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Sam (228 KP) rated Aquaman (2018) in Movies

Mar 2, 2019  
Aquaman (2018)
Aquaman (2018)
2018 | Action, Sci-Fi
Humor (3 more)
Thorough Plotline
Great Character Growth
Heroic Imagery
Predictable (1 more)
Lots of Poster-Pause Moments
Wonderful for Anyone Who Loves Superheroes
As per everyone else I was waiting for the moment this movie cane out. I had watched minimal ads as I've found that the ads tend to reveal the most important of the plot points, ruining the excitement for those anticipating it's release. Due to my excitement I decided to actually go to the theater for this one and Lord did I make the right choice. Seeing it on the big screen was completely worth it, the sound and picture as epic as a superhero movie should be. The character growth and the script was well adept with both humor and depth. I was not disappointed. My only complaint was the multiple poster pauses throughout the film, by these I mean the epic scenes that suddenly slow down as though to be made into a poster later on, these I found happened every ten minutes throughout the movie and although it did add to the epic feel of the movie, I feel it took away some from the overall film.
  
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ArecRain (8 KP) rated Small Town Girl in Books

Jan 18, 2018  
ST
Small Town Girl
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
As far as style goes, Spencer has a beautiful and easy style that seems to seep into her mind like a daydream. It's so easy to read through her works, that you are over before you even realize you have begun. Her characters are solid and real, the type of people you can imagine walking out onto your front porch and seeing no matter where you are from.

I loved the humor and realness that seemed to come naturally to this story. I found myself laugh just as often as I found myself cringing in frustration at the stubbornness of the characters.

However, this novel was so boring, I had a hard time completely it. While the words flowed quickly from the pages, the story itself held no interests whatsoever. It felt like a peak into someone's diary of their everyday life or watching a lifetime movie. It was so true to life (minus the famous country star scenario), that it just didn't seem to have any appeal or magic.

I feel that giving it three stars may be to harsh, and yet at the same time, I cannot justify giving it more.
  
Pandemic
Pandemic
2008 | Medical
Pandemic Review
Pandemic was my first cooperative game. I had always played games where there was one clear winner and the thought of playing a game that we either all win or all lose was intriguing. It’s a blast playing together in co-op games. I have found that this genre is one that I will play any time the opportunity arises. Playing as a team, working together, and dealing with crisis makes co-op games exciting. However, just because a game is co-op doesn’t mean it’s a good one. Luckily for you, Pandemic is a great one.
Pandemic is just a blast to play. With everyone throwing out opinions on what players should do on their turn and trying to decide the best course of action there is plenty of discussion during the game. There is also the potential issue with one person becoming the leader and making the decisions for everyone’s turn, but in my experience, I have found that people have worked together to win the game.

Reviewer: Tyler Nichols
Read the full review here: https://www.boardgamequest.com/pandemic-board-game-review/
  
Fleeing a tragic accident, Ruby Proulx crosses from Canada to Old Orchard, Maine. She’s run there to meet her mother’s side of the family for the first time. They are about to reopen the family home as a resort for spiritualists, and the summer of 1898 will be make or break for them. But when her past catches up to her and a murder threatens her new home, will Ruby be able to solve any problems?

While I am not a fan of paranormal cozies (because I don’t believe in the things they are based on), I still found this a very fun debut. The characters are charming, and I fell in love with them. Even though the murder comes a little late, I still found Ruby’s introduction to Old Orchard fun, and there is plenty of conflict early on. When the murder does happen, the pace picks up and leads us to a logical conclusion.

 NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-whispers-beyond-veil-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Building Stories
Building Stories
Chris Ware | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The unique presentation had me more than a little curious to get into this one, and I found it worked wonderfully for the material. Very well drawn, and with recurring themes and symbolism that are alternately beautiful and sad. This is decidedly not an uplifting work, with the harshness of life and the world around us seeming to be an even more universal theme throughout than the building around which the stories revolve. Luckily for me I suppose, the piece I randomly read last, while possibly being the saddest of all, also contained a really solid prospect of hope and one of the few truly uplifting portions found inside, thus making giving it the best ending I could have hoped for (for my tastes anyway). This is a truly incredible work of art that I cannot recommend highly enough.

As a side note, this could make a really interesting movie, especially in the hands of the right director. P.T. Anderson springs to mind for me. They could even allow you to watch segments in random order on the DVD, thus somewhat recreating the sensation of the "book". Could be interesting.
  
TP
The Passenger
Lisa Lutz | 2016
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Firstly I'd like to thanks Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

The Passenger is thrilling and exhilarating! With twists and turns around every corner, I can assure you, you will not be bored.

While this books plot is overused, Lutz did really well to add her own spark to it, making it unique and fast paced, exactly what I love in a book. Each character presented had their own story to tell and I'm happy to say I found none of them annoying or boring (maybe apart from Domenic's use of the word 'sweetheart' a lot).

Tanya/Nora/Debra's/whatever you want to call her's story is heartbreaking and challenging throughout. I tend to find women found in these predicaments (in books) do all the wrong things and only make their life more difficult, but Tanya does everything expertly and wonderfully. She's such a likeable character that you are backing her the whole way through, even at the times where her actions are questionable.

I will definitely recommend this to friends and family when it is published as I believe it's a fabulous fast paced thriller that thousands will enjoy.
  
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien | 2010 | Fiction & Poetry
6
7.9 (65 Ratings)
Book Rating
I switched off from audiobook to book & back with this book and I enjoyed it for the most part. The narrator was good but slow just like the book.

I have consistently been told that I need to read "The Fellowship of the Ring" and I am happy to say that I finally finished it. Fellowship of the Ring is more of an adult novel compared to "The Hobbit" which I was happy about. Honestly, I wasn't a huge fan of "The Hobbit" and I found it slow & drawn out. I would still say that "The Fellowship of the Ring" was slow & drawn out but I found it more entertaining.

I love fantasy but I also want a book that is fast paced and I felt that this book moved just as fast as molasses. The writing was beautiful which is what kept me engaged. Honestly, I feel that about 200 pages could have been removed and we still would have had the epic fantasy that "The Lord of the Rings" is.

All in all, it was good but not a must read for me.
  
The Buried Giant
The Buried Giant
Kazuo Ishiguro | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.6 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
Perseverance needed for this one!
I had really looked forward to this book: I was on the waiting list for it for months before it was released. So I was really excited when I received the email that it had arrived at the library. The added bonus: I was the first person to read it! Now THAT doesn't happen often at the library!
Anyway, on to the content of the novel. Honestly, I found the first half really hard going. I found he narrative voice really wooden and forced, and I was waiting for something to happen for nearly 170 pages. I only persevered because it was Ishiguro - if it had been anyone else, I would have probably stuck to my 3 chapter rule and quit. I'm glad that I kept at it though. Beatrice and Axl are lovely characters. A devoted husband and wife, who are human enough to be bothered about other people as well. To be honest, all of the characters are really likeable.
My advice: keep going, if like me, you're finding this a tough read. You will be rewarded!!
  
Hold Back the Dark (Bishop/Special Crimes Unit #18)
Hold Back the Dark (Bishop/Special Crimes Unit #18)
Kay Hooper | 2018 | Crime, Mystery, Paranormal
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ending felt abrupt. (0 more)
I always love a good Bishop/SCU story.
Contains spoilers, click to show
** spoiler alert ** I was lucky enough to win a copy of this in a Goodreads giveaway!

I love, love, LOVE the Bishop/SCU books. The characters are so familiar to me, it feels like coming home each time I start a new story.

I found HOLD BACK THE DARK to be just as good as the previous installments, with one exception: the ending felt rushed. Once the team found the cave, it seemed like everything moved very quickly and then -boom- the story was over. What happened to the people who were forced by the energy to do horrible things? Does the woman who killed her family ever come out of the coma, horrified at what she's done? Does the real estate agent who killed his clients ever "snap out of it?" In addition, what about the team members who were not SCU or Haven? Do any of them decide to finally join?

While I was completely engrossed in the story from the very first page, I do wish the ending had been fleshed out a bit more. Won't stop me from continuing the series, though! :)
  
TO
The Other Sister
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MoMo’s Book Diary highly recommends “The Other Sister” by Dianne Dixon as an exceptionally engaging 5 star read.

“The Other Sister” is an incredibly complex novel and a must read for book lovers. This was my first Dianne Dixon book and wishing I had found this awesome author earlier.

I was intrigued by the cover – an old brown suitcase on an old wooden chair – and the synopsis. I found the plot to be gripping and fast moving, at times confusing, but totally thrilling. The novel tells the story of twins, Ali and Morgan, and the bond they share through good and bad times. Once I started I couldn’t stop. I read throughout the night, finishing early this morning and just sat there thinking for so long afterwards… glad I am not a twin!

The author has created engaging unforgettable characters which had me hooked from the very beginning. There are so many twists and I rate it highly as a top suspense novel of 2016.

I would like to thank Dianne Dixon, Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

This review is also published on my book blog www.momobookdiary.com, netgalley, goodreads and bookbridgr