Search
Search results
An enjoyable Victorian mystery
Julia McAllister is a female photographer in 1895 who works for herself - which is a struggle in England at this time, as she would have had no legal rights. She pretends to her clients that she is working for a male photographer, but in reality he left her the business when he died. So, in order to make ends meet she finds work taking ‘French Style’ photos. These were risqué pornographic photos. Julia makes sure her models are comfortable with what they’re doing and that they’re well paid. She feels responsible for these young women.
When three of them are found murdered, and Julia is visited by an Inspector Collingwood asking questions because her stamp is on the back of the photos found with these women, Julia is devastated. Devastated that she is in the frame, and devastated that she has lost women who she considers to be friends. So Julia sets out to find the killer herself, because she has secrets that she doesn’t want anyone finding out.
This book is pretty jam packed with dead bodies, if I’m honest. The dead models and two unconnected men. Julia is involved with finding the perpetrators of these deaths too. So if you don’t like dead bodies, you’re going to struggle with this one! Although it’s not graphic in any way. It’s not a salacious book - the photos aren’t really described in any great detail: the making of them is just a part of the story.
I liked Julia. She is a caring character who looks after her models, her neighbours, and she even gives a home to a street urchin. I found the photography descriptions (taking photos and developing them) really interesting, and I thought the setting was really well described: the sights and sounds of a busy urban Victorian England especially. This is a very enjoyable book, and one for those who enjoy an easy reading mystery.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for sending me my copy to read and honestly review.
When three of them are found murdered, and Julia is visited by an Inspector Collingwood asking questions because her stamp is on the back of the photos found with these women, Julia is devastated. Devastated that she is in the frame, and devastated that she has lost women who she considers to be friends. So Julia sets out to find the killer herself, because she has secrets that she doesn’t want anyone finding out.
This book is pretty jam packed with dead bodies, if I’m honest. The dead models and two unconnected men. Julia is involved with finding the perpetrators of these deaths too. So if you don’t like dead bodies, you’re going to struggle with this one! Although it’s not graphic in any way. It’s not a salacious book - the photos aren’t really described in any great detail: the making of them is just a part of the story.
I liked Julia. She is a caring character who looks after her models, her neighbours, and she even gives a home to a street urchin. I found the photography descriptions (taking photos and developing them) really interesting, and I thought the setting was really well described: the sights and sounds of a busy urban Victorian England especially. This is a very enjoyable book, and one for those who enjoy an easy reading mystery.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for sending me my copy to read and honestly review.
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated One Cut of the Dead (Kamera o Tomeru na!) (2017) in Movies
Oct 14, 2020
Fun From the Beginning
I wouldn’t dare spoil the plot of One Cut of the Dead. Not knowing is half the fun. Let’s just call it a zombie movie and leave it at that.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 6
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
From a visual standpoint, I can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like this movie before. Watching this movie unfold is like seeing someone play with one of those things that’s a toy inside a toy inside a toy. No shot is wasted here and every angle tells a different part of the story. Director Shinichiro Ueda does a masterful job across the board. Overall, it has a gritty old school feel to it, much like Tarantino’s Planet Terror.
Conflict: 10
Entertainment Value: 9
There is so much packed into 96 minutes, it’s hard not to be overly entertained the whole time. I didn’t give it a perfect score as there were some moments where I was more confused than I was hoping for. It’s truly a wild ride where you feel like things are constantly out of control.
Memorability: 10
Pace: 6
Things move at a decent pace until about the forty-five-minute mark where the movie slows down drastically. I understand the shift, but it took away from the momentum for me a bit. Despite the momentum shift, the movie is highly enjoyable overall.
Plot: 10
Resolution: 8
Overall: 89
One Cut of the Dead, once finished, will leave you saying, “What just happened?” It’s fun, it’s original, and it keeps you guessing. I recommend it to anyone looking for a fun movie to watch this Halloween season.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 6
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
From a visual standpoint, I can honestly say I’ve never seen anything like this movie before. Watching this movie unfold is like seeing someone play with one of those things that’s a toy inside a toy inside a toy. No shot is wasted here and every angle tells a different part of the story. Director Shinichiro Ueda does a masterful job across the board. Overall, it has a gritty old school feel to it, much like Tarantino’s Planet Terror.
Conflict: 10
Entertainment Value: 9
There is so much packed into 96 minutes, it’s hard not to be overly entertained the whole time. I didn’t give it a perfect score as there were some moments where I was more confused than I was hoping for. It’s truly a wild ride where you feel like things are constantly out of control.
Memorability: 10
Pace: 6
Things move at a decent pace until about the forty-five-minute mark where the movie slows down drastically. I understand the shift, but it took away from the momentum for me a bit. Despite the momentum shift, the movie is highly enjoyable overall.
Plot: 10
Resolution: 8
Overall: 89
One Cut of the Dead, once finished, will leave you saying, “What just happened?” It’s fun, it’s original, and it keeps you guessing. I recommend it to anyone looking for a fun movie to watch this Halloween season.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Audition (1999) in Movies
Oct 10, 2019
Be careful what you wish for!
A middle-aged man with a teenage son and a dead wife is longing for love. He is encouraged to start dating and devises a plan to find hiss new love. With his friend, they concoct an elaborate ruse placing an ad for an "audition" for a fictitious movie where actresses will come seeking the part. From there, the man may be able to find the new love of his life. After long hours he finally meets the seemingly young, timid and demure Asami whom he is immediately infatuated with.
His friend soon discovers she is not what she seems when her resume references do not check out. Mr. Infatuation doesn't care and continues to pursue his new mysterious love anyways. After a few dates, they meet at a hotel for sex. However, before the relationship is consummated, he must profess his undying love for her. (Boy was that a mistake!).
Without wanting to ruin the ending for you, it is one of the most unique, riveting and disgusting I have ever seen. It sort of seems like it comes from nowhere as you are watching, but makes sense the more you think about it. The are flashback scenes scattered throughout the film giving more backstory to Asami and helps the audience understand her motivations. Her solution to her problems is extreme and has been going on for some time, and the current widower boyfriend is just the latest victim.
The cold, heartless treachery is almost unbelievable and will definitely turn off anyone who is not in the mood for this type of film. The slow buildup and entertaining romance and detective story doesn't prepare you for what is to come.
Be warned!
His friend soon discovers she is not what she seems when her resume references do not check out. Mr. Infatuation doesn't care and continues to pursue his new mysterious love anyways. After a few dates, they meet at a hotel for sex. However, before the relationship is consummated, he must profess his undying love for her. (Boy was that a mistake!).
Without wanting to ruin the ending for you, it is one of the most unique, riveting and disgusting I have ever seen. It sort of seems like it comes from nowhere as you are watching, but makes sense the more you think about it. The are flashback scenes scattered throughout the film giving more backstory to Asami and helps the audience understand her motivations. Her solution to her problems is extreme and has been going on for some time, and the current widower boyfriend is just the latest victim.
The cold, heartless treachery is almost unbelievable and will definitely turn off anyone who is not in the mood for this type of film. The slow buildup and entertaining romance and detective story doesn't prepare you for what is to come.
Be warned!
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd (Flavia de Luce, #8) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Book 8 in Alan Bradley's wondrous series picks up with Flavia returning home from Canada--no longer in boarding school--and back home among her sisters, family servants, and faithful bike, Gladys. Unfortunately, upon returning home, she is met with the news that her father is gravely ill with pneumonia. Only Flavia's pesky cousin, Undine is around to greet her. Out and about in town, Flavia runs an errand and--in true Flavia fashion-- stumbles across the body of a dead man. He appears to be the local woodcarver, and Flavia finds him hanging upside down in his home. From there, Flavia's downtrodden spirits lift immediately, as there is nothing like a dead body to return her to her true self. She sets out to solve the case before her pal, Inspector Hewitt, can, but this case will offer plenty of twists and turns, even for our young sleuth.
This novel is immediately Flavia, from the start, like picking up with an old friend. The beginning finds Flavia feeling a little lonely and sorry for herself until finding a corpse, of course. With Flavia back from Canada, it's a return to Bradley's tried and true Flavia de Luce formula, but it's certainly not trite, or tired. While the plot is a bit twisty and keeps you guessing, as always, it's Flavia who is the true star. In this book, we see our heroine growing up a bit: not just in age, but in maturity. Thankfully, though, she's still our Flavia, with her feisty spirit and deep love of chemistry. Truly, she's just a dear character and Bradley is amazing in how he captures her voice so perfectly.
These novels never fail to disappoint -- this one, as well. I will continue to highly recommend this series. This can certainly be read as a standalone, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you don't start at the beginning of Flavia's journey.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!); it's available for U.S. publication everywhere as of 9/20/16.
This novel is immediately Flavia, from the start, like picking up with an old friend. The beginning finds Flavia feeling a little lonely and sorry for herself until finding a corpse, of course. With Flavia back from Canada, it's a return to Bradley's tried and true Flavia de Luce formula, but it's certainly not trite, or tired. While the plot is a bit twisty and keeps you guessing, as always, it's Flavia who is the true star. In this book, we see our heroine growing up a bit: not just in age, but in maturity. Thankfully, though, she's still our Flavia, with her feisty spirit and deep love of chemistry. Truly, she's just a dear character and Bradley is amazing in how he captures her voice so perfectly.
These novels never fail to disappoint -- this one, as well. I will continue to highly recommend this series. This can certainly be read as a standalone, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you don't start at the beginning of Flavia's journey.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!); it's available for U.S. publication everywhere as of 9/20/16.
Bomber Friends!
Games
App
Get Bomber Friends now and join the immensely hectic and fun online multiplayer game! Bomb your...
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Sweet Virginia (2017) in Movies
Jan 21, 2020
377. Sweet Virginia. Pretty great random choice by me, again. Twisted tale of a small town murder plot. Three friends are hanging out at a bar playing cards. I'm assuming they own the place, because when a guy wanders in off the street and asks for a bite to eat and a drink, one gets up and tells him they're closed and be on his way. Instead of leaving the stranger asks him, Are you Mitchell? The response is what you expect, who wants to know, blah, blah. Slightly bothered, the stranger leaves. Mitchell goes back to the card game, until the door opens once again and the stranger comes in guns blazing, and all three end up dead. It was here I thought, Mitchell should have locked that door! So that happened, the news quickly spreads through the small town, and we meet Sam, a former rodeo champ now motel owner operator, and he is having an affair with the wife of one of the dead men, yea. And oh yea, the killer, Elwood, is staying at guess who's motel? Also, guess who recognizes Sam from his rodeo days and start a pretty decent friendship. Elwood is actually a semi normal dude when he's not out killing people for money. So who hired him? Well, I can't tell you everything! It really was a well told tense tale. Well acted, Jon Bernthal as Sam, Christopher Abbott as Elwood, were pretty awesome, with Imogen Poots and Rosemarie DeWitt great as the supporting cast! Cool flick, I say, do.
Wild Rat Simulator 3D
Games
App
Tired of usual wild animal survival simulators? Then this awesome game is made exactly for you! Live...
