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Erika (17789 KP) rated This Is a Robbery: The World's Greatest Art Heist in TV

May 1, 2021 (Updated May 1, 2021)  
This Is a Robbery: The World's Greatest Art Heist
This Is a Robbery: The World's Greatest Art Heist
2021 | Documentary
My review of this documentary may be slightly bias because I've read several books on the Gardner Heist, including the FBI Agent's memoir who nearly tracked down the missing paintings, but got stuck in a pissing contest between agencies.
First, I felt like they should have had this FBI Agent contribute more to the documentary, rather than presenting some other theories as to where the paintings ended up. I actually thought they were going to have him appear in the last ep, but he didn't. This would have bumped up the rating for me, honestly.
Second, so many conspiracy theories with the Italian mob. I just shook my head at this. Way too much focus. The police department's focus seemed half-ass, and like they took the easy way out by blaming the mob, then didn't interview actual witnesses again.
The BEST PART of this documentary series was when they interviewed a guy that is a member of the IRA. There was a theory that the IRA had lifted them. The guy basically told everyone to F-off, because the IRA wasn't involved. I cackled because it was completely hilarious.
Overall, this was just ok. It would probably be really interesting for people that don't know anything, or very little, about the Heist. Sure, this heist is interesting, but not 'The World's Greatest Heist'.
  
Quantum (Red Rock Alien Mail Order Brides #1)
Quantum (Red Rock Alien Mail Order Brides #1)
Erin Kellison | 2016 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Quantum is the first book in a new science fiction romance series by Erin Kellison. The story is fast-paced and full of information on how the galaxy actually works, and what some of the species look like. There is a lot to take in, but it is definitely worth it.

Raider has stolen a Quantum Stone. Using this stone in a wormhole enables time to move backwards. He wants to sell the stone to past to buy himself a future, for reasons that you find out as you move along the story. Sophia is on a mission - to find her missing brother. She will do just about anything to find him, but when she opens a can of worms, she definitely gets more than she bargained for, especially when she finds out there is more to her brother than she realised.

Very well written, with a smooth flow to the story, like I've already mentioned it is fast-paced, but this is in no way a bad thing.With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow, this book was thoroughly enjoyable. Definitely recommended by me, and I'm looking forward to reading further on in the series.

* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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ClareR (5879 KP) rated Mrs Dalloway in Books

Sep 6, 2020  
Mrs Dalloway
Mrs Dalloway
Virginia Woolf | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
7.4 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
I’ve been trying to read this book for the best part of 20 years. It moved with me from my childhood home, through university, to the house I live in now. It’s a well travelled book. Thanks to The Pigeonhole, they’ve removed the one hurdle to the reason why I haven’t read it: sections, chapters, staves - call it what you will. I have a mental block when it comes to reading something without a break, and now I have learnt what I need to do - create sections or breaks myself (Ducks, Newburyport may well be on the cards soon).
I’m so glad that The Pigeonhole serialised this, because I’ve been missing out on a true classic. A day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway in the lead up to her party, and all of the people who intersect her life(directly and indirectly). It’s a beautiful story. The peripheral stories are just as interesting and important, giving us a look in to the lives of those living at the time. In particular the story of Septimus Smith stays with me, and the lack of understanding of both Shell Shock and mental health problems. But life seems to go on for all of the others.
This is a book that I’m glad to have read, and it’s not hard to see why it’s considered to be a classic.
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Sep 9, 2020  
Sneak a peek at THE EDGE OF BELONGING, a Christian contemporary fiction novel, by Amanda Cox on my blog. Be sure to enter the GIVEAWAY to win a copy of the book, a fern tote bag, and a $25 or $10 Barnes & Noble gift card - three winners!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2020/09/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-edge-of.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
When Ivy Rose returns to her hometown to oversee her late grandmother's estate sale, she soon discovers that the woman left behind more than trinkets and photo frames—she provided a path to the truth behind Ivy's adoption. Shocked, Ivy seeks clues to her past, but a key piece to the mystery is missing.

Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James finds an abandoned newborn who gives him a sense of human connection for the first time in his life. His desire to care for the baby runs up against the stark fact that he is homeless. When he becomes entwined with two people seeking to help him find his way, Harvey knows he must keep the baby a secret or risk losing the only person he's ever loved.

In this dual-timeline story from debut novelist Amanda Cox, the truth—both the search for it and the desire to keep it from others—takes center stage as Ivy and Harvey grapple with love, loss, and letting go.
     
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Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated American Assassin (2017) in Movies

Jun 26, 2019 (Updated Sep 25, 2019)  
American Assassin (2017)
American Assassin (2017)
2017 | Action, Thriller
Mitch and his girlfriend are on a love filled holiday in Spain. He's just proposed, she's just said yes, and now they're going to celebrate. But the happy event is cut short when a radical Islamist jihadist cell appears at the resort and attacks. Wounded, and filled with rage at being unable to prevent her death, Mitch finds his new purpose in life.

Eighteen months pass and he has managed to gain an audience with the terrorist responsible for the death of his girlfriend. Vengeance has consumed him, but US Special Forces swoop in and kill everyone denying him the chance to settle the score.

He is debriefed and recruited into a black ops team, Orion, by the CIA's Deputy Director. Here the recruits will be trained by ex-Navy Seal and Cold War veteran Stan Hurley in asymmetrical warefare.

Weapons grade nuclear material has gone missing. Their mission is simple, but who is the operative who seems to know their every move?



Seemingly the critics panned this one. Would I ever need to see it again? No. Was it bad? No. It was a perfectly entertaining action movie... buuuuuut... there's not really much else to say about it. The best bit about this film for me was Michael Keaton. Definitely stream it, if it's under a fiver and you like this sort of film then it's worth buying.
  
Since I Had You - Single by Stan Taylor
Since I Had You - Single by Stan Taylor
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Stan Taylor is an LA-based singer-songwriter and Bubbs is a music producer. Not too long ago, they released an adorable R&B tune, entitled, “Since I Had You”.

“Just a simple approach to the kinds of music we love, writing about life in our mid-20s and trying to find someone to settle down with. Stan and I get lost in the melodies of Marvin Gaye and the old soul heroes but throw in our own new school approach. Sprinkling in a few live instruments to go along with a Dilla-inspired groove. Hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.” – Bubbs

‘Since I Had You’ tells a romantic tale of a young guy who feels a certain type of way whenever his significant other isn’t around him.

Apparently, she departed in the morning to do something important, and ever since then, he’s been miserable, missing her dearly.
Later, he admits that the thought of her makes him lose his cool. Therefore, he smokes a cigarette to calm down.

Even though it’s only been several hours since they last held each other, he can’t wait to be back in her warm embrace.

‘Since I Had You’ contains a relatable storyline and ear-welcoming vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses groovy instrumentation flavored with a nostalgic R&B/Soul aroma.
  
Hell Yeah - Single by Raffaella
Hell Yeah - Single by Raffaella
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Stan Taylor is an LA-based singer-songwriter and Bubbs is a music producer. Not too long ago, they released an adorable R&B tune, entitled, “Since I Had You”.

“Just a simple approach to the kinds of music we love, writing about life in our mid-20s and trying to find someone to settle down with. Stan and I get lost in the melodies of Marvin Gaye and the old soul heroes but throw in our own new school approach. Sprinkling in a few live instruments to go along with a Dilla-inspired groove. Hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.” – Bubbs

‘Since I Had You’ tells a romantic tale of a young guy who feels a certain type of way whenever his significant other isn’t around him.

Apparently, she departed in the morning to do something important, and ever since then, he’s been miserable, missing her dearly.
Later, he admits that the thought of her makes him lose his cool. Therefore, he smokes a cigarette to calm down.

Even though it’s only been several hours since they last held each other, he can’t wait to be back in her warm embrace.

‘Since I Had You’ contains a relatable storyline and ear-welcoming vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses groovy instrumentation flavored with a nostalgic R&B/Soul aroma.
  
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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated The Final Destination (2009) in Movies

Sep 18, 2019 (Updated Oct 25, 2019)  
The Final Destination (2009)
The Final Destination (2009)
2009 | Action, Horror
A big stinking low
There's not a whole lot of positive things to say about the fourth entry into the Final Destination franchise.

For starters, there's not one character here to root for. Every one is unlikable - you could argue that the writers were trying to make them this unlikable on purpose, so we as an audience can revel in their inevitably over the top death, but that tactic doesn't work, as shown throughout this pile of horse sh*t.

At this point in the franchise, much like the third film, it feels as though the kills are the main draw.
And to be honest, it's all very boring this time around. The writers try to be creative here and there, but the overuse of CGI and 3D gimmicks on show make the death scenes unintentionally goofy and cheap looking, rather than having any of the shock value carried by the first two films.
The lack of practical effects is mind boggling, as once again, stunt co-ordinator David R. Ellis directs, the same man responsible for the fantastic highway scene in FD2. The extra features show that he used practical effects whilst filming but for some unknown reason, the finished film just has CGI spaffed over everything.

You're not missing out on much if you give this one a pass.
  
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