Search
Search results
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Pretty Baby in Books
Feb 8, 2018
Heidi lives a busy life, trying to keep up with a busy job in public service, her role as a mom to her distant 12-year-old daughter Zoe, and juggling marriage to her husband Chris, a corporate lawyer. One day on the way to work, Heidi spots a young teen holding a baby-- the two are waiting for the train in the pouring rain. Heidi is haunted by the image and when she spots them again, she reaches out and makes contact with the teen, Willow. Eventually, Heidi's life becomes embroiled with that of Willow's and the baby, Ruby.
This book certainly lives up to its psychological thriller billing. It's a page-turner, even as it gets slightly more bizarre as the plot thickens. It captivated my attention and has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. The plot is definitely a little "out there," and I'd probably rate it as 3.5 stars overall, but still a fun and intriguing read.
This book certainly lives up to its psychological thriller billing. It's a page-turner, even as it gets slightly more bizarre as the plot thickens. It captivated my attention and has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. The plot is definitely a little "out there," and I'd probably rate it as 3.5 stars overall, but still a fun and intriguing read.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Bring Me Back in Books
Mar 2, 2018
Unnerving with lots of twists
B. A. Paris returns once again with a deeply troubling psychological thriller following a couple and a woman, who disappeared 12 years ago.
Finn and his girlfriend Layla are in France before she mysteriously vanishes, leaving him to answer police questions over her disappearance. Fast forward 12 years, and Finn has settled down, about to marry Layla's older, much more mature sister, but suddenly bizarre events begin to occur, and they wonder - has she returned?
The entire book is unnerving, moving between several narratives and voices, first establishing Finn's version of the past and the present. And then soon after, another voice emerges, and you're left to question whether it really is Layla.
While you do get an inkling with 30 minutes left of the book about what could be possible - it is written so that the final reveal is still harrowing and shocking. Another gripping thriller from Paris.
Finn and his girlfriend Layla are in France before she mysteriously vanishes, leaving him to answer police questions over her disappearance. Fast forward 12 years, and Finn has settled down, about to marry Layla's older, much more mature sister, but suddenly bizarre events begin to occur, and they wonder - has she returned?
The entire book is unnerving, moving between several narratives and voices, first establishing Finn's version of the past and the present. And then soon after, another voice emerges, and you're left to question whether it really is Layla.
While you do get an inkling with 30 minutes left of the book about what could be possible - it is written so that the final reveal is still harrowing and shocking. Another gripping thriller from Paris.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Shining in Books
Mar 7, 2018 (Updated Mar 7, 2018)
Another King masterpiece
I'm ashamed to say that I've only just read The Shining for the first time, and I'm regretting taking so long to get around to it.
It's a brilliant and creepy supernatural tale, with great characters and development. It works well by switching between the viewpoints of each of the 4 main characters, and the transformation and depth of Jack especially is very well written. The plot itself is very interesting without verging on the side of bizarre (which a lot of supernatural/horror stories tend to do).
I've read King really hates the Kubrick film adaptation and now having read the book, i can see why. The film is almost a bare bones version of the book with barely a passing resemblance to the original story. Character development and depth is so prevalent in this book yet majorly lacking in the film.
If you like the film, read the book to see how it's really meant to be done.
It's a brilliant and creepy supernatural tale, with great characters and development. It works well by switching between the viewpoints of each of the 4 main characters, and the transformation and depth of Jack especially is very well written. The plot itself is very interesting without verging on the side of bizarre (which a lot of supernatural/horror stories tend to do).
I've read King really hates the Kubrick film adaptation and now having read the book, i can see why. The film is almost a bare bones version of the book with barely a passing resemblance to the original story. Character development and depth is so prevalent in this book yet majorly lacking in the film.
If you like the film, read the book to see how it's really meant to be done.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Shape of Water (2017) in Movies
Feb 28, 2018
Beautiful and bizarre
This is another one of those Oscar nominated films that for me didn't quite live up to the hype. That said, it is still a very beautifully made and intriguing film, albeit a very strange one.
The story itself is a little odd, and at times you have to suspend your disbelief that a woman could fall in love with a creature like this. However at times, their love story is actually quite sweet and romantic. Sally Hawkins is fantastic, she does brilliantly at portraying such emotion without words. The rest of the major characters too are well developed and there isn't one I didn't like. The creature itself is very well done, the visual effects a nice change to CGI. The cinematography and script are all very good too, and it is a very beautiful film. I feel it drags a little towards the end and it would have been nice to find out more about the creature itself.
The story itself is a little odd, and at times you have to suspend your disbelief that a woman could fall in love with a creature like this. However at times, their love story is actually quite sweet and romantic. Sally Hawkins is fantastic, she does brilliantly at portraying such emotion without words. The rest of the major characters too are well developed and there isn't one I didn't like. The creature itself is very well done, the visual effects a nice change to CGI. The cinematography and script are all very good too, and it is a very beautiful film. I feel it drags a little towards the end and it would have been nice to find out more about the creature itself.
Jo (37 KP) rated ABEL 1: It Can't Be You (Phoenix Club, #1) in Books
Oct 6, 2018
I'm not entirely sure how I rate this book if I'm honest. I really can't work out what to make of it.
I felt the writing was over done and quite clumpy; the hints dropped as to where the story was heading were far from subtle and, therefore, there wasn't any surprising twists; I couldn't buy into the reasonings or behaviors of the characters; and certain parts of the story had me a little creeped out.
BUT
I zapped through it, enjoyed the 'aww' moments, didn't much mind having my predictions proved right and am now feeling the urge to continue onto book 2.
I don't know what it is this book has, but it certainly has something.
Graphic books such as this rest outside of my reading comfort zone. I took a leap with it and have nothing even remotely similar in my bookshelf history to compare it to. So...yeah...enjoyable read in a bizarre kind of undefinable way.
I felt the writing was over done and quite clumpy; the hints dropped as to where the story was heading were far from subtle and, therefore, there wasn't any surprising twists; I couldn't buy into the reasonings or behaviors of the characters; and certain parts of the story had me a little creeped out.
BUT
I zapped through it, enjoyed the 'aww' moments, didn't much mind having my predictions proved right and am now feeling the urge to continue onto book 2.
I don't know what it is this book has, but it certainly has something.
Graphic books such as this rest outside of my reading comfort zone. I took a leap with it and have nothing even remotely similar in my bookshelf history to compare it to. So...yeah...enjoyable read in a bizarre kind of undefinable way.
Rache (174 KP) rated Wine and Crime in Podcasts
Dec 13, 2018
Little known and interesting crimes (4 more)
Hilariously funny
Great research
Minnesota accents
Nice Pahps!
Wine and Crime - Best Cocktail Ever!
A hilariously funny combination of crazy crimes, three childhood friends from Minnesota, and wine. Lots and lots of wine.
With wine reviews, a "background and psychology" section, and at least two crimes per show, these girls discuss a variety of crimes from murders in crazy places, and murders for bizarre reasons, to the smuggling of horse genitals. There really is something for absolutely everyone, although the easily offended should probably exercise caution.
With over 90 episodes, live shows around the US, and their attendance at Crime Con, these three amazing women provide hours upon hours of incredible ear fodder, brain soup, giggle muscle aperitifs and gag-reflex beverages (yeah, maybe stretched that analogy a bit far). Still, the podcast is fascinating, nausea-inducing, hysterically funny, and utterly addictive, and will have you saying "nice pahp" faster than you think.
With wine reviews, a "background and psychology" section, and at least two crimes per show, these girls discuss a variety of crimes from murders in crazy places, and murders for bizarre reasons, to the smuggling of horse genitals. There really is something for absolutely everyone, although the easily offended should probably exercise caution.
With over 90 episodes, live shows around the US, and their attendance at Crime Con, these three amazing women provide hours upon hours of incredible ear fodder, brain soup, giggle muscle aperitifs and gag-reflex beverages (yeah, maybe stretched that analogy a bit far). Still, the podcast is fascinating, nausea-inducing, hysterically funny, and utterly addictive, and will have you saying "nice pahp" faster than you think.
Vegas (725 KP) rated AEW Dynamite in TV
Oct 28, 2019
The action (2 more)
The wrestlers
No bizarre stories (yet)
Characters will take a while to get used to for casual fans (1 more)
Still early so no established storylines
Making wrestling fun again
When Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks became the faces of upstart promotion AEW fans were excited to get a mainstream alternative to WWE which has become complacent with its position in the industry, wit would there be enough star talent to compete. The first few episodes and PPVs say YES... The wrestling often is better than WWE due to the wrestlers being less bogged down with what they can and can’t do in the ring and with less silly skits to worry about, the focus is firmly on the in ring action, with veterans Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone part of the announce team the show feels established yet modern. Hopefully it continues to do well, for their sake and WWE’s too as they will be forced to improve. Good for all fans.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated All That Remains: A Life in Death in Books
Oct 18, 2019
Fascinating
A book about death doesn't sound like a pleasant read, but despite the subject matter this is a fascinating and really informative book.
I knew little about the work of forensic anthropologists and especially had no idea about some of the work detailed in this book, so it was very interesting to read about all of the work, difficulties and benefits involved. It's quite an in depth read and a serious one at that, so it takes a lot of concentration but in the end it's still worth it. I did get a little frustrated at how Blsck referred to death as a "her" - completely understood why, but I would never do this myself and found it odd constantly referring to death as a female and a little bizarre. But aside for this, Black is obviously an expert in her field and her vast knowledgeable and experience is great to read about.
I knew little about the work of forensic anthropologists and especially had no idea about some of the work detailed in this book, so it was very interesting to read about all of the work, difficulties and benefits involved. It's quite an in depth read and a serious one at that, so it takes a lot of concentration but in the end it's still worth it. I did get a little frustrated at how Blsck referred to death as a "her" - completely understood why, but I would never do this myself and found it odd constantly referring to death as a female and a little bizarre. But aside for this, Black is obviously an expert in her field and her vast knowledgeable and experience is great to read about.
Erika (17788 KP) rated On the Basis of Sex (2018) in Movies
Jan 14, 2019 (Updated Jan 14, 2019)
I am not a member of the RBG cult, and I honestly have no idea as to why it even exists. But, I was kind of bored yesterday and needed to get out of the house, so I decided to go see this.
I was equally bored. It started out with RBG at Harvard in law school, and, guess what? The Dean of the school and a lot of dudes were misogynist , color me shocked (heavy sarcasm). This film covers about 20 years, and dragged like it covered that amount of time. I think Felicity Jones did a good job with what she was given and her period clothing was one of my favorite things. How the court cases went weren't really a secret, so I wasn't sure why people were gasping during it. It was bizarre.
Honestly, the best part of the film was how smoking hot Armie Hammer looked.
In short, an over-hyped film, about an over-hyped figure.
I was equally bored. It started out with RBG at Harvard in law school, and, guess what? The Dean of the school and a lot of dudes were misogynist , color me shocked (heavy sarcasm). This film covers about 20 years, and dragged like it covered that amount of time. I think Felicity Jones did a good job with what she was given and her period clothing was one of my favorite things. How the court cases went weren't really a secret, so I wasn't sure why people were gasping during it. It was bizarre.
Honestly, the best part of the film was how smoking hot Armie Hammer looked.
In short, an over-hyped film, about an over-hyped figure.
KatyShubo (75 KP) rated Big Love - Season 1 in TV
Jan 19, 2019
Characters (2 more)
Bizarrely normal
Theme tune
It’s Big Love from me
Big Love straddles the bizarre and the normal in a way that only they could. You will find yourself finding a favourite wife, (personally I can’t stand Margene- she’s too chirpy)
The cast put in stellar performances which make you feel like their just a normal family.
I love the theme tune and the opening sequence, it’s one of the most onpoint tv openers ever and it beautifully foreshadows things to come.
You will end up falling in love with this crazy, quirky little world.
This has been my choice of tv bingeing for the past few weeks and I had forgotten just how good this show is, it makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes your skin crawl and it will bring out your inner judge and if you are anything like me you will begin googling polygamy because you will want to know if Big Love is real or just a fanciful tale
The cast put in stellar performances which make you feel like their just a normal family.
I love the theme tune and the opening sequence, it’s one of the most onpoint tv openers ever and it beautifully foreshadows things to come.
You will end up falling in love with this crazy, quirky little world.
This has been my choice of tv bingeing for the past few weeks and I had forgotten just how good this show is, it makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes your skin crawl and it will bring out your inner judge and if you are anything like me you will begin googling polygamy because you will want to know if Big Love is real or just a fanciful tale