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David McK (3369 KP) rated Tyrant (Tyrant, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
I read this book years ago, and had rated it (by memory) with 1 star on Goodreads. Having recently re-read it, I now think that might be a bit harsh.
On the other hand, 2 stars might be a bit generous.
I found this heavy going, slow to start, and not really all that exciting. It's unusual in that it is set in the time of Alexander (the Great), but this Alexander - or more particularly - his army, are actually the villains of the piece, with Kineas and his band of Mercenaries fighting against the invading Macedonians in the company of the Scyths.
Not impressed over all.
On the other hand, 2 stars might be a bit generous.
I found this heavy going, slow to start, and not really all that exciting. It's unusual in that it is set in the time of Alexander (the Great), but this Alexander - or more particularly - his army, are actually the villains of the piece, with Kineas and his band of Mercenaries fighting against the invading Macedonians in the company of the Scyths.
Not impressed over all.
David McK (3369 KP) rated Heat Stroke (Weather Warden, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
At the end of the previous book ('Ill Wind'), weather warden Joanne Baldwin had died and been reborn as a Djinn (or Genie).
What follows in this not only expands on the background story of that first novel, but is also told from a unique perspective: from the point of view of a Djinn, rather than as a mere mortal. Setting itself up nicely for the next book in the series, I actually found this to be both faster (I read it in two days flat) and more enjoyable than the previous novel - no mean feat as that novel was also a very enjoyable read.
What follows in this not only expands on the background story of that first novel, but is also told from a unique perspective: from the point of view of a Djinn, rather than as a mere mortal. Setting itself up nicely for the next book in the series, I actually found this to be both faster (I read it in two days flat) and more enjoyable than the previous novel - no mean feat as that novel was also a very enjoyable read.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Mary Poppins (1964) in Movies
Dec 26, 2018
A timeless classic!
I hate to admit I had never seen the original Mary Poppins until today. I really loved it.
While not made for a 47-year-old man, I found plenty to enjoy including some songs I already knew and some new ones I had never seen before. I like musicals, but am still sort of a novice at them having not seen some of the classics.
The story is a simple one; however, that does not mean it is not entertaining. I really liked it a lot.
Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke were amazing.
While not made for a 47-year-old man, I found plenty to enjoy including some songs I already knew and some new ones I had never seen before. I like musicals, but am still sort of a novice at them having not seen some of the classics.
The story is a simple one; however, that does not mean it is not entertaining. I really liked it a lot.
Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke were amazing.
Stephanie Neve (104 KP) rated Educated in Books
Jun 23, 2019
An interesting view on what makes an education
Tara Westover's story needs to be read to be believed. She grew up in a mountain in rural America in the 90's and had to overcome a lot of struggles brought on by her parents increasingly extreme Mormon beliefs. The story itself is extremely interesting, however I struggled eith the writing style, finding it often quite detached.
MadyKate (400 KP) rated Stalking Jack the Ripper in Books
Dec 29, 2019
This was one of the few book series that I obsessively read and instantly loved. The romance isn't fast paced, there's historical facts that are interesting, and Maniscalco really knew how to captivate not just me, but other readers too (I got my friend obsessed with this series as well).
I will say, its not for those who don't like the extreme detail on violence and gore, but if you're a fan of crime novels and topics such as Jack the Ripper, then you ought to love this book!
I'm so glad I found this book and would happily recommend this to many people.
I will say, its not for those who don't like the extreme detail on violence and gore, but if you're a fan of crime novels and topics such as Jack the Ripper, then you ought to love this book!
I'm so glad I found this book and would happily recommend this to many people.
JennCc (14 KP) rated The Grim Company in Books
Aug 9, 2019
Pace (2 more)
Original ideas
Unexpected twists
This trilogy was a delight for me. I read a lot of fantasy sagas, so it's fairly unusual now to find something refreshingly different but these managed it.
Almost none of the characters are actually likeable, and yet it's impossible not to get drawn into the world they inhabit. There are times where you think it's collapsing into the same old stories, but the author manages to surprise far more often than not.
Really worth a read; I found them difficult to put down, and just a really enjoyable read.
Almost none of the characters are actually likeable, and yet it's impossible not to get drawn into the world they inhabit. There are times where you think it's collapsing into the same old stories, but the author manages to surprise far more often than not.
Really worth a read; I found them difficult to put down, and just a really enjoyable read.
Allison Knapp (118 KP) rated Imagine Me & You (2006) in Movies
Jan 20, 2019
Charming performances by Piper Parabo (Coyote Ugly), Lena Heady, and Anthony Michael Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (2 more)
A LGBTQ movie before the time of legal gay marriage
Witty humor and inspiring chemistry
A film just slightly ahead of its time
Contains spoilers, click to show
A woman falls in love with another woman at her wedding reception. As they try their best to fight their love, it becomes so much clearer that despite her husband is a good man, he doesn't hold her whole heart, proving that love can be found in the most unexpected ways.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Holy Mountain (Der Heilige Berg) (1926) in Movies
Nov 11, 2019
Mountainous melodrama couples a rather corny, obscurely allegorical plot to some stunning visuals to reasonably engaging effect. A dancer (Riefenstahl) is drawn to the Alps, where she falls in love with an engineer; confusion and jealousy lead to jeopardy, stoic heroism, and ultimately tragedy.
I found the dramatic elements of the film to be rather hard going, and Riefenstahl's dancing, rather than evoking desire, just reminded me of a drunk woman trying to start a fight at a wedding reception. However, there are some fantastic compositions and the mountains still look awesome nearly a century on; the film may feel a bit pretentious but its imagery remains powerful.
I found the dramatic elements of the film to be rather hard going, and Riefenstahl's dancing, rather than evoking desire, just reminded me of a drunk woman trying to start a fight at a wedding reception. However, there are some fantastic compositions and the mountains still look awesome nearly a century on; the film may feel a bit pretentious but its imagery remains powerful.
Ian Parr (9 KP) rated Wild Tales (2014) in Movies
Nov 18, 2019
"Six stories are told in this movie, and all are entertaining and enjoyable. However, because these are short stories, I found some ended too soon, left me wanting more, to find out what happened next, and one or two had disappointing endings. The pick of the stories are 'El más fuerte', about a road rage incident that escalates and the last story, 'Hasta que la muerte nos separe', about a wedding that goes very very badly! I would have liked some connection between each story, like a character appearing in each, but as it is it still comes highly recommended."
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EmersonRose (320 KP) rated Never Let Me Go in Books
Nov 20, 2019
I love reading this book. I found the world that Ishiguro created to be well built where while it had the aspect of fantastical or sci-fi, it really felt real. From beginning to end I really felt connected to the characters, and I loved the way in which the book was written as Kathy thinks back on her childhood. Ishiguro is certainly a master at writing story that has an organic flow of the way in which people think back on memories, pieces connected bast on subject and feeling rather than in a linear form. I would highly recommend giving this book a read.