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Ross (3284 KP) rated Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast in Podcasts
Jan 4, 2018 (Updated Jan 5, 2018)
Superb silliness but at times insightful
RHLSTP is like an unregulated Jonathan Ross, if Jonathan Ross spent a lot less time on researching his guests and made fumbling attempts to ask them about their work before resorting to emergency questions, all to hilarious consequences.
The guests range from big name stars from off of the telly (Steve Coogan, Stephen Fry) to young up and coming comedians (John Robins, Nish Kumar).
All guests get the same cheeky tone from Herring and there is no sycophancy present at all.
Herring's repertoire of emergency questions (have you ever seen a big-foot, would you rather have a hand made of ham or an armpit that dispensed sun cream) help keep a consistent tone and sometimes lead to surprising answers (eg when asked "What is it like being Stephen Fry?" the answer led to an admission of attempted suicide).
The guests range from big name stars from off of the telly (Steve Coogan, Stephen Fry) to young up and coming comedians (John Robins, Nish Kumar).
All guests get the same cheeky tone from Herring and there is no sycophancy present at all.
Herring's repertoire of emergency questions (have you ever seen a big-foot, would you rather have a hand made of ham or an armpit that dispensed sun cream) help keep a consistent tone and sometimes lead to surprising answers (eg when asked "What is it like being Stephen Fry?" the answer led to an admission of attempted suicide).
Amber Tucker (13 KP) rated Acheron (Dark-Hunter #14) in Books
Jan 9, 2018
One of the best books that I have ever read!!!
If you are not an avid reader the size of this book might dissuade you from even cracking it open, but dont let it. Acheron is part of The Dark Hunter Series. If youve read any of the other books in this series and had questions, this one answers them all. Tears, laughter, hate, anger, shock, love, and more tears. You will be familiar with all of these and much more. Unfortunately, I had to put the book down, even I couldnt finish it in one sitting...
Acherons tale is one that you wouldnt wish on your worst enemy. His story goes all the way back to his beginning. It tells of a mothers love and hate. A brothers love and hate. Gods and Goddesses, love and hate, lust, dominance, forgiveness, sorrow, all rolled into one book.
If you are not an avid reader the size of this book might dissuade you from even cracking it open, but dont let it. Acheron is part of The Dark Hunter Series. If youve read any of the other books in this series and had questions, this one answers them all. Tears, laughter, hate, anger, shock, love, and more tears. You will be familiar with all of these and much more. Unfortunately, I had to put the book down, even I couldnt finish it in one sitting...
Acherons tale is one that you wouldnt wish on your worst enemy. His story goes all the way back to his beginning. It tells of a mothers love and hate. A brothers love and hate. Gods and Goddesses, love and hate, lust, dominance, forgiveness, sorrow, all rolled into one book.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Styx (2018) in Movies
May 1, 2019 (Updated May 1, 2019)
No-frills drama from Germany (not much dialogue, and most of that in English) achieves genuine tension after a slow start. Competent, compassionate doctor seems to be having no trouble sailing the Atlantic until she comes across a ship loaded with refugees in very bad shape: her small boat can't help, and the authorities advise her by radio to leave the area; but they show no sign of doing anything to help. The arrival on board of a young boy only complicates matters further. What is she supposed to do?
Wears its heart very much on its sleeve as a parable about civilised European attitudes to crises in other parts of the world; not exactly subtle and doesn't seem to have many answers to give. The slow start may also put some people off. However, Wolff carries the film impressively, and the moral dilemma at its centre is engrossing and resonant. Director does good work with what's clearly quite a low budget.
Wears its heart very much on its sleeve as a parable about civilised European attitudes to crises in other parts of the world; not exactly subtle and doesn't seem to have many answers to give. The slow start may also put some people off. However, Wolff carries the film impressively, and the moral dilemma at its centre is engrossing and resonant. Director does good work with what's clearly quite a low budget.
April Rose Mossow (93 KP) rated Sadie in Books
May 20, 2019
When Sadie’s sister Maddie is found dead, it sets off a series of events: A road trip, uncovering secrets, but also, asking more questions than it answers. I really enjoyed this book, slowly the adrenaline just kicks you into gear and you’re rushing through the book to finish. It’s a murder-mystery, tangled with lies, family dysfunction, and vengeance. Told between podcasts and the perspective of its main character, it’s a different style of writing, written especially for this generation’s teens. You feel so deeply for Sadie, and the people she meets along the way. The story is fast-paced and keeps you thoroughly engaged. (I didn’t want to put it down!) Sadie is a well written, real character you root for through the entirety of the book. It’s such a sad chain of events, you don’t really know what to expect, but you hope against all hope that Sadie makes it out alive.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) in Movies
Feb 4, 2018 (Updated Feb 9, 2018)
Angry in America
One of the more intelligent movies to attempt to deal with the culture wars in America at the moment, this starts off looking like a relatively straightforward tale of a wronged woman taking on the callous reactionary establishment in smalltown USA, but then turns into something rather more nuanced.
Mildred, the main character, may be in the right, but that doesn't stop her from being an intolerant nightmare a lot of the time, while the racist cop who is her main opposition is not quite the uncaring thug he appears to be. In any case, it's the two sides' refusal to even try to consider the others' perspective that leads to the darker events as the story progresses.
Well-acted and well-written, it may be that the movie's refusal to offer easy or upbeat answers will work against it as far as some viewers are concerned. But another impressively provocative movie from Martin McDonagh.
Mildred, the main character, may be in the right, but that doesn't stop her from being an intolerant nightmare a lot of the time, while the racist cop who is her main opposition is not quite the uncaring thug he appears to be. In any case, it's the two sides' refusal to even try to consider the others' perspective that leads to the darker events as the story progresses.
Well-acted and well-written, it may be that the movie's refusal to offer easy or upbeat answers will work against it as far as some viewers are concerned. But another impressively provocative movie from Martin McDonagh.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Suspendered Sentence (An Amish Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When the Stolrzfus barn catches fire, the Amish community comes together for a barn raising. But in the midst of the building, bones are discovered, and they are quickly identified as those of Sadie Lehman, who disappeared 20 years before. With the mystery of her disappearance now on everyone’s mind, Claire begins to search for answers to help those she has come to love. But what really happened all those years ago?
The mystery was a tad slower than I thought it could be, but the book more than makes up for it with the characters. I’ve come to care for them, and the growth we see here is not only organic, but growth that made me very happy. These characters pulled me into the book once again, and I can hardly wait to visit them when the next in the series comes out.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-suspendered-sentence-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The mystery was a tad slower than I thought it could be, but the book more than makes up for it with the characters. I’ve come to care for them, and the growth we see here is not only organic, but growth that made me very happy. These characters pulled me into the book once again, and I can hardly wait to visit them when the next in the series comes out.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-suspendered-sentence-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Risen (Blood Eternal #1) in Books
Mar 17, 2018
"The answers we seek might be the only things that can save us now."
OMG! How could you leave me hanging by a thread??!! I was so caught up in this fast-paced story that I didn't realize I was reaching the cliff-hanging end until I flipped the page and was greeted with bonus content!! Who are the parents of... oh never mind, as I simply don't want to share any spoilers. Charlie has no idea of the existence of vampires until it's too late to do anything but little does she know that this revelation isn't the last. This well-developed storyline has it all from three vampire clans that have different gifts to action and just the right amount of romance and I love the characters. I hope that the author doesn't take too long in releasing the second book because my curiosity is going to have me bouncing off the walls.
OMG! How could you leave me hanging by a thread??!! I was so caught up in this fast-paced story that I didn't realize I was reaching the cliff-hanging end until I flipped the page and was greeted with bonus content!! Who are the parents of... oh never mind, as I simply don't want to share any spoilers. Charlie has no idea of the existence of vampires until it's too late to do anything but little does she know that this revelation isn't the last. This well-developed storyline has it all from three vampire clans that have different gifts to action and just the right amount of romance and I love the characters. I hope that the author doesn't take too long in releasing the second book because my curiosity is going to have me bouncing off the walls.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Risen (Blood Eternal #1) in Books
Mar 17, 2018
"The answers we seek might be the only things that can save us now."
OMG! How could you leave me hanging by a thread??!! I was so caught up in this fast paced story that I didn't realize I was reaching the cliff hanging end until I flipped the page and was greeted by bonus content!! Who are the parents of... oh never mind, as I simply don't want to share any spoilers. Charlie has no idea of the existence of vampires until it's too late to do anything but little does she know that this revelation isn't the last. This well developed storyline has it all from three vampire clans that have different gifts to action and just the right amount of romance and I love the characters. I hope that the author doesn't take too long in releasing the second book because my curiosity is going to have me bouncing off the walls.
OMG! How could you leave me hanging by a thread??!! I was so caught up in this fast paced story that I didn't realize I was reaching the cliff hanging end until I flipped the page and was greeted by bonus content!! Who are the parents of... oh never mind, as I simply don't want to share any spoilers. Charlie has no idea of the existence of vampires until it's too late to do anything but little does she know that this revelation isn't the last. This well developed storyline has it all from three vampire clans that have different gifts to action and just the right amount of romance and I love the characters. I hope that the author doesn't take too long in releasing the second book because my curiosity is going to have me bouncing off the walls.
Jessica Erdas (463 KP) rated Brain on Fire (2016) in Movies
Jun 26, 2018
Based on a true story
Based on the life and book by the same name by Susannah Cahalan, this movie follows the events of a 21 year old girl who suddenly begins experiencing strange flu-like symptoms. She goes to a doctor who tells her that all of her tests came back clear and there's nothing wrong with her. As she continues to work through the strange symptoms, they become increasingly severe. She begins to have seizures, psychotic episodes of paranoia, and is diagnosed with one mental illness after another. None of which explain why Susannah was previously a perfectly healthy 21 year old girl or what brought on the strange symptoms. Her family pushes to find answers where the team of doctors believe she belongs in a psychiatric facility. The movie is a little slow paced but I believe it was necessary to really encompass the severity and impact of the situation that Susannah and her family experienced. Definitely worth a watch.
Chelsea (166 KP) rated The Last Time I Lied in Books
Jul 11, 2018
15 years ago at Camp Nightingale three girls vanish without a trace, leaving one girl, Emma Davis, to question everything and constantly think about what happened. The camp closes down, forcing all to go their separate ways. 15 years later, Emma is contacted by Franny, owner and operator of Camp Nightingale, who says she plans to reopen, and would love Emma to be the art teacher. Emma, determined to find out what happened to her friends all those years ago, reluctantly agreed and vows to discover the truth. What she finds points her in many different directions, but doesn’t deter her from trying to get answers. Then a few days into camp history seems to repeat itself, this time clouding Emma in suspicion.
I seriously could not put this book down. There are twists and turns and everyone seems suspicious so it keeps you guessing who did it and what really happened. The ending is unexpected and leaves you wanting more! Excellent book, I highly recommend.
I seriously could not put this book down. There are twists and turns and everyone seems suspicious so it keeps you guessing who did it and what really happened. The ending is unexpected and leaves you wanting more! Excellent book, I highly recommend.