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Rodney Barnes (472 KP) rated King Kong (1933) in Movies
Apr 26, 2019 (Updated Apr 26, 2019)
Original is always best
This is where I first fell in love with King Kong and the monster genre. This movie has Carl Denham, a movie producer that stops at nothing to try and get his blockbuster movie. Even at the expense of human life. Jack Discroll who was the other hero (besides Kong) who falls in love with Ann, the damsel in distress. Little did Jack know he would have competition in the form of King Kong. Kong protected Ann from the horrors of Skull Island while Jack was trying to project Ann from Kong. Kong left a trail of destruction from Skull Island to New York City. This was one of the movies that set the standard in special affects. Those of us who are Godzilla fans really have the team of Cooper and Wallace to thank. It was from this movie that Godzilla was inspired. Though this story has been done a couple of times...this one is still my favorite. There was a scene that was shot that we will unfortunately not get to see released for this movie. A sequence involving the crew of the Venture down in a ravine battling giant insects. It was considered to be outside of the censorship standards. Still in the end... it was because of the love from two men that Ann survives everything she went through....The love from Jack and the love from King Kong
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Finding Grace in Books
May 22, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
Finding Grace is an emotional thriller with twists along the way to keep you engaged and a fairly fast pace makes this almost unputdownable.
Lucie and Blake are a happy couple with two children, Grace is having her ninth birthday when we strat this journey and she is pushing the boundaries wanting to be able to walk home from her friends house just down the road by herself. After much persuasion she is allowed but even though safety measures have been put in place Grace disappears in thin air.
WOW!! I don't know where to start doing this one... I was utterly blown away with this. I went into this one thinking it was going to be a straight forward missing child story-line but this one was so much more than that. This has some wonderful twists and turns with this plot. I won't give any spoilers away on this.
This author is just amazing and her characters are so developed you just feel you are right there with them. The tension and plot just keeps building from the very beginning. This will definitely keep you wondering and guessing to the very end!
This is a superb psychological read that you won't want to miss!! I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Finding Grace is an emotional thriller with twists along the way to keep you engaged and a fairly fast pace makes this almost unputdownable.
Lucie and Blake are a happy couple with two children, Grace is having her ninth birthday when we strat this journey and she is pushing the boundaries wanting to be able to walk home from her friends house just down the road by herself. After much persuasion she is allowed but even though safety measures have been put in place Grace disappears in thin air.
WOW!! I don't know where to start doing this one... I was utterly blown away with this. I went into this one thinking it was going to be a straight forward missing child story-line but this one was so much more than that. This has some wonderful twists and turns with this plot. I won't give any spoilers away on this.
This author is just amazing and her characters are so developed you just feel you are right there with them. The tension and plot just keeps building from the very beginning. This will definitely keep you wondering and guessing to the very end!
This is a superb psychological read that you won't want to miss!! I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated As Long as We Both Shall Live in Books
May 22, 2019
My wife! I think shes dead! Matt frantically calls to park rangers, explaining that he and his wife, Marie, were out hiking when she stumbled on a cliff edge and fell into the raging river below. They start a search but arent hopeful: no one could have survived that fall.
Its a tragic accident.
But when police discover Matts first wife also died in suspicious circumstances a fire in their family home they have a lot more questions for him.
Is Matt a grieving husband, or has he just killed his second wife? Detectives Loren and Spengler dig into the couples lives to see what they can unearth. And they find that loves got teeth, its got claws, and once it hitches you to a person, its tough to rip yourself free.
So what happens when youre done making it work?
Well this is one crazy warped marriage ride!
Seriously I found myself laughing at the antics and thoughts of these two at times; then on the flip side being gripped by the suspense.
I really enjoyed this one.
Read what happens when 20 years of marriage becomes a minefield of love/hate.
If you love psychological twisty thrillers as much as me then you need to read this one!
Recommend reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-book ARC to read and review. This is my honest voluntary review.
Its a tragic accident.
But when police discover Matts first wife also died in suspicious circumstances a fire in their family home they have a lot more questions for him.
Is Matt a grieving husband, or has he just killed his second wife? Detectives Loren and Spengler dig into the couples lives to see what they can unearth. And they find that loves got teeth, its got claws, and once it hitches you to a person, its tough to rip yourself free.
So what happens when youre done making it work?
Well this is one crazy warped marriage ride!
Seriously I found myself laughing at the antics and thoughts of these two at times; then on the flip side being gripped by the suspense.
I really enjoyed this one.
Read what happens when 20 years of marriage becomes a minefield of love/hate.
If you love psychological twisty thrillers as much as me then you need to read this one!
Recommend reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-book ARC to read and review. This is my honest voluntary review.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated The Most Wicked of Sins (Seven Deadly Sins, #2) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
While there was nothing about this book that made it special and I found the "Seven Deadly Sins" theme cliche, it was a pleasure to read. This is the kind of romance novel that makes you sigh with happiness when you finish the last page, the type of novel that is truly a delight to fans of romance. The couple doesn't argue the entire time. In fact, the only arguing was the female protagonist's, Ivy's, arguing with herself and her emotions. This is quite refreshing among the endless stream of novels where the couples are always butting heads and arguing to the point that I want to rip my hair out.
The only problem I had was Ivy's behavior. I have read so many historical novels where the women act as free as the women today. It's irritating. If those women really acted that way, then they would be complete outcasts of society no matter what their status or money. I am also sure that the menfolk would simply not allow such behavior.
The male protagonist, Dominic Sheridan, stole my heart away. He was sweet and endearing to Ivy, that it grabbed my heart strings. At first, it was amusing to watch the two's playful banter, and then watch how their behavior changed so subtly when the two began to fall in love. It was cute.
I actually liked the light-hearted feel of this novel so much, I rented the other two currently published.
The only problem I had was Ivy's behavior. I have read so many historical novels where the women act as free as the women today. It's irritating. If those women really acted that way, then they would be complete outcasts of society no matter what their status or money. I am also sure that the menfolk would simply not allow such behavior.
The male protagonist, Dominic Sheridan, stole my heart away. He was sweet and endearing to Ivy, that it grabbed my heart strings. At first, it was amusing to watch the two's playful banter, and then watch how their behavior changed so subtly when the two began to fall in love. It was cute.
I actually liked the light-hearted feel of this novel so much, I rented the other two currently published.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated After the Hurt in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story had two things going for it for me. 1) It was written dual POV which I love. I love being able to be inside the heros head as well as the heroines. 2) It was a second chance love story.
Normally I would love a second chance romance, but I tend to enjoy the ones where the couple is starting with someone new, not someone they have already been and screwed up with. If it were different circumstance, I could understand. However, I felt Pepper was a very selfish person and I was often annoyed by her behavior. Tank wasnt much better but he was far more patient with Pepper than I could have been. I understand that sometimes people need change or to get away, but I felt Pepper went about it completely the wrong way,
I was also annoyed that there didnt seem to be much interaction between the two. Inner monologues are something I like limited in my stories. They tend to tell more than they show so there is little plot progression. If there is too much of it, I tend to find myself skipping over it especially if it doesnt progress the story line (which inner monologues rarely do.)
I felt like this is a story I could have enjoyed had I liked the characters better.
This story had two things going for it for me. 1) It was written dual POV which I love. I love being able to be inside the heros head as well as the heroines. 2) It was a second chance love story.
Normally I would love a second chance romance, but I tend to enjoy the ones where the couple is starting with someone new, not someone they have already been and screwed up with. If it were different circumstance, I could understand. However, I felt Pepper was a very selfish person and I was often annoyed by her behavior. Tank wasnt much better but he was far more patient with Pepper than I could have been. I understand that sometimes people need change or to get away, but I felt Pepper went about it completely the wrong way,
I was also annoyed that there didnt seem to be much interaction between the two. Inner monologues are something I like limited in my stories. They tend to tell more than they show so there is little plot progression. If there is too much of it, I tend to find myself skipping over it especially if it doesnt progress the story line (which inner monologues rarely do.)
I felt like this is a story I could have enjoyed had I liked the characters better.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Wine, Tarts, & Sex in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I knew I wouldn't like this novel when the lead couple was an ex-super model and a chef. Or maybe it was that sex was actually in the title of the novel. Or maybe it was because it lacked any form of romance or fantasy which was not made up for with the ridiculous sex scenes.
And ridiculous they were.
I say it once; I will say it a thousand times. When the man calls the woman "baby", the book should be burned. It's not sexy; it's trashy and annoying, especially when they don't even know each other. Now, I do love when my boyfriend calls me baby. But when you an erection on legs going after the hottest piece of tale near?
That was the first thing that ruined this book for me. Apparently the leads were just so horny that they jumped the first attractive opposite sex they met. And it was the greatest sex they have ever had. So much so, that they become addicted to having a sex with each other. I guess that must be the recipe for love because that's what ended up happening.
The other thing that annoyed me was the characters' bipolar behavior. One minute they were having delicious great sex, the next she was trying to kick him out. I feel like I may have massively missed something, like a few pages, because I was so confused by the change, I still have whiplash.
And ridiculous they were.
I say it once; I will say it a thousand times. When the man calls the woman "baby", the book should be burned. It's not sexy; it's trashy and annoying, especially when they don't even know each other. Now, I do love when my boyfriend calls me baby. But when you an erection on legs going after the hottest piece of tale near?
That was the first thing that ruined this book for me. Apparently the leads were just so horny that they jumped the first attractive opposite sex they met. And it was the greatest sex they have ever had. So much so, that they become addicted to having a sex with each other. I guess that must be the recipe for love because that's what ended up happening.
The other thing that annoyed me was the characters' bipolar behavior. One minute they were having delicious great sex, the next she was trying to kick him out. I feel like I may have massively missed something, like a few pages, because I was so confused by the change, I still have whiplash.
Tamsin Clark (15 KP) rated Pixel Puzzles in Video Games
Jan 23, 2018 (Updated Jan 23, 2018)
Over 1000 achievements to boost Steam (2 more)
Lots of variously themed puzzle packs
Lots of customisation
The goddamn music (2 more)
Packs need to be bought
Time sink
Surprisingly addictive
I actually ended up with Pixel Puzzles from a G2A random game pack and left it in my Steam library for almost a year until I saw someone mention it again recently. I expected poor quality but actually, this is a really fun jigsaw puzzle game. There's a ton of achievements to be gained and by doing puzzles you 'earn' tokens that you can buy things within the in-game shop that you can customise your game with (backgrounds, music, cursors, even extra puzzles). The puzzles come in various piece amounts from 60 into the hundreds, and they are often created in various styles so it's not just the same old jigsaw pieces with different images.
The game is a time sink; before you know it you've spent 2 hrs on a puzzle or 3. There's so much in there and considering you can get packs for a couple of pounds in various places, it's a really fun thing to have in your library. However once you're through those cheap packs the new ones can cost a fortune, which is where this game loses points. Personally, I expect to be able to buy the game with all the puzzles, not have to fork out more and more money just to get new images.
The game is a time sink; before you know it you've spent 2 hrs on a puzzle or 3. There's so much in there and considering you can get packs for a couple of pounds in various places, it's a really fun thing to have in your library. However once you're through those cheap packs the new ones can cost a fortune, which is where this game loses points. Personally, I expect to be able to buy the game with all the puzzles, not have to fork out more and more money just to get new images.
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Love, Simon (2018) in Movies
Jan 25, 2018
Nick Robinson (3 more)
Tony Hale
Plot/premise
Subject matter well handled
So close to 10 out of 10
This was a beautiful stunning film. If you like Rom coms or teenage films then this is a must see.
Nick Robinson not only does Simon justice. He is truely captivating at holding each and every scene. His character and presence is remarkable. I truely believe he is a superstar on the rise.
Every cast member in this film was good and some really suprised me. I Think the most surprising for me was Tony Hale preformance as the vice principal in the book this is a character I have very little emotion or love for on screen he makes the characharacter cter vibrant.
I have read the book and so went into this film with certain expectations. Whilst I understand you will never get an exact book to screen represetation (more the pity) I do get annoyed if film makers throw premise out of the window or do what I call hollywoodising it to make it dramtic for rating. Until this film was nearly finished I was sat going oh my god they done a brilliant representation then an event happens and for a couple of scence I though it lost it way but unlike most films. This film brought it back to premise and story and had a great ending.
Nick Robinson not only does Simon justice. He is truely captivating at holding each and every scene. His character and presence is remarkable. I truely believe he is a superstar on the rise.
Every cast member in this film was good and some really suprised me. I Think the most surprising for me was Tony Hale preformance as the vice principal in the book this is a character I have very little emotion or love for on screen he makes the characharacter cter vibrant.
I have read the book and so went into this film with certain expectations. Whilst I understand you will never get an exact book to screen represetation (more the pity) I do get annoyed if film makers throw premise out of the window or do what I call hollywoodising it to make it dramtic for rating. Until this film was nearly finished I was sat going oh my god they done a brilliant representation then an event happens and for a couple of scence I though it lost it way but unlike most films. This film brought it back to premise and story and had a great ending.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated When the Grits Hit the Fan in Books
Mar 9, 2018
To help make money in the cold February winter, Robbie Jordan has opened up her restaurant for dinner two Friday’s a month to the Sociology department of a nearby college. Any thoughts she had about this being a calm exchange of ideas goes out the window when one of the professors, Charles, picks fights with two different people. The next afternoon, Robbie is out with her friend Lou when they find Charles under the ice in the nearby lake. Since Lou had fought with Charles the night before, the police are looking at her as a suspect. But with Charles as universally hated as he was, surely Robbie can find a better suspect, right?
Charles’s habit of making enemies serves us plenty of suspects. The lack of clues to point the finger at any single person makes for lots of fun. I was never bored watching the plot unfold. A couple of the series regulars weren’t around for this book, but those who were around were certainly delightful. The suspects were all strong and viable, and the climax was creative and page turning. Can I just say how much I would love to visit Robbie’s restaurant? Seriously, it sounds delightful. (Well, when a murder isn’t taking place, of course.)
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-when-grits-hit-fan-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Charles’s habit of making enemies serves us plenty of suspects. The lack of clues to point the finger at any single person makes for lots of fun. I was never bored watching the plot unfold. A couple of the series regulars weren’t around for this book, but those who were around were certainly delightful. The suspects were all strong and viable, and the climax was creative and page turning. Can I just say how much I would love to visit Robbie’s restaurant? Seriously, it sounds delightful. (Well, when a murder isn’t taking place, of course.)
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-when-grits-hit-fan-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Fates and Furies in Books
Feb 13, 2018
This novel details the story of Lotto and Mathilde, who meet as their college days are ending and marry shortly thereafter. Lotto and Mathilde appear to all as a glamorous and lovely couple-- adored by all their friends. However, their marriage and relationship may not be all it appears - even to each other.
Groff starts off the book from Lotto's point of view and then halfway through, we get Mathilde's side. (Therefore, everyone must compare it to "Gone Girl," which is driving me crazy. Can we just stop using "Gone Girl" as the marker to which to compare every book written since?! Thank you.) It's an interesting and well-done plot device, in Groff's deft hands, and you find yourself amazed at how the relationship differs between the two perspectives.
There's a lot of discussion of Lotto and Mathilde's parties (a bit much for me) and a backstory to Lotto's childhood (and eventually Mathilde's). Groff does an excellent job of showing how Lotto and Mathilde's childhood formed the people they became as adults -- and how they acted as spouses. I won't lie - I enjoyed Mathilde's section a bit more, even if I didn't perhaps like her as much as Lotto as a person - she's an interesting character. The end is a little much, but the novel is still well-done. I'd rate it as 3.5 stars - some of it dragged a bit for me, but I certainly enjoyed it.
Groff starts off the book from Lotto's point of view and then halfway through, we get Mathilde's side. (Therefore, everyone must compare it to "Gone Girl," which is driving me crazy. Can we just stop using "Gone Girl" as the marker to which to compare every book written since?! Thank you.) It's an interesting and well-done plot device, in Groff's deft hands, and you find yourself amazed at how the relationship differs between the two perspectives.
There's a lot of discussion of Lotto and Mathilde's parties (a bit much for me) and a backstory to Lotto's childhood (and eventually Mathilde's). Groff does an excellent job of showing how Lotto and Mathilde's childhood formed the people they became as adults -- and how they acted as spouses. I won't lie - I enjoyed Mathilde's section a bit more, even if I didn't perhaps like her as much as Lotto as a person - she's an interesting character. The end is a little much, but the novel is still well-done. I'd rate it as 3.5 stars - some of it dragged a bit for me, but I certainly enjoyed it.
Andy K (10821 KP) Apr 26, 2019