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Andy Walker (4885 KP) rated Dead Island (2018) in Movies
Apr 18, 2019
Shot in 2010 on an iPhone 4s.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Set on a secluded island with no cell phone service, 17 year old twins, Kelsey & Devon, who are aspiring film makers are forced to move there just before their senior year. They decide to film everything as their phone are otherwise useless. Then masked killers show up and torment the family throughout the night.
It is basically a found footage film, but filmed entire on mobile phones. To be honest I found a lot of the jerky shots and continual movement both off putting and annoying, when they did have static shots they were far too long and not interesting enough. The last fifteen minutes or so of the film are not bad but by then I'd lost a bit of interest. There is some pretty shocking acting as well.
Not really a good film, but deserving of a "good" Mark purely for the novelty of the filming medium.
It is basically a found footage film, but filmed entire on mobile phones. To be honest I found a lot of the jerky shots and continual movement both off putting and annoying, when they did have static shots they were far too long and not interesting enough. The last fifteen minutes or so of the film are not bad but by then I'd lost a bit of interest. There is some pretty shocking acting as well.
Not really a good film, but deserving of a "good" Mark purely for the novelty of the filming medium.
KittyMiku (138 KP) rated The Former World in Books
Apr 27, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
Was truly amazing. I loved the characters and how every time you think you might know what is going on, it flips everything you think you know on its head. I found this to have some particularly good points about being a young girl and how relationships worked. I also enjoyed the scenery, which you can't help but admire while reading. Even with the perspective being from the main character's eyes, I found myself thrilled at every word and page. I did find it started off a little slow, but once I finished chapter 2, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I was glad to see it didn't focus too much o side details or rants, though it had that potential. I thought it moved smoothly through the story without giving too much away. Makes me excited to pick the rest of the 5 book series.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Darkest Hour (2017) in Movies
Jan 23, 2018 (Updated Jan 23, 2018)
Fantastic turn from Gary Oldham
This is a very fascinating story about Churchill and a hugely interesting film. Gary Oldman's performance deserves all of the hype, he's almost unrecognisable and he really convinces both with the serious, vulnerable and numerous sides to Churchill. Indeed the film itself shows a different vulnerable side to Churchill that I never knew existed and it was nice to see. My knowledge on this part of history is lacking, so I found the wartime politics really interesting. The supporting cast do well and the dialogue is brilliant.
But the dialogue is the problem with this film too as it's far too dialogue heavy. They throw in a few bits of action and humour, but it doesn't quite break the dialogue heavy scenes. Which I found made the film drag a little and I think they could've cut parts out without being of a detriment to the story.
Worth seeing for Oldman's performance alone, although not one I'd necessarily rush to see again.
But the dialogue is the problem with this film too as it's far too dialogue heavy. They throw in a few bits of action and humour, but it doesn't quite break the dialogue heavy scenes. Which I found made the film drag a little and I think they could've cut parts out without being of a detriment to the story.
Worth seeing for Oldman's performance alone, although not one I'd necessarily rush to see again.
Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated The Marvelous Mrs Maisel in TV
Jun 4, 2018
I fell so hard for this series that I binge-watched over two weekends (not an easy feat with twin four-year-olds running amok in the background).
I loved it so much that I tried to get my husband to watch it with me; I even agreed to watch it from the very beginning with him. He just couldn't get into it. He enjoyed the stand-up portions, but he didn't really get engaged with the character and her home life or enjoy the situational humor.
Part of the problem could have been that my husband's sense of humor can be quite a bit different from mine, but I also believe that much of the humor I found in this series was kind of woman-centric, based on being a married woman with children. As a married woman with children myself, I could totally relate and found the entire series entertaining.
I loved it so much that I tried to get my husband to watch it with me; I even agreed to watch it from the very beginning with him. He just couldn't get into it. He enjoyed the stand-up portions, but he didn't really get engaged with the character and her home life or enjoy the situational humor.
Part of the problem could have been that my husband's sense of humor can be quite a bit different from mine, but I also believe that much of the humor I found in this series was kind of woman-centric, based on being a married woman with children. As a married woman with children myself, I could totally relate and found the entire series entertaining.
FibroBeader (8 KP) rated Goodreads: Book Reviews in Apps
Jun 22, 2018
The review system (3 more)
Making Friends
The chance to talk to your favourite authors
The book lists of similar books so you can find something else in the genre you've just found
The App just isn't the same as the desktop website (1 more)
You can't add novel length FanFiction stories on there to count towards your reading goal.
Goodreads
I love Goodreads. I can keep track of what I've read, find books I want to read, meet new people and join groups, talk to authors, even set yourself a reading challenge for the year. Love that you can review your books, comment other people's reviews, add your Facebook friends and find out what they are reading too! I've found so many new books because of Goodreads. Can even let Goodreads into your kindle account and it will add what books you have bought or got samples of so you can add them into your "To Read" list.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Forbidden (Arotas Trilogy, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
From the very first chapter, I was captured, hook, line, and sinker. The fate of Roseline's family/friends was just so raw, I could picture it in my head, and it made me shudder. I read as fast as I could to find out what happened to her as she started her new life in the U.S. as Rose. Her new-found friends, the strange connection she feels with the star quarterback, and her worries of being found definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering how it would all come together for her, and if she could continue to evade her immortal family.
The ending was INCREDIBLY awesome, and I'll definitely be waiting on pins and needles for more of this story. I can't wait to see how it continues from here, and I'm sure it'll be fantastic.
5 stars
From the very first chapter, I was captured, hook, line, and sinker. The fate of Roseline's family/friends was just so raw, I could picture it in my head, and it made me shudder. I read as fast as I could to find out what happened to her as she started her new life in the U.S. as Rose. Her new-found friends, the strange connection she feels with the star quarterback, and her worries of being found definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering how it would all come together for her, and if she could continue to evade her immortal family.
The ending was INCREDIBLY awesome, and I'll definitely be waiting on pins and needles for more of this story. I can't wait to see how it continues from here, and I'm sure it'll be fantastic.
5 stars
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Life of Pi in Books
Jul 10, 2018
The "Life of Pi" was a slow but semi interesting read. I went into this book knowing that it was about a boy stuck on a raft with a tiger. That was definitely the interesting part of the book. I found myself wanting this book to just end, or get to the "good" part.
The main take away from the book is that you need something to believe in when you face an "impossible" situation. I found Pi's struggle with religion insightful and his practicing of three religions a little different.
This was definitely not my typical read. I am one of those readers who likes fast reads. I want to finish a book in two days because I can't put it down, not because I want the book to end.
All in all, it was an okay book. It kept me semi entertained but it wasn't the "life changing" book that I was told about.
The main take away from the book is that you need something to believe in when you face an "impossible" situation. I found Pi's struggle with religion insightful and his practicing of three religions a little different.
This was definitely not my typical read. I am one of those readers who likes fast reads. I want to finish a book in two days because I can't put it down, not because I want the book to end.
All in all, it was an okay book. It kept me semi entertained but it wasn't the "life changing" book that I was told about.
Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated How to Murder Your Life in Books
Oct 1, 2018
Compulsively readable, feels more like a novel than an autobiography. At times I found myself able to relate to her or almost feeling sorry for her, at least in regards to her childhood, while other times I found her to be truly obnoxious and off-putting, especially in not accepting responsibility for her actions. However, I enjoyed her style of writing and I commend her bravery in putting her life and her struggles with addiction out there for the world to see, and judge. I imagine that every author dreads the bad reviews but when it's a book about your life that has to sting twice as hard. Hopefully her story will inspire others dealing with the same issues to turn things around. Curious to see if/how she will continue her literary career, perhaps a novel will be in her future (I certainly hope so!) *Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!*
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated Finding Claire (Hill Country Secrets #1) in Books
Oct 1, 2018
MoMo’s Book Diary highly recommends this thrilling novel as a spellbinding 5 star read.
I loved this book. I knew I would as soon as I read the synopsis. I have a big to-be-read stack and this book didn’t sit well at the bottom so jumped to the top very quickly – even more so as the publication date was fast approaching.
I found it to be a gripping tale that had me repeatedly saying “one more chapter” and ended with another day of no housework and little sleep!
The author has given us two powerful lead characters and I felt a bond with both. I found myself rooting for them to find their way to happiness. It is a love story with a suspenseful mystery throughout.
Thank you to the author, Pamela Humphrey, for contacting me through my blog page and for providing me with a copy of this book prior to its publication date.
I loved this book. I knew I would as soon as I read the synopsis. I have a big to-be-read stack and this book didn’t sit well at the bottom so jumped to the top very quickly – even more so as the publication date was fast approaching.
I found it to be a gripping tale that had me repeatedly saying “one more chapter” and ended with another day of no housework and little sleep!
The author has given us two powerful lead characters and I felt a bond with both. I found myself rooting for them to find their way to happiness. It is a love story with a suspenseful mystery throughout.
Thank you to the author, Pamela Humphrey, for contacting me through my blog page and for providing me with a copy of this book prior to its publication date.
B (62 KP) rated The Handmaid's Tale - Season 1 in TV
Oct 6, 2018
Excellent adaptation
I really loved what the creators of this show have done with The Handmaid's Tale. The amount of relevancy that the social commentary still has on today's society blows my mind. I also really like how they've developed a lot of the characters. For example, in the book Serena Joy is mostly made out to be a villain, but her portrayal in the show is sympathetic. Much like in real life, the line between good and evil is blurred. I've found that while watching June is actually one of my least favorite characters. I've come to really love Nick although I feel intensely sorry for him in his predicament. I wish that they had put in some of the original narrative framing devices with the studying of the society of Gilead because I found that to be an interesting way of looking at it in the book and I hope they figure something out to keep it in the future.