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Ross (3284 KP) rated Ferdinand (2017) in Movies
Dec 27, 2017
This is a pretty typical offering these days - someone in a group is a little different, is mocked by the others who don't realise that his difference is a good thing, he runs away, comes back stronger, wins them round and eventually everyone wins.
This was basically Chicken Run in a Spanish bull farm. The bulls are all vying to become the one chosen to take place in the big bullfight, not realising it meant their death.
Given the subject matter and how controversial bullfighting has become, I thought this was dealt with quite carefully. The death was only hinted at early on and then was quite a shock to the characters so was delivered as a plot point rather than a moral statement. The end does move slightly towards preaching but it doesn't force it home. My daughters both left knowing bullfighting was wrong and not nice but they weren't traumatised by it.
As usual, there is a fair amount of humour for adults mixed in through the film, and the voice actors are all quite adequate.
Overall a decent family film.
This was basically Chicken Run in a Spanish bull farm. The bulls are all vying to become the one chosen to take place in the big bullfight, not realising it meant their death.
Given the subject matter and how controversial bullfighting has become, I thought this was dealt with quite carefully. The death was only hinted at early on and then was quite a shock to the characters so was delivered as a plot point rather than a moral statement. The end does move slightly towards preaching but it doesn't force it home. My daughters both left knowing bullfighting was wrong and not nice but they weren't traumatised by it.
As usual, there is a fair amount of humour for adults mixed in through the film, and the voice actors are all quite adequate.
Overall a decent family film.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated The Final Reveille (Living History Museum, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Kelsey Cambridge enjoys her job running the Barton Farm Living History Museum. However, on the weekend that she’s added Civil War reenactors to the museum’s activities, she gets word from Maxwell that he is going to cut off the funds she’s been getting through a charitable foundation to help keep the place running. When Kelsey finds Maxwell murdered on the museum property the next morning, she becomes a suspect. Can she find the real killer?
I already enjoy history, but Kelsey’s love of the subject comes through loud and clear. The plot was a little slow to get going as the museum and characters were introduced, but it quickly gained speed and drew me in. Kelsey is a strong character, and the rest of the cast is great as well. I’m looking forward to reading more about them in the future.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-final-reveille-by-amanda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I already enjoy history, but Kelsey’s love of the subject comes through loud and clear. The plot was a little slow to get going as the museum and characters were introduced, but it quickly gained speed and drew me in. Kelsey is a strong character, and the rest of the cast is great as well. I’m looking forward to reading more about them in the future.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-final-reveille-by-amanda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated Peaches and Scream (Georgia Peach Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Nola Mae Harper is returning to her home town of Cays Mill, Georgia, and her family’s peach farm to help run it while her parents take a three week cruise. However, she’s hardly arrived when she finds the body of the owner of the local lumber mill in the peach orchard. Worse yet, her brother-in-law is arrest for the crime. She and her siblings quickly close ranks and try to clear his name. But can they do it?
This may be a debut, but the town and the residents came to life for me right away. Nola and her family are wonderfully strong characters I can’t wait to visit again. Plus I loved their family bond. The plot was great with a steady pace an ending that surprised me. Truly, a sweet debut.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-peaches-and-scream-by-susan.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This may be a debut, but the town and the residents came to life for me right away. Nola and her family are wonderfully strong characters I can’t wait to visit again. Plus I loved their family bond. The plot was great with a steady pace an ending that surprised me. Truly, a sweet debut.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-peaches-and-scream-by-susan.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
Superior first-wave Star Wars cash-in from Roger Corman, recycling the plot of The Magnificent Seven (et al); writer John Sayles shows he knows his stuff by including all the requisite space battles and funny aliens, but also references to Kurosawa, whose films originally inspired George Lucas.
Peaceful alien yokels known as the Akira (told you so) are menaced by galactic despot on a tight timetable; farm boy is dispatched to recruit space mercenaries to help fend him off when he comes back. Ropy model-work courtesy of a young James Cameron is the film's biggest weakness (the best special effect is probably Sybil Danning's costume); rousing score from a young James Horner is a major plus. Robert Vaughn's performance here is just as good as the one in The Magnificent One - makes sense, as it's essentially the same one. Film has a lovely adventurous tone about it, isn't afraid to treat the audience with intelligence; much better than many other more prestigious sci-fi films of this period.
Peaceful alien yokels known as the Akira (told you so) are menaced by galactic despot on a tight timetable; farm boy is dispatched to recruit space mercenaries to help fend him off when he comes back. Ropy model-work courtesy of a young James Cameron is the film's biggest weakness (the best special effect is probably Sybil Danning's costume); rousing score from a young James Horner is a major plus. Robert Vaughn's performance here is just as good as the one in The Magnificent One - makes sense, as it's essentially the same one. Film has a lovely adventurous tone about it, isn't afraid to treat the audience with intelligence; much better than many other more prestigious sci-fi films of this period.
Kate (493 KP) rated My Not So Perfect Life: A Novel in Books
Mar 4, 2020
Everywhere Katie Brenner looks, someone else is living the life she longs for, particularly her boss, Demeter Farlowe. Demeter is brilliant and creative, lives with her perfect family in a posh townhouse, and wears the coolest clothes. Katie's life, meanwhile, is a daily struggle--from her dismal rental to her oddball flatmates to the tense office politics she's trying to negotiate. No wonder Katie takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts, especially as she's desperate to make her dad proud.
Then, just as she's finding her feet--not to mention a possible new romance--the worst happens. Demeter fires Katie. Shattered but determined to stay positive, Katie retreats to her family's farm in Somerset to help them set up a vacation business. London has never seemed so far away--until Demeter unexpectedly turns up as a guest. Secrets are spilled and relationships rejiggered, and as the stakes for Katie's future get higher, she must question her own assumptions about what makes for a truly meaningful life.
Then, just as she's finding her feet--not to mention a possible new romance--the worst happens. Demeter fires Katie. Shattered but determined to stay positive, Katie retreats to her family's farm in Somerset to help them set up a vacation business. London has never seemed so far away--until Demeter unexpectedly turns up as a guest. Secrets are spilled and relationships rejiggered, and as the stakes for Katie's future get higher, she must question her own assumptions about what makes for a truly meaningful life.
Mothergamer (1568 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Forager in Video Games
Mar 16, 2020
I played the game on PS4, but it's available on the Nintendo Switch and PC too. Forager is an idle game that does a great mix of crafting, exploration, and adventure. Automation is the biggest factor in the game as it encourages you to always have things crafting on your machines while foraging for more resources and adventuring. There are dungeons to explore where you can solve puzzles and fight monsters which reward you with special weapons and items that you can use on your adventure. You can play as little or as much as you want. Forager gives you a lot of freedom to craft, build, farm, and forage. There are mini quests you can do and islands you can buy and unlock adding more areas for you to explore. It is a bit of a grind, but you don't really notice because the game is so much fun to play. It's a laid back relaxing game that gives you a lot of freedom to explore, craft, and build.
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