Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Surf's Up (2007) in Movies
Jul 28, 2018
Acting: 10
Great cast of voice actors led by LaBeouf. The voices breathe life into each character giving them their own flair. Jeff Bridges seems to always find a way to be the shining moment in almost every film he's in.
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Some of the best animation I have seen in film, hands down. The colors are bright and vivid, teeming with life. Where the visuals really shine are during the surfing scenes. There appears to be so much care that went into the water and wave animation and it pays off on screen. I can't wait to watch this film on a 4K television.
Conflict: 10
Genre: 8
Memorability: 6
Pace: 8
Plot: 10
If a penguin surfing isn't original enough for you, the story as a whole is enough to keep you entertained. Has there ever been an animated film about surfing period, let alone surfing animals? Not sure, but this film captured its essence well while respecting the sport.
Resolution: 10
Overall: 92
With a hilarious opener, classic characters, and Joe the Chicken (trust me, you'll love him), this film is a home run. Great movie for a family night.
The Letters of Robert Frost, Volume Two
Book
The Letters of Robert Frost, Volume 2: 1920-1928 is the second installment of Harvard's five-volume...
The Many Lives of Miss K: Toto Koopman - Model, Muse, Spy
Jean-Noel Liaut and Denise Jacobs
Book
A life of glamour and tragedy, set against the watershed cultural and political movements of...
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, #1)
7.5
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Book
Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a...
The Uninvited
8.0
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Book
From the award-winning author of In the Shadow of Blackbirdscomes a stunning new novel a masterfully...
Merissa (12687 KP) rated The Long Way Home (Coming Home #1) in Books
Feb 28, 2025
Marcus was a troubled teen/trust fund child who got together with Declan, someone out of the same group of people who actually wanted to spend time with him. Unfortunately, Declan became seriously ill and made Marcus continue on with his life without Declan being in it. Cory became a dad at 19 and a single dad six months later. His whole life revolves around his daughter and his family. The sparks fly when these two meet, but not for the reasons Marcus thinks.
I will say, most of this book is angst between the two, with lots of misconstrued signals and attempts to speak. Considering they're both adults, this became frustrating very quickly. You could cut out half of this and still have a decent-sized novel, as this was a LONG read.
I found both characters to be slightly inconsistent in how they thought and behaved, especially Cory. Considering how he'd been earlier in the book, there was a bit of whiplash involved when he and Marcus actually had their first date.
On the whole, this was a good read that I would give 3.5 stars to (rounded up). It is a debut novel and there is plenty of potential for future stories.
** 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!
Feb 28, 2025
Paul McCartney: The Biography
Book
The first biography written with Paul McCartney's approval and with access to family members and...
Kickboxer Retaliation (2018)
7.0
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Movie Watch
Kickboxer: Retaliation continues where Kickboxer:Vengeance left off. It has now been 12 months since...
ClareR (5854 KP) rated The House Guest in Books
Jul 10, 2021 (Updated Jul 10, 2021)
Kate’s sister disappeared when she was 10 years old, and now 15 years later Kate decides to move to London after one of her sisters old friends phones to say that they’ve seen her. Could this be Kate’s chance to find her sister?
Kate is overwhelmed by everything: the fact that she can’t find a decent job, she’s having no luck in finding her sister, and her parents expectation that she’ll come home to be with them, that London is just a phase. In fact they are very protective of Kate, almost suffocatingly so. They want her to phone them regularly, and make it clear that they expect her to come back to Oxford.
So when Della walks in to the cafe that Kate works at and invites her to join in her life-coaching class for some free sessions, Kate jumps at the chance. After all, she might just get the help she needs.
Kate is such a vulnerable character: she’s emotional and needs constant reassurance, whilst at the same time she doesn’t want anyone to know about her past. Della, on the other hand, is confident in every aspect of her life. She’s a successful life coach with beautiful children and a supportive husband - but there always seems to be something lurking under this glossy exterior. You just can’t put your finger on it until it’s too late!
I couldn’t decide if I wanted to shake or hug Kate, if I’m honest, and I’m sure other people will feel the same way, especially as more of her past is revealed. But my standing ovation goes to Della’s character and how she manages to manipulate Kate into getting exactly what she wants!
I hope this has piqued your interest. It’s a pretty gripping read especially in the latter half, and I’m sure you will really enjoy it - I did!
Many thanks to HarperCollins for my NetGalley copy of this book.
Rose West: The Making of a Monster
Book
Although it's hard to believe now, Rose West was an exceptionally beautiful little girl with long,...