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Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated After Life - Season 2 in TV
Aug 6, 2020
It’s difficult not to enjoy or at least admire anything Ricky Gervais writes for TV. His track record now speaks for itself. What you are going to get at the very minimum is a well thought out concept, some odd characters, mostly with their hearts in the right place, and a handful of irreverent jokes that will make you howl out loud and also have a little think.
I loved season one of this show about a man constantly on the edge of wondering whether to bother carrying on with life after the tragically early death of the wife he loved more than life itself. If you want to remind yourself what I said about it, please check the archives. Much of what I had to say then still applies – it is the same show, just six new episodes.
Which is both good and bad, I think. Good because it is good. It makes you think and care and respond humanely, but with lots of chuckles. Bad because it doesn’t do a lot to move things on. Tony, played pitch perfectly by Gervais is still depressed, of course he is, his wife is still dead. He is starting to try a bit more with people around him, and taking more risks with his own life. But the pills are still down the side of the sofa, the red wine is still flowing, and so are the snarky comments.
People like the dog. I can see why. Dog lovers know that bond all too well. The reason to get up in the morning is your best canine pal, and that is sometimes enough. Slowly, Tony is starting to find new reasons to get out of bed though; helping others be happy is given him reason to be. And that is the genius of it really – because he can be a bit of a prick, but you always forgive him when you see the kindness behind the wall of pain.
For me, this season isn’t better than the first one, it is about the same, which is no bad thing. To be at all critical, it seems to be relying too much on the same point being made over and over. Which may be why it wasn’t recently nominated for any Emmys, when it was touted to do quite well. Or is it because of Gervais’ last go at the Golden Globe elite in January?
Watch it. Enjoy it. Recommend it to friends who haven’t seen it. Just don’t get too carried away with it until season 3 proves it goes somewhere new and interesting that it didn’t already go to.
I loved season one of this show about a man constantly on the edge of wondering whether to bother carrying on with life after the tragically early death of the wife he loved more than life itself. If you want to remind yourself what I said about it, please check the archives. Much of what I had to say then still applies – it is the same show, just six new episodes.
Which is both good and bad, I think. Good because it is good. It makes you think and care and respond humanely, but with lots of chuckles. Bad because it doesn’t do a lot to move things on. Tony, played pitch perfectly by Gervais is still depressed, of course he is, his wife is still dead. He is starting to try a bit more with people around him, and taking more risks with his own life. But the pills are still down the side of the sofa, the red wine is still flowing, and so are the snarky comments.
People like the dog. I can see why. Dog lovers know that bond all too well. The reason to get up in the morning is your best canine pal, and that is sometimes enough. Slowly, Tony is starting to find new reasons to get out of bed though; helping others be happy is given him reason to be. And that is the genius of it really – because he can be a bit of a prick, but you always forgive him when you see the kindness behind the wall of pain.
For me, this season isn’t better than the first one, it is about the same, which is no bad thing. To be at all critical, it seems to be relying too much on the same point being made over and over. Which may be why it wasn’t recently nominated for any Emmys, when it was touted to do quite well. Or is it because of Gervais’ last go at the Golden Globe elite in January?
Watch it. Enjoy it. Recommend it to friends who haven’t seen it. Just don’t get too carried away with it until season 3 proves it goes somewhere new and interesting that it didn’t already go to.
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Nick Friesen (96 KP) rated John Wick (2014) in Movies
Jul 13, 2017
Keanu Reeves (4 more)
The established hitman universe
Incredible gunplay
Solid fight choreography
Decipherable cinematography during action
Best Action Movie Post-Matrix
The problem with many modern action movies lies in the bullshit concept known as "shaky-cam." Perhaps well meant at first, in order to make audiences "feel" the impact of punches and gunshots, it is now so overused that you can't even tell what's going on or who is hitting who in many action movies. Enter John Wick: not a single use of "shaky-cam." Not one. All camera shots during action sequences are stable and staged at angles that allow the audience to see exactly what is going on. I used to think Jason Bourne was the best action series post-Matrix, but John Wick and its sequel changed that as fast the titular character can shoot another goon in the head. The fight choreography is sublime, the script is simple but tight, and Keanu Reeves is slicker than ever. John Wick is the best action movie since The Matrix, and it just so happens to star the same bad-ass guy we've been dreaming of being since 1999. Now I have to go review John Wick: Chapter 2!
Sue (5 KP) rated Gone to Green (Green #1) in Books
Apr 23, 2018
The paper was an unexpected inheritance from a close colleague, and Lois must keep it for at least a year, bringing a host of challenges, lessons, and blessings into her life.
When Lois pulls into Green on New Year’s Day, she expects a charming little town full of smiling people.She quickly realizes her mistake. After settling into a loaned house out on Route 2,
she finds herself battling town prejudices and inner doubts and making friends with
the most surprising people: troubled teenager Katy, good-looking catfish farmer
Chris, wise and feisty Aunt Helen, and a female African-American physician named
Kevin.
Whether fighting a greedy, deceitful politician or rescuing a dog she fears, Lois notices the headlines in her life have definitely improved. She learns how to provide small-town news in a big-hearted way and realizes that life is full of newsworthy moments. When she encounters racial
prejudice and financial corruption, Lois also discovers more about the goodness of
real people and the importance of being part of a community.
While secretly preparing the paper for a sale, Lois begins to realize that God might indeed have a plan for her life and that perhaps the allure of city life and career ambition are not what she wants after all.
When Lois pulls into Green on New Year’s Day, she expects a charming little town full of smiling people.She quickly realizes her mistake. After settling into a loaned house out on Route 2,
she finds herself battling town prejudices and inner doubts and making friends with
the most surprising people: troubled teenager Katy, good-looking catfish farmer
Chris, wise and feisty Aunt Helen, and a female African-American physician named
Kevin.
Whether fighting a greedy, deceitful politician or rescuing a dog she fears, Lois notices the headlines in her life have definitely improved. She learns how to provide small-town news in a big-hearted way and realizes that life is full of newsworthy moments. When she encounters racial
prejudice and financial corruption, Lois also discovers more about the goodness of
real people and the importance of being part of a community.
While secretly preparing the paper for a sale, Lois begins to realize that God might indeed have a plan for her life and that perhaps the allure of city life and career ambition are not what she wants after all.
Sue (5 KP) rated Gone to Green (Green #1) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
The paper was an unexpected inheritance from a close colleague, and Lois must keep it for at least a year, bringing a host of challenges, lessons, and blessings into her life.
When Lois pulls into Green on New Year’s Day, she expects a charming little town full of smiling people.She quickly realizes her mistake. After settling into a loaned house out on Route 2,
she finds herself battling town prejudices and inner doubts and making friends with
the most surprising people: troubled teenager Katy, good-looking catfish farmer
Chris, wise and feisty Aunt Helen, and a female African-American physician named
Kevin.
Whether fighting a greedy, deceitful politician or rescuing a dog she fears, Lois notices the headlines in her life have definitely improved. She learns how to provide small-town news in a big-hearted way and realizes that life is full of newsworthy moments. When she encounters racial
prejudice and financial corruption, Lois also discovers more about the goodness of
real people and the importance of being part of a community.
While secretly preparing the paper for a sale, Lois begins to realize that God might indeed have a plan for her life and that perhaps the allure of city life and career ambition are not what she wants after all.
When Lois pulls into Green on New Year’s Day, she expects a charming little town full of smiling people.She quickly realizes her mistake. After settling into a loaned house out on Route 2,
she finds herself battling town prejudices and inner doubts and making friends with
the most surprising people: troubled teenager Katy, good-looking catfish farmer
Chris, wise and feisty Aunt Helen, and a female African-American physician named
Kevin.
Whether fighting a greedy, deceitful politician or rescuing a dog she fears, Lois notices the headlines in her life have definitely improved. She learns how to provide small-town news in a big-hearted way and realizes that life is full of newsworthy moments. When she encounters racial
prejudice and financial corruption, Lois also discovers more about the goodness of
real people and the importance of being part of a community.
While secretly preparing the paper for a sale, Lois begins to realize that God might indeed have a plan for her life and that perhaps the allure of city life and career ambition are not what she wants after all.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Shelter in Place in Books
Sep 27, 2018
Amazing, beginning to end.
Contains spoilers, click to show
THIS BOOK. I don't know how Nora Roberts continues to write so many stories that intrigue and enthrall me after all these years, but she does, and flawlessly.
The first 15 pages of this book were pretty traumatizing. I actually had to put it down for a couple of days before I could go back to it. I felt like I was THERE, in that mall, feeling what those people were feeling. Written from the perspective of several different characters, the shock, the pain, the absolute horror of it all comes through loud and clear.
As we follow the lives of these victims after the shooting, a complex and emotionally charged story is masterfully woven, drawing the reader further in with every page. I fell half in love with Reed myself, laughed at the silly dog getting his head stuck between the railings, cheered when Patricia was taken down, and let silent tears fall when Simone's memorial was unveiled. It was a beautiful, moving, timely story - and as with all Nora Roberts books, I truly felt like I knew the characters intimately by the end.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARE and the opportunity to read this early!
The first 15 pages of this book were pretty traumatizing. I actually had to put it down for a couple of days before I could go back to it. I felt like I was THERE, in that mall, feeling what those people were feeling. Written from the perspective of several different characters, the shock, the pain, the absolute horror of it all comes through loud and clear.
As we follow the lives of these victims after the shooting, a complex and emotionally charged story is masterfully woven, drawing the reader further in with every page. I fell half in love with Reed myself, laughed at the silly dog getting his head stuck between the railings, cheered when Patricia was taken down, and let silent tears fall when Simone's memorial was unveiled. It was a beautiful, moving, timely story - and as with all Nora Roberts books, I truly felt like I knew the characters intimately by the end.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARE and the opportunity to read this early!
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Celine in Books
Nov 14, 2018
I read this book for the monthly mystery book club I attend. Usually, I thoroughly enjoy the books selected for us to read. The other times I really do not like the choice. This, unfortunately, is one of those times. I just could not get into this book. I read nearly 100 pages before I started just skimming the rest of the book. I tried to listen to the audiobook, read the ebook, and read a printed copy of it and none of them could hold my attention.
There is a lot of extraneous detail about the characters, their background, the scenery, etc. The story jumps all over the place and discusses different story lines and different timelines. This did not help me make a connection with any of the characters. The story mentions how bad last year was for the main character. The reason for this was not stated in the first 100 pages or, if it was, I did not care enough to retain the information.
The author, Peter Heller, has written other books. One, "The Dog Stars" is on my "want to read" list. However, after reading this book, it has moved down further on my list.
There is a lot of extraneous detail about the characters, their background, the scenery, etc. The story jumps all over the place and discusses different story lines and different timelines. This did not help me make a connection with any of the characters. The story mentions how bad last year was for the main character. The reason for this was not stated in the first 100 pages or, if it was, I did not care enough to retain the information.
The author, Peter Heller, has written other books. One, "The Dog Stars" is on my "want to read" list. However, after reading this book, it has moved down further on my list.
ClareR (5874 KP) rated 99 Nights in Logar in Books
Jan 5, 2019
Just not for me...
I don't like giving low marks, but I really struggled with this book. The synopsis of the book was very interesting: 12 year old Marwand and his young cousins set off on a journey to find the family dog after it bites off Marwand's finger and escapes. They travel through a remote area of Afghanistan without any adults knowledge. So far so good. I liked the premise of the story.
Where I struggled was the style of writing. Pakhto and Farsi were used in the story, and I found it impossible to understand. Perhaps the end published book will have a glossary to refer to? Even the context where the language was used didn't help me. The family relationships and forms of address were complicates and I really couldn't keep track of who was who (could this be added into a glossary?). Finally, for me, the animal cruelty was pretty difficult to stomach.
Other readers may be able to see past this last point, and a glossary may well be added in the finished, published book, but I'm afraid this is just not for me personally.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book to read and review.
Where I struggled was the style of writing. Pakhto and Farsi were used in the story, and I found it impossible to understand. Perhaps the end published book will have a glossary to refer to? Even the context where the language was used didn't help me. The family relationships and forms of address were complicates and I really couldn't keep track of who was who (could this be added into a glossary?). Finally, for me, the animal cruelty was pretty difficult to stomach.
Other readers may be able to see past this last point, and a glossary may well be added in the finished, published book, but I'm afraid this is just not for me personally.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book to read and review.
KatyShubo (75 KP) rated Family Guy - Season 5 in TV
Jan 24, 2019
Immoral (1 more)
The show doesn’t know where the line is
Remember the friends quote
Joey: Over the line? You — you're — you're so far past the line, that you — you can't even see the line! The line is a dot to you!
That is Family Guy summed up in a quote. Family Guy is hilarious and a few episodes before falling asleep is the best thing ever BUT I used to truly believe Family Guy was morally offensive and I wouldn’t watch it, now I see it is morally offensive it just so happens to be hilarious with it.
The voice artists are superb, songs aplenty about anything and everything and the discussions you can have are great:
How can Stewie plot to take over the world yet get really confused that Peter has vanished when they play peek a boo ?
Why don’t they age?
How come the dog speaks?
How come Quagmire has never been arrested for some of his sexually extravagant behaviour?
In short you may love this or hate this but if you hate it, it could be because you secretly love it and you are just too worried about admiring it because of how ‘the line is a dot’ to the show
Joey: Over the line? You — you're — you're so far past the line, that you — you can't even see the line! The line is a dot to you!
That is Family Guy summed up in a quote. Family Guy is hilarious and a few episodes before falling asleep is the best thing ever BUT I used to truly believe Family Guy was morally offensive and I wouldn’t watch it, now I see it is morally offensive it just so happens to be hilarious with it.
The voice artists are superb, songs aplenty about anything and everything and the discussions you can have are great:
How can Stewie plot to take over the world yet get really confused that Peter has vanished when they play peek a boo ?
Why don’t they age?
How come the dog speaks?
How come Quagmire has never been arrested for some of his sexually extravagant behaviour?
In short you may love this or hate this but if you hate it, it could be because you secretly love it and you are just too worried about admiring it because of how ‘the line is a dot’ to the show