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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Kiss of the Night (Dark-Hunter, #4) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Another great book in the Dark-Hunter series! The love story was nicely done, and both Cassandra and Wulf were great characters. My only minor complaint is that some of the dialogue was awkward and stilted, the modern references were unnecessary (Britney Spears, etc. I always hate that in a book, it makes it feel so dated), and the book had a few editing problems (for example, in Elysia, one of the Apollites was called a Daimon). Other than that, the book was terrific. I especially liked how Sherrilyn Kenyon made Apollites and Daimons more, for lack of a better word, human. I really can't believe how many more books Ms. Kenyon can write, and how many directions she can go into, with the world(s) she has created - it could go on forever - or at least we can hope so! :)
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
Awix (3310 KP) rated The White Crow (2018) in Movies
Mar 28, 2019 (Updated Mar 28, 2019)
Left-field remake focuses less on vengeful undead Goths and more on cold war politics and ballet dancing. Talented, driven, arrogant dancer Rudolf Nureyev chafes against the Soviet system seeking to exploit and control him; a visit to Paris offers him the hope of freedom. (You know, the more I think about it, the more I suspect this doesn't actually have anything to do with that Brandon Lee movie...)
Solid, typically measured stuff from Ralph 'Little Sunbeam' Fiennes; strong performances and good photography, together with a thoughtful script, make this engaging even if you're not that into people bounding around doing plies and what-have-you. Sags a bit in the middle, but the scenes depicting Nureyev's defection are gripping. Oleg Ivenko isn't quite the full Rudolf, but he gets near enough (thanks everyone, I'm here all week).
Solid, typically measured stuff from Ralph 'Little Sunbeam' Fiennes; strong performances and good photography, together with a thoughtful script, make this engaging even if you're not that into people bounding around doing plies and what-have-you. Sags a bit in the middle, but the scenes depicting Nureyev's defection are gripping. Oleg Ivenko isn't quite the full Rudolf, but he gets near enough (thanks everyone, I'm here all week).
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Legendary: Caraval Book 2 in Books
Apr 21, 2019
Nice follow up
This is the second book in the Caraval series, and its told from Tella's point of view. Tella is a lot different from Scarlett. She is reckless, bold, and more willing to take risks. This made her a more interesting character than Scarlett, however sometimes her actions were flat out stupid. I think at times her reckless personality is just an excuse to justify bad decisions.
I also didn't like how little Scarlett is actually in this book. A lot of things were going on that she could have helped with, but instead she was reduced to an unimportant side character.
Despite this I did really enjoy the book, and I am looking forward to the next one. I hope both of the sisters play a large role in the story going forward.
I also didn't like how little Scarlett is actually in this book. A lot of things were going on that she could have helped with, but instead she was reduced to an unimportant side character.
Despite this I did really enjoy the book, and I am looking forward to the next one. I hope both of the sisters play a large role in the story going forward.
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) rated No Country for Old Men (2007) in Movies
May 13, 2019
Lost in a coin toss
Number 7 of my #top10 #favourite #films is 'No Country For Old Men'. ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Bleak & #depressing #NoCountryForOldMen takes all the #hope you have for the good guys winning and rips it out of your hands again and again. Not only is it #unfair, tense and #gorgeous to look at its constantly making you think deeply while toying with your emotions too. Acting is next level, the dialog is masterfully slick and #javierbardem might just be the #coldest & #scariest #villain ever put on screen making No Country For Old Men a film that really should be in everyone's top 10 list. Deciphering its intricate plot, many metaphors and head spinning #intelligence is something i sadly #feel i will never achieve fully but my god do i enjoy trying.
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#filmbuff #filmcritic #coenbrothers #saturday #weekend #beautiful #violence #joshbrolin #tommyleejones
Bleak & #depressing #NoCountryForOldMen takes all the #hope you have for the good guys winning and rips it out of your hands again and again. Not only is it #unfair, tense and #gorgeous to look at its constantly making you think deeply while toying with your emotions too. Acting is next level, the dialog is masterfully slick and #javierbardem might just be the #coldest & #scariest #villain ever put on screen making No Country For Old Men a film that really should be in everyone's top 10 list. Deciphering its intricate plot, many metaphors and head spinning #intelligence is something i sadly #feel i will never achieve fully but my god do i enjoy trying.
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#filmbuff #filmcritic #coenbrothers #saturday #weekend #beautiful #violence #joshbrolin #tommyleejones
Lenard (726 KP) rated Ask Dr Ruth (2019) in Movies
Jun 14, 2019
I grew up on Dr Ruth Westheimer. I wrote a book report on her autobiography in probably middle school. This is how influential she was during the 80s. The new documentary about her life released on Hulu and in select theaters quietly pays homage to this remarkable woman. Much like another short statured Jewish woman who received a documentary last year, Dr Ruth gave a voice to women and power to women in the bedroom. She made it okay to air your sexual problems and get a solution. For a generation, her humor and honesty turned a German girl who escaped the Holocaust and the 1948 Israeli-Arab War into a minor celebrity. I hope people can see this film and appreciate this trailblazer who tirelessly works for feminism (although she is not a feminist) and LBGTQ.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2163 KP) rated Wedding Cake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #19) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Hannah Swensen is getting married in just a few weeks, but first she has the dessert competition that her sisters signed her up for. It turns out this televised competition is anything but sweet when the backstage tension leads to murder. Can Hannah solve the case before she gets married?
The baking competition allowed food to be brought into the book seamlessly, and the competition itself was plenty of fun. It’s always great to revisit the characters, too. The murder takes a back seat early on, but it gets plenty of focus as we rush toward the ending. I do hope the wedding sticks because, while it was rushed, I do love the potential I see in this character and relationship.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-wedding-cake-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The baking competition allowed food to be brought into the book seamlessly, and the competition itself was plenty of fun. It’s always great to revisit the characters, too. The murder takes a back seat early on, but it gets plenty of focus as we rush toward the ending. I do hope the wedding sticks because, while it was rushed, I do love the potential I see in this character and relationship.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-wedding-cake-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mickey Haller’s latest murder case involves the death of a prostitute with her pimp as the prime suspect. Only Mickey knew Gloria when she was alive, working out what he thought was a deal to get her out of the life. Where has she been for the last eight years? And can Mickey get his client off when the odds keep piling up against him?
This was another gripping legal thriller that was almost impossible to stop reading. There were great twists and surprises along the way, yet there was still time for the characters to continue growing. I hope it isn’t too long before we are treated with another case for this great team.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-gods-of-guilt-by-michael.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was another gripping legal thriller that was almost impossible to stop reading. There were great twists and surprises along the way, yet there was still time for the characters to continue growing. I hope it isn’t too long before we are treated with another case for this great team.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-gods-of-guilt-by-michael.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The Book Club Murders (Oakwood Mystery #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Charley joins a book club in the hope that making friends with the towns elite will drum up business for her clothing store. She finds that she isnt really fitting in with the Agathas, as the members are known, but sticks with it anyway. It isnt long, however, before murder victims start turning up arranged just like the victims in the novels that the book club is reading. Charley manages to use her status as a member of the club to convince a detective to let her help with the investigation, but puts her own life in danger in the process.
This is a fun start to a new series with a great main character cozy fans will love it!
<i>Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review</i>
This is a fun start to a new series with a great main character cozy fans will love it!
<i>Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review</i>
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Real Genius (1985) in Movies
Jun 8, 2018
80s Comedy fun!
When you are super smart and your parents want you to go to college at 15, you hope you get a roommate like Chris Knight. Super smart, of course, but he has also learned street smartz and how to relax and have fun as well as work. Now the smart club, faces the challenge of getting a large, high-powered laser beam to work. What's it all for?
Maybe a little far-reaching plot aside, the film has so many funny moments like ice in the hallways, a random guy living in your closet and swimming with student beauticians not to mention a great 80s soundtrack, it is hard not to love it. I have to admit, every time I hear "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" I think of "Real Genius".
Maybe a little far-reaching plot aside, the film has so many funny moments like ice in the hallways, a random guy living in your closet and swimming with student beauticians not to mention a great 80s soundtrack, it is hard not to love it. I have to admit, every time I hear "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" I think of "Real Genius".
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Dare to Be Kind: How Extraordinary Compassion Can Transform Our World in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Dare to Be Kind by Lizzie Velasquez is an inspirational story. Lizzie has a rare skin condition that has subjected her to bullying and being mistreated. this book is about treating others with compassion and how it can transform your heart into a better person which can lead to a better world for us.
Velasquez encourages bravery, hope, kindness, personal resilience, faith in a higher power, and a healthy self-image when confronting one's bullies. She also highlights the need to serve as a good example for one's family, understand a bully's desire to cover their own pain with more pain, finding love and support, and addresses the cruelty of human nature when it encounters situations that it doesn't understand or have empathy toward.
I received this book from Hachette Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Velasquez encourages bravery, hope, kindness, personal resilience, faith in a higher power, and a healthy self-image when confronting one's bullies. She also highlights the need to serve as a good example for one's family, understand a bully's desire to cover their own pain with more pain, finding love and support, and addresses the cruelty of human nature when it encounters situations that it doesn't understand or have empathy toward.
I received this book from Hachette Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.