Manglehorn (2015)
4.5
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Movie Watch
AJ Manglehorn seems to be an ordinary guy, but he's an ex-con who, 40 years ago, gave up the woman...
3:10 to Yuma (2007)
7.4
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Movie Watch
Outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) terrorizes 1800s Arizona, especially the Southern Railroad, until he...
The Amityville Harvest (2020)
Movie Watch
While staying at an aging manor to research its liquor-smuggling history, Christina and her...
Wish You Were Here
6.0
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Tabletop Game
In the vein of Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective and T.I.M.E. Stories, Wish You Were Here pits...
The Tea House
8.0
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Book
Jaime is looking for sanctuary and a new start after escaping his stepfather. With little money to...
Horror Paranormal MM Romance
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Strike Me Down in Books
Apr 23, 2020
"Five days. Twenty million dollars. The pressure was indisputably on."
The book, however, was focused more on personalities, with much of the story told via Nora and Greg's eyes. This would have been fine, but I never really felt much of a connection with either of these characters. Or Logan Russo, either, despite her portrayal as a dynamic, forceful heroine who has impacted a generation of kickboxers and athletes. Nora makes a series of bad decisions and seems oddly obsessed with Logan for no real reason--a weird focus that is never really explained. She has a past that has led her to her role in forensic accounting, but it never really leads to much in the end. Greg is a focused businessman on the outs with his wife, and I never felt much sympathy with him. And Logan, as mentioned, who is supposed to be the core of this book, just falls flat until nearly the end of the novel.
"For forty years she'd been invisible, a quality she'd not only taken for granted, but turned into her greatest asset. She was the unseen eye, the counter nobody counted, who wove numbers into dark and avaricious stories."
Overall, the book is just weird. I feel bad putting that in a review without much further explanation, but I don't want to put spoilers. It's strange. Yes, it's compelling, in some ways, but I never felt like I needed to get back to reading it. I was interested about what happened to the money, but also had a good inkling early on about what really went down (and was proved right). Maybe if you connect more with the characters, this will be a true page-turner. It's still a tense read and different, for sure. I did enjoy the ending, and I actually felt something for the characters there. Therefore, this one squeaks by at 3 stars.
Merissa (11825 KP) rated Twisted Sisters (The Orion Circle #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This story is layered with intricate twists and turns as Logan and Kacie have to deal with a number of different things, and the opponents they're facing are very good at finding out their secret fears. Although the timing of this book is over a short period, it never seemed rushed or hurried. Each scene was well-written and time given to each action and character, so that you understand just what is going on. With excellent teamwork by the Orion Circle as a whole (although the Pastor did annoy me at the end!), action, adventure and a touch of romance, this is one story that I didn't want to end.
Absolutely recommended and I can't wait for more!
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated The Wolverine (2013) in Movies
Jul 30, 2019
I, like many comic fans, was thrilled when it was announced that this film would be diving into Logan's time in Japan. It's arguably one of the strongest solo Wolverine storylines from the comic!
The finished film however misses the mark. Not completely - remnants of the comic are left intact, buts it's clear that the studio meddled once again. When The Wolverine is concentrating on the dialogue heavy scenes, it's good. When it throws Logan against ninjas, it's (mostly) good.
However, FOX obviously didn't have enough faith in this as a whole, and opted to push James Mangold in the direction of dodgy CGI orgies.
The climatic battle against a massive CGI robot ninja (referred to as Silver Samurai - the bloody cheek), is so out of place, that it nearly ruins the whole film.
I feel that James Mangold is not to blame. He clearly has respect for the source material, and isn't about big CGI blowouts - he would go on to direct the stellar Logan a few years later.
A wasted opportunity then, and a storyline I really hope Marvel Studios revisits again in the future
Blood Feud (Drake Chronicles, #2)
7.0
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Book
The day Isabeau St. Croix was turned into a vampire, she was buried alive and left for dead by a...
Merissa (11825 KP) rated Defiance (Rebellion #2) in Books
Jun 25, 2021 (Updated Jul 18, 2023)
So, we start where Escape finished, with Cole and Logan returning to the Pack and their lives being made incredibly difficult. Cole and Logan have it as easy as they thought they would, with no time to be together without risking everything.
The intrigue, Pack politics, you name it, in this book are simply outstanding! I was gripped by every new development and new questions of just who I could trust. The action is different to the first book but no less intense.
I have no idea how many books Ms Jacobs has planned for this series, but I hope for many! An enthralling read that absolutely kept my attention. A great addition to the series that left me wanting more. Highly 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 25, 2021