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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2097 KP) rated J Is for Judgment in Books
Apr 21, 2018
I Judge This to be Another Excellent Book
Kinsey is surprised to be hired once again by California Fidelity. They’ve just paid out a claim on Wendell Jaffe’s life insurance five years after his supposed dead at sea only to hear he’s been spotted down in Mexico. Kinsey locates Jaffe only to have him vanish again. Can she prove he is still alive?
This is another fantastic mystery. The characters are strong and help pull us in. The story itself has plenty of twists and turns before we reach the climax. We have some time for updates from the series regulars, and I love what is happening there. Kinsey also stumbles on a surprise in her personal life. I’m curious to see how this sub-plot plays out in future novels.
This is another fantastic mystery. The characters are strong and help pull us in. The story itself has plenty of twists and turns before we reach the climax. We have some time for updates from the series regulars, and I love what is happening there. Kinsey also stumbles on a surprise in her personal life. I’m curious to see how this sub-plot plays out in future novels.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2097 KP) rated Final Sentence (Cookbook Nook Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Jenna Hart has returned home to Crystal Cove, California to help her aunt open a new cookbook bookstore. But their big guest for the grand opening - Food Network Star and Jenna's college roommate Desiree - is murdered before the store even opens. With local gossip making Jenna a suspect, can she prove her innocence?
This has many of the traits of a first in a series, but it is filled with warm characters and a sense of fun I enjoyed. I'm looking forward to many return trips. I did have a few niggles with the book - one weak character and a couple of timing issues - but they were minor overall.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-review-final-sentence-by-daryl.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This has many of the traits of a first in a series, but it is filled with warm characters and a sense of fun I enjoyed. I'm looking forward to many return trips. I did have a few niggles with the book - one weak character and a couple of timing issues - but they were minor overall.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-review-final-sentence-by-daryl.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) in Movies
Jun 21, 2018
The dog went on the picnic basket!
The Griswolds!
Everyone's favorite adventurous family embarks on their inaugural journey together to go see Wallyworld in California and encounters creepy annoying relatives and all sorts of unsavory characters along the way.
I once had a long discussion with someone about which was better, the first Vacation or Christmas Vacation, this one being my favorite of the bunch. The family dynamic on the open road, for me, was slightly more entertaining than Christmas at home with the relatives which is also still a lot of fun.
Seemed like a liked the introduction of Randy Quaid, John Candy, Christy Brinkley and Imogeen Coca and just thought it was a lot of fun waiting to see what happened next.
Everyone's favorite adventurous family embarks on their inaugural journey together to go see Wallyworld in California and encounters creepy annoying relatives and all sorts of unsavory characters along the way.
I once had a long discussion with someone about which was better, the first Vacation or Christmas Vacation, this one being my favorite of the bunch. The family dynamic on the open road, for me, was slightly more entertaining than Christmas at home with the relatives which is also still a lot of fun.
Seemed like a liked the introduction of Randy Quaid, John Candy, Christy Brinkley and Imogeen Coca and just thought it was a lot of fun waiting to see what happened next.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Bad - Single by Shy Keller in Music
Jun 18, 2019
Sky Keller is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, she released an attractive pop tune, entitled, “Bad”, produced by Danny Garibay.
“‘Bad’ is a song about loose ends. It’s about dealing with the power trips and struggles of attainable love when you want what’s not good for you.”
‘Bad’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who is in a troubled relationship with her significant other.
Apparently, she feels uncomfortable because of his uncertainty about their status as a couple, and that makes her nervous.
Also, she feels guilty for having to wait this long to find out that he’s such an indecisive person.
‘Bad’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and robust instrumentation flavored with an electro-pop aroma.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/sky-keller-bad/
“‘Bad’ is a song about loose ends. It’s about dealing with the power trips and struggles of attainable love when you want what’s not good for you.”
‘Bad’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who is in a troubled relationship with her significant other.
Apparently, she feels uncomfortable because of his uncertainty about their status as a couple, and that makes her nervous.
Also, she feels guilty for having to wait this long to find out that he’s such an indecisive person.
‘Bad’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and robust instrumentation flavored with an electro-pop aroma.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/sky-keller-bad/
Caffeinated Zombie (3374 KP) rated San Diego 2014: The Last Stand Of The California Browncoats in Books
Jan 9, 2019
Description for Mira Grant's website: It was the summer of 2014, and the true horrors of the Rising were only just beginning to reveal themselves. Fans from all over the world gathered in San Diego, California for the annual comic book and media convention, planning to forget about the troubling rumors of new diseases and walking dead by immersing themselves in a familiar environment. Over the course of five grueling days and nights, it became clear that the news was very close to home…and that most of the people who picked up their badges would never make it out alive.
This novella is part of the newsflesh series, and explores what would happen if a zombie outbreak occured a comicon. And interesting read although it felt a little bit rushed.
This novella is part of the newsflesh series, and explores what would happen if a zombie outbreak occured a comicon. And interesting read although it felt a little bit rushed.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated 8MM (1999) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
Look at this Photograph
8mm- is a underrated mystery thriller, it was directed by Joel Schumacher, yes the person who destoryed and ruined batman two years before this movie came out. Joel Schumacher is better with mysterious and thrillers than Batman. Anyways the plot:
Private detective Tom Welles (Nicolas Cage) lives a normal life with his wife (Catherine Keener) and young daughter, until he receives a startling new case. A widow named Mrs. Christian (Myra Carter) has found what appears to be a snuff film among her late husband's belongings, and she wants Welles to determine if the movie is real or fake. Welles heads to California, where a video store employee (Joaquin Phoenix) helps him infiltrate the dangerous and depraved world of illegal porn movies.
Its suspenseful, horrorfying, twisted and overall a good movie.
Private detective Tom Welles (Nicolas Cage) lives a normal life with his wife (Catherine Keener) and young daughter, until he receives a startling new case. A widow named Mrs. Christian (Myra Carter) has found what appears to be a snuff film among her late husband's belongings, and she wants Welles to determine if the movie is real or fake. Welles heads to California, where a video store employee (Joaquin Phoenix) helps him infiltrate the dangerous and depraved world of illegal porn movies.
Its suspenseful, horrorfying, twisted and overall a good movie.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Paranormal Activity 2 (2010) in Movies
Jan 16, 2020
Better Than The First One
Nothing happens, i repeat nothing fucking happens until the last 15 minutes of the movie. I mean somethings happen, but thats once in every 20-30 minutes. So in reality for a 90 minute movie, 4-5 intrest things happen and thats it, the rest is boring, watching people, more cameras and i almost forgot more cameras.
The Plot: When the Reys move into their new Southern California home, little do they realize that the house is already occupied. After coming home one day to find the house in disarray -- but with no signs of forced entry or robbery -- they install a video surveillance system to catch the perpetrators. But nothing prepares them for what happens next.
Zzzzzzzz what something happens, okay back to nothing zzzzzzz.
The Plot: When the Reys move into their new Southern California home, little do they realize that the house is already occupied. After coming home one day to find the house in disarray -- but with no signs of forced entry or robbery -- they install a video surveillance system to catch the perpetrators. But nothing prepares them for what happens next.
Zzzzzzzz what something happens, okay back to nothing zzzzzzz.
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated San Andreas (2015) in Movies
Apr 12, 2020 (Updated Apr 12, 2020)
The plot can be written on the back of a postage stamp (massive earthquake destroys most of California) but I found this to be surprisingly enjoyable addition to the crowded disaster movie field. The action is very satisfying and the special effects impressive, not as obviously cgi as some of these films can be. Where this film succeeds is in it’s casting. Dwayne Johnson makes for a likeable and charismatic lead and there’s solid support from Paul Giamatti’s quake studying scientist and Alexandra Daddario as Dwayne’s resourceful (and absolutely gorgeous) daughter. Of course it does fall victim to a few familiar cliches and I rolled my eyes at the final shot of a battered Stars and Stripes flying in the wind when the carnage ends but overall I did have allot of fun watching this.
Dana (24 KP) rated Border Bandits: Hollywood on the Southern Frontier in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This book primarily focused on films set on the border of California and Mexico, specifically in Los Angeles and San Diego. Again, it was interesting to see how films document or change real life in their creations. Immigrants who want to get into the industry are often type casted and not given many opportunities to do much else. Some of the films discussed touched on that subject. This book focused less on the crossing of borders than what happens after. Fojas wanted to inform her readers about the struggles immigrants continuously have to deal with even after they get across the border. The chapter that was most interesting to me would have to be chapter four because it made me think more about how films mirror the issues going on today more than I had expected.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Ranger Rick: National Parks! in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
Ranger Rick's Travels: National Parks! by Stacy Tornio is a book that is colorful which will help children appreciate the beauty and diversity of the United States. The book is categorized within the different regions of the country and then showcases National Parks within that area. Every National Park is mentioned. The pictures and facts about the parks are a great way to teach children about America. The book catches the attention of children and adults. I would love to include this book in my classroom for when teaching American History. For example, if I am talking about California I could show the students a park from that region or if we are discussing about New England I could do the same. This book is a great resource whether teaching 1st grade or 8th grade.
Ranger Rick's Travels: National Parks! by Stacy Tornio is a book that is colorful which will help children appreciate the beauty and diversity of the United States. The book is categorized within the different regions of the country and then showcases National Parks within that area. Every National Park is mentioned. The pictures and facts about the parks are a great way to teach children about America. The book catches the attention of children and adults. I would love to include this book in my classroom for when teaching American History. For example, if I am talking about California I could show the students a park from that region or if we are discussing about New England I could do the same. This book is a great resource whether teaching 1st grade or 8th grade.