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Merissa (13000 KP) rated Constitution Check (Dungeons and Dating #4) by Katherine McIntyre in Books
Aug 10, 2022 (Updated Aug 14, 2023)
CONSTITUTION CHECK is the fourth book in the Dungeons and Dating series, and it's time to have your heart pummelled. Both Kelly and Tabby deserve so much and, together, they've found it, but will they realise it?
We knew something was going on with Kelly but to find out the details? Harsh! No one should have to deal with anything like Nat was dishing out, and her mother was just as bad. And then there's Tabby's brother and other as*hole members of the family. Every 'joke', every innuendo, they all slide beneath the armour and hurt.
The Tabletop Tavern family are there for Kelly, and Eli is there for Tabby. I want more from him, but he's the next one so I'll wait patiently. Seeing both of these women learn and grow, both together and separately, was brilliant. Both of them hurting for similar reasons - reasons they could empathise with and different enough so they could provide support without drowning in their own misery.
This was a brilliant addition to the series that I absolutely loved. I can't recommend this highly enough but, please, start from book one. You're really missing out if you don't.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 3, 2022
We knew something was going on with Kelly but to find out the details? Harsh! No one should have to deal with anything like Nat was dishing out, and her mother was just as bad. And then there's Tabby's brother and other as*hole members of the family. Every 'joke', every innuendo, they all slide beneath the armour and hurt.
The Tabletop Tavern family are there for Kelly, and Eli is there for Tabby. I want more from him, but he's the next one so I'll wait patiently. Seeing both of these women learn and grow, both together and separately, was brilliant. Both of them hurting for similar reasons - reasons they could empathise with and different enough so they could provide support without drowning in their own misery.
This was a brilliant addition to the series that I absolutely loved. I can't recommend this highly enough but, please, start from book one. You're really missing out if you don't.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 3, 2022
Merissa (13000 KP) rated A Theory of Crystal: A Paladins of Crystal Novella in Books
Oct 18, 2023
A THEORY OF CRYSTAL is set in the Paladins of Crystal world but features a different main character - Yelena. She is a curvaceous woman with a mind of her own, not ready to be shoehorned into the role her mother wants her to take on. She makes her escape disguised as a boy and heads for a big city to work in the University Library. She is saved from a pack of bullies by three men who are very different from the ones she was supposed to marry.
This was a great read, and I love the world it is set in. Each of the characters has a distinct voice, making it easy to know who is speaking. Some of the comments they came out with were just brilliant. And I loved their reactions to Yelena, both as a boy and as a woman.
Without giving anything away, I loved the surprise cameo at the end, giving this book the perfect ending for Yelena and her men.
A brilliant addition that I just wanted to be longer as I love the world... and the author's writing! Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 16, 2023
This was a great read, and I love the world it is set in. Each of the characters has a distinct voice, making it easy to know who is speaking. Some of the comments they came out with were just brilliant. And I loved their reactions to Yelena, both as a boy and as a woman.
Without giving anything away, I loved the surprise cameo at the end, giving this book the perfect ending for Yelena and her men.
A brilliant addition that I just wanted to be longer as I love the world... and the author's writing! Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 16, 2023
Darren (1599 KP) rated Amadeus (1984) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
Story: Amadeus starts as an elderly Antonio Salieri (Abraham) admitting that he killed Mozart, leading to him getting taken to the insane asylum. Salieri recounts his story of his small town beginnings dreaming of being a composer and after a moment of fate he ends up in a position where he can learn music leading to him job as head conductor to the king of Austria. Mozart (Hulce) is the world renowned composer that has taken the notice of all around him with Salieri dreaming of one day being as good as Mozart.
We see how Mozart constantly ends up out shinning Salieri with his music leading to the rivalry between the two, with Salieri serious look on life and Mozart’s flamboyant style of just getting through each moment. Salieri moves into the position of being the connection to the Emperor to get his unique work out there but he is really just building him up for failure trying to break him down with criticize of his work.
REPORT THIS AD
Amadeus gives us a brilliant look at one of the greatest musical minds in the history of man. We know the basic idea of what happened to him but now we get to see it through the eyes of one of his closest friends even if he is filled with envy for him. What starts as envy is filled with respect and seeing how a talented person can get used by all the people close to him which will drive him into his bad ways. Overall this really is a brilliant drama that is told in a way we can just enjoy.
Actor Review
F Murray Abraham: Antonio Salieri admits that he killed Mozart, but now he is confessing to how he believes he was responsible for the death from inside an insane asylum. We watch how he got his dreams of working with music and constantly found himself lacking the complete flair and natural ability of Mozart leading to jealous and planning to bring him down slowly. F Murray gives us a brilliant and well deserved Oscar winning performance in this role.seleir
Tom Hulce: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is the flamboyant and brilliant composer who lives life on the edge spending every penny he ever received for his work, he pushes the boundaries to what is accepted even if his work is loved. He gains inspiration from his personal stories which will gain him enemies from his own confident in the government. Tom gives a performance that could easily have won him an Oscar too.morzart
Elizabeth Berridge: Constanze Mozart is the wife of Wolfgang, she supports him in all the work he does but just wants him to actually get paid for the work so they can look after the family, even after she lives him she feels guilty. Elizabeth does a good job in this role.
Roy Dotrice: Leopold Mozart is the overbearing father who pushed Amadeus into this career path making him the puppet when he was younger as he was leading him to become the biggest name in music of his time. After his death we learn about the control he had over Amadeus. Roy is good in this supporting role.
Support Cast: Amadeus has a well performed supporting cast that each hold their own in the characters they are playing.
Director Review: Milos Forman – Milos gives us one of the best biographical films of all time.
Biographical: Amadeus shows the troubles of the great man and how it was his eventual downfall.
Music: Amadeus uses all the music of the great man and how it would have look on stage for the fans witnessing it all.
Settings: Amadeus recreates all the settings that would have been used during the time the film is set.
Suggestion: Amadeus is one that could have been watched by anyone to learn about a part of history. (Watch)
Best Part: The performances are brilliant.
Worst Part: If you are not a fan of classical music you will struggle.
Believability: Yes
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: Won 8 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor, Director and Writing also nominated for a further 3.
Box Office: $51 Million
Budget: $18 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours 40 Minutes
Tagline: Everything you’ve heard is true.
Trivia: When the movie won Best Picture at The 57th Annual Academy Awards (1985), Sir Laurence Olivier was presenting the award. He went up to the podium, opened the envelope and said “Amadeus.” The problem was he forgot to read the nominees first.
Overall: Brilliant drama about one of the greatest musicians of all time
https://moviesreview101.com/2016/01/06/amadeus-1984/
We see how Mozart constantly ends up out shinning Salieri with his music leading to the rivalry between the two, with Salieri serious look on life and Mozart’s flamboyant style of just getting through each moment. Salieri moves into the position of being the connection to the Emperor to get his unique work out there but he is really just building him up for failure trying to break him down with criticize of his work.
REPORT THIS AD
Amadeus gives us a brilliant look at one of the greatest musical minds in the history of man. We know the basic idea of what happened to him but now we get to see it through the eyes of one of his closest friends even if he is filled with envy for him. What starts as envy is filled with respect and seeing how a talented person can get used by all the people close to him which will drive him into his bad ways. Overall this really is a brilliant drama that is told in a way we can just enjoy.
Actor Review
F Murray Abraham: Antonio Salieri admits that he killed Mozart, but now he is confessing to how he believes he was responsible for the death from inside an insane asylum. We watch how he got his dreams of working with music and constantly found himself lacking the complete flair and natural ability of Mozart leading to jealous and planning to bring him down slowly. F Murray gives us a brilliant and well deserved Oscar winning performance in this role.seleir
Tom Hulce: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is the flamboyant and brilliant composer who lives life on the edge spending every penny he ever received for his work, he pushes the boundaries to what is accepted even if his work is loved. He gains inspiration from his personal stories which will gain him enemies from his own confident in the government. Tom gives a performance that could easily have won him an Oscar too.morzart
Elizabeth Berridge: Constanze Mozart is the wife of Wolfgang, she supports him in all the work he does but just wants him to actually get paid for the work so they can look after the family, even after she lives him she feels guilty. Elizabeth does a good job in this role.
Roy Dotrice: Leopold Mozart is the overbearing father who pushed Amadeus into this career path making him the puppet when he was younger as he was leading him to become the biggest name in music of his time. After his death we learn about the control he had over Amadeus. Roy is good in this supporting role.
Support Cast: Amadeus has a well performed supporting cast that each hold their own in the characters they are playing.
Director Review: Milos Forman – Milos gives us one of the best biographical films of all time.
Biographical: Amadeus shows the troubles of the great man and how it was his eventual downfall.
Music: Amadeus uses all the music of the great man and how it would have look on stage for the fans witnessing it all.
Settings: Amadeus recreates all the settings that would have been used during the time the film is set.
Suggestion: Amadeus is one that could have been watched by anyone to learn about a part of history. (Watch)
Best Part: The performances are brilliant.
Worst Part: If you are not a fan of classical music you will struggle.
Believability: Yes
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: Won 8 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor, Director and Writing also nominated for a further 3.
Box Office: $51 Million
Budget: $18 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours 40 Minutes
Tagline: Everything you’ve heard is true.
Trivia: When the movie won Best Picture at The 57th Annual Academy Awards (1985), Sir Laurence Olivier was presenting the award. He went up to the podium, opened the envelope and said “Amadeus.” The problem was he forgot to read the nominees first.
Overall: Brilliant drama about one of the greatest musicians of all time
https://moviesreview101.com/2016/01/06/amadeus-1984/
MissCagey (2652 KP) rated St. Vincent (2014) in Movies
Nov 16, 2017
The description of it put me off " Vietnam vet babysits his neighbour's child" gave me visions of something like The Pacifier but this couldn't be more untrue. It's such a heartwarming story and the child actor is just brilliant. Bill Murray is a grumpy veteran with issues over gambling and drinking and is like Michael Douglas's character in Falling Down. By chance he ends up being the baby sitter for a young boy who is quiet, polite and bullied at school. The film shows their relationship and the warmth and respect growing between them. Lots of laugh out loud moments and a couple of tearful ones. Well worth a watch.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Little Shop of Horrors (1986) in Movies
Jan 10, 2018
Music, comedy & horror made a fantastic mix
To me this film will never get old. It's a fantastic mix of dark comedy and horror, with some brilliant musical numbers thrown in. The casting is spot on, Rick Moranis is perfect as Seymour and the cameos from John Candy, Bill Murray etc are all great. Best by far though has to be Steve Martin as Orin Scrivello. And Levi Stubbs brings so much to Audrey II.
The songs are ridiculously catchy, even the slower ballads. And the animatronics are really good, but would you expect any less from Frank Oz? One of my all time favourite musicals and a must see at the theatre too.
The songs are ridiculously catchy, even the slower ballads. And the animatronics are really good, but would you expect any less from Frank Oz? One of my all time favourite musicals and a must see at the theatre too.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Hag-Seed: The Tempest Retold in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Genius Atwood reinvents Shakespeare
As a fan of Margaret Atwood I was looking forward to this book but it exceeded my expectations.
Having performed The Tempest as a child, it was an incredibly innovative approach to tell a completely modern story but using an old Shakespearean plot, while describing the play itself. Not only did it highlight Atwood's ingenuity, it also showed how relevant Shakespeare continues to be. The revenge itself was brilliant and extremely fulfilling - as well completely unexpected.
Be prepared for long expanations into The Tempest - it might be boring for those who aren't a fan. It definitely felt like studying it all over again but with a fresh perspective.
Having performed The Tempest as a child, it was an incredibly innovative approach to tell a completely modern story but using an old Shakespearean plot, while describing the play itself. Not only did it highlight Atwood's ingenuity, it also showed how relevant Shakespeare continues to be. The revenge itself was brilliant and extremely fulfilling - as well completely unexpected.
Be prepared for long expanations into The Tempest - it might be boring for those who aren't a fan. It definitely felt like studying it all over again but with a fresh perspective.
I received a free copy of this novel direct from the author in return for an honest review.
The fact that I received it free and from the author in no way influences how I feel about this book ... it was absolutely brilliant and I loved everything about it. It sounds corny but I really couldn't put it down.
It is an exceptionally well told, well written story with really well thought-out characters. It was fast paced from the start with plenty of violence which is graphic but written in such a way as not to be gratuitous.
My full review can be found at http://haziegaze.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/my-review-of-survivor-horror-thriller.html
The fact that I received it free and from the author in no way influences how I feel about this book ... it was absolutely brilliant and I loved everything about it. It sounds corny but I really couldn't put it down.
It is an exceptionally well told, well written story with really well thought-out characters. It was fast paced from the start with plenty of violence which is graphic but written in such a way as not to be gratuitous.
My full review can be found at http://haziegaze.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/my-review-of-survivor-horror-thriller.html
Natalie (23 KP) rated The Walking Dead in TV
Jan 15, 2018
One of the best shows on TV in recent years
An apocalyptic drama that finally ticks all the right boxes. The 'zombies' (walkers, lamebrains, whatever you want to call them) are realistically frightening (not either dragging their heels or moving at super-human speed), already achieving what so many in the genre fail to do - a terror we can actually relate to. Enhanced further by (generally) realistic post-apocalyptic situations and dilemmas, the drama is able to develop characters with ferocious intensity.
This show keeps me on the edge of my seat and has me genuinely invested in its key players. There's nothing out there quite like it - it's a uniquely brilliant experience.
This show keeps me on the edge of my seat and has me genuinely invested in its key players. There's nothing out there quite like it - it's a uniquely brilliant experience.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Homeland - Season 1 in TV
Aug 3, 2017
Cool premise (2 more)
Realistic Plot
Performances
A True Patriot?
The first 3 seasons are brilliant, after that the show goes from explosive and gripping to being just okay. I wouldn't say that there is a categorically bad season of the show, but the first 3 are definitely the highlight and the best way to enjoy the show is possibly just to watch those first three seasons. There is a definitive end to most major character acts around that point in the show and honestly the character arcs that aren't closed off by this point aren't really worth sticking around to see through to the end.
Mekkin B. (122 KP) rated Reefer Madness (2005) in Movies
Sep 11, 2017
This is one of my all time favorite movies. As a musical adapted to the big screen, it retains the rhythmic and incredibly precise movements you might expect from a well rehearsed play. Alan Cummings is brilliant, as are Kristen Bell, Christian Campbell, and Ana Gasteyer. The songs are catchy, campy fun, brilliantly skewering the original Reefer Madness for a new generation. As the film descends into reefer madness and the character's dangerous weed addiction provoke more and more unlikely responses, the film's reality begins to unravel into murder, chaos, and marijuana zombies.
Watch this if you like comedic musicals, cannabis induced cannibalism, or you just want to see Kristen Bell in latex S&M gear.
Watch this if you like comedic musicals, cannabis induced cannibalism, or you just want to see Kristen Bell in latex S&M gear.