbit, Analog, and Astounding Stories. Thanks to Project Gutenberg, many of these classic tales are available to you for free. Go to manybooks.net and register with a email address and password. Then go to View Profile and click on Science Fiction. I then suggest you arrange all of the available titles by Author, instead of Popularity. Thank you for this... I think !! :P A great collection of classic SF&F. I've already downloaded a couple of obscure Robert E. Howard novellas that I haven't read (which is rare for me. I enjoyed his stuff so much as a kid that as a teenager I drove ...
by Koogie
Sat Jul 13, 2019 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712555

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

bertilak wrote: Thu Jul 11, 2019 5:03 pm I'm a couple of chapters into The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad. I'm having some trouble getting into it. I had no trouble with Heart of Darkness -- a great book -- but in the past I gave up on Nostromo.

Any words of encouragement?
Sometimes 'tis better to admit defeat and.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secre ... 1996_film) :D


Conrad is one of my favorite authors. However, I will admit neither The Secret Agent nor Nostromo turn my crank but Lord Jim and Heart of Darkness are some of the only novels I have read more than once. His story "An Outpost of Progress" has stayed with me all my life.
by Koogie
Sat Jul 06, 2019 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 760
Views: 149448

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley.

"From the Hugo Award­­–winning author of The Stars Are Legion comes a brand-new science fiction thriller about a futuristic war during which soldiers are broken down into light in order to get them to the front lines on Mars."
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/ ... ht-brigade


This one was not Hugo worthy. If you have seen the movie "Edge of Tomorrow" with Tom Cruise this book is a very similar riff on sci-fi military time travel (not aliens). It still had it's moments though. The protagonist was well written as were some of the secondary characters. The ending... well it kind of petered off into nothing.

Lukewarm recommendation.
by Koogie
Thu May 30, 2019 5:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689748

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

LadyGeek wrote: Wed May 29, 2019 8:35 pm The first 7 seasons were indeed very good. The 8th (and last) season should be skipped.
You must be talking about Game of Thrones.... :P
by Koogie
Sun May 26, 2019 7:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689748

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

ruralavalon wrote: Sun May 26, 2019 9:46 am We watched all seasons of Good Witch on Netflix. It's kind of a sappy, idealized view of life in a small town, my wife enjoyed it more than I did.
Never seen it but it was filmed in the town where I live.
by Koogie
Fri May 03, 2019 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689748

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

lostdog wrote: Mon Apr 29, 2019 7:00 pm Game of Thrones Season 8 episode 3
WOW!
Meh. I felt they made some very questionable choices, story wise. The lack of GRRM guidance is starting to tell.

Still, stunning to look at (if you can see in the dark... :P )
by Koogie
Fri May 03, 2019 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Halicar wrote: Wed May 01, 2019 12:07 pm My son and I watched Avengers: Endgame the other day. My son loved it; I was mostly disappointed. Yes, it had plenty of stirring moments and one-liners, but I couldn't ignore the problems with the story. I know that comic book movies don't have to be anywhere near realistic, but they should have some internal coherence. It just seems like so many things were ignored or handwaved away.
+1

I felt their characterization choices have almost ruined a couple of the characters. The tone shifts were off, the plot choices ridiculous. Hard to believe the same writer/director sets made Infinity War. Makes me suspect studio interference.
by Koogie
Fri Mar 22, 2019 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

ruralavalon wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2019 7:25 am Lost Horizon, on Turner Classic Movies(TCM) channel.

This is a 1937 adaptation of a novel about escape from reality to Shangri-La, a hidden valley the Himalayas. Starring Ronald Coleman and Jane Wyatt.
+1 One of my favorites of all time.
by Koogie
Sun Feb 03, 2019 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

I like sci-fi and occasionally watch amateur films and fan films posted online. Most are cringeworthy but a couple lately have been very good. This one in particular. The Leap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoJb30Une-A ""The Leap" by Karel van Bellingen - 28 mins. In 2069, New Earth is declared open for civilian migration, a decade after its discovery. As tales of wonder and opportunity reach the Old World, taking ‘the leap’ becomes the dream of millions. Unable to afford the journey, many of the less fortunate risk their lives being smuggled aboard cargo ships. The inter-planetary Migration Administration, or IPMA, deals with human trafficking on a biblical scale. Fifteen years later, Jacob Reiss, a disillusioned IPMA veter...
by Koogie
Tue Jan 29, 2019 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

The Favourite During the reign of Queen Anne of England(early 1700s) two women, Lady Sarah and her cousin Abigail, vie for the Queen's favor with each pulling out all stops to win the Queen's approval, affection, and respect, assuring themselves a top spot in the royal circle. At times the rivalry between the two opponents is vicious. I am not sure how accurately the film depicts Queen Anne but the movie places her in a rather unflattering light. Without giving anything away, the ending confirms the maxim "be careful what you wish for." For me 6/10 DW and I watched it last night. I would also give it about a 6 or 7. A beautiful film, a lot of money was spent on costume and scenery. Some good acting (Olivia Colman in particular) a...
by Koogie
Sat Jan 19, 2019 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689748

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

MJW wrote: Wed Jan 16, 2019 1:38 pm I tried watching The Expanse on Prime after seeing it recommended. I bailed within the first 15 min. It surprised me because: 1) I rarely bail on a show that quickly and, 2) based on what I had read about the show I expected to like it. I don't know...the vibe just didn't grab me.
I understand, the same thing happened to me with Game of Thrones. Did not like the first episode so gave up on it. Happened to randomly watch an episode a couple of years later and got hooked.

Might I suggest you give The Expanse another try? The setting/vibe/characters change considerably after the first episode (or two). It really is the best sci fi show available at the moment.
by Koogie
Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 760
Views: 149448

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

Finally got around to reading World War Z by Max Brooks. Quite a bit different than the film. Quite good, in fact.

He famously copied the format of Studs Terkels book The Good War, which was a collection of oral stories about WW2.

This is crafted as the same sort of thing but some time after a fictional worldwide war against a Zombie uprising. Loaded with stories from soldiers, survivors, leaders and visionaries from around the globe and set in many different countries. The narrator interviews them about their roles in defeating the Z menace. It examines it from geopolitical, economic, cultural and military perspectives. A lot of thought put into what can usually be a pretty lame brained genre.
by Koogie
Wed Oct 31, 2018 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712555

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Halicar wrote: Sun Oct 21, 2018 8:04 pm Lethal White by "Robert Galbraith," i.e., J. K. Rowling. The fourth book in the excellent series of detective novels. The series centers around the fairly well-worn trope of the unlikely male-female duo who can't decide whether they're colleagues or friends or soulmates, but I think Rowling does it well, and the character Robin is one of the most interesting and compelling characters I've read in popular fiction for a long time.
The TV movies the BBC has made from the novels are quite decent. The actor who plays Cormoran especially.
by Koogie
Fri Oct 05, 2018 2:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 760
Views: 149448

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

Just finished Beacon 23 by Hugh Howey. Told by an unnamed (the closest we get is his nickname from boot camp) soldier in the galactic war against the alien Ryph. The one time he hesitated in his duty ends up with him seriously injured and a decorated hero. Asked what posting he wants, he just wants to be alone. The most alone the can find is manning a Beacon, a modern equivalent to a lighthouse. It sends gravity-wave signals to warn ships in hyperspace away from the asteroids in the system. Ironically, the alone thing doesn't work that well as a steady stream of visitors comes by. As he battles his internal demons, he has to battle very real dangers. Ultimately he is given a chance to end the war, but at a terrible cost and requiring a hug...
by Koogie
Tue Sep 25, 2018 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712555

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

heartwood wrote: Mon Sep 24, 2018 6:55 pm I've started Lethal White by Robert Galbraith, a pseudonym of J. K. Rowlings. I read the previous three novels in the series. This one started quite well, although you may be somewhat at sea if you haven't read the previous novel. I'm now a third the way into it and am wondering if some of the goings on are more filler than story. I am enjoying it.
I read a few of Rowlings' earlier Harry Potter books and generally enjoyed them but haven't read the later ones. Her writing as Galbraith shows her talent in a quite different genre. She's added somewhat gritty detective fiction to her better known YA (?) wizard books.
The UK tv series they've made out of the Cormoran Strike novels is pretty good as well. Especially the lead actor.
by Koogie
Fri Sep 07, 2018 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689748

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Bodyguard on BBC1. Staring Keeley Hawes and "Robb Stark" (lol)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7493974/vi ... v_vi_aiv_1

Pretty decent so far. The first episode in particular.
by Koogie
Fri Aug 24, 2018 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689748

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

MichaelRpdx wrote: Thu Aug 23, 2018 11:55 am We've just started into season two of A Very Secret Service. French farce set in the inner workings of their secret service in the early 1950s. Very spoofy.
+1 Watched Season 1 and have 2 queued up.
by Koogie
Fri Aug 10, 2018 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712555

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes An intelligent, well-researched international thriller with vividly written scenes. (Some suspension of disbelief is needed.) Most of the thriller-type action takes place on the Aegean coast of Turkey, in an atmospheric setting with historic ruins and mansions along cliffs. Prior to the action moving to Turkey, there are scattered scenes in other parts of the world and many readers give up, or almost give up on the book, since the multiple threads seem disconnected and the book is extraordinarily long (700 pages). But keep plugging and you likely will feel rewarded. For those who have already read the book, the scenes that stick in my mind are when The Saracen, now a well-educated medical doctor, poses as a home...
by Koogie
Fri Aug 10, 2018 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 760
Views: 149448

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

Do I need to start with book 1 to understand what's going with this Dresden series? If not, which book should I start with. If I need to trudge through a few books to get the really great parts, I may not make it. He's a wizard. And a detective. Who lives in Chicago. That's about all you need to know. The books do reference back to past books and shared histories with characters but I think most people could just jump in and muddle through. Just read a couple of scifi novels on vacation. The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsch. The protagonist, Shannon Moss, is part of a clandestine division within the Naval Criminal Investigative Service that deals with space and time travel. I would describe this novel as sort of Silence of the Lambs meets ap...
by Koogie
Wed Jun 06, 2018 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 760
Views: 149448

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

Just finished reading and enjoyed, The Privateer Tales (an 11 Book Series to date) by Jamie McFarlane. Rookie Privateer (Privateer Tales Book 1) is a free download at the Kindle store. I enjoyed the book and quickly moved on to another and another in the set. The story line in the early books compares very favorably to "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" or "Have Spacesuit, Will Travel" or similar Heinlein books, though these have a bit more humor in the story. From Book 1: "When you are old enough to finally become an Earth Mars citizen, everything should be perfect. Right? Not for Liam Hoffen. He's stuck on a mining asteroid called Colony 40, helping his father work a claim that is never going to pay out. His best fri...
by Koogie
Wed Jun 06, 2018 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712555

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

For all my tech/sci fi nerds, please read Robin Sloane's Sourdough or Mr. Penumbra's 24 hour book store. I read Penumbra on vacation last week. It was good although I thought the difference between the premise and the resolution was a little bit of a bait and switch. Still, sharp writing, good humour and good characterization. Very enjoyable overall. The Philosopher's Flight , by Tom Miller. I'm more than halfway through, I'm enjoying it a lot... although I want to say it is like "Harry Potter meets Starship Troopers ." Interesting twists of ideas, and, so far anyway, interesting characters and skillful storytelling. It's about an alternate universe (I guess) in which a sophisticated technology-like magic called "sigilry&quo...
by Koogie
Wed May 16, 2018 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Planned Summer trip to the Finger Lakes. Suggestions?
Replies: 8
Views: 1292

Re: Planned Summer trip to the Finger Lakes. Suggestions?

Cooperstown is home to the Baseball Hall of Fame; and is a lovely little town. It's also the ancestral home of James Fenimore Cooper. Haven't been there in long time now; but remember it as a very lovely place. It's a little more built up now but not much. I second that as an alternate. Fun walkable little town that is very, very well kept. There are also a couple other little museums in the village (farmers/settlers recreated village and Fenimores stately home). Just avoid any weekend that has a special occasion on at the Hall of Fame. We go to the FInger Lakes area every few years.. it's really quite nice at that time of year. Good restaurants in Ithaca too.. like any college town. If you need another place to stay in the area we often s...
by Koogie
Sun May 13, 2018 6:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What do you buy in Asian food stores?
Replies: 98
Views: 12232

Re: What do you buy in Asian food stores?

If by "asian" you are including Indian/Bangla stores:
- fresh garam masala. they have such a high turnover in spices and spices need to be fresh.
- fresh paneer. DW loves paneer.
- better quality basmati rice.
- fresh chapatis.
by Koogie
Sun May 06, 2018 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What non fiction book will you be reading in 2019?
Replies: 198
Views: 23379

Re: What non fiction book will you be reading in 2018?

Currently working on two. Not so sure I will finish one of them. The Butchering Art. ~ Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine ~ Lindsey Fitzharris. ""In The Butchering Art , the historian Lindsey Fitzharris reveals the shocking world of nineteenth-century surgery and shows how it was transformed by advances made in germ theory and antiseptics between 1860 and 1875. She conjures up early operating theaters--no place for the squeamish--and surgeons, who, working before anesthesia, were lauded for their speed and brute strength."" Fifty Ships That Changed the Course of History. ~ A Nautical History of the World ~ Ian Graham. """A history of economic development in fifty ship...
by Koogie
Sun Apr 29, 2018 2:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689748

Re: Netflix, Your Current Favorite Show

Been very much enjoying a Spanish Netflix series called El Ministerio del Tiempo (The Ministry of Time). It's a Spanish time travel show that would appeal to history buffs and Dr. Who fans. Not rocket science but pretty good light sci-fi. """The Ministry of Time is the best kept secret of the Spanish state: an autonomous government institution that reports directly to the Prime Minister. Its patrols have to watch the doors of time so that no intruder from other eras can change history for their own benefit. The series follows the assignments of the Ministry's newest patrol: the one formed by Army of Flanders soldier Alonso de Entrerríos, 19th century student Amelia Folch and 21st century Samur paramedic Julián Martínez."...
by Koogie
Sun Apr 29, 2018 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 760
Views: 149448

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

I am watching the latest season of The Expanse tv show based on the novels in that series. On a recommendation I read the novella "The Churn" that is by the same two authors, writing under the one pen name (James S.A. Corey)

It is set on the vastly overpopulated and polluted Earth of The Expanse timeline and goes a long way towards explaining why one of the main characters is the way he is. A brief read but I quite enjoyed it.
by Koogie
Sun Apr 29, 2018 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Avengers: Infinity War

It was .... something. Every bit the spectacle you assume it would be and probably the best use of CGI ever made. The acting was as good as it ever was. Marvel has always had a knack for choosing good actors to inhabit their characters. I won't discuss the plot at all.

Very enjoyable.
by Koogie
Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:10 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Need Help to FIRE in Thailand
Replies: 28
Views: 5444

Re: Need Help to FIRE in Thailand

Nothing useful to add but you might like this guys blog. He is a member of another forum I am on and he early retired from the US to Thailand a while ago. And he writes well.

https://fourletternerd.wordpress.com/
by Koogie
Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How old are you and how much do you save for retirement a year
Replies: 244
Views: 42752

Re: How old are you and how much do you save for retirement a year

44 years old and already semi-retired.

Don't save anything per se, beyond maxing our TFSAs (Roth IRA) every year ($5500 p/p at current limits).

Still make enough in salary to cover our spending every year so I allow the dividends, interest and cap gains to accumulate untouched in our current nest egg and that equates to our "saving". (about 60K on the div/interest portion. Cap gains, if existing, on top of that).
by Koogie
Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712555

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

You both might enjoy this book.

“The Fruit Hunters: A Story of Nature, Adventure, Commerce and Obsession.”
Adam Leith Gollner
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/book ... ach-t.html


I read it about 10 years ago and remember enjoying it.

They made a lightly related documentary of the same name, featuring Bill Pullman.
Didn't really care for it. The book was far more interesting.
by Koogie
Fri Apr 06, 2018 5:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Been re-watching a bunch of my favorites from years gone by. Casablanca, African Queen, Lost Horizon, Raiders of the Lost Ark, etc..

One that I hadn't seen in over 30 years was The Wages of Fear.

From the online description: "In a decrepit village in South America, four men are hired to transport an urgent nitroglycerine shipment without the equipment that would make it safe. During their task, a tense rivalry develops between the sets of drivers and it may result in death."

Forgot how atmospheric and tense it is. You can practically taste the dust and smell the fear. Great stuff.
by Koogie
Sat Mar 17, 2018 7:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite reasonably priced Rum?
Replies: 48
Views: 7237

Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced Rum?

Also reminds me of several I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I have tried a few expensive ones over the last couple of years while on holiday that are produced by "craft" distillers. All aged in used bourbon barrels since they are small companies and the barrels are so cheap to get. The best one tasted like a mix between rum and whiskey. The worst one tasted like gasoline. I could post the names but I am pro small business so won't shame them... suffice it to say, if it says aged in bourbon barrels (or sherry barrels or anything else) on the label.. put it back on the shelf and walk away. I also have a friend who is of Indian extraction so one evening we decided to taste test a bottle of the infamous "Old Monk" dark rum...
by Koogie
Sat Mar 17, 2018 2:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 20% of US population are millionaires !!!
Replies: 16
Views: 3616

Re: 20% of US population are millionaires !!!

randomizer wrote: Sat Mar 17, 2018 2:17 pm Amazing to think somebody would throw a party for something like this. Will they also hold an I event if the market crashes and they go below $1m again?
Nothing in there to say they were invested in the market, I don't think. Maybe they reached a million dollars in CDs...
by Koogie
Fri Mar 16, 2018 5:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which Day Hiking Trails Do You Recommend?
Replies: 44
Views: 5174

Re: Which Day Hiking Trails Do You Recommend?

Since there seems to be few geographical restrictions, here are a couple.

Pembrokeshire Coast Path - 186 miles around the south coast of Wales. Did it in my twenties. You can end every night in a BnB as well, if you wish. Or around the back doorstep of a pub too...

Bruce Trail - 250 mile trail across southern Ontario that follows the Niagara Escarpment. From the Niagara river up to Tobermory at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. Done many sections of it as day hikes. It is also about a km from my house..
by Koogie
Fri Mar 16, 2018 4:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite reasonably priced Rum?
Replies: 48
Views: 7237

Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced Rum?

My kind of thread..... :) A friend got me into good dark rums and weaned me off bourbon. Generally we follow a few rules (with exceptions): - "mainland" rums are better than island rums - black or dark rums are superior to amber or white/silver - aging in bourbon barrels (or sherry or brandy) is a cost savings for the distiller and an abomination unto mankind. - anything with "demerara" on the label is guaranteed to please - "spiced" rum is for children and hipsters :o) that said.. here is what is currently on my shelf: "Everyday" rums - Flor de Cana 5 year old - Goslings - Skipper - Cruzan Black Strap "Special Day" rums - Flor de Cana 25 - El Dorada Reserve - Zacapa Centenario There are of ...
by Koogie
Fri Mar 16, 2018 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

I agree that it probably had flaws. But I was smitten with the film's brilliant weaving of tragedy and comedy, humanity and villainy, historical backdrop and liberties taken with the history--that I was unable to be critical. The Death of Stalin is banned in Russia and several other former Soviet republics. During the Q&A, Iannucci joked that the Russians are the most advanced nation in pulling restricted content from the web. Victoria I was fairly smitten with it as well. And it is great that you got to hear Armando speak about his own film. I thought that Jason Isaacs did a great job as Zhukov. It was a brilliant idea to use a no nonsense Northern accent for the character. At the risk of going off topic, I read the Wikipedia entry on...
by Koogie
Fri Mar 16, 2018 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689748

Re: Netflix, Your Current Favorite Show

theplayer11 wrote: Sun Mar 11, 2018 7:10 pm well, count put me down as a non human. I love sci-fi and really wanted to like this show. I watched the first 3 episodes of season 1..didn't enjoy any. I jumped to the San Junipero episode and just don't get how this can be "emotional". My wife is a real softy and she agreed that it just wasn't good. A Disney movie feel IMO. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
Agreed. I am also a sci-fi fan but don't like Black Mirror at all (I dislike the creator, which doesn't help).
As a series, I prefer the Philip K Dick Electric Dreams (not on Netflix sadly).

(Also not on Netlix but speaking of sci-fi tv, I just watched the trailer for The Expanse series 3. A great adaptation of the books (on the Syfy network))
by Koogie
Fri Mar 16, 2018 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

VictoriaF wrote: Fri Mar 16, 2018 11:20 am The Death of Stalin
Yesterday I have attended an advanced showing of the film followed by a discussion with the director Armando Iannucci. This is a fantastic film, the best one I've seen in years.
Victoria
I did enjoy it but wouldn't say it was flawless. As a farce about the struggle for power in the Politburo after the death of Stalin it definitely worked. Rather than being a broad comedy it is a farce focused on the banality of evil and the egos of powerful elderly men.

Great performances by almost all of the cast. And using their native British or American accents plays up the comedic aspects.

One I would definitely watch again.
by Koogie
Thu Mar 15, 2018 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?
Replies: 362
Views: 53903

Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

VinhoVerde wrote: Mon Mar 12, 2018 2:32 am Elija Craig Small Batch 94 Proof is a great value that sells for around $30 per bottle. It's a smoother style (not bland) made from a blend of 8 year and 12 year old barrels. Not quite as good as their old 12 year old, but still a great deal.
VinhoVerde
Apropos of nothing, Vinho Verde has become just about our favorite wine varietal in my house... :thumbsup
by Koogie
Tue Feb 27, 2018 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 760
Views: 149448

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

Just finished Luna: New Moon by Ian McDonald. ...... The sequel was just published and I have it on hold at the library. I have read it isn't as good as the first book but that isn't normally a surprise. They have also apparently both been optioned for a tv series. Again, pretty normal these days. On holiday again and just finished the sequel, Luna: Wolf Moon. Pretty decent but not great. You can definitely see that he is setting it up for a whole series of books (perhaps to support the tv adaptation ?) The strongest bits were still the "harder" sci-fi aspects of what it is like to live in low-G and work in vacuum. The weaker bits were some of the characterizations and a lot of the cultural aspects. I will undoubtedly read the ne...
by Koogie
Sun Jan 21, 2018 7:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Laughter is the Best Medicine - What makes you Laugh?
Replies: 105
Views: 9182

Re: Laughter is the Best Medicine - What makes you Laugh?

gotester2000 wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2018 7:04 am Mr.Bean !!!
Blackadder (also Rowan Atkinson).

Series 2,3 and 4.
by Koogie
Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: European Cities that don't interest you
Replies: 187
Views: 18269

Re: European Cities that don't interest you

No need or desire to ever go back to: Brussels, Manchester, Hamburg.

I could actually name about another dozen industrial cities in the UK and Germany. But, that's not really fair as they are places where people live and work and aren't really there to "amuse" outsiders anyway.

FWIW, glad to see Antwerp getting some love. Great little city.
by Koogie
Mon Jan 01, 2018 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689748

Re: Netflix, Your Current Favorite Show

I’m really shocked at this, Archer is one of my favorite shows ever. It’s incredibly clever and well written. I love all the obscure references (I use google at least once an episode). What was it about the show that turned you off so much? Agreed. Archer is a great spoof. Bond for immature adults. :) Just finished The Crown Just started latest season of Peaky Blinders Peaky Blinders is still very good. An ever so slight dropoff in quality at the end of this fourth season but still one of the best things going. Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, Helen McCrory are all great to watch. Watch Taboo if you haven't. It stars Tom Hardy and is created/written by the creator of Peaky Blinders. A little more arty than Peaky Blinders but very well done. Also...
by Koogie
Tue Dec 26, 2017 6:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

MoonOrb wrote: Mon Dec 25, 2017 3:09 pm I can unfortunately report that last night we watched American Assassin, which I cannot recommend at all. I feel dumber for having watched it. I didn't expect it to be good going in, but yet it failed to clear the hurdle of my low expectations by quite a lot.
+1 in every respect.
by Koogie
Sat Dec 23, 2017 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Justice League. It wasn't as terribly terrible as it was made out to be. Or perhaps my expectations were so very low that it was a mild improvement. Certainly it was better than the dreck that was Batman vs Superman. Perhaps on about the same level as the first Superman, which reached the lofty heights of being "okay" The CGI was pretty terrible in a lot of places and the plot would only make sense within the confines of the pages of a comic book. However, the addition of more major characters didn't hurt and the tone was lightened with a few jokes (some of which were duds but at least they tried). The best additions were the young guy who played the Flash and Khal Drogo Jason Momoa. I would never watch it again but perhaps DC is...
by Koogie
Mon Dec 18, 2017 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

robolove wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 7:38 pm Start Wars - The last Jedi.
Disappointed. I fell asleep for about 10 minutes.
+1 At least half of it was just a remake of The Empire Strikes Back. Why can't these people come up with any new plot ideas ?
Overly long as well and with some badly thought out scenes involving Leia.
by Koogie
Wed Dec 13, 2017 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Done gone and did it [Retire]
Replies: 80
Views: 11376

Re: Done gone and did it [Retire]

Congrats. I haven't been here long but you seem like a nice fella and it's good that nice things sometimes happen to nice people.

To a great 2018 for you and yours.

:beer
by Koogie
Tue Dec 05, 2017 1:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

ruralavalon wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2017 9:37 am The African Queen, available on Netflix.
A classic, stars Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn, well worth watching again.
""Nature, Mr. Allnut, is what we are put in this world to rise above""

DW favorite movie and I am a big Bogart fan. Hmm.. now our courtship is starting to make more sense.. :P
by Koogie
Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066320

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Was talked into watching Kingsman 2 despite having hated Kingsman 1.

I am now 2 for 2.

Dreck. Utter dreck.