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A producer has come to town with sites set on making a movie based on local history. But Lee thinks something isn't right and starts to investigate. She's hardly started when she finds a dead body. Another fast moving mystery with characters I love to visit.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-chocolate-puppy-puzzle-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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LeftSideCut (3778 KP) created a post

Jan 30, 2021  
If anyone fancies it, I admin a group over on Facebook that's all about pop culture, from movies to video games, and everything in between. Feel free to come and join! We're in the middle of voting for the best comic book movie of all time at the moment, and there's still time to have your say.

Just search for Neon Nan's Culture Shock 🤘
     
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Darren Fisher (2447 KP) Feb 1, 2021

I joined the group yesterday and I highly recommend it.

The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins | 2014 | Young Adult (YA)
10
8.5 (277 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am probably the last person posting a book review for The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

When the book came out, the movie followed shortly after. In that time, I decided to watch the movie rather than reading the book. The movie was amazing and I loved it. But a few years later, when this book found its way to me again, I needed to read it and solve the ultimate battle – movie versus books. As it usually happens in my case – the book version won – without any doubts.

The Hunger Games is a story about Katniss Everdeen, a girl from District 12, who lives with her mum and little sister in the poorest district of them all. She hunts in the woods with her friend/crush Gale in order to provide food for her family.

Surrounded by all twelve districts, there is the Capitol, the shiny city where all the rich and popular people live. A long time ago, the districts tried to go into war and lost. As part of the surrender, each year the Capitol organises a live TV show, called The Hunger Games. Every year, a boy and a girl from each district are randomly chosen to battle in an arena until the last man standing.

When Katniss’s little sister is chosen as the girl tribute from district 12, Katniss volunteers to take her place without even thinking. Both her and Peeta (the male tribute) are then headed over to the Capitol and the preparations for the games can begin.

In a world where people like watching children kill each other, it can be pretty upsetting to see this as a reality. I can’t help but think that unfortunately, people have some instinct left in them and are unconsciously enjoying watching other people suffer. Think of the gladiator fights, ultimate fighting matches and other events similar to these.

Putting that aside, what I love about this book was the attention to details. From the descriptions of the districts, to the preparations for the games. And the game itself was so well written that I kept turning page after page, desperate to see what will happen next.

I love Katniss, her bravery, her love for her little sister, all the sacrifices that she has made. Starting with her volunteering instead of her sister, to her love with Gale. Her spirit to make things right can be felt throughout the whole book. Her rebellion and her stance with all the people that are not treated fairly by the Capitol.

Even though presented as a Young-Adult, I am convinced this is a book every adult should read as well, and have a few thoughts about their surroundings. I loved the first book, and I can’t wait to start reading the second book of the series as well.
  
The Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)
The Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)
2018 | Action, Sci-Fi
10
7.7 (33 Ratings)
Movie Rating
acting (Dylan, be still my soul) (1 more)
action
not close to the book (0 more)
Great conclusion
I've read all three books so I knew what was meant to happen.
As in the second film, they changed A LOT I hoped they would miss one certain part of the third book out (if you've read the book, you'll know which part), but they left it in, and I bawled like a baby. But again, they still changed it.
Dylan O'Brien's acting is still second to none, I still say he is the best young actor of our generation. And of course all the acting from the others is outstanding too.
The movie starts in action, carries on with action, and has action going pretty much every minute of the movie. It's very fast paced. But that works for this series.
Without giving away spoilers, you might come away from the movie having a feeling similar to those who have seen Titanic and think "he could have fit on that door."... if you watch the movie, you'll know what I mean.
If you're generally an emotional person, take tissues. I regret not taking any. I had to hold back from crying out loud. I was sobbing, right at the end.
And also right at the end there's some little easter eggs that keen fans might notice, which I enjoyed.
  
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Cori June (3033 KP) rated Dune (2021) in Movies

Nov 11, 2021  
Dune (2021)
Dune (2021)
2021 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Visually amazing (0 more)
Kind of long (0 more)
I just saw this in theaters and was amazed by the visual effects. I am slightly new to Dune (never read the book or saw the 80s movie. Although I have caught references to it because I'm a scifi and fantasy nerd). So I was mostly going in blind.
 I did get confused with a few things that were happening I did eventually get enough that most of my questions got answers (and I figure those that didn't will be explained when I read the book).

The actors were great. And I found myself getting lost in the story on multiple occasions. On the times I thought the movie was dragging I'm not positive that it was completely the movie's fault as much as it being a combination of lack of knowledge on my part and the movie theater starting the movie late and playing a large amount of trailers beforehand, and usually when I thought this it was after a time i was confused.

I can't wait to see part two.
  
To All The Boys I&#039;ve Loved Before (2018)
To All The Boys I've Loved Before (2018)
2018 | Drama, Romance
Likeable characters (2 more)
Diverse cast
Easy viewing
Predictable (0 more)
Sweet timekiller
I haven't read the book so went in with an open mind as it was recommended by Netflix.
Definitely an enjoyable watch but heavily predictable.
Watch if you're looking for a feelgood girly movie to kill some time.
Also personally a little conflicted as Lara Jean was fab but didn't believe Janel Parrish as her sister and although she's a great actor it felt as if she was cast just to raise the profile of the movie.
  
Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park, #1)
Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park, #1)
Michael Crichton | 1990 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.3 (34 Ratings)
Book Rating
Knowing What Is Coming Hurts, but Book Holds Up Well
There’s a mysterious project on an island off the coast of Coast Rica. When John Hammond, the owner, invites Drs. Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Ian Malcolm to visit the island, they discover that Hammond has cloned dinosaurs and intends to open his park for tourists to enjoy. However, despite the high security measures that are in place, the visitors begin to see potential problems. When the problems become more than potential, will anyone survive?

It is hard to go into this book not knowing what is really happening thanks to the movies, and that puts the reader of today at a disadvantage since the book takes forever with the set up and big reveal. However, once the dinosaurs get free, this is a page turning book that is impossible to put down. While the character names are the same, they are different from how they are portrayed in the movie, and fans of the films will recognize scenes from the sequels that originated here. Naturally, there are more great scenes and tense moments than could be included in the movie, and the climax here is so much better. I could have done without some of the descriptions of the violence in the book, but they didn’t surprise me. Some lectures, while giving us something to think about, do slow things down again late in the book. Overall, this is still a very enjoyable read.
  
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Everyone was jumping on the bandwagon when the movie was released & nothing makes me avoid a book like a slew of people reading it because of a movie. But I have to say I really enjoyed reading it. I guess I was expecting some big, weepy, woe is me tale. Sure, there were parts that were along that vein but as a whole it was much more about power, taking control of your life, & moving forward. There is no way in hell this girl could do the hike Cheryl undertakes. She is one brave woman & I was relieved that she was eventually able to see that about herself too.
  
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Angie (0 KP) rated The Meg (2018) in Movies

Aug 26, 2018  
The Meg (2018)
The Meg (2018)
2018 | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
I am a big fan of the Steve Alten book series of the Meg. Now....when it comes to the movie....it was....entertaining at most. I saw it in 3D so maybe that’s why. Special effects were okay....nothing spectacular. I do feel that maybe if the movie were casted differently....my rating may be a little different. Wasn’t a big fan of the acting (if that is what we can call it)....