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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 (2488 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 (2488 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 (2488 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>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2488 KP) rated Frankencrayon in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The crayon lead production of Frankenstein is all ready to go until the giant squiggle appears in the sky. Can they solve the problem, or will they have to cancel this book before we even get a chance to read it?
This is a delightfully funny picture book that parents will definitely appreciate. It breaks the fourth wall as the crayons tell us the story of why they can’t tell us the story of Frankenstein. After things are resolved, we get a couple of fun and appropriate morals that don’t lecture us. I’m not sure the very youngest of kids will understand all the jokes, but older picture book fans should get them with some help from their parents.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-frankencrayon-by-michael.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a delightfully funny picture book that parents will definitely appreciate. It breaks the fourth wall as the crayons tell us the story of why they can’t tell us the story of Frankenstein. After things are resolved, we get a couple of fun and appropriate morals that don’t lecture us. I’m not sure the very youngest of kids will understand all the jokes, but older picture book fans should get them with some help from their parents.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-frankencrayon-by-michael.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2488 KP) rated Book of the Dead (TombQuest, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Alex Sennefer has never been healthy, but recently he’s taken a turn for the worse. Just when things look their darkest, he makes a miraculous recovery. However, the world he wakes up to includes some dangerous long dead mummies come to life as well. Can Alex help stop them?
The book started a little slowly thanks to the set up taking some time, but once the story got going, I was turning pages as quickly as I could. A couple scenes in the second half especially left me with sweaty palms. The characters and good, and this book ends with a set up for the next book. The target middle grade audience will be thrilled.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-book-of-dead-by-michael.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book started a little slowly thanks to the set up taking some time, but once the story got going, I was turning pages as quickly as I could. A couple scenes in the second half especially left me with sweaty palms. The characters and good, and this book ends with a set up for the next book. The target middle grade audience will be thrilled.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-book-of-dead-by-michael.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Battleship in Tabletop Games
Mar 19, 2018 (Updated Mar 19, 2018)
One of the Classics
Battleship is one of my all time favourite games. It requires a balance of strategy, cunning and sheer luck to help find and defeat your opponents ships, before they find yours.
There's something very endearing and retro about the fact that you can still play this game the "old fashioned" way using real pegs and fold out cases. Call me nostalgic, but it's so much better to play this than an online/electronic version. And also the fact that shouting "you sank my battleship" never gets old.
The only drawback with this game is the replayability in the same session. Games aren't necessarily that long, however once you've played a couple of games against the same opponent, you get a good idea of how they look at strategically positioning their ships and the games can become a little predictable.
There's something very endearing and retro about the fact that you can still play this game the "old fashioned" way using real pegs and fold out cases. Call me nostalgic, but it's so much better to play this than an online/electronic version. And also the fact that shouting "you sank my battleship" never gets old.
The only drawback with this game is the replayability in the same session. Games aren't necessarily that long, however once you've played a couple of games against the same opponent, you get a good idea of how they look at strategically positioning their ships and the games can become a little predictable.