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Merissa (11800 KP) rated One Last Heist in Books
May 29, 2018
One Last Heist by Dahlia Donovan
One Last Heist has a host of new characters, and our main couple are already married, which made for a lovely change. They both have jobs by day, but are thieves by night. Mack has a list of rules that he works to, helping to ensure he only robs from those who deserve it. And yes, there are plenty of Robin Hood references guaranteed to make you smile. They get caught up in a situation that quickly takes them from their 'normal' into something far more dangerous that could change their lives forever.
I loved how this story played out. Mack and Toshi are brilliant both together and separately. Charlie, Tosh's sister, is autistic and her coping mechanisms are captured perfectly, along with an explanation of the why's and how's. In fact, I have to say that I thought all of the characters were more than capable of standing on their own two feet. They worked great as a team, with their own individual strengths helping each other, but none were so weak they could ONLY be part of the team.
With plenty of twists and turns, only some of which I saw coming, or partially at least, this story kept my interest from start to finish. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I loved how this story played out. Mack and Toshi are brilliant both together and separately. Charlie, Tosh's sister, is autistic and her coping mechanisms are captured perfectly, along with an explanation of the why's and how's. In fact, I have to say that I thought all of the characters were more than capable of standing on their own two feet. They worked great as a team, with their own individual strengths helping each other, but none were so weak they could ONLY be part of the team.
With plenty of twists and turns, only some of which I saw coming, or partially at least, this story kept my interest from start to finish. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001) in Movies
Feb 25, 2021
Elvis
3000 Miles to Graceland- is a good crime thriller. I know it got bad reviews, nominated for five different raspberries and laughable, but i liked it.
The plot: It's International Elvis Week in Las Vegas, where the strip is flooded by a sea of King wannabes decked out in jumpsuits and sideburns. But five of the impersonators swaggering into the Riviera Hotel are toting heavy weaponry in their guitar cases. It's the heist of a lifetime, orchestrated by ex-con Michael (Kurt Russell) and his cunning former cellmate, Murphy (Kevin Costner). The crooked Elvises steal away with $3.2 million, leaving the hotel in ruins and a high body count in their wake.
It has a good cast and intresting thriller.
The plot: It's International Elvis Week in Las Vegas, where the strip is flooded by a sea of King wannabes decked out in jumpsuits and sideburns. But five of the impersonators swaggering into the Riviera Hotel are toting heavy weaponry in their guitar cases. It's the heist of a lifetime, orchestrated by ex-con Michael (Kurt Russell) and his cunning former cellmate, Murphy (Kevin Costner). The crooked Elvises steal away with $3.2 million, leaving the hotel in ruins and a high body count in their wake.
It has a good cast and intresting thriller.
BeardyJim (611 KP) rated The Harder They Fall (2021) in Movies
Nov 4, 2021
A good old fashioned revenge story (2 more)
The villains are brilliant
Music is very atmospheric
Was skeptical, but enjoyed it!
I was initially skeptical of this film, thinking it was going to be an all black cast just for the sake of it, but I was very wrong!
The film is really enjoyable, and what colour-orientated aspects to it worked really well (the "white town" made me chuckle when I saw it).
The principal cast are all excellent, and I actually found the group of villains to be the most enjoyable to watch (the train heist is great).
Gory, entertaining and often heartfelt, I'd recommend giving it a watch. There aren't any lulls, there are a few twists, and the action is really well-paced and choreographed.
The film is really enjoyable, and what colour-orientated aspects to it worked really well (the "white town" made me chuckle when I saw it).
The principal cast are all excellent, and I actually found the group of villains to be the most enjoyable to watch (the train heist is great).
Gory, entertaining and often heartfelt, I'd recommend giving it a watch. There aren't any lulls, there are a few twists, and the action is really well-paced and choreographed.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Abstract Aliases in Books
Mar 25, 2020
Hunting for a Killer’s Alias
As this book opens, it’s been two months since we last checked in on Laurel Beacham and Jack Hawkes. While they have been doing their best to gather clues to stop the coming heist, things have been quiet. Too quiet. However, something is about to explode on New Year’s Day, and I’m not talking about the London fireworks. While Laurel and Jack are waiting for those fireworks to start, they are shocked have an encounter with one of the men involved in the upcoming heist. Then the next day, Laurel’s London office is broken into. Once again one step ahead of danger and one step behind their prey, Laurel and Jack must act quickly. Will they gain any new clues?
The teaser may seem a bit vague, but much of the fun of this book is watching the plot unfold and getting swept up in the proceedings. The plot is fast paced with hardly any time for the characters, or us, to breath. Still, we do get real characters, and I’m enjoying watching Laurel and Jack grow as individuals as well as in their relationship. The rest of the characters are just as strong. This is more of a caper type plot than a traditional cozy, and I loved it. There is a larger story going on, and it is helpful to read this series in order as a result – especially since events of the earlier books in the series are spoiled here. However, this book does have a satisfying story that ties into the larger story, and we get some interesting revelations. Fans of the series will enjoy this book.
The teaser may seem a bit vague, but much of the fun of this book is watching the plot unfold and getting swept up in the proceedings. The plot is fast paced with hardly any time for the characters, or us, to breath. Still, we do get real characters, and I’m enjoying watching Laurel and Jack grow as individuals as well as in their relationship. The rest of the characters are just as strong. This is more of a caper type plot than a traditional cozy, and I loved it. There is a larger story going on, and it is helpful to read this series in order as a result – especially since events of the earlier books in the series are spoiled here. However, this book does have a satisfying story that ties into the larger story, and we get some interesting revelations. Fans of the series will enjoy this book.
Disappointing
The synopsis of this book promised so much, but it just didn’t deliver. Ok, so the basic premise of the book was good - a heist on the moon, but the main character. Well. What can I say? He really should’ve written a Male character as the main protagonist, because I really don’t think he knows how to write women. It was cringe worthy. And when the main character of a novel is making your toes curl (and not in a good way), it doesn’t really matter what the rest of the story is like. I was so disappointed.
I did listen to this on Audible, and I have to say that the narrator (Rosario Dawson) was really good. It’s just a shame she had to read this book ??♀️
I did listen to this on Audible, and I have to say that the narrator (Rosario Dawson) was really good. It’s just a shame she had to read this book ??♀️
Mayhawke (97 KP) rated Ocean's Eleven (2001) in Movies
Feb 9, 2018
Fantastically Enjoyable Heist Movie
Danny Ocean (Clooney) is released from jail on parole, and heads straight off to rob the un-robbable : not one, but three Vegas casinos. The casinos are, of course, owned by the nastiest bloke in town (Garcia), who coincidentaly - or maybe not - is the new man-in-the-life of Clooney's ex-wife (Roberts).
Clever plot, nicely done.
Clooney, Pitt, Damon and Garcia are excellent, as usual. Highly dubious British accent from Don Cheadle, but y'know were 'e's comin' from.
And you know where this film is going, right from the start. There are no surprises, but who cares?
Lacks the Rat Pack charisma of the original for purists, but has enough merit to stand on it's own and should be enjoyed as an 'also' rather than an 'instead of'.
Clever plot, nicely done.
Clooney, Pitt, Damon and Garcia are excellent, as usual. Highly dubious British accent from Don Cheadle, but y'know were 'e's comin' from.
And you know where this film is going, right from the start. There are no surprises, but who cares?
Lacks the Rat Pack charisma of the original for purists, but has enough merit to stand on it's own and should be enjoyed as an 'also' rather than an 'instead of'.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Baby Driver (2017) in Movies
Jan 21, 2018
When I first began watching this, I was not convinced it was going to be good.
I have to say, the fast pace, stylized action/music score scenes and the witty screenplay had enough to win me over. Very entertaining throughout other than maybe the ending was a little far-fetched I guess.
If Kevin Spacey is never going to act again (seems almost certain at this point) this film is a fitting swan song for him and his memorable list of acting credits.
Director Edgar Wright continues his streak of entertaining quirky hits like his previous films Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Going to iTunes now to download some songs!
I have to say, the fast pace, stylized action/music score scenes and the witty screenplay had enough to win me over. Very entertaining throughout other than maybe the ending was a little far-fetched I guess.
If Kevin Spacey is never going to act again (seems almost certain at this point) this film is a fitting swan song for him and his memorable list of acting credits.
Director Edgar Wright continues his streak of entertaining quirky hits like his previous films Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Going to iTunes now to download some songs!
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated The Marine (2006) in Movies
Jul 25, 2019
A boring action movie
Contains spoilers, click to show
The marine stars wrestling shovel john cena, a man who's wrestling is just as bad as his acting, although some improvement has been made to his acting abilities, this first attempt was the start of some very questionable choices.
John cena plays john triton, a former marine discharged from his services (so the ex marine) who wife is kidnapped in a cliched heist gone wrong.
He the Forrest Gump's his way to her rescue with some pretty great dialogue from the villains.
Apart from a couple of great fight scenes, this movie personally deserves less applause than DOOM (I'll get to that one).
Maybe worth an occasional watch but definitely not in my top 100.
Starring Robert Patrick
John cena plays john triton, a former marine discharged from his services (so the ex marine) who wife is kidnapped in a cliched heist gone wrong.
He the Forrest Gump's his way to her rescue with some pretty great dialogue from the villains.
Apart from a couple of great fight scenes, this movie personally deserves less applause than DOOM (I'll get to that one).
Maybe worth an occasional watch but definitely not in my top 100.
Starring Robert Patrick
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Trance (2013) in Movies
Feb 1, 2020
Danny Boyle is a director who rarely disappoints me even with weaker material his unique visual style makes for entertaining viewing. For me this was one of his better recent efforts and the story here is compelling with twists and turns galore (some plausible and some perhaps not so plausible) as we slowly unravel multiple plot lines connected with hypnosis and a botched art heist. The film is well paced and visually very impressive and kept me suitably hooked. The performances are also strong with James McAvoy and Vincent Cassel being the standouts but if the films plot leaves you scratching your head just a bit too much then there is always an eyebrow raising turn from Rosario Dawson that will certainly leave you with fond memories of the film.
