Search
Search results
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Breadcrumbs in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This book was an okay read. I went into it with really no expectations so I guess an okay is pretty good.
The story telss of 2 5th grade best friends, Hazel and Jack. Jack made Hazel feel like she had a place in the world until one day he just up and changed on her. Her turnd into a jerk in the blink of an eye. The interesting part comes when reality turns to fantasy as Jack takes off into the woods on a sleigh pulled by white wolves. And of course no one sees it except Tyler, Hazel's archenemy when it comes to matters involving Jack.
The best writing comes as Hazel takes off into the woods to bring Jack home. The real world part of the story tends to drag a bit and the writing is much more simplistic. The fantasy part is the real meat of the stoey in terms of writing quality and plot.
The story telss of 2 5th grade best friends, Hazel and Jack. Jack made Hazel feel like she had a place in the world until one day he just up and changed on her. Her turnd into a jerk in the blink of an eye. The interesting part comes when reality turns to fantasy as Jack takes off into the woods on a sleigh pulled by white wolves. And of course no one sees it except Tyler, Hazel's archenemy when it comes to matters involving Jack.
The best writing comes as Hazel takes off into the woods to bring Jack home. The real world part of the story tends to drag a bit and the writing is much more simplistic. The fantasy part is the real meat of the stoey in terms of writing quality and plot.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Garden of Madness (Seven Wonders, #2) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This is 1 of those times where I wish Goodreads would give the old 1/2 a star option. This book wasn't a 3, but it wasn't a 4 either. I enjoyed it, but I also didn't think it was worth 4 stars. The characters I interesting & the arcs that each progresses through during the course of the book were intriguing. There was a fairly good plot, and the ending found me holding my breath for fear of what might happen to Tiamat.
However, the beginning was where I found myself struggling with the story. It took awhile for the action of the plot to really get going & draw me in. The characters were at first, hard to connect with. I enjoyed the historical part of the story. It wasn't too overbearing or preachy for being rather religious based. It didn't feel forced and worked naturally with the plot. I guess this just isn't the kind of book I'd normally find myself pulling down off a shelf.
However, the beginning was where I found myself struggling with the story. It took awhile for the action of the plot to really get going & draw me in. The characters were at first, hard to connect with. I enjoyed the historical part of the story. It wasn't too overbearing or preachy for being rather religious based. It didn't feel forced and worked naturally with the plot. I guess this just isn't the kind of book I'd normally find myself pulling down off a shelf.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2532 KP) rated Waste of Space in Books
May 7, 2018
Can Dash Find the Right Suspect?
When someone tries to poison Lars Sjoberg, no one is really surprised. This trillionaire has rubbed everyone the wrong way since he arrived on Moon Base Alpha. In fact, the real question becomes who didn’t want the man dead. Dashiell Gibson is roped into helping with the investigation. How did the poison get on base? And who tried to kill Lars?
This is another fantastic mystery for kids of all ages. The setting is creative, fun, and realistically handled. The mystery is great with good twists and turns. I did feel the pacing slowed down a little in the middle for a series long sub-plot, but that is a minor complaint. The characters are still strong, and there are moments that are guaranteed to make kids laugh and cheer. This is our final trip to the moon with these characters, and the series is wrapped up in a very satisfying way.
This is another fantastic mystery for kids of all ages. The setting is creative, fun, and realistically handled. The mystery is great with good twists and turns. I did feel the pacing slowed down a little in the middle for a series long sub-plot, but that is a minor complaint. The characters are still strong, and there are moments that are guaranteed to make kids laugh and cheer. This is our final trip to the moon with these characters, and the series is wrapped up in a very satisfying way.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Eagle Has Landed (1976) in Movies
May 22, 2018 (Updated May 22, 2018)
Pretty reasonable, slightly silly all-star war movie; the Germans attempt to bring the Allies to the negotiating table by kidnapping Churchill. Sent on this improbable mission is Michael Caine's decent paratrooper officer and his men, and ridiculously Irish IRA man Donald Sutherland. Spoiler alert: Germany still loses the war.
Good performances, mostly, and some well-staged action in the closing sections of the film; what's curious about it is the way that the Germans are mostly presented sympathetically, at least as much as the British and American characters. It's a war movie without bad guys, but without much sense of moral or emotional investment either - as a result it's enjoyable as a piece of action cinema, but rather shallow. (It doesn't feel like the moral ambiguity is a deliberate creative choice: Caine thought the director was more interested in going fishing than in overseeing the final edit.) Fun in a disposable sort of way; you could be forgiven for expecting more, given the talent involved.
Good performances, mostly, and some well-staged action in the closing sections of the film; what's curious about it is the way that the Germans are mostly presented sympathetically, at least as much as the British and American characters. It's a war movie without bad guys, but without much sense of moral or emotional investment either - as a result it's enjoyable as a piece of action cinema, but rather shallow. (It doesn't feel like the moral ambiguity is a deliberate creative choice: Caine thought the director was more interested in going fishing than in overseeing the final edit.) Fun in a disposable sort of way; you could be forgiven for expecting more, given the talent involved.
Leah (: (569 KP) rated Queen of Always (Stolen Empire, #3) in Books
Feb 4, 2019
This book was the conclusion to the series. As the title would suggest this is the book where we see Catherine take the throne and finally become queen.
This book started a few months after the last one finished which meant the first part was spent catching up on what had happened.
Unfortunately there becomes a love triangle in this book which is something I just don’t enjoy and became frustrated with Catherine and her inability to just pick and commit to one person.
This book was a great conclusion to the series and tied the story up nicely. It left at a good point and where history would be able to fill in. I did feel that the ending was a bit rushed and didn’t like the one chapter change in POV although I do know why it happened.
Personally I still enjoyed this book just not quite as much as the previous two.
This book started a few months after the last one finished which meant the first part was spent catching up on what had happened.
Unfortunately there becomes a love triangle in this book which is something I just don’t enjoy and became frustrated with Catherine and her inability to just pick and commit to one person.
This book was a great conclusion to the series and tied the story up nicely. It left at a good point and where history would be able to fill in. I did feel that the ending was a bit rushed and didn’t like the one chapter change in POV although I do know why it happened.
Personally I still enjoyed this book just not quite as much as the previous two.
Bryan Connolly (4 KP) rated Abducted in Plain Sight (2017) in Movies
Feb 10, 2019
Great documentary film (7 more)
Netflix
True Story
From family point of view
Real people not actors
Plays the original tapes recorded
Lasts 1hr half
Amazing if like true crime programmes
Not for the people who are anxious or nervous about things (1 more)
Appeals to certain people not for everyone
Abducted in Plain Sight
I sat down on Friday night and watched this documentary. From a dubious position, my wife wanted to watch it and i had doubts.
Was so good. Obviously its not everyones cup of tea but the way the story pans out is amazing. And if it wasnt true story it would be too far-fetched to make up a story like this.
I would seriously recommend this to anybody that likes true life crime movies and programmes.
I feel so sorry for this family and i would never spoiler any film as it would ruin and alter the vision experience you recieve
Was so good. Obviously its not everyones cup of tea but the way the story pans out is amazing. And if it wasnt true story it would be too far-fetched to make up a story like this.
I would seriously recommend this to anybody that likes true life crime movies and programmes.
I feel so sorry for this family and i would never spoiler any film as it would ruin and alter the vision experience you recieve
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Ocean’s 8 (2018) in Movies
Feb 23, 2019
Forgettable
Apart from the first one, I’ve never been particularly enamoured with the Oceans films, so I never really saw the need to make a new one with only women. Sadly after watching it, i still don’t think it was necessary.
The women’s only heist is actually not a bad idea, but it has been poorly executed with a forgettable and dull plot and an only half decent cast. Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett are great, but the rest of the female cast seem barely used and bit parts at best. I adore Richard Armitage but he too was underused. And I simply can’t understand why they cast James Corden, he is one of the most irritating men around. The plot itself isn’t bad but it’s not good either. It’s a bit dull in parts and even the big reveal at the end doesn’t feel particularly smart or flashy revealing. It was all just a bit ‘meh”.
The women’s only heist is actually not a bad idea, but it has been poorly executed with a forgettable and dull plot and an only half decent cast. Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett are great, but the rest of the female cast seem barely used and bit parts at best. I adore Richard Armitage but he too was underused. And I simply can’t understand why they cast James Corden, he is one of the most irritating men around. The plot itself isn’t bad but it’s not good either. It’s a bit dull in parts and even the big reveal at the end doesn’t feel particularly smart or flashy revealing. It was all just a bit ‘meh”.
Awix (3310 KP) rated On the Basis of Sex (2018) in Movies
Mar 1, 2019
Legal bio-pic has a title that makes it sound like a recipe for a failed marriage; unfortunately it's not as interesting as that. Felicity Jones plays a young Ruth Bader Ginsberg, battling the patriarchy first at Harvard and then in the courts, aided by her husband Marty (it's Armie Hammer time!).
Well-mounted and with some decent performances, and there are some startling revelations (sex discrimination was not considered unconstitutional in the US until fairly recently), but the actual story of the main case covered by the film is not that gripping (a lot of discussion of legal procedure and tax law), and the earnestness of the film also threatens to make it a bit indigestible: of course RBG is an important figure fighting for a good cause, but that doesn't mean any film about her has to feel like The Lives of the Saints. The documentary about Ginsberg is also flawed, but more peppy than this.
Well-mounted and with some decent performances, and there are some startling revelations (sex discrimination was not considered unconstitutional in the US until fairly recently), but the actual story of the main case covered by the film is not that gripping (a lot of discussion of legal procedure and tax law), and the earnestness of the film also threatens to make it a bit indigestible: of course RBG is an important figure fighting for a good cause, but that doesn't mean any film about her has to feel like The Lives of the Saints. The documentary about Ginsberg is also flawed, but more peppy than this.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) in Movies
May 8, 2019
I've been looking forward to this one since it was announced. While I know the story is being told from Liz's perspective, I have to admit I found it strange that we didn't get to see any of the murders being committed by one of the most famous serial killers of all time. It's an interesting take on a story most people already know.
Zac Efron was excellent, as was the rest of the cast (Jim Parsons can do no wrong), but the movie does drag just a bit, and I feel like some of Efron's talent is wasted here. They definitely could have done more with him. That said, he was the perfect mix of creepy and charming, and when they show the actual Bundy footage during the end credits, you realize how close Efron's performance comes to the actual man.
Overall I thought it was good, but could maybe have been better.
Oh, and also? I'll never be mad at Zac Efron's....backside. ?
Zac Efron was excellent, as was the rest of the cast (Jim Parsons can do no wrong), but the movie does drag just a bit, and I feel like some of Efron's talent is wasted here. They definitely could have done more with him. That said, he was the perfect mix of creepy and charming, and when they show the actual Bundy footage during the end credits, you realize how close Efron's performance comes to the actual man.
Overall I thought it was good, but could maybe have been better.
Oh, and also? I'll never be mad at Zac Efron's....backside. ?
Jay Wright (4 KP) rated Avengers: Endgame (2019) in Movies
May 13, 2019
Speechless. I am completely and utterly speechless. What a WAY to end a culmination of 22 movies over the span of 11 years! I was blown away by every little detail! The PLOT was amazing, the ACTING was amazing, the SETS were amazing, the GRAPHICS were amazing. Actually, no, amazing is an incredible understatement. I would strongly argue that this is a prime example of what a perfect movie looks like. It didn't feel like I was sitting through a three hour movie, if anything the three hour running time HELPED it achieve it's true potential. There was a perfect combination of wit, humour, sadness, joy, and overall satisfaction. The Russo Brothers have outdone themselves once again and set the bar EXTREMELY high to what a good movie should look like. I've said it once and I'll say it again: Avengers: Endgame is the movie of our generation.