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Lilyn G - Sci-Fi & Scary (91 KP) rated The Devil's Well (2017) in Movies
Jan 31, 2018
It made me think, which is more than I expected.
A ‘documentary’ film consisting mostly of found footage, capped with interviews on either end, The Devil’s Well attempts to convince viewers that there is still something interesting in the subgenre to be had. Sometimes, it nearly succeeds, but most of the time it just falls a bit flat.
I will say this for The Devil’s Well, it made me think about it. Some of the things that I initially found as flaws in the movie I wondered about later. Like was the lack of ‘forboding’ sound effects that you generally hear right before something happens. I also did like the interaction between the team members in regards to the reality of their situation. It is very clear that while some people have a definite motivation for coming to The Devil’s Well, the others are not exactly on board.
I liked the bluntness with which the cameras overseer of the Signs group (Kurtis Spieler) speaks to Bryan Marks (played by Bryan Manley Davis). The conversation felt exactly like one that would really have happened. I found myself rooting for him to survive. I also found myself hoping for the reveal that everything had been a huge hoax. (Though, speaking of the cameras, why were some in black and white and some weren’t?)
I think the weakest point is with the actress that played Karla Marks, but I’m unsure if I think it was the dialogue or the acting that failed. All I know is that while I was semi-engaged with most of the film, her scenes had me rolling my eyes a bit.
The Devil’s Well was well-shot and the acting was decent, but other than a few thought provoking moments, it really brings nothing new to the table. I wish there had been a bit more explanation about what had happened to Karla during the year that she was missing. The fact that it’s almost completely open ended drives me a bit bonkers.
Disclaimer: I received a screener link of this movie for review consideration from October Coast Media.
I will say this for The Devil’s Well, it made me think about it. Some of the things that I initially found as flaws in the movie I wondered about later. Like was the lack of ‘forboding’ sound effects that you generally hear right before something happens. I also did like the interaction between the team members in regards to the reality of their situation. It is very clear that while some people have a definite motivation for coming to The Devil’s Well, the others are not exactly on board.
I liked the bluntness with which the cameras overseer of the Signs group (Kurtis Spieler) speaks to Bryan Marks (played by Bryan Manley Davis). The conversation felt exactly like one that would really have happened. I found myself rooting for him to survive. I also found myself hoping for the reveal that everything had been a huge hoax. (Though, speaking of the cameras, why were some in black and white and some weren’t?)
I think the weakest point is with the actress that played Karla Marks, but I’m unsure if I think it was the dialogue or the acting that failed. All I know is that while I was semi-engaged with most of the film, her scenes had me rolling my eyes a bit.
The Devil’s Well was well-shot and the acting was decent, but other than a few thought provoking moments, it really brings nothing new to the table. I wish there had been a bit more explanation about what had happened to Karla during the year that she was missing. The fact that it’s almost completely open ended drives me a bit bonkers.
Disclaimer: I received a screener link of this movie for review consideration from October Coast Media.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Libby, by OverDrive in Apps
Nov 3, 2017 (Updated Nov 3, 2017)
Good for hard to find books
I'm a real book person. I don't have a kindle and I much prefer to read actual books from my local library or from charity shops.
I get access to the Libby app through my local library card, and after fruitless searches for certain books available in the libraries themselves, I decided to cave in and try the electronic version. I can't complain, as the app actually had was I was looking for and I found the borrowing books and reading functionality very easy to use.
However the catalogue is fairly limited, and there isn't a large amount of new releases or popular books available. I'm not sure if this is down to the library you use, or the app itself, but it's very frustrating when you search for an author like Stephen King and find only 2 titles when he's written so many. This app also advertises that you can download books to a kindle, which almost tempted me into buying one until I found out that functionality is only available in the US. Urgh.
I get access to the Libby app through my local library card, and after fruitless searches for certain books available in the libraries themselves, I decided to cave in and try the electronic version. I can't complain, as the app actually had was I was looking for and I found the borrowing books and reading functionality very easy to use.
However the catalogue is fairly limited, and there isn't a large amount of new releases or popular books available. I'm not sure if this is down to the library you use, or the app itself, but it's very frustrating when you search for an author like Stephen King and find only 2 titles when he's written so many. This app also advertises that you can download books to a kindle, which almost tempted me into buying one until I found out that functionality is only available in the US. Urgh.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated The Lorax in Books
Mar 5, 2019
Environmental Morality Tale for Kids
Meet the Once-ler. Back in the past, he found a forest of Truffula Trees. Through ingenuity, he found a way to make these trees into something that everyone could use. However, the Lorax shows up to try to warn him of the dangers that might cause. Will the Once-ler listen?
I had this book as a kid, and we read it many times while I was growing up. Rereading it as an adult, I was struck again by just how dark this book is. There is a clear environmental message to the book. I do wish it were more even handed, but I realize this is a picture book for kids, and a morality tale at that. The pictures and creatures are pure Dr. Seuss and are fun. The story, while told in rhyme, features some of Dr. Seuss’s made up creatures, so it isn’t early reader friendly, but as kids are ready to tackle something more challenging with the help of adults, this book would be great.
I had this book as a kid, and we read it many times while I was growing up. Rereading it as an adult, I was struck again by just how dark this book is. There is a clear environmental message to the book. I do wish it were more even handed, but I realize this is a picture book for kids, and a morality tale at that. The pictures and creatures are pure Dr. Seuss and are fun. The story, while told in rhyme, features some of Dr. Seuss’s made up creatures, so it isn’t early reader friendly, but as kids are ready to tackle something more challenging with the help of adults, this book would be great.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Blindsighted (Grant County, #1) in Books
Jun 8, 2019 (Updated Jun 8, 2019)
Small town Georgia, big time gruesome crime thriller!!!
Hard to believe this was Karin Slaughters first novel, it’s very well rounded for a debut.
When a young college professor is brutally murdered (and I mean BRUTALLY - i.e. not for the squeamish) it falls to Sara Linton as the town coroner to perform the disturbing autopsy. Having found the victim in the local diner, it soon becomes obvious to Sara that there is a seriously sick individual on the loose.
It’s Sara’s ex-husband, police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, who must head up the investigation along with the only female detective Lena Adams, who is also the victims sister (love small town America everyone is all up in each others stuff - did I mention as well as been the towns coroner Sara is also the local paediatrician….) When another victim is found crucified the tension to find the killer builds, as does the tension between characters.
This book was very graphic, but boy was it entertaining in a disturbing way. Fast paced with plenty of suspense, a great beginning to a series.
When a young college professor is brutally murdered (and I mean BRUTALLY - i.e. not for the squeamish) it falls to Sara Linton as the town coroner to perform the disturbing autopsy. Having found the victim in the local diner, it soon becomes obvious to Sara that there is a seriously sick individual on the loose.
It’s Sara’s ex-husband, police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, who must head up the investigation along with the only female detective Lena Adams, who is also the victims sister (love small town America everyone is all up in each others stuff - did I mention as well as been the towns coroner Sara is also the local paediatrician….) When another victim is found crucified the tension to find the killer builds, as does the tension between characters.
This book was very graphic, but boy was it entertaining in a disturbing way. Fast paced with plenty of suspense, a great beginning to a series.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Slaughterhouse-Five in Books
Feb 9, 2018
So it goes...
Like most Vonnegut books you either love Slaughterhouse-Five or simply hate it, I can admit Vonnegut really isn't for everyone but for me his books are hilarious and leave me thinking about them more days after I finish them.
I found Slaughterhouse-Five at the perfect time in my life where I could really appreciate it. I had lost my grandpa not long before and this book really just help me accept it with this quote from the book;
“When a Tralfamadorian sees a corpse, all he thinks is that the dead person is in bad condition in the particular moment, but that the same person is just fine in plenty of other moments. Now, when I myself hear that somebody is dead, I simply shrug and say what the Tralfamadorians say about dead people, which is "So it goes.”
Through the ups and downs of this book, I just found the whole meaning behind "So it goes" to be so beautiful and I know it is something that will always stick with me.
I found Slaughterhouse-Five at the perfect time in my life where I could really appreciate it. I had lost my grandpa not long before and this book really just help me accept it with this quote from the book;
“When a Tralfamadorian sees a corpse, all he thinks is that the dead person is in bad condition in the particular moment, but that the same person is just fine in plenty of other moments. Now, when I myself hear that somebody is dead, I simply shrug and say what the Tralfamadorians say about dead people, which is "So it goes.”
Through the ups and downs of this book, I just found the whole meaning behind "So it goes" to be so beautiful and I know it is something that will always stick with me.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Fry Another Day (Biscuit Bowl Food Truck Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Zoe Chase has entered her food truck in a contest across the south east, hoping to win the $50,000 prize to be able to open her diner. Before the first day of the contest, however, a competitor is found dead in his food truck. It looks like a tragic accident until more strange things start happening. What is going on?
It had been about a year and a half since I read the first in this series, but I remembered liking the characters. I was quickly reminded why, and I enjoyed journeying with them to the various stops on the race. The race creates a nice plot, and I found the various tasks and how Zoe and her crew overcame them to be plenty of fun. Sadly, the mystery was a sub-plot at best, and the rush to wrap things up at the end left me less than satisfied with that aspect of the book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-fry-another-day-by-j-j-cook.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It had been about a year and a half since I read the first in this series, but I remembered liking the characters. I was quickly reminded why, and I enjoyed journeying with them to the various stops on the race. The race creates a nice plot, and I found the various tasks and how Zoe and her crew overcame them to be plenty of fun. Sadly, the mystery was a sub-plot at best, and the rush to wrap things up at the end left me less than satisfied with that aspect of the book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-fry-another-day-by-j-j-cook.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Trick or Deceit (Celebration Bay, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Trick or Deceit by Shelley Freydont (Celebration Bay #4) – 5
The first annual haunted house contest in Celebration Bay ends in tragedy when the winning house is vandalized and a dead body is found in with the fake body parts. Is the jealous runner up to blame? Who else might have wanted to kill the victim?
This is my fourth trip to Celebration Bay in the last year, and I’ve enjoyed each of them. Once again, the book provides some unique clues and red herrings that I found lots of fun. It was great to visit the core characters again, although I wish we would see a bit more character growth in a few of them. The new characters are just as charming. This is a great stop for your Halloween (or any time of the year) reading list.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-trick-or-deceit-by-shelley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The first annual haunted house contest in Celebration Bay ends in tragedy when the winning house is vandalized and a dead body is found in with the fake body parts. Is the jealous runner up to blame? Who else might have wanted to kill the victim?
This is my fourth trip to Celebration Bay in the last year, and I’ve enjoyed each of them. Once again, the book provides some unique clues and red herrings that I found lots of fun. It was great to visit the core characters again, although I wish we would see a bit more character growth in a few of them. The new characters are just as charming. This is a great stop for your Halloween (or any time of the year) reading list.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-trick-or-deceit-by-shelley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Cooking Craze - A Kitchen Game in Apps
Jun 11, 2018
Ridiculously addictive
I'll be honest, for some reason I've always found cooking games rather appealing - despite the fact that I've never enjoy cooking anywhere near as much in real life.
This game is probably one of the best cooking type games I've found so far, and believe me I've tried a few. This game has great longevity, I've been playing for a long time and still aren't anywhere near to completing. It's very fun and has a few bonus games and challenges to keep you interested past the standard levels. Gameplay itself is straightforward and easy to master.
My only criticism is that some levels are impossible to complete without using some of the bonus extras (like a few more customers, 30 more seconds) which makes it quite frustrating. It means you need enough of the in-game currency to purchase these extras and if you don't, it means parting with real money to get some. It's never yet been a problem for me as I always have the in-game spoons currency, but I can imagine it gets frustrating for others.
This game is probably one of the best cooking type games I've found so far, and believe me I've tried a few. This game has great longevity, I've been playing for a long time and still aren't anywhere near to completing. It's very fun and has a few bonus games and challenges to keep you interested past the standard levels. Gameplay itself is straightforward and easy to master.
My only criticism is that some levels are impossible to complete without using some of the bonus extras (like a few more customers, 30 more seconds) which makes it quite frustrating. It means you need enough of the in-game currency to purchase these extras and if you don't, it means parting with real money to get some. It's never yet been a problem for me as I always have the in-game spoons currency, but I can imagine it gets frustrating for others.
Gail (4 KP) rated Found in Silence (A Prairie Tale #2) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Found in Silence by Lisa Sobre
Four Stars
This is the first story I have read by Lisa Sobre. It was different in the sense that instead of turning to the child in comfort our main lady turned cold and lifeless. Jen was all about her image and what people thought of her. She was either in love or in lust with a man ten years older than her. She turned herself into someone else just to be what she thought he needed or wanted. The emotions she felt were so real to me that I thought someone was telling my story. Only my kids saved me. Miles was just omg and so perfect for Jen. He didn’t put up with her mess and found the beauty she had hidden within. I definitely will be reading more from this author. The writing style caught my attention and the story was so raw and beautiful. The author made Jen into the perfect example of why people don’t want to fall in love but completely flipped to show the benefits of loving the right person.
Four Stars
This is the first story I have read by Lisa Sobre. It was different in the sense that instead of turning to the child in comfort our main lady turned cold and lifeless. Jen was all about her image and what people thought of her. She was either in love or in lust with a man ten years older than her. She turned herself into someone else just to be what she thought he needed or wanted. The emotions she felt were so real to me that I thought someone was telling my story. Only my kids saved me. Miles was just omg and so perfect for Jen. He didn’t put up with her mess and found the beauty she had hidden within. I definitely will be reading more from this author. The writing style caught my attention and the story was so raw and beautiful. The author made Jen into the perfect example of why people don’t want to fall in love but completely flipped to show the benefits of loving the right person.
Katie Guinn (34 KP) rated A Deadly Éclair (A French Bistro Mystery, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
A Deadly Eclair is the first book in a cozy mystery series. The main character, Mimi Rousseau, runs a small B&B and a French bistro in California’s wine country. As the story opens, she’s planning to host the wedding of a famous talk show host, but plans are derailed when the bride’s uncle (and Mimi’s financial backer) is found dead on the bistro patio, an eclair stuffed into his mouth. Mimi has to find the culprit before she’s hauled off to jail for murder. First of all, you should know that I love punny titles like this one. I also love cozy mysteries that feature food and/or chefs. Even if the constant descriptions of food makes my mouth water. I enjoyed the quirky supporting characters, and found myself laughing out loud several times. Did I find the frequent food facts unnecessary? Yes. Did I enjoy them anyway? Darn right I did. Ms. Gerber walked the fine line between too little description and too much like a gymnastic pro, and I will happily follow Mimi through her future adventures