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Lenard (726 KP) rated Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (2019) in Movies
Mar 21, 2019
Nancy Drew first starting investigating mysteries in River Heights in 1930. She has changed little in all of her connotations. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I met her young in life. This new movie tried to mix her wholesome identity with some millenial ingenuity with very bad results. It isn't that she is no longer relevant, just her Hidden Staircase story is. The film plays very much like a Scooby-Doo mystery with all Velma and no Shaggy or Scooby. A stubborn old woman played by the still vibrant Linda Lavin's house is being haunted. Also, River Heights is a potential site for a new train. Nancy Drew is introduced as a viligante fighting for the less popular girls. All of this makes for a movie that is of little interest to modern girls or women who grew up on Nancy Drew in the 80s. Luckily, little was spent to market this dud.
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Entangled Lives in Books
Jun 5, 2019
In Entangled Lives by Imran Omer we meet orphan Raza, and his pregnant girlfriend who are forced apart when Raza is sent to Afghanistan to join the Taliban. Growing up his life was hard, and it seems it’s not getting any easier with age. As the story unfolds, reporter Rachel Brown gets first hand experience of the horrors of war, and through her point of view were are given her part of the story, and what happens when their paths cross, not just once, but twice.
My heart went out to Raza, as we see the extreme extent of the cause; a poor and vulnerable Pakistani boy fighting not only western society and their prejudices, but a tragic fate that’s controlled by money and power.
I enjoyed reading this, sometimes harrowing, tale that’s realistic and very topical for the current climate. The stark contrast between Raza’s life, and the entitled American reporter, Rachel, is portrayed well, and reveals the depth of this story with compassion and humanity.
My heart went out to Raza, as we see the extreme extent of the cause; a poor and vulnerable Pakistani boy fighting not only western society and their prejudices, but a tragic fate that’s controlled by money and power.
I enjoyed reading this, sometimes harrowing, tale that’s realistic and very topical for the current climate. The stark contrast between Raza’s life, and the entitled American reporter, Rachel, is portrayed well, and reveals the depth of this story with compassion and humanity.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated His to Love (Fireside, #1) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Another novel that I am not sure why I requested it. Maybe because it sounded like a bad girl good guy trope that I have been interested in lately.
I felt the couple naturally meshed well together. Their chemistry was palpable, their conversation realistic and well written. As a whole, the story was intense and well written. I wasnt ready for such a severe, emotional read but that was what I got. While it was a powerful read, I felt like it was too emotional for me to enjoy. I tend to get caught up in stories, and they wreck me. At this time in my life (nursing school), I am not equipped to handle this.
Overall, there wasnt a lot action in terms of fighting, shooting, or crime stuff in general. I recommend it to all the Law and Order, CSI buffs out there who are looking for a good romance.
Another novel that I am not sure why I requested it. Maybe because it sounded like a bad girl good guy trope that I have been interested in lately.
I felt the couple naturally meshed well together. Their chemistry was palpable, their conversation realistic and well written. As a whole, the story was intense and well written. I wasnt ready for such a severe, emotional read but that was what I got. While it was a powerful read, I felt like it was too emotional for me to enjoy. I tend to get caught up in stories, and they wreck me. At this time in my life (nursing school), I am not equipped to handle this.
Overall, there wasnt a lot action in terms of fighting, shooting, or crime stuff in general. I recommend it to all the Law and Order, CSI buffs out there who are looking for a good romance.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Predator (1987) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
Testosterone-drizzled SF action movie. Elite team of mercenaries - 'veer wescuers, not assahseens!' declares Arnie at one point - are dropped into Latin American jungle on shady political mission, proceed to kill everyone in sight (maybe they need to reconsider how they think of themselves), discover formidable alien big game hunter has plans to turn them all into trophies.
The cast is charismatic, the action is exceedingly well-staged, and there's a very good monster (Jean Claude van Damme was originally supposed to play the Pred but was sacked for complaining about the suit and not being beefy enough). There's also a surprisingly understated subtext about the Vietnam War, for which fighting an invisible monster in the jungle is a not-unreasonable metaphor. Not far off the quality of the other big-name 80s SF movies; inability to produce an equally memorable follow-up suggests the Predator is a one-trick pony, however.
The cast is charismatic, the action is exceedingly well-staged, and there's a very good monster (Jean Claude van Damme was originally supposed to play the Pred but was sacked for complaining about the suit and not being beefy enough). There's also a surprisingly understated subtext about the Vietnam War, for which fighting an invisible monster in the jungle is a not-unreasonable metaphor. Not far off the quality of the other big-name 80s SF movies; inability to produce an equally memorable follow-up suggests the Predator is a one-trick pony, however.
Michelle (114 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) in Movies
Mar 16, 2018
Loved this film even though all three of the original films were filmed and seen before the first part of the Star Wars series. Mark Hamell, Harrison Ford, The late Carrie Fisher were the best as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Lai she soon should everyone that she was not some helpless princess who let everyone else do things while she sat back and did nothing. Her costumes were amazing, she was right in there fighting along with them to save their homelands/worlds from the Dark Lord Darth Vada. The ariel battles were fantastic. Storm Troopers were meant to be menacing when in fact they were quite funny at times. R2 D2 and 3PO where hilarious and Chewie adorable. The Jedi training was good. The shock about Luke's father I mean who would not be shocked and disgusted at finding out your father is Darth Vada and the girl you love turns out to be your sister.
Sophie Foster has never quite felt like she fit in with her family. Turns out, that's because she isn't human. When she meets Fitz, her entire life changes as she leaves the Forbidden Cities of the human world to join the Lost Cities of the Elves. But her presence stirs up trouble in the Lost Cities as two different hidden factions start fighting over her. Can she navigate this new world and figure out who to trust?
This set contains the first three books in the series in paperback. They are filled with twists, turns, and surprises as well as wonderful characters and a fantasy world I would love to go visit. If you enjoy Middle Grade fantasy, you need to read these books, and when you do, you'll devour these three books as quickly as you can.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-keeper-of-lost-cities.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This set contains the first three books in the series in paperback. They are filled with twists, turns, and surprises as well as wonderful characters and a fantasy world I would love to go visit. If you enjoy Middle Grade fantasy, you need to read these books, and when you do, you'll devour these three books as quickly as you can.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-keeper-of-lost-cities.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mikey H. (24 KP) rated The Raid (2011) in Movies
May 26, 2018
Best Fight choreography ever (1 more)
100 minutes of non-stop action, it's beautiful in the way the violence is done. Amazing.
Wow, just wow
Lots of movies get described as "an adrenaline rush, from start to finish" and rarely do they deliver. The Raid does exactly that. The best fight choreography, its more of a violent dance than fighting...stunning in its visceral display. The story is simple, yet goes deeper than just "get the bad guy". It's survival behind enemy lines, at all cost...but manages to preserve the hero's humanity as well. There are mine.t's of little action, but they are filled with nail-biting tension...and with the rate of the body count, there isn't a guarantee even the hero makes it out alive.
Sidenote: while a different movie altogether, yet with the same feel, if you like The Raid then give Dredd (with Karl Urban) a watch. Also a great film, and highly underrated.
Sidenote: while a different movie altogether, yet with the same feel, if you like The Raid then give Dredd (with Karl Urban) a watch. Also a great film, and highly underrated.
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated Go Ask Fannie in Books
May 29, 2018
I really enjoyed Go Ask Fannie by Elisabeth Hyde. The characters were very well-defined, as well as likeable, and the story progressed so, so well and it was a very satisfying read from start to finish.
Fannie, is not the character I presumed her to be! But a clever feature of the story that I really enjoyed! The three siblings followed, Lizzie, George and Ruth, as well as they patriarch of the family, Murray, are going through some stuff. A LOT of stuff. There are secrets, and fighting, and lots of unspoken words. It was a sneak peek into a weekend of this family, and all the issues they possess. And also all the Love.
I'm a big fan of Elisabeth Hyde now - and will definitely look out for anything else she has written! I received a copy of Go Ask Fannie as part of the Penguin First to Read program in exchange for my honest review.
Fannie, is not the character I presumed her to be! But a clever feature of the story that I really enjoyed! The three siblings followed, Lizzie, George and Ruth, as well as they patriarch of the family, Murray, are going through some stuff. A LOT of stuff. There are secrets, and fighting, and lots of unspoken words. It was a sneak peek into a weekend of this family, and all the issues they possess. And also all the Love.
I'm a big fan of Elisabeth Hyde now - and will definitely look out for anything else she has written! I received a copy of Go Ask Fannie as part of the Penguin First to Read program in exchange for my honest review.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Surviving ELE (ELE, #4) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fourth book in the ELE Series, and once again, the authors do not disappoint. The war between Willow and her friends and Zack and his minions has reached epic proportions, and they'll stop at nothing to take each other down. Willow's fighting for her family, her friends, her love, and her life, as Zack wants to sell her blood and powers to the highest bidder, while also keeping some for himself. He has to be stopped, and fast!
"Surviving ELE" is a wonderful continuation of Willow's story, as we see further into Zack's evil plot and Willow's relationships with her family, friends, and especially Tony. He's under Zack's control, and she knows she has to stay away from him, but how can she when he's the love of her life? I can't wait for what happens next, this is such an awesome series!
5 stars
This is the fourth book in the ELE Series, and once again, the authors do not disappoint. The war between Willow and her friends and Zack and his minions has reached epic proportions, and they'll stop at nothing to take each other down. Willow's fighting for her family, her friends, her love, and her life, as Zack wants to sell her blood and powers to the highest bidder, while also keeping some for himself. He has to be stopped, and fast!
"Surviving ELE" is a wonderful continuation of Willow's story, as we see further into Zack's evil plot and Willow's relationships with her family, friends, and especially Tony. He's under Zack's control, and she knows she has to stay away from him, but how can she when he's the love of her life? I can't wait for what happens next, this is such an awesome series!
5 stars
Nickg24 (492 KP) rated Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) in Movies
Aug 15, 2019
The King Deserved Better
Was looking to forward to this next chapter in the Godzilla movies but alas bar one or two good things about it the majority of this film was poor.
My main criticism is for the human characters all fell flat.You couldn't really care about them,it seemed their only purpose in the film was to go on about their scientific theories or make crass jokes (can't pronounce one of the monsters names so let's call it gonorrhea instead) and is it just me or was millie bobby brown just plain annoying.They could have made Charles Dance bad guy a little more bladder,he just seemed to polite for my liking.
The CGI was good in parts with the final showdown between godzilla and ghidorah being the best of the titans fighting each other.
I really hope they improve things for the next installment in the series when godzilla faces kong.
My main criticism is for the human characters all fell flat.You couldn't really care about them,it seemed their only purpose in the film was to go on about their scientific theories or make crass jokes (can't pronounce one of the monsters names so let's call it gonorrhea instead) and is it just me or was millie bobby brown just plain annoying.They could have made Charles Dance bad guy a little more bladder,he just seemed to polite for my liking.
The CGI was good in parts with the final showdown between godzilla and ghidorah being the best of the titans fighting each other.
I really hope they improve things for the next installment in the series when godzilla faces kong.