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Rickey A. Mossow Jr. (689 KP) rated Fighting with My Family (2019) in Movies
May 26, 2019
Characters are full and detailed. (1 more)
Story is heartfelt and relatable.
Great wrestling movie.
Been looking forward to this one and I wasn't disappointed. Granted, I have to say I'm a bit biased as a wrestling diehard. But, this movie is great. Paige and her family are full, detailed characters. You can relate from the onset. Sure, the story is a bit corny and many details and events are glossed over, but it's a story about family and the dream of being a professional wrestler. It fits perfectly with the subject matter. Like wrestling, we don't need all the deep details. You just tell a great story and get the audience to feel something. Which is what this movie does. Is it the next Best Picture Oscar winner? No. But it truly is a glorious tale of the importance of family and never giving up on your dreams.
Jennifer Daniell (108 KP) rated The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek in Books
Jun 9, 2019
I LOVED this book.
Nicknamed Bluet due to her blue skin, Cussy Mary has been an outcast her whole life. Deep in Kentucky, Blue skinned people are looked down upon as tainted, unholy, second class citizens. Now 19, her coal mining father wants nothing more for her than to settle down with a husband and have a family like a decent woman should but she has found her place - as a Book Woman, riding the trails delivering books to the Hill folk, who can't or won't get an education otherwise. Through the books and magazines she delivers she is making a difference in the lives of her patrons, and they are making a difference in hers, giving her a sense of pride an income, and a community. But not everyone is accepting of her as a Blue, and she is increasingly more threatened by the local Preacher, who is determined to "save" her.
Lilyn G - Sci-Fi & Scary (91 KP) rated Homescapes in Apps
Feb 3, 2018
The storyline gives it a slight edge on other matching games.
I've been playing Homescapes for a few months at this point. (I'm somewhere in the 200s level-wise, but can't recall exactly which one offhand.) The storyline is really what sets Homescapes apart from the other match-gem games. I've played the original game, Gardenscapes, and it just couldn't hold my attention. However, with this one they seem to have hit upon the perfect mix of silly and interesting to keep me playing along.
I especially like (and simultaneously hate) how every so often you have a chance to get an hour or so of unlimited lives while playing. Because, naturally, this happens at the worst possible time for me! This game is responsible for me staying up until 1 or 2 am on several occasions because of this.
Better than some of the other matching games out there. Worth giving it a shot.
I especially like (and simultaneously hate) how every so often you have a chance to get an hour or so of unlimited lives while playing. Because, naturally, this happens at the worst possible time for me! This game is responsible for me staying up until 1 or 2 am on several occasions because of this.
Better than some of the other matching games out there. Worth giving it a shot.
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Terraforming Mars in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
Terraforming Mars review: Turn the “Red Planet” green with this amazing board game
But to find the fun, you have to give Terraforming Mars a chance—and the game does itself few favors when it comes to table appeal.
The game's icons look like vector clip art from the early 2000s, all glittering gold surfaces and apparent depth. The player mats are thin cardboard that provide just enough space to track the game's essential production levels using cubes; because they have no linen finish, the mats are also smooth. Even tiny bumps can dislodge these core gameplay elements, so you need to be extremely careful while playing. Speaking of cubes, those used for counting resources come coated in metallic paint, which has already begun to chip off some of the corners, giving them a slightly sad faux-luxury look.
Critic: Nate Anderson
Read the full review here: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/10/terraforming-mars-review/
The game's icons look like vector clip art from the early 2000s, all glittering gold surfaces and apparent depth. The player mats are thin cardboard that provide just enough space to track the game's essential production levels using cubes; because they have no linen finish, the mats are also smooth. Even tiny bumps can dislodge these core gameplay elements, so you need to be extremely careful while playing. Speaking of cubes, those used for counting resources come coated in metallic paint, which has already begun to chip off some of the corners, giving them a slightly sad faux-luxury look.
Critic: Nate Anderson
Read the full review here: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/10/terraforming-mars-review/
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2603 KP) rated Days of Wine and Roquefort (A Cheese Shop Mystery, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
With her life slow for a few weeks, Charlotte has agreed to let Matthew’s friend Noelle stay with her until Noelle’s new rental is ready to move into. Noelle has just moved to town to work for a winery in the area, but the day before she starts her new job, she turns up murdered. Who could she have angered that much in the little time she’d been in town?
Overall, I found the plot much better than in the previous book of the series. It stayed on track and kept giving us new clues to the identity of the killer. I do wish Charlotte would show more respect to the police chief, especially when he gets on her for investigating, but overall I love the characters as well.
You can read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-days-of-wine-and-roquefort.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Overall, I found the plot much better than in the previous book of the series. It stayed on track and kept giving us new clues to the identity of the killer. I do wish Charlotte would show more respect to the police chief, especially when he gets on her for investigating, but overall I love the characters as well.
You can read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-days-of-wine-and-roquefort.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2603 KP) rated Jethro and Joel Were a Troll in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The two-headed troll Jethro and Joel have a problem. While Jethro is quite content to spend his days raising the turnips they love to eat, Joel wants to be terrorizing people. When Jethro finally gives in and allows Joel to have control of their body for one day, what will happen?
I’ve always loved the title of the book, and I still find the story fun. The way he builds up to that final sentence will please adults, and the fast moving story and pictures will entertain the target picture book audience. What surprised me while reading this as an adult is the clear allegory about the dangers of giving in to what you know is wrong. Oh, don’t worry, this is a picture book with a happy ending, and it never slows down the story to lecture us.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-jethro-and-joel-were-troll.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I’ve always loved the title of the book, and I still find the story fun. The way he builds up to that final sentence will please adults, and the fast moving story and pictures will entertain the target picture book audience. What surprised me while reading this as an adult is the clear allegory about the dangers of giving in to what you know is wrong. Oh, don’t worry, this is a picture book with a happy ending, and it never slows down the story to lecture us.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-jethro-and-joel-were-troll.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2603 KP) rated Twelve Angry Librarians (Cat in the Stacks, #8) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Athena College is playing host to the Southern Academic Libraries Association convention and Charlie Harris’s old grad school classmate Gavin Fong is giving the keynote address. Charlie doesn’t have fond memories of Gavin, and an encounter opening night proves that Gavin is still as arrogant as ever. But when Gavin collapses and dies in the middle of his speech, Charlie is surprised. Yes, Gavin was a jerk, but who hated him enough to kill him?
As always, this is a strong mystery, with conflict and tension set up from the very first chapter. We have several strong motives and suspects before Gavin dies, and we get some nice twists before the logical solution. The suspects are all believable, and the returning characters continue to be strong. Charlie’s cat Diesel charms like always as well.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-twelve-angry-librarians-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As always, this is a strong mystery, with conflict and tension set up from the very first chapter. We have several strong motives and suspects before Gavin dies, and we get some nice twists before the logical solution. The suspects are all believable, and the returning characters continue to be strong. Charlie’s cat Diesel charms like always as well.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-twelve-angry-librarians-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Charlie Miller (882 KP) rated Goodreads: Book Reviews in Apps
Feb 17, 2018
Great for discovering books (2 more)
Good for keeping track of your books, read and want to read
Lists and good choice awards allows you to see what other readers are reading
I loved goodreads as soon as I discovered it online. I have used it religiously since for updating my books and for looking my next book. So using the app was an extension of the website but without having to get out the laptop. However one thing stops me from giving full marks. That is when using the mobile app as opposed to the website it doesn't inform you as it does on the website whether a book is part of a series. Still OK for using on the go however before starting a new book I always have to check on the website rather than the app to make sure it's not part of a series.
Dana (24 KP) rated Howl and Other Poems in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I don't overly enjoy poetry for the most part, but I have to say, I really enjoy Allen Ginsberg's writing.
I had previously read "Howl" and "A Supermarket in California" which I very much enjoyed. The other poems, being new to me, I thoroughly enjoyed.
Ginsberg has a very interesting writing style that is very vivid. I love how he speaks directly to his fellow poets in some of his poems. In writing them in, he is giving them an even greater form of immortality.
I enjoyed the poem "America." It's asking the citizens of America what the war is worth, but America is also asking things of him that he wouldn't be able to live up to. He questions his own writing in this as well.
Ginsberg has a very musical beat to his poems that makes you have to keep reading. It pulls you along, especially when you read it out loud.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this little book of poems.
I had previously read "Howl" and "A Supermarket in California" which I very much enjoyed. The other poems, being new to me, I thoroughly enjoyed.
Ginsberg has a very interesting writing style that is very vivid. I love how he speaks directly to his fellow poets in some of his poems. In writing them in, he is giving them an even greater form of immortality.
I enjoyed the poem "America." It's asking the citizens of America what the war is worth, but America is also asking things of him that he wouldn't be able to live up to. He questions his own writing in this as well.
Ginsberg has a very musical beat to his poems that makes you have to keep reading. It pulls you along, especially when you read it out loud.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this little book of poems.
Chrissie-ann (78 KP) rated Slumber (2017) in Movies
Jun 19, 2018
Why such bad IMDB rating
I've had this on my watch list for a while but with IMDB only giving it 4 I was reluctant to watch it. I saw on here that it has much better reviews and thought I would give it a go.
A doctor tries helping a family who are all experiencing some kind of sleep walking and becoming dangerous. I liked the idea of that story. So this afternoon I have sat down and watched it. I do not understand why it got such low ratings on IMDB. I thoroughly enjoyed it, from the beginning of the film there was a lot going on, you begin to connect with the family and feel uneasy about what might happen. The acting in my opinion is really good, Maggie Q has a good role to play. I liked the story behind the film and I thought it all added up nicely. I think it was a strong film that has been really underrated.
A doctor tries helping a family who are all experiencing some kind of sleep walking and becoming dangerous. I liked the idea of that story. So this afternoon I have sat down and watched it. I do not understand why it got such low ratings on IMDB. I thoroughly enjoyed it, from the beginning of the film there was a lot going on, you begin to connect with the family and feel uneasy about what might happen. The acting in my opinion is really good, Maggie Q has a good role to play. I liked the story behind the film and I thought it all added up nicely. I think it was a strong film that has been really underrated.