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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Stranger Behind You in Books
Jul 15, 2021
An atmospheric and twisty thriller
Reporter Joan Lurie becomes famous when her story in Manhatta exposes Globe owner Caspar Osgood as a sexual harasser. But as she returns home the night of the publication, she's attacked in her apartment. Terrified and feeling ill from a severe blow to the head, she moves to a super secure building in Manhattan, called the Refuge, to write a book that further details what she's discovered about Casper. At the Refuge, she meets her elderly neighbor, Lillian, who has lived there since it was the Magdalen Laundry and Refuge for Fallen Women in the 1940s. She becomes sucked into Lillian's stories, which often remind Joan of her own life. Meanwhile, Caspar's wife Melissa must deal with the aftermath of learning her husband is sexual predator. Soon, these women's lives will intertwine: in potentially dangerous ways.
"I'm here because four weeks ago someone tried to kill me."
This was an often confusing but incredibly intriguing book that combines the #MeToo movement with a story about wayward girls. You're never quite sure what's going on, as Joan can be an unreliable narrator (head injury + fear, anyone?), leaving one feeling very off balance for the entire book. There's a story within a story here, as Joan goes after Caspar and his transgressions, combined with Lillian's story and her past.
"What kind of person is more concerned about their hard drive than their body?"
I loved the 1940s piece, learning about Lily, the Magdalen laundry, and the Refuge when it was a home for girls. It's fascinating even while being quite sad. Joan could be a very frustrating character (just go to the doctor for your head injury and stop drinking already), but you cannot fault her reporting skills. Caspar's wife Melissa adds a certain depth to the tale, as she wrestles with what her husband has done. Telling the story from Joan and Melissa's point of view really expands what we learn. This is also an atmospheric read, with the Refuge becoming its own character, especially as we learn about its history from the 1940s on. Goodman is always excellent at setting the scene.
While I sometimes found this book frustrating, it was also a page-turner, with compelling characters and an interesting story with some great twists. 4 stars.
"I'm here because four weeks ago someone tried to kill me."
This was an often confusing but incredibly intriguing book that combines the #MeToo movement with a story about wayward girls. You're never quite sure what's going on, as Joan can be an unreliable narrator (head injury + fear, anyone?), leaving one feeling very off balance for the entire book. There's a story within a story here, as Joan goes after Caspar and his transgressions, combined with Lillian's story and her past.
"What kind of person is more concerned about their hard drive than their body?"
I loved the 1940s piece, learning about Lily, the Magdalen laundry, and the Refuge when it was a home for girls. It's fascinating even while being quite sad. Joan could be a very frustrating character (just go to the doctor for your head injury and stop drinking already), but you cannot fault her reporting skills. Caspar's wife Melissa adds a certain depth to the tale, as she wrestles with what her husband has done. Telling the story from Joan and Melissa's point of view really expands what we learn. This is also an atmospheric read, with the Refuge becoming its own character, especially as we learn about its history from the 1940s on. Goodman is always excellent at setting the scene.
While I sometimes found this book frustrating, it was also a page-turner, with compelling characters and an interesting story with some great twists. 4 stars.
Fred (860 KP) rated Inside in Video Games
Mar 2, 2019
One of the best looking games of all time (3 more)
Creepy and atmospheric.
Good puzzler, but not too hard.
Beautiful music sets the mood for the scenes wonderfully.
A bit short. (1 more)
No platinum trophy on PS4.
A fantastic experience
If you liked the game Limbo, you'll love this. Playdead, the company behind Limbo goes the same route with a side-scrolling, puzzled based platformer. But it's kicked up a notch with it's beautiful design. Just like Limbo, you play as a boy & that's all the info you're given. You run, hide, push things, and jump. Throughout the game, you come across mindless, zombie-like clones who you are able to control, who you'll need to solve the many puzzles. There are many puzzles, and some you may get stuck on for a while, but they're not hard enough that you'll quit or run to the internet to figure out.
I don't want to tell you anymore, as it's something you need to experience for yourself. The story gets real deep & builds to an exciting ending. Yes, the game is short, but you'll probably replay it, if only to find the hidden orbs. Play it, play it, play it. NOW!
I don't want to tell you anymore, as it's something you need to experience for yourself. The story gets real deep & builds to an exciting ending. Yes, the game is short, but you'll probably replay it, if only to find the hidden orbs. Play it, play it, play it. NOW!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Hereditary (2018) in Movies
Jun 16, 2018 (Updated Jun 16, 2018)
Never-knowingly-underwrought horror movie (looks like one of those post-horror movies for a bit; but no, it's a horror movie after all). Screwed up but nicely affluent family contends with aftermath of bereavement; is the mother right in her belief that supernatural forces are at work around them, or just a bit nuts?
First half is a horribly intense and rather oppressive study of grief and emotional dysfunction; not actually what you'd call scary, though. Second half is a much more traditional horror movie with spooky seances, severed heads a go go, waking nightmares, embroidered doormats and many other clichés - but still not actually what you'd call scary in any but the most superficial way. Plot is all over the place; all the bits that will make you jump are in the trailer, pretty much. Very possibly worth watching for a brilliant performance by Toni Collette, but this is the equivalent of a really good stereo in a car with a cruddy engine. The movie is atmospheric and the director shows promise, but if this is what counts as a great horror movie nowadays the genre is in serious trouble.
First half is a horribly intense and rather oppressive study of grief and emotional dysfunction; not actually what you'd call scary, though. Second half is a much more traditional horror movie with spooky seances, severed heads a go go, waking nightmares, embroidered doormats and many other clichés - but still not actually what you'd call scary in any but the most superficial way. Plot is all over the place; all the bits that will make you jump are in the trailer, pretty much. Very possibly worth watching for a brilliant performance by Toni Collette, but this is the equivalent of a really good stereo in a car with a cruddy engine. The movie is atmospheric and the director shows promise, but if this is what counts as a great horror movie nowadays the genre is in serious trouble.
Amelia's Tea (8 KP) rated the Xbox One version of The Outer Worlds in Video Games
Oct 28, 2019 (Updated Nov 1, 2019)
Great writing, from story, to characters, to lore. (1 more)
It's beautiful, and atmospheric with great music.
At time of playing (launch, before any updates) there's a few clunky things: like constantly drawing your weapon when you don't mean to. (1 more)
I had one instance where entering a room in the final mission kept completely crashing my game, and I had to parkour my way around to overcome this. Hopefully this is patched out soon!
Saved the Single Player
I loved this game. I imagine I'll be playing it for many years to come, and I'm hoping desperately for a sequel! I've been missing single player RPGs desperately lately, with studios like BioWare leaving them behind.
This game really scratched that itch for me. It's got great characters, great gameplay and a great story. It's just great. I can't recommend it enough.
Obviously it has some kinks to be worked out, but I was very easily able to overlook them when playing.
I am a little disappointed that some features were left out, like third person view and romances, but hope that these could be implemented into a sequel. Either way, I still enjoyed playing.
This game really scratched that itch for me. It's got great characters, great gameplay and a great story. It's just great. I can't recommend it enough.
Obviously it has some kinks to be worked out, but I was very easily able to overlook them when playing.
I am a little disappointed that some features were left out, like third person view and romances, but hope that these could be implemented into a sequel. Either way, I still enjoyed playing.
AF
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