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LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated The Princess and the Frog (2009) in Movies
Jul 4, 2021
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘨. Offers wonderful animation and some really good voice work - but predictably so. As in... every chuckle or vividly crafted frame fits precisely in line with such a monotonous, hackneyed formula so not only are none of this film's assets particularly inspired or interesting, but they're all mostly forgotten as soon as that exhausting Ne-Yo song plays during the end credits. Not to mention knowing the exact beats this is going to take before it takes them makes it sadly *so* laborious to get through. Not that convention in these things is bad on its own, I mean these same directors made Moana which I enjoyed a ton despite its familiarity - but I found that one to be better than this one in every conceivable way: charm, storytelling, animation, etc. even if neither of them feel particularly well paced (the *only* thing this does better is that the lead is [[[slightly]]] more developed here). Doesn't help that the songs - I realize I'm in the minority to report - are only alright at best. Though admittedly that one's probably a me thing, since I've never really been a huge jazz guy. The cute little frogs are funny, and I loved the silly Jim Cummings firefly + wide-eyed Charlotte + lanky Keith David villain - but I'm sorry, at a certain point early on I just started waiting for this to be over.
ClareR (5784 KP) rated Mother Mother in Books
May 4, 2021
I have to admit to reading this book because I was curious. I’ve heard of Annie Mac on the radio, and I was intrigued. Oh, and I really liked the cover. This is often a reason why I choose a book: sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It definitely worked this time.
I was sucked in to this books world, and became really emotionally invested in this story. Mary and her brother have such a hard upbringing, that what comes later seems inevitable. Regardless of this, Mary becomes a good mother. She does that thing that so many mother do, and gives up her sense of self, and her life revolves around her son, TJ. She has a job she enjoys, but she is a solitary figure. When she stops seeing her friend Louise after she finds out that she’s pregnant with TJ, there isn’t any mention of anyone else. I couldn’t help but feel that she must have been so lonely.
Mary clings on to her family, even though her father and brother probably don’t deserve her attention and love, and TJ takes advantage of her unquestioning love - like a typical teenager.
There are some pretty heavy, emotional parts in this, and I read the last few chapters through tears. I can’t believe that this is a debut - it’s so well written. It’s an easy book to recommend, and a tough book to read.
I was sucked in to this books world, and became really emotionally invested in this story. Mary and her brother have such a hard upbringing, that what comes later seems inevitable. Regardless of this, Mary becomes a good mother. She does that thing that so many mother do, and gives up her sense of self, and her life revolves around her son, TJ. She has a job she enjoys, but she is a solitary figure. When she stops seeing her friend Louise after she finds out that she’s pregnant with TJ, there isn’t any mention of anyone else. I couldn’t help but feel that she must have been so lonely.
Mary clings on to her family, even though her father and brother probably don’t deserve her attention and love, and TJ takes advantage of her unquestioning love - like a typical teenager.
There are some pretty heavy, emotional parts in this, and I read the last few chapters through tears. I can’t believe that this is a debut - it’s so well written. It’s an easy book to recommend, and a tough book to read.
Kim Gordon recommended Bay Head by Gunn-Truscinski Duo in Music (curated)
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2275 KP) rated Fatal Forgeries in Books
Sep 18, 2020
Laurel Beacham Recovers a Painting, But at What Cost?
Laurel Beacham has taken on one of her side projects, stealing a stolen piece of artwork so it can be returned to the rightful owner. However, when she returns to London, she discovers that two forgeries of this particular painting had been confiscated in England recently. Did she just stop a new lead they could have used to trace forgers back to the art heist itself?
This is a series that is absolutely critical to read in order. While this book does have a complete story, it is part of a larger story being told over the series, and you will be lost if you jump in here. Furthermore, you will be spoiled for some twists that happen in earlier books. If you’ve read the previous books, you’ll know what to expect here, and you won’t be disappointed. While the pacing was more uneven, there was still plenty of action and some good twists as Laurel, Jack, and the rest attempted to figure out what exacting is being planned. We learn more about the characters along the way, and I enjoy how they are developing. I feel like some of the familiar conflicts between them are beginning to be resolved – and I hope that is true. We also get to do some welcome armchair traveling to locations that come alive for us. Once you’ve read the first three, you’ll enjoy this chapter in Laurel’s story.
This is a series that is absolutely critical to read in order. While this book does have a complete story, it is part of a larger story being told over the series, and you will be lost if you jump in here. Furthermore, you will be spoiled for some twists that happen in earlier books. If you’ve read the previous books, you’ll know what to expect here, and you won’t be disappointed. While the pacing was more uneven, there was still plenty of action and some good twists as Laurel, Jack, and the rest attempted to figure out what exacting is being planned. We learn more about the characters along the way, and I enjoy how they are developing. I feel like some of the familiar conflicts between them are beginning to be resolved – and I hope that is true. We also get to do some welcome armchair traveling to locations that come alive for us. Once you’ve read the first three, you’ll enjoy this chapter in Laurel’s story.
Taika Waititi recommended Coming Home (1978) in Movies (curated)
Otway93 (580 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection in Video Games
Dec 8, 2020
Story (5 more)
Extras
Characters
Character development
Voice acting
Graphics
What a journey...
What can I say about this game? Apart from the fact that the trilogy is a masterpiece of modern gaming.
I must admit that after the first game, which was enjoyable but somewhat repetitive, that I bought way back shortly after release way back I didn't play an Assassin's Creed game until late last year, where I began the whole game franchise from the start.
After getting through the original as quickly as possible, I bought The Ezio Collection cheap, not expecting anything too groundbreaking. Boy was I wrong!
Ezio's story is incredible. With everything from hilarity to heartbreak, every emotion is in there, with voice performances making it feel all the more real.
Also included in the collection are two short films, a prologue and an epilogue, which are absolutely superb (and certainly provide closure)!
With so many improvements added since the original it was a whole new game, which paved the way for so many brilliant games.
I have now played every AC game currently available on the PlayStation 4 (including Valhalla, loved every one), but the only one in the series to match the quality of this game so far in my opinion is Odyssey. I believe this says a lot about the trilogy, as there have now been 11 games in the series since the last of the trilogy, which is a rather impressive feat!
Keep up the good work, Ubisoft!
I must admit that after the first game, which was enjoyable but somewhat repetitive, that I bought way back shortly after release way back I didn't play an Assassin's Creed game until late last year, where I began the whole game franchise from the start.
After getting through the original as quickly as possible, I bought The Ezio Collection cheap, not expecting anything too groundbreaking. Boy was I wrong!
Ezio's story is incredible. With everything from hilarity to heartbreak, every emotion is in there, with voice performances making it feel all the more real.
Also included in the collection are two short films, a prologue and an epilogue, which are absolutely superb (and certainly provide closure)!
With so many improvements added since the original it was a whole new game, which paved the way for so many brilliant games.
I have now played every AC game currently available on the PlayStation 4 (including Valhalla, loved every one), but the only one in the series to match the quality of this game so far in my opinion is Odyssey. I believe this says a lot about the trilogy, as there have now been 11 games in the series since the last of the trilogy, which is a rather impressive feat!
Keep up the good work, Ubisoft!
Merissa (12374 KP) rated Above the Fold (Midnight Rodeo #7) in Books
Jun 25, 2019
Above the Fold (Midnight Rodeo #7) by B.A. Tortuga
Above the Fold is the seventh book in the Midnight Rodeo series, and as such, I really do think you need to read at least some of them to get the full impact of this one.
Jon is the reporter who loses his job because he is losing his memories. The only thing he can - and wants to - remember is the Midnight Rodeo. He follows them from town to town, never knowing why, but unable to resist the call. Kelly tried to do a mindswipe on Jon, before he realised Jon was psychic. This is what has led to the memory loss. Kelly takes Jon under his wing as they try to find a solution.
This is a fast-paced novella with plenty of detail, and a great cast of characters. The story moves along at a steady pace, focusing on this story alone. That is why I feel I have missed out on some details, because some of the other characters obviously have their own abilities and stories, and I wanted to know more.
A sweet and warm story though, that I thoroughly enjoyed, and have no hesitation in recommending.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jon is the reporter who loses his job because he is losing his memories. The only thing he can - and wants to - remember is the Midnight Rodeo. He follows them from town to town, never knowing why, but unable to resist the call. Kelly tried to do a mindswipe on Jon, before he realised Jon was psychic. This is what has led to the memory loss. Kelly takes Jon under his wing as they try to find a solution.
This is a fast-paced novella with plenty of detail, and a great cast of characters. The story moves along at a steady pace, focusing on this story alone. That is why I feel I have missed out on some details, because some of the other characters obviously have their own abilities and stories, and I wanted to know more.
A sweet and warm story though, that I thoroughly enjoyed, and have no hesitation in recommending.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated American Made (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
Barry Seal is officially a pilot for TWA. Unofficially he also smuggles a few cigars around. Until the CIA catch him in the act. Now he's unofficially smuggling more than cigars, and not just for the CIA.
The adverts for this made it look like quite a good film, and I honestly couldn't believe that this actually happened. Well, I sort of can, but still.
I'm not a massive fan of Tom Cruise, I think possibly because all of his films I've seen don't give him much variation from who he is, but this one was different. It kind of made me feel he was the Del Boy of America. Always looking for a quick buck and a little bit bumbling. Even if it was on a much bigger scale. I don't quite think that Del Boy would have done well with cartels.
As is the way in Hollywood the story has been tweaked to suit the cinematic needs. Since writing the paragraph above I have read a bit more about Barry Seal and it seems the films as made him a bit more shiny for the purposes of marketing. And by that I mean that it sounds as if he wasn't quite as innocent at the beginning as the film makes it appear. But, that just from reading a few articles, I'll let you come to your own conclusions.
An enjoyable films though, that kind of made you root for the "bad guy".
The adverts for this made it look like quite a good film, and I honestly couldn't believe that this actually happened. Well, I sort of can, but still.
I'm not a massive fan of Tom Cruise, I think possibly because all of his films I've seen don't give him much variation from who he is, but this one was different. It kind of made me feel he was the Del Boy of America. Always looking for a quick buck and a little bit bumbling. Even if it was on a much bigger scale. I don't quite think that Del Boy would have done well with cartels.
As is the way in Hollywood the story has been tweaked to suit the cinematic needs. Since writing the paragraph above I have read a bit more about Barry Seal and it seems the films as made him a bit more shiny for the purposes of marketing. And by that I mean that it sounds as if he wasn't quite as innocent at the beginning as the film makes it appear. But, that just from reading a few articles, I'll let you come to your own conclusions.
An enjoyable films though, that kind of made you root for the "bad guy".
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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Camino Winds in Books
Aug 20, 2020
This was a typical Grisham quick read. It builds on the first book, but focuses mainly on Bruce. We see little of Mercer, a main character in book one, which was unfortunate. But Bruce is a blustery star, who can easily dominate both in his life and a novel. He has a huge group of friends, literary and "normal" alike. One is Nelson Kerr, a former lawyer with a big firm in San Francisco. He ratted out a client, a defense contractor who was illegally selling high-tech military stuff to the "bad guys." Nelson settled his case and fled to the island after a divorce. He's been working on another book and we learn quickly that his work may have gotten him killed.
It's easy to feel the storm and its tension through Grisham's picturesque writing. Leo hits quickly and the devastation that follows is bad. The post-hurricane feeling on a nearly abandoned Camino Island seems oddly aligned to the pandemic--at least when I read this in May--or it's easy to read that sense into everything I read.
Still, despite the hurricane and the murder and other various killings, this is actually a fun read. Grisham gives us an engaging mystery, and I love his "good versus evil" formula. It always works so well for him and this is one of his breezier presentations. While there isn't much depth, it's a fast read with interesting characters and a snappy mystery. 3.5 stars.
It's easy to feel the storm and its tension through Grisham's picturesque writing. Leo hits quickly and the devastation that follows is bad. The post-hurricane feeling on a nearly abandoned Camino Island seems oddly aligned to the pandemic--at least when I read this in May--or it's easy to read that sense into everything I read.
Still, despite the hurricane and the murder and other various killings, this is actually a fun read. Grisham gives us an engaging mystery, and I love his "good versus evil" formula. It always works so well for him and this is one of his breezier presentations. While there isn't much depth, it's a fast read with interesting characters and a snappy mystery. 3.5 stars.