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RəX Regent (349 KP) rated Sing (2016) in Movies
Feb 19, 2019
I admit, I went into this with low expectations. It looked like a karaoke kids movie from an animation studio that I do not rate that highly. But what do I know?
Illumination studios have managed to rack up a “Stinker” on this blog with The Lorax (3D) (2012), which was filled with songs which did not seem to go with the movie and maybe that was in my mind when I first saw the trailer for this, but I must admit, that I was wrong.
The story focuses around a Koala Bear (Matthew McConauhey) who owns his dream theatre in New York, but it is about to fail big. He ends up setting up singing contest in order to try and save it and a verity of animals from this this Zootopia styled world inhabited solely by animals, are entered into the competition.
The writing was good, strong and simple. The characters had enough depth, the song choices were good and the antics surrounding Matthew McConauhey’s efforts to keep his theatre open against the odds were genuinely funny.
It was also nice to see that several character tropes were not pandered too, such as the house wife pig (Reese Witherspoon) goes to elaborate lengths to take part, by automating her house to get her litter of piglets to school and her middle management husband to work, all of whom take her for granted so much that they fail to even notice that she is not there.
But instead of attacking her housewife status and saying that she was being hampered by this “boring” life and should be a singer and follow her dreams as many films would suggest, this simply asks for a balance. That impressed me… a lot.
Well worth a watch and defiantly one for the whole family.
Illumination studios have managed to rack up a “Stinker” on this blog with The Lorax (3D) (2012), which was filled with songs which did not seem to go with the movie and maybe that was in my mind when I first saw the trailer for this, but I must admit, that I was wrong.
The story focuses around a Koala Bear (Matthew McConauhey) who owns his dream theatre in New York, but it is about to fail big. He ends up setting up singing contest in order to try and save it and a verity of animals from this this Zootopia styled world inhabited solely by animals, are entered into the competition.
The writing was good, strong and simple. The characters had enough depth, the song choices were good and the antics surrounding Matthew McConauhey’s efforts to keep his theatre open against the odds were genuinely funny.
It was also nice to see that several character tropes were not pandered too, such as the house wife pig (Reese Witherspoon) goes to elaborate lengths to take part, by automating her house to get her litter of piglets to school and her middle management husband to work, all of whom take her for granted so much that they fail to even notice that she is not there.
But instead of attacking her housewife status and saying that she was being hampered by this “boring” life and should be a singer and follow her dreams as many films would suggest, this simply asks for a balance. That impressed me… a lot.
Well worth a watch and defiantly one for the whole family.
Kyera (8 KP) rated The Night Circus in Books
Jan 31, 2018
The Night Circus is set in the 19th Century although the Circus itself travels the globe. We don't see much of the world, rather the story is built and developed around this mysterious venture that only opens at night. Before we even get to know our two main characters they are placed in a competition that they know next to nothing about. As readers, we are not privy to much information that Celia or Marco do not know.
Both main characters are likable although we don't get to experience much of their personalities outside the use of their magic and the way they are shaped by the game. Celia is outspoken and witty when she chooses to be, unlike typical victorian heroines and it is wonderful. I wish we got to experience more of the interactions between Celia and Marco during the book but overall their time together is limited.
At times, we learn more about the Circus through the eyes and stories of its fans - the reveurs or as Bailey who dreamt of the circus since he was a little boy. As a reader, you are drawn to the magic and mystery of the Circus. Dreams of attending fill your mind and you become a reveur yourself. The story of the Night Circus fills you with its majesty and doesn't let go.
It's difficult to explain just what is so appealing about this book, but I fell in love with it almost immediately. The black and white striped tents, impossibly intricate clock, mouth-watering scents and tastes all come together in this enchanting novel - sure to spellbind teens and adults, whether fans of magic, fantasy, realistic or historical novels.
Both main characters are likable although we don't get to experience much of their personalities outside the use of their magic and the way they are shaped by the game. Celia is outspoken and witty when she chooses to be, unlike typical victorian heroines and it is wonderful. I wish we got to experience more of the interactions between Celia and Marco during the book but overall their time together is limited.
At times, we learn more about the Circus through the eyes and stories of its fans - the reveurs or as Bailey who dreamt of the circus since he was a little boy. As a reader, you are drawn to the magic and mystery of the Circus. Dreams of attending fill your mind and you become a reveur yourself. The story of the Night Circus fills you with its majesty and doesn't let go.
It's difficult to explain just what is so appealing about this book, but I fell in love with it almost immediately. The black and white striped tents, impossibly intricate clock, mouth-watering scents and tastes all come together in this enchanting novel - sure to spellbind teens and adults, whether fans of magic, fantasy, realistic or historical novels.
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated When Life Gives You Lululemons (The Devil Wears Prada, #3) in Books
May 29, 2018
As a huge Devils Wears Prada Fan I was so excited to read more of my favorite character from that book, Emily's, story. And this did not disappoint! Emily is basically the star of this book and rightfully so. She is hysterical, and witty, and we all wish we had a friend so honest and straightforward, don't we?
After her run with Miranda, Emily is off on her own doing some 'Olivia Pope - Scandal" type work. And it suits her well. BUT there's some young competition (coincidentally named Olivia) in town that is threatening to steal most of Emily's high-profile clientele. Along with her childhood friend Miriam, drowning in all things mom-life suburbia, and Karolina, an ex-model Emily knew from her Runway days who has found herself in a bit of a scandal herself, this threesome of women bands together to overcome some serious life obstacles.
I thought the story was written really well and happily read it in two days - the plotline was pretty solid and kept me intrigued throughout - I was mad, I was sad, I laughed... and oh, did I mention Miranda?!?! Yep, shes back, too! There's even a cameo from Andy!
I enjoyed When Life Gives You Lululemons. Although I can't help but feeling that Miriam bored the hell out of me. Karolina a bit as well, but her story kept me on her. So, it's safe to say Emily clearly and deservedly took the spotlight on this one. Although, I find it extremely hard to believe Emily Charlton went to summer camp, would ever wear sweatpants, or, especially watch sappy crap on TV like This is Us, Emily is still the character we all know and love - and I still want to be her BFF!
After her run with Miranda, Emily is off on her own doing some 'Olivia Pope - Scandal" type work. And it suits her well. BUT there's some young competition (coincidentally named Olivia) in town that is threatening to steal most of Emily's high-profile clientele. Along with her childhood friend Miriam, drowning in all things mom-life suburbia, and Karolina, an ex-model Emily knew from her Runway days who has found herself in a bit of a scandal herself, this threesome of women bands together to overcome some serious life obstacles.
I thought the story was written really well and happily read it in two days - the plotline was pretty solid and kept me intrigued throughout - I was mad, I was sad, I laughed... and oh, did I mention Miranda?!?! Yep, shes back, too! There's even a cameo from Andy!
I enjoyed When Life Gives You Lululemons. Although I can't help but feeling that Miriam bored the hell out of me. Karolina a bit as well, but her story kept me on her. So, it's safe to say Emily clearly and deservedly took the spotlight on this one. Although, I find it extremely hard to believe Emily Charlton went to summer camp, would ever wear sweatpants, or, especially watch sappy crap on TV like This is Us, Emily is still the character we all know and love - and I still want to be her BFF!
Dean (6927 KP) rated Mini Projector in Tech
Jan 23, 2020
Noisy (2 more)
Sound quality
Some ports didn't work?
Disappointing
Well this is a shame I got this through the giveaway competition. I've tried to give it a good test but it didn't fare well.
The good thing is the projection area can be very large and still fairly sharp in focus. It recommends up to 60" but could easily get closer to 80" TV screen size equivalent. Any bigger and the image wouldn't be as sharp or colourful but if you don't mind that it could take up a whole wall. The HDMi port works so you could connect it to your sky box, xbox, dvd player. The sound quality from it isn't great though as it's only a small device, unless you also connect a speaker. It can be a little noisy as well during operation.
Unfortunately the microSD card and USB ports don't appear to be working on this unit? I tried a couple of cards and a USB card reader but nothing worked. This would be handy for viewing photos. It also has an AV port for music. It does come with a remote, HDMi cable and an adapter that would work with a camcorder or even a Wii console.
The power cable isn't particularly long but once charged it can be used cordless. It doesn't really have a stand to help if you wanted to project onto your ceiling.
So it really depends what you are going to use it for. Plug your xbox in for wall size gaming, or your phone via HDMi to watch Netflix, YouTube etc. I don't think it's something you would use for serious movie watching if you care about the sound quality as well unless you connect headphones or a speaker as well via the phonejack.
The good thing is the projection area can be very large and still fairly sharp in focus. It recommends up to 60" but could easily get closer to 80" TV screen size equivalent. Any bigger and the image wouldn't be as sharp or colourful but if you don't mind that it could take up a whole wall. The HDMi port works so you could connect it to your sky box, xbox, dvd player. The sound quality from it isn't great though as it's only a small device, unless you also connect a speaker. It can be a little noisy as well during operation.
Unfortunately the microSD card and USB ports don't appear to be working on this unit? I tried a couple of cards and a USB card reader but nothing worked. This would be handy for viewing photos. It also has an AV port for music. It does come with a remote, HDMi cable and an adapter that would work with a camcorder or even a Wii console.
The power cable isn't particularly long but once charged it can be used cordless. It doesn't really have a stand to help if you wanted to project onto your ceiling.
So it really depends what you are going to use it for. Plug your xbox in for wall size gaming, or your phone via HDMi to watch Netflix, YouTube etc. I don't think it's something you would use for serious movie watching if you care about the sound quality as well unless you connect headphones or a speaker as well via the phonejack.
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