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Merissa (12969 KP) rated Ruby in the Dust in Books
Dec 17, 2018
What a wonderful, heart-warming and realistic (in the best way) book! It takes place in Maidenhead, UK and some of the descriptions just of that had me sniggering to myself.
This is a romance book, a self-help book, full of humour, situations, trials and tribulations and friendship. And don't forget tea or coffee with cake! This book will make you laugh and will also make you cry. There was one bit (that I won't ruin) that came as a shock to me and what followed had me snuffling into my tissues. The very human characters in this book face their inner (and sometimes outer) demons and do it with the love and friendship of others and their own strengths that they don't even realise that they have.
Wonderful writing, with a twist, that completely drew me in. Made me laugh, made me cry and gave me more than a few good self-help quotes.
This is a romance book, a self-help book, full of humour, situations, trials and tribulations and friendship. And don't forget tea or coffee with cake! This book will make you laugh and will also make you cry. There was one bit (that I won't ruin) that came as a shock to me and what followed had me snuffling into my tissues. The very human characters in this book face their inner (and sometimes outer) demons and do it with the love and friendship of others and their own strengths that they don't even realise that they have.
Wonderful writing, with a twist, that completely drew me in. Made me laugh, made me cry and gave me more than a few good self-help quotes.
Versusyours (757 KP) rated The Goldbergs - Season 1 in TV
Nov 5, 2019
Quoteable lines (2 more)
Nostalgia galore
Likeable characters
The Goldbergs looks and feels like the American family based sitcoms I grew up with in the UK, this is the big appeal from this show, the familiarity and soundtrack of simpler days. The characters are clearly defined from the start and you can identify each of their strengths and vulnerabiltes and how these are used as the season progresses.
When watching this with my daughter aged 11 she gets the humour and she has a sense of wonder at how technology used to be and how the fashions have changed. It gives us more to talk about and shows the universal appeal of the Goldbergs.
Sometimes there is no need to reinvent what works and with the clever writing in this show makes it enjoyable and each episode can be viewed repeatedly. This is the benchmark I use for sitcoms and this works for me. Long live the 80s and all who use mind deloreans to travel back there.
When watching this with my daughter aged 11 she gets the humour and she has a sense of wonder at how technology used to be and how the fashions have changed. It gives us more to talk about and shows the universal appeal of the Goldbergs.
Sometimes there is no need to reinvent what works and with the clever writing in this show makes it enjoyable and each episode can be viewed repeatedly. This is the benchmark I use for sitcoms and this works for me. Long live the 80s and all who use mind deloreans to travel back there.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Bongo Fury (Bongy Fury #1) in Books
Nov 8, 2019
Do you want to read a humorous thriller novella set in Northern Ireland? Of course you would, who wouldn't?
Bongo fury introduces Jimmy, a man who just wants to run his music shop in peace. But when a friend asks for his help he ends up plunged into a world of gangsters, organised crime and drug deals. He has to use all of his considerable wits to escape from this unscathed.
This story turns on the character of Jimmy, and fortunately he's a terrific narrator, regarding events with a world-weary black humour even when they turn very much against him. The plot is fairly slight but runs at a fast pace so that really doesn't matter very much. What matters is how much fun this book is to read, and it's a lot of fun. Even better is that there is a Bongo Fury 2 which carries the story on.
Note: Lots of bad language and some violence
Bongo fury introduces Jimmy, a man who just wants to run his music shop in peace. But when a friend asks for his help he ends up plunged into a world of gangsters, organised crime and drug deals. He has to use all of his considerable wits to escape from this unscathed.
This story turns on the character of Jimmy, and fortunately he's a terrific narrator, regarding events with a world-weary black humour even when they turn very much against him. The plot is fairly slight but runs at a fast pace so that really doesn't matter very much. What matters is how much fun this book is to read, and it's a lot of fun. Even better is that there is a Bongo Fury 2 which carries the story on.
Note: Lots of bad language and some violence
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Sacred Art of Stealing in Books
Nov 25, 2019
A daring bank robbery in broad daylight puts detective Angelique De Xavier on the trail of a highly intelligent, highly motivated and highly unusual thief. The closer she gets the more she both admires him and wonders at his real motives.
This is classic Brookmyre; plenty of Scottish patois and references, clever and imaginative situations and well drawn characters. Nobody in a Brookmyre novel is black or white, everyone has shades of grey, sometimes more than one shade and this book is no exception.
As would be expected this is a thriller with a wry twist of humour running through it; the bank robbery itself is both tense and a hoot to read as the police are completely outmaneouvred. As the real pursuit by De Xavier continues through the rest of the book the reader is drawn in and exposed to every twist as she experiences it.
A thoroughly good read and highly recommended.
This is classic Brookmyre; plenty of Scottish patois and references, clever and imaginative situations and well drawn characters. Nobody in a Brookmyre novel is black or white, everyone has shades of grey, sometimes more than one shade and this book is no exception.
As would be expected this is a thriller with a wry twist of humour running through it; the bank robbery itself is both tense and a hoot to read as the police are completely outmaneouvred. As the real pursuit by De Xavier continues through the rest of the book the reader is drawn in and exposed to every twist as she experiences it.
A thoroughly good read and highly recommended.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Truth (Discworld, #25; Industrial Revolution, #2) in Books
Nov 27, 2019
For the 25th Discworld novel, Pratchett tackles investigative journalism, introducing a newspaper to Ankh Morpork run by William de Worde (much to the annoyance of his aristocratic family) with reporter Sacharissa Crisplock. They soon stumble on a plot to discredit Lord Vetinari, putting themselves and The Truth in danger.
This is all handled with Pratchett's typical humour with a great cast of characters. William and Sacharissa are pitted against the villainous duo of Mr Pin and Mr Tulip, who very much channel Mr Wint and Mr Kydd in Diamonds Are Forever.
Although a very enjoyable read (as are all Discworld novels), this one doesn't quite come together for me. There's just not enough to satirise in the subject and the underlying plot is perhaps a little flimsy. I had to look up the details of the plot, which is a bad sign for any book.
Still worth a read but by no means the best Discworld novel
This is all handled with Pratchett's typical humour with a great cast of characters. William and Sacharissa are pitted against the villainous duo of Mr Pin and Mr Tulip, who very much channel Mr Wint and Mr Kydd in Diamonds Are Forever.
Although a very enjoyable read (as are all Discworld novels), this one doesn't quite come together for me. There's just not enough to satirise in the subject and the underlying plot is perhaps a little flimsy. I had to look up the details of the plot, which is a bad sign for any book.
Still worth a read but by no means the best Discworld novel
Emma (519 KP) rated Knives Out (2019) in Movies
Dec 2, 2019
Me and my mum had to kill a bit of time recently and decided to go to cinema, the strangest cinema I have been to, like an old fashioned flea pit. We had a choice of three movies: frozen 2, last christmas, or knives out. We chose knives out, not knowing what to expect.
We both thoroughly enjoyed this movie, it has an amazing ensemble cast, the only thing throwing us off being Daniel Craig's Southern American accent.
I enjoyed the fact each character has it's own quirks and back story, and I found humour in each of the characters.
It also kept me guessing right to the end, where usually I can tell who's done it within the first five minutes.
It's not a genre I have really watched before, but I can't wait for it to come onto DVD, we managed to spend our spare time watching a really enjoyable film, which to me was time well spent.
We both thoroughly enjoyed this movie, it has an amazing ensemble cast, the only thing throwing us off being Daniel Craig's Southern American accent.
I enjoyed the fact each character has it's own quirks and back story, and I found humour in each of the characters.
It also kept me guessing right to the end, where usually I can tell who's done it within the first five minutes.
It's not a genre I have really watched before, but I can't wait for it to come onto DVD, we managed to spend our spare time watching a really enjoyable film, which to me was time well spent.
AJaneClark (3975 KP) rated 6 Underground (2019) in Movies
Dec 13, 2019
Another Reynolds Success
Meet a new kind of action hero. Six untraceable agents, totally off the grid. They've buried their pasts so they can change the future...
Not sure where to start on this review without giving too much away...
Firstly Reynolds pulls off yet another solid performance. He is obviously still making up for his failings as Green Lantern!!! There is just something about this man and lethal weapons that leave me panting (in anticipation)!
6 unlikely people band together for the soul purpose of overthrowing a horrendously evil dictator, but there is a whole movie full of planning and action before the final scenes happen!
The opening car scene is awesome! The fighting and action scenes are also incredible, and kind of gross, hope you’re not squeamish... and of course it comes with the Reynolds humour, so expect a few giggles.
Good casting, well directed and acted. An overall rather enjoyable film!
Not sure where to start on this review without giving too much away...
Firstly Reynolds pulls off yet another solid performance. He is obviously still making up for his failings as Green Lantern!!! There is just something about this man and lethal weapons that leave me panting (in anticipation)!
6 unlikely people band together for the soul purpose of overthrowing a horrendously evil dictator, but there is a whole movie full of planning and action before the final scenes happen!
The opening car scene is awesome! The fighting and action scenes are also incredible, and kind of gross, hope you’re not squeamish... and of course it comes with the Reynolds humour, so expect a few giggles.
Good casting, well directed and acted. An overall rather enjoyable film!
AJaneClark (3975 KP) rated Forever Pucked (Pucked #4) in Books
Jan 18, 2020
Happy Ever Afters
Book 4 in the series brings us back round to the original characters. Alex “MC” Waters and his beautiful fiancée Violet Hall!
Alex ends up spectacularly getting injured out of the NHL when he has a run in with another team, whilst Violet gets a promotion at work.
After the scare that Alex’s injuries caused, they have both reassessed what they want in life and Violet finally agrees to set a date for the wedding. But in true typical Violet style, things will have to change... much like Alex’s mums hair!
We see again all the other characters we have been introduced to in the series, and it’s so nice to be able to follow the progression of the relationships, and how they all interlink and interact with one another.
The series continues to be well written and doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the ongoing humour and individual character styles. Helena is nothing if not consistent! I look forward to finishing the series!
Alex ends up spectacularly getting injured out of the NHL when he has a run in with another team, whilst Violet gets a promotion at work.
After the scare that Alex’s injuries caused, they have both reassessed what they want in life and Violet finally agrees to set a date for the wedding. But in true typical Violet style, things will have to change... much like Alex’s mums hair!
We see again all the other characters we have been introduced to in the series, and it’s so nice to be able to follow the progression of the relationships, and how they all interlink and interact with one another.
The series continues to be well written and doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the ongoing humour and individual character styles. Helena is nothing if not consistent! I look forward to finishing the series!
Kim Pook (101 KP) rated Ready or Not (2019) in Movies
Feb 11, 2020
Me and my husband originally wanted to see this in our cinema, but our local wasn't showing it. We finally got to rent it from amazon prime last night.
The movie is about a young bride who has to take part in a family tradition of game night. What that game is depends on the card which is drawn from a box, unbeknown to the bride one card is a deadly game of hide and seek. Which is the card she draws, meaning she has to hide and the rest of the family have to find her and kill her before sunrise, because they believe if she lives they all die. The movie was very good, not too much gore but enough for any horror fan to enjoy, with some humour thrown in for good measure. They do try a few jump scares but they didn't phase me at all (and I'm a very jumpy person), that aside I would highly recommend it.
The movie is about a young bride who has to take part in a family tradition of game night. What that game is depends on the card which is drawn from a box, unbeknown to the bride one card is a deadly game of hide and seek. Which is the card she draws, meaning she has to hide and the rest of the family have to find her and kill her before sunrise, because they believe if she lives they all die. The movie was very good, not too much gore but enough for any horror fan to enjoy, with some humour thrown in for good measure. They do try a few jump scares but they didn't phase me at all (and I'm a very jumpy person), that aside I would highly recommend it.
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