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Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Sem Rasto (Darby McCormick #1) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I have absolutely no idea how I came across this book. I'm glad I did, though. It was very well-written, and the character of Darby McCormick was fleshed out very thoroughly. I don't normally read many books of this genre, though I do watch shows like Criminal Minds.
The reveal as to the final villain felt somewhat off, - if I hadn't been reading an ebook, I probably would have flipped back to figure out what clues I had missed. That isn't quite as simple on an ereader, so I didn't, but I did spend time thinking it over. I read the book very quickly, when I wasn't feeling well, so it's entirely possible that I did miss something that I would have ordinarily caught.
I'll look for another book in the series to see if it is more intellectually satisfying for me, since I did like Darby and the overall writing style was enjoyable.
The reveal as to the final villain felt somewhat off, - if I hadn't been reading an ebook, I probably would have flipped back to figure out what clues I had missed. That isn't quite as simple on an ereader, so I didn't, but I did spend time thinking it over. I read the book very quickly, when I wasn't feeling well, so it's entirely possible that I did miss something that I would have ordinarily caught.
I'll look for another book in the series to see if it is more intellectually satisfying for me, since I did like Darby and the overall writing style was enjoyable.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Legend (2015) in Movies
Jun 12, 2018 (Updated Jul 12, 2019)
Krays-y
Yet another movie glamourising the vicious real-life gangster siblings, with the principal gimmick of Tom Hardy playing both Krays through the wonders of something-or-other. Hardy is excellent as Reggie, the merely-psychotic brains of the outfit, but way over the top as Ronnie, who is portrayed as a slightly thick criminal maniac, and arguably played for laughs too. A friend of mine came out thinking this was intended to be a black comedy; she may not have been wrong.
There's a good supporting cast and it's quite well made, but the film seems much too keen to cut the Krays some slack, presenting them as roguish anti-heroes rather than the brutal thugs they actually were. The 1990 Peter Medak telling of the Krays' story was arguably more balanced - this is an uneasy combination of a 'those quaint old Brits' period drama and a modishly violent modern gangster film.
There's a good supporting cast and it's quite well made, but the film seems much too keen to cut the Krays some slack, presenting them as roguish anti-heroes rather than the brutal thugs they actually were. The 1990 Peter Medak telling of the Krays' story was arguably more balanced - this is an uneasy combination of a 'those quaint old Brits' period drama and a modishly violent modern gangster film.
ClareR (5955 KP) rated The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah: The Autobiography in Books
May 26, 2018
Lyricist. Writer. Activist.
What a life this man has had! He had a hard start, living in one of the least affluent areas of Birmingham (UK), and running away with his mother to escape a violent father. The 1980s saw race riots, miners strikes and demonstrations against police brutality. Zephaniah and his dub poetry were at the forefront. By the 1990s he was a household name, and not just at home in the UK - he travelled and performed around the world.
I really admire this man. He hasn't had an easy life: he was in borstal as a teen, lived a life of crime for a while and decided for himself that he didn't want to live his life as a criminal where he would most certainly end up dead. HE turned his life around. He stands by his beliefs as well. A brilliant, self taught man, who sets a sterling example for all.
I really admire this man. He hasn't had an easy life: he was in borstal as a teen, lived a life of crime for a while and decided for himself that he didn't want to live his life as a criminal where he would most certainly end up dead. HE turned his life around. He stands by his beliefs as well. A brilliant, self taught man, who sets a sterling example for all.
Merissa (13203 KP) rated Our little secret in Books
Dec 17, 2018
It seems wrong to give this book 4 stars when the description comes up with "Really Liked It". I didn't like. Not at all. It's a horrifying story made even worse because it is true. There is no glory in this book. Nothing that could make you think that it's "OK". I have had tears running down my cheeks as I've read it and do not want to read it again for a while. One comment made by the author is that the UK legal system is currently set up to favour the criminal and not the victim. How I wish this were otherwise.
I take my hat off to Duncan Fairhurst for writing down this account and showing himself in a true light, rather than trying to hide parts of it. I wish him all the best for the future and congratulate him on the choices he has made and the choices he still has to make. He has turned himself around.
I take my hat off to Duncan Fairhurst for writing down this account and showing himself in a true light, rather than trying to hide parts of it. I wish him all the best for the future and congratulate him on the choices he has made and the choices he still has to make. He has turned himself around.
Merissa (13203 KP) rated Witch Hunt (Preternatural Affairs, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Poor Cèsar. He just can't catch a break at the moment. He catches a criminal, goes out for a drink to celebrate and then things get a bit blurry. He wakes up with a hangover from hell and an apartment that's been trashed. What would you do?
This story all takes place during one week as Cèsar tries to figure out what's going on, who he can trust but more importantly who he can't. You are kept on your toes throughout the book as you wonder if that person was involved, or did that person have something to do with it. Cèsar has one helluva week.
Witch Hunt is full of twists and turns and gives you an insight into the Office of Preternatural Affairs and the Union, who we have met from the other side in the Descent series. It is a highly entertaining tale that is not as dark as some of S.M. Reine's previous works. Recommended.
This story all takes place during one week as Cèsar tries to figure out what's going on, who he can trust but more importantly who he can't. You are kept on your toes throughout the book as you wonder if that person was involved, or did that person have something to do with it. Cèsar has one helluva week.
Witch Hunt is full of twists and turns and gives you an insight into the Office of Preternatural Affairs and the Union, who we have met from the other side in the Descent series. It is a highly entertaining tale that is not as dark as some of S.M. Reine's previous works. Recommended.
Jordan Robert Mcdarby (7 KP) rated Batman (1989) in Movies
Jun 30, 2019
Best batman of our time thus far
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is the burton batman set in a quite gothic feel gotham with tall buildings and huge lights into the night. Batman is the protector of his home city and fiercly defends it from all criminal activity.
We see Jack Napier a young mafia hitman with big ambitions try to over throw his boss and become a big time gangster during one of his escapades he runs into the batman and is dropped into a vat of chemicals bleaching his skin and disfiguring his features , on the discovery of this he becomes The Joker and begins his crime spree with the intention to make all of gotham pay for what has happened to him this begins the ultimate battle between good and evil in gotham the Batman must stop him at all costs
We see Jack Napier a young mafia hitman with big ambitions try to over throw his boss and become a big time gangster during one of his escapades he runs into the batman and is dropped into a vat of chemicals bleaching his skin and disfiguring his features , on the discovery of this he becomes The Joker and begins his crime spree with the intention to make all of gotham pay for what has happened to him this begins the ultimate battle between good and evil in gotham the Batman must stop him at all costs
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated A Prophet (Un prophete) (2010) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020 (Updated Mar 3, 2020)
Last, but not least, we travel to France and journey into a seedy and disturbingly real world of crime and society in modern Europe. We follow the life of Malik, a confused young Arab man forced into a life of crime by circumstance, as he grows from petty criminal to a man of real power and influence. The whole thing feels dirty, deprived and cold; there isn’t a lot of glamour here. The pinstripe is a leather jacket and a tracksuit; the weapon is as likely to be bare hands or a rusty knife as a gun. The power of this film is in wondering how this young man can ever attain peace and redemption, as he descends deeper into the mire; how he becomes both truly lost and at the same time somehow enlightened. A grim tale, told with a European eye that shuns fancy camera work in favour of forcing you to watch, and think. Not a pleasant film, but an important one.
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