Search
Search results
Ande Thomas (69 KP) rated Ma (2019) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
There are a lot of instances where someone will complain about the whole movie being shown in the trailer and I just roll my eyes and move on. In general, I feel like it's more about how we get to the end of a story than it is about specific plot points or any twists there may be. In the case of Ma, however, I totally agree. It's not that there were any twists ruined or secrets revealed in the trailers, it's that the parts that weren't revealed were just filler. Literally nothing happened to expand on the presumptions we made about Ma. Every shocking part that would make us cringe as viewers was revealed before we even set foot in the theater. There's a good idea in here somewhere, it was just never allowed to bloom. Octavia Spencer is excellent, and I genuinely hope she takes more sinister roles from here on out. Truthfully, I can't fault any of the actors for their part. There just didn't turn out to be a whole lot to work with.
Joni Thomas (33 KP) rated A Court of Wings and Ruin in Books
Jan 25, 2018
Completely engrossing
I couldn't read this book fast enough. I feel like we really got a good look at Feyre's character and just how brave she is. Her time with Tamlin at the beginning of the book was fascinating, seeing how to made everything work to her advantage. I thought I was going to dread it at first but I should have known better. The fighting scenes are rich with detail, I could see it all in my mind as I read. I was so happy to see a return of the Suriel. I also loved seeing and finding out about the other High Lords as well as seeing some of the other Courts. The last half of the book had me breathless. I was laughing and then crying and then on the edge of my seat and then that awkward relief laughing that turns to tears. I felt it all.
Now to wait for ACOFAS. I keep telling myself its not a long wait but it already feels endless.
Now to wait for ACOFAS. I keep telling myself its not a long wait but it already feels endless.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2532 KP) rated What Pet Should I Get? in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When a brother and a sister arrive in a pet shop to pick out a new pet, they are faced with so many wonderful choices. Will they pick a dog, a cat…or something more exotic?
You can tell that Dr. Seuss didn’t think this was his best work and that’s why he gave up on it. The rhymes are almost there, but they aren’t as good as some of his books. Same with the rhythm of the lines. By the time we get to some of Seuss’s trademark imaginary creatures (and there are only two of them), they feel forced into the book. Never mind the fact that we never answer the title question. Fortunately, the illustrations live up to the Seuss name. It’s not a bad book, but it’s not one to rush out and buy, either, which is what I suspected before picking it up.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-what-pet-should-i-get-by-dr.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
You can tell that Dr. Seuss didn’t think this was his best work and that’s why he gave up on it. The rhymes are almost there, but they aren’t as good as some of his books. Same with the rhythm of the lines. By the time we get to some of Seuss’s trademark imaginary creatures (and there are only two of them), they feel forced into the book. Never mind the fact that we never answer the title question. Fortunately, the illustrations live up to the Seuss name. It’s not a bad book, but it’s not one to rush out and buy, either, which is what I suspected before picking it up.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-what-pet-should-i-get-by-dr.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Godzilla 2000 (1999) in Movies
Mar 17, 2018 (Updated May 30, 2019)
Not quite the two-thousandth Godzilla movie, though it might feel that way to non-fans of this kind of thing. Aliens who've spent sixty million years asleep at the bottom of the sea wake up and try to steal Godzilla's DNA; things do not go according to plan, with bad results for everyone (except perhaps Godzilla himself).
The first Japanese movie to follow the reviled American Godzilla reboots the series again; you would have thought this was a splendid opportunity for Toho to show just how this sort of thing should be done. Alas no: there are some good bits here, and baddie monster Orga is quite impressive (though not in the film for long enough), but the film has the usual problem of not seeming to be that interested in Godzilla himself - it's not clear whether Godzilla is meant to be anti-hero or antagonist, either. Some duff CGI on display, too. Rather than being a showcase for the series, this is a dull and derivative movie that's not especially interesting to look at.
The first Japanese movie to follow the reviled American Godzilla reboots the series again; you would have thought this was a splendid opportunity for Toho to show just how this sort of thing should be done. Alas no: there are some good bits here, and baddie monster Orga is quite impressive (though not in the film for long enough), but the film has the usual problem of not seeming to be that interested in Godzilla himself - it's not clear whether Godzilla is meant to be anti-hero or antagonist, either. Some duff CGI on display, too. Rather than being a showcase for the series, this is a dull and derivative movie that's not especially interesting to look at.
Dana (24 KP) rated Sense and Sensibility in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I absolutely love Jane Austen's books! Though I did find more enjoyment in Pride and Prejudice, I really liked this one too. The characters were all very strong personalities and there were many instances that I found myself feeling almost overly attached to them (even thought this is nothing new for me). I especially enjoyed the familial bonds throughout the book. They were really profound and strong, something that isn't always touched upon in the more modern novels. If you like novels about women during this time trying to find a way to survive in the world, pick up this book. If you liked Pride and Prejudice, pick up this book. If you are not sure how you feel about classic literature, maybe pick this one up. Basically, if you like a good book, pick this one up. I am very happy that I had to read this book for one of my classes. It gave me a lot of enjoyment, plus a little break from doing all of my other work. I highly recommend this book!
This was a strange book. But sometimes, strange is good. Different draws you in. And that is exactly what this book did. I read this book in one day, something I haven't really done in a while which speaks to it's ability to catch and keep my attention.
This is a book about love and magic, but not in the way you may think. The characters are all dealing with the stress of the disappearance of Roza, a mysterious woman who just showed up one day. They are all dealing with it in their own way, but are still struggling, most of the time separately.
I loved the magic in this book. It was very dark and mysterious and dangerous, but it wasn't overly mystical. It felt real and just so freaking great.
I am excited by Ruby's writing. I want to find more she has written to be able to get a feel for her writing style because it's something I admire!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
This is a book about love and magic, but not in the way you may think. The characters are all dealing with the stress of the disappearance of Roza, a mysterious woman who just showed up one day. They are all dealing with it in their own way, but are still struggling, most of the time separately.
I loved the magic in this book. It was very dark and mysterious and dangerous, but it wasn't overly mystical. It felt real and just so freaking great.
I am excited by Ruby's writing. I want to find more she has written to be able to get a feel for her writing style because it's something I admire!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated All the Summer Girls in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Not the type of thing I normally read, but I've been hearing a lot of good things about it from patrons at the library, as the book largely takes place in Avalon, and even makes mention of many recognizable local establishments. While that is kind of cool, it is not ultimately what made me like the book so much. The characters are interesting and the situations they find themselves dealing with are engaging and relatable. The writing does periodically feel a bit rambling, but more often than not the descriptive nature of the book only helps to pull one into the world being created. My only real complaint is that the climax of what is seemingly the central plot point seems to end a bit too abruptly. Not to say it isn't the ending I wanted, it just seemed like it was the one thing the author sort of glossed over, which seemed slightly disappointing. Still, a great book and perfect for reading on the beach on a warm Summer day.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Hidden Figures (2016) in Movies
Mar 15, 2018
Possibly the most sedentary movie ever to be the subject of a proposed Lego set is one of those which you feel obliged to enjoy on moral grounds. Three African American women do sterling service in the early days of NASA, overcoming racial divisions to do so (well, they're brilliant mathematicians, so division should be easy for them).
Well made and all, but not exactly full of surprises, and if the whole point of the film is that this is a historical true story, why have the facts been stretched and edited and generally tweaked? Does the fact that this is a Serious Issue Movie mean that it gets a pass on what would usually be called historical inaccuracy? One gets the sense this movie is more interested in putting a message across than in telling the story of the real-life events it supposedly depicts. Capably done, with some good performances (a nice turn from Costner as, guess what, a wholly fictitious character), but just a little bit on-the-nose.
Well made and all, but not exactly full of surprises, and if the whole point of the film is that this is a historical true story, why have the facts been stretched and edited and generally tweaked? Does the fact that this is a Serious Issue Movie mean that it gets a pass on what would usually be called historical inaccuracy? One gets the sense this movie is more interested in putting a message across than in telling the story of the real-life events it supposedly depicts. Capably done, with some good performances (a nice turn from Costner as, guess what, a wholly fictitious character), but just a little bit on-the-nose.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Dazed and Confused (1993) in Movies
Mar 24, 2018
You haven't seen this movie... It’d be a lot cooler if you did.
I quote this movie so much it's insane.. Like every single day type of quoting and I can hoestly say that as soon as someone gets my reference we become instant friends.
Dazed and confused is such a piece of life movie that it just works so beautifully. Even though I wasn't born until 89 and this movie wasnt made till 93 its such an iconic 70s movie that you just don't question it.
The casting was just so spot in that even the most minor characters feel like real people you could have gone to high school with and it's with that detail that Dazed and confused sucks you in and doesn't let you got to the point that you can watch this movie and rewatxg it multiple times and it's still just as good.
The other stand out factor is the soundtrack is one of the best there is each song just fits so well.
Dazed and confused is such a piece of life movie that it just works so beautifully. Even though I wasn't born until 89 and this movie wasnt made till 93 its such an iconic 70s movie that you just don't question it.
The casting was just so spot in that even the most minor characters feel like real people you could have gone to high school with and it's with that detail that Dazed and confused sucks you in and doesn't let you got to the point that you can watch this movie and rewatxg it multiple times and it's still just as good.
The other stand out factor is the soundtrack is one of the best there is each song just fits so well.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated City of Night (The House War, #2) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I read it, but - GAH! I feel like I need to go back and read [b:The Hidden City|1385783|The Hidden City (The House War, #1)|Michelle Sagara West|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266788937s/1385783.jpg|1375829], then read it again, to be sure I got everything. I think I'll wait until [b:House Name|6121287|House Name (The House War, #3)|Michelle Sagara West|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1279636477s/6121287.jpg|6299563] comes out, then read all three of them together. At that point, I'll probably be ready for a re-read of [b:The Sun Sword|153223|The Sun Sword (The Sun Sword, #6)|Michelle Sagara West|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266483918s/153223.jpg|147905] (really, the whole series) again. But of course, to do them justice, I should go back and read the Hunter duology, too. This is the problem with [a:Michelle Sagara West|6256|Michelle Sagara West|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg]! Her world is SO rich that it's difficult to find a good beginning place. But very well worth it, I promise!