Search
Search results
Happy Little Accidents: The Wit & Wisdom of Bob Ross
Book
Bob Ross-whose happy paintings, memorable hairstyle, and quirky catchphrases make us grin from ear...
Alice (117 KP) rated The Switch in Books
Mar 3, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books for early access to this audiobook
I wholeheartedly adored this book! After reading and loving The Flat Share I knew I wanted to read this book as well so when I saw it was available as an audiobook on NetGalley I jumped at the chance to get to read it. Also, the fact that it was narrated by the absolute ICON that is Alison Steadman and Normal People's Daisy Edgar-Jones really sold it to me! I love when audiobooks have multiple perspectives narrated by different actors as I feel like it adds a lot to the story that you don't always get from a single narrator. This was just so charmingly Beth O'Leary and I loved this one just as much - if not more than I loved The Flat Share. I loved all of the characters and this was such a fun read but it also deals with very serious topics as well such as death, grief and abuse but all rolled up in a charming little tale of love, friendship and family. It gave me major Hallmark Christmas movie vibes as in I kind of knew how it was going to end right at the start but it was so fun and sweet and it was nice just to do life with the characters. I couldn't recommend this book enough!
I wholeheartedly adored this book! After reading and loving The Flat Share I knew I wanted to read this book as well so when I saw it was available as an audiobook on NetGalley I jumped at the chance to get to read it. Also, the fact that it was narrated by the absolute ICON that is Alison Steadman and Normal People's Daisy Edgar-Jones really sold it to me! I love when audiobooks have multiple perspectives narrated by different actors as I feel like it adds a lot to the story that you don't always get from a single narrator. This was just so charmingly Beth O'Leary and I loved this one just as much - if not more than I loved The Flat Share. I loved all of the characters and this was such a fun read but it also deals with very serious topics as well such as death, grief and abuse but all rolled up in a charming little tale of love, friendship and family. It gave me major Hallmark Christmas movie vibes as in I kind of knew how it was going to end right at the start but it was so fun and sweet and it was nice just to do life with the characters. I couldn't recommend this book enough!
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated The Conjuring (2013) in Movies
Oct 11, 2020
Have the exact same opinion from when I first saw it, it's fun and has its share of scary moments but holy hell is it also exhausting and conventional. Very handsomely made with a lot of visual personality (it's impossible for Wan to make a bad film simply because of how damn good they look) but otherwise short on nuance and running about fifteen minutes too lengthy. I mean this was practically made for normies to love but otherwise in terms of its acclaim even at the time, I don't really get it? I can't stress enough how much this did for modern horror as we know it and I of course applaud it for that, but I think most people were just shocked that a high-grossing studio horror movie could be shot and acted well back then imo. Putting aside the fact that they're real-life bullshit artists, the Warrens depicted here are just about as bland as can be - for me this whole affair just doesn't have the verve or the flavor of Wan's ππ―π΄πͺπ₯πͺπ°πΆπ΄. His playfulness and the entire cast's conviction help ultimately sell this for me even in spite of its austerity; the moments when this feels like a rustic haunted house joyride make it work but the rest it of mostly *strains* man come on this shit is so beyond familiar territory even by this point. Fine, but could have been better.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) in Movies
Apr 5, 2022
I was pleasantly surprised but just how damn delightful the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie was, and with this sequel, Jeff Fowler has wisely stuck with the formula, added more to it, and the results are just as enjoyable.
Jim Carrey once again steals the show, as a more unhinged Robotnik, closer to his game counterpart than he was the first time around. When coupled with the inclusion of fan favourite characters Tails and Knuckles, alongside series mainstays like the Chaos Emeralds, Sonic 2 runs headfirst into its source material whilst still feeling at home in the real world. It's a good balance.
A lot of the comedy fell flat for me however. A lot of jokes didn't land properly, but it's important to remember that this is a movie geared towards kids, and as such, it's not a huge issue. There's also a kind of discount Meet the Parents side plot that feels wholly unnecessary and drags the mid point, but this is completely made up for by one of the most entertaining final acts in recent blockbuster memory. The final showdown is an unencumbered blast. As someone who grew up playing the Sonic games, it's a joy to behold and is a testament to how fucking fun video game adaptions can be when handled well.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is just a damn good time, and I say that confidently as a grown ass man. Make the trip to the cinema and treat yo self.
Jim Carrey once again steals the show, as a more unhinged Robotnik, closer to his game counterpart than he was the first time around. When coupled with the inclusion of fan favourite characters Tails and Knuckles, alongside series mainstays like the Chaos Emeralds, Sonic 2 runs headfirst into its source material whilst still feeling at home in the real world. It's a good balance.
A lot of the comedy fell flat for me however. A lot of jokes didn't land properly, but it's important to remember that this is a movie geared towards kids, and as such, it's not a huge issue. There's also a kind of discount Meet the Parents side plot that feels wholly unnecessary and drags the mid point, but this is completely made up for by one of the most entertaining final acts in recent blockbuster memory. The final showdown is an unencumbered blast. As someone who grew up playing the Sonic games, it's a joy to behold and is a testament to how fucking fun video game adaptions can be when handled well.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is just a damn good time, and I say that confidently as a grown ass man. Make the trip to the cinema and treat yo self.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Tempests and Slaughter: the Numair Chronicles Book 1 in Books
Apr 5, 2018
Tamora's excellent writing (2 more)
Awesome worldbuilding
ENZI
A new Tamora Pierce book! About the origins of Numair! YES! I waited SO ANXIOUSLY for this book to make its way through the line of holds at my library and get in my grabby hands, and I was rewarded. Tempests is classic Tamora Pierce. It's set in Carthak, not Tortall, but the themes and feel are exactly what I was expecting. I love diving back into my favorite fantasy worlds, and Tortall ranks right near the top. (It might be the top, I haven't sat down and attempted to rank them - that would probably be a futile effort!)
My only issue with the book, really, is that it feels like an introduction. I know it's the first part of a trilogy, but the rest isn't OUT YET! So I feel like I've read the first third of a story and now I have to wait. Tempests introduces a LOT of story threads, and resolves exactly none of them. It managed to do so without leaving us on a cliffhanger, though, so there's that, at least. I'm probably going to go re-read the books around Numair's adult life to tide me over until the rest of this trilogy comes out!
I think my favorite character overall was Enzi - he was hilarious and obstinate and I'm looking forward to the rest of his storyline.
I was surprised but pleased to see a gay couple as side characters - and that it wasn't mentioned the character was gay until his husband arrived on the scene. It wasn't a defining point of his character, his spouse just happened to be male. I've said it before, but I love seeing the change in fantasy - it's gone from "that's strange or scandalous" to "absolutely no big deal, people have differently-gendered partners." It will be even lovelier once real society reaches that point!
Final verdict: Tempests and Slaughter was an excellent addition to Tortall, but if you like books that resolve their storylines, you might want to wait until the rest of the trilogy is published. If you can't wait, just expect that you won't get many answers from this first book!
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
My only issue with the book, really, is that it feels like an introduction. I know it's the first part of a trilogy, but the rest isn't OUT YET! So I feel like I've read the first third of a story and now I have to wait. Tempests introduces a LOT of story threads, and resolves exactly none of them. It managed to do so without leaving us on a cliffhanger, though, so there's that, at least. I'm probably going to go re-read the books around Numair's adult life to tide me over until the rest of this trilogy comes out!
I think my favorite character overall was Enzi - he was hilarious and obstinate and I'm looking forward to the rest of his storyline.
I was surprised but pleased to see a gay couple as side characters - and that it wasn't mentioned the character was gay until his husband arrived on the scene. It wasn't a defining point of his character, his spouse just happened to be male. I've said it before, but I love seeing the change in fantasy - it's gone from "that's strange or scandalous" to "absolutely no big deal, people have differently-gendered partners." It will be even lovelier once real society reaches that point!
Final verdict: Tempests and Slaughter was an excellent addition to Tortall, but if you like books that resolve their storylines, you might want to wait until the rest of the trilogy is published. If you can't wait, just expect that you won't get many answers from this first book!
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Becs (244 KP) rated My Favorite Half-Night Stand in Books
Dec 8, 2019
You can also find this review on my blog: bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
Trigger Warnings: catfishing, loss of a loved one, talk of cancer and diagnosis of Parkinsonβs disease, questionable comments on physical appearance
Review:
When I first read this back in July, I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. But after much thinking, Iβm dropping my rating down to 3 out of 5 stars. I donβt really remember much of it but after rereading the synopsis, I realized that there were things that I didnβt like. I found the story to be a bit of a bore and extremely unbelievable at most parts.
The whole premise of the book follows a group of close-knit friends that work together, trying to find dates for an event. They all download a dating app and make accounts. But the four men of the group had a bit of trouble making their accounts so Millie, the main character, rewrites them.
First off, the event that this group of friends were trying to find dates for never even happened. So that was a bit of a let down! The internet lingo use was also really weird. It was like these characters didnβt know how to use the lingo even though they are only supposed to be 30 something, which isnβt much older than I am currently.
Millie also makes an account and the men think itβs a bore. So Millie makes a fake account that is a bit more realistic to who she is. But, she doesnβt put her real name on the account. When she ends up getting matched with Reid, she decides to send him a message that basically was catfishing herself. This goes on through the entirety of the novel.
Reading Millieβs actions seem apologetically at first due to her troublesome past, which she doesnβt ever talk about to her friends. But on her fake account, she thinks itβs okay to talk about it with Reid. βBecause itβs not like itβs her.β This was really disgusting to read through the entire book. Sheβs basically lying to one of her best friends even though everything she says is the truth, itβs just under a different name. Overall, Reid was the only redeeming character of the entire book and the rest was just meh.
Trigger Warnings: catfishing, loss of a loved one, talk of cancer and diagnosis of Parkinsonβs disease, questionable comments on physical appearance
Review:
When I first read this back in July, I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. But after much thinking, Iβm dropping my rating down to 3 out of 5 stars. I donβt really remember much of it but after rereading the synopsis, I realized that there were things that I didnβt like. I found the story to be a bit of a bore and extremely unbelievable at most parts.
The whole premise of the book follows a group of close-knit friends that work together, trying to find dates for an event. They all download a dating app and make accounts. But the four men of the group had a bit of trouble making their accounts so Millie, the main character, rewrites them.
First off, the event that this group of friends were trying to find dates for never even happened. So that was a bit of a let down! The internet lingo use was also really weird. It was like these characters didnβt know how to use the lingo even though they are only supposed to be 30 something, which isnβt much older than I am currently.
Millie also makes an account and the men think itβs a bore. So Millie makes a fake account that is a bit more realistic to who she is. But, she doesnβt put her real name on the account. When she ends up getting matched with Reid, she decides to send him a message that basically was catfishing herself. This goes on through the entirety of the novel.
Reading Millieβs actions seem apologetically at first due to her troublesome past, which she doesnβt ever talk about to her friends. But on her fake account, she thinks itβs okay to talk about it with Reid. βBecause itβs not like itβs her.β This was really disgusting to read through the entire book. Sheβs basically lying to one of her best friends even though everything she says is the truth, itβs just under a different name. Overall, Reid was the only redeeming character of the entire book and the rest was just meh.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Fearless (Fe@rleSS_) (2020) in Movies
Aug 18, 2020
On a whim I put this one on, computer games mixed with aliens... why not!
Miles, username Fe@rleSS_, is nearly at the end of his favourite video game, just one level stands between him and the win. The game gives him a special boost... of babies, super babies, it might not be what he expected but it's what he's got and the game is about to get a lot more real. The babies land in a ship in his backyard and his job is now intergalactic babysitter, with the added danger of a villain on their tails.
Fe@rleSS_ has a great cast of talent and the voices fit well with all the characters, but despite that there's little to help this film along. It doesn't matter how well you can perform lines what you've been given is so bland. There are some amusing moments but nothing that raised more than a small nasal exhale laugh.
The animation is nice, fun design and easy to follow, everything is just right... it really does sit exactly in the middle, not awful enough to moan about and not spectacular enough to rave about. It's not great when you start shrugging your shoulders when you talk about things.
My main issue with the film overall is the story. The idea is that something from Miles' game comes to the real world, fine, it's got the Jumanji sound to it. But in practice it doesn't look like that at all. For anyone who isn't young enough not to care about anything but the action it is entirely frustrating. There are many ways to make game life come to the real world, we see it in so many different things, so I don't understand why you wouldn't use something like that. The film makes it appear like it's all in the real world, but when you couple that with the video game aspect it doesn't make sense. The whole baby angle also doesn't make any sense, even if they are adorable.
There's a cute little message of "even dads can be superheroes", though not responsible ones who protect their kids from space battles... beyond that nothing jumped out at me at all. I'm going to be filing it under "it didn't annoy me, but I wouldn't stop and watch it if it was on."
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2020/08/fearless-movie-review.html
Miles, username Fe@rleSS_, is nearly at the end of his favourite video game, just one level stands between him and the win. The game gives him a special boost... of babies, super babies, it might not be what he expected but it's what he's got and the game is about to get a lot more real. The babies land in a ship in his backyard and his job is now intergalactic babysitter, with the added danger of a villain on their tails.
Fe@rleSS_ has a great cast of talent and the voices fit well with all the characters, but despite that there's little to help this film along. It doesn't matter how well you can perform lines what you've been given is so bland. There are some amusing moments but nothing that raised more than a small nasal exhale laugh.
The animation is nice, fun design and easy to follow, everything is just right... it really does sit exactly in the middle, not awful enough to moan about and not spectacular enough to rave about. It's not great when you start shrugging your shoulders when you talk about things.
My main issue with the film overall is the story. The idea is that something from Miles' game comes to the real world, fine, it's got the Jumanji sound to it. But in practice it doesn't look like that at all. For anyone who isn't young enough not to care about anything but the action it is entirely frustrating. There are many ways to make game life come to the real world, we see it in so many different things, so I don't understand why you wouldn't use something like that. The film makes it appear like it's all in the real world, but when you couple that with the video game aspect it doesn't make sense. The whole baby angle also doesn't make any sense, even if they are adorable.
There's a cute little message of "even dads can be superheroes", though not responsible ones who protect their kids from space battles... beyond that nothing jumped out at me at all. I'm going to be filing it under "it didn't annoy me, but I wouldn't stop and watch it if it was on."
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2020/08/fearless-movie-review.html
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Better Watch Out (2016) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
A Christmas film... a horror film... also described as a comedy and a thriller on IMDb, although I find both of those a little inaccurate. If you asked me to sum up the genre I'd say "it's a Christmas horror..?" and then scrunch up my face in uncertain disgust.
It's difficult to sum this one up without exposing the end of the movie. I would like everyone to have the same confused experience watching this as I did.
I sat down at home to this DVD. I'd excitedly purchased this when I found out about it. With the tagline of "you might be home but you're not alone" you know exactly what you're getting. Or at least that's what you think. Everything promises to make this Home Alone for adults... Home Alone is for adults too of course. No one should deprive themselves of that Christmas wonder.
Not going to lie, when I saw Patrick Warburton pop up on screen it was like a Christmas miracle. I love him. He can do no wrong, and thankfully he didn't disappoint.
Olivia DeJonge made a great job of the role of Ashley. It felt like the serious sort of acting that the film needed to make it a horror film and not more of a comedy. Alongside Levi Miller as Luke we were given an interesting, if awkward on screen leading pair. Miller didn't quite hit the same notes for me as DeJonge did. I think that is more to do with the way the character is written than the acting, as he certainly puts everything into his scenes.
So... I sat down (I know, that was a way back now!) with my pad and pen waiting to jot some notes as I watched. I made a few scribblngs every now and then... until it happened... and you'll know it when it does. At that point I threw my pen across the room and told the film to f*** off.
The first part of the film had so much potential and I was really enjoying it but after "the moment" I just lost all interest in the way they'd taken it. I really wanted a more serious horror film than the unbelieveable thing that was given to us. What we were left with was cringeworthy and uncomfortable to watch, but I will give it credit for its Home Alone moments.
I really would like to know what you guys thought of the end of this film if you saw it.
Being that I was at home watching this on DVD that meant that I got some extras, well, extra. Singular. The fairly subtantial "making of" featurette was quite interesting and reveals just how hardcore DeJonge is when it came to this film.
What you should do
It's potentially drinking game material, but it definitely won't be making it into my Christmas movie rotation.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Without a doubt I would like Patrick Warburton please. If he could be delivered to me in a Christmas tie, even better.
It's difficult to sum this one up without exposing the end of the movie. I would like everyone to have the same confused experience watching this as I did.
I sat down at home to this DVD. I'd excitedly purchased this when I found out about it. With the tagline of "you might be home but you're not alone" you know exactly what you're getting. Or at least that's what you think. Everything promises to make this Home Alone for adults... Home Alone is for adults too of course. No one should deprive themselves of that Christmas wonder.
Not going to lie, when I saw Patrick Warburton pop up on screen it was like a Christmas miracle. I love him. He can do no wrong, and thankfully he didn't disappoint.
Olivia DeJonge made a great job of the role of Ashley. It felt like the serious sort of acting that the film needed to make it a horror film and not more of a comedy. Alongside Levi Miller as Luke we were given an interesting, if awkward on screen leading pair. Miller didn't quite hit the same notes for me as DeJonge did. I think that is more to do with the way the character is written than the acting, as he certainly puts everything into his scenes.
So... I sat down (I know, that was a way back now!) with my pad and pen waiting to jot some notes as I watched. I made a few scribblngs every now and then... until it happened... and you'll know it when it does. At that point I threw my pen across the room and told the film to f*** off.
The first part of the film had so much potential and I was really enjoying it but after "the moment" I just lost all interest in the way they'd taken it. I really wanted a more serious horror film than the unbelieveable thing that was given to us. What we were left with was cringeworthy and uncomfortable to watch, but I will give it credit for its Home Alone moments.
I really would like to know what you guys thought of the end of this film if you saw it.
Being that I was at home watching this on DVD that meant that I got some extras, well, extra. Singular. The fairly subtantial "making of" featurette was quite interesting and reveals just how hardcore DeJonge is when it came to this film.
What you should do
It's potentially drinking game material, but it definitely won't be making it into my Christmas movie rotation.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Without a doubt I would like Patrick Warburton please. If he could be delivered to me in a Christmas tie, even better.
ClareR (5890 KP) rated Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture in Books
Nov 23, 2018
This is an important book.
This is such an important book. Most of the contributions are from women who have experienced sexual assault, but there are contributions from men, and trans women as well. Some are terrible, life changing stories, some are stories of numerous occurrences that chip away at the writers self confidence and feelings of safety. Actually, the upshot is that a vast majority of women do not feel safe anymore.
As I began reading this, I thought that I was one of the lucky that had never experienced any of these things, but as I read on, I realised that I actually had. I think that the cat-calling, touching and looks are something that we don't so much expect as that we are just used to them. The fact that in my younger years I was very outspoken and told someone who touched me to keep their hands to themselves, or told a commenter to keep their mouths shut, probably meant that I was more lucky than effective when they backed down or apologised. And I also think that British culture was very different 20 years ago, as was I.
What saddens me, is that the people who should really read this probably won't. And if they do, they'll probably brush it off as women who exaggerate or are out to attack men, are men haters. But these are all genuine experiences. This isn't fiction. It's heart breaking, raw and something that shouldn't have any place in our modern world. I've never understood the need of some people to control, manipulate and hurt others, but I think I'm probably naive. Or hopeful, perhaps. Somehow, we need to stop this cycle of abuse and hurt, and until then, stories like this will continue.
As I began reading this, I thought that I was one of the lucky that had never experienced any of these things, but as I read on, I realised that I actually had. I think that the cat-calling, touching and looks are something that we don't so much expect as that we are just used to them. The fact that in my younger years I was very outspoken and told someone who touched me to keep their hands to themselves, or told a commenter to keep their mouths shut, probably meant that I was more lucky than effective when they backed down or apologised. And I also think that British culture was very different 20 years ago, as was I.
What saddens me, is that the people who should really read this probably won't. And if they do, they'll probably brush it off as women who exaggerate or are out to attack men, are men haters. But these are all genuine experiences. This isn't fiction. It's heart breaking, raw and something that shouldn't have any place in our modern world. I've never understood the need of some people to control, manipulate and hurt others, but I think I'm probably naive. Or hopeful, perhaps. Somehow, we need to stop this cycle of abuse and hurt, and until then, stories like this will continue.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I will be the first to admit that I am not a big fan of Bill O'Reilly's views on many things, but there is no arguing that he can write an excellent book. This is the second of his "Killing" series that I've read, the first being Killing Jesus. They were both wonderful & so easy to lose yourself in.
This particular book made me forget that I was reading about actual events. I was so immersed in the story. JFK & Jackie are fascinating people & their life together makes them all the more intriguing. This book isn't just about the assassination, but the years, months, & days leading up to that fateful day in November. Both for the Kennedy family & the Oswalds. I found myself at times, thinking, "No don't do that." Or, "Yes, listen to your gut & your advisors & cancel that trip." Almost hoping that somehow it would turn out differently, but knowing full well how it was going to end.
Despite knowing the end before even cracking the book open, I was hooked from the very first word. It is rare to read a non-fiction book that reads like a spy novel & political thriller. That's what makes the reader forget that the events really happened. It doesn't falter into all the conspiracy theories or speculation on the events leading up to it. It is remarkably well researched & based on the countless records, videos, transcripts, & documents from the era. This is a must read for anyone, even if you aren't fascinated with the Kennedys as I was.
This particular book made me forget that I was reading about actual events. I was so immersed in the story. JFK & Jackie are fascinating people & their life together makes them all the more intriguing. This book isn't just about the assassination, but the years, months, & days leading up to that fateful day in November. Both for the Kennedy family & the Oswalds. I found myself at times, thinking, "No don't do that." Or, "Yes, listen to your gut & your advisors & cancel that trip." Almost hoping that somehow it would turn out differently, but knowing full well how it was going to end.
Despite knowing the end before even cracking the book open, I was hooked from the very first word. It is rare to read a non-fiction book that reads like a spy novel & political thriller. That's what makes the reader forget that the events really happened. It doesn't falter into all the conspiracy theories or speculation on the events leading up to it. It is remarkably well researched & based on the countless records, videos, transcripts, & documents from the era. This is a must read for anyone, even if you aren't fascinated with the Kennedys as I was.