Search
Search results
Merissa (12887 KP) rated Wild Boy (Gay Monsters in Space #2) in Books
Sep 20, 2023
WILD BOY is the second novella in the Gay Monsters in Space series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Connor has had a rough life up until now and trusts nobody. He doesn't see any reason to change that once he gets kidnapped by Krel and told how wonderful everything is going to be from now on. Krel knows all about Connor's past, but he knows Connor is the one for him. He'll just have to show Connor just how much he loves him!
Okay, so if you don't like spankings, you may not like this story. Connors needs them - a lot! And Krel, well, he likes giving them to Connor because it normally leads to other things. Things that are hot and spicy and pleasurable to both parties.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. The stories are off the charts hot, with great characters, and you don't have to worry about how deep the story is going. Sometimes, that's just what you need!
A great addition to the series and absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 20, 2023
Connor has had a rough life up until now and trusts nobody. He doesn't see any reason to change that once he gets kidnapped by Krel and told how wonderful everything is going to be from now on. Krel knows all about Connor's past, but he knows Connor is the one for him. He'll just have to show Connor just how much he loves him!
Okay, so if you don't like spankings, you may not like this story. Connors needs them - a lot! And Krel, well, he likes giving them to Connor because it normally leads to other things. Things that are hot and spicy and pleasurable to both parties.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. The stories are off the charts hot, with great characters, and you don't have to worry about how deep the story is going. Sometimes, that's just what you need!
A great addition to the series and absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 20, 2023
Sensitivemuse (246 KP) rated An Anonymous Girl in Books
Dec 20, 2018
Mediocre plot, disappointed in book overall..
In a nutshell, this book has three not so very nice characters in one setting and they’re all trying to outdo each other in the art of being a sly crafty villain.
While the plot is interesting to read at first, because you’d like to find out what Jess got herself into, at the same time, it’s so so and falls flat. The characters themselves are rendered unlikable. Well, I should say two of the three are unlikable, the one that sticks out for me is Dr Shields. Now that’s a pretty good villain to read up on.
I found myself rooting for her throughout the book. She’s cold, she’s calculating and she’s always prepared with a plan B in case things don’t work out. I love it. She was playing the mind games like a pro. I had no like for Thomas (well, self explanatory) and I started disliking Jess more as the plot carried on. Maybe it was because she thought she was the smartest cookie on earth. Or maybe it was because she thought her stuff didn’t stink. Either way I just started not liking her so much and didn’t care too much for her behavior. By this time, I was pretty much just finishing the book just for the sake of finishing and my interest in the plot waned.
Which is unfortunate. I read The Wife Between Us and absolutely loved the book and loved the twists that was provided. The twists here were minimal, the mind games were great but hardly anything suspenseful or to be surprised about. Maybe I got spoiled by The Wife Between Us, but this one didn’t really live up to it.
I’m hoping if they do future releases that they’re better than this one. Sadly this one dissapoints for me.
While the plot is interesting to read at first, because you’d like to find out what Jess got herself into, at the same time, it’s so so and falls flat. The characters themselves are rendered unlikable. Well, I should say two of the three are unlikable, the one that sticks out for me is Dr Shields. Now that’s a pretty good villain to read up on.
I found myself rooting for her throughout the book. She’s cold, she’s calculating and she’s always prepared with a plan B in case things don’t work out. I love it. She was playing the mind games like a pro. I had no like for Thomas (well, self explanatory) and I started disliking Jess more as the plot carried on. Maybe it was because she thought she was the smartest cookie on earth. Or maybe it was because she thought her stuff didn’t stink. Either way I just started not liking her so much and didn’t care too much for her behavior. By this time, I was pretty much just finishing the book just for the sake of finishing and my interest in the plot waned.
Which is unfortunate. I read The Wife Between Us and absolutely loved the book and loved the twists that was provided. The twists here were minimal, the mind games were great but hardly anything suspenseful or to be surprised about. Maybe I got spoiled by The Wife Between Us, but this one didn’t really live up to it.
I’m hoping if they do future releases that they’re better than this one. Sadly this one dissapoints for me.
RəX Regent (349 KP) rated Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) in Movies
Mar 7, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
This was the first time that I've seen this children's classic since I was a child, and I suppose that I'd hoped that it would live up to its reputation. In all fairness though, I din't like it that much when I was a child, if I'm honest and my children, though some DO like it, others seemed to have mixed feelings. At best, it's likable but never lovable and at worst, it just isn't liked at all.
So, as an adult I watched this loose adaptation of James Bond's, Ian Flemming's novel, with every good intention, but in the end was left disappointed. Firstly, at 2 hours and 20 minutes long, it feels like an epic, and a completely unnecessary one at that. Its intermission is turned into a Batfink or Adam West's Batman styled cliffhanger rather than a thematic or narrative break that it traditionally should have been, even going so far as to recap the action in the second act!
The songs weren't great either, generally bordering on tedium rather than holding my interest. The story seems to be a little off kilter too, with a seemingly fatal crash destroying the eponymous car before its eventual restoration by Dick van Dyke. This was the culmination of a five-minute title sequence showcasing the early Grand Prix's of 1907 and '08 which for a family film seemed to drag somewhat.
But after an hour of songs and character development, we finally take off in the flying car to the fantasy land of Vulgaria, only for the whole experience to be a fantastical story told by Van Dyke's, Caractacus Potts! All in all, this was a strange film, but not in an entertaining way like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, the connection being Roald Dahl's involvement with the screenplay, but in a rather boring way, with events just seeing to happen without any really cause or need. One hour of story, then another one of fantasy. How many other films can boast this kind narrative twist and get away with it. It just seemed to be indulgent and plodding.
It would defiantly have been improved if the car was actually magical and did actually take them on this adventure rather than suggesting that it is perfectly okay to sing and dance around the real world but it's a stretch too far to have a flying car! It should have been a fantasy through and through rather than six of one and half a dozen of the other.
Ultimately, Overrated in my opinion and since the view of FOUR children, boys and girls ranging from 7 – 15, is that it's watchable rather than fully enjoyable, I suspect that this film is being viewed through rose tinted glasses.
So, as an adult I watched this loose adaptation of James Bond's, Ian Flemming's novel, with every good intention, but in the end was left disappointed. Firstly, at 2 hours and 20 minutes long, it feels like an epic, and a completely unnecessary one at that. Its intermission is turned into a Batfink or Adam West's Batman styled cliffhanger rather than a thematic or narrative break that it traditionally should have been, even going so far as to recap the action in the second act!
The songs weren't great either, generally bordering on tedium rather than holding my interest. The story seems to be a little off kilter too, with a seemingly fatal crash destroying the eponymous car before its eventual restoration by Dick van Dyke. This was the culmination of a five-minute title sequence showcasing the early Grand Prix's of 1907 and '08 which for a family film seemed to drag somewhat.
But after an hour of songs and character development, we finally take off in the flying car to the fantasy land of Vulgaria, only for the whole experience to be a fantastical story told by Van Dyke's, Caractacus Potts! All in all, this was a strange film, but not in an entertaining way like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, the connection being Roald Dahl's involvement with the screenplay, but in a rather boring way, with events just seeing to happen without any really cause or need. One hour of story, then another one of fantasy. How many other films can boast this kind narrative twist and get away with it. It just seemed to be indulgent and plodding.
It would defiantly have been improved if the car was actually magical and did actually take them on this adventure rather than suggesting that it is perfectly okay to sing and dance around the real world but it's a stretch too far to have a flying car! It should have been a fantasy through and through rather than six of one and half a dozen of the other.
Ultimately, Overrated in my opinion and since the view of FOUR children, boys and girls ranging from 7 – 15, is that it's watchable rather than fully enjoyable, I suspect that this film is being viewed through rose tinted glasses.
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated What Richard Did (2013) in Movies
Mar 26, 2018
Could Have Been Better
Teenage Richard Carlsen (Jack Reynor) is faced with terrible consequences after events at a party go awry. What Richard Did makes the mistake of assuming that its plot alone would be enough to hold the interest of the audience. Lack of intrigue is its ultimate downfall.
Acting: 10
One thing that wasn't lacking was strong acting performances. The cast was excellent from the top down. Reynor shines in his role as Richard having to express and master an array of emotions. He effortlessly controls scenes, evoking the proper emotion from the audience.
Beginning: 7
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 8
A multitude of beautiful one-shots were captured throughout the film. It helps when the ocean and sunsets are your backdrop, but those images still have to be captured just right at an appealing angle. Shot of the cast having an innocent good time at their parties helps you to warm up to the crew instantly and remember similar times.
Conflict: 4
While there is some initial friction when we uncover what the heart of the story is about, things taper out from there. There wasn't enough conflict to keep me interested. The movie moves straightforward towards its resolution like an arrow, not really creating much more intrigue along the way.
Genre: 6
I give it credit for its fork in the road, but I have definitely seen better dramas. Dramatic film is supposed to leave an impact and this one...just left me. There was potential there for more.
Memorability: 2
I would have scored this even lower, however, I like the depths of humanity that were touched on through Richard's character. The film explores the reality of what a crisis would probably look like: Us looking out for ourselves first before we think of others. Besides that, there was nothing else that stood out for me.
Pace: 7
As I stated earlier, the film goes through a long lull that it never fully rebounds from. The lack of conflict slows things way down and makes it hard to remain engaged. Had there been more points of intrigue or crisis depth, the pace would probably have righted itself.
Plot: 10
Resolution: 4
If it's one thing I hate, it's ambiguous endings that leave you scratching your head. Expect that here. I won't ruin it, but I will say that I was hoping to have some questions answered by the time the credits started rolling. Unfortunately, the ending left me completely and utterly in the dark.
Overall: 68
I was hoping to like this a lot more and was sadly disappointed. It's not a top notch drama, but easily could have been with just a few more cogs in the wheel. Definitely one you can skip.
Acting: 10
One thing that wasn't lacking was strong acting performances. The cast was excellent from the top down. Reynor shines in his role as Richard having to express and master an array of emotions. He effortlessly controls scenes, evoking the proper emotion from the audience.
Beginning: 7
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 8
A multitude of beautiful one-shots were captured throughout the film. It helps when the ocean and sunsets are your backdrop, but those images still have to be captured just right at an appealing angle. Shot of the cast having an innocent good time at their parties helps you to warm up to the crew instantly and remember similar times.
Conflict: 4
While there is some initial friction when we uncover what the heart of the story is about, things taper out from there. There wasn't enough conflict to keep me interested. The movie moves straightforward towards its resolution like an arrow, not really creating much more intrigue along the way.
Genre: 6
I give it credit for its fork in the road, but I have definitely seen better dramas. Dramatic film is supposed to leave an impact and this one...just left me. There was potential there for more.
Memorability: 2
I would have scored this even lower, however, I like the depths of humanity that were touched on through Richard's character. The film explores the reality of what a crisis would probably look like: Us looking out for ourselves first before we think of others. Besides that, there was nothing else that stood out for me.
Pace: 7
As I stated earlier, the film goes through a long lull that it never fully rebounds from. The lack of conflict slows things way down and makes it hard to remain engaged. Had there been more points of intrigue or crisis depth, the pace would probably have righted itself.
Plot: 10
Resolution: 4
If it's one thing I hate, it's ambiguous endings that leave you scratching your head. Expect that here. I won't ruin it, but I will say that I was hoping to have some questions answered by the time the credits started rolling. Unfortunately, the ending left me completely and utterly in the dark.
Overall: 68
I was hoping to like this a lot more and was sadly disappointed. It's not a top notch drama, but easily could have been with just a few more cogs in the wheel. Definitely one you can skip.
JasonKeenan (9 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) in Movies
Sep 16, 2017
Alright, but missing something
This movie was visually great, couldn't fault it, the SFX where stunning and the acting was top notch, but the story was too confusing at time
First off the visuals of this movie where sublime, stunning, it felt like I where in the roaring 20's New York, the acting was why you expect from an Academy Award Winner Eddie Redmayne, I liked the chemistry between him and Dan Foglers character, who places a muggle named Jacob, who is kind of thrown into the magical world and is forced to just go with it,
Right now the story, to be there was too many things going off at once, it's like they wanted to set up a universe right off the bat, and not ease you into it, the "Finding of the Beasts" made sense, you could have just had a movie about that, but it started adding in other plot lines, e.g. Ezra Millers story, which just went off the rails a Little, and the added ending was pointless (If you haven't seen it then I won't spoil it)
But this movie is worth a watch for the visuals alone
First off the visuals of this movie where sublime, stunning, it felt like I where in the roaring 20's New York, the acting was why you expect from an Academy Award Winner Eddie Redmayne, I liked the chemistry between him and Dan Foglers character, who places a muggle named Jacob, who is kind of thrown into the magical world and is forced to just go with it,
Right now the story, to be there was too many things going off at once, it's like they wanted to set up a universe right off the bat, and not ease you into it, the "Finding of the Beasts" made sense, you could have just had a movie about that, but it started adding in other plot lines, e.g. Ezra Millers story, which just went off the rails a Little, and the added ending was pointless (If you haven't seen it then I won't spoil it)
But this movie is worth a watch for the visuals alone
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Fyre Fraud (2019) in Movies
Feb 13, 2019
I won't lie I just wanted to watch a bunch a rich assholes lose their shit.....
I remember following the fyre festive mess when the event was actually happening like most people and I heard that this one was a bit better than the Netflix one (which I haven't watched yet but I do plan on doing so.)
I had never heard of any of these people or even the fyre festival until twitter literally blew up with the mess of the actual event, so I really had no clue what I was in for when I kept hearing about the two specials. And I have to be honest that I was surprised how interesting it actually was and I still can't for the life of me figure out why people kept giving the main guy who was running the scam money. I did like that they actually interviewed the guy not sure if they were trying to make you pity him or really get a first-hand impression on how big of a scum bag he was.
The main thing I wanted to see was footage from the actual festival so I was pretty disappointed that they didn't show as much as I would have like but all in all it is a good doc and I recommend it.
I had never heard of any of these people or even the fyre festival until twitter literally blew up with the mess of the actual event, so I really had no clue what I was in for when I kept hearing about the two specials. And I have to be honest that I was surprised how interesting it actually was and I still can't for the life of me figure out why people kept giving the main guy who was running the scam money. I did like that they actually interviewed the guy not sure if they were trying to make you pity him or really get a first-hand impression on how big of a scum bag he was.
The main thing I wanted to see was footage from the actual festival so I was pretty disappointed that they didn't show as much as I would have like but all in all it is a good doc and I recommend it.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Ordinary Seaman in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I did not enjoy this novel. I felt like it dwelt too long on the little aspects that didn't really mean much in the whole of the story.
The temporality of the story was confusing at times. It would jump back and forth between some past and the present and even the future at points. Yes, it added to the confusion of time that the crew would have been feeling on the boat, but it just didn't do anything for me.
It was pretty predictable, for me, as to what was going to happen during the novel. I felt very underwhelmed, especially when my teacher told me this was going to be such an amazing novel.
The pacing was either too slow or rushed through things that were important to the plot. There was no real in between for it.
Even the characters started getting on my nerves throughout the novel. The way that everyone treated Bernardo and the way they looked up to Elias and Mark felt too forced for me to really be able to enjoy the novel.
I don't give out low stars like this often, but I felt like this one was necessary. For me, personally, I did not enjoy this novel at all. I didn't feel any take-away from it which was really disappointing.
The temporality of the story was confusing at times. It would jump back and forth between some past and the present and even the future at points. Yes, it added to the confusion of time that the crew would have been feeling on the boat, but it just didn't do anything for me.
It was pretty predictable, for me, as to what was going to happen during the novel. I felt very underwhelmed, especially when my teacher told me this was going to be such an amazing novel.
The pacing was either too slow or rushed through things that were important to the plot. There was no real in between for it.
Even the characters started getting on my nerves throughout the novel. The way that everyone treated Bernardo and the way they looked up to Elias and Mark felt too forced for me to really be able to enjoy the novel.
I don't give out low stars like this often, but I felt like this one was necessary. For me, personally, I did not enjoy this novel at all. I didn't feel any take-away from it which was really disappointing.
Karica Truebenbach (156 KP) rated Dazed and Confused (1993) in Movies
Oct 20, 2018
I will never not watch this movie
Dazed and Confused is a great movie with an even better soundtrack. I dont know if it accurately represented the times because I wasnt born in that era, but the movie sure made it look good. Plus it introduced us to people who are now movie stars, so there's that.
The movie is primarily a Seinfeld, which means it's much afoot about nothing, except for one character going through some growing pains and sticking it to "the Man", i.e. his football coach. But really it's a bunch of high school seniors living much cooler lives than I did at that age. And one lucky freshman who mostly avoids getting hazed.
Then there's Matthew McConaughey, being borderline creepy and offering up the most quotable lines from the movie. Who doesn't recognize "Alright alright alright"? Or "I keep getting older, but they stay the same age"? (That's the creepy part). Somehow, Matthew made it seem funny instead of gross, which I guess is why he has an Oscar now.
I feel like this is one of those movies that is a rite of passage. You know, when someone admits to not having seen this movie I look at them like they shouldn't be trusted or like they just landed on Earth. It should definitely be seen by every teenager on the planet.
The movie is primarily a Seinfeld, which means it's much afoot about nothing, except for one character going through some growing pains and sticking it to "the Man", i.e. his football coach. But really it's a bunch of high school seniors living much cooler lives than I did at that age. And one lucky freshman who mostly avoids getting hazed.
Then there's Matthew McConaughey, being borderline creepy and offering up the most quotable lines from the movie. Who doesn't recognize "Alright alright alright"? Or "I keep getting older, but they stay the same age"? (That's the creepy part). Somehow, Matthew made it seem funny instead of gross, which I guess is why he has an Oscar now.
I feel like this is one of those movies that is a rite of passage. You know, when someone admits to not having seen this movie I look at them like they shouldn't be trusted or like they just landed on Earth. It should definitely be seen by every teenager on the planet.
Some Very Interesting Cats Perhaps You Weren't Aware of
Book
Writer and illustrator Doogie Horner knows just what it is about cats that so obsesses and delights...
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Death Game (Supernatural Battle: Vampire Towers #3) in Books
Jan 8, 2021
This has been borrowed from the Kindle Unlimited Library.
This is the final book and Basi has some serious issues to resolve. She gave the Fyrlia's information that could start the end game and leave Kyros and his family in jeopardy so she has to fix that. Then there's what she promised to do for the Indebted. There's also the issue of trying to stay true to her grandmother's memory.
Once again I don't want to spoil it by going into detail but whoa, this had a lot going on.
I enjoyed reading more of the growing connection between Basi and Kyros as they completed more blood exchanges. It was about time that they finally just told each other the truth and worked through the issues from their short past together. They really were super cute and extremely hot at times. I loved them.
As for the game between the two clans of vampires. I'm so glad Basi was able to come up with her brilliant idea to thwart the bad side from winning as, like Basilia, I'd grown to like pretty much all of Kyros' family.
I did like the ending.
At the back of the book, the author had a note saying she was working on a werewolf supernatural battle series too and I think I'll read that too when it's released.
This is the final book and Basi has some serious issues to resolve. She gave the Fyrlia's information that could start the end game and leave Kyros and his family in jeopardy so she has to fix that. Then there's what she promised to do for the Indebted. There's also the issue of trying to stay true to her grandmother's memory.
Once again I don't want to spoil it by going into detail but whoa, this had a lot going on.
I enjoyed reading more of the growing connection between Basi and Kyros as they completed more blood exchanges. It was about time that they finally just told each other the truth and worked through the issues from their short past together. They really were super cute and extremely hot at times. I loved them.
As for the game between the two clans of vampires. I'm so glad Basi was able to come up with her brilliant idea to thwart the bad side from winning as, like Basilia, I'd grown to like pretty much all of Kyros' family.
I did like the ending.
At the back of the book, the author had a note saying she was working on a werewolf supernatural battle series too and I think I'll read that too when it's released.