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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated A Killer Carol in Books
Sep 25, 2019
A Killing at Christmas is Anything but Heavenly for Claire
Christmas is approaching in Heavenly, Pennsylvania, and Claire Weatherly has her hands full. Not only does she have the normal tourists coming into her shop, Heavenly Treasures, but she is organizing the first annual One Heavenly Night event designed as a chance for residence and tourists to enjoy the town at Christmas. However, murder rears its ugly head once again one night. Annie, the Amish teen who works for Claire, is out Christmas caroling with some friends, and when they stop at the Esch’s farm, they find both of the them dead. Detective Jakob Fisher is quick to realize it was murder. Unfortunately, the last people to visit the victims were Claire’s Amish friend Ruth and her new husband Samuel. Even worse, the couple appear to have a motive for committing the crime. Claire doesn’t believe they could have done it, but Jakob has to follow the evidence wherever it leads, even if it ruins the unofficial inroads he has made in building relationships with the people who used to be his family before he left the Amish community. Can Claire help him solve the case before that happens?
This series works best when the characters are driving a strong mystery, and that’s definitely the case here. I’ve felt like I knew the series regulars from their first appearances in the series, so it was fantastic to spend time with them again. They are still just as strong as ever, and the new character are just as compelling. Since Heavenly sits on the edge of an Amish community, life is a bit slower, and that is reflected in the plot. This isn’t a twist a page type of book, but that faster pace wouldn’t feel right. Don’t get me wrong, we do have twists and surprises, but the impact on the characters is just as important, and the two combined keep me glued to the book. I had to fight to keep from peaking ahead and making sure everyone was going to be okay. Honestly, just reading about Heavenly refreshes my soul, so picking up this book was great. The Christmas setting was an added bonus since I love that season so much. There are a couple of niggles with the book, but they are minor. This is a fantastic addition to a favorite series.
This series works best when the characters are driving a strong mystery, and that’s definitely the case here. I’ve felt like I knew the series regulars from their first appearances in the series, so it was fantastic to spend time with them again. They are still just as strong as ever, and the new character are just as compelling. Since Heavenly sits on the edge of an Amish community, life is a bit slower, and that is reflected in the plot. This isn’t a twist a page type of book, but that faster pace wouldn’t feel right. Don’t get me wrong, we do have twists and surprises, but the impact on the characters is just as important, and the two combined keep me glued to the book. I had to fight to keep from peaking ahead and making sure everyone was going to be okay. Honestly, just reading about Heavenly refreshes my soul, so picking up this book was great. The Christmas setting was an added bonus since I love that season so much. There are a couple of niggles with the book, but they are minor. This is a fantastic addition to a favorite series.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Walking Dead in TV
Nov 2, 2017
Starts brilliantly, but now starting to drag...
I love zombie films, so a zombie (or walker as the "z" word is never mentioned) tv show really appealed. And to begin with, The Walking Dead really impresses.
The first season is such a good debut, Andrew Lincoln does very well as Rick - can hardly believe it's Simon from Teachers. The visual and physical effects are fantastic and the walkers are truly scary. Character development over the initial few series too is very good and you come to care about a lot (and hate a lot) of them. The first maybe 5 series I can't really fault too much. There's dips, but it always come bouncing back with some shock deaths or interesting characters like the Governor.
The problem is with the last couple of series. Everything has become a bit too samey - meet a hostile group, become scared & abused by the group, people get killed and then Rick's group manages to overcome them. The walkers have pretty much taken a back seat. Personally I think they should try and end the series soon instead of dragging it out too far.
The first season is such a good debut, Andrew Lincoln does very well as Rick - can hardly believe it's Simon from Teachers. The visual and physical effects are fantastic and the walkers are truly scary. Character development over the initial few series too is very good and you come to care about a lot (and hate a lot) of them. The first maybe 5 series I can't really fault too much. There's dips, but it always come bouncing back with some shock deaths or interesting characters like the Governor.
The problem is with the last couple of series. Everything has become a bit too samey - meet a hostile group, become scared & abused by the group, people get killed and then Rick's group manages to overcome them. The walkers have pretty much taken a back seat. Personally I think they should try and end the series soon instead of dragging it out too far.
SoCalEl52 (5 KP) rated STAR WARS Battlefront II in Video Games
Dec 13, 2017
Loot Controversy Aside, Still a Solid Way to Embrace and Enjoy the Star Wars Mythos
Mixing chance and meritocracy, I can get over the loot crate controversy, provided they keep the monetary element away from it, as EA has done for the time being. With an improved campaign mode from Battlefront I, and an intriguing, fanboy-pleasing array of levels and characters in Multiplayer, the gameplay is a fun, engaging time, and I have been passionately addicted. Marking the game down a couple points are some of the technical glitches in the game. One of the Collection rewards I earned twice, then exited the mode in which I was playing to see that the was not registered (it finally worked a third time when I played another level AFTER the one in which I earned it, instead of exiting to the main menu right away). Sometimes when I die, the screen fails to change back to the respawn screen, and some frame rate issues have been frustrating as well.
That being said, I tear it up as Luke Skywalker, Kylo Ren, and the aerial battles. Love it.
That being said, I tear it up as Luke Skywalker, Kylo Ren, and the aerial battles. Love it.
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Bright (2017) in Movies
Dec 23, 2017
To long (1 more)
Somtimes tries to hard to be intellegent
Again better than critic give it credit for.
Ever since I saw the first trailer for this film I wanted to see more.
The opening half an hour of the film for me was a rather slow burner. That being said the story that is being told and entire plot is something that we need more off. Some people will look at this film at see it as making a political point others will look at it and go it got great chi others will go great sci fi. That happens to be what makes it special is that it bridges the gap of so many diffrent genres and age groups maybe that why it can come across as disjointed at times.
This film is also a film I think you need to watch a couple of times to truly grasp it depth and meaning and the true beauty of it. This may put some people off but it has left me wanting to watch again to truly grasp everything and if that is not the Mark of a great film well I dont know what is.
The opening half an hour of the film for me was a rather slow burner. That being said the story that is being told and entire plot is something that we need more off. Some people will look at this film at see it as making a political point others will look at it and go it got great chi others will go great sci fi. That happens to be what makes it special is that it bridges the gap of so many diffrent genres and age groups maybe that why it can come across as disjointed at times.
This film is also a film I think you need to watch a couple of times to truly grasp it depth and meaning and the true beauty of it. This may put some people off but it has left me wanting to watch again to truly grasp everything and if that is not the Mark of a great film well I dont know what is.
Richard Crump (5 KP) rated Freddy Got Fingered (2001) in Movies
May 5, 2018 (Updated May 5, 2018)
The beastiality was too much. (1 more)
Had to watch it twice to find it funny
Over the top or just silly fun?
Gord Brody (Tom Green) is a cartoonist trying to pitch an animated show to Hollywood execs. After failing, he goes home and has to live with his parents and brother Freddy (Eddie Kaye Thomas). His father (Rip Torn) doesn't approve of Gord's career path and pressures him to get a real job and move out. That is, Until Gord claims his dad is molesting Freddy which leads to drastic and hilarious consequences.
Sounds crazy right? Very weird and surreal but it makes me chuckle. Very silly toilet humour tbf and there are a few scenes that are a bit inappropriate and because of this, I’m not sure if tom green is bizarre, needs medical attention or a genius.
So was it over the top or just a bit of silly fun?
IMO a bit of BOTH
Sounds crazy right? Very weird and surreal but it makes me chuckle. Very silly toilet humour tbf and there are a few scenes that are a bit inappropriate and because of this, I’m not sure if tom green is bizarre, needs medical attention or a genius.
So was it over the top or just a bit of silly fun?
IMO a bit of BOTH
Lee (2222 KP) rated Deadpool 2 (2018) in Movies
May 18, 2018
Huge improvement over the original
After a relatively slow and average start featuring a depressed Deadpool, some standard taking out of bad guys, moaning at Colossus about the X-Men etc, Deadpool 2 eventually slips into gear and doesn't let up from then on. A number of additional characters are soon introduced, and those that stick around for more than just a couple of scenes are definitely worth it. Josh Brolin brings just the right level of bad-ass threat to the movie as Cable, arriving from the future with a Terminator style mission to take care of. Zazie Beetz’s as Domino, whose superpower is simply 'luck' is just a joy to watch, and the formation of the new 'X-Force' team just takes things to a whole new level of enjoyment.
The one-liners are still there, and there are many scenes which just seem to feature one big laugh out loud moment after another. Everything about Deadpool 2 is just a huge improvement on the original - the action, the humour, the characters, the cameos and the story itself. I loved it.
The one-liners are still there, and there are many scenes which just seem to feature one big laugh out loud moment after another. Everything about Deadpool 2 is just a huge improvement on the original - the action, the humour, the characters, the cameos and the story itself. I loved it.
Jim LeBaron (69 KP) rated Keyforge: Call of the Archons in Tabletop Games
Mar 14, 2019 (Updated Mar 14, 2019)
Unique Decks (1 more)
Decks can be registered and tracked online
Gloranta, the "Arsonist" of Jealousy
Great idea for a game. Each deck is unique and procedurally generated. Decks are 'balanced' but there are definitely decks that have better synergy than others. Each deck is made up out of 3 of the 7 factions and has the name of the deck written on the back so no mixing and matching between decks. Each turn you have to decide which faction you will "activate" and only those cards can be used, including those in play. The first one to activate their 3 keys with enough Aember is the winner.
There is a base game that comes with two fixed starter decks but it also comes with two randomized decks. The base game includes all of the tokens and counters that you need to play. Individual decks can be purchased separately.
I enjoyed the games that I played and never had a match that I felt was unbalanced enough to not be winnable. This isn't the first one I will grab to hit the table but I have a couple of decks at the office to break out over lunch.
There is a base game that comes with two fixed starter decks but it also comes with two randomized decks. The base game includes all of the tokens and counters that you need to play. Individual decks can be purchased separately.
I enjoyed the games that I played and never had a match that I felt was unbalanced enough to not be winnable. This isn't the first one I will grab to hit the table but I have a couple of decks at the office to break out over lunch.
Fench Fletcher (5 KP) rated the Xbox One version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in Video Games
Apr 29, 2019
Its a great game, and Ive put in a couple hundred hours of play time, but it has a lot of flaws, mainly the amount of glitches in it. On more than one occation I found myself falling through the world, and I had a dead blood dragon that spawned through the world almost everywhere I went (I now refer to him as my pet blood dragon). My husband of choice was Darkithus the argonian, and it is impossible to keep him at your home, he has to be your follower or else he gets lost. I also gound it was very easy to get trapped in walls, lose items to what I refer to as the floor gods, and have items randomly start glitching out and flying all over the place. Also floating swords and shields will randomly show up in world while you explore, and often times they cannot be picked up. These glitches ruin any immersion you have. But even with all the bad glitches, the game is still beautiful, though a little dull, almost 8 years later.
Lenard (726 KP) rated Shazam! (2019) in Movies
May 8, 2019 (Updated Jun 15, 2019)
Did you ever dream of becoming a superhero? Thaddeus Sivana does. Bullied by his father and older brother because they think he is weak, Thaddeus dreams of becoming the most powerful being in the world. However, Wizard, the last remaining guardian of the secrets of the universe, doesn't think he is pure of heart and worthy of being a superhero. Thaddeus decides to become a supervillain and waits for a champion of the downtrodden, Captain Marvel (I refuse to call him Shazam since he IS Captain Marvel unlike Carol Danvers who got a promotion to Captain after being Ms Marvel for decades). A couple decades later, Billy Batson who was abandoned by his mother at a state fair spends his day researching and looking for the woman who abandoned him while running away from various foster homes. That is, until he is placed in a foster home full of damaged children. He learns the value of family while learning how to be a hero. I watched the TV series every Saturday growing up and while the movie is good, the show remains a pivotal time in my life.
Recommended gritty read
What a roller-coaster of a ride that was! I'm sure I experienced all the emotions known to man whilst reading this book - joy, surprise, sadness, disgust, anger, anticipation and fear to name but a few.
The characters are believable and brilliant although not all of them are particularly likeable. The story is gripping and had me hooked from start to finish and although I anticipated the end, it didn't disappoint or spoil it for me. The only complaint I have is the epilogue ... what the heck?!?! I found it cheesy and, in my humble opinion, totally unnecessary apart from tying up a couple of loose ends which could have been put elsewhere in the book however, this didn't ruin it for me it just made me "tut" and roll my eyes.
Kimberley Chambers isn't known as the "Queen of Gangland Crime Fiction" for nothing and I would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy a gritty story that's not all about violence and hate.
Thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
The characters are believable and brilliant although not all of them are particularly likeable. The story is gripping and had me hooked from start to finish and although I anticipated the end, it didn't disappoint or spoil it for me. The only complaint I have is the epilogue ... what the heck?!?! I found it cheesy and, in my humble opinion, totally unnecessary apart from tying up a couple of loose ends which could have been put elsewhere in the book however, this didn't ruin it for me it just made me "tut" and roll my eyes.
Kimberley Chambers isn't known as the "Queen of Gangland Crime Fiction" for nothing and I would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy a gritty story that's not all about violence and hate.
Thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.