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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Get Fluffy (Pampered Pets Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Mel gets stuck with Fluffy, the famous dog of Mona Michaels, all Mel wants to do is return the dog. However, when the two arrive at Mona’s mansion, Mona has been murdered. Mel wants to stay out of the investigation, but she keeps learning things that the point her toward the killer. Will she solve the crime?
I wanted to get to book two in this series soon to meet Mel, the cousin of the main character in the first in the series. This book was just as delightful as that first one. We get a mostly new cast of characters, who are all very strong. The mystery is great with lots of secrets and surprises on the way to the logical conclusion. And the antics of the pets in the book are delightfully fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-get-fluffy-by-sparkle-abbey.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I wanted to get to book two in this series soon to meet Mel, the cousin of the main character in the first in the series. This book was just as delightful as that first one. We get a mostly new cast of characters, who are all very strong. The mystery is great with lots of secrets and surprises on the way to the logical conclusion. And the antics of the pets in the book are delightfully fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-get-fluffy-by-sparkle-abbey.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Haunted Palace (1963) in Movies
Apr 19, 2020
Brooding Gothic horror from Roger Corman and Vincent Price. A notorious warlock is killed by an angry mob, but a century later his great-grandson moves into his old mansion and is possessed by his ancestor's spirit. One of the stronger and darker Corman-Price movies, but disingenuously billed as part of their Poe series: the story's fixation with the influence of the past on the present and the horrors of miscegenation would mark it out as an H.P. Lovecraft adaptation even if they hadn't retained the original character names and references to HPL's wider mythology.
Memorable more for an unsettling atmosphere than for being actually scary, though there are some very creepy moments concerning the deformed mutant villagers Price's experiments have produced. Terrific performance from Price, as you'd expect, also from Lon Chaney Jr as his sidekick, which you perhaps wouldn't. A seminal movie for Lovecraft followers and a pretty good one for anyone who likes old-style horror films.
Memorable more for an unsettling atmosphere than for being actually scary, though there are some very creepy moments concerning the deformed mutant villagers Price's experiments have produced. Terrific performance from Price, as you'd expect, also from Lon Chaney Jr as his sidekick, which you perhaps wouldn't. A seminal movie for Lovecraft followers and a pretty good one for anyone who likes old-style horror films.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Die, Monster, Die! (1965) in Movies
Jul 5, 2020
Rather annoyingly not-quite-there horror movie based on an H.P. Lovecraft short story ('based on' in the sense of 'almost entirely different from'). Guy goes to see his girl in the remote English countryside, discovers surly locals, finds her father has been up to experiments into Things Which Man Was Not Meant To Know. Includes the obligatory badly-done Lovecraftian squid-monsters.
Interesting cast, and you can tell Karloff in particular is doing his best with the material, but there's an awful lot of wandering about with not much happening, especially for a film only about an hour and a quarter long. Obviously done on the cheap, and too invested in its standard Gothic tropes - creepy old mansion, spooky domestics, cursed family heritage, etc - to make the most of the potential in the short story it's supposed to be based on. All in all, less interesting than it has any right to be in the circumstances.
Interesting cast, and you can tell Karloff in particular is doing his best with the material, but there's an awful lot of wandering about with not much happening, especially for a film only about an hour and a quarter long. Obviously done on the cheap, and too invested in its standard Gothic tropes - creepy old mansion, spooky domestics, cursed family heritage, etc - to make the most of the potential in the short story it's supposed to be based on. All in all, less interesting than it has any right to be in the circumstances.
William H. Macy recommended Being There (1979) in Movies (curated)
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Winchester (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
Ensconced in her sprawling California mansion, eccentric firearm heiress Sarah Winchester believes she is haunted by the souls of people killed by the Winchester repeating rifle.
I find this house really interesting, it's on my list of things to do on a road trip of America. It's bizarre, and I love bizarre. Throw in Helen Mirren and I was going to be all over this film.
I did discover one thing from going to see this though... I really can't watch horror films in the cinema. I generally don't find them to be very good films, but that being said I do easily jump at things even if I know they're coming.
I love the idea behind it, and I thought the story was a good way of doing it, but the end result felt a little lacking to me. It does get some kudos for not being as predictable as some horror movies though.
I find this house really interesting, it's on my list of things to do on a road trip of America. It's bizarre, and I love bizarre. Throw in Helen Mirren and I was going to be all over this film.
I did discover one thing from going to see this though... I really can't watch horror films in the cinema. I generally don't find them to be very good films, but that being said I do easily jump at things even if I know they're coming.
I love the idea behind it, and I thought the story was a good way of doing it, but the end result felt a little lacking to me. It does get some kudos for not being as predictable as some horror movies though.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) in Movies
Dec 9, 2021 (Updated May 1, 2022)
Finally a film based on the actual game story (1 more)
Plenty of details from the games
A little slow at the start (1 more)
Some scenes felt rushed
Welcome to Raccoon City
At long last fans of the games have a film that actually feels like it's based on the first 2 Resident Evil games. Set in '98 and showing scenes leading up to where the first game starts and some of events of the second game.
It's good to see it pay homage to the games and feature the key characters. It's a bit slow at the start but you then get some of key scenes from the mansion and set at the Police station. They still could have done a bit more at these locations, some action shots did whizz by. Maybe feature more of the creatures from the games.
So far from great but definitely one fans will enjoy. Will you take the shotgun? Oh yes!
It's good to see it pay homage to the games and feature the key characters. It's a bit slow at the start but you then get some of key scenes from the mansion and set at the Police station. They still could have done a bit more at these locations, some action shots did whizz by. Maybe feature more of the creatures from the games.
So far from great but definitely one fans will enjoy. Will you take the shotgun? Oh yes!
Milleen (47 KP) rated The Seven Sisters (The Seven Sisters, #1) in Books
Nov 14, 2018 (Updated Nov 14, 2018)
For anyone who is searching for a series of books to keep them entertained into the foreseeable future. 'The Seven Sisters' was released in 2014 and, so far, three others have been published at the rate of one per year, 'The Storm Sister', 'The Shadow Sister' and 'The Pearl Sister'.
Maia D'Aplise and her sisters were all adopted as babies by the elusive billionaire Pa Salt. Now they have all gathered together at their childhood home 'Atlantis:, a mansion on the shores of Lake Geneva, having been told that their adopted father has died and already been buried at sea. Each of the sisters is handed a clue to their true heritage and Maia traces her own path across the world to Brazil. This novel follows her story as she puts together how her own life began. These books have been extremely popular since their release, each of them an adventure with history, mystery and romance thrown in. Something to enjoy now and for a few more years as the series progresses.
Maia D'Aplise and her sisters were all adopted as babies by the elusive billionaire Pa Salt. Now they have all gathered together at their childhood home 'Atlantis:, a mansion on the shores of Lake Geneva, having been told that their adopted father has died and already been buried at sea. Each of the sisters is handed a clue to their true heritage and Maia traces her own path across the world to Brazil. This novel follows her story as she puts together how her own life began. These books have been extremely popular since their release, each of them an adventure with history, mystery and romance thrown in. Something to enjoy now and for a few more years as the series progresses.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated the PC version of The Sims 3 in Video Games
Jan 25, 2020
The "motherload" of games
Like many people, I have lost countless hours to this game. Spending my time living the lives of made up people instead of living my own. And yet, how I miss it!
Ruby Stone, explorer of tombs, rider of horses, collector of crap. High fitness level, but bust, but a bit of a loner.
Just how much time I wasted waiting for Egypt to load so I could cram in as much tomb raiding before the vacation need, it is impossible to tell. But what I do know, is if I had the time these days, I would do it all again.
Why?
Because reality sucks!
Soothing my anger with the creation of a haunted mansion, by killing all the residents in a house fire by putting them all in a room with several open fireplaces, rugs everywhere, and removing all the doors and windows. Or getting someone into the pool and taking away the ladder.
Ahhh, the cheapest therapy there is.
Ruby Stone, explorer of tombs, rider of horses, collector of crap. High fitness level, but bust, but a bit of a loner.
Just how much time I wasted waiting for Egypt to load so I could cram in as much tomb raiding before the vacation need, it is impossible to tell. But what I do know, is if I had the time these days, I would do it all again.
Why?
Because reality sucks!
Soothing my anger with the creation of a haunted mansion, by killing all the residents in a house fire by putting them all in a room with several open fireplaces, rugs everywhere, and removing all the doors and windows. Or getting someone into the pool and taking away the ladder.
Ahhh, the cheapest therapy there is.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Last Mrs. Parrish in Books
Jan 1, 2022
216 of 250
Kindle
The Last Mrs Parish ( Last Mrs Parish book 1)
By Liv Constantine
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
How far would you go to make all your dreams come true?
Amber Patterson is tired of being a nobody: an invisible woman who melts into the background. She deserves more. She deserves a life of wealth, luxury and leisure.
Daphne Parrish is the golden girl of Bishops Harbor, Connecticut. With her model looks, her picture-perfect mansion and her millionaire husband, Jackson, she has everything Amber wants.
Amber’s envy could eat her alive—if she didn’t have a plan. Before long, she has become Daphne’s closest friend, and is catching the eye of Jackson. But a skeleton from her past could destroy everything, and if discovered, Amber’s well-laid plan may end in disaster…
Bloody brilliant! Had me gripped from start to finish so many little twists and such a brilliant outcome. I’ve never read liv Constantine but will be reading a lot more of her!
Highly recommend!
Kindle
The Last Mrs Parish ( Last Mrs Parish book 1)
By Liv Constantine
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
How far would you go to make all your dreams come true?
Amber Patterson is tired of being a nobody: an invisible woman who melts into the background. She deserves more. She deserves a life of wealth, luxury and leisure.
Daphne Parrish is the golden girl of Bishops Harbor, Connecticut. With her model looks, her picture-perfect mansion and her millionaire husband, Jackson, she has everything Amber wants.
Amber’s envy could eat her alive—if she didn’t have a plan. Before long, she has become Daphne’s closest friend, and is catching the eye of Jackson. But a skeleton from her past could destroy everything, and if discovered, Amber’s well-laid plan may end in disaster…
Bloody brilliant! Had me gripped from start to finish so many little twists and such a brilliant outcome. I’ve never read liv Constantine but will be reading a lot more of her!
Highly recommend!
Carma (21 KP) rated A Snowbound Scandal in Books
Jun 17, 2019
Chase Ferguson and Miriam Mimi Andrix knew each other 10 years ago. Very well as a matter of fact, but neither could survive in the others lifestyle. A Snowbound Scandal by Jessica Lemmon tells their story from 10 years later amid a possible mayoral scandal involving Chase and an old picture of activist Mimi.
Chase Ferguson is now Mayor in Dallas Texas. Miriam Mimi Andrix is from Bigfork Montana still an activist in her own right but more teacher than doer these days. They couldnt still be more on the opposite sides of life if they tried. 10 years ago Chase and Mimi started a love affair that lasted all summer, until their social standings and callings got in the way and Chase let Mimi go.
All Chase has wanted to do since that moment was get her back but he knew he couldnt bend her to fit into his life in Dallas, just as he couldnt fit into her life in Montana. He did keep tabs on her and bought the mansion they used to fantasize about living in together one day. He regretted that decision all these years later and when a scandal threatens to expose that relationship and use it for harm, he goes to Bigfork in hopes of making it right.
Mimi has received notice of the scandal threat too, and may have even Googled Chase to see what his life had become. Heading to the grocery store for Thanksgiving supplies she never expected to run into him in Bigfork. He gives her his private number and she later invites him to Thanksgiving dinner, which he declines. She then makes it her mission to give him a piece of her mind and set him straight about just exactly who she is.
Chase and Mimi go round and round about the past and who is responsible or not. An unexpected snowstorm traps Mimi at the Mansion for days and they find they are not quite as over each other as they would want the other to believe.
In the end, they both decide to go their separate ways again to live the lives they are currently living, separate from the other. But will they finally give love a chance to overcome the biggest obstacles in their lives?
I received an advance copy from Netgalley without expectation for review. Any and all opinions expressed are my own.
Chase Ferguson is now Mayor in Dallas Texas. Miriam Mimi Andrix is from Bigfork Montana still an activist in her own right but more teacher than doer these days. They couldnt still be more on the opposite sides of life if they tried. 10 years ago Chase and Mimi started a love affair that lasted all summer, until their social standings and callings got in the way and Chase let Mimi go.
All Chase has wanted to do since that moment was get her back but he knew he couldnt bend her to fit into his life in Dallas, just as he couldnt fit into her life in Montana. He did keep tabs on her and bought the mansion they used to fantasize about living in together one day. He regretted that decision all these years later and when a scandal threatens to expose that relationship and use it for harm, he goes to Bigfork in hopes of making it right.
Mimi has received notice of the scandal threat too, and may have even Googled Chase to see what his life had become. Heading to the grocery store for Thanksgiving supplies she never expected to run into him in Bigfork. He gives her his private number and she later invites him to Thanksgiving dinner, which he declines. She then makes it her mission to give him a piece of her mind and set him straight about just exactly who she is.
Chase and Mimi go round and round about the past and who is responsible or not. An unexpected snowstorm traps Mimi at the Mansion for days and they find they are not quite as over each other as they would want the other to believe.
In the end, they both decide to go their separate ways again to live the lives they are currently living, separate from the other. But will they finally give love a chance to overcome the biggest obstacles in their lives?
I received an advance copy from Netgalley without expectation for review. Any and all opinions expressed are my own.