Search
Search results

Jez Williams recommended track Headmaster Ritual, The by The Smiths in Meat Is Murder by The Smiths in Music (curated)

Total Wellness Exercise and Nutrition Journal: Track Your Weight Loss and Fitness Progress to a Fitter, Healthier You
Book
There's no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to starting a healthy lifestyle. Thousands of...

Before the Change: Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause
Book
From a renowned nutritionist and author of the bestselling Fat Flush Plan comes a revised and...

Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated #Rev (GearShark, #2) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
I got this from the Kindle Unlimited Library after having it on my Amazon wish list for several years after finishing book 1. I'll admit now that I've forgotten a lot of what happened with it being so long ago (2016.)
It starts with Drew trying to get himself under control after being dumped by Trent in an effort to stop any abuse they may face in the future for being gay, especially since Trent is nursing some bruises and cracked ribs after being jumped by four members of his own fraternity. They argue for a while before it becomes obvious that they're stronger and better together and figure out how to tell everyone that they're a couple.
I think the fact that it's been 4 years since i finished the first book ruined this one for me. I didn't remember a lot of what went on but my 4.5 star rating tells me I fell in love with these two. They are pretty great separately but together? They're super cute.
As for their parents, what is up with them? They are your children! You're supposed to love them regardless of their sexuality. Why does who they fall in love with have to change how you feel about them? I really don't get it. They're still the same person you raised for the last however many years.
This is most likely to be my last book of 2020 and I'm glad it's been a good one - I still wish I'd come back to this sooner.
#TrewLove
It starts with Drew trying to get himself under control after being dumped by Trent in an effort to stop any abuse they may face in the future for being gay, especially since Trent is nursing some bruises and cracked ribs after being jumped by four members of his own fraternity. They argue for a while before it becomes obvious that they're stronger and better together and figure out how to tell everyone that they're a couple.
I think the fact that it's been 4 years since i finished the first book ruined this one for me. I didn't remember a lot of what went on but my 4.5 star rating tells me I fell in love with these two. They are pretty great separately but together? They're super cute.
As for their parents, what is up with them? They are your children! You're supposed to love them regardless of their sexuality. Why does who they fall in love with have to change how you feel about them? I really don't get it. They're still the same person you raised for the last however many years.
This is most likely to be my last book of 2020 and I'm glad it's been a good one - I still wish I'd come back to this sooner.
#TrewLove

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Black Box (2020) in Movies
Nov 23, 2020
I was pleasantly surprised by Black Box, even it does feel overly familiar.
The concept revolves around a man, Nolan, still suffering from amnesia, six months after he was in a car accident that killed his wife, and left him to raise their young daughter on his own. He eventually ends up taking part in an experimental procedure designed to help people like Nolan dive deep into their subconscious to directly confront their memories, and in turn, restore what they have lost.
It's a neat, if very Black Mirror-esque premise, with a hint of discount Get Out hypnosis for good measure.
There are plenty of plot turns scattered throughout, and when the inevitable big twist hits, it's lands an emotional punch. Some people I'm sure will argue that the twist is easy to see early on but it's elevated by some great performances, even if that is the case.
Lead actor Mamoudoe Athie is fantastic throughout, and is supported by decent turns from Phylicia Rashad, Tosin Morohunfola, and Charmaine Bingwa. Amanda Christine, who plays Nolan's daughter is great as well, and the chemistry between her and Athie really adds to the overall film.
Black Box won't set your world on fire, but it's a competent and tight thriller with a few creepy moments sprinkled here and there and It's comfortably the best of the recent Amazon Original-Blumhouse offerings, even if it does borrow liberally from other (and better) movies. It's not for everyone, but worth checking out.
The concept revolves around a man, Nolan, still suffering from amnesia, six months after he was in a car accident that killed his wife, and left him to raise their young daughter on his own. He eventually ends up taking part in an experimental procedure designed to help people like Nolan dive deep into their subconscious to directly confront their memories, and in turn, restore what they have lost.
It's a neat, if very Black Mirror-esque premise, with a hint of discount Get Out hypnosis for good measure.
There are plenty of plot turns scattered throughout, and when the inevitable big twist hits, it's lands an emotional punch. Some people I'm sure will argue that the twist is easy to see early on but it's elevated by some great performances, even if that is the case.
Lead actor Mamoudoe Athie is fantastic throughout, and is supported by decent turns from Phylicia Rashad, Tosin Morohunfola, and Charmaine Bingwa. Amanda Christine, who plays Nolan's daughter is great as well, and the chemistry between her and Athie really adds to the overall film.
Black Box won't set your world on fire, but it's a competent and tight thriller with a few creepy moments sprinkled here and there and It's comfortably the best of the recent Amazon Original-Blumhouse offerings, even if it does borrow liberally from other (and better) movies. It's not for everyone, but worth checking out.

Daniel Rossen recommended track Preciso Me Encontrar by Cartola in Preciso Me Encontrar by Cartola in Music (curated)

Juliette Jackson recommended track This Is the Day by The The in Soul Mining by The The in Music (curated)

Purple Phoenix Games (2266 KP) rated Onitama: Sensei's Path in Tabletop Games
Feb 10, 2021
In the expansion review series, we take a look at a game expansion to discuss whether it is a necessary purchase/addition to one’s collection.
This breakdown is for the excellent two-player game Onitama, and the expansion is named Sensei’s Path, from Arcane Wonders.
This expansion includes 16 Move cards to be added to the base Onitama game box. That’s really all it is.
I do not have much to say on this expansion as it merely adds more of the same to a game that may or may not feel stagnant and samey after a bunch of plays. I personally have not played Onitama near enough to be tired of the base game Move cards, but having more options is always a good thing. Especially when you only have five Move cards each game and base Onitama ships with 16 Move cards as well. Sensei’s Path doubles your Move card arsenal and adds slightly new strategy options to the game.
Is it necessary to own? No. If you like base Onitama the way it is, then there is no need to expand it at all. If the base game Move cards are getting predictable and you play Onitama a whole lot, then pick this up and explore your new options.
Official recommendation: If you suffer from completionist syndrome, as I used to, then get this. If you are looking for more out of Onitama, then get this. If you are looking to add something a little different to the game, check out the Way of the Wind expansion instead.
This breakdown is for the excellent two-player game Onitama, and the expansion is named Sensei’s Path, from Arcane Wonders.
This expansion includes 16 Move cards to be added to the base Onitama game box. That’s really all it is.
I do not have much to say on this expansion as it merely adds more of the same to a game that may or may not feel stagnant and samey after a bunch of plays. I personally have not played Onitama near enough to be tired of the base game Move cards, but having more options is always a good thing. Especially when you only have five Move cards each game and base Onitama ships with 16 Move cards as well. Sensei’s Path doubles your Move card arsenal and adds slightly new strategy options to the game.
Is it necessary to own? No. If you like base Onitama the way it is, then there is no need to expand it at all. If the base game Move cards are getting predictable and you play Onitama a whole lot, then pick this up and explore your new options.
Official recommendation: If you suffer from completionist syndrome, as I used to, then get this. If you are looking for more out of Onitama, then get this. If you are looking to add something a little different to the game, check out the Way of the Wind expansion instead.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2273 KP) rated Finn and the Intergalactic Lunchbox in Books
Feb 16, 2021 (Updated Feb 16, 2021)
Traveling the Galaxy via…a Lunchbox?
Finn is a typical almost twelve-year-old. He’s got a younger sister who annoys him, he’s struggling to make friends at his new school, he’s being picked on by a bully, and he has a crush on a classmate. His life changes when he accidentally takes his sister’s lunchbox to school one day. When it starts to glow, he discovers that it’s become a portal to another part of our galaxy. On, and this portal is the key to a battle against a race called The Plague that destroys planets. With The Plague now looking at Earth as their next target, Finn is going to have to come up with some kind of plan to save the world.
It’s been a few years since I picked up one of Michael Buckley’s books, so I was thrilled to see he had a new series out. As you might suspect from the description, this is a wild, fast-paced right that I found hard to put down. And I haven’t even mentioned the seven-foot-tall robot yet. I did feel it got a little too apocalyptic for me at times, but that’s a matter of personal taste. The characters are good, although the one that got the most development here was a cliché. The creativity that went into this book is outstanding with lots of details that are fun. Kids will eat this book up and be anxious for the next one when they are done.
It’s been a few years since I picked up one of Michael Buckley’s books, so I was thrilled to see he had a new series out. As you might suspect from the description, this is a wild, fast-paced right that I found hard to put down. And I haven’t even mentioned the seven-foot-tall robot yet. I did feel it got a little too apocalyptic for me at times, but that’s a matter of personal taste. The characters are good, although the one that got the most development here was a cliché. The creativity that went into this book is outstanding with lots of details that are fun. Kids will eat this book up and be anxious for the next one when they are done.
