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On the day Winnie Johnson has to close her bakery due to a huge rent increase, she inherits an antique ambulance. She decides to use it to reopen her bakery as a mobile business, rushing her desserts to those in need. But when her neighbor is murdered, it puts a definite damper on her plans. Who would kill an elderly man?
The mystery aspect takes a back seat at times to getting the new business up and running, but I find the concept of this business absolutely brilliant. I’m wondering why no one hasn’t tried this in real life. The mystery does reach a logical conclusion that wraps things up. The characters are strong, and I’m looking forward to seeing where relationships go in future books. Rush out and get this debut.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-eclair-and-present-danger.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The mystery aspect takes a back seat at times to getting the new business up and running, but I find the concept of this business absolutely brilliant. I’m wondering why no one hasn’t tried this in real life. The mystery does reach a logical conclusion that wraps things up. The characters are strong, and I’m looking forward to seeing where relationships go in future books. Rush out and get this debut.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-eclair-and-present-danger.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Horror of Frankenstein (1970) in Movies
Feb 24, 2018
(The other) Young Frankenstein
At the start of the 1970s Hammer tried to relaunch both their main series with new leading men (Ralph Bates replacing Christopher Lee in this case); this was the only reboot which eventually happened. The basics of the Frankenstein story are (just about) retold; young Victor decides to make a man, if not of himself, then from some body parts.
There's no doubt that Ralph Bates could have been a brilliant Frankenstein, but not in a film with a script like this one's. The film attempts to appeal to a hip young audience by including cleavage by the yard and lots of sub-Carry On film humour; script is also thick-headed and repetitive. The moment Frankenstein's experiments included resurrecting a tortoise everyone involved should have realised there was a serious problem here. Not funny, not scary, not interesting, barely worth watching except for Hammer fans. They got Peter Cushing back for the next one.
There's no doubt that Ralph Bates could have been a brilliant Frankenstein, but not in a film with a script like this one's. The film attempts to appeal to a hip young audience by including cleavage by the yard and lots of sub-Carry On film humour; script is also thick-headed and repetitive. The moment Frankenstein's experiments included resurrecting a tortoise everyone involved should have realised there was a serious problem here. Not funny, not scary, not interesting, barely worth watching except for Hammer fans. They got Peter Cushing back for the next one.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Doctor Strange (2016) in Movies
Feb 22, 2018 (Updated Feb 5, 2021)
The fourteenth movie in Marvel's meta-franchise is an impressively faithful attempt at adapting a challenging book for the screen. If the story of a brilliant, arrogant man undergoing a personal trauma and discovering his inner hero seems a little familiar, that's only because the studio has used it as the basis of at least two other movies before, but it's a solid structure imaginatively employed here.
Cumbersome Bandersnatch leads the movie with the charisma you'd expect; the lack of a really strong villain is a bit of a problem but also a frequent issue for Marvel. Visual effects give the impression of Ditkoesque imagery without slavishly copying it; may cause migraines/motion sickness in delicate viewers. You almost get the sense that Marvel are doing a Dr Strange movie at this point just to tick a box, but if nothing else it promises to move this series in some interesting new directions. More movies should have a harpsichord on the soundtrack.
Cumbersome Bandersnatch leads the movie with the charisma you'd expect; the lack of a really strong villain is a bit of a problem but also a frequent issue for Marvel. Visual effects give the impression of Ditkoesque imagery without slavishly copying it; may cause migraines/motion sickness in delicate viewers. You almost get the sense that Marvel are doing a Dr Strange movie at this point just to tick a box, but if nothing else it promises to move this series in some interesting new directions. More movies should have a harpsichord on the soundtrack.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Accountant (2016) in Movies
Mar 11, 2018 (Updated Mar 17, 2018)
Really-not-that-bad-at-all action thriller with Ben Affleck doing a surprisingly good job of playing a brilliant accountant-stroke-hitman. The film kind of dodges around the implication that Affleck's character is autistic, but the inference is clear and while this is still Movie Autism (never mind the crippling downsides, you get super powers!!!), it is still sympathetic and has at least a few vestiges of reality to it.
The plot eventually ends up being completely gonzo, involving corruption in the robotics industry and duelling assassins, but the movie fends off the moment when you shout 'this is all utterly ridiculous!' for a surprisingly long time. Eclectic cast includes Affleck, John Lithgow, Jon Bernthal, and Anna Kendrick (who appears to be about three feet tall in a few of her scenes). A fun and engaging movie; not a particularly great thriller but all the peripheral weirdness keeps it watchable.
The plot eventually ends up being completely gonzo, involving corruption in the robotics industry and duelling assassins, but the movie fends off the moment when you shout 'this is all utterly ridiculous!' for a surprisingly long time. Eclectic cast includes Affleck, John Lithgow, Jon Bernthal, and Anna Kendrick (who appears to be about three feet tall in a few of her scenes). A fun and engaging movie; not a particularly great thriller but all the peripheral weirdness keeps it watchable.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (2015) in Movies
Jun 6, 2018
Indie drama (with occasional mildly comic overtones) with a rather convoluted genesis (I'm not going through that again). Lonely Japanese woman believes she can change her life by locating the lost ransom money from the (wholly fictional) movie Fargo, sets off for Minnesota.
Brilliant, vanity-free performance by Rinko Kikuchi, who draws you in as a troubled but still engaging character; there are many moving moments. Much of the film is set in urban Tokyo and captures a real sense of the alienation which has such a negative impact on many people in Kumiko's situation. The US end of the film is slightly lighter in tone, equally well written, directed and performed.
Still, even if you've seen Fargo, I imagine this is a rather different and unsettling film, particularly the conclusion. It's ultimately about isolation, delusion, madness and death, and cheerful writing and polished production can only mitigate that so much. But still a very watchable oddity.
Brilliant, vanity-free performance by Rinko Kikuchi, who draws you in as a troubled but still engaging character; there are many moving moments. Much of the film is set in urban Tokyo and captures a real sense of the alienation which has such a negative impact on many people in Kumiko's situation. The US end of the film is slightly lighter in tone, equally well written, directed and performed.
Still, even if you've seen Fargo, I imagine this is a rather different and unsettling film, particularly the conclusion. It's ultimately about isolation, delusion, madness and death, and cheerful writing and polished production can only mitigate that so much. But still a very watchable oddity.
ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah: The Autobiography in Books
May 26, 2018
Lyricist. Writer. Activist.
What a life this man has had! He had a hard start, living in one of the least affluent areas of Birmingham (UK), and running away with his mother to escape a violent father. The 1980s saw race riots, miners strikes and demonstrations against police brutality. Zephaniah and his dub poetry were at the forefront. By the 1990s he was a household name, and not just at home in the UK - he travelled and performed around the world.
I really admire this man. He hasn't had an easy life: he was in borstal as a teen, lived a life of crime for a while and decided for himself that he didn't want to live his life as a criminal where he would most certainly end up dead. HE turned his life around. He stands by his beliefs as well. A brilliant, self taught man, who sets a sterling example for all.
I really admire this man. He hasn't had an easy life: he was in borstal as a teen, lived a life of crime for a while and decided for himself that he didn't want to live his life as a criminal where he would most certainly end up dead. HE turned his life around. He stands by his beliefs as well. A brilliant, self taught man, who sets a sterling example for all.
Melissa Parsons (14 KP) rated The Hobbit in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Brilliant adventure (1 more)
Must read before Lord of the rings
Amazing novel
The Hobbit is another master piece but the now deceased master of fantasy: Tolkein. If you ever see the J. R. R Tolkein name on a novel your guaranteed for a ride that you will not want to get off. May be slow to start but that can be a good thing. I know this recently was made in to a movie series but I do wish that this had been done before Lord of The Rings as the Hobbit gives us the background and shows us Bilbo as a younger man. Now I’m not gonna give any spoilers as I believe it’s a novel best experienced yourself but I will say this: anyone afraid of spiders needs to be prepared cause this book does contain giant spiders in a part of it.
Buckle up, relax and enjoy the wonderful journey of a Hobbit.
Buckle up, relax and enjoy the wonderful journey of a Hobbit.
Lee (2222 KP) rated Westworld - Season 2 in TV
Jul 2, 2018
Often brilliant, frequently confusion
Much like with season 1, I frequently found myself completely confused with what was going on in Westworld season 2. I struggled with the interwoven timelines, and usually wound up reading those online articles with titles such as '5 burning questions I have after watching episode x of Westworld' or 'Explaining that ending in Westworld'. There are occasions though where I can watch an entire episode and fully understand it! They tend to be the episodes that focus on a very small number of characters, telling their side of the story, and making me realise overall just what an incredible show this is. Despite my frequent confusion, I love the bold direction the story has headed in throughout the season, building on the groundwork laid in season 1. It's also clear from the finale that there are even more elaborate directions left to explore. I just hope that I manage to understand them!
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Nice Guys (2016) in Movies
Sep 9, 2018
Great pairing makes this worth watching
What makes this film work is the brilliant pairing of Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. They’re very much like the odd couple, but they’re absolutely hilarious together and along with a pretty funny script, this is what makes this film so good. Ryan Gosling’s cowardice and girly screaming had me in hysterics throughout. And although Russell Crowe is playing to type as the hard man, he’s the perfect foil to Gosling’s character.
The 70s LA setting, whilst reminiscent of other LA based period films, really works too and is much better than any modern day setting. The real issue with this film is the plot - it seems a little bit silly and far fetched, and also a little bit confusing. It needed a much stronger crime plot to support the rest of the film. But despite this, it’s really worth watching for Gosling and Crowe alone, just be wary of the plot!
The 70s LA setting, whilst reminiscent of other LA based period films, really works too and is much better than any modern day setting. The real issue with this film is the plot - it seems a little bit silly and far fetched, and also a little bit confusing. It needed a much stronger crime plot to support the rest of the film. But despite this, it’s really worth watching for Gosling and Crowe alone, just be wary of the plot!
Ross (3284 KP) rated Better Call Saul - Season 4 in TV
Oct 31, 2018
Following his disbarment and the death of his brother Chuck, Jimmy (Saul) tries to come to terms with life after lawyering. He soon finds himself partaking in various scams to make ends meet or, more telling, to alleviate the boredom of working in the world's quietest cellphone store. Jimmy's activities, and Kim being dragged into them shows the human desire to take risk and seek excitement, the thrill of winning against unassailable odds by bending the rules. More and more Jimmy becomes Saul.
Meanwhile, Mike oversees the construction of Gus Fring's underground meth lab and we start to see how the former cop, who has dealt out street justice and used his skills against some low-lifes and druglords, also starts to break more rules and will go beyond in order to protect his own interests, and keep his own honour.
Brilliant, arty but engaging series telling two stories that for now are distinct, but will start to overlap more eventually.
Meanwhile, Mike oversees the construction of Gus Fring's underground meth lab and we start to see how the former cop, who has dealt out street justice and used his skills against some low-lifes and druglords, also starts to break more rules and will go beyond in order to protect his own interests, and keep his own honour.
Brilliant, arty but engaging series telling two stories that for now are distinct, but will start to overlap more eventually.