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Andrea D (21 KP) rated After The Woods in Books
Jan 10, 2019
An excellent beginning only to let you down towards the end.
When I started reading this book I was absolutely enthralled it held so much promise and so much seeming darkness to uncover then it turned into a crap fest. It's as if the author decided at about 80% that they had completely changed their mind about what was happening to Liv and Julia and not for the better either. I wanted this book to be about the psychopath it promised it was instead you get emotional abuse and an obvious attachment disorder and the awful line "We're both brave" no you're fucking not you're a twat who abandoned her so called best friend to a potential murderer.
Just don't waste your time it sucks you in and then gives up on you and makes you hate it for having invested so much of yourself in a book that promises to be all that and more.
Just don't waste your time it sucks you in and then gives up on you and makes you hate it for having invested so much of yourself in a book that promises to be all that and more.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Batwoman in TV
Dec 3, 2019 (Updated Dec 3, 2019)
This is ok, and fingers crossed 🤞 it'll get better the longer it's part of the Arrowverse. It's definitely entertaining....but some of the acting is downright terrible. I suppose it's the writing as well. Ruby Rose - I adore her face, but she has literally one facial expression and that's it. In the most recent episode, she learns something that's supposed to make her cry, and it's honestly painful watching her try to show the emotion. The best acting so far has come from Rachel Skarsten as I-know-I-should-hate-her-but-I-can't villain Alice.
Also: why does everyone know who Batwoman is? I swear every time I turn around someone else is having an "ah ha!" moment.
Kate Kane's very much in the closet former lover Sophie is probably the most annoying character on the show. Loving the next gen characters of Luke Fox and and Julia Pennyworth, and the actual Batwoman costume is pretty badass.
Also: why does everyone know who Batwoman is? I swear every time I turn around someone else is having an "ah ha!" moment.
Kate Kane's very much in the closet former lover Sophie is probably the most annoying character on the show. Loving the next gen characters of Luke Fox and and Julia Pennyworth, and the actual Batwoman costume is pretty badass.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Conspiracy Theory (1997) in Movies
Jul 22, 2020
The Theory of Conspiracies
Conspiracy Theory- is a good movie, a little long and dated but its still a good movie. Both Mel Gibson and Juila Roberts do a good job and Partick Stewart as the villian, was cool to see. Cause he doesn't play alot of villian roles, so it was nice to see him play as the villian.
The plot: New York City cabbie Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson) is an expert on paranoid conspiracy theories. He is also infatuated with government lawyer Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), who permits his attention because he once rescued her from a mugging. However, when Jerry is captured and put through psychotic tests by Dr. Jonas (Patrick Stewart), he realizes there is an actual conspiracy. After escaping, Jerry enlists Alice's help, but she wonders whether he has uncovered a real threat or is just insane.
Its has good drama, suspense, thrills and some action, but its still a good movie.
The plot: New York City cabbie Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson) is an expert on paranoid conspiracy theories. He is also infatuated with government lawyer Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), who permits his attention because he once rescued her from a mugging. However, when Jerry is captured and put through psychotic tests by Dr. Jonas (Patrick Stewart), he realizes there is an actual conspiracy. After escaping, Jerry enlists Alice's help, but she wonders whether he has uncovered a real threat or is just insane.
Its has good drama, suspense, thrills and some action, but its still a good movie.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Nov 6, 2022
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1) in Books
Jan 3, 2022
I didn’t expect too much from this as I watched the show before reading the book, but I think the show did a really good adaptation as it wasn’t too far off the source material!
I thoroughly enjoyed following Daphne and Simon through their fake courtship and into them ending up getting married and the trials that came with married life.
It was really well written, and kept me completely engrossed… so engrossed that I read it in an evening! It was good that it focused a lot more on their blossoming relationship with each other than the parties and other characters, as I feel this gives you more of a want to read the rest of the books in the series to find out more about Daphne’s siblings.
I can’t wait to carry on with the series, I think Julia Quinn’s writing is beautiful and I have hopes that the rest of the series is just as good as this book has been!
I thoroughly enjoyed following Daphne and Simon through their fake courtship and into them ending up getting married and the trials that came with married life.
It was really well written, and kept me completely engrossed… so engrossed that I read it in an evening! It was good that it focused a lot more on their blossoming relationship with each other than the parties and other characters, as I feel this gives you more of a want to read the rest of the books in the series to find out more about Daphne’s siblings.
I can’t wait to carry on with the series, I think Julia Quinn’s writing is beautiful and I have hopes that the rest of the series is just as good as this book has been!
Deborah (162 KP) rated Murder at Mansfield Park (Charles Maddox #1) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
The Austen sequel or entertainment is an not uncommon beast these days, even if Pride & Prejudice is more usually the chosen book. As the title might give you a clue - this one relates more to Mansfield Park.
The major characters from the Austen novel are all there in name, but characters and relationships have been seriously altered. The first third of the book is mainly made up of recycled dialogue and narrative from Mansfield Park, but not necesarily in the same order. Mr Rushworth's character is changed to be more like Henry Crawford (and he is given the 'black and plain' description belonging to him in the novel) crossed with Robert Ferrars, so it seems odd when he is given dialogue beloning to the Mr Rushworth of the original novel, although not perhaps as strange when Mrs Norris is found spouting his lines.....
Fanny Price moves to become a rich heiress and the eldest of the female cousins; her character is more like the Maria of the book crossed with Lucy Steele and Caroline Bingley! Maria becomes more like the Julia of the book and Julia becomes more like the Fanny of the novel crossed with Marianne Dashwood - got that yet?! Henry Crawford here I don't really know - I'm not sure we got a proper description, so he does seem a bit of a cipher.
It's not a bad book, but with the murders I found it all rather unpleasant - I prefer such things to be more about the solving of the mystery than the incident itself, and here we have so few characters who could have committed the crime I didn't feel like I was waiting with baited breath for the conclusion (it's not Pug, in case you were worried.....). some characters were so underdeveloped it was rather obvious that they wouldn't have been involved. I do feel that having made so many changes, Lynn Shepherd would have been better off writing her own, original novel; one can't help but feel she has used Austen just to sell her book whereas her original dialogue does suggest that she could allow her writing to stand on its own merits.
The major characters from the Austen novel are all there in name, but characters and relationships have been seriously altered. The first third of the book is mainly made up of recycled dialogue and narrative from Mansfield Park, but not necesarily in the same order. Mr Rushworth's character is changed to be more like Henry Crawford (and he is given the 'black and plain' description belonging to him in the novel) crossed with Robert Ferrars, so it seems odd when he is given dialogue beloning to the Mr Rushworth of the original novel, although not perhaps as strange when Mrs Norris is found spouting his lines.....
Fanny Price moves to become a rich heiress and the eldest of the female cousins; her character is more like the Maria of the book crossed with Lucy Steele and Caroline Bingley! Maria becomes more like the Julia of the book and Julia becomes more like the Fanny of the novel crossed with Marianne Dashwood - got that yet?! Henry Crawford here I don't really know - I'm not sure we got a proper description, so he does seem a bit of a cipher.
It's not a bad book, but with the murders I found it all rather unpleasant - I prefer such things to be more about the solving of the mystery than the incident itself, and here we have so few characters who could have committed the crime I didn't feel like I was waiting with baited breath for the conclusion (it's not Pug, in case you were worried.....). some characters were so underdeveloped it was rather obvious that they wouldn't have been involved. I do feel that having made so many changes, Lynn Shepherd would have been better off writing her own, original novel; one can't help but feel she has used Austen just to sell her book whereas her original dialogue does suggest that she could allow her writing to stand on its own merits.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1) in Books
Nov 26, 2022
212 of 230
Book
The Duke & I ( Bridgertons book 1)
By Julia Quinn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Simon Basset, the irresistible Duke of Hastings, has hatched a plan to keep himself free from the town's marriage-minded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to the lovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all, it isn't as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry-though there is something about the alluring Miss Bridgerton that sets Simon's heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne, surely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that is seems a duke has declared her desirable. But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, she soon forgets that their courtship is a complete sham. And now she has to do the impossible and keep herself from losing her heart and soul completely to the handsome hell-raiser who has sworn off marriage forever! Simon Basset, the irresistible Duke of Hastings, has hatched a plan to keep himself free from the town's marriage-minded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to the lovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all, it isn't as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry-though there is something about the alluring Miss Bridgerton that sets Simon's heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne, surely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that is seems a duke has declared her desirable. But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, she soon forgets that their courtship is a complete sham. And now she has to do the impossible and keep herself from losing her heart and soul completely to the handsome hell-raiser who has sworn off marriage forever!
I loved it! It was a slow starter but by the end I was quite emotional not sure if that was the book or the fact I’m a sensitive soul 😂. Julia Quinn is one of my favourite writers for these types of books this didn’t disappoint. I have happily avoided the tv series due wanting to read the books first, I may give them a go after I’ve finished this series.
Book
The Duke & I ( Bridgertons book 1)
By Julia Quinn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Simon Basset, the irresistible Duke of Hastings, has hatched a plan to keep himself free from the town's marriage-minded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to the lovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all, it isn't as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry-though there is something about the alluring Miss Bridgerton that sets Simon's heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne, surely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that is seems a duke has declared her desirable. But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, she soon forgets that their courtship is a complete sham. And now she has to do the impossible and keep herself from losing her heart and soul completely to the handsome hell-raiser who has sworn off marriage forever! Simon Basset, the irresistible Duke of Hastings, has hatched a plan to keep himself free from the town's marriage-minded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to the lovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all, it isn't as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry-though there is something about the alluring Miss Bridgerton that sets Simon's heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne, surely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that is seems a duke has declared her desirable. But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, she soon forgets that their courtship is a complete sham. And now she has to do the impossible and keep herself from losing her heart and soul completely to the handsome hell-raiser who has sworn off marriage forever!
I loved it! It was a slow starter but by the end I was quite emotional not sure if that was the book or the fact I’m a sensitive soul 😂. Julia Quinn is one of my favourite writers for these types of books this didn’t disappoint. I have happily avoided the tv series due wanting to read the books first, I may give them a go after I’ve finished this series.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Silent in the Grave (Lady Julia Grey, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Smartly written, highly engaging, totally unputdownable - I love this book! Seriously, it's not often that a book will so capture my interest in the first page that I don't put it down for seventy pages (regrettably), and when I next pick it up, keep reading until it's finished - at 509 pages too!
Deanna Raybourn did a wonderful job bringing the characters and Victorian setting alive, and in a fairly realistic fashion. The only iffy thing was how easily it was accepted that Portia was a lesbian. I know that the March's are a peculiar and unconventional bunch, but still. All the 'gay' plotting felt too modern to me and that's my only beef with the book, not that I overly minded it (just enough to mention it :P). The way the story unfolded was seamless and fitting with the atmosphere of the mystery. Lady Julia was a wonderful character and it really is amazing how well everything was brought to life using a first-person narrative. I am looking forward to the next installment and know that won't be enough of these characters!
Deanna Raybourn did a wonderful job bringing the characters and Victorian setting alive, and in a fairly realistic fashion. The only iffy thing was how easily it was accepted that Portia was a lesbian. I know that the March's are a peculiar and unconventional bunch, but still. All the 'gay' plotting felt too modern to me and that's my only beef with the book, not that I overly minded it (just enough to mention it :P). The way the story unfolded was seamless and fitting with the atmosphere of the mystery. Lady Julia was a wonderful character and it really is amazing how well everything was brought to life using a first-person narrative. I am looking forward to the next installment and know that won't be enough of these characters!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Fogged Inn (A Maine Clambake Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
It’s the off-season in Maine, and Julia and her boyfriend Chris are operating a dinner restaurant in the building where their friend Gus has his breakfast and lunch restaurant. When Gus comes in one morning to open, he finds a dead body in the refrigerator. The victim had come in for dinner the night before, but he is a stranger in town. Who was he? And why was he murdered in the restaurant?
This book opens with the murder right away, and the pace never slacks. I did miss a few of the usual supporting characters who are reduced to cameos here, but the new characters more than make up for it. The book builds to a sobering climax that adds some nice depth to the book and even a couple of our characters. I love this series, and this is another great entry.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-fogged-inn-by-barbara-ross.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book opens with the murder right away, and the pace never slacks. I did miss a few of the usual supporting characters who are reduced to cameos here, but the new characters more than make up for it. The book builds to a sobering climax that adds some nice depth to the book and even a couple of our characters. I love this series, and this is another great entry.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-fogged-inn-by-barbara-ross.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Ben Is Back (2018) in Movies
Jun 22, 2019 (Updated Sep 25, 2019)
We seem to be knee deep in movies like this at the moment, Ben Is Back being the second from Lucas Hedges. This one is penned and directed by his father, Peter Hedges, though it doesn't appear that he was a shoo-in for the role.
After seeing Boy Erased I wasn't overly sure about Hedges as an actor, if I'm honest this has done little to sway that opinion in me. I don't feel like we get a massive range from him, possibly because these movies all feel like they've been made to win things over everything else? I'm not sure.
Hedges performance is brought up a level by the incredible performance from Julia Roberts, that woman truly is a treasure. The desperate nature of her character is so evident in every scene, wanting to do anything she can for her son and trying to fix everything. I don't think there was a single point where she faltered, and the part she played in the ending was immensely emotional.
There's also a solid support cast in Courtney B. Vance and Kathryn Newton. They drew in the much-needed family element which could have been lost to all the scenes with Ben and Holly out on their own.
You have to compare this to Beautiful Boy, it's difficult not to. They could be the same film, Ben Is Back just edges ahead for me though. I wasn't overly keen on the main actors in either film and both were carried by their parental leads. Both cover the drugs topic well from their own angles but here I felt we got a much better look at the family impact.
This rounded out a very emotional double bill at the cinema and what I actually came out thinking wasn't about this film in particular but that this year has given us some fantastic mum performances. Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz and Nicole Kidman have managed to use their films to prove that they're giants in the acting world.
What you should do
I'd add Ben Is Back to my list of films to watch at least once.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
All I would really like is an attic that was as easy to get into as theirs.
After seeing Boy Erased I wasn't overly sure about Hedges as an actor, if I'm honest this has done little to sway that opinion in me. I don't feel like we get a massive range from him, possibly because these movies all feel like they've been made to win things over everything else? I'm not sure.
Hedges performance is brought up a level by the incredible performance from Julia Roberts, that woman truly is a treasure. The desperate nature of her character is so evident in every scene, wanting to do anything she can for her son and trying to fix everything. I don't think there was a single point where she faltered, and the part she played in the ending was immensely emotional.
There's also a solid support cast in Courtney B. Vance and Kathryn Newton. They drew in the much-needed family element which could have been lost to all the scenes with Ben and Holly out on their own.
You have to compare this to Beautiful Boy, it's difficult not to. They could be the same film, Ben Is Back just edges ahead for me though. I wasn't overly keen on the main actors in either film and both were carried by their parental leads. Both cover the drugs topic well from their own angles but here I felt we got a much better look at the family impact.
This rounded out a very emotional double bill at the cinema and what I actually came out thinking wasn't about this film in particular but that this year has given us some fantastic mum performances. Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz and Nicole Kidman have managed to use their films to prove that they're giants in the acting world.
What you should do
I'd add Ben Is Back to my list of films to watch at least once.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
All I would really like is an attic that was as easy to get into as theirs.