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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Come Find Me in Books
Apr 4, 2019
Megan Miranda is an author where I'll read whatever she writes. The topic of this book is slightly bizarre, but it's a completely compelling and fascinating read. I read it in less than 24 hours, as it's very easy-to-read, and I totally fell for the characters. Kennedy and Nolan are united in grief--two kids who have been through so much for being so young.
This novel is creepy and often inexplicable, but the plot is really great. I was completely hooked. Kennedy and Nolan are tied together in interesting ways, and there's also a mystery-type story that unfolds as well. There are a couple of great twists that fully surprised me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It's compelling and heartfelt, with strong characters and a sort of fun yet creepy undertone. 4 stars.
This novel is creepy and often inexplicable, but the plot is really great. I was completely hooked. Kennedy and Nolan are tied together in interesting ways, and there's also a mystery-type story that unfolds as well. There are a couple of great twists that fully surprised me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It's compelling and heartfelt, with strong characters and a sort of fun yet creepy undertone. 4 stars.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Pet Sematary (2019) in Movies
Apr 4, 2019
Sometimes dead is better
I just about remember reading the book a very long time ago and it did stay with me for a long time. A typical chilling horror from Stephen King. I've not seen the '89 film but the trailer for this had me interested.
It's good, very atmospheric, interesting story and a decent cast. The only down side was the climax didn't feel as scary as I remember from the book and a tad abrupt. They have changed a couple of plot points from the book, one is quite a big change. Although I can understand why. But the ending is different and doesn't quite have the impact of the book. Despite that it's still an enjoyable film if you are a Stephen King fan.
It's good, very atmospheric, interesting story and a decent cast. The only down side was the climax didn't feel as scary as I remember from the book and a tad abrupt. They have changed a couple of plot points from the book, one is quite a big change. Although I can understand why. But the ending is different and doesn't quite have the impact of the book. Despite that it's still an enjoyable film if you are a Stephen King fan.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Future (2011) in Movies
Apr 11, 2019
I am not usually much given to violent thoughts but I would be willing to head-butt everyone involved in this profoundly irritating piece of pretentious whimsy. A couple adopt Paw-Paw the cat, but realise this basically heralds the loss of their youth and impending deaths (no, really) so they set about exploring life to the fullest before the cat actually turns up. All manner of nonsense takes place, narrated by Paw-Paw the cat himself (voiced by July in a little yowly voice).
It is all done with a level of basic technical competency, but the film's total lack of self awareness (July genuinely seems to think she's making something profound, not completely absurd) makes it a fantastically annoying and frustrating experience. The cinematic experience of nails down a blackboard for an hour and a half.
It is all done with a level of basic technical competency, but the film's total lack of self awareness (July genuinely seems to think she's making something profound, not completely absurd) makes it a fantastically annoying and frustrating experience. The cinematic experience of nails down a blackboard for an hour and a half.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated Polar (2019) in Movies
Apr 16, 2019 (Updated Apr 16, 2019)
Good movie!
This movie was a bit slow moving but one it picked up, it was intense. Mads Mikkelsen is a very good actor and not seen enough in movies, in my opinion. His performance here was great. There's plenty of blood and violence for any action fan. There's also more than a bit of sex and nudity. The characters were creative and the effects were great. Definitely doesn't hurt that Kathryn Winnick is in this one, either(no, she doesn't get nude but who cares, it's KW!)and she puts on a good performance, as well. Some parts of the story were predictable but it unfolded well and did have a couple pretty good twists. Overall, I'd recommend this one to any action fan, though it may be a bit dark for some and definitely not for the kids! Worth a watch!
Peter Shephard (2822 KP) rated Google Home Mini Smart Speaker in Tech
May 28, 2019
Fun and useful
We've had the Mini speaker for about 18 months, with a Google music pass. It's been a great addition, and has been really useful for small-to-medium parties (say up to 10 people) as a good background music player, or for smaller parties as the main music.
Being able to link your phone to Broadcast is nice, and sometimes a great way to get the kids to actually listen when it's time for bed! Also, being able to control the song and volume from the phone app is very useful.
We have tried it a couple of times, but there are also games and really cringeworthy dad-jokes abound.
It would be great if the games were a little more interactive, but that would obviously be something for the future development.
Being able to link your phone to Broadcast is nice, and sometimes a great way to get the kids to actually listen when it's time for bed! Also, being able to control the song and volume from the phone app is very useful.
We have tried it a couple of times, but there are also games and really cringeworthy dad-jokes abound.
It would be great if the games were a little more interactive, but that would obviously be something for the future development.
Jennifer Daniell (108 KP) rated Mistress of the Ritz in Books
Jun 9, 2019
After marrying Claude, Blanche quickly settled into her role as Mistress of the Ritz, dressing in only the
most fashionable clothing, befriending the elite and living in a beautiful suite at the hotel. But now the Nazis have taken over Paris and the Ritz has become their headquarters. Claude and Blanche now spend their days catering to and rubbing elbows with their conquerors, and their nights doing their part for the resistance. Living in such close quarters with the enemy Blanche finds a false sense of security, and grows more reckless as she becomes more restless.
A story of switching perspectives, this one is different in that it stays in a tight timeline, between a married couple instead of strangers. I really enjoyed this book and was delighted to find that Claude and Blanche were real people.
most fashionable clothing, befriending the elite and living in a beautiful suite at the hotel. But now the Nazis have taken over Paris and the Ritz has become their headquarters. Claude and Blanche now spend their days catering to and rubbing elbows with their conquerors, and their nights doing their part for the resistance. Living in such close quarters with the enemy Blanche finds a false sense of security, and grows more reckless as she becomes more restless.
A story of switching perspectives, this one is different in that it stays in a tight timeline, between a married couple instead of strangers. I really enjoyed this book and was delighted to find that Claude and Blanche were real people.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Haggopian and Other Stories in Books
Jun 14, 2019
Two-dozen short stories connected (in varying degrees) to Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, highlighting Lumley's personal take on this particular milieu - he's an enthusiastic pasticheur, but much better at replicating Lovecraft's style than his substance. (He also has a go at being Robert E Howard in a couple of these stories.)
A really mixed bag, all told: there are a handful of very good stories, like the one the book is named for, and a few others contain promising imagery or moments (an oil rig drills down into something it shouldn't; Lovecraft scholars should be able to guess what), but many others become repetitive and slightly tedious. If nothing else the stories here illustrate that, bereft of the philosophy underpinning Lovecraft's own work, the Mythos trappings just become a selection of campy props and costumes that aren't particularly scary.
A really mixed bag, all told: there are a handful of very good stories, like the one the book is named for, and a few others contain promising imagery or moments (an oil rig drills down into something it shouldn't; Lovecraft scholars should be able to guess what), but many others become repetitive and slightly tedious. If nothing else the stories here illustrate that, bereft of the philosophy underpinning Lovecraft's own work, the Mythos trappings just become a selection of campy props and costumes that aren't particularly scary.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Murder at the Male Revue in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Catering a fund raiser for the community center is doing double duty for the Skinny Dipping Grandmas as they can also check “Visit a strip club” off Joy’s bucket list. But when the auction for the men gets started, chaos insures and the town council’s president is murdered. Who could as done it?
As always, Francine is our guide to this third wacky and fun mystery. There are some good secrets, twists, and surprises that come out, although the ending did feel a bit abrupt. The characters are fun and strong. Between a couple of slapstick scenes and the dialogue, we get some great laughs along the way as well.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-murder-at-male-revue-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As always, Francine is our guide to this third wacky and fun mystery. There are some good secrets, twists, and surprises that come out, although the ending did feel a bit abrupt. The characters are fun and strong. Between a couple of slapstick scenes and the dialogue, we get some great laughs along the way as well.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-murder-at-male-revue-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Red Velvet Revenge (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The summer heat is killing business for Fairy Tale Cupcakes, so when Mel and Angie get an offer to sell cupcakes at a rodeo in the mountains, it seems like a great idea. However, when someone is shot at the opening parade, they begin to wonder what they’ve landed in the middle of this time.
I found the first quarter of this book very slow since it sets up several things that could have been handled in a few pages or a couple of chapters max. Once the story does get started, it moves along at a great clip, however. The characters, both old and new, are wonderful, and the climax actually made me tear up.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-red-velvet-revenge-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I found the first quarter of this book very slow since it sets up several things that could have been handled in a few pages or a couple of chapters max. Once the story does get started, it moves along at a great clip, however. The characters, both old and new, are wonderful, and the climax actually made me tear up.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-red-velvet-revenge-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Nate the Great Goes Undercover (Nate the Great) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The pint sized detective is back for his second case, this time trying to figure out for his neighbor Oliver who is breaking into Oliver’s trashcans every night. Nate’s excited for his first night time case, but can he catch the culprit?
This is the second picture book to feature Nate the Great, and it is a lot of fun. We are introduced to Oliver and Nate’s dog Sludge, who would become main characters in the series, here. The mystery is good with Nate hitting a couple of dead ends before he reaches the conclusion. The pictures might be a little dated, this is from the mid-70’s after all, but that’s my only issue, and it’s a very minor one.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-nate-great-goes-undercover.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is the second picture book to feature Nate the Great, and it is a lot of fun. We are introduced to Oliver and Nate’s dog Sludge, who would become main characters in the series, here. The mystery is good with Nate hitting a couple of dead ends before he reaches the conclusion. The pictures might be a little dated, this is from the mid-70’s after all, but that’s my only issue, and it’s a very minor one.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-nate-great-goes-undercover.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.