Comprehensive Reviews: Films, Books, Tech, & More
“The Last Human” Film Review: A Sci-Fi Masterpiece?
A week ago, I was fortunate to be invited to a preview screening of Michael Johnson’s new movie, The Last Human, which won’t be in cinemas until next winter. Set on an imaginary planet in the year 2030, the film beautifully blends reality and fiction throughout. Given the lukewarm reception of the director’s last two films, I wasn’t expecting much. However, I must admit, I quickly fell in love with The Last Human.
Strengths: Engaging Plot and Believable Characters
The plot is genuinely interesting and unexpected, consistently keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The main character exhibits intriguing and credible aspects of human behavior, making him both believable and easy to empathize with.
Areas for Improvement
While The Last Human is largely a masterpiece, a few elements could have been refined. For instance, Joanna Grin, who plays the hero’s mother, appears in two rather nonsensical scenes. Nevertheless, her magnificent acting somewhat compensates for this minor flaw. Another forgivable mistake is the sometimes unbelievable makeup worn by the characters; it’s hard to imagine a hero looking pristine after an interplanetary war.
Final Verdict: A Thought-Provoking Experience
In brief, The Last Human is truly suitable for anyone seeking an enjoyable story that also prompts reflection on their own life.
College Film Night: My Top Recommendations
I’ve recently seen two films that I considered as potential candidates for our end-of-term film night: Life Before Life and No More Midnight. While I enjoyed both, only one, in my opinion, is truly suitable for our end-of-course event.
“Life Before Life”: Not Quite Right
Life Before Life certainly has its merits and has received rave reviews, partly due to its star, Edwin Kamashila, and director Sam Pickering, who consistently pleases critics and audiences. The main issue is that the film is simply too slow, especially for students at the end of the academic year. Over half the film consists of intense discussions between Kamashila’s character, Rupert, and his girlfriend, Carrie. I won’t reveal their decision about staying together, but I fear the film might put many in our audience to sleep.
“No More Midnight”: The Perfect Choice
No More Midnight, on the other hand, kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. The cast, though not as well-known as Kamashila, does an excellent job portraying the anxieties of a family awaiting news of a missing daughter. It offers tremendous suspense alongside a good dose of humor, making it both utterly involving and entertaining. While I’m a fan of Pickering’s films and enjoyed Life Before Life, I didn’t like it nearly as much as No More Midnight. If we want our audience to sit back, relax, and forget about exams, then No More Midnight is definitely the film for us. Let’s save Life Before Life for the beginning of next semester.
Essential Sci-Fi: Why Star Wars Belongs in Every Collection
As a huge fan of science fiction films, I believe that while these particular films are now decades old, the original Star Wars trilogy is so iconic that no collection of the best DVDs could possibly be complete without them.
The Enduring Saga: Plot and Impact
Who doesn’t know the plot? The evil Darth Vader is constructing the massive Death Star space station to help the Empire crush the Rebel Alliance, formed to fight tyranny. Vader captures Princess Leia, who has stolen the Death Star plans and hidden them in the droid R2-D2, later purchased by Luke Skywalker. Luke accidentally triggers a message from Leia within the droid, asking for assistance. He later trains to be a Jedi and, with his friends, sets out to crush the Empire. What follows is an action-packed rollercoaster, crammed with special effects and enthralling plot twists.
Why It’s a Timeless Classic
The original Star Wars film must be included in any definitive DVD set because everything about it was fresh and new at the time. The special effects were utterly spectacular and, amazingly, it still has the power to thrill audiences today. The music is instantly recognizable and still sends a shiver down my spine. The powerful and interesting characters launched many actors into stardom. The technical effects were well ahead of their time and have influenced countless films since their debut on screens worldwide. Do you really think any collection of ‘The Best Films Ever’ would be complete without this iconic trilogy?
Reach Cambridge Talent Show: An Unforgettable Evening
You might imagine Reach Cambridge students are typically boring teenagers, but you’d be wrong! Last night’s talent show revealed everyone’s secret gifts. All the acts were fantastic, and we all enjoyed one of the best evenings at the summer camp.
Highlights of the Night
The opening act featured the supervisors singing ‘Don’t Stop Believin” from the TV series Glee. We do not recommend asking for an encore; once was certainly enough! The second act, and in our opinion the best of the night, was Momo, Victor, and Aya, dressed as monkeys dancing to Beyoncé’s ‘Single Ladies’ (Victor’s idol). It was breathtaking; nobody could stop laughing. I’m sure we’ll all remember this epic performance. Later, the Canadian students played the piano and sang; they were all excellent, and Mat sang one of the best songs, becoming the camp’s new heartthrob. Following that, other unique performances emerged: a girl twisted her arms in an astonishing way, and another attempted to sing a song from The Little Mermaid, leaving the audience wondering for at least five minutes whether to laugh or not. Last but certainly not least, Dina delivered the most shocking performance of the night, showcasing her amazing voice, which brought many to tears.
A Night to Remember
Overall, the Talent Show was legendary. We laughed, we were emotional, and I believe no one will forget what happened yesterday, especially since everyone filmed the performances, creating lasting memories.
“The Selection” Trilogy: A Romantic Escape
Given the fast pace of our lives, few have the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a good book in peace and tranquility. I’m rarely among those ‘fortunate few,’ but when I am, I love nothing more than to read my favorite trilogy: The Selection.
Plot and Character Depth
Written by Kiera Cass, these books tell the story of America, an intelligent young lady from the lower social castes who wins a place to compete for Prince Maxon’s love and the opportunity to become the next queen of Illea. The story’s strength lies in Maxon and America, two characters whose journeys are marked by their discovery of self and true love. I’m always pleasantly surprised by Cass’s style; it’s so natural, warm, and sincere that you become fully immersed, sharing America’s experiences, emotions, and thoughts.
Minor Flaws and Ideal Audience
What I dislike most are some of the striking plot twists. While it’s true that Cass uses them to keep us hooked, most feel unnecessary. I would primarily recommend this trilogy to dreamers or hopeless romantics, as others might find certain elements somewhat childlike.
Final Recommendation
So, if you’re looking for a book you can’t put down, one that sends a shiver down your spine, don’t miss the chance to read this fabulous and delightful trilogy.
“Arithmetic for Adults” Textbook Review
Arithmetic for Adults is a textbook I recently used to teach a group of students needing to improve their basic numeracy skills. It covers key skills like addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication, and also addresses decimal and common fractions, as well as percentages. As the title suggests, it’s aimed at adults and would not be appropriate for a primary school class.
Strengths: Clear, Relevant, and Comprehensive
On the whole, both my students and I found it an excellent book. The explanations are clear without being patronizing and use examples relevant to an adult’s world rather than a child’s. The illustrations are suitably mature, with an attractive element of humor. Students are guided slowly and steadily through the material. There are plenty of tasks and revision exercises to consolidate the covered work. The book is also supported by a website containing teaching notes and additional practice tasks and tests.
Areas for Improvement: Decimal Fractions
However, we did encounter one or two issues with the book. My students had difficulty with the section on decimal fractions, possibly because these were covered more superficially than other topics. As their teacher, I felt they would have benefited from a slower, more in-depth approach at the beginning. I resorted to devising my own supplementary materials for those early lessons, which I believe helped them gain confidence.
Overall Recommendation
All in all, however, I have little hesitation in recommending this book for use with adult students who have not yet mastered the basics of arithmetic.
Madame Tussauds London: A Critical Look
One of London’s most popular tourist attractions is undoubtedly Madame Tussauds. This collection of wax models of well-known people from all walks of life is understandably a favorite destination, as it offers visitors the illusion of meeting famous personalities. Furthermore, guests can take photographs standing next to their favorite pop star or footballer, for example.
Areas for Improvement: Space and Visitor Experience
However, this attraction, over 150 years old, is in dire need of improvement. While the models are regularly updated, the collection remains housed in the same building it has occupied for over a century. This building is far too small for the daily influx of tourists. Navigating the space is a frustrating experience, as visitors are constantly crushed and pushed by others trying to see the exhibits. Until the collection can be rehoused in more suitable premises, the number of visitors at any one time should be restricted to allow for a more enjoyable experience.
Enhancing Information and Engagement
Another improvement would be to provide more information about the individuals represented. Many are world-famous, but a concise ‘thumbnail’ biography for each, explaining, for instance, which films they appeared in or their main political achievements, would be incredibly useful.
Conclusion: A Call for Modernization
Implementing these two changes would significantly enhance a visit to Madame Tussauds, making it a much more enjoyable experience for tourists from all over the world.
My Tablet Computer: A Personal Review
On the whole, I love my tablet computer. I use it in many different ways: checking emails and going online when I’m away from my desktop; using a maps application to navigate unfamiliar cities; watching TV; playing games; and best of all, chatting with friends around the world.
Key Advantages: Portability and Convenience
What I particularly value about my tablet is its incredible lightness. I carry it with me wherever I go, just in case I might need it. I’d never carry a much heavier laptop unless I was certain it would be worth the effort. In addition, I find my tablet a very convenient way to read novels. When I travel, I don’t have to carry numerous physical books; I can simply download another one whenever I need it, and it doesn’t even require external light.
Drawbacks and Potential Improvements
Inevitably, there are one or two drawbacks to my tablet. For example, the battery needs to be recharged almost daily. Moreover, I sometimes feel I’m at the mercy of the device, as people can reach me by text or email at any time, and they often expect instant replies. The main area for improvement, to my mind, would be making the syncing of calendars and contacts between my tablet and other devices more foolproof. I’ve had problems several times due to entries not being transferred to my main computer.
“Aquila Nera” Restaurant: A Birthday Celebration Review
The Aquila Nera is a newly opened restaurant in the town center. It is also, by far, an excellent place for families and friends to spend a pleasant and quiet evening enjoying delicious homemade food. I had the opportunity to celebrate my father’s birthday there and had a wonderful time.
Atmosphere and Ambiance
Upon entering, you are welcomed by a familiar and cozy atmosphere. The stone walls give the restaurant a vintage and traditional look, and there are only a few tables, creating an intimate setting. Soft background music from the 80s and 90s adds to the charm.
Culinary Delights
Regarding the food, they offer a variety of focaccia bread rolls as a starter, served with tomato sauce, mozzarella, zucchini, and almonds. These were my favorite part of the meal. For the main course, I had gnocchi with different sauces, which tasted like heaven on earth. They also feature desserts on the menu; I chose the crème brûlée.
Service: A Minor Hiccup
Slightly disappointing, however, was the service. I had to wait twenty minutes for the dishes to arrive, as there were only two waitresses. In their defense, though, both were very young, kind, and friendly.
Final Verdict: Highly Recommended
Despite the wait for the food, it was absolutely mouthwatering, and the atmosphere was very pleasant. For this reason, I have no hesitation in recommending The Aquila Nera restaurant. Judging by the taste of the dishes, I would give it 5 stars!