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EmersonRose (320 KP) rated The Throne of Fire (Kane Chronicles #2) in Books
Nov 20, 2019
It took me a while to get started on the Kane Chronicles after reading both Percy Jackson series, and although I have been enjoying it, I have been reading it very slowly. Egyptian myth was something I really enjoyed studying in school, and like the Greek myth books, Riordan has done an excellent job of combining research with originality. The books are fun, and I like the sibling main characters. I will be continuing the series soon and hopefully, it won’t take me so long to read the next one.
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Some Like It Hot (1959) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
The joy of Some Like It Hot is very simple: Marilyn Monroe as Sugar Kane is so utterly gorgeous you can’t take your eyes off her. Add to that the comic genius of Jack Lemon and Tony Curtis in wigs, and the fun never stops! Pre-empting film style by a whole generation, Billy Wilder gave us a film of such pace and relentless laughs that it always feels about an hour long and is over way too soon. A film with characters so good we want to be with them forever!
WOW, WOW, WOW ???
I can't even begin to explain how much I enjoyed this book ... it was so good, I didn't want it to end and I'm not one who normally reads courtroom books but I was drawn to this because of the serial killer angle .... I know, I know, I'm a little strange in my reading tastes! Don't judge me ?
Now, this is the first book I have read by this author containing Flynn and although it would have probably helped with background information to have read previous ones, I don't feel it is absolutely necessary but I will certainly be seeking them out after reading this.
Anyway, this book is basically about the murder of a starlet and her supposed lover - they were found by the husband who allegedly beat him to death with a baseball bat and stabbed her repeatedly. In comes Flynn as part of the defence team who becomes 'the' defence team following a few revelations whereby the main lawyer (who is employed by the studio) is told to withdraw. Meanwhile, someone is going to great lengths to be on the jury ... welcome to Joshua Kane, a very disturbed individual.
Flynn is a fantastic character; I adore him - so likeable and not 'up himself' like many lawyers seem to be portrayed ... he's "normal" ... well, if you can call a previous con-man with a shady history normal but it does give him a unique view of things which certainly comes in handy in his line of work.
Joshua Kane is far from normal but what a great character he is - such a good baddie!!
The supporting cast were equally as good and all had their part to play in this fantastic book.
The chapters are written alternatively between Flynn and Kane and whilst Flynn's are written in the first person, Kane's are written in the third; this was, I think, a stroke of genius as it gives different perspectives from Flynn who's trying his best for his client to Kane who is cleverly manipulating things from the jury box. The pace of the book is perfect; there's plenty of action, thrills, twists and turns that had me hooked from page one.
This is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best books I have ever read and one of the very few that I will read again.
Many thanks to the publisher, Orion Publishing Group, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review - thank you so much, I absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough.
I can't even begin to explain how much I enjoyed this book ... it was so good, I didn't want it to end and I'm not one who normally reads courtroom books but I was drawn to this because of the serial killer angle .... I know, I know, I'm a little strange in my reading tastes! Don't judge me ?
Now, this is the first book I have read by this author containing Flynn and although it would have probably helped with background information to have read previous ones, I don't feel it is absolutely necessary but I will certainly be seeking them out after reading this.
Anyway, this book is basically about the murder of a starlet and her supposed lover - they were found by the husband who allegedly beat him to death with a baseball bat and stabbed her repeatedly. In comes Flynn as part of the defence team who becomes 'the' defence team following a few revelations whereby the main lawyer (who is employed by the studio) is told to withdraw. Meanwhile, someone is going to great lengths to be on the jury ... welcome to Joshua Kane, a very disturbed individual.
Flynn is a fantastic character; I adore him - so likeable and not 'up himself' like many lawyers seem to be portrayed ... he's "normal" ... well, if you can call a previous con-man with a shady history normal but it does give him a unique view of things which certainly comes in handy in his line of work.
Joshua Kane is far from normal but what a great character he is - such a good baddie!!
The supporting cast were equally as good and all had their part to play in this fantastic book.
The chapters are written alternatively between Flynn and Kane and whilst Flynn's are written in the first person, Kane's are written in the third; this was, I think, a stroke of genius as it gives different perspectives from Flynn who's trying his best for his client to Kane who is cleverly manipulating things from the jury box. The pace of the book is perfect; there's plenty of action, thrills, twists and turns that had me hooked from page one.
This is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best books I have ever read and one of the very few that I will read again.
Many thanks to the publisher, Orion Publishing Group, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review - thank you so much, I absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough.
Merissa (11800 KP) rated The Keeping (Law of the Lycans, #3) in Books
Mar 26, 2018
The Keeping (Law of the Lycans #3) by Nicky Charles
The Keeping is one of the main laws of the Lycans. They can't tell anyone about their existence, or dire circumstances will follow. The photograph Ryne took of Kane comes into play in this book. Billionaire 'Greyson' has the photo, and makes a discovery. To follow up on this, he makes sure his lawyer, Aldrich, hires Melody to find Ryne and get an interview. You don't know Greyson's reasons for this until the end of the book, so you are kept in tenterhooks. Melody and Ryne have an explosive time together, but the line between 'yes' and 'no' is blurred in this story, so consider yourself warned. On a positive note, we catch up with Elise and Kane, so that's good.
This is an intricate tale, with plenty of mystery left to the end. Smoothly written, and with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, The Keeping is another jewel in the crown of The Law of the Lycans series. This book will definitely keep your interest, whether it is the mystery side, or the sexy times ;) Absolutely recommended by me.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is an intricate tale, with plenty of mystery left to the end. Smoothly written, and with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, The Keeping is another jewel in the crown of The Law of the Lycans series. This book will definitely keep your interest, whether it is the mystery side, or the sexy times ;) Absolutely recommended by me.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Lenard (726 KP) rated Mank (2020) in Movies
Dec 6, 2020
David Fincher has spent two decades working to adapt his father's screenplay about Herman Mankiewicz. He succeeded in a major triumph. Gary Oldman plays the alcoholic washed up screenwriter hired by New York wunderkind Orson Welles to write the first draft of the screenplay for his first film. The resulting film, Citizen Kane, would change moviemaking for generations even if the battle to get it made, released, and seen lasted two industry cycles.
Mank is a wonder to behold technically. The production design, editing, and cinematography takes you back to an earlier Hollywood era. Its use of flashback, mirroring Kane, fills in the blank as to how Mank was in this world and why he was willing to burn it. The movie even foreshadows events that would.shape the screenplay Mank is writing.
My greatest pleasure was how its relevance continues today, but without the explicit shoutouts or manipulation of events. Do you know the parable of the organ grinder's monkey? If you don't, Mank tells you, but never exposes the reason it resonates. Also, even if you have seen other works about WRH, you still learn more about him. Mank is great and will get many Oscar nominations. Amanda Seyfried gives Marion Davies the star turn she never had in life.
Mank is a wonder to behold technically. The production design, editing, and cinematography takes you back to an earlier Hollywood era. Its use of flashback, mirroring Kane, fills in the blank as to how Mank was in this world and why he was willing to burn it. The movie even foreshadows events that would.shape the screenplay Mank is writing.
My greatest pleasure was how its relevance continues today, but without the explicit shoutouts or manipulation of events. Do you know the parable of the organ grinder's monkey? If you don't, Mank tells you, but never exposes the reason it resonates. Also, even if you have seen other works about WRH, you still learn more about him. Mank is great and will get many Oscar nominations. Amanda Seyfried gives Marion Davies the star turn she never had in life.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Dex in Blue (Johnnies, #2) in Books
Sep 6, 2019
When I got this as a freebie from All Romance Ebooks back in December 2012, I had no idea it was the second book in a series or that it was even in a series. It was only later when I joined Goodreads that I realised.
Well the first 40% or so when we were seeing scenes from the first book, Chase in Shadows, I realised how much of a heart-breaking story it was--and that wasn't even reading it first hand. I may have to read it, and have a box of tissues at the ready.
But back to Dex in Blue...can I say how much I liked both Dex and Kane AKA David and Carlos! Both are really great guys who've had tough lives, dealing with family issues and relationships. Both look out for their friends and are a really great couple. They compliment each other nicely.
I liked their relationship progression but I have to admit I wanted to smack Kane a few times. He said some stupid things which pained Dex (and me!) and though he is a really sweet guy, at the beginning, he had no idea! Ugh!
I'm looking forward to reading more books by Amy Lane.
Well the first 40% or so when we were seeing scenes from the first book, Chase in Shadows, I realised how much of a heart-breaking story it was--and that wasn't even reading it first hand. I may have to read it, and have a box of tissues at the ready.
But back to Dex in Blue...can I say how much I liked both Dex and Kane AKA David and Carlos! Both are really great guys who've had tough lives, dealing with family issues and relationships. Both look out for their friends and are a really great couple. They compliment each other nicely.
I liked their relationship progression but I have to admit I wanted to smack Kane a few times. He said some stupid things which pained Dex (and me!) and though he is a really sweet guy, at the beginning, he had no idea! Ugh!
I'm looking forward to reading more books by Amy Lane.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Citizen Kane (1941) in Movies
May 23, 2020
Orson Welles' Citizen Kane is the Citizen Kane of modern movie-making. That doesn't make a lot of sense, but it tells you everything about the place of this film in our culture. Amoral narcissist inherits a huge fortune, accrues even more wealth and power by peddling fake news, but finds his political ambitions thwarted by a sex scandal (which just goes to show you how different life is from the movies).
Trying to ascertain the extent of Citizen Kane's influence on the movies is a bit like trying to map the coastline of the USA without leaving Kansas: the film is packed with so many narrative and technical innovations it's impossible to conceive of the impact it had on the industry. Terrific performances and a clever, serious script about the dangers of choosing the love of power over the power of love, and many moments and images of throwaway genius. You might have expected Welles to make more of the possibilities for unreliable narration in the movie, plus some of his technical virtuosity seems more geared towards showing off than thought-through storytelling, but this is still a genuine classic. One wonders what else Welles might have achieved, had he been allowed to continue to make films with all the resources of Hollywood behind him - but it wasn't to be. Still, this film alone guarantees him immortality.
Trying to ascertain the extent of Citizen Kane's influence on the movies is a bit like trying to map the coastline of the USA without leaving Kansas: the film is packed with so many narrative and technical innovations it's impossible to conceive of the impact it had on the industry. Terrific performances and a clever, serious script about the dangers of choosing the love of power over the power of love, and many moments and images of throwaway genius. You might have expected Welles to make more of the possibilities for unreliable narration in the movie, plus some of his technical virtuosity seems more geared towards showing off than thought-through storytelling, but this is still a genuine classic. One wonders what else Welles might have achieved, had he been allowed to continue to make films with all the resources of Hollywood behind him - but it wasn't to be. Still, this film alone guarantees him immortality.
Dean (6925 KP) rated Wishmaster (1997) in Movies
Jun 10, 2018 (Updated Jun 5, 2020)
Good Horror Premise
A fun idea for a new slasher premise, at least 3 sequels were made. The SFX do look a bit dated now and the gore effects, along with a lot of elements to the film do look a little low budget. With Wes Craven as exec producer and starring Robert Englund and cameos by Tony Todd and Kane Hodder adds a few nice touches for the horror fans. Andrew Divoff plays the evil Djinn very well and with a dark sense of humour. It is a bit cheesy but has a certain charm to it, one for gore fans and horror buffs will enjoy it more than most.
Terry Gilliam recommended Citizen Kane (1941) in Movies (curated)
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Shed of the Dead (2019) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
Brian Blessed sets up the movie wickedly with his booming and distinctive voice as he opens the film in only Blessed could do, what a way to start a movie bring some fantasy to the genre in true Blessed style and also not forgetting that the lovely Emily Booth as a fantasy warrior woman.
Look out for the Kane Hodder in the movie as well, his portrayal of the character Mr Parsons had me laughing out loud at one point, certainly not the sort of role you’d expect to see Hodder in, but it’s priceless, but there is a little more to his character than you first expect, brilliant.
Look out for the Kane Hodder in the movie as well, his portrayal of the character Mr Parsons had me laughing out loud at one point, certainly not the sort of role you’d expect to see Hodder in, but it’s priceless, but there is a little more to his character than you first expect, brilliant.