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Awix (3310 KP) rated Barry Lyndon (1975) in Movies
Jun 27, 2018
Famously demanding costume drama/endurance challenge from Stanley Kubrick. Handsome but dimwitted Irish lad does his thinking with the wrong body parts, becomes fugitive from justice, soldier, duellist, deserter, gambler, and spy before marrying into money; his attempts to climb further up society's tree go badly wrong.
Sounds like a rollicking tale, but many will probably find the, erm, stately pace at which events unfold to be rather punishing; there's also the problem that Ryan O'Neal is basically just an absence of hiatus in the middle of the film - you never really care about Barry Lyndon himself. On the other hand, the film is stuffed with wonderful character cameos and subtly magical moments, and the appearance of the thing is utterly gorgeous. If you're prepared to treat the film essentially as a visual feast peppered with incidental pleasures such as Leonard Rossiter's dancing or the climactic duel, then you will probably find it rather mesmerising - as a conventional piece of entertainment, probably less so.
Sounds like a rollicking tale, but many will probably find the, erm, stately pace at which events unfold to be rather punishing; there's also the problem that Ryan O'Neal is basically just an absence of hiatus in the middle of the film - you never really care about Barry Lyndon himself. On the other hand, the film is stuffed with wonderful character cameos and subtly magical moments, and the appearance of the thing is utterly gorgeous. If you're prepared to treat the film essentially as a visual feast peppered with incidental pleasures such as Leonard Rossiter's dancing or the climactic duel, then you will probably find it rather mesmerising - as a conventional piece of entertainment, probably less so.
ClareR (5674 KP) rated The French Girl in Books
Jul 11, 2018
Another unreliable narrator?
Six Oxford University friends go on holiday to France and stay in the holiday home of one of their parents. Everything seems fine, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, until the neighbour, Severine, turns up. And then she disappears. They’re all questioned at the time, they go home and get on with their lives.
Ten years later, the case reopens when Severine’s body is found down the Farmhouse’s well which had been filled in. Everyone is under suspicion. And it feels that way as you read it. Even the the character that we see the story through, Kate, seems likely to have murdered her.
This isn’t one of your pacy thrillers, there’s lots of description and back story concerning Kate’s new business, but it’s actually quite interesting. The relationships between the five surviving ‘friends’ shows an interesting dynamic.
Not a neat little ending either - which I really like. I enjoyed this.
Thanks to the Pigeonhole and Lexie Elliott for reading along!
Ten years later, the case reopens when Severine’s body is found down the Farmhouse’s well which had been filled in. Everyone is under suspicion. And it feels that way as you read it. Even the the character that we see the story through, Kate, seems likely to have murdered her.
This isn’t one of your pacy thrillers, there’s lots of description and back story concerning Kate’s new business, but it’s actually quite interesting. The relationships between the five surviving ‘friends’ shows an interesting dynamic.
Not a neat little ending either - which I really like. I enjoyed this.
Thanks to the Pigeonhole and Lexie Elliott for reading along!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Pirate Vishnu in Books
Jul 27, 2018
Jaya’s Second Treasure Hunt Hits Close to Home
Jaya Jones has yet to live down the fame of her first treasure hunt when a man walks into her office with a second treasure map. This one appears to have the location of a treasure in San Francisco, but it’s the connection to Jaya’s family that peaks her interest. The map was drawn by her great-granduncle. A dead body only complicates Jaya’s quest. Can she stay alive long enough to learn what is going on?
I always enjoy finding a twist on the murder mystery theme, and this is a good one. The treasure hunt is as important as figuring out who the killer is, and between the two, the pages fly by. The twists get bigger the further into the book we get. I did think one stretched believability just a bit, but it was a minor deal. The characters are strong, and I’m curious where the complications in Jaya’s love life will go.
I always enjoy finding a twist on the murder mystery theme, and this is a good one. The treasure hunt is as important as figuring out who the killer is, and between the two, the pages fly by. The twists get bigger the further into the book we get. I did think one stretched believability just a bit, but it was a minor deal. The characters are strong, and I’m curious where the complications in Jaya’s love life will go.
Sue (5 KP) rated I Know What You Bid Last Summer (Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery #5) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Sarah Winston, a garage sale expert, knows how to run a successful garage sale and has made a business out of it. As part of a charity event, Sarah volunteers her expertise and agrees to manage an athletic equipment swap. While preparing the event, she is knocked out by a would-be robber and then the day of the event discovers the dead body of the local superintendent.
Sarah becomes an amateur detective and compiles a list of murder suspects that all seem to be other members of the school board. With her quick wit and sleuthing talents, Sarah must find the killer before the killer makes her another item for the dumpster.
This book is more than a charming cozy mystery; the author gives you inside tips into the world of garage sale selling and buying. The mystery, suspense, and moments of comedy keep you interested, while you try to guess who the culprit is.
Sarah becomes an amateur detective and compiles a list of murder suspects that all seem to be other members of the school board. With her quick wit and sleuthing talents, Sarah must find the killer before the killer makes her another item for the dumpster.
This book is more than a charming cozy mystery; the author gives you inside tips into the world of garage sale selling and buying. The mystery, suspense, and moments of comedy keep you interested, while you try to guess who the culprit is.
Sue (5 KP) rated Hair of the Dog in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Winery owner and amateur sleuth Penny Lively is knee deep in another murder. There is trouble at the veterinarian’s office where Cousin Annie is being accused of murder. She is found standing over the body of her business partner and holding the murder weapon. It is not what it looks like so Penny is on the case to find the real murderer and clear Annie’s good name.
The book has a lot of great suspects to choose from; the grieving widow, the fired vet tech, an old friend that’s in love with the grieving widow, a flirty business rep, and a bookkeeper with memory problems. Just when you think you know who the murderer could be, another murder takes place. The characters are quirky and enjoyable, the pace of the book is good, and the plot/mystery has enough twists and turns.
This is the third book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone without much confusion.
The book has a lot of great suspects to choose from; the grieving widow, the fired vet tech, an old friend that’s in love with the grieving widow, a flirty business rep, and a bookkeeper with memory problems. Just when you think you know who the murderer could be, another murder takes place. The characters are quirky and enjoyable, the pace of the book is good, and the plot/mystery has enough twists and turns.
This is the third book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone without much confusion.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Crash (1996) in Movies
Aug 31, 2018
Do you get turned on after being in a car crash?
Contains spoilers, click to show
The people in this movie do and it pretty messed up. I love David Cronenberg and all his body horror films and also the deeply provocative and sometimes controversial subject matter in his films; however, this one seemed just a bit too random and out there for me.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a great steamy sex scene in a film as much as anyone, but this movie seemed like a never-ending stretch of handjobs and random nastiness for no reason whatsoever.
The characters were not even that interesting in that all they wanted to do was grope, suck and fuck each other just for the turn on of being around a crashed car and that didn't really make any sense.
Do yourself a favor and watch Naked Lunch or Videodrome instead.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a great steamy sex scene in a film as much as anyone, but this movie seemed like a never-ending stretch of handjobs and random nastiness for no reason whatsoever.
The characters were not even that interesting in that all they wanted to do was grope, suck and fuck each other just for the turn on of being around a crashed car and that didn't really make any sense.
Do yourself a favor and watch Naked Lunch or Videodrome instead.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Clown (2016) in Movies
Sep 12, 2018
This guy ain't clowning around...
Clown is like a classic twilight-zone style curse movie, where a dad puts on an antique clown suit, which turns out to have dire consequences that essentially turn him into a child eating killer clown.
There are some great comedic moments, as you would expect, some gross body horror, gruesome kills and actually pretty good performances.
Despite the b-movie plot, the acting is very solid, and the whole feel is of a well-made, well budgeted horror film, that would not have been out of place on a decent cinema release.
There are plenty of plot holes, bad decisions and parts that drag on a little, but overall this is a pretty entertaining movie, which provides a throwback experience to an 80's style slasher but with modern production values, so what is not to like?
There are some great comedic moments, as you would expect, some gross body horror, gruesome kills and actually pretty good performances.
Despite the b-movie plot, the acting is very solid, and the whole feel is of a well-made, well budgeted horror film, that would not have been out of place on a decent cinema release.
There are plenty of plot holes, bad decisions and parts that drag on a little, but overall this is a pretty entertaining movie, which provides a throwback experience to an 80's style slasher but with modern production values, so what is not to like?
ClareR (5674 KP) rated The Wanderer in Books
Nov 21, 2018 (Updated Nov 21, 2018)
Icelandic not-so noir
Does no one tell the truth to the police anymore? Even if they’re innocent?!
It seems that everyone wants to keep their secrets to themselves in this book, even if they think the information might relate to the murder of an Italian tourist. A camera crew, who are filming a documentary about Gudrid the Wanderer in Iceland, find her body outside a church where they’re filming. Magnus Jonson is in charge of the police investigation.
I really enjoyed the references to the Icelandic Sagas (I’ve now got a book of them on my Christmas list!), and Magnus seems to be a very nice police officer! Everyone else appears to just be looking out for themselves, to the detriment of everyone else.
Great story though! This is the fifth in a series, I haven’t read the others, and I don’t think it actually matters story-wise. I would very much like to read the others though!!
It seems that everyone wants to keep their secrets to themselves in this book, even if they think the information might relate to the murder of an Italian tourist. A camera crew, who are filming a documentary about Gudrid the Wanderer in Iceland, find her body outside a church where they’re filming. Magnus Jonson is in charge of the police investigation.
I really enjoyed the references to the Icelandic Sagas (I’ve now got a book of them on my Christmas list!), and Magnus seems to be a very nice police officer! Everyone else appears to just be looking out for themselves, to the detriment of everyone else.
Great story though! This is the fifth in a series, I haven’t read the others, and I don’t think it actually matters story-wise. I would very much like to read the others though!!
Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated Two for the Dough (Stephanie Plum, #2) in Books
Dec 31, 2019
03-01-2009
09-03-2012
You've got mail! This is the first book I've ever read in which someone receives a penis by mail.
Stephanie is after Kenny Mancuso who shot his friend Moogey Bues. Then Kenny skedaddles and Moogey is shot again (only this time he goes to the morgue). The creepy undertaker Spiro Stiva enlists our heroine's help with tracking down 24 (count 'em) caskets.
This book is like the rest in the series: breezy, completely unbelievable, and ridiculously appealing. Seriously, Grandma Mazur is such a gem! I think a series with her as a main character would be a ball! More chemistry with Joe Morelli, more explosions, this book is hilarious and a bit unsettling... Stephanie is faced with a home invader who leaves body part and the aforementioned penis mailing. Oh, and former ho, Lula, begins her stint as a filing clerk. I read this book in less than a day. Hope I didn't spoil it for ya.
09-03-2012
You've got mail! This is the first book I've ever read in which someone receives a penis by mail.
Stephanie is after Kenny Mancuso who shot his friend Moogey Bues. Then Kenny skedaddles and Moogey is shot again (only this time he goes to the morgue). The creepy undertaker Spiro Stiva enlists our heroine's help with tracking down 24 (count 'em) caskets.
This book is like the rest in the series: breezy, completely unbelievable, and ridiculously appealing. Seriously, Grandma Mazur is such a gem! I think a series with her as a main character would be a ball! More chemistry with Joe Morelli, more explosions, this book is hilarious and a bit unsettling... Stephanie is faced with a home invader who leaves body part and the aforementioned penis mailing. Oh, and former ho, Lula, begins her stint as a filing clerk. I read this book in less than a day. Hope I didn't spoil it for ya.
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated The Diving-bell and the Butterfly in Books
Jul 2, 2019
Emotional
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is a short memoir with snip-bits of chapters. The late Bauby had locked in syndrome, this is one of the reasons that makes this book remarkable. Being unable to speak or move, his story is captured by a friend through the authors blinking with his left eye. He finds a way to rearrange the alphabet in order of letter usage in French. This is not a heart rendering account of a man trapped in (as he calls it) a cocoon, but rather a snap shot of the way he copes, the way his memory allows him to heighten his imagination, the way he separates his existence from the outside world and the way his mind saves him from boredom.
Beautifully written with a conversational tone, this is a wonderful glimpse into the mind of a person whose body no longer works.
Beautifully written with a conversational tone, this is a wonderful glimpse into the mind of a person whose body no longer works.