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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2051 KP) rated Death al Dente (Food Lovers' Village Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Erin Murphy is back home in Jewel Bay, Montana, to help run the family general store. She's helping run a new event to help bring tourists to town, but it gets off to a rough start with a family friend is found murdered behind the shop on opening night. Who could have done it?
This debut just wasn't quite ready. While Erin and a few core characters are well developed, the rest of the cast is fairly flat. Likewise, the plot moved forward in fits and starts, although there were some interesting twists. Overall average, and I'll think hard before I continue on to the next one.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-review-death-al-dente-by-leslie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This debut just wasn't quite ready. While Erin and a few core characters are well developed, the rest of the cast is fairly flat. Likewise, the plot moved forward in fits and starts, although there were some interesting twists. Overall average, and I'll think hard before I continue on to the next one.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-review-death-al-dente-by-leslie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2051 KP) rated Queen of Hearts (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #8) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Georgie is off to America with her mother, actress Claire Daniels. But their Atlantic crossing is marred by a jewel thief and a possible murder that only Georgie witnesses. And the danger follows them when they hit America and head to Hollywood of the 1930's.
Despite the number of miles the characters cover, the plot holds together well and we still get to see many of the series regulars, who were charming as always. Being an entertainment junky, I enjoyed this fictional look at old Hollywood and seeing the real people who made cameos over the course of the book. All told, another great read in a fun series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-queen-of-hearts-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Despite the number of miles the characters cover, the plot holds together well and we still get to see many of the series regulars, who were charming as always. Being an entertainment junky, I enjoyed this fictional look at old Hollywood and seeing the real people who made cameos over the course of the book. All told, another great read in a fun series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-queen-of-hearts-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Skipping forward 28 years, John Hughes’ jewel in the crown owes a lot to Billy Wilder. It also borrows from every genre in the book. Reflecting its charming protagonist, this film is smart – so much smarter than it first appears. It allows you to be part of it from the very start, directing dialogue right at you out of the screen, and hopes you get every wink, nod and irreverent moment. We’ve all been teenagers, we all sing in the shower, we all lied to our parents, we all wished we could join a parade as guest of honour and drive a Ferrari into a ditch! Cool but geeky. Great music, great laughs, great dialogue, and the character Matthew Broderick will always be. An influence on every teen movie worth its salt ever since!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society, #3) in Books
Sep 6, 2019
4.5 stars.
These kids and just the whole "family" Kat has are amazing. Geniuses!
Not my favourite book in the series, since they didn't steal a painting or a jewel or anything as valuable or famous, but just the ability to come out on top and pull off the impossible (as usual!) has given it that flair (and me, a huge smile).
I've been reading some reviews on Goodreads and it seems people thought this was going to be a trilogy but after reading this I've realised there are still a few unanswered questions floating about so I hope the author will write another story in which we find out Hale's first names and the identity of Visily Romani.
I may also have to try the authors Gallagher Girls series too!
These kids and just the whole "family" Kat has are amazing. Geniuses!
Not my favourite book in the series, since they didn't steal a painting or a jewel or anything as valuable or famous, but just the ability to come out on top and pull off the impossible (as usual!) has given it that flair (and me, a huge smile).
I've been reading some reviews on Goodreads and it seems people thought this was going to be a trilogy but after reading this I've realised there are still a few unanswered questions floating about so I hope the author will write another story in which we find out Hale's first names and the identity of Visily Romani.
I may also have to try the authors Gallagher Girls series too!
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Dead Cold Brew (Coffeehouse Mystery, #16) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I always look forward to another adventure with Clare, Matt, Mike, and all of the gang at the Village Blend. A lot of series seem to lose steam after a while, but Cleo Coyle manages to keep the Coffeehouse mysteries feeling fresh, even at #16.
Her boyfriend Mike finally proposes, but a sniper is targeting members of the NYPD, leaving Clare in fear for her fiancés life. When her ex Matts godfather is poisoned, Clare sees a connection between the two cases that sets her and Matt on the trail of a blackmailer and jewel thief, and quite possibly a killer.
Dead Cold Brew was a fast-paced story and once I got started, I couldnt put it down. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and even new readers should be able to pick this one up without feeling lost.
Her boyfriend Mike finally proposes, but a sniper is targeting members of the NYPD, leaving Clare in fear for her fiancés life. When her ex Matts godfather is poisoned, Clare sees a connection between the two cases that sets her and Matt on the trail of a blackmailer and jewel thief, and quite possibly a killer.
Dead Cold Brew was a fast-paced story and once I got started, I couldnt put it down. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and even new readers should be able to pick this one up without feeling lost.
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated GoodFellas (1990) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Perhaps the jewel in the crown of Scorsese’s gangster movies, from a fine crop. Adopting the voice of Henry Hill (a career defining role for Ray Liotta) as narrator is the first point of difference, and it works with tremendous effect. The suggestion is we are watching one man’s version of events that may or may not be entirely true. It is a relentless piece of cinema, that drives with complete bravado through each scene of shocking violence, machismo and greed. Too many memorable moments to mention… De Niro’s fountain pen; Pesci’s “Funny How?”, etc. A high level of rewatchabilty sets it above a lot of its rivals. It never judges or preaches to us, but lets us feel bad for enjoying the often repellent acts as so much fun! A product of 90s extremism, but never gratuitous. Simply a joy to watch and a nailed on classic.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul in Books
Nov 20, 2019
Douglas Adams might be (rightly) famous for the Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy series but for Dirk Gently was the jewel in the crown. Carefully plotted, a well constructed and intriguing lead character and still the sublime humour and turn of phrase.
This second outing sees Dirk at a bit of a loss after his latest - very rich - client comes down with a bad case of being dead. That doesn't stop him though as his unique ability to link apparently unrelated facts leads him to one simple conclusion - the old gods are back.
Dirk is a joy as a character because he is so unlikely, allowing himself to be buffeted towards the truth by the tides of fate. Obviously the actual plot is far fetched but that's the whole point, if it wasn't impossible a normal detective would do. And the jokes, one liners, very clever observations and turns of phrase abound. A mystery wrapped in a conundrum wrapped in Adams' unique wit. What more could anyone want?
This second outing sees Dirk at a bit of a loss after his latest - very rich - client comes down with a bad case of being dead. That doesn't stop him though as his unique ability to link apparently unrelated facts leads him to one simple conclusion - the old gods are back.
Dirk is a joy as a character because he is so unlikely, allowing himself to be buffeted towards the truth by the tides of fate. Obviously the actual plot is far fetched but that's the whole point, if it wasn't impossible a normal detective would do. And the jokes, one liners, very clever observations and turns of phrase abound. A mystery wrapped in a conundrum wrapped in Adams' unique wit. What more could anyone want?
Marc Riley recommended Marquee Moon by Television in Music (curated)
Gareth von Kallenbach (962 KP) rated Rio 2 (2014) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
Three years ago, my wife and I moved down to Arizona to open the second office of Skewed and Reviewed. I remember clearly getting into town on a Tuesday evening and the following Saturday morning we had our first assignment in AZ, screening the movie “RIO”.
As we marked the anniversary of our arrival in the Valley of the Sun, it was ironic that “Rio 2” was flying into theaters at the same time and once again, we had a Saturday morning screening for the film albeit at different theaters.
The sequel picks up shortly after the events of the first film with Blu (Jess Eisenberg), and Jewel (Anne Hathaway), raising their children in a sanctuary in Rio. Their musical and colorful friends are all around them and are preparing for the upcoming carnival and the festivities that go along with it.
Blu learns that his former owner Linda (Leslie Mann), and her husband may have discovered others of Blu’s species in the deep jungle, which in turn leads Jewel to suggest a family vacation into the wild to help out.
For a city bird like Blu, venturing into the wild requires a fanny pack with items ranging from a G.P.S. to a utility knife and other modern items much to the chagrin of those around him.
The distant journey seems to be going well, until Blu crosses paths with Nigel (Jemaine Clement), who is still seething over his last encounter with Blu and schemes his revenge.
Blu and his family stumble upon a whole flock of their species and they eagerly embrace Jewel as she has returned home. Blu despite his best efforts does not fit in and struggles to gain acceptance from Jewel’s dad who is also the leader of the flock.
As if this was not enough problems for one bird to handle, an illegal organization is cutting down the forest which threatens the flock as well as Lind and her husband.
What follows is a madcap mix of comedy, music, and adventure as the film mixes very good lessons about environmental awareness and acceptance without ever being preachy.
The animation and 3D is solid and the supporting cast which included Bruno Mars, George Lopez, Jaime Foxx, Will I Am, Tracy Morgan, Andy Garcia and many others does a solid job.
The film took a while to get going and while the final 30 minutes pays off, the biggest trouble was staying with the film during the slower moments.
While it was very well presented and produced it does make me appreciate just how dialed in Disney is with their films as no matter how much they tried, none of the musical numbers in “Rio 2” were memorable and I stuggled to remember a single song shortly after the screener.
Since Disney is the leader in the industry for animated films and have been so for over 75 years, it would be unfair to expect the company behind the “Ice Age” series to meet the same standards.
While it may not be a timeless classic, “Rio 2” still has enough charm and enjoyment to make it an enjoyable film for younger viewers and fans of the first film, just as long as you temper your expectations.
http://sknr.net/2014/04/11/rio-2/
As we marked the anniversary of our arrival in the Valley of the Sun, it was ironic that “Rio 2” was flying into theaters at the same time and once again, we had a Saturday morning screening for the film albeit at different theaters.
The sequel picks up shortly after the events of the first film with Blu (Jess Eisenberg), and Jewel (Anne Hathaway), raising their children in a sanctuary in Rio. Their musical and colorful friends are all around them and are preparing for the upcoming carnival and the festivities that go along with it.
Blu learns that his former owner Linda (Leslie Mann), and her husband may have discovered others of Blu’s species in the deep jungle, which in turn leads Jewel to suggest a family vacation into the wild to help out.
For a city bird like Blu, venturing into the wild requires a fanny pack with items ranging from a G.P.S. to a utility knife and other modern items much to the chagrin of those around him.
The distant journey seems to be going well, until Blu crosses paths with Nigel (Jemaine Clement), who is still seething over his last encounter with Blu and schemes his revenge.
Blu and his family stumble upon a whole flock of their species and they eagerly embrace Jewel as she has returned home. Blu despite his best efforts does not fit in and struggles to gain acceptance from Jewel’s dad who is also the leader of the flock.
As if this was not enough problems for one bird to handle, an illegal organization is cutting down the forest which threatens the flock as well as Lind and her husband.
What follows is a madcap mix of comedy, music, and adventure as the film mixes very good lessons about environmental awareness and acceptance without ever being preachy.
The animation and 3D is solid and the supporting cast which included Bruno Mars, George Lopez, Jaime Foxx, Will I Am, Tracy Morgan, Andy Garcia and many others does a solid job.
The film took a while to get going and while the final 30 minutes pays off, the biggest trouble was staying with the film during the slower moments.
While it was very well presented and produced it does make me appreciate just how dialed in Disney is with their films as no matter how much they tried, none of the musical numbers in “Rio 2” were memorable and I stuggled to remember a single song shortly after the screener.
Since Disney is the leader in the industry for animated films and have been so for over 75 years, it would be unfair to expect the company behind the “Ice Age” series to meet the same standards.
While it may not be a timeless classic, “Rio 2” still has enough charm and enjoyment to make it an enjoyable film for younger viewers and fans of the first film, just as long as you temper your expectations.
http://sknr.net/2014/04/11/rio-2/
Lindsay (1693 KP) rated The Magic Sapphire (The Decoders #1) in Books
Oct 16, 2019
Looking for a good mystery for young adults? I think I found it. This book or series is good for young readers or teens. It focuses on three friends. They seem to work together well. Their names are Matt, Jenny and Steve.
These three friends end up going on adventures together. They go on these adventure but ask for help when they need it. I really like the fact they they need to use their minds and teamwork to solve the clues. The way the author does this is well done.
Children will enjoy this book as it shows puzzle solving and teamwork throughout the book. The author also makes it fun and easy to read. It enjoyable for you to read. There a jewel thief and and men, He seem to want the the item the Steve bought but why?
There are some twist and turns throughout the book. Parents is really good for children learn about team work. It also teaches them to use their minds to solve the puzzles. Will Steve, Jenny and Matt find the hidden treasure? Will they solve the mystery?
These three friends end up going on adventures together. They go on these adventure but ask for help when they need it. I really like the fact they they need to use their minds and teamwork to solve the clues. The way the author does this is well done.
Children will enjoy this book as it shows puzzle solving and teamwork throughout the book. The author also makes it fun and easy to read. It enjoyable for you to read. There a jewel thief and and men, He seem to want the the item the Steve bought but why?
There are some twist and turns throughout the book. Parents is really good for children learn about team work. It also teaches them to use their minds to solve the puzzles. Will Steve, Jenny and Matt find the hidden treasure? Will they solve the mystery?