xoliana
Member Since: July 31, 2016Reviews
NIVEA Pearly Shine Lip Balm
I didn't care for this lip balm. It smelled quite strongly of perfume, which is not good considering it's sitting right under my nose. I found it hard to tolerate without getting into a coughing fit. This lip balm did not moisturize my lips. All... +
I didn't care for this lip balm. It smelled quite strongly of perfume, which is not good considering it's sitting right under my nose. I found it hard to tolerate without getting into a coughing fit.
This lip balm did not moisturize my lips. All I ask of a lip balm is that it hydrates my lips, and additionally, does not dry them out. This failed on both counts. Perhaps it was due to the fact that it's trying to have a "pearly shine", thereby adding some sort of drying ingredients, but this really didn't feel comfortable. I don't have overly dry lips in the first place, but this sucked the life right out of them.
This does have a sheen to it, which, if you're looking for that sort of thing, I suppose you may like. However, I found it looked extremely superficial and unappealing, particularly when paired with the dryness. My lips looked like sandpaper with bits of chunky shimmer sticking to the flaky bits. It was not a good look.
Maybe some of the other Nivea lip balms are better than this one. I'd be willing to try a different formula, provided the ingredients are different than this, but this lip balm was a complete miss for me.
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Orphan Black Season Four
This is the fourth season of the Canadian sci-fi television series. It aired this past April, and it contains the standard ten episodes, each of which are approximately 45 minutes in length. This season is probably my favourite since the first... +
This is the fourth season of the Canadian sci-fi television series. It aired this past April, and it contains the standard ten episodes, each of which are approximately 45 minutes in length.
This season is probably my favourite since the first. It's sort of an origin story, in a sense. We go back and forth in time a bit to see how Beth came to commit suicide (not a spoiler, as she does this within seconds of the first episode of the show), and we learn about a new clone who was hurt badly in an incident in the Netherlands. We also learn more about Rachel's parents, and we also return to Neolution, which has been kind of absent the past little while on the show. Most importantly, we find out about Delphine!
This is the season that finally won Tatiana Maslany an Emmy award for her many fine performances. If you've been a fan of this show from the start, like I have, you're probably extremely happy about that. She absolutely deserves it. It's too bad the show itself doesn't get more attention, as the quality of the writing and secondary performances -- particularly Jordan Gavaris, as Felix -- are all great.
There will only be one more season after this, which should air in April 2017. I can't wait!
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Orphan Black Season Three
This is the third season of the Canadian sci-fi show. It aired in April 2015, and ran for ten episodes, each of which is approximately 45 minutes in length. The third season seems to be the one which most people favour a bit less than the others... +
This is the third season of the Canadian sci-fi show. It aired in April 2015, and ran for ten episodes, each of which is approximately 45 minutes in length.
The third season seems to be the one which most people favour a bit less than the others. I can understand that, as I myself like it the tiniest bit less as well, though certainly not by much. The reason for this is due to the introduction of the Castors, played by Ari Millen. I'm not a fan of his portrayal, nor of the characters. I understand that we're not supposed to like the characters very much, but I just find his acting to be quite dry and too much the same, in contrast to Tatiana, who is the complete opposite. This is just personal preference.
I liked that this season didn't end on as much of a cliffhanger as the last two. Yes, there were unanswered questions, but aside from a few things, it ends quite well. Cliffhangers are so hard to deal with when you have a whole year to wait between seasons!
This is still an excellent show and I highly recommend continuing if you've gotten this far. This season also has my favourite Helena scene. You'll have to watch to find out!
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Orphan Black Season Two
This is the second season of the Canadian sci-fi television series, which originally aired a year after its predecessor, in April of 2014. This also contains ten episodes, which are approximately 45 minutes in length. After the cliffhanger of... +
This is the second season of the Canadian sci-fi television series, which originally aired a year after its predecessor, in April of 2014. This also contains ten episodes, which are approximately 45 minutes in length.
After the cliffhanger of season one, season two picks up right where they left off. There are a bunch of new characters, including a very creepy guy named Mark. The conspiracy thickens as we learn more about the origin of the clones and their creator. And let me tell you, if you thought Tatiana Maslany was amazing in season one, she impossibly gets even better in season two! She'll knock your socks off.
I really wish I could say more, but it's pretty hard with a show like this. There are so many twists and turns, and I never want to spoil anything in any of my reviews. I highly recommend watching for yourself to see what happens next!
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Orphan Black Season One
The first season of this Canadian sci-fi series first aired in 2013. It contains ten episodes, approximately 45 minutes in length. It stars Regina, Saskatchewan's own Tatiana Maslany as a variety of different characters, and she does a stunning... +
The first season of this Canadian sci-fi series first aired in 2013. It contains ten episodes, approximately 45 minutes in length. It stars Regina, Saskatchewan's own Tatiana Maslany as a variety of different characters, and she does a stunning job.
The series is about a young woman named Sarah, who witnesses the suicide of a woman who looks exactly like her. She assumes the identity of this woman, named Beth, and ends up being drawn into an entire clone conspiracy. Other characters include Felix, Sarah's foster brother (played wonderfully by Jordan Gavaris), Detective Art Bell (Kevin Hanchard), Sarah's foster mother Mrs. S (Maria Doyle Kennedy), and Sarah's mysterious young daughter Kira (Skyler Wexler).
Of course, the real highlight here is Tatiana Maslany, who just recently won her first Emmy award. She is absolutely fantastic, playing up to seven characters at any given time. She manages to make each and every one unique, even in scenes when she has one clone impersonating another.
This is the type of show that really keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's definitely a binge-worthy show, so I was happy to buy this on DVD to rewatch without commercials or breaks between episodes. A fair warning: season one ends on a massive cliffhanger, so if you become as addicted as I did, you'll want to watch season two right away!
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Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
The Abominable Bride is a "Christmas Special", which in the UK basically means that it's an episode that comes out around Christmas time, but has very little to do with Christmas. This was released in early 2016, and like all other episodes of... +
The Abominable Bride is a "Christmas Special", which in the UK basically means that it's an episode that comes out around Christmas time, but has very little to do with Christmas. This was released in early 2016, and like all other episodes of Sherlock, it's 90 minutes long.
This is one of very few episodes that isn't based on a particular story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It compiles a few references to some of the old stories, but nothing terribly specific to the happenings-on. It's more of an original story to appease the audience in between season three and four, and it does so very well. Unlike the main series, this special takes place in the1800s, just like the originals. It's a very dark, gothic tale that veers into almost horror at times. It's incredibly atmospheric and well-done, from its costumes and backdrops to the actual mystery.
There is a twist in here, but one which I will not spoil. It's something I didn't expect, upon first viewing, but the hints were definitely there upon a second. Needless to say, this sated my appetite until season four arrives (hopefully in January!).
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Sherlock Season Three
Just as season two was two years after season one, season three is another two years after that! It's too bad we fans have to wait so long in between seasons, but as always, it's well worth the wait for three more, high-quality, 90-minute episodes... +
Just as season two was two years after season one, season three is another two years after that! It's too bad we fans have to wait so long in between seasons, but as always, it's well worth the wait for three more, high-quality, 90-minute episodes. They are as follows:
The Empty Hearse: Based on The Empty House, this picks up some time after The Reichenbach Fall. I can't say much without spoiling anything, but there is a new character named Mary, and she is a delight! She helps Holmes solve a mystery when Watson gets himself in trouble.
The Sign of Three: Based on The Sign of Four, there are several interrelated mysteries rolled into one. Holmes manages to solve them all while at a wedding.
His Last Vow: Based on His Last Bow, there's a new threat who claims to have files on many different people in power, and he's using these files in order to blackmail them. Holmes and Watson have to find a way to take him down.
A lot of people don't enjoy this season as much as the others, but I disagree. I think it's a natural progression from past seasons, both in terms of story and in terms of character growth. It's also nice to see another female character introduced, as there really aren't that many in Sherlock.
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Sherlock Season Two
While season one came out in 2010, season two did not come out until 2012. Just like season one, it contains three 90-minute episodes, and each one is as follows: A Scandal in Belgravia: This one is based on the story titled A Scandal in Bohemia... +
While season one came out in 2010, season two did not come out until 2012. Just like season one, it contains three 90-minute episodes, and each one is as follows:
A Scandal in Belgravia: This one is based on the story titled A Scandal in Bohemia. It introduces a character named Irene Adler, who was one of the only ones capable of matching wits with Sherlock Holmes. She presents something of a challenge to him, which I personally think he quite enjoys. If he ever happened to have a girlfriend, it would probably be someone like her.
The Hounds of Baskerville: Based on the classic Hound of the Baskervilles, which most people have no doubt read at some point in their lives. This is a very classic tale of fear and how it can play tricks on all of us.
The Reichenbach Fall: This is based on The Final Problem. It's a clash between Holmes and Moriarty, but beyond that, I really can't say anything. This is still my favourite episode of the entire series.
As someone who really loves season one, I think I enjoy season two even more. It shows Sherlock's more human sides, like fear and regret, and that he's not perfect, though he desperately wants to be. Recommended for any and all Sherlock Holmes fans!
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Sherlock Season One
This is the first season of the television series Sherlock, which began in 2010 and is a modern retelling of the classic detective stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular Sherlock Holmes, Martin Freeman as... +
This is the first season of the television series Sherlock, which began in 2010 and is a modern retelling of the classic detective stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular Sherlock Holmes, Martin Freeman as his sidekick John Watson, and Andrew Scott as Moriarty.
Each season contains three 90-minute episodes. In season one, the episodes are as follows:
A Study in Pink: The original story was titled A Study in Scarlet. This shows how Holmes and Watson first meet and begin both their friendship as well as their collaboration on their first of many cases. A case of several suicides is sweeping the city, and they need to find out what or who is behind it.
The Blind Banker: This isn't based on any one story in particular, but does make references to a few different ones without being overly specific. It's about a museum curator who seems to see something frightening and doesn't show up to work the following day. Afterwards, a series of related ciphers seem to pop up in different places. This, in my opinion, is the weakest episode not just in this season but of the entire series to date.
The Great Game: Sherlock is put to the test to figure out a series of riddles given to him by an unknown assailant who has strapped bombs to several different individuals around the city. This is an absolute nail-biter of an episode! It's excellent.
I absolutely adore this series. It's one of my favourite shows of all time, and I will write additional reviews for season two and three as well as the stand-alone special. They're all worth watching, in my opinion.
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Girls comic book series
Not to be confused with the television show by the same name, Girls is a sci-fi comic book series created by the Luna Brothers. The series ran from 2005-2007, with 24 issues in total. Also, it is most definitely NOT FOR KIDS! In case you were... +
Not to be confused with the television show by the same name, Girls is a sci-fi comic book series created by the Luna Brothers. The series ran from 2005-2007, with 24 issues in total. Also, it is most definitely NOT FOR KIDS! In case you were wondering.
After reading the first two issues on the Comixology app, I became addicted and decided to buy the collected series. Considering how large the book is and that it contains every single issue, the price was surprisingly low (under $30). It's a beautiful book to look at, and if you're a collector of any kind, it looks great on a bookshelf.
This series is totally bizarre and completely awesome. I can't really go into much detail without spoiling anything, but in essence, it has to do with female clones which are attracted to the male species but attack any female they come into contact with. This is basically a really unique take on all of the post-apocalyptic tales you see nowadays, with a small town struggling to survive amidst the clone invasion, with some pretty clear thematic elements about gender politics and overpopulation.
If you're not into nudity and foul language, you'll want to steer clear of this one. On the other hand, if you really don't mind that sort of thing and you're looking for an intelligent, provocative, and exciting comic book series, this one is truly great.
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