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Andy Gill recommended The Music of Erik Satie: The Velvet Gentlemen by The Camarta Contemporary Chamber Group in Music (curated)
Harlan Coben recommended The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz in Books (curated)
Gareth von Kallenbach (968 KP) rated Happy Feet Two (2011) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Mumble is back and dancing his way back into our hearts. Happy Feet Two is a follow up to the 2006 Academy Award winning movie, Happy Feet directed by George Miller. Mumble (Elijah Wood) is now married to Gloria (Alecia “PiNK” Moore, who replaced the late Brittany Murphy) and they have a son, Erik (Ava Acres).
Mumble struggles to help Erik with his insecurities and inability to find his own heart song and dance steps. Erik ends up running away from Emperorland with a couple of friends, following the love struck Ramon (Robin Williams). Unsuccessful in love within Mumble’s penguin community, Ramon decides to head back to Adelieland and falls for Carmen (Sophia Vergara) who, of course, plays hard to get. So begins Ramon’s hilarious attempts at trying to win Carmen’s affection. While on their adventure, Erik and company stumble across Sven (Hank Azaria), a puffin that is mistaken for a penguin who can fly. Erik becomes enamored with Sven’s ability to fly and attempts to follow in Sven’s footsteps.
Once Mumble has found the runaway chicks, he forces them to return to Emperorland. Upon their return to home, they find a landslide has caused an iceberg to shift and ends up trapping their colony with no way out. Mumble must find help before it’s too late. In flies the self-help guru and fraud Sven to come and teach the penguins how to fly. Meanwhile, other animals in peril are an elephant seal (Anthony Lapaglia) and a couple of codependent krill named Will (Brad Pitt) and Bill (Matt Damon) who realized that their only place in life is to provide sustenance for the whales. Unwilling to succumb to their fate, the delusional Will forces the terrified Bill to swim away from their swarm and become omnivores in an attempt to move up the food chain.
In the end all these stories tie together to show a strong sense of community among different species. I do believe George Miller seems to have taken more of a commercialized approach when creating this movie. Miller once again attempts to send an eco-message regarding global warming with Happy Feet Two. Unfortunately the sequel’s message does not create the same emotional and heartfelt impact as its predecessor. Miller focused more on entertaining and visuals and less on the actual storyline which was very choppy and quite odd at times.
The animators definitely give Pixar a run for their money with their amazing Antarctica scenery details, their incredible animal close-up shots, the undersea moments with the krill and spectacular action sequences. The movie may not have had the substance of the first movie; however it was definitely enjoyable to watch. There was lots of dancing, singing and great laugh-out-loud moments; an absolute visual delight.
Mumble struggles to help Erik with his insecurities and inability to find his own heart song and dance steps. Erik ends up running away from Emperorland with a couple of friends, following the love struck Ramon (Robin Williams). Unsuccessful in love within Mumble’s penguin community, Ramon decides to head back to Adelieland and falls for Carmen (Sophia Vergara) who, of course, plays hard to get. So begins Ramon’s hilarious attempts at trying to win Carmen’s affection. While on their adventure, Erik and company stumble across Sven (Hank Azaria), a puffin that is mistaken for a penguin who can fly. Erik becomes enamored with Sven’s ability to fly and attempts to follow in Sven’s footsteps.
Once Mumble has found the runaway chicks, he forces them to return to Emperorland. Upon their return to home, they find a landslide has caused an iceberg to shift and ends up trapping their colony with no way out. Mumble must find help before it’s too late. In flies the self-help guru and fraud Sven to come and teach the penguins how to fly. Meanwhile, other animals in peril are an elephant seal (Anthony Lapaglia) and a couple of codependent krill named Will (Brad Pitt) and Bill (Matt Damon) who realized that their only place in life is to provide sustenance for the whales. Unwilling to succumb to their fate, the delusional Will forces the terrified Bill to swim away from their swarm and become omnivores in an attempt to move up the food chain.
In the end all these stories tie together to show a strong sense of community among different species. I do believe George Miller seems to have taken more of a commercialized approach when creating this movie. Miller once again attempts to send an eco-message regarding global warming with Happy Feet Two. Unfortunately the sequel’s message does not create the same emotional and heartfelt impact as its predecessor. Miller focused more on entertaining and visuals and less on the actual storyline which was very choppy and quite odd at times.
The animators definitely give Pixar a run for their money with their amazing Antarctica scenery details, their incredible animal close-up shots, the undersea moments with the krill and spectacular action sequences. The movie may not have had the substance of the first movie; however it was definitely enjoyable to watch. There was lots of dancing, singing and great laugh-out-loud moments; an absolute visual delight.
Leah (: (569 KP) rated Created (Talented Saga book 4) in Books
Aug 23, 2018
This is the fourth book in the series and as one acronym’d organisation dies another appears to take its place.
Talia and Erik continue to mature as individuals and together as a couple. It appears they are tired of being told what to do and are going to try and make their own decisions and right and wrong and what needs to happen in their world.
We get more answers in this book, however we still don’t know what will happen in the future.
Talia and Erik continue to mature as individuals and together as a couple. It appears they are tired of being told what to do and are going to try and make their own decisions and right and wrong and what needs to happen in their world.
We get more answers in this book, however we still don’t know what will happen in the future.
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) created a post in Movie Fun and Trivia
Dec 30, 2018 (Updated Dec 30, 2018)
Becs (244 KP) rated Seven at Sea in Books
Jul 29, 2019
Captivating memoir on taking risks
TRIGGER WARNINGS: mild swearing and peril
**Possible spoilers ahead**
Working a temp job night shift in a cubicle in Manhattan to help provide for his wife and their five children, the youngest with Down Syndrome, Erik Orton knew something had to change. Watching the sailboats on the Hudson River during his breaks, he dared to dream, and craved a life that was full of more than just surviving day to day. Despite having no sailing experience, his wife Emily’s phobia of deep water, and already being financially stretched, the family of seven turned their excuses into reasons and their fears into motivation as they set off on a voyage that ultimately took them 5,000 miles from New York to the Caribbean and back. Their journey that included plenty of learning and adventure, showed them the value of doing things their own way, and most importantly gave them time together as a family before their oldest daughter left for college.
And while this memoir is incredibly inspiring, and the Ortons did certainly gain a lot from sailing with their family for a year, the takeaway of Seven at Sea is not that all of us should quit our jobs and buy sailboats. The book serves as an encouraging reminder that our lives can be what we make them regardless of what society dictates. Many of us, especially parents, tend to fell stuck in our circumstances. The Ortons show us that on a large or small scale, we can imagine more boldly than we usually allow for and dare to dream of a life that doesn’t look anything like the one we have now – and still manage to be great parents, spouses, and members of society.
I am generally not taken with memoirs as they never capture my attention, but this was so good! I was captivated and enthralled from the get go. The narration was told in both Erik and Emily’s point of view. That added a fun and interesting appeal to this novel.
One thing I loved while reading was how the highs and the lows of taking such a risk like this were included. Erik and Emily keep it authentic, unique, and honest. It was really well-written and has as much adventure as an action novel! The one thing worth noting that I had a problem with, was that it was a slow read. It took a bit more time and motivation to read, but this adventure story made up for it. Emily’s insight helped round out Erik’s insight. She was the glue that held everything together, while Erik was the lumber. This memoir tells a story of risks and going the road less traveled by. Seven at Sea teaches the reader that the journey is the destination and that relationships are the most important things we have, that we should always strive to strengthen and refine them.
Most people can’t take the risk of just up and leaving their current situation like Erik and Emily did with their five children. Seven at Sea reminds us that our lives are what we make of them and that we should all have the courage to seek our dream lives whatever they may be.
**Possible spoilers ahead**
Working a temp job night shift in a cubicle in Manhattan to help provide for his wife and their five children, the youngest with Down Syndrome, Erik Orton knew something had to change. Watching the sailboats on the Hudson River during his breaks, he dared to dream, and craved a life that was full of more than just surviving day to day. Despite having no sailing experience, his wife Emily’s phobia of deep water, and already being financially stretched, the family of seven turned their excuses into reasons and their fears into motivation as they set off on a voyage that ultimately took them 5,000 miles from New York to the Caribbean and back. Their journey that included plenty of learning and adventure, showed them the value of doing things their own way, and most importantly gave them time together as a family before their oldest daughter left for college.
And while this memoir is incredibly inspiring, and the Ortons did certainly gain a lot from sailing with their family for a year, the takeaway of Seven at Sea is not that all of us should quit our jobs and buy sailboats. The book serves as an encouraging reminder that our lives can be what we make them regardless of what society dictates. Many of us, especially parents, tend to fell stuck in our circumstances. The Ortons show us that on a large or small scale, we can imagine more boldly than we usually allow for and dare to dream of a life that doesn’t look anything like the one we have now – and still manage to be great parents, spouses, and members of society.
I am generally not taken with memoirs as they never capture my attention, but this was so good! I was captivated and enthralled from the get go. The narration was told in both Erik and Emily’s point of view. That added a fun and interesting appeal to this novel.
One thing I loved while reading was how the highs and the lows of taking such a risk like this were included. Erik and Emily keep it authentic, unique, and honest. It was really well-written and has as much adventure as an action novel! The one thing worth noting that I had a problem with, was that it was a slow read. It took a bit more time and motivation to read, but this adventure story made up for it. Emily’s insight helped round out Erik’s insight. She was the glue that held everything together, while Erik was the lumber. This memoir tells a story of risks and going the road less traveled by. Seven at Sea teaches the reader that the journey is the destination and that relationships are the most important things we have, that we should always strive to strengthen and refine them.
Most people can’t take the risk of just up and leaving their current situation like Erik and Emily did with their five children. Seven at Sea reminds us that our lives are what we make of them and that we should all have the courage to seek our dream lives whatever they may be.
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness in Books
Jan 21, 2019 (Updated Jan 21, 2019)
Erik Larson is one of the popular historian writers that I really like. He builds a very big picture of the times, and what was going on in general, outside of H.H. Holmes' murder house. I enjoy knowing the whole picture to put everything into context. Holmes himself is terrifying, and creepily sophisticated for his time.
If you're expecting a book purely based upon Holmes murders, I would not suggest this. Larson builds a huge picture with rich historical detail, which isn't some people's jams. This book is more so about the Worlds' Fair, and how the murder house took advantage of the slight upheaval.
If you're expecting a book purely based upon Holmes murders, I would not suggest this. Larson builds a huge picture with rich historical detail, which isn't some people's jams. This book is more so about the Worlds' Fair, and how the murder house took advantage of the slight upheaval.
Leah (: (569 KP) rated Hunted (Talented Saga, #3) in Books
Aug 2, 2018
This is the third book in the series.
The book is very good, it answers some questions but definitely poses a lot more. It is possible to start to see some of the direction the series may take and who the key players are. Also to begin to make your own predictions and hopes.
It is good to see Talia and Erik continue to grow as people and their relationship evolving. They are both having to face the real world and the decisions they are making. They are also questioning what they are doing and why. The naivety of the previous books is gone.
I have really enjoyed this series and recommend it if you enjoy dystopia.
The book is very good, it answers some questions but definitely poses a lot more. It is possible to start to see some of the direction the series may take and who the key players are. Also to begin to make your own predictions and hopes.
It is good to see Talia and Erik continue to grow as people and their relationship evolving. They are both having to face the real world and the decisions they are making. They are also questioning what they are doing and why. The naivety of the previous books is gone.
I have really enjoyed this series and recommend it if you enjoy dystopia.
Kristina (502 KP) rated The Heir (The Selection, #4) in Books
Dec 7, 2020
I was so excited to read about Maxon and America's children! I'd been waiting to read this one for quite a while. However, I was totally unprepared for it to lead into another book. I'm most definitely not complaining, it just threw me for a loop. I can say that I'm glad there will be another book (or more) because I look forward to watching Eady grow. So far, I'm not too impressed with who she is and how she views herself, considering who her mother is. I can't wait to see what the rest of the Selection has in store for our princess.
P.S: I'm team Kile all the way! I wouldn't mind being team Erik, if poor Henri wouldn't get hurt.
P.S: I'm team Kile all the way! I wouldn't mind being team Erik, if poor Henri wouldn't get hurt.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Murders in the Rue Morgue (1971) in Movies
Oct 7, 2020
Experiment Gone Wrong
Murders in the Rue Morgue- didnt come out in 1971, it came out in 1932. @Smashbomb should fix that. Anways it was a intresting movie. Bela Lugosi as this evil mysterious doctor was good.
The plot: In 1845 Paris, mysterious Dr. Mirakle (Bela Lugosi) demonstrates his theories on evolution using his ape, Erik, at a carnival visited by medical student Pierre Dupin (Leon Waycoff) and his girlfriend, Camille Espanaye (Sidney Fox). Unknown to his audience, Mirakle performs experiments in his secret laboratory that involve mixing human blood with that of Erik's. After three prostitutes are found dead from being injected with a strange substance, Pierre is alarmed when Camille goes missing.
It mixes sci-fi and horror togther.
The plot: In 1845 Paris, mysterious Dr. Mirakle (Bela Lugosi) demonstrates his theories on evolution using his ape, Erik, at a carnival visited by medical student Pierre Dupin (Leon Waycoff) and his girlfriend, Camille Espanaye (Sidney Fox). Unknown to his audience, Mirakle performs experiments in his secret laboratory that involve mixing human blood with that of Erik's. After three prostitutes are found dead from being injected with a strange substance, Pierre is alarmed when Camille goes missing.
It mixes sci-fi and horror togther.