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Civil war (2024)
Civil war (2024)
2024 | Thriller, War
3
5.7 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Well.

That was not at all what I expected, based on the trailers.

I found this to be long, dour, slow, and boring, following (as it does) a quartet of unlikeable photo journalists as they travel cross country across a divided United States (with no real reason given how it got to that state) in a race to Washington DC in an attempt to interview a third term President.

Not for me (or those I went with)
  
The Devil's Well (2017)
The Devil's Well (2017)
2017 | Horror
6
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
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.
  
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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Libby, by OverDrive in Apps

Nov 3, 2017 (Updated Nov 3, 2017)  
Libby, by OverDrive
Libby, by OverDrive
Book, Entertainment
6
8.2 (26 Ratings)
App Rating
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.
  
Show all 5 comments.
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Sarah (7800 KP) Nov 4, 2017

Yeah ?

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iamsara (130 KP) Nov 19, 2017

The issue isn't with Libby it's with the local library and their purchasing of books through the system.

The Lorax
The Lorax
Dr. Seuss | 1998
10
8.5 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
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.
  
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Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Blindsighted (Grant County, #1) in Books

Jun 8, 2019 (Updated Jun 8, 2019)  
Blindsighted (Grant County, #1)
Blindsighted (Grant County, #1)
Karin Slaughter | 2001 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
9
7.6 (14 Ratings)
Book Rating
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.