Search
Search results
David McK (3816 KP) rated xXx: State of the Union (2005) in Movies
Feb 22, 2024
Sequel (of a sort) to the Vin Diesel James Bond wannabe action film, with Samuel L Jackson again in the supporting role as the 'recruiter' - for want of a better word - to the xXX programme.
As an aside, I believed the first film was called xXx as that was Vind Diesel's characters name (Xander).
Here, Ice Cube is no patch in Vin Diesel at all.
It's no surprise they brought Diesel back (despite being killed, off screen) for the third entry.
As an aside, I believed the first film was called xXx as that was Vind Diesel's characters name (Xander).
Here, Ice Cube is no patch in Vin Diesel at all.
It's no surprise they brought Diesel back (despite being killed, off screen) for the third entry.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Fifty Shades Freed in Books
Jan 15, 2020
Okay listen, this is my favorite book of all of them - including the Christian perspective novels and when I said on my other reviews that I would rage about this one not having a book written in his perspective, I didn't think I'd be this angry about it. There is so much juice in this novel - lots of thrill, the fighting (Ana FINALLY grows some cajones and stands up to Christian and that's the most satisfying character development), I NEED a Christian perspective!!! It would round out this series so nicely.
There is this whole section of the middle of the book involving Ray that just feels dumb and useless. It was like it was thrown in there because they needed more pages and I almost think that the production staff on the film agreed because that plotline doesn't happen in the film.
Again, I wish more than anything that there was a Christian perspective. After reading the other 2 books from his point of view and knowing what was happening in his head at certain points, I found myself really craving that with this novel. There's this one fight that happens and I so wanted to be inside his head to know what he was thinking!! Does anyone want to start a petition with me to get E.L. James to write it?
Anyways, I think that this is the best novel of all of them. I think that it's the climax of the story, anything more than these 3 novels and it would've just felt like too much. I don't have any desire to read any of the other books again but I could find myself wandering back to this one to read as a filler if I wasn't sure where I wanted to go next. Overall, there are definitely some holes in the story, some dead parts that could've just been cut entirely, and obviously I still have a major issue with the dialogue BUT it's still my favorite. It's a guilty pleasure. It's worth reading just to say you did.
I'm a little more sad to be done than I thought I would be but I suppose it's time to bid Christian Grey adieu. After watching the last movie, of course.
There is this whole section of the middle of the book involving Ray that just feels dumb and useless. It was like it was thrown in there because they needed more pages and I almost think that the production staff on the film agreed because that plotline doesn't happen in the film.
Again, I wish more than anything that there was a Christian perspective. After reading the other 2 books from his point of view and knowing what was happening in his head at certain points, I found myself really craving that with this novel. There's this one fight that happens and I so wanted to be inside his head to know what he was thinking!! Does anyone want to start a petition with me to get E.L. James to write it?
Anyways, I think that this is the best novel of all of them. I think that it's the climax of the story, anything more than these 3 novels and it would've just felt like too much. I don't have any desire to read any of the other books again but I could find myself wandering back to this one to read as a filler if I wasn't sure where I wanted to go next. Overall, there are definitely some holes in the story, some dead parts that could've just been cut entirely, and obviously I still have a major issue with the dialogue BUT it's still my favorite. It's a guilty pleasure. It's worth reading just to say you did.
I'm a little more sad to be done than I thought I would be but I suppose it's time to bid Christian Grey adieu. After watching the last movie, of course.
Think of Me
10.0
Rate It
Book
A heartbreaking new novel of grief, family and the enduring power of love from the author of We Must...
World War 2 North Africa Historical fiction Post war Britain
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2591 KP) rated The Last Dragon in Books
Nov 18, 2019
Fort’s Continued Hunt for His Father
It’s been six months since the attack that took Fort’s father from him, but the recent hope that his father might be alive has given Fort a goal. Rescuing him is all Fort thinks about, and now he has a plan to steal the magic book he needs. But complications come from unexpected places, including a new roommate he is expected to spend all his time helping. Then there are the nightmares where the Old One promises Fort his father back in exchange for the last dragon. Can Fort find the last dragon? Should he make the trade? Or will his original plan work?
For me, it had been six months since I read the first book in this series, so it was nice to see how this book eased us back into Fort’s world without slowing down the action. I was soon caught back up in his story. I do find the tone a little darker than author James Riley’s previous books and I miss the lighter tones those books had. Still, that’s a minor complaint as I raced through this book to find out what happened next. I enjoyed seeing Fort grow and his relationship with his friends change. In fact, I found those relationships something that helped ground the book since they dealt with some stuff realistically. I will definitely be back for more. How can I not come back after the ending of this book?
For me, it had been six months since I read the first book in this series, so it was nice to see how this book eased us back into Fort’s world without slowing down the action. I was soon caught back up in his story. I do find the tone a little darker than author James Riley’s previous books and I miss the lighter tones those books had. Still, that’s a minor complaint as I raced through this book to find out what happened next. I enjoyed seeing Fort grow and his relationship with his friends change. In fact, I found those relationships something that helped ground the book since they dealt with some stuff realistically. I will definitely be back for more. How can I not come back after the ending of this book?
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Grace Year in Books
Jan 22, 2020
has been described as The Handmaid's Tale plus Lord of the Flies with The Hunger Games thrown in
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett has been described as The Handmaid's Tale plus Lord of the Flies with The Hunger Games thrown in. Every book, movie, song, etc can make us think of other work. It does not mean it is not a good story. Actually, those are pretty good books to be compared to.
In The Grace Year, girls are banished for their sixteenth year. No one talks about what they call the grace year. All Tierney James knows is not everyone returns. Those who do are changed. Some are mentally changed. Others are physically damaged with missing limbs, scars, etc.
I enjoyed the storyline but it was a very slow burn. It took a while for me to get into the story. Once I did, I was hooked. It just took too long to capture my attention.
I read her earlier book, The Last Harvest, and found it was also a slow burn but worth reading. Knowing I will enjoy her books overall means I will keep reading until they grab me. With both books, once they did, I could not stop reading.
The Grace Year was a 2019 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/21/20.
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett has been described as The Handmaid's Tale plus Lord of the Flies with The Hunger Games thrown in. Every book, movie, song, etc can make us think of other work. It does not mean it is not a good story. Actually, those are pretty good books to be compared to.
In The Grace Year, girls are banished for their sixteenth year. No one talks about what they call the grace year. All Tierney James knows is not everyone returns. Those who do are changed. Some are mentally changed. Others are physically damaged with missing limbs, scars, etc.
I enjoyed the storyline but it was a very slow burn. It took a while for me to get into the story. Once I did, I was hooked. It just took too long to capture my attention.
I read her earlier book, The Last Harvest, and found it was also a slow burn but worth reading. Knowing I will enjoy her books overall means I will keep reading until they grab me. With both books, once they did, I could not stop reading.
The Grace Year was a 2019 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/21/20.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated She Won’t Leave in Books
May 5, 2024
84 of 220
Booksirens ARC
She Won’t Leave
By James Caine
⭐️⭐️⭐️
She has taken over my life.
Everything was perfect until tragedy brought my mother-in-law, Delores Sterling, to my front door with extra baggage at her side. After the sudden death of her husband, she asked if she could live with us temporarily.
I knew that living with my mother-in-law wouldn’t be easy. She’s made it obvious ever since I married her only son, that I’m not worthy of him. After all, I was his housemaid until he fell in love with the ‘help’, as Delores puts it. Because of that, I’ve kept her at arm’s length, which was easy until she knocked at my door.
My husband doesn’t see what she’s doing to us. It’s clear she has it in for me, and is destroying my marriage while living in my home.
But there’s something even worse at play.
As Delores’ presence at my home becomes more suffocating, I begin unraveling her dark secrets. The more I dig into my mother-in-law’s past, the more I realize I’m fighting for more than just my marriage.
This was pretty good. The mother in law from hell springs to mind. It was well paced and easy to read. If I’m totally honest it was a little predictable which is why I gave a 3 star.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Booksirens ARC
She Won’t Leave
By James Caine
⭐️⭐️⭐️
She has taken over my life.
Everything was perfect until tragedy brought my mother-in-law, Delores Sterling, to my front door with extra baggage at her side. After the sudden death of her husband, she asked if she could live with us temporarily.
I knew that living with my mother-in-law wouldn’t be easy. She’s made it obvious ever since I married her only son, that I’m not worthy of him. After all, I was his housemaid until he fell in love with the ‘help’, as Delores puts it. Because of that, I’ve kept her at arm’s length, which was easy until she knocked at my door.
My husband doesn’t see what she’s doing to us. It’s clear she has it in for me, and is destroying my marriage while living in my home.
But there’s something even worse at play.
As Delores’ presence at my home becomes more suffocating, I begin unraveling her dark secrets. The more I dig into my mother-in-law’s past, the more I realize I’m fighting for more than just my marriage.
This was pretty good. The mother in law from hell springs to mind. It was well paced and easy to read. If I’m totally honest it was a little predictable which is why I gave a 3 star.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Yellow Tulips: Poems, 1968-2011
Book
Winner of both the Queen's Gold Medal and the Whitbread Prize for Poetry, James Fenton has given...
David McK (3816 KP) rated Dr. No (1962) in Movies
Apr 30, 2023
Bond. James Bond.
The first James Bond movie, based on the 6th Bond book, and starring who is for many, arguably, the best Bond of all in Sean Connery.
Now over 60 years old (at the time I’m writing this), it’s noticeable how ‘fully formed’ the tropes of the series are here right out of the gate: the flirting between Bond and Moneypenny, the mutual respect between Bond and M, the exotic locales, the girls (for better or worse), the secret bases, the villains with a penchant for explaining their dastardly plans before letting Bond escape …
There is, however, also a reason that a later incarnation of M (Judi Dench) would call Bond something along the lines of “a dinosaur. A misogynistic relic from the Cold War …” which is also on full display here!
I suppose it was the 60s, though …
Now over 60 years old (at the time I’m writing this), it’s noticeable how ‘fully formed’ the tropes of the series are here right out of the gate: the flirting between Bond and Moneypenny, the mutual respect between Bond and M, the exotic locales, the girls (for better or worse), the secret bases, the villains with a penchant for explaining their dastardly plans before letting Bond escape …
There is, however, also a reason that a later incarnation of M (Judi Dench) would call Bond something along the lines of “a dinosaur. A misogynistic relic from the Cold War …” which is also on full display here!
I suppose it was the 60s, though …
Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated James Bond, Vol. 1: VARGR in Books
Jan 12, 2018
Confession time... I've never read an Ian Fleming James Bond novel.
Don't hate me. They're on the list.
But I have seen all the films, so when Dynamite announced they were doing a Bond comic, I figured I'd give it a go. All in all, not to bad. An enjoyable, if pedestrian Bond plot, with all the trappings to make it Bond. Brutal deaths, sly jokes, cool weapons, sexual innuendo, and everything blows up at the end. What more could you want?
I liked the art work, although it was a bit graphic for a Bond film, this is obviously a "dark and gritty" reboot style telling. And that's fine, just expect that when you go in. Bond looks more like Sterling Archer than Daniel Craig, and that's also fine, since Craig isn't at the top of my Bond list anyway. In fact, none of the characters are drawn to represent anyone specific, so separate continuity and all that.
I hoped for more, but wasn't disappointed.
Don't hate me. They're on the list.
But I have seen all the films, so when Dynamite announced they were doing a Bond comic, I figured I'd give it a go. All in all, not to bad. An enjoyable, if pedestrian Bond plot, with all the trappings to make it Bond. Brutal deaths, sly jokes, cool weapons, sexual innuendo, and everything blows up at the end. What more could you want?
I liked the art work, although it was a bit graphic for a Bond film, this is obviously a "dark and gritty" reboot style telling. And that's fine, just expect that when you go in. Bond looks more like Sterling Archer than Daniel Craig, and that's also fine, since Craig isn't at the top of my Bond list anyway. In fact, none of the characters are drawn to represent anyone specific, so separate continuity and all that.
I hoped for more, but wasn't disappointed.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Ocean’s 8 (2018) in Movies
Feb 23, 2019
Forgettable
Apart from the first one, I’ve never been particularly enamoured with the Oceans films, so I never really saw the need to make a new one with only women. Sadly after watching it, i still don’t think it was necessary.
The women’s only heist is actually not a bad idea, but it has been poorly executed with a forgettable and dull plot and an only half decent cast. Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett are great, but the rest of the female cast seem barely used and bit parts at best. I adore Richard Armitage but he too was underused. And I simply can’t understand why they cast James Corden, he is one of the most irritating men around. The plot itself isn’t bad but it’s not good either. It’s a bit dull in parts and even the big reveal at the end doesn’t feel particularly smart or flashy revealing. It was all just a bit ‘meh”.
The women’s only heist is actually not a bad idea, but it has been poorly executed with a forgettable and dull plot and an only half decent cast. Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett are great, but the rest of the female cast seem barely used and bit parts at best. I adore Richard Armitage but he too was underused. And I simply can’t understand why they cast James Corden, he is one of the most irritating men around. The plot itself isn’t bad but it’s not good either. It’s a bit dull in parts and even the big reveal at the end doesn’t feel particularly smart or flashy revealing. It was all just a bit ‘meh”.