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David McK (3236 KP) rated Objectif Lune (Destination Moon) (Tintin #16) in Books
Jul 7, 2020
The first of Herge's 2-part adventure detailing Tintin's Moon adventure, it's amazing to think that these stories were actually written roughly 20 years before man actually first did so!
Unlike its sequel (Explorers on the Moon), this one is mainly set on good old Planet Earth itself, with Tintin (and Snowy!), Captain Haddock, Professor Calculus and the bungling Thompson twins all in the Sprodj Atomic Research Centre in Syldavia, working on the rocket that will take them to the moon!
This, I believe, is also one of only a handful of 2-part stories (the others being the earlier The Secret of the Unicorn followed by Red Rackham's Treasure and The Seven Crystal Ballsfollowed by Prisoners of the Sun).
Finally, remember the era in which they were written!
Unlike its sequel (Explorers on the Moon), this one is mainly set on good old Planet Earth itself, with Tintin (and Snowy!), Captain Haddock, Professor Calculus and the bungling Thompson twins all in the Sprodj Atomic Research Centre in Syldavia, working on the rocket that will take them to the moon!
This, I believe, is also one of only a handful of 2-part stories (the others being the earlier The Secret of the Unicorn followed by Red Rackham's Treasure and The Seven Crystal Ballsfollowed by Prisoners of the Sun).
Finally, remember the era in which they were written!
Erika (17788 KP) rated We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half Century of Silence in Books
Feb 6, 2021
I'm not going to lie, I hardcore DNF this book after suffering through 30-ish%. It was advertised as being about a murder at Harvard, and that it may have been a professor. That sounded so interesting.
But no, I got a semi-autobiographical book about the paranoid, slightly-off her rocker author. She re-enrolls at Harvard, takes said professor's classes and tries to solve the case.
Surprisingly, that's not this book's biggest problem. The biggest issue with this book, other than being boring AF, is that this case was solved with longer overdue DNA testing... and completely proved the author's theory wrong. However, even though this book was published after, she still continues on her crusade. It was odd that they went ahead and published it, since it was all incorrect, incoherent babbling.
But no, I got a semi-autobiographical book about the paranoid, slightly-off her rocker author. She re-enrolls at Harvard, takes said professor's classes and tries to solve the case.
Surprisingly, that's not this book's biggest problem. The biggest issue with this book, other than being boring AF, is that this case was solved with longer overdue DNA testing... and completely proved the author's theory wrong. However, even though this book was published after, she still continues on her crusade. It was odd that they went ahead and published it, since it was all incorrect, incoherent babbling.
Zadie Smith recommended Pnin in Books (curated)
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Naming the Bones in Books
Oct 7, 2020
Louise Welsh knows how to intrigue her readers and, like any good mystery writer, gives them enough twists and turns to keep them interested to the last page. But instead of using a professional (like investigator or detective) to get to the bottom of this story, she puts the research in the hands of a Professor of Literature on sabbatical, trying to write the story of his favourite poet's brief life for a book. Using this as the basis of the story, the people in his life also get tangled into the strange circumstances of the poet's life and death. For people like myself, who don't care much for the mystery genre, Welsh proves once again that you don't need to be a fan to enjoy her works.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Feb 9, 2023
Gareth von Kallenbach (971 KP) rated Captain Underpants (2017) in Movies
Jul 11, 2019
Based off the bestselling kids’ book series by Dav Pilkey, Captain
Underpants tells the story of George Beard (Kevin Hart) and Harold Hutchins
(Thomas Middleditch), a couple of over imaginative elementary school kids
that spend their days trying to make the most out of the daily monotonous
chore that is school by secretly playing pranks to keep themselves and
their fellow schoolmates entertained. And, trying to make sure they don’t
get caught by the school principal, Mr. Krupp (Ed Helm). Outside of
school, they spend countless hours in their treehouse creating comic
books.
Their greatest creation is the underwear sporting, high flying,
overly friendly, and extremely unintelligent superhero Captain Underpants.
Mr. Krupp’s main purpose in life is to make everyone else’s life
miserable. When he threatens to separate the boys, put them in different
classrooms, after being caught playing a prank. The boys decide to
hypnotize their principal into becoming the incredible Captain Underpants.
Ecstatic about seeing their comic book come to life, they suddenly realize
their plan backfires when Mr. Krupp in Capt Underpants persona hires
Professor Poopypants (Nick Kroll) to be the school’s new science teacher.
He’s no ordinary school teacher. Professor Poopypants wants to rid the
world of laughter starting with kids the at George and Harold’s school. Oh
NO!!!!
This film is everything you would expect it to be: outlandish, vibrant, and
full of potty humor. Just enough to keep parents entertained and the
kiddos completely engaged. From what I gather, not having read the books,
but my son has, it follows the storyline pretty closely to the first novel
in the 8 book series. I am not surprised if Dreamworks capitalizes on this
and releases a movie for each book.
Underpants tells the story of George Beard (Kevin Hart) and Harold Hutchins
(Thomas Middleditch), a couple of over imaginative elementary school kids
that spend their days trying to make the most out of the daily monotonous
chore that is school by secretly playing pranks to keep themselves and
their fellow schoolmates entertained. And, trying to make sure they don’t
get caught by the school principal, Mr. Krupp (Ed Helm). Outside of
school, they spend countless hours in their treehouse creating comic
books.
Their greatest creation is the underwear sporting, high flying,
overly friendly, and extremely unintelligent superhero Captain Underpants.
Mr. Krupp’s main purpose in life is to make everyone else’s life
miserable. When he threatens to separate the boys, put them in different
classrooms, after being caught playing a prank. The boys decide to
hypnotize their principal into becoming the incredible Captain Underpants.
Ecstatic about seeing their comic book come to life, they suddenly realize
their plan backfires when Mr. Krupp in Capt Underpants persona hires
Professor Poopypants (Nick Kroll) to be the school’s new science teacher.
He’s no ordinary school teacher. Professor Poopypants wants to rid the
world of laughter starting with kids the at George and Harold’s school. Oh
NO!!!!
This film is everything you would expect it to be: outlandish, vibrant, and
full of potty humor. Just enough to keep parents entertained and the
kiddos completely engaged. From what I gather, not having read the books,
but my son has, it follows the storyline pretty closely to the first novel
in the 8 book series. I am not surprised if Dreamworks capitalizes on this
and releases a movie for each book.
Caroline Kelly (4 KP) rated Origin in Books
Nov 17, 2017
Where are we from and where are we going?
I first read Dan Brown back in the hyped up days of the Da Vinci Code. Having loved that, I read the rest of his books and even purchased his last book. So when I saw he had a new book out, I had to try it. Dan Brown continues to write in the same easy reading style of previous books. The concept of where we are from and where we are going really intrigued me. I won't spoil the book by telling you where he thinks the human race are going but I liked the concept and could see quite easily how it is possible
If you liked his previous books and like Professor Langdon, I'd recommend this to you.
If you liked his previous books and like Professor Langdon, I'd recommend this to you.
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated After the Dark (2014) in Movies
Jan 14, 2018
Philosophy at it's best
A Philosophy class of mixed intelligent and great mind thinkers are at the en of their semester. Their professor on the last day has proposed to them a problem that needs to be solved not only philosophical but ethically as well. It is an end of the world senario and they have to pick who is best to survive and repopulate the world. They are given a chance to pick a career and then pick either an extra advantage or disadvantage. These all play a role on wether they can rebuild life or bring it to a horrible end. The role playing ideas in this story are so well thought out that if you took philosophy in college you can almost out yourself in the movie and act it out with the characters in mind.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Three Daughters of Eve in Books
Sep 17, 2017
Wonderfully weaved story of past and present life
Elik Shafak has a beautiful way of writing very delicate narratives. In this case, it's a story about an indecisive Turkish woman reminiscing about her past mistakes and confusions, attempting to reconcile her faith and her disbelief at every given turn.
She is now a housewife with children, when she vowed never to be such, and she has issues with her religion and questioning her belief after living between a devoutly Muslim mother and a secular father. These issues rise up again when she studies a "God" seminar at Oxford and she is pitted against her atheist Iranian friend, her Muslim housemate and her enigmatic older professor.
It is a remarkably contemporary story, weaving political attributes and current affairs. Intriguing but could have a been a little shorter.
She is now a housewife with children, when she vowed never to be such, and she has issues with her religion and questioning her belief after living between a devoutly Muslim mother and a secular father. These issues rise up again when she studies a "God" seminar at Oxford and she is pitted against her atheist Iranian friend, her Muslim housemate and her enigmatic older professor.
It is a remarkably contemporary story, weaving political attributes and current affairs. Intriguing but could have a been a little shorter.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Twister (1996) in Movies
Aug 2, 2019
Deep Impact
Twister- is one of those films that you hate but enjoy, its stupid it but you enjoy it every time you watch it.
The plot: During the approach of the most powerful storm in decades, university professor Dr. Jo Harding (Helen Hunt) and an underfunded team of students prepare the prototype for Dorothy, a ground-breaking tornado data-gathering device conceived by her estranged husband, Bill (Bill Paxton). When Harding tells Bill that Dorothy is ready for testing -- and that their privately funded rival Dr. Jonas Miller (Cary Elwes) has stolen the idea and built his own -- Bill rejoins the team for one last mission.
Bill Paxton, Helen Hurt and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are great in this film.
I do reccordmend this film, cause like i said before its a dumb action disaster film.
The plot: During the approach of the most powerful storm in decades, university professor Dr. Jo Harding (Helen Hunt) and an underfunded team of students prepare the prototype for Dorothy, a ground-breaking tornado data-gathering device conceived by her estranged husband, Bill (Bill Paxton). When Harding tells Bill that Dorothy is ready for testing -- and that their privately funded rival Dr. Jonas Miller (Cary Elwes) has stolen the idea and built his own -- Bill rejoins the team for one last mission.
Bill Paxton, Helen Hurt and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are great in this film.
I do reccordmend this film, cause like i said before its a dumb action disaster film.