Search
Search results
Dean (6927 KP) rated Top Boy - Season 3 in TV
Dec 8, 2019 (Updated Dec 8, 2019)
Great story (1 more)
Good range of characters
Back on Top
I remember the first 2 short series when they were on Channel 4, both good but they were only 4 episodes long and the second one seemed to end abruptly. They are available on Netflix with the Netflix original new series which is 10 episodes long.
It's definitely worth watching the first 2 series as many of the main characters are the same and the story does carry on from then. Although it's been 6 years since the last series.
This is a good crime drama showing how rival drug gangs from different estates are trying to out do each other. It does feel quite realistic as we see the events unfold from many different characters viewpoints. Family, friends, rivals, gang members as they all get tied up with the events that unfold. It definitely feels like a much better all round story than the first 2 series. It's quite violent in parts as you would expect. Definitely worth putting towards the Top of your list to check out. If you like films like @Kidulthood (2006) you will like this.
It's definitely worth watching the first 2 series as many of the main characters are the same and the story does carry on from then. Although it's been 6 years since the last series.
This is a good crime drama showing how rival drug gangs from different estates are trying to out do each other. It does feel quite realistic as we see the events unfold from many different characters viewpoints. Family, friends, rivals, gang members as they all get tied up with the events that unfold. It definitely feels like a much better all round story than the first 2 series. It's quite violent in parts as you would expect. Definitely worth putting towards the Top of your list to check out. If you like films like @Kidulthood (2006) you will like this.
Good Kids (2016)
Movie
I watched this movie on Netflix awhile back. It's a good movie if you are looking for something...
It's All Good: Everything Will be Okay. How to Surrender and Trust the Bigger Plan
Book
Often it's during our most challenging times that we learn and grow the most. When we detach...
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Juliet, Naked (2018) in Movies
Jul 13, 2019
Not up to Nick Hornby’s usual standards
Nick Hornby’s books are marvellous, so adapting them into films is an obvious choice for getting a sure fire hit (a la About a Boy). However sadly this doesn’t quite work for Juliet, Naked.
The plot itself is fine, fairly interesting yet doesn’t appears to be very in depth and i feel like there’s probably a lot missing in this that was in the book. It’s a good idea, just not very well executed and a little dull. It tries for humour but isn’t particularly funny and the romance side is a little lacking too sadly. I’ve always liked Ethan Hawke and he’s good in this but perhaps a little underused, and Rose Byrne is good but her accent is definitely a bit dodgy! Not too sure what was going on with Chris O’Dowd though, I’m not his biggest fan anyway but I found him particularly irritating in this but that may have just been his character. It’s a shame really that this film appears to be lacking all of the usual magic you’d see with Nick Hornby. Think I’ll just go read the book.
The plot itself is fine, fairly interesting yet doesn’t appears to be very in depth and i feel like there’s probably a lot missing in this that was in the book. It’s a good idea, just not very well executed and a little dull. It tries for humour but isn’t particularly funny and the romance side is a little lacking too sadly. I’ve always liked Ethan Hawke and he’s good in this but perhaps a little underused, and Rose Byrne is good but her accent is definitely a bit dodgy! Not too sure what was going on with Chris O’Dowd though, I’m not his biggest fan anyway but I found him particularly irritating in this but that may have just been his character. It’s a shame really that this film appears to be lacking all of the usual magic you’d see with Nick Hornby. Think I’ll just go read the book.
Good but a little too drawn out
Despite Stephen King being my favourite author and owning virtually all of his books, I've yet to actually read them all. Christine is one that never really appealed (From a Buick 8 sounded like a much better car based story), but it's actually quite good.
Aa with every King book, this is very well written and has some wonderfully developed and interesting characters. The story too is full of some decent gore and horror, but I think the major problem is with the length of the story. There is no reason why this needed to be dragged out over 600 pages, and it could've been a lot shorter. Whilst i enjoyed reading this, it did feel like a slog at times. Also considering the length of the book, the ending felt rushed and far too much time had been spent building up to an ending that felt a little lacklustre - although the final part of the epilogue did make up for this slightly.
Overall a decent entertaining book with a lot of good writing and characters, but too drawn out and definitely isn't one of King's best.
Aa with every King book, this is very well written and has some wonderfully developed and interesting characters. The story too is full of some decent gore and horror, but I think the major problem is with the length of the story. There is no reason why this needed to be dragged out over 600 pages, and it could've been a lot shorter. Whilst i enjoyed reading this, it did feel like a slog at times. Also considering the length of the book, the ending felt rushed and far too much time had been spent building up to an ending that felt a little lacklustre - although the final part of the epilogue did make up for this slightly.
Overall a decent entertaining book with a lot of good writing and characters, but too drawn out and definitely isn't one of King's best.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Dune (2021) in Movies
Nov 11, 2021 (Updated Nov 11, 2021)
Great visuals (1 more)
Very good ensemble cast
Space Opera
I'm totally new to Dune, I know nothing of the book or the previous film. So I have nothing to compare it to it that sense.
It's visually stunning and on a grand scale, with many wide angle shots to to get a good effect of scale. The design, look and feel of the film, along with Zimmer's score are all quality.
Then to the story which feels like a mix of The Matrix, meets Game of Thrones with a Star Wars setting. For new comers like myself it might be difficult keeping track of who is in alliance with who, as a lot of various faction names appear. The political side of things doesn't get too bogged down though. I did expect bigger and longer action scenes for a film of this scale. What action you do see is very good and the SFX are great.
So to those who are new to Dune it might be a bit of a mixed bag but there is no doubting the quality overall. Roll on part 2.
It's visually stunning and on a grand scale, with many wide angle shots to to get a good effect of scale. The design, look and feel of the film, along with Zimmer's score are all quality.
Then to the story which feels like a mix of The Matrix, meets Game of Thrones with a Star Wars setting. For new comers like myself it might be difficult keeping track of who is in alliance with who, as a lot of various faction names appear. The political side of things doesn't get too bogged down though. I did expect bigger and longer action scenes for a film of this scale. What action you do see is very good and the SFX are great.
So to those who are new to Dune it might be a bit of a mixed bag but there is no doubting the quality overall. Roll on part 2.
Merissa (14206 KP) rated Check Out in Books
Oct 30, 2023
CHECK OUT tells the story of a shy librarian and an injured marine. Betsy is happy working at the library all her life. That is all shaken up when Nash brings his books back to the library, and her sister turns up for a stay, bringing baggage with her.
This had the potential for a great story. Instead, I read a good one. I don't know if it's the author's writing style or just how I was reading it, but I never once was drugged within the story, as I love. It was always very clear that I was reading a story. The characters were likeable but I couldn't really feel the chemistry between them. The dialogues were somewhat stilted at times which didn't help.
On the whole, this was a quick read that holds the potential for so much more. Still, it was enjoyable, and a good coffee break book.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 2, 2018
This had the potential for a great story. Instead, I read a good one. I don't know if it's the author's writing style or just how I was reading it, but I never once was drugged within the story, as I love. It was always very clear that I was reading a story. The characters were likeable but I couldn't really feel the chemistry between them. The dialogues were somewhat stilted at times which didn't help.
On the whole, this was a quick read that holds the potential for so much more. Still, it was enjoyable, and a good coffee break book.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 2, 2018
Debbiereadsbook (1849 KP) rated Still Waters, Deep (Between Hill and Sea) in Books
Apr 18, 2026
love the descriptive passages!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is the first in a new series by Ms Sheppard, and it reads a little bit different to her other books.
Seren is an archivist, and Talise a hydrologist. Catrin wrote about the water of Llyn Du, over 100 years ago, before she disappeared and now all three ladies are entwined by a red thread of fate.
It took time for the threads to weave, and as such, I didn't know where it was all going for a long time. It meant I had to slow down my reading, and concentrate really hard, which in turn meant it took me longer to read. Not a bad thing, just needs a comment, cos Book Feelings are important!
I enjoyed that Seren and Talise have a voice, and Eifion doesn't. I think if he had, the water might have muddled a bit(see what I did there?) between Catrin and Talise, around the lake and what was happening to Talise and what had happened to Catrin.
It's full of Ms Sheppard's signature Welsh myths and legends. There is a bit at the end that talks about Llyn Du and the red thread of fate. I didn't read it. but some might fine it helpful.
It's also full of descriptive passages that you can actually feel. You can feel how the lake reacts to Talise. You can feel how heavy the bell is, how Talise can feel it in her bones. You can feel how Seren reacts to the red thread, so far away from the lake. I love these passages, the way Ms Sheppard writes them. They come across so beautifully, so emotionally, so real.
There is no violence, and no smex. And I loved that there isn't!
Like I said, first in a new series, all connected by that red thread of fate, Welsh myths and nothing more. I look forward to reading what comes next!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is the first in a new series by Ms Sheppard, and it reads a little bit different to her other books.
Seren is an archivist, and Talise a hydrologist. Catrin wrote about the water of Llyn Du, over 100 years ago, before she disappeared and now all three ladies are entwined by a red thread of fate.
It took time for the threads to weave, and as such, I didn't know where it was all going for a long time. It meant I had to slow down my reading, and concentrate really hard, which in turn meant it took me longer to read. Not a bad thing, just needs a comment, cos Book Feelings are important!
I enjoyed that Seren and Talise have a voice, and Eifion doesn't. I think if he had, the water might have muddled a bit(see what I did there?) between Catrin and Talise, around the lake and what was happening to Talise and what had happened to Catrin.
It's full of Ms Sheppard's signature Welsh myths and legends. There is a bit at the end that talks about Llyn Du and the red thread of fate. I didn't read it. but some might fine it helpful.
It's also full of descriptive passages that you can actually feel. You can feel how the lake reacts to Talise. You can feel how heavy the bell is, how Talise can feel it in her bones. You can feel how Seren reacts to the red thread, so far away from the lake. I love these passages, the way Ms Sheppard writes them. They come across so beautifully, so emotionally, so real.
There is no violence, and no smex. And I loved that there isn't!
Like I said, first in a new series, all connected by that red thread of fate, Welsh myths and nothing more. I look forward to reading what comes next!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Black Wings in Books
Mar 15, 2019
Hooked like I didnt think I would be!
I first need to thank the author and publishers for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
"Briella Blake has always been wicked smart. When she's invited to attend a special school for gifted students, she finally has the chance to focus on a project that begins to consume her - the ability to recreate and save copies of a person's entire set of memories. Her friendship with a raven that's as smart as she is leads to conflict with her mother Marian, who is no longer able to deny that there's something wrong with her child."
This is a real page turner!
I do not want to give too much away so I am really unable to elaborate; but this is a wonderful book.
Well-constructed and written book, touched on subjects of motherhood that are often called taboo or women are made to feel they cant talk about or feel.
When I first started reading the book
I had my suspicions about Briella - I tried to like her but I really couldn't. She just had something about her and I turned every page thinking to myself how creepy she made me feel and wondering who she would kill first.
This is a real page turner, made all the more unsettling by the presence of the enigmatic creepy Briella. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who likes suspenseful thrillers and would also suggest fans of horror give this one a go as well. I feel like this could make a good creepy film if done right!
I first need to thank the author and publishers for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
"Briella Blake has always been wicked smart. When she's invited to attend a special school for gifted students, she finally has the chance to focus on a project that begins to consume her - the ability to recreate and save copies of a person's entire set of memories. Her friendship with a raven that's as smart as she is leads to conflict with her mother Marian, who is no longer able to deny that there's something wrong with her child."
This is a real page turner!
I do not want to give too much away so I am really unable to elaborate; but this is a wonderful book.
Well-constructed and written book, touched on subjects of motherhood that are often called taboo or women are made to feel they cant talk about or feel.
When I first started reading the book
I had my suspicions about Briella - I tried to like her but I really couldn't. She just had something about her and I turned every page thinking to myself how creepy she made me feel and wondering who she would kill first.
This is a real page turner, made all the more unsettling by the presence of the enigmatic creepy Briella. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who likes suspenseful thrillers and would also suggest fans of horror give this one a go as well. I feel like this could make a good creepy film if done right!
Green Smoothies For Dummies
Consumer Dummies and Jennifer Thompson
Book
Sip your way to ultimate nutrition and feel better than ever Whether you're looking to detox, lose...






