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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Assassination Nation (2018) in Movies
May 3, 2019
Bad, but Could Have Been Worse
In a suburban town, four teenage girls find themselves fighting for their lives when some very private information about the townspeople gets posted online. I wanted to love this movie. I mean, it did enough to earn my respect. Unfortunately, it falls well short of being a movie I can recommend.
Acting; 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 8
Director Sam Levinson begins the film by capturing the essence of the daily lives of the four girls the story revolves around. You see them joking around, getting ready for a night out on the town, texting and doing all the social media stuff. It’s not long before the movie takes an extremely jarring turn. It’s a sharp curve and I appreciate the contrast. The movie maintains its bright vitality even as people are dying all over the place. Like it or not, it’s hard to look away.
Conflict: 7
Assassination Nation is slow in a number of spots. It’s like a sputtering car: hard to get going and once it does, it’s only a matter of time before it begins to stop again. There are a number of intense moments, but they are either few and far between or too little too late. From the title, I expected more.
Genre: 2
Memorability: 1
I am racking my brain trying to remember moments from this movie. It comes to me in pieces, but not spectacular pieces. The movie overall is missing a serious punch. It’s trying to succeed at being something it’s not and it shows. I mean, REALLY shows.
Pace: 8
Plot: 4
Resolution: 7
As messy as the movie can be at times, you are always hoping that the girls get a decent payoff. I won’t ruin what happens but I will say that, although it’s not perfect, it definitely beats the movie’s saggy middle.
Overall: 67
Assassination Nation is the kind of movie you watch once to say you did then move on forever. At best, it’s meh. Just when you get a glimpse of things improving, they fall below expectations. Again and again.
Acting; 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 8
Director Sam Levinson begins the film by capturing the essence of the daily lives of the four girls the story revolves around. You see them joking around, getting ready for a night out on the town, texting and doing all the social media stuff. It’s not long before the movie takes an extremely jarring turn. It’s a sharp curve and I appreciate the contrast. The movie maintains its bright vitality even as people are dying all over the place. Like it or not, it’s hard to look away.
Conflict: 7
Assassination Nation is slow in a number of spots. It’s like a sputtering car: hard to get going and once it does, it’s only a matter of time before it begins to stop again. There are a number of intense moments, but they are either few and far between or too little too late. From the title, I expected more.
Genre: 2
Memorability: 1
I am racking my brain trying to remember moments from this movie. It comes to me in pieces, but not spectacular pieces. The movie overall is missing a serious punch. It’s trying to succeed at being something it’s not and it shows. I mean, REALLY shows.
Pace: 8
Plot: 4
Resolution: 7
As messy as the movie can be at times, you are always hoping that the girls get a decent payoff. I won’t ruin what happens but I will say that, although it’s not perfect, it definitely beats the movie’s saggy middle.
Overall: 67
Assassination Nation is the kind of movie you watch once to say you did then move on forever. At best, it’s meh. Just when you get a glimpse of things improving, they fall below expectations. Again and again.
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Lighto — helps you create unique images with amazing shape templates and share to Instagram,...
Debbiereadsbook (1691 KP) rated Knot That Pucker (Knotty Puckers, #3) in Books
Jan 21, 2026
loved this!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
OHHHHH! I loved this! Even if it is first person/present tense/multi POV!
Bailey is Benton's little sister. Benton is star player for the Krakens. Lincoln is an electrician, but his brother is Korbin, arch enemy to Benton, star player for the Scorpions, along with Milton. Korbin, Lincoln and Milton are brothers in all but blood and they always planned to be a pack. They were just waiting for their scent match. Along comes Bailey into their orbit, and all bets are off, regardless who her big brother is. But will Benton let Bailey be happy, that is the big question, given hsi and Korbin's history.
What I loved MOST about this, was that while Lincoln has a deeply profound MINE moment, it's not because Bailey is their scent match. She isn't, her scent match rejected her, because she was deaf. But Lincoln, after just a couple of meetings with Bailey, knows that she is his, and he just needs to get Korbin and Milton on board.
And on board they get, slowly though and I loved that too! They all take their time with Bailey, slowly, letting her get used to them all. Individually, and together.
The Benton Korbin feud was somewhat annoying, given what is said about Gina and what happened. I can understand, though, why Benton is against Bailey getting with the guys. I did like that he comes good, though, even if he was a bit of a twat (I can't say what I want to, some sites won't let me swear!) He and Korbin talk, really talk, and even though they might never be best buds, they are not feuding anymore.
It's steamy and smexy, but emotional too.
I need to say a little bit about Bailey and her deafness and how it was dealt with here.
I cannot fault it! Bailey is deaf, wears an implant which I assume, but I don't think it was DEFINATELY said, is a cochlear implant. She lips reads, and signs. As a deaf person, I felt the whole topic was dealt with amazingly, amd with sensivitity. I loved that lots of tiny little details were pointed out, and that each man made a massive effort to communicate with Bailey, either by making sure she can lip read them, or having a note pad, or, (and this was the kicker that made it for me!) learning sign language to ask Bailey out, in a way she can really understand what they want.
The book cites American Sign Language. As a UK person, I know that ASL and British Sign Language are different, and at times I got a bit lost in the detailed descriptions of signs. For example, the alphabet in ASL is all done on one hand, in BSL, you use 2. BUT! I found myself trying to do the signs as they were described, when I concentrated more. I don't need sign language, yet, but there may well come I time that I do.
Benton's story is next. We know her name, but not who his pack mates will be! And James needs to be happy too!
5 full and shiny stars, please write more of these people!!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
OHHHHH! I loved this! Even if it is first person/present tense/multi POV!
Bailey is Benton's little sister. Benton is star player for the Krakens. Lincoln is an electrician, but his brother is Korbin, arch enemy to Benton, star player for the Scorpions, along with Milton. Korbin, Lincoln and Milton are brothers in all but blood and they always planned to be a pack. They were just waiting for their scent match. Along comes Bailey into their orbit, and all bets are off, regardless who her big brother is. But will Benton let Bailey be happy, that is the big question, given hsi and Korbin's history.
What I loved MOST about this, was that while Lincoln has a deeply profound MINE moment, it's not because Bailey is their scent match. She isn't, her scent match rejected her, because she was deaf. But Lincoln, after just a couple of meetings with Bailey, knows that she is his, and he just needs to get Korbin and Milton on board.
And on board they get, slowly though and I loved that too! They all take their time with Bailey, slowly, letting her get used to them all. Individually, and together.
The Benton Korbin feud was somewhat annoying, given what is said about Gina and what happened. I can understand, though, why Benton is against Bailey getting with the guys. I did like that he comes good, though, even if he was a bit of a twat (I can't say what I want to, some sites won't let me swear!) He and Korbin talk, really talk, and even though they might never be best buds, they are not feuding anymore.
It's steamy and smexy, but emotional too.
I need to say a little bit about Bailey and her deafness and how it was dealt with here.
I cannot fault it! Bailey is deaf, wears an implant which I assume, but I don't think it was DEFINATELY said, is a cochlear implant. She lips reads, and signs. As a deaf person, I felt the whole topic was dealt with amazingly, amd with sensivitity. I loved that lots of tiny little details were pointed out, and that each man made a massive effort to communicate with Bailey, either by making sure she can lip read them, or having a note pad, or, (and this was the kicker that made it for me!) learning sign language to ask Bailey out, in a way she can really understand what they want.
The book cites American Sign Language. As a UK person, I know that ASL and British Sign Language are different, and at times I got a bit lost in the detailed descriptions of signs. For example, the alphabet in ASL is all done on one hand, in BSL, you use 2. BUT! I found myself trying to do the signs as they were described, when I concentrated more. I don't need sign language, yet, but there may well come I time that I do.
Benton's story is next. We know her name, but not who his pack mates will be! And James needs to be happy too!
5 full and shiny stars, please write more of these people!!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2514 KP) rated Staging is Murder in Books
May 1, 2019
Starting a New Business is Murder
Laura Bishop is just getting her home staging business off the ground, and she is thrilled to land Victoria Denton as her first client. Victoria can make her reputation in their small Pennsylvania town. Unfortunately, Victoria also has a reputation for being hard to work with, and Laura is finding that all too true. Working late one night, Laura is shocked to find Victoria’s dead body. When the police arrest Laura’s assistant, she decides she needs to look into the crime to find out what really happened. But can she do it?
Since this is the first in a new series, we get to meet quite a few new characters here. I enjoyed Laura and her friends, although they do have a little room to grow as the series progresses. The plot starts off strong, but bogs down a bit as Laura struggles to figure out how to start her investigation. Not that I can say much since I identify with her struggle. Once she gets moving, thanks in part to some blunt questions from her friends (again, too much like me), the story picks up and I was fully on board. The climax was creative and answered all our questions. Laura is a mystery fan herself, and I enjoyed her comparing herself to the main characters in the books she’s read. Each chapter starts with tips on staging your home, and they made me very thankful that I am not planning on selling my condo any time soon due to all the work involved. I’ll just enjoy reading about Laura’s efforts to stage houses and solve mysteries.
Since this is the first in a new series, we get to meet quite a few new characters here. I enjoyed Laura and her friends, although they do have a little room to grow as the series progresses. The plot starts off strong, but bogs down a bit as Laura struggles to figure out how to start her investigation. Not that I can say much since I identify with her struggle. Once she gets moving, thanks in part to some blunt questions from her friends (again, too much like me), the story picks up and I was fully on board. The climax was creative and answered all our questions. Laura is a mystery fan herself, and I enjoyed her comparing herself to the main characters in the books she’s read. Each chapter starts with tips on staging your home, and they made me very thankful that I am not planning on selling my condo any time soon due to all the work involved. I’ll just enjoy reading about Laura’s efforts to stage houses and solve mysteries.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Mary Poppins Returns (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
I'm not going to lie, the trailer for this worried me greatly. Despite Emily Blunt's roots her accent sounds like someone's stereotypical idea of a prim and proper British nanny, it stuck out like a sore thumb from the trailer.
Right from the outset you can see that spark from the original film in the animation, the character traits and style. Everything is very familiar and yet different.
I have to say though that the songs were not memorable. If fact I left the cinema thinking about the original more and ended up having a little Mary Poppin medley on my journey back. When you didn't think it could get any worse she actually converts to cockney for one of the songs and I'm left enjoying some of the uninspiring dance routines while wishing I had a remote control to mute the sound.
I'm struggling to remember if the chimney sweep dance routine and the lamp lighter routine in the new film have a lot of similarities. What I can say about it is that there were some very odd camera shots in there. It felt very much like they wanted you to only focus on Miranda and so we got lots of creepy close ups. The sequence really didn't work for me, and honestly I can't even remember the song.
There were some very touching moments in the latter half of the film. Whishaw wasn't really working for me early on but he has a very powerful moment in the middle that kicks off some much better pieces. I can't say that any of the acting particularly thrilled me, the best was probably in the animated characters.
I was genuinely thrilled to see Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins Returns though. I smiled from ear to ear when he started dancing, that moment alone is the main reason for the stars this film earned. But even after the dance routine I wasn't keen on his part in it.
The real question about MP films is if every second Wednesday Topsy's world goes upside-down... what happens to Mary Poppins on every second Tuesday? (Do we know the answer to this? Have I just missed it somewhere?)
What you should do
In my opinion this remake was made on the basis of "if it ain't broke don't fix it", except in the process of making it look like a sequel... they broke it. But, I seem to be in a minority on this one. If you want the nostalgic feeling but don't want to replace the amazing songs from the original then you should be alright seeing this.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Some of whatever Mary Poppins is smoking?
Right from the outset you can see that spark from the original film in the animation, the character traits and style. Everything is very familiar and yet different.
I have to say though that the songs were not memorable. If fact I left the cinema thinking about the original more and ended up having a little Mary Poppin medley on my journey back. When you didn't think it could get any worse she actually converts to cockney for one of the songs and I'm left enjoying some of the uninspiring dance routines while wishing I had a remote control to mute the sound.
I'm struggling to remember if the chimney sweep dance routine and the lamp lighter routine in the new film have a lot of similarities. What I can say about it is that there were some very odd camera shots in there. It felt very much like they wanted you to only focus on Miranda and so we got lots of creepy close ups. The sequence really didn't work for me, and honestly I can't even remember the song.
There were some very touching moments in the latter half of the film. Whishaw wasn't really working for me early on but he has a very powerful moment in the middle that kicks off some much better pieces. I can't say that any of the acting particularly thrilled me, the best was probably in the animated characters.
I was genuinely thrilled to see Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins Returns though. I smiled from ear to ear when he started dancing, that moment alone is the main reason for the stars this film earned. But even after the dance routine I wasn't keen on his part in it.
The real question about MP films is if every second Wednesday Topsy's world goes upside-down... what happens to Mary Poppins on every second Tuesday? (Do we know the answer to this? Have I just missed it somewhere?)
What you should do
In my opinion this remake was made on the basis of "if it ain't broke don't fix it", except in the process of making it look like a sequel... they broke it. But, I seem to be in a minority on this one. If you want the nostalgic feeling but don't want to replace the amazing songs from the original then you should be alright seeing this.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Some of whatever Mary Poppins is smoking?
Debbiereadsbook (1691 KP) rated Force Majeure in Books
Apr 15, 2025
I liked the dynamics between the two, and then the three
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
*insert sigh*
I wanted to love this book, I really did. It has the buttons I liked pressed, but it just felt a little bit . . .flat? . . .maybe. . .not sure what the word is I'm feeling and ya'll know I'm ALL about the book feelings! And I don't know why I'm not loving this, so maybe typing the review will clear it up.
So, here's what I DID like.
Both Ian and Taren have a say. They are an established couple and I liked that we got them on their own, as well as with Kevin in a three way. I liked the dynamics between the two, and then the three. They were clearly defined and well thought out and I liked the boundaries that Taren set for Kevin. I liked that Taren was the most level headed of the pair, but then again, as the Dom he had to be. It came across really well.
It is steamy, as only a three way can be. There are a more than a few scenes of Taren and Ian on their own, but I think only one with Kevin, and I think I might have wanted more (again, trying to work it out!)
I found that the story line with Kevin was a little short lived, but this is only a short book, some 100 pages.
And also, it appears this book is part of a series about Taren and Ian, and I think maybe if I had read them first, I might have enjoyed this more, as I would have had a better understanding of their emotio . . . .oooh! . . . .I think I might have figured it out!
I found the emotions coming off Taren and Ian were not really what I would have expected, but then again, if this is part of a series, and I haven't read them, I might have missed clues to their personalities and emotional expressions.
So, I'm gonna leave it with a good 3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
*insert sigh*
I wanted to love this book, I really did. It has the buttons I liked pressed, but it just felt a little bit . . .flat? . . .maybe. . .not sure what the word is I'm feeling and ya'll know I'm ALL about the book feelings! And I don't know why I'm not loving this, so maybe typing the review will clear it up.
So, here's what I DID like.
Both Ian and Taren have a say. They are an established couple and I liked that we got them on their own, as well as with Kevin in a three way. I liked the dynamics between the two, and then the three. They were clearly defined and well thought out and I liked the boundaries that Taren set for Kevin. I liked that Taren was the most level headed of the pair, but then again, as the Dom he had to be. It came across really well.
It is steamy, as only a three way can be. There are a more than a few scenes of Taren and Ian on their own, but I think only one with Kevin, and I think I might have wanted more (again, trying to work it out!)
I found that the story line with Kevin was a little short lived, but this is only a short book, some 100 pages.
And also, it appears this book is part of a series about Taren and Ian, and I think maybe if I had read them first, I might have enjoyed this more, as I would have had a better understanding of their emotio . . . .oooh! . . . .I think I might have figured it out!
I found the emotions coming off Taren and Ian were not really what I would have expected, but then again, if this is part of a series, and I haven't read them, I might have missed clues to their personalities and emotional expressions.
So, I'm gonna leave it with a good 3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Break Me (Make or Break, #2)
8.0
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Break Me is the second book in Amanda Heath’s Make or Break series. It can be read as a...
LilyLovesIndie (123 KP) rated The Guardians (The MORE Trilogy, #2) in Books
Nov 5, 2018
I have to be honest when I say I abso-freaking-lutely LOVE this author, her style, and her books. SheÕs just absolutely amazing, and I really, really cannot sing her praises highly enough. That said, IÕd best give some justification for my gushiness ;)
Firstly, there is an amazing transition from the first book, with the drama and tension carrying over perfectly and just, well, seamlessly if IÕm honest. I read a lot of series (theyÕre like good shoes, you find a good one and you just keep going with it) and this is most definitely one of the best I have seen for a long while. This is all linked in with an absolutely incredible plot line. The twists and turns are immense, well developed and truly amazing from start to finish. The perspectives of the different characters are always completely crystal clear, showing a very good grasp of the craft.
Characterisation, as with in the first story, is incredibly well written and just, quite frankly amazing. They are all so enigmatic and developed slowly to make sure you really do invest and get to know them. It was great to see more of Tiernan and Emma is such a dark horse! I shanÕt say more so as not to spoil it, but she is most definitely a good addition to the character lists! Caleb and Ava are, as always, a delight to read and are perfect for each other, even if outside events are trying to meddle in that. Throw in the brilliant intrigue and mystery surrounding Ava and you have exceedingly compelling reading.
To conclude, I can do nothing more than repeat my words from my first review Ð EPIC, PHENOMENAL, AMAZING (capitals most necessary!) and I loved it. I devoured this book, reading in every available minute (even lulls in conversation in the staff room) and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I honestly could not wait to read the final installment and I was truly gripped by the book from start to finish.
*This book was first reviewed on Lily Loves Indie as part of a blog tour, for which an ARC was received in return for an honest review*
Firstly, there is an amazing transition from the first book, with the drama and tension carrying over perfectly and just, well, seamlessly if IÕm honest. I read a lot of series (theyÕre like good shoes, you find a good one and you just keep going with it) and this is most definitely one of the best I have seen for a long while. This is all linked in with an absolutely incredible plot line. The twists and turns are immense, well developed and truly amazing from start to finish. The perspectives of the different characters are always completely crystal clear, showing a very good grasp of the craft.
Characterisation, as with in the first story, is incredibly well written and just, quite frankly amazing. They are all so enigmatic and developed slowly to make sure you really do invest and get to know them. It was great to see more of Tiernan and Emma is such a dark horse! I shanÕt say more so as not to spoil it, but she is most definitely a good addition to the character lists! Caleb and Ava are, as always, a delight to read and are perfect for each other, even if outside events are trying to meddle in that. Throw in the brilliant intrigue and mystery surrounding Ava and you have exceedingly compelling reading.
To conclude, I can do nothing more than repeat my words from my first review Ð EPIC, PHENOMENAL, AMAZING (capitals most necessary!) and I loved it. I devoured this book, reading in every available minute (even lulls in conversation in the staff room) and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I honestly could not wait to read the final installment and I was truly gripped by the book from start to finish.
*This book was first reviewed on Lily Loves Indie as part of a blog tour, for which an ARC was received in return for an honest review*
Awix (3310 KP) rated Peter Rabbit (2018) in Movies
Mar 19, 2018 (Updated Mar 23, 2018)
Almost wholly ghastly bastardisation of Beatrix Potter's charming, gentle tales. Starts off with Peter Rabbit essentially killing Mr McGregor (not before contemplating sticking a carrot up his rectum) and goes on from there. 'Hilarious' jokes about Asbestos poisoning and anaphylactic shock ensue, plus a sight gag where Mrs Tiggy-Winkle walks into an electric fence.
Made all the more indefensible by a lovely fully-animated segment which completely captures the style of the original stories. Film-makers clearly not interested in that, though: not nearly 'contemporary' or 'irreverent' enough for them. Often resembles a mean-spirited parody of Beatrix Potter, twisted so it can make knowing jokes about rom-coms and so on. Very nearly completely horrible; scrapes one point for the animation sequence, another for Rose Byrne (what can I say, I'm sentimental).
Made all the more indefensible by a lovely fully-animated segment which completely captures the style of the original stories. Film-makers clearly not interested in that, though: not nearly 'contemporary' or 'irreverent' enough for them. Often resembles a mean-spirited parody of Beatrix Potter, twisted so it can make knowing jokes about rom-coms and so on. Very nearly completely horrible; scrapes one point for the animation sequence, another for Rose Byrne (what can I say, I'm sentimental).