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AT (1676 KP) rated The Hunting Party in Books
Jan 31, 2020 (Updated Jan 31, 2020)
I just finished reading this book for the book club that I'm in. I loved the fact that we don't know who was killed for sure until the end. Same with who did it. However, I was not nuts about the twist at the end. All the way through the book, any one of the major characters could have easily been the killer, and you leaned that way until the next possible path was opened up a few chapters later. However, I feel like I didn't love the ending or how things actually happened when that was brought to light. I was disappointed. However, up until that point, I wasn't sure who did it, so that part was good. I also thought that a couple of the characters were generally pointless, but they weren't focused on for very long, so I don't feel like it wasted much of my time, at least. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. The ending just wasn't for me.
Otway93 (580 KP) rated JCB Tradesman 2 TP127 in Tech
Jan 2, 2020
Waterproof (3 more)
Dustproof
Basic
Loud
Plastic appearance (1 more)
Battery Cover
Not as tough as it makes out.
Everything started off so well with this phone, but within two weeks, this "IP67 Rugged phone" was damaged with parts being held on with parcel tape.
For the time I had it, it was for the most part an excellent phone. Basic (text and calls only with only snake or something similar for entertainment), waterproof (and it floats), dustproof, and so loud it could easily be heard in the noisiest of environments.
But after a couple of weeks, I removed it from my pocket, and this somehow broke the clips on the cheap and cheerful battery cover, rendering it no longer waterproof or dustproof. The battery cover is held in with two flimsy plastic clips, that are apparently easily broken off.
Finally, the appearance. Not an important one, I quite like it, but it does have a very cheap plastic look about it.
For the time I had it, it was for the most part an excellent phone. Basic (text and calls only with only snake or something similar for entertainment), waterproof (and it floats), dustproof, and so loud it could easily be heard in the noisiest of environments.
But after a couple of weeks, I removed it from my pocket, and this somehow broke the clips on the cheap and cheerful battery cover, rendering it no longer waterproof or dustproof. The battery cover is held in with two flimsy plastic clips, that are apparently easily broken off.
Finally, the appearance. Not an important one, I quite like it, but it does have a very cheap plastic look about it.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Cat People (1942) in Movies
Jan 6, 2020 (Updated Jan 6, 2020)
Moody and suggestive noir-ish horror melodrama perhaps shows that you can leave too much to the imagination. Serbian immigrant falls for preppy boat designer and marries him; the trouble is that she believes she will turn into a panther and rip him apart if he even kisses her. (No marriage will prosper in these circumstances.)
Very much of its period, especially in its gender politics - both of the main male characters are eminently punchable, to say the least - with a slightly awkward subtext about feminine emotions and desire. The plot is perhaps a bit too linear as well. However, it is very well directed, with a couple of sequences that invariably turn up in 'history of horror' documentaries as establishing genre tropes. It's still a slightly eggy melodrama where you don't really see the monster, so unlikely to be satisfying for many modern fans of the genre. It has still worn better than many other horror films from the 30s and 40s.
Very much of its period, especially in its gender politics - both of the main male characters are eminently punchable, to say the least - with a slightly awkward subtext about feminine emotions and desire. The plot is perhaps a bit too linear as well. However, it is very well directed, with a couple of sequences that invariably turn up in 'history of horror' documentaries as establishing genre tropes. It's still a slightly eggy melodrama where you don't really see the monster, so unlikely to be satisfying for many modern fans of the genre. It has still worn better than many other horror films from the 30s and 40s.
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Antichrist (2009) in Movies
Feb 8, 2020
What the hell did I just watch? Lars Von Trier at his most deliberately controversial and one truly fucked up film. An un-named couple work through the grief of losing their son and the guilt they feel over the circumstances of his death by going absolutely batshit crazy in the woods. Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg do the best they can and their performances are fine , it’s the material that’s the problem . The first hour is deathly dull and the final 40 minutes consists of graphic violence, bizarre imagery, a talking fox and a bit of genital mutilation thrown in for good measure.The film as a whole is a mess and just doesn’t work , it wants to be arty and clever but feels like it’s just trying to shock for the hell of it. I didn’t enjoy any of this movie and would die a happy man if I never saw this again.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Tyrannosaurus Wrecks in Books
Apr 13, 2020
Hunting a Dinosaur Skull
Teddy Fitzroy is surprised when his friend Sage reveals that he found a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull on his ranch. But now that skull has gone missing. It’s large and heavy, so who could have stolen it? And how did they do it? Meanwhile, he’s gotten a call from the Barksdale twins about their new exotic pet. Who is selling these dangerous animals?
This book really does have two storylines, and it balances both well. We do get a couple of lectures about endangered animals, but they don’t slow down the action for long. And with everything happening, there is plenty of action. When Teddy pieced together the clues, I couldn’t believe I missed them myself. The characters are great as always, and some of the situations Teddy found himself in made me laugh out loud. These books are aimed at middle schoolers, but anyone who enjoys a fun mystery should definitely pick them up.
This book really does have two storylines, and it balances both well. We do get a couple of lectures about endangered animals, but they don’t slow down the action for long. And with everything happening, there is plenty of action. When Teddy pieced together the clues, I couldn’t believe I missed them myself. The characters are great as always, and some of the situations Teddy found himself in made me laugh out loud. These books are aimed at middle schoolers, but anyone who enjoys a fun mystery should definitely pick them up.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Badlands (1973) in Movies
Jul 29, 2019
Impressive debut from the legend himself, Terrence Malick
Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek look so young! Probably because they are!
Impressive directorial debut and the start of great things to come. Some of his visual style are already present including impressive landscape shots or cut scenes featuring animals and nature.
The story is based on the American serial killer Charles Starkweather who befriends a naive young girl, invades her life and brings her along on a mass killing road trip across the southern United States. The victims include almost everyone they meet. The authorities are mobilized and pursue the duo as tensions escalate.
Sheen and Spacek are perfectly cast as the young couple which modern audiences would equate to Natural Born Killers; however, this film is not over the top like NBK. I really enjoyed their reluctant relationship and the mounting peril with the inevitable confrontation with the law.
Highly recommended.
Impressive directorial debut and the start of great things to come. Some of his visual style are already present including impressive landscape shots or cut scenes featuring animals and nature.
The story is based on the American serial killer Charles Starkweather who befriends a naive young girl, invades her life and brings her along on a mass killing road trip across the southern United States. The victims include almost everyone they meet. The authorities are mobilized and pursue the duo as tensions escalate.
Sheen and Spacek are perfectly cast as the young couple which modern audiences would equate to Natural Born Killers; however, this film is not over the top like NBK. I really enjoyed their reluctant relationship and the mounting peril with the inevitable confrontation with the law.
Highly recommended.
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