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Awix (3310 KP) rated Q: The Winged Serpent (1982) in Movies
Mar 31, 2019 (Updated Mar 31, 2019)
Hugely likeable, tongue-in-cheek mash-up of monster movie and crime drama. An ancient Aztec dragon-bird-god begins terrorising window-cleaners, construction workers and other people on top of high buildings in New York. Small-time crook (Moriarty) comes across the lair but will only tell heroic detective (Carradine) if the price is right.
The stuff with the monster is grisly good fun, while the more down to earth scenes are lifted hugely by the terrific performance of Moriarty, who seems to think he's appearing in a John Cassavetes film. The special effects are heroically over-ambitious and a subplot about an Aztec cult committing human sacrifices feels like an awkward afterthought, but that just adds to the entertainment value of an unashamed exploitation movie, and a mighty fine one too.
The stuff with the monster is grisly good fun, while the more down to earth scenes are lifted hugely by the terrific performance of Moriarty, who seems to think he's appearing in a John Cassavetes film. The special effects are heroically over-ambitious and a subplot about an Aztec cult committing human sacrifices feels like an awkward afterthought, but that just adds to the entertainment value of an unashamed exploitation movie, and a mighty fine one too.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Lost and Fondue (A Cheese Shop Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Charlotte is catering a fundraiser at the old winery on the outskirts of town. During the scavenger hunt, she finds the body of one of the guests in the basement. With the police looking at someone Charlotte cares about, she must spring into detective mode to find the real killer.
I'm not sure why I waited so long to read this second book in the series. The characters were a tad overwhelming at first by their number, but I quickly had them all figured out. The plot slow down a tad in the middle, but the end result was great. I'll definitely be back for the next slice.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-lost-and-fondue-by-avery.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I'm not sure why I waited so long to read this second book in the series. The characters were a tad overwhelming at first by their number, but I quickly had them all figured out. The plot slow down a tad in the middle, but the end result was great. I'll definitely be back for the next slice.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-lost-and-fondue-by-avery.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Decanting a Murder (A Sommelier Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Katie Stillwell lives for wine, so when her best friend, Tessa, gets her an invitation to Frontier Winery’s 100th anniversary party, Katie gladly accepts. The night ends with tragedy when Katie finds the owner murdered. With Tessa missing, Katie must figure out what is really going on. Can she do it?
I’m not a wine drinker, but I completely enjoyed this debut. Tessa could be a bit much at times, but I liked her at others. I was bothered by how much the detective included Katie in the investigation, but overall I completely enjoyed this book. The story moved forward quickly, and Katie is a great main character. I can’t wait to revisit her.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-decanting-murder-by-nadine.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I’m not a wine drinker, but I completely enjoyed this debut. Tessa could be a bit much at times, but I liked her at others. I was bothered by how much the detective included Katie in the investigation, but overall I completely enjoyed this book. The story moved forward quickly, and Katie is a great main character. I can’t wait to revisit her.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-decanting-murder-by-nadine.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Tami (7 KP) rated Turtles All The Way Down in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Storyline (1 more)
Characters
This book was FANTASTIC.
I have never read a John Green book yet, so finding this gem from my local library system was a great find.
Aza has issues. Issues that none of would ever wish for our worst enemy much less a young girl. Her particular issue I don't have an exact word for, germ phobia with some invasive thoughts add some OCD in there?
Aza and her friend Daisy are looking to come into some money by doing some detective work. What she finds more than anything is an honest and open friendship with maybe a little love thrown in there.
My love for this book is amazing, now I have to find his other books and read them.
I have never read a John Green book yet, so finding this gem from my local library system was a great find.
Aza has issues. Issues that none of would ever wish for our worst enemy much less a young girl. Her particular issue I don't have an exact word for, germ phobia with some invasive thoughts add some OCD in there?
Aza and her friend Daisy are looking to come into some money by doing some detective work. What she finds more than anything is an honest and open friendship with maybe a little love thrown in there.
My love for this book is amazing, now I have to find his other books and read them.
Sue (5 KP) rated Cut, Crop & Die (Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-n-Craft Mystery, #2) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
book description:
All it took was one scone. When the hot-tempered (and widely hated) hobbyist Yvonne Gaynor eats a tainted pastry at Kiki's scrapbooking crop party, it triggers an allergy that leads to Yvonne's death. Even worse, the police suspect foul play when they realize that someone tampered with the treats and swiped the victim's allergy medication.
An expert at stealing design ideas, Yvonne had enough enemies to fill a memory album. Soon, the scrapbooking community pins her murder on Kiki's friends and our ace scrapper finds herself dealing with anti-Semitic threats at the shop, a quarrelsome pre-teen daughter at home, a meddlesome mother-in-law, and constant financial pressure. Despite help from the handsome yet annoyingly coy Detective Detweiler, Kiki has her work cut out for her in solving the crime.
All it took was one scone. When the hot-tempered (and widely hated) hobbyist Yvonne Gaynor eats a tainted pastry at Kiki's scrapbooking crop party, it triggers an allergy that leads to Yvonne's death. Even worse, the police suspect foul play when they realize that someone tampered with the treats and swiped the victim's allergy medication.
An expert at stealing design ideas, Yvonne had enough enemies to fill a memory album. Soon, the scrapbooking community pins her murder on Kiki's friends and our ace scrapper finds herself dealing with anti-Semitic threats at the shop, a quarrelsome pre-teen daughter at home, a meddlesome mother-in-law, and constant financial pressure. Despite help from the handsome yet annoyingly coy Detective Detweiler, Kiki has her work cut out for her in solving the crime.
Sue (5 KP) rated Paper, Scissors, Death (Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-n-Craft Mystery, #1) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
book description:
Mousy housewife Kiki Lowenstein has two great loves: scrapbooking and her young daughter, Anya. But her happy family album is ruined when her husband, George, is found naked and dead in a hotel room. As Kiki tracks down George's murderer, she discovers his sordid secret life.
Cruel taunts by George's former flame compel Kiki to spout an unwise threat. When the woman is murdered, Kiki's scissor-sharp words make her the prime suspect. She could be creating scrapbook keepsakes for the rest of her life-behind bars. Supported by her loyal friends, along with a little help (and a lot of stomach flutters) from the dashing Detective Detweiler, can Kiki cut the true killer out of the picture and design a new life for herself and Anya?
Mousy housewife Kiki Lowenstein has two great loves: scrapbooking and her young daughter, Anya. But her happy family album is ruined when her husband, George, is found naked and dead in a hotel room. As Kiki tracks down George's murderer, she discovers his sordid secret life.
Cruel taunts by George's former flame compel Kiki to spout an unwise threat. When the woman is murdered, Kiki's scissor-sharp words make her the prime suspect. She could be creating scrapbook keepsakes for the rest of her life-behind bars. Supported by her loyal friends, along with a little help (and a lot of stomach flutters) from the dashing Detective Detweiler, can Kiki cut the true killer out of the picture and design a new life for herself and Anya?
Milleen (47 KP) rated If We Were Villains in Books
Nov 14, 2018
Everyone has compared this book to Donna Tartt’s ‘The Secret History’ with its tight knit cast of students taking their academic pursuits to dark places. However, M.L. Rio has succeeded in delivering something a little sharper, more believable but just as debauched. This may be because the students outlined in this story are actors, Shakespearean actors no less. We begin with Oliver Marks release from a ten-year jail sentence, as he reveals all to the detective that put him behind bars. Thrust into the world of the Baird, we all know the far reaches that actors will go to for a part, how their egos are as big as oceans and their morals contained in a drop. Day takes the reader back to the night in question and “the truth will out”.
Charlotte (184 KP) rated An Eye for a Lie (Inspector Richter #1) in Books
Jun 17, 2019
A strong start to a crime series!
An Eye for a Lie is a brilliant, gripping story that hooks you from the start.
I love a good crime mystery and this definitely falls into that category for me.
Richter is a well written, multi-layered character, although I didn't warm to him straight away but he totally grew on me.
Vessa is pretty cool, admittedly she falls for men like I fall for chocolate, but she's very insightful and has an intelligence that seems to have skipped a few members of the SFPD.
I'm impressed with how well Cy Wyss has managed to keep me entertained and engaged throughout, details are well balanced so I wasn't overwhelmed or bored. It was fab as it brought out the detective in me.
An Eye for a Lie is a brilliant, gripping story that hooks you from the start.
I love a good crime mystery and this definitely falls into that category for me.
Richter is a well written, multi-layered character, although I didn't warm to him straight away but he totally grew on me.
Vessa is pretty cool, admittedly she falls for men like I fall for chocolate, but she's very insightful and has an intelligence that seems to have skipped a few members of the SFPD.
I'm impressed with how well Cy Wyss has managed to keep me entertained and engaged throughout, details are well balanced so I wasn't overwhelmed or bored. It was fab as it brought out the detective in me.
Merissa (12841 KP) rated Fury of Ice (Dragonfury, #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
The second in the Dragonfury series and we focus on Rikar. He is an ice dragon who has the hots for a homicide detective. Unfortunately for him, she was captured and abused by the Razerbacks so Rikar has his work cut out for him.
This story goes a little bit further into the world of the Nightfuries although we do still hear about Bastian and Myst and how things are progressing for them. Rikar has an uphill struggle with his inner dragon as he feels the need to have vengeance on behalf of his mate but also knows that she needs closure for herself to heal.
This is an enjoyable series and I am looking forward to the next one. I still found the ending a bit sharp though.
This story goes a little bit further into the world of the Nightfuries although we do still hear about Bastian and Myst and how things are progressing for them. Rikar has an uphill struggle with his inner dragon as he feels the need to have vengeance on behalf of his mate but also knows that she needs closure for herself to heal.
This is an enjoyable series and I am looking forward to the next one. I still found the ending a bit sharp though.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated 8MM (1999) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
Look at this Photograph
8mm- is a underrated mystery thriller, it was directed by Joel Schumacher, yes the person who destoryed and ruined batman two years before this movie came out. Joel Schumacher is better with mysterious and thrillers than Batman. Anyways the plot:
Private detective Tom Welles (Nicolas Cage) lives a normal life with his wife (Catherine Keener) and young daughter, until he receives a startling new case. A widow named Mrs. Christian (Myra Carter) has found what appears to be a snuff film among her late husband's belongings, and she wants Welles to determine if the movie is real or fake. Welles heads to California, where a video store employee (Joaquin Phoenix) helps him infiltrate the dangerous and depraved world of illegal porn movies.
Its suspenseful, horrorfying, twisted and overall a good movie.
Private detective Tom Welles (Nicolas Cage) lives a normal life with his wife (Catherine Keener) and young daughter, until he receives a startling new case. A widow named Mrs. Christian (Myra Carter) has found what appears to be a snuff film among her late husband's belongings, and she wants Welles to determine if the movie is real or fake. Welles heads to California, where a video store employee (Joaquin Phoenix) helps him infiltrate the dangerous and depraved world of illegal porn movies.
Its suspenseful, horrorfying, twisted and overall a good movie.
Andy K (10823 KP) Mar 31, 2019
Awix (3310 KP) Mar 31, 2019