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Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Mayhem, Murder and Marijuana in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Adam Copland is the master when it comes to the legal marijuana business in Los Angeles, California. But not everyone in the business plays nicely. Adam has to deal with the good, the bad and the ugly of this industry. The book focuses on Adam expanding his business to other parts of California as well as other parts of the country. There are a lot of highs and lows he experiences with this expansion. His wife is not happy with the business he is in although it makes him lots of money. Will Adam be able to continue to live and survive being in the marijuana industry?
Thank you to NetGalley and BookBaby/Independent Book Publishers Association for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I was excited to read this book because I have an interest in the marijuana industry and how it has changed so much over the past few years. Being legalized in many states for medical as well as recreational purposes. The overall story was interesting and filled with characters I loved to hate, but there were some issues with the writing that made me give the book three stars.
First off, we're introduced to several characters all at once with similar names(Jamal, Jam) and I had to go back to make sure I was with the right person. Then all throughout the book, the main character would go by different names in the same sentence and paragraph. His name is Adam Copland, sometimes it was just Adam, sometimes Copland and sometimes AC. And there never seemed to be any rhyme or reason as to why it was this way. I'm used to a name shift when a person has a title(eg. Dr. Jones, friends may call him/her by the first name or a detective), but not for an average person. At first this left me very confused because I wasn't sure if they were talking about the same person or different people. Other than that, I had to find out what was going to happen.
This is the first book in the series, I'm not sure how many books there will be all together, but I want to know what is going to happen next, because this book left us with a bit of a cliffhanger.
Thank you to NetGalley and BookBaby/Independent Book Publishers Association for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I was excited to read this book because I have an interest in the marijuana industry and how it has changed so much over the past few years. Being legalized in many states for medical as well as recreational purposes. The overall story was interesting and filled with characters I loved to hate, but there were some issues with the writing that made me give the book three stars.
First off, we're introduced to several characters all at once with similar names(Jamal, Jam) and I had to go back to make sure I was with the right person. Then all throughout the book, the main character would go by different names in the same sentence and paragraph. His name is Adam Copland, sometimes it was just Adam, sometimes Copland and sometimes AC. And there never seemed to be any rhyme or reason as to why it was this way. I'm used to a name shift when a person has a title(eg. Dr. Jones, friends may call him/her by the first name or a detective), but not for an average person. At first this left me very confused because I wasn't sure if they were talking about the same person or different people. Other than that, I had to find out what was going to happen.
This is the first book in the series, I'm not sure how many books there will be all together, but I want to know what is going to happen next, because this book left us with a bit of a cliffhanger.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Get Hard (2015) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
For high rolling stock trader James King (Will Ferrell), life is pretty amazing. Not only does he live in a lavish house in an exclusive Los Angeles community, but he is engaged to the lovely Alissa (Allison Brie). James is oblivious to many of those around him save for his future father in law Martin (Craig T. Nelson), who has recently rewarded him with a partnership at his brokerage.
Life has not been as sunny for Darnelll (Kevin Hart), a devoted family man who runs his car detailing place and looks to find a way to get the $30,000 he needs to purchase a better home in a better neighborhood for his family.
Fate steps in when James is charged with several trading violations and is sentenced to ten years in San Quentin. For the self-absorbed and highly-sheltered James this is equivalent to a death sentence and he is eager to find a way out of his mess.
With his world in chaos, James hires Darnell to be his prison consultant, as he is convinced Darnell must have done time due to his color and station in life. Although offended, Darnell hides this and agrees to spend the next few weeks before James has to report to jail training him to survive.
Although motivated to earn the money he needs, Darnell soon gains sympathy for James and in time, begins to believe he may be innocent of the charges levied upon him. In between the crude but often very funny training segments James endures, the two bond and work with one another to overcome the challenges presented to them before time runs out.
Ferell and Hart have a very good chemistry with one another and there are some very funny moments in the film. One moment had Hart portraying various prison yard characters at the same time and his frantic way of moving between characters at the same time was something to behold.
The film does tread on some racial stereotypes often but they at least mix it up and do not focus entirely upon one race or group.
While at times slow and requiring some leaps of faith from the audience, the two leads make the film a funny and enjoyable distraction that will keep you laughing enough to make it worth your while.
http://sknr.net/2015/03/27/get-hard/
Life has not been as sunny for Darnelll (Kevin Hart), a devoted family man who runs his car detailing place and looks to find a way to get the $30,000 he needs to purchase a better home in a better neighborhood for his family.
Fate steps in when James is charged with several trading violations and is sentenced to ten years in San Quentin. For the self-absorbed and highly-sheltered James this is equivalent to a death sentence and he is eager to find a way out of his mess.
With his world in chaos, James hires Darnell to be his prison consultant, as he is convinced Darnell must have done time due to his color and station in life. Although offended, Darnell hides this and agrees to spend the next few weeks before James has to report to jail training him to survive.
Although motivated to earn the money he needs, Darnell soon gains sympathy for James and in time, begins to believe he may be innocent of the charges levied upon him. In between the crude but often very funny training segments James endures, the two bond and work with one another to overcome the challenges presented to them before time runs out.
Ferell and Hart have a very good chemistry with one another and there are some very funny moments in the film. One moment had Hart portraying various prison yard characters at the same time and his frantic way of moving between characters at the same time was something to behold.
The film does tread on some racial stereotypes often but they at least mix it up and do not focus entirely upon one race or group.
While at times slow and requiring some leaps of faith from the audience, the two leads make the film a funny and enjoyable distraction that will keep you laughing enough to make it worth your while.
http://sknr.net/2015/03/27/get-hard/
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Due Date (2010) in Movies
Aug 8, 2019
What could possibly go wrong when you pair a stressed out father-to-be, Peter (Robert Downey Jr.), with the world’s worst road trip partner, Ethan (Zach Galifianakis), on a trip from Atlanta to Los Angeles? In a karmic way, at least these two men appear to be meant for each other.
Zach Galifianakis’s role as Ethan Tremblay is wildly funny, though he plays a role very similar to the one he played in The Hangover, with a slightly more childish demeanor. If his character in the Hangover was a 14 year old in an adult’s body, in this film he is a 7 year old boy.
Peter Highman, played by Robert Downey Jr., is obviously frustrated because he’s trying to get home to his very pregnant wife. This inevitably creates an anger that is only exacerbated by the stupidity and carelessness of Ethan. The minor truces and cease-fires they found during their trip were constantly being broken by something Ethan would do that was hilariously rude and dumb.
This film walked a fine line with both characters, with Ethan pushing the charm up to keep us from totally hating him, all the while allowing Peter be an asshole from time to time to keep us from being too sympathetic to him. In one particularly funny moment, during a side stop soon after they take off from Atlanta, we see Peter discipline a young boy in a ridiculously inappropriate way that makes us question his fitness as a father. It’s during these times that the movie really shines. The chemistry between them was good for the most part, but the inevitable reconciliation between them was rushed at the end, and while the actors more than did their jobs, the script didn’t give them very much cause to act so suddenly benevolent toward each other.
Overall, the movie was funny, but not quite funny enough. Some of the gags were fairly disgusting, and while most didn’t detract from the movie, only a few really came across as well-executed. This movie had the potential to be very funny, but with some unresolved plot holes and some long stretches where nothing much was going on, I wouldn’t really recommend this to my friends, despite the big name actors and hype.
Zach Galifianakis’s role as Ethan Tremblay is wildly funny, though he plays a role very similar to the one he played in The Hangover, with a slightly more childish demeanor. If his character in the Hangover was a 14 year old in an adult’s body, in this film he is a 7 year old boy.
Peter Highman, played by Robert Downey Jr., is obviously frustrated because he’s trying to get home to his very pregnant wife. This inevitably creates an anger that is only exacerbated by the stupidity and carelessness of Ethan. The minor truces and cease-fires they found during their trip were constantly being broken by something Ethan would do that was hilariously rude and dumb.
This film walked a fine line with both characters, with Ethan pushing the charm up to keep us from totally hating him, all the while allowing Peter be an asshole from time to time to keep us from being too sympathetic to him. In one particularly funny moment, during a side stop soon after they take off from Atlanta, we see Peter discipline a young boy in a ridiculously inappropriate way that makes us question his fitness as a father. It’s during these times that the movie really shines. The chemistry between them was good for the most part, but the inevitable reconciliation between them was rushed at the end, and while the actors more than did their jobs, the script didn’t give them very much cause to act so suddenly benevolent toward each other.
Overall, the movie was funny, but not quite funny enough. Some of the gags were fairly disgusting, and while most didn’t detract from the movie, only a few really came across as well-executed. This movie had the potential to be very funny, but with some unresolved plot holes and some long stretches where nothing much was going on, I wouldn’t really recommend this to my friends, despite the big name actors and hype.
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Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated New to You by Samie Bower in Music
Jul 10, 2019
Samie Bower is a rising singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, he released a lovely alternative R&B tune, entitled, “Tell Me”, released via Mickey Shiloh’s BDRM Records.
“Forget who you thought was around. What you allow? Let me take you outta town. I know you down. I’ma go show you around. Tell me what you wanna do now. I’m in awe, I called out. Staying with you, me and you. I’ma go start on the car now. I’m with tunes and food now. I don’t stall, I pull out. So demanding, yet monotone. I’m all up in there.” – lyrics
‘Tell Me’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who fears that his significant other will leave him one day for the same guy who she broke up with in order for them to be together.
Now, he’s having doubts, buggin’ out, paranoid, wondering if she will be around in a month’s time. Later, he admits that he doesn’t want her to do him like she did her ex-beau.
Even though they say they shouldn’t be together, neither one of them really wants to leave their problematic relationship.
‘Tell Me’ contains a relatable storyline, harmonious vocals, and melodic instrumentation flavored with PBR&B (R-neg-B Hipster R&B) elements.
“It’s an on-going situation about how the one you left your past for, is now worried you’re gonna leave them and go back to who you left originally. With the chorus saying ‘I don’t want that done to me’ is basically a translation of ‘yeah, you can do that to get to me. But you can’t do it towards me so you leave’. It’s a string of webs for a storyline, but a true situation people go through every day. Being in a good relationship, but then suddenly finding someone else, so you leave to be with the new person. But at the same time, as time goes on, you have second thoughts and think about going back to who you were with originally. Meanwhile, the new person isn’t too happy to see it take place. I see it happen so often, and honestly, it’s a disappointing thing to see, but then again, depends on your perspective.” – Samie Bower
‘Tell Me’ is featured on Samie Bower’s “New to You” album. Check it out below via Spotify.
“Forget who you thought was around. What you allow? Let me take you outta town. I know you down. I’ma go show you around. Tell me what you wanna do now. I’m in awe, I called out. Staying with you, me and you. I’ma go start on the car now. I’m with tunes and food now. I don’t stall, I pull out. So demanding, yet monotone. I’m all up in there.” – lyrics
‘Tell Me’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who fears that his significant other will leave him one day for the same guy who she broke up with in order for them to be together.
Now, he’s having doubts, buggin’ out, paranoid, wondering if she will be around in a month’s time. Later, he admits that he doesn’t want her to do him like she did her ex-beau.
Even though they say they shouldn’t be together, neither one of them really wants to leave their problematic relationship.
‘Tell Me’ contains a relatable storyline, harmonious vocals, and melodic instrumentation flavored with PBR&B (R-neg-B Hipster R&B) elements.
“It’s an on-going situation about how the one you left your past for, is now worried you’re gonna leave them and go back to who you left originally. With the chorus saying ‘I don’t want that done to me’ is basically a translation of ‘yeah, you can do that to get to me. But you can’t do it towards me so you leave’. It’s a string of webs for a storyline, but a true situation people go through every day. Being in a good relationship, but then suddenly finding someone else, so you leave to be with the new person. But at the same time, as time goes on, you have second thoughts and think about going back to who you were with originally. Meanwhile, the new person isn’t too happy to see it take place. I see it happen so often, and honestly, it’s a disappointing thing to see, but then again, depends on your perspective.” – Samie Bower
‘Tell Me’ is featured on Samie Bower’s “New to You” album. Check it out below via Spotify.
