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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
Nov 22, 2017 (Updated Nov 22, 2017)
Fun to watch but doesn't break new ground
No doubt Tom Holland's portrayal of Spiderman is the most accurate version that I have seen, given that Spiderman is a teenager in a high school. I can't help but feel that if Homecoming had more time in the oven, we would have been rewarded with the best Spider-man ever seen on the silver screen. As is, this Spider-man breaks no new ground that won't quickly be plowed under.
Michael Keaton's Vulture is the perfect villain for a downbeat in the MCU symphony. A regular, working-class but ambitious man who took an opportunity - a blue collar Tony Stark. The level of detail and forethought paid to the Vulture and his crew's dealings provides much needed grounding to these fabulous tales of super-heroism. Still, the refreshing qualities of Homecoming are far-outmatched by the staleness of its formula.
Too many of these beats have already been explored in other movies. Tony Stark has remote access to his suit. Tony Stark's dad. Retro-reflective plates. Tony Stark overdesigns stuff. Peter Parker has trouble managing his two lives. Peter Parker's enemy is a close friend's parent.
But the best part is definitely Michael Keaton, who is both seen as a 'hardworking' father trying to provide for his family, while being deeply flawed - the fact that he isn't killed off is also promising. Not a bad film, but not particularly novel.
Michael Keaton's Vulture is the perfect villain for a downbeat in the MCU symphony. A regular, working-class but ambitious man who took an opportunity - a blue collar Tony Stark. The level of detail and forethought paid to the Vulture and his crew's dealings provides much needed grounding to these fabulous tales of super-heroism. Still, the refreshing qualities of Homecoming are far-outmatched by the staleness of its formula.
Too many of these beats have already been explored in other movies. Tony Stark has remote access to his suit. Tony Stark's dad. Retro-reflective plates. Tony Stark overdesigns stuff. Peter Parker has trouble managing his two lives. Peter Parker's enemy is a close friend's parent.
But the best part is definitely Michael Keaton, who is both seen as a 'hardworking' father trying to provide for his family, while being deeply flawed - the fact that he isn't killed off is also promising. Not a bad film, but not particularly novel.
Lindsay (1745 KP) rated The Peacemaker (Mifflin County Mystery #2) in Books
May 16, 2025
We are welcome back to the Big Valley. Where we left off, we see Rosa's best friend's point of view. In this book, we get to follow Ada and Ephraim some more. Will we find out what happened to Rosa? Is she still alive, or is she gone? Norman and Salina, how are they doing as well? Will we finally see Norman and Salina get married?
We are also still following the Rosa Family; the community is still grieving, and suspicion is still going around. So, we are still suspecting or taking action on Ephraim of Rosa's disappearance. But is there more to the community than dividing the community apart?
Will Ada and Ephraim get together, or will it fall apart? Is there love between Ada and Ephraim? There is so much confusion and pain surrounding Rosa's disappearance that it is hard for anyone to know for sure. But what will happen? Will there be love between a peacemaker and a suspect? Will it last, or will it be too late for the two of them?
Well, Ephraim will return to Lancaster County, where his grandma lives. Will Ephraim and his grandma stay there? But does the Lord have plans?
Ephraim is pondering whether to start looking or make some friends in Lancaster in case he ends up staying.
He seems to ponder this when he finds Blue in the barn. Eventually, he finds a missing pup and starts looking for its owner. He meets Anna.
Back with Ada, she seems to be going about her dad as a greenhouse but appears to be fighting her feelings for Ephraim, though she doesn't know if it's a good thing or not when she knows Rosa broke the relationship up with Ephraim.
Ada hears about Susan through her mother and her friend's mother. She hears Susan lying about not being at a young people's gathering and being out with Ben.
Though Ephraim's father seems to have suffered a major injury that has put him in the hospital and made him and his grandmother hurry to Lewistown, is there a way to pray for them to stay in the Big Valley for good? Or will his grandmother want to return to Lancaster and have her eldest grandchildren go with her?
We are also still following the Rosa Family; the community is still grieving, and suspicion is still going around. So, we are still suspecting or taking action on Ephraim of Rosa's disappearance. But is there more to the community than dividing the community apart?
Will Ada and Ephraim get together, or will it fall apart? Is there love between Ada and Ephraim? There is so much confusion and pain surrounding Rosa's disappearance that it is hard for anyone to know for sure. But what will happen? Will there be love between a peacemaker and a suspect? Will it last, or will it be too late for the two of them?
Well, Ephraim will return to Lancaster County, where his grandma lives. Will Ephraim and his grandma stay there? But does the Lord have plans?
Ephraim is pondering whether to start looking or make some friends in Lancaster in case he ends up staying.
He seems to ponder this when he finds Blue in the barn. Eventually, he finds a missing pup and starts looking for its owner. He meets Anna.
Back with Ada, she seems to be going about her dad as a greenhouse but appears to be fighting her feelings for Ephraim, though she doesn't know if it's a good thing or not when she knows Rosa broke the relationship up with Ephraim.
Ada hears about Susan through her mother and her friend's mother. She hears Susan lying about not being at a young people's gathering and being out with Ben.
Though Ephraim's father seems to have suffered a major injury that has put him in the hospital and made him and his grandmother hurry to Lewistown, is there a way to pray for them to stay in the Big Valley for good? Or will his grandmother want to return to Lancaster and have her eldest grandchildren go with her?
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Skye Falling in Books
Jul 1, 2021
Unique look at the complexities of family and race
Skye travels for a living--nearly a nomad at forty--touching down in her hometown of Philadelphia only occasionally and staying at her friend's bed and breakfast. It's on one of those visits home that a twelve-year-old girl approaches Skye and tells her that she's her "egg." Years ago, Skye donated eggs to a friend for money, and now Vicky is here as a result. Skye soon realizes that Vicky's aunt Faye is the woman she tried to pick up in a record store the other day. And, she's starting to come to the understanding that being responsible, even tangentially, for another human means she might have to finally grow up herself.
This book was lovely and took me by surprise: in all the good ways. I loved Skye--her anti-social ways, her awkwardness, and her cynicism. She's a true mess, with a mom and dad who left her hurting and afraid to love or trust--but McKenzie captures Skye's voice so perfectly that it's hard to resist her. This is an honest and emotional book, written in a way of addressing the reader directly. It's different at times and might take some getting used to, but I loved the whole thing.
The story here is so interesting and might sound off-putting: Vicky discovers Faye, who donated her eggs years ago to Vicky's mom. Skye has a crush on Vicky's aunt. In the background, Skye is floundering--she's a great businesswoman but she has a terrible relationship with her brother and her mother, who is ill. She also has tumultuous and dramatic friendships.
The city of Philly is a character in itself here too--it stands vibrant and buoyant in McKenzie's hands, as she pens an ode to the city and its black community. There are excellent and timely discussions of race, including a strong side plot featuring Vicky and Faye's neighbor. But best of all is the existence of Skye, Faye, and Vicky themselves--strong black women finding their way in the world. They completely grow on you as you read this outstanding book.
Overall, this is an excellent read. It's funny, heartfelt, and completely engaging. This authentic cast of characters will steal your heart.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group in return for an unbiased review. 4.5 stars.
This book was lovely and took me by surprise: in all the good ways. I loved Skye--her anti-social ways, her awkwardness, and her cynicism. She's a true mess, with a mom and dad who left her hurting and afraid to love or trust--but McKenzie captures Skye's voice so perfectly that it's hard to resist her. This is an honest and emotional book, written in a way of addressing the reader directly. It's different at times and might take some getting used to, but I loved the whole thing.
The story here is so interesting and might sound off-putting: Vicky discovers Faye, who donated her eggs years ago to Vicky's mom. Skye has a crush on Vicky's aunt. In the background, Skye is floundering--she's a great businesswoman but she has a terrible relationship with her brother and her mother, who is ill. She also has tumultuous and dramatic friendships.
The city of Philly is a character in itself here too--it stands vibrant and buoyant in McKenzie's hands, as she pens an ode to the city and its black community. There are excellent and timely discussions of race, including a strong side plot featuring Vicky and Faye's neighbor. But best of all is the existence of Skye, Faye, and Vicky themselves--strong black women finding their way in the world. They completely grow on you as you read this outstanding book.
Overall, this is an excellent read. It's funny, heartfelt, and completely engaging. This authentic cast of characters will steal your heart.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group in return for an unbiased review. 4.5 stars.