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Kim Pook (101 KP) rated Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) in Movies
Jan 12, 2020
The movie seems to be set a couple of years after the first, all 4 friends have gone their seperate ways but come together to meet up at their local coffee shop, all except Spencer. Worried about him, fridge, Martha and bethany go to his house where they meet spencers grandad and his ex business partner Milo but spencer is nowhere to be seen. They hear the familiar drums coming from the basement and decide to go investigate, they notice the smashed games console and spencers phone and realise he has gone back into the game. They know They need to go back in and rescue him so they all touch the console and get dragged back into jumanji, but this time there's a difference. Everyone except martha are in different bodies and not only that but grandad and milo are somehow dragged in too.
Once again they have to complete different levels in the game but with 2 old people in tow instead of spencer and bethany with funny consequences. Dwayne johnson and kevin hart had the new characters down to a tea, the way they spoke and everything.
The storyline was along the same lines as the first movie but their play through was different. I liked how Martha was much more confident than last time and took the lead this time around. There was some laughs but not as much as the first film and i found some scenes dragged on longer than they should but overall it was a good movie and by the looks of the mid credits scene there is room for a 3rd to finish it off.
Once again they have to complete different levels in the game but with 2 old people in tow instead of spencer and bethany with funny consequences. Dwayne johnson and kevin hart had the new characters down to a tea, the way they spoke and everything.
The storyline was along the same lines as the first movie but their play through was different. I liked how Martha was much more confident than last time and took the lead this time around. There was some laughs but not as much as the first film and i found some scenes dragged on longer than they should but overall it was a good movie and by the looks of the mid credits scene there is room for a 3rd to finish it off.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Fifty Shades Freed (2018) in Movies
Jan 15, 2020
I think this may be a first for me - I think I liked the movie more than I liked the book. *GASP* I know. I am usually the last person to say that. There are several movie adaptations of books that I hate because they just miss the mark. This isn't one. If you've read my review of the book, then you know that there's a whole section of the book that I think is useless involving Ana's stepdad, Ray. (No spoilers, but it's useless. Literally adds nothing to the story.) I'm so happy that they didn't end up putting that in the film. It would've added probably 30 minutes of dead footage that wouldn't have advanced the plot in any way.
In terms of the acting and the dialogue, as well as the plot, I think this is the best of all three of them. Not only is it the climax of the plot between the three films, but I also think that it showcases Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan far better than any of the other films. Jamie has even said that Christian is hard to like in the first film and he is, I think Ana is too. But to see the story unfold, round out, and finish, it's incredibly satisfying. Of course, there are things that they had in the book that they didn't have in the movie - I would've loved the full epilogue to be shot - but overall, I think that this movie is the one that comes out on top, along with the novel. Definitely a guilty pleasure and I'm sure I'll find myself watching it every couple of months just for a good time.
In terms of the acting and the dialogue, as well as the plot, I think this is the best of all three of them. Not only is it the climax of the plot between the three films, but I also think that it showcases Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan far better than any of the other films. Jamie has even said that Christian is hard to like in the first film and he is, I think Ana is too. But to see the story unfold, round out, and finish, it's incredibly satisfying. Of course, there are things that they had in the book that they didn't have in the movie - I would've loved the full epilogue to be shot - but overall, I think that this movie is the one that comes out on top, along with the novel. Definitely a guilty pleasure and I'm sure I'll find myself watching it every couple of months just for a good time.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated The Silent Second in Books
Jan 16, 2020
Good, but Not the Tone I Was Expecting
Chuck Restic has spent twenty years in HR, and he’s good at his job – making sure employees get along so they don’t sue each other or, more importantly, the company. That’s how he first meets Ed, who has had a complaint filed against him. Ed seems like a nice guy, and their meeting goes well, but then Ed disappears a couple of days later. A plea from Ed’s family to figure out what happened to him intrigues Chuck. He’s recently separated from his wife, and he wants to do something to fill his time away from work, so he uses his boredom as an excuse to start poking around. The trail quickly leads to real estate around Los Angeles, but how could that have led to Ed’s disappearance?
I’d seen the author speak at a library event a while ago, and I thought this book sounded like fun. While I certainly enjoyed it, I found the book to be darker in tone than I was expecting. There were a few laughs when Chuck was in HR mode, but for the most part, this felt more like a hard-boiled book. But that’s my only complaint with the book. I really did like Chuck – in fact, I could identify with him a bit too much. (Maybe that was part of my problem.) The rest of the cast are just as strong and become well-rounded people as we learn most about them. The plot was great with plenty of twists and an ending I didn’t see coming. The book was light on foul language and didn’t get too graphic with the violence or sex, which I most definitely appreciated. This is a solid debut, but pick it up when you are in the mood for something on the darker side.
I’d seen the author speak at a library event a while ago, and I thought this book sounded like fun. While I certainly enjoyed it, I found the book to be darker in tone than I was expecting. There were a few laughs when Chuck was in HR mode, but for the most part, this felt more like a hard-boiled book. But that’s my only complaint with the book. I really did like Chuck – in fact, I could identify with him a bit too much. (Maybe that was part of my problem.) The rest of the cast are just as strong and become well-rounded people as we learn most about them. The plot was great with plenty of twists and an ending I didn’t see coming. The book was light on foul language and didn’t get too graphic with the violence or sex, which I most definitely appreciated. This is a solid debut, but pick it up when you are in the mood for something on the darker side.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Sell Low, Sweet Harriet in Books
Jan 2, 2020
A Killer on Base and a Challenging Estate Sale
In the middle of a cold January, Fitch Air Force Base is rocked by the murder of one of the servicemen’s wives. Sarah Winston knew the victim slightly since they both volunteered at the base’s thrift shop. When Sarah is asked to help the police by listening, and only listening, and sharing what she learns, she agrees. But can she keep it to just listening? Meanwhile, since January is slow for Sarah’s garage sale business, she is thrilled when someone contacts her about holding an estate sale. The woman’s parents were retired CIA and had traveled the globe, so the house is filled with all sorts of treasures. But Sarah soon concludes someone is after something hidden in the house. Can she figure out what it is?
While the garage sale is really a sub-plot, it is a strong sub-plot and we spend almost as much time there as we do with the murder. I did feel the plot got a bit distracted early on, but it didn’t last for long, and that might have been me more than the book. Even then, I was pulled into the story, and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The ending made perfect sense when Sarah figured it all out. Sarah has surrounded herself with a great group of friends and neighbors, and I was thrilled to spend time with each of them again. The new characters are strong as well. There are several sub-plots that allow the supporting characters chances to shine. We even get a couple of funny moments that just might make you laugh at loud. Each book in this series is a delight, and this is another adventure sure to please Sarah’s fans.
While the garage sale is really a sub-plot, it is a strong sub-plot and we spend almost as much time there as we do with the murder. I did feel the plot got a bit distracted early on, but it didn’t last for long, and that might have been me more than the book. Even then, I was pulled into the story, and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The ending made perfect sense when Sarah figured it all out. Sarah has surrounded herself with a great group of friends and neighbors, and I was thrilled to spend time with each of them again. The new characters are strong as well. There are several sub-plots that allow the supporting characters chances to shine. We even get a couple of funny moments that just might make you laugh at loud. Each book in this series is a delight, and this is another adventure sure to please Sarah’s fans.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Speak in Books
Jan 6, 2020 (Updated Jan 27, 2020)
I have read this book multiple times throughout my almost 21 years of existence. I think the first time I read it, I was in 8th grade? Maybe 9th. I'm not one hundred percent sure. But I've read it maybe 4 or 5 times and every time it's different.
The last time I read it, I was a freshman in college and in a completely different spot in my life. When I read it the last time, I hated it. I just found the pacing to be bad, I didn't enjoy the novel itself, but I recognized the importance of Melinda's story. I still do. But now, reading it 2 years later and being where I am, I feel so different. I love this book. I loved it the first time I read it and I guess my relationship with this novel has just ebbed and flowed as I've gotten older and I've floated along with my own trauma and experiences.
I think what I love most about this book, besides its relatability and its incredibly important story, is the truth in it. I think so much of Melinda's experience and her story and the way she copes or doesn't cope is left in the things she doesn't say, in the things that aren't explicitly written. I think you take as much as she gives and then some more. I'm not sure if that makes any sense, but that's what I get from it.
I'm still a firm believer that everyone should read this book before high school and before college, but now I just think that everyone should read it every once in a while. I'm definitely going to check in with this book again in a couple of years and see where I find myself with it again.
The last time I read it, I was a freshman in college and in a completely different spot in my life. When I read it the last time, I hated it. I just found the pacing to be bad, I didn't enjoy the novel itself, but I recognized the importance of Melinda's story. I still do. But now, reading it 2 years later and being where I am, I feel so different. I love this book. I loved it the first time I read it and I guess my relationship with this novel has just ebbed and flowed as I've gotten older and I've floated along with my own trauma and experiences.
I think what I love most about this book, besides its relatability and its incredibly important story, is the truth in it. I think so much of Melinda's experience and her story and the way she copes or doesn't cope is left in the things she doesn't say, in the things that aren't explicitly written. I think you take as much as she gives and then some more. I'm not sure if that makes any sense, but that's what I get from it.
I'm still a firm believer that everyone should read this book before high school and before college, but now I just think that everyone should read it every once in a while. I'm definitely going to check in with this book again in a couple of years and see where I find myself with it again.
Nick Beaty (70 KP) rated Shazam! (2019) in Movies
Jan 7, 2020 (Updated Jan 7, 2020)
DC has a fun side...
Shazam! is pretty much exactly what you would expect from a story about a boy with the ability to turn in to a fully grown adult superhero (with a very questionable muscle suit, it has to be said). As they are famously renowned for their dark content and moody superheroes, it is nice to see that DC has a fun side.
The movie itself reminded me of a lesser version of Big and a PG version of Kick Ass. The cast do a good job, in particular Asher Angel who plays young Billy Baston with confidence and a lots of swagger. Zachary Levi who plays the adult superhero version of Billy seemed to be having a blast.
However a couple of slight negatives for me was the fact that the two actors mentioned above are supposed to be playing the same person and adult Billy has literally none of the characteristics that young Billy has. Also the movie doesn't seem to be quite sure of it's target audience, as some scenes are really dark and creepy for kids, but the overall humour and jokes seem to be aimed more at children than adults.
I would say that the first half of Shazam! is better than the second half, as I felt I wasn't into the movie as much by the end. A long running time could have contributed to that though, as they could have easily cut twenty minutes or so from the film.
Still after all is said and done Shazam! is a fun movie and if you are wanting a superhero movie that doesn't take itself seriously, then this one is probably for you.
The movie itself reminded me of a lesser version of Big and a PG version of Kick Ass. The cast do a good job, in particular Asher Angel who plays young Billy Baston with confidence and a lots of swagger. Zachary Levi who plays the adult superhero version of Billy seemed to be having a blast.
However a couple of slight negatives for me was the fact that the two actors mentioned above are supposed to be playing the same person and adult Billy has literally none of the characteristics that young Billy has. Also the movie doesn't seem to be quite sure of it's target audience, as some scenes are really dark and creepy for kids, but the overall humour and jokes seem to be aimed more at children than adults.
I would say that the first half of Shazam! is better than the second half, as I felt I wasn't into the movie as much by the end. A long running time could have contributed to that though, as they could have easily cut twenty minutes or so from the film.
Still after all is said and done Shazam! is a fun movie and if you are wanting a superhero movie that doesn't take itself seriously, then this one is probably for you.
JT (287 KP) rated The Boy (2016) in Movies
Mar 2, 2020 (Updated Mar 3, 2020)
Gripping in parts but not a standout
d put off watching this for some time, but when I caught the trailer for Brahms: The Boy II which on the face of it looked quite good, I had to give the original one a go.
Having seen Lauren Cohan as Maggie in The Walking Dead for as many seasons as I could stand before I gave up on it, she always stood out as a talented actress.
Here she plays Greta Evans who is looking to escape an abusive past and finds sanctuary in a small English village as a nanny for a wealthy couple and their 8-year old boy, Brahms.
Turns out that young Brahms is a doll and parents Mr and Mrs Heelshire care for him just like a real boy, as a way to cope with the death of their actual son 20-years earlier.
The Boy is a horror film that does little to ignite the nerves but it does hold a degree of suspense. Greta, unconvinced by Brahms flaunts a set of strict rules set by the parents and it’s only then that things start to get eerie.
With no one to turn to except local deliveryman Malcolm (Rupert Evans), she is convinced there is something more to Brahms than just his creepy blank stare. And she would be right, as the little wooden boy goes full Pinocchio and starts moving about, or does he?
While it’s daft I did find myself gripped in certain parts although I’m not sure it warranted a sequel but a sequel it has got – just don’t expect a standout horror film.
Having seen Lauren Cohan as Maggie in The Walking Dead for as many seasons as I could stand before I gave up on it, she always stood out as a talented actress.
Here she plays Greta Evans who is looking to escape an abusive past and finds sanctuary in a small English village as a nanny for a wealthy couple and their 8-year old boy, Brahms.
Turns out that young Brahms is a doll and parents Mr and Mrs Heelshire care for him just like a real boy, as a way to cope with the death of their actual son 20-years earlier.
The Boy is a horror film that does little to ignite the nerves but it does hold a degree of suspense. Greta, unconvinced by Brahms flaunts a set of strict rules set by the parents and it’s only then that things start to get eerie.
With no one to turn to except local deliveryman Malcolm (Rupert Evans), she is convinced there is something more to Brahms than just his creepy blank stare. And she would be right, as the little wooden boy goes full Pinocchio and starts moving about, or does he?
While it’s daft I did find myself gripped in certain parts although I’m not sure it warranted a sequel but a sequel it has got – just don’t expect a standout horror film.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Still (2018) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Fun to be immortal for a little while.
394. Still. At first I thought it was titled this because it was so quiet. But no, that wasn't the case. One of those movies that if you have some logic that works in your thinking box, it's not too hard to figure out. The description makes it seem that a hiker is the main character, it's definitely the couple on the farm that hold the spotlight. There's something wrong with Lily, health wise that is, and it seems she has decided to wander out into the wilderness to die. You may recognize Lily, the one eyed handmaid. Anyways at some point she gets sick passes out and wakes up on a farm, run by wife Ella and hubby Adam, and they look after her. Weird because just 10 minutes ago in the opening scene, Adam just straight up shoots up two guys that wander onto the farm, that are even welcomed in by Ella, so yea. Must be cause she's a pretty girl? Kinda, but not really. So Lily hangs out for awhile getting to know them a little earns her keep by chopping wood,doing odd chores around the farm like have a threesome and toward the end of this threesome Ella hangs back watching Lily bounce on her man's pogo and decides, yep, Lily has been sent here to replace me. Ella decides to let Lily in on the secret of the farm and though the threesome was dynomite, it wasn't good enough for Adam to let Ella go, and through an act of violence, all is revealed. It's not all that hard to see what they are pointing to, however it was still a well told tale, with a pretty satisfying ending. Why is it called Still? I won't tell you. Filmbufftim on FB
Merissa (11950 KP) rated Initiated (Daywalker Academy #4) in Books
Mar 25, 2020
Initiated is the fourth book in the Daywalker Academy series and, yes, I know I've said this before but, it should definitely be read as a series or you just won't get what's happening.
So first off, thank you Ms. Daniels for giving me Zoltan back. I really do appreciate it! Sigh, every page he was on was just... *insert another sigh*. Now, if you could just get Franky and Zoltan to see eye-to-eye and stop giving me whiplash, that would be fantastic!
We are introduced to a major character in this book - and it's not very often I get the chance to say THAT with book four in a series! Tenebris, the black panther. You know, he hasn't spoken a single word (for obvious reasons) and yet he may just match the Queen of Snark, Maya, oops I mean, Franky, herself!
As with this whole series, this is a non-stop-action story. Franky is tired in one part and, to be honest, so was I! Honestly, I have no idea where she gets her stamina from. Maybe it's being a half-blood or maybe it's the dragon blood. Either way, I'm exhausted from reading but I wouldn't change a thing!
As always, it ends on one helluva cliffhanger. I really need to understand just what happened in those last couple of action-packed pages. All I can say is "Poor Franky!!!"
So... do I recommend this book? Abso-frickin'-lutely!!! Just, don't start here but back at book one so you get the full experience. You won't regret it. I promise you that!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
So first off, thank you Ms. Daniels for giving me Zoltan back. I really do appreciate it! Sigh, every page he was on was just... *insert another sigh*. Now, if you could just get Franky and Zoltan to see eye-to-eye and stop giving me whiplash, that would be fantastic!
We are introduced to a major character in this book - and it's not very often I get the chance to say THAT with book four in a series! Tenebris, the black panther. You know, he hasn't spoken a single word (for obvious reasons) and yet he may just match the Queen of Snark, Maya, oops I mean, Franky, herself!
As with this whole series, this is a non-stop-action story. Franky is tired in one part and, to be honest, so was I! Honestly, I have no idea where she gets her stamina from. Maybe it's being a half-blood or maybe it's the dragon blood. Either way, I'm exhausted from reading but I wouldn't change a thing!
As always, it ends on one helluva cliffhanger. I really need to understand just what happened in those last couple of action-packed pages. All I can say is "Poor Franky!!!"
So... do I recommend this book? Abso-frickin'-lutely!!! Just, don't start here but back at book one so you get the full experience. You won't regret it. I promise you that!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Trainspotting in Books
Mar 28, 2020
Bleak yet ultimately rather good
When I first started this book, I didn't think I'd manage to get all the way through it. The entire book, aside from a few sections, are written completely in Scottish. I have nothing against the Scottish, however trying to read a book that is written and spelt in a Scottish accent is a rather trying experience. Fortunately after a couple of chapters I managed to settle into a decent rhythm and began to enjoy the story for what it really was.
My biggest criticism of this book is the Scottish. It's a great idea and actually works well with the story, but it is a little difficult to decipher at times although it does add to the realism. Once you learn to accept the Scottish, what you get is a rather bleak and depressing story of a group of drug addicts, alcoholics and general all round bad people from Edinburgh. This isn't a happy story and virtually every character featured isn't particularly likeable (and some are downright despicable), but for me this is why I enjoyed the book so much. There is a slight issue with the passage of time, it seems to jump around quite a lot and whilst i think it took place over the period of a few months, it was a little confusing at times. I do think as well that now having read the book, that the film actually stays fairly close to the source material.
This isn't a book to read if you're looking for something happy and upbeat. However if you're looking for a starkly realistic dark story yet is still enjoyable, you can't go wrong with this.
My biggest criticism of this book is the Scottish. It's a great idea and actually works well with the story, but it is a little difficult to decipher at times although it does add to the realism. Once you learn to accept the Scottish, what you get is a rather bleak and depressing story of a group of drug addicts, alcoholics and general all round bad people from Edinburgh. This isn't a happy story and virtually every character featured isn't particularly likeable (and some are downright despicable), but for me this is why I enjoyed the book so much. There is a slight issue with the passage of time, it seems to jump around quite a lot and whilst i think it took place over the period of a few months, it was a little confusing at times. I do think as well that now having read the book, that the film actually stays fairly close to the source material.
This isn't a book to read if you're looking for something happy and upbeat. However if you're looking for a starkly realistic dark story yet is still enjoyable, you can't go wrong with this.