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Darren (1599 KP) rated Raising Arizona (1987) in Movies
Jul 25, 2019
Story: Raising Arizona starts as we meet H.I. McDunnough (Cage) a petty thieve that has a habit of robbing convenience stores, he falls for police officer Ed (Hunter) and after his third spell in prison he decides to settle down with Ed and hope to start a family.
When the couple learn they can’t have children, their lives take a turn for the worse until rich businessman Nathan Arizona Sr (Wilson) has 5 babies, believing they can help, they steal one of the babies and the events of the film follows them trying to keep the baby and avoid the law.
Thoughts on Raising Arizona
Characters – H.I. McDunnough has been in and out of prison for the last decade each time getting closer to the arresting officer, deciding he wants to go clean he gets married and plans to start a family, only for his past to come back and haunt him forcing him to return to the life of crime. He is a character that has fallen into the life of crime and just can’t get out of it. Ed is a police officer that hasn’t had the best life, she falls for H.I. getting married and wanting to start a family. She learns she can’t have child, turning to a life of crime to get her own child. Nathan Arizona Sr is the father of the five babies willing to pay anything to get his son back legally or not. Gale is one half of criminal buddies pairing of H.I. that after breaking out of prison turns to his friend for help.
Performances – Nicolas Cage is wonderful in the leading role, where we see him show moments of his crazy level while giving a performance you will remember. Holly Hunter is great too where we see her create a performance where you feel for the pain and confliction her character goes through. When we look at the supporting cast we do get good performances from everyone that will give us enough to enjoy what we saw.
Story – The story here follows an unlikely couple that decide to take a child because they couldn’t have one of their own. We follow the build up to their relationship and focus on how the couple’s life had the ups and downs before the incident. By using a very real situation people could go through by not being able to have children and showing the fact the adoption process isn’t the fairest on the people that would offer a good home is important for the film. the hapless events the couple go through adds to the story and as with most of the Coen bothers movies we get lots of arcs that come together to add up to a final act which pts everything together.
Comedy/Crime – The comedy in the film comes from the events that the couple must go through, usually coming from H.I. actions in what is a crime world where he is a petty criminal taking any advantages he can.
Settings – The film takes us to the open America where money would be tight leading to the mistakes being made by the people who are just desperate for anything to come their way.
Scene of the Movie – The diaper chase.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The baby forgetting scenes.
Final Thoughts – This is a classic crime comedy that shows us just how talented the Coen Brothers are, we get to see the best of Cage and a story which can be enjoyed by all.
Overall: Crime Comedy that is a must watch.
When the couple learn they can’t have children, their lives take a turn for the worse until rich businessman Nathan Arizona Sr (Wilson) has 5 babies, believing they can help, they steal one of the babies and the events of the film follows them trying to keep the baby and avoid the law.
Thoughts on Raising Arizona
Characters – H.I. McDunnough has been in and out of prison for the last decade each time getting closer to the arresting officer, deciding he wants to go clean he gets married and plans to start a family, only for his past to come back and haunt him forcing him to return to the life of crime. He is a character that has fallen into the life of crime and just can’t get out of it. Ed is a police officer that hasn’t had the best life, she falls for H.I. getting married and wanting to start a family. She learns she can’t have child, turning to a life of crime to get her own child. Nathan Arizona Sr is the father of the five babies willing to pay anything to get his son back legally or not. Gale is one half of criminal buddies pairing of H.I. that after breaking out of prison turns to his friend for help.
Performances – Nicolas Cage is wonderful in the leading role, where we see him show moments of his crazy level while giving a performance you will remember. Holly Hunter is great too where we see her create a performance where you feel for the pain and confliction her character goes through. When we look at the supporting cast we do get good performances from everyone that will give us enough to enjoy what we saw.
Story – The story here follows an unlikely couple that decide to take a child because they couldn’t have one of their own. We follow the build up to their relationship and focus on how the couple’s life had the ups and downs before the incident. By using a very real situation people could go through by not being able to have children and showing the fact the adoption process isn’t the fairest on the people that would offer a good home is important for the film. the hapless events the couple go through adds to the story and as with most of the Coen bothers movies we get lots of arcs that come together to add up to a final act which pts everything together.
Comedy/Crime – The comedy in the film comes from the events that the couple must go through, usually coming from H.I. actions in what is a crime world where he is a petty criminal taking any advantages he can.
Settings – The film takes us to the open America where money would be tight leading to the mistakes being made by the people who are just desperate for anything to come their way.
Scene of the Movie – The diaper chase.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The baby forgetting scenes.
Final Thoughts – This is a classic crime comedy that shows us just how talented the Coen Brothers are, we get to see the best of Cage and a story which can be enjoyed by all.
Overall: Crime Comedy that is a must watch.
Debbiereadsbook (1454 KP) rated Rise (Spelldrift: Coven of Fire #1) in Books
Jan 10, 2018
not one for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
*insert big sigh*
I ....struggled with this book, for a couple of reasons, and it was very touch and go as to whether I would finish it.
First person, single point of view is not one of my favourite ways for a book to be written and only Alix has a here. Matt really should have been given a voice, I think, even if he had been given a first person voice, I would have enjoyed it more.
It could do with a thorough edit. Not enough minor things to put you off reading, but enough of them for me to note they were there and they needed commenting on.
Somewhat predictable plot. I saw it all coming at me. Every twist and turn. Maybe I read too much, but there were no surprises in this book for me.
BUT!!!
Even though only Alix gets a voice, I did like her. Because only she speaks we get up front and personal with her every step of the way. I really felt for her in places. She is very witty and there are a couple of laugh out loud moments.
And BECAUSE I saw it all coming at me like a freight train, I liked watching it all unfold.
I just. . . . . I dunno!
I'm sorry I can't word better what I think about this book, you know it pains me so when I can't say what I need to!
Will I read book 2? Possibly. The blurb will have to really REALLY grab me.
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
*insert big sigh*
I ....struggled with this book, for a couple of reasons, and it was very touch and go as to whether I would finish it.
First person, single point of view is not one of my favourite ways for a book to be written and only Alix has a here. Matt really should have been given a voice, I think, even if he had been given a first person voice, I would have enjoyed it more.
It could do with a thorough edit. Not enough minor things to put you off reading, but enough of them for me to note they were there and they needed commenting on.
Somewhat predictable plot. I saw it all coming at me. Every twist and turn. Maybe I read too much, but there were no surprises in this book for me.
BUT!!!
Even though only Alix gets a voice, I did like her. Because only she speaks we get up front and personal with her every step of the way. I really felt for her in places. She is very witty and there are a couple of laugh out loud moments.
And BECAUSE I saw it all coming at me like a freight train, I liked watching it all unfold.
I just. . . . . I dunno!
I'm sorry I can't word better what I think about this book, you know it pains me so when I can't say what I need to!
Will I read book 2? Possibly. The blurb will have to really REALLY grab me.
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Far from True in Books
May 10, 2018
Promise Falls is still under attack. Detective Barry Duckworth has his hands full with the number of incidents that are taking place in this small town. From the bombing of the drive-in movie screen to a burning bus rolling down the middle of town, there are too many things going on and no suspects to charge.
As they say, the sequel is never as good as the original, but it's close. A lot of the same characters return for Book Two of the Promise Falls Trilogy. In this edition, the main focus is the death of four Promise Falls residents after the drive in movie screen falls on them. Mainly the couple in the vintage Jaguar are a mysterious couple especially when the wife of the owner of that car, shows up alive. Who was in the car, then? There is also the constant recurrence of the number twenty-three. What does it have to do with anything and who is behind all of the incidents with that number included? There are a few twists that caught me by surprise and one moment when I shouted out loud, "I knew it!" This story started off a little slower than <u>Broken Promise</u> even with a exploding movie screen at the forefront. Will Detective Duckworth be able to tie these cases together and find out who is behind the mysterious and crazy 23 incidents?
The final book in the trilogy is call <u>The Twenty-Three</u>. I can't wait to read and finally find out how all of this is going to end for the residents of Promise Falls.
As they say, the sequel is never as good as the original, but it's close. A lot of the same characters return for Book Two of the Promise Falls Trilogy. In this edition, the main focus is the death of four Promise Falls residents after the drive in movie screen falls on them. Mainly the couple in the vintage Jaguar are a mysterious couple especially when the wife of the owner of that car, shows up alive. Who was in the car, then? There is also the constant recurrence of the number twenty-three. What does it have to do with anything and who is behind all of the incidents with that number included? There are a few twists that caught me by surprise and one moment when I shouted out loud, "I knew it!" This story started off a little slower than <u>Broken Promise</u> even with a exploding movie screen at the forefront. Will Detective Duckworth be able to tie these cases together and find out who is behind the mysterious and crazy 23 incidents?
The final book in the trilogy is call <u>The Twenty-Three</u>. I can't wait to read and finally find out how all of this is going to end for the residents of Promise Falls.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Quiet Man (1952) in Movies
May 11, 2019
A good old fashioned love story
John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara make a perfect couple in a romantic turn for director John Ford mostly known for his western epics.
When a man returns to his Irish roots looking to purchase his former family homestead, some of the locals are not too keen on the idea. After the purchase, he begins to court the sister of the man who was also interested in the property. After things are worked out, they are married; however, her brother still hold her dowry and she holds to her traditional family values o not being truly happy until she acquires her family fortune.
The two men must work out their differences so the couple can make a life together for themselves and their families.
A film from 1952 can hardly be called anything except "classic", so some of the values expressed by characters in the film reflect those of the times they were made. Traditional is also probably a word to describe the situations and relationships here.
I could see how this could turn off some today who hold more progressive opinions.
Whatever your values, this film has some fantastic moments and watching the two leads together onscreen is just magic. Director Ford takes full advantage of the sprawling Irish countrysides and thy feel like characters themselves.
I thoroughly enjoyed viewing this film and it left me with a warm feeling in my heart.
P.S. does anyone know which 1982 film recreated the most famous scene in The Quiet Man for an unforgettable moment in that film as well?
When a man returns to his Irish roots looking to purchase his former family homestead, some of the locals are not too keen on the idea. After the purchase, he begins to court the sister of the man who was also interested in the property. After things are worked out, they are married; however, her brother still hold her dowry and she holds to her traditional family values o not being truly happy until she acquires her family fortune.
The two men must work out their differences so the couple can make a life together for themselves and their families.
A film from 1952 can hardly be called anything except "classic", so some of the values expressed by characters in the film reflect those of the times they were made. Traditional is also probably a word to describe the situations and relationships here.
I could see how this could turn off some today who hold more progressive opinions.
Whatever your values, this film has some fantastic moments and watching the two leads together onscreen is just magic. Director Ford takes full advantage of the sprawling Irish countrysides and thy feel like characters themselves.
I thoroughly enjoyed viewing this film and it left me with a warm feeling in my heart.
P.S. does anyone know which 1982 film recreated the most famous scene in The Quiet Man for an unforgettable moment in that film as well?
Gail (4 KP) rated Fever Pitch (Heavy Influence, #1.5) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
When Jake and Alyssa's virtual affair peaks while his band tours Europe, Alyssa decides it's Jake that she wants for her 18th birthday. She surprises everyone, including Jake, with a planned trip to London. After three years apart will it be everything they've both dreamed of? Alyssa is soon thrown into Jake's stardom, delicate family matters and a potential repeat of the past. I wanted to see them get back together and read how they continued to love each other no matter how hard everybody else was trying to keep them apart.
Though these two are older and mature. They seem to make some bad choices. Aly is able to make the decision to find Jake and renew their connection after three years of separation. The emotions are high and the love intense. This couple comes clashing together with so many emotions and ups and downs that your world spins. Aly may have grown but Jake hasn’t he is still so immature and dishonest. This story just gives us an update on how things are going with our couple. With them being separated. I don’t like Jake in this story he seems to love Aly strongly but doesn’t give her what she deserves.
Don’t come looking for a cute love story in this series. It will leave you hurting and wanting more. This is a preview of Broken Notes. It gives us something to look forward to while we wait for the next book. If you haven’t picked up any of these books you're missing out. The author gives so much in this series and I enjoyed every moment.
Though these two are older and mature. They seem to make some bad choices. Aly is able to make the decision to find Jake and renew their connection after three years of separation. The emotions are high and the love intense. This couple comes clashing together with so many emotions and ups and downs that your world spins. Aly may have grown but Jake hasn’t he is still so immature and dishonest. This story just gives us an update on how things are going with our couple. With them being separated. I don’t like Jake in this story he seems to love Aly strongly but doesn’t give her what she deserves.
Don’t come looking for a cute love story in this series. It will leave you hurting and wanting more. This is a preview of Broken Notes. It gives us something to look forward to while we wait for the next book. If you haven’t picked up any of these books you're missing out. The author gives so much in this series and I enjoyed every moment.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated The Chocolate Shark Shenanigans in Books
Nov 7, 2019
Lee Must Solve a Flipping Murder
Much to Lee Woodyard’s dismay, her husband, Joe, and her uncle, Hogan, have bought the house next to Lee and Joe. They intended to flip it, but Lee is nervous about it. It doesn’t help when she and a plumber find a gun while checking the pipes in the basement. When Lee and Hogan go back to take a second look at the basement, they find a dead body. Can Lee figure out what is going on?
It has been a couple of years since we last got to visit Lee and the rest of the gang, and I was thrilled to be able to spend a little more time with them. As usual, the friends in Lee’s life are given cameos, but Lee, Joe, and the other couple of main characters more than make up for this. Not to mention, the new characters that help compel us into the story. Speaking of which, I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. The story is filled with twists and turns. The ending is a bit rushed, but it does tie everything major up. The book is on the shorter side, but by eliminating sub-plots, it still presents a full mystery that will leave you hungry for more. Speaking of which, the descriptions of chocolate made my mouth water, and the chocolate trivia sprinkled along the way is fun as always. We even get a recipe at the end of the book. Fans old and new will be glad they picked up this book.
It has been a couple of years since we last got to visit Lee and the rest of the gang, and I was thrilled to be able to spend a little more time with them. As usual, the friends in Lee’s life are given cameos, but Lee, Joe, and the other couple of main characters more than make up for this. Not to mention, the new characters that help compel us into the story. Speaking of which, I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. The story is filled with twists and turns. The ending is a bit rushed, but it does tie everything major up. The book is on the shorter side, but by eliminating sub-plots, it still presents a full mystery that will leave you hungry for more. Speaking of which, the descriptions of chocolate made my mouth water, and the chocolate trivia sprinkled along the way is fun as always. We even get a recipe at the end of the book. Fans old and new will be glad they picked up this book.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Stephen King's A Good Marriage (2014) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
A Stephen King Lifetime movie...
391. A Good Marriage. A Lifetime Entertainment movie written by Stephen King? That is what it feels like. Besides a couple of F bombs, its pretty tame. Stars Joan Allen and Anthony LaPaglia, two great actors, playing perfect married couple Darcy and Bob Anderson. Perfect house, perfect jobs, perfect kids. And then one night Darcy has to go out to the garage to get batteries for the TV remote, because who doesn't keep their back up battery supply in the non-attached garage? As she's reaching for the batteries, something falls and exposes a secret compartment containing a cute little box, their daughter had made Bob when she was a kid, awww, and that box contains the ID's of women murdered by notorious serial killer, Beadie, ohhhh. Once the realization of this sets in, and unknowing just what to do, guess who calls? Anyone? Anyone? Bob hears the panic in her voice tho she tries to say she was just startled, he's like coolio, see ya in a few days, cause he's on a road trip and all. So while Darcy is panicking in the house, guess who comes home early? Anyone? Anyone? And he knows she's been snooping, and as she freaks the hell out, he calmly tells her who he really is, and tells her how things are gonna be... Besides the after school special feel of it, still a decent story, well acted. Inspired by the BTK killings and his imagined family life in the mind of Stephen King, heard BTK's daughter didn't like its implications to much... Filmbufftim on FB
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Murder on Memory Lake in Books
Apr 8, 2020
Tranquility Shattered by Murder
Things are looking up for Alberta Scaglione in her retirement. She’s inherited money and a cabin on Memory Lake from an aunt, and her granddaughter, Jinx, has come back into her life thanks to a job for the local paper in Tranquility, New Jersey. However, things take a sad turn when Alberta finds the body of her childhood nemesis in the lake. Alberta quickly realizes the woman was murdered, and Jinx talks Alberta into investigating to jump start her transition to crime reporter. Can they solve the case?
The book starts out with a couple of chapters that are little more than data dumps, giving us the background on the characters. Yes, we need to know the information, but it could have been slipped into the novel better. The mystery itself is strong with several viable suspects and a logical trail to the great climax with some fun red herrings along the way. Alberta and Jinx are joined by another couple family members, and the four women are a delight, making me laugh a few times. The book is written in omniscient point of view, but mostly sticking with Alberta and Jinx. It mostly works, but it allows for passages of the characters pondering life. These felt like they’d be more at home in a literary novel than a mystery. The book closes out with a few recipes. The bones of the book are good, but overall, it felt overwritten. There is enough enjoyable elements to the book that if you are curious about the book, I recommend you check it out and see what you think for yourself.
The book starts out with a couple of chapters that are little more than data dumps, giving us the background on the characters. Yes, we need to know the information, but it could have been slipped into the novel better. The mystery itself is strong with several viable suspects and a logical trail to the great climax with some fun red herrings along the way. Alberta and Jinx are joined by another couple family members, and the four women are a delight, making me laugh a few times. The book is written in omniscient point of view, but mostly sticking with Alberta and Jinx. It mostly works, but it allows for passages of the characters pondering life. These felt like they’d be more at home in a literary novel than a mystery. The book closes out with a few recipes. The bones of the book are good, but overall, it felt overwritten. There is enough enjoyable elements to the book that if you are curious about the book, I recommend you check it out and see what you think for yourself.
TD
The Dialogues: Conversations About the Nature of the Universe
Frank Wilczek and Clifford V. Johnson
Book
Physicist Clifford Johnson thinks that we should have more conversations about science. Science...
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Dial M for Murder (1954) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
A mid-tier episode of "Law & Order" from the 50s that's as mildly rousing as it is boring in a nearly 1:1 ratio. Yes the writing is impressively airtight, and always leaves you looking for some sort of holes to no avail - one of those films where you play a fun little guessing game in your head every time a character says or does something. Could they have slipped up? Do the other characters know that? But here's my main problem with this: it's so DRY holy shit. Yes the story is rigorously optimized for this sort of deal, but that's all there is to chew on here - nothing else. The characters in this movie exist only to explain and inform each other about the story as it happens - outside of the first couple scenes there are no little moments of interpersonal interaction between characters that involves anything else besides telling people what just happened, no moments of humor outside of a bad gay joke and a couple telegraphed duds, no personality building beyond how they react in relation to - again - the singular crime narrative. That's virtually every single scene, so it quickly feels like you're just watching the same thing over and over again. This goes straight past staunchly formal and almost into rudimentary, but Grace Kelly and Ray Milland are wonderful enough to carry this very talky one-trick pony along with the sheer attention to detail of the plot. Still definitely fair but way too straightforward, I can't act like dozens of better ones have been done even if this did potentially pave the way for a lot of them.