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Bird Box by Josh Malerman was a very interesting read and concept. It was also surprisingly fast-paced! I couldn’t put it down even though it took me days to finish. I originally rated this as a 4-star read but going back through all my notes I realized that this is actually only a 3-star read.
The switching back and forth between past and present worked yet it didn’t at the same time. I felt like it was missing something but you do grow used to the switching of past and present. I also noticed what seemed to be like a few plot holes. With that, there were parts that I absolutely loved and parts that I absolutely hated enough to fall asleep too.
One thing that didn’t happen throughout the novel was a full description of the creatures. It would have been nice to know what they fully looked like, but I guess that adds to the whole “if you look, you die” aspect. There was surprisingly quite a bit of character and background development which was really nice to see. Overall, Bird Box was a great read. But the lack of descriptiveness was a bit off-putting.
Reasons why I rated it 3 stars:
1. Everything was vaguely described and it lacked depth.
2. There were plot holes.
3. The creatures were never really fully described as anything but an entity that takes your fears and uses it against you.
4. The switching from past and present only kind of worked.
5. The story was really good.
6. It was fast-paced.
7. The ending was shit.
“Your baby is smarter than you think.”
The switching back and forth between past and present worked yet it didn’t at the same time. I felt like it was missing something but you do grow used to the switching of past and present. I also noticed what seemed to be like a few plot holes. With that, there were parts that I absolutely loved and parts that I absolutely hated enough to fall asleep too.
One thing that didn’t happen throughout the novel was a full description of the creatures. It would have been nice to know what they fully looked like, but I guess that adds to the whole “if you look, you die” aspect. There was surprisingly quite a bit of character and background development which was really nice to see. Overall, Bird Box was a great read. But the lack of descriptiveness was a bit off-putting.
Reasons why I rated it 3 stars:
1. Everything was vaguely described and it lacked depth.
2. There were plot holes.
3. The creatures were never really fully described as anything but an entity that takes your fears and uses it against you.
4. The switching from past and present only kind of worked.
5. The story was really good.
6. It was fast-paced.
7. The ending was shit.
“Your baby is smarter than you think.”
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated The Lodge (2008) in Movies
Jul 22, 2018
Good acting (2 more)
Creepy moments
The sadistic daughter
Shooting felt amateur (3 more)
85% of it was slow and boring
No shocks or twists
Didn't feel R rated
A cliche "horror" that lacks so much
First off I just want to say you can't spoil this movie. Whatever you think is going to happen, it will happen. There are no shocks or twists to the story.
They waste no time showing how creepy the caretaker is. Because of this you hoped that it was all a misdirection but sadly not. You even hoped it would possibly go into a ghost story instead but it just turned around and went right back into predictability.
The shooting of the movie felt very amateur. Every scene was out of focus and it's sad it's something you get used to.
The first half was extremely slow with drawn out scenes and about halfway through it did start to pick up some pace but sadly this ended up dragging on too long and felt too anticlimatic. It did feel like a homage to Texas chainsaw massacre which was nice but did nothing.
It was clear that this was very low budget with only 4 members of cast so there was no place to hide with the acting and I have to say it was good. They did a decent job with what was written and the characters often showed good logic which is rare in movies. For example they had reasons for alarms clocks going off randomly in the night, weird noises etc they were likable too which is a big thing for me.
The sadistic daughter was a great addition. She felt sinister but it is never explained why she is so dirty or why she is the way she is.
Sadly there is nothing new here. It felts like plenty of other movies you have already seen. For a R rated movie, it felt very tame. Like every movie they get caught but nothing terrible happens to them. You expect more violence or gore but this barely had anything and I found myself bored and excited for it to end.
I did go into this expected the worst movie ever so I was surprised that there were parts I liked but ultimately I wasn't impressed. It could have been so much more but lack too many things.
They waste no time showing how creepy the caretaker is. Because of this you hoped that it was all a misdirection but sadly not. You even hoped it would possibly go into a ghost story instead but it just turned around and went right back into predictability.
The shooting of the movie felt very amateur. Every scene was out of focus and it's sad it's something you get used to.
The first half was extremely slow with drawn out scenes and about halfway through it did start to pick up some pace but sadly this ended up dragging on too long and felt too anticlimatic. It did feel like a homage to Texas chainsaw massacre which was nice but did nothing.
It was clear that this was very low budget with only 4 members of cast so there was no place to hide with the acting and I have to say it was good. They did a decent job with what was written and the characters often showed good logic which is rare in movies. For example they had reasons for alarms clocks going off randomly in the night, weird noises etc they were likable too which is a big thing for me.
The sadistic daughter was a great addition. She felt sinister but it is never explained why she is so dirty or why she is the way she is.
Sadly there is nothing new here. It felts like plenty of other movies you have already seen. For a R rated movie, it felt very tame. Like every movie they get caught but nothing terrible happens to them. You expect more violence or gore but this barely had anything and I found myself bored and excited for it to end.
I did go into this expected the worst movie ever so I was surprised that there were parts I liked but ultimately I wasn't impressed. It could have been so much more but lack too many things.
Dana (24 KP) rated A Court of Thorns and Roses in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Contains spoilers, click to show
Oh my goodness.
I absolutely adored this book! I am a huge sucker for any kind of fairy tale retelling and this one did not disappoint!
Through about the first half of the book, I had this warm, floaty kind of feeling in my chest. The writing actually made me feel like I was in love (or what I assume it to feel like). The way the characters talked to each other and interacted just made me feel so good about this book.
Speaking of the characters, can I say well written? Because, wow! I felt really connected to the characters (especially Feyre's sassy-ness and care for her family). They were very well written and drawn out. I didn't feel like they were flattened or abused in any way, even when they were being beaten up on the pages. There was a great deal of respect that was shown to all of the characters in this book. I really enjoyed the strength that Maas gave to each of her characters. It was as if they had their own way to deal with their weaknesses and strengths. They felt so real! I think what helped with creating this reality was making some of the characters seem super awkward at times. I mean, everyone gets awkward, but the way it was done was to show how the characters really were, not necessarily how the narrator was seeing them.
The plot was amazingly paced. I didn't feel like I was waiting for something exciting to happen because it was always happening. Even down to the smallest of parts in this novel were exciting. But even then, it didn't feel too over the top in excitement. There was a great balance between pacing and excitement (I have said that word too many times in this review, but who cares!)
I didn't feel like there was much missing from this book except for more pages. I didn't want it to end!!
If I could, I would give this a higher rating than a 5 star because it was just that amazing!!
I recommend this to anyone who adores fairy tale retellings, fantasy, fairies, or just a damn good read. Honestly, if you haven't picked this book up, I really recommend that you do. I am kind of kicking myself for not picking up this book sooner!
******Also, spoiler-ish thing ahead:*******
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I just want to know, did anyone else guess that riddle when they first read it, because I did. I started yelling and cheering at the end part when she figured it out!!
I absolutely adored this book! I am a huge sucker for any kind of fairy tale retelling and this one did not disappoint!
Through about the first half of the book, I had this warm, floaty kind of feeling in my chest. The writing actually made me feel like I was in love (or what I assume it to feel like). The way the characters talked to each other and interacted just made me feel so good about this book.
Speaking of the characters, can I say well written? Because, wow! I felt really connected to the characters (especially Feyre's sassy-ness and care for her family). They were very well written and drawn out. I didn't feel like they were flattened or abused in any way, even when they were being beaten up on the pages. There was a great deal of respect that was shown to all of the characters in this book. I really enjoyed the strength that Maas gave to each of her characters. It was as if they had their own way to deal with their weaknesses and strengths. They felt so real! I think what helped with creating this reality was making some of the characters seem super awkward at times. I mean, everyone gets awkward, but the way it was done was to show how the characters really were, not necessarily how the narrator was seeing them.
The plot was amazingly paced. I didn't feel like I was waiting for something exciting to happen because it was always happening. Even down to the smallest of parts in this novel were exciting. But even then, it didn't feel too over the top in excitement. There was a great balance between pacing and excitement (I have said that word too many times in this review, but who cares!)
I didn't feel like there was much missing from this book except for more pages. I didn't want it to end!!
If I could, I would give this a higher rating than a 5 star because it was just that amazing!!
I recommend this to anyone who adores fairy tale retellings, fantasy, fairies, or just a damn good read. Honestly, if you haven't picked this book up, I really recommend that you do. I am kind of kicking myself for not picking up this book sooner!
******Also, spoiler-ish thing ahead:*******
*
*
*
*
*
*
I just want to know, did anyone else guess that riddle when they first read it, because I did. I started yelling and cheering at the end part when she figured it out!!
Bubba Gee (147 KP) rated Black Mirror - Season 5 in TV
Jun 19, 2019
Absolute poppycock
Contains spoilers, click to show
This has nothing to offer, usually black mirror pulls you in and you feel fearful.
With this I just felt bored.
In Ashley too episode there was nothing on offer at all, cyrus's acting was wooden and unconvincing, the story was throughly unbelievable, and yes some fiction can be unbelievable. But this was just too mainstream in a way.
Striking vipers was just weird in the wrong way, virtual cheating i mean come on are we supposed to think that's all good.
Smithereens was probably the best of them all but that's not saying much.
Essentially enforcing the idea that social media is to blame for all the worlds evils.
They need to do much better for season 6 and bring black mirror back to its terrifying best.
F for effort
With this I just felt bored.
In Ashley too episode there was nothing on offer at all, cyrus's acting was wooden and unconvincing, the story was throughly unbelievable, and yes some fiction can be unbelievable. But this was just too mainstream in a way.
Striking vipers was just weird in the wrong way, virtual cheating i mean come on are we supposed to think that's all good.
Smithereens was probably the best of them all but that's not saying much.
Essentially enforcing the idea that social media is to blame for all the worlds evils.
They need to do much better for season 6 and bring black mirror back to its terrifying best.
F for effort
Dean (6926 KP) rated Creed II (2018) in Movies
Jul 6, 2019
Same old formula, very predictable (1 more)
Very few fights
Doesn't pack a punch
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the first Creed film that was full of nostalgia for the Rocky films. It was no surprise there would be a sequel. This time bring back Drago from the 4th Rocky film and his son.
Everything happens as you expect fight, rematch, training montage and then the big fight. At 2 hours long it only features a few fights, the pacing was off for me with big lulls between the fights. It just became too predictable and didn't provide a knockout blow.
Everything happens as you expect fight, rematch, training montage and then the big fight. At 2 hours long it only features a few fights, the pacing was off for me with big lulls between the fights. It just became too predictable and didn't provide a knockout blow.
Dracoria Malfoy (690 KP) rated An Absolutely Remarkable Thing in Books
Mar 17, 2019
remarkable
did i expect hank green to be a great writer?
no.
was he?
i suppose so.
and did he live up to the expectations i set on this book?
yes.
this book was genuinely an amazing observation on fame and culture. it accurately depicted how change in terms of popularity can affect a person regarding both their relationships and how they percieve themselves. starring a queer lead, this book was quite frankly incredibly well done. i've gotta say, i didn't expect this level from a debut novel. I feel like the only reason i took off some points was because the story dragged a bit or sped up too much at points. there was never a constant, perfect pace to this story, though maybe that just added to the peculiarity of this novel.
also, gotta say;
certainly not YA
no.
was he?
i suppose so.
and did he live up to the expectations i set on this book?
yes.
this book was genuinely an amazing observation on fame and culture. it accurately depicted how change in terms of popularity can affect a person regarding both their relationships and how they percieve themselves. starring a queer lead, this book was quite frankly incredibly well done. i've gotta say, i didn't expect this level from a debut novel. I feel like the only reason i took off some points was because the story dragged a bit or sped up too much at points. there was never a constant, perfect pace to this story, though maybe that just added to the peculiarity of this novel.
also, gotta say;
certainly not YA
pecotter (3 KP) rated Train to Busan (2016) in Movies
Sep 19, 2017
A gripping Korean zombie film
I was excited to watch Train to Busan the moment I saw the trailer for it. I am a huge fan of horror and zombie films and this one looked different.
I was pretty into it as soon as I started to watch it, I was pulled in and couldn't take my eyes from the screen from the moment the characters first board the train.
There were little details here and there that I loved including the fact that one character has a brand new Nintendo Ds (I love Nintendo).
Most zombie movies bore me after a while and I don't care too much for the characters, but in Train to Busan I was rooting for several of them.
I also loved the fact they were on a train, that was ont of the reasons I wanted to watch this film, I wanted to see exactly how they were gonna survive in such a small space.
I highly recommend this film, give it a try even if you don't like the look of it and it might surprise you.
I was pretty into it as soon as I started to watch it, I was pulled in and couldn't take my eyes from the screen from the moment the characters first board the train.
There were little details here and there that I loved including the fact that one character has a brand new Nintendo Ds (I love Nintendo).
Most zombie movies bore me after a while and I don't care too much for the characters, but in Train to Busan I was rooting for several of them.
I also loved the fact they were on a train, that was ont of the reasons I wanted to watch this film, I wanted to see exactly how they were gonna survive in such a small space.
I highly recommend this film, give it a try even if you don't like the look of it and it might surprise you.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Where Good Girls go to Die ( Good Girls book 1) in Books
Jul 24, 2022
128 of 230
Kindle
Where Good Girls Go to Die ( Good girls book 1)
By Holly Renee
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
It was a bad idea from the beginning.
He was my brother's best friend and the definition of unavailable.
But I didn't care.
I had loved him for as long as I could remember.
He was worth the risk. He was worth everything.
But then he broke my heart as easily as I fell for him. He watched me fall, spiraling out of control, and as I reached for him, he wasn't there to catch me.
So I ran.
Four years later, I never expected to see him again.
He was still my brother's best friend, and he was more unavailable than ever.
He looked every bit the bad boy I knew he was, covered in tattoos and a crooked smile.
Guarding my heart from him was top priority because Parker James was where good girls go to die.
Unfortunately for him, I wasn't a good girl anymore.
I so enjoyed that!! It was really everything you expect from a romance novel. It had very well written spicy bits too. Didn’t take me long to read it as it was such an easy fun read.
Kindle
Where Good Girls Go to Die ( Good girls book 1)
By Holly Renee
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
It was a bad idea from the beginning.
He was my brother's best friend and the definition of unavailable.
But I didn't care.
I had loved him for as long as I could remember.
He was worth the risk. He was worth everything.
But then he broke my heart as easily as I fell for him. He watched me fall, spiraling out of control, and as I reached for him, he wasn't there to catch me.
So I ran.
Four years later, I never expected to see him again.
He was still my brother's best friend, and he was more unavailable than ever.
He looked every bit the bad boy I knew he was, covered in tattoos and a crooked smile.
Guarding my heart from him was top priority because Parker James was where good girls go to die.
Unfortunately for him, I wasn't a good girl anymore.
I so enjoyed that!! It was really everything you expect from a romance novel. It had very well written spicy bits too. Didn’t take me long to read it as it was such an easy fun read.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files (The Dresden Files, #12.5) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Marvelous! I'd missed more short pieces than I realized, so this book was even more of a treat than anticipated. I read quite a few anthologies, so I had thought that only the much-anticipated new novella would be new to me. Even the ones I've read before are good enough to revisit, though - a sure sign of a very good author. They were like revisiting old friends.
The new novella, <i>Aftermath</i>, was fascinating. I don't want to say too much, as I know that quite a few people ended up with too many spoilers about the end of [b:Changes|6585201|Changes (The Dresden Files, #12)|Jim Butcher|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1250016196s/6585201.jpg|6778696]. I think I'll just say that the it is well worth reading and leave it there. As promised, it does pick up right at the end of <i>Changes</i>. If you've read that, you want to read <i>Aftermath</i>. Come on, you know you do!
The new novella, <i>Aftermath</i>, was fascinating. I don't want to say too much, as I know that quite a few people ended up with too many spoilers about the end of [b:Changes|6585201|Changes (The Dresden Files, #12)|Jim Butcher|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1250016196s/6585201.jpg|6778696]. I think I'll just say that the it is well worth reading and leave it there. As promised, it does pick up right at the end of <i>Changes</i>. If you've read that, you want to read <i>Aftermath</i>. Come on, you know you do!
There were many times while reading this book that I caught myself shouting at it. I love when a book makes me want to read it, and this book wanted me to read it. I enjoyed the twists and turns and the pure human-ness of some of the characters. That being said, some were too human (almost inhuman) and that made me shiver.