All Consuming : Robert Shiels

A review of "300 [Blu-ray]"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:15:25 GMT

by Zack Snyder

This is a great looking film. The Blu-Ray is full 1080p HD and though I’ve read some complaints about the deliberate graininess I still thought the picture was amazing.

Promising but disappointing (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:25:16 GMT

The Rotters' Club

by Jonathan Coe

I really wanted to like this, but the depressing ‘right-on’ politics, a confusing cast of characters who all got mixed up in my head, and a cheat of an ending that means you have to read the sequel to (maybe) find out what has happened to important characters, mean that I felt cheated instead.

Why I recommend "First Blood"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:07:29 GMT

First Blood

by David Morrell

Much underrated I expect following the ‘Rambo’ series of movies, but still a truely excellent book.

Bleak

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:07:38 GMT

The Departed (Two-Disc Special Edition)

by Martin Scorsese

very bleak actually.

Why I recommend "Tba"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 08:53:43 GMT

Tba

Sadly, only one new song, but Colleen is an essential listen.

A story about "Unnatural Causes"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:36:41 GMT

Unnatural Causes

by P.D. James

Terribly dated, this book, first published in 1967, should really not still be in print. But I guess since it features her famous detective Dalgleish, it will most likely be around for some time to come.

Very difficult read (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Sun, 20 May 2007 07:19:36 GMT

Pilgerman

by Russell Hoban

This is a very intense book, and a very complex read. I didn’t enjoy it.

A story about "Programming Jabber: Extending XML Messaging (O'Reilly XML)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:25 GMT

Programming Jabber: Extending XML Messaging (O'Reilly XML)

by DJ Adams

Fantastic, no bookshelf should be without it.

A story about "The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:25 GMT

The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time

by DOUGLAS ADAMS

Life, the Universe, and Everything.
Life is a collection of essays and comments which are a joy to read. The Universe is DNA’s opinion of the changing world of science and technology and his struggles with them; it’s very intersting to read old comments about how he thought technology would turn out.

A story about "Marathon Man"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:25 GMT

Marathon Man

by William Goldman

Just finished re-reading this book, and read the final three quarters of it in one sitting. It’s just as fabulous as I remembered.

A story about "Riddley Walker"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:24 GMT

Riddley Walker

by Russell Hoban

A true classic. Written in a strange dialect that will stay with you years after reading.

A story about "The Lion of Boaz-Jachin and Jachin-Boaz"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:24 GMT

The Lion of Boaz-Jachin and Jachin-Boaz

by Russell Hoban

Very atmospheric. Beautiful writing.

A story about "Man and Wife: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:24 GMT

Man and Wife: A Novel

by Tony Parsons

More of the same…

A story about "War and Peace (Penguin Classics)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:23 GMT

War and Peace (Penguin Classics)

by Leo Tolstoy

Liked it a lot on holiday in Portugal, never got the energy up to finish it when I returned

A story about "The Art of War"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:23 GMT

The Art of War

by SUN TZU

Really excellent. More philosophy than war.

A story about "The Star Fraction (Fall Revolution)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:22 GMT

The Star Fraction (Fall Revolution)

by Ken Macleod

not enough SF, too much politics. Would like to try again someday though.

A story about "The Lovely Bones: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:22 GMT

The Lovely Bones: A Novel

by Alice Sebold

Very moving.

A story about "American Gods"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:21 GMT

American Gods

by Neil Gaiman

The sticker on the front said “As Good As King or your money back”. Stephen King has written some quite poor books recently, so perhaps they’re right.

A story about "The Reality Dysfunction Part I: Emergence"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:21 GMT

The Reality Dysfunction Part I: Emergence

by Peter F. Hamilton

Interesting, but I’m stuck in a rut at the moment.

Update – Now on page 820 after switching to commuting by train.

Update – really good, now over page 1000 and enjoying it a lot.

Now finished, but it’s a cliffhanger ending, so I’ve got to read the next one now!

A story about "Brothers"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:20 GMT

Brothers

by William Goldman

Supposed sequel to Marathon Man. It’s a bit odd really, not sure if I like it.

Finished now, and thought there was some of the great Goldman writing, the plot was too ludicrous.

A story about "The Accidental Tourist: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Robert Shiels) — Wed, 25 May 2005 08:34:20 GMT

The Accidental Tourist: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

by Anne Tyler

Quite good, look forward to seeing the movie