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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Say No More (Jane Ryland, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Jane witnesses a hit and run on her way to interview a source, she becomes embroiled in a case much bigger than she thinks she will be. Meanwhile, her story on campus rape is heating up. And her boyfriend, cop Jake Brogan, is working on the case of a suspicious death when an adjunct professor dies in a swimming pool.
And once again we are off on a fantastic ride. We get the story from a total of five points of view, and it is always fun to switch back to other characters and see how they are progressing. While Jane trying to get out of testifying really bothered me (especially trying to hide behind the fact that she’s a reporter), I did like the growth it brought to her character. The new cast is strong, and the arcs for the viewpoint characters are wonderful. The story moves quickly wish so much going on that it is almost impossible to put the book down.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-say-no-more-by-hank.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
And once again we are off on a fantastic ride. We get the story from a total of five points of view, and it is always fun to switch back to other characters and see how they are progressing. While Jane trying to get out of testifying really bothered me (especially trying to hide behind the fact that she’s a reporter), I did like the growth it brought to her character. The new cast is strong, and the arcs for the viewpoint characters are wonderful. The story moves quickly wish so much going on that it is almost impossible to put the book down.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-say-no-more-by-hank.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is the third or fourth time I've had to read this for my classes, and I have got to say, it does not disappoint! I love how I am able to catch new details each time I read it.
This time I focused on Ophelia and her "madness." I have some theories about why she acts mad, and that it is not necessarily her losing control, but gaining it in her own way. This is the first moment where she is able to act on her own in the whole play. The first time that she does not have a male controlling all of her actions.
I love being able to see the different interpretations of the play both on stage and on the screen. The to be or not to be speech will always be one of my favorites.
This is in my top three favorite Shakespeare plays of all time because of the intricacies in the plot and the characters. I can't wait to get to study this again with a new professor to get different insights on the play itself.
This time I focused on Ophelia and her "madness." I have some theories about why she acts mad, and that it is not necessarily her losing control, but gaining it in her own way. This is the first moment where she is able to act on her own in the whole play. The first time that she does not have a male controlling all of her actions.
I love being able to see the different interpretations of the play both on stage and on the screen. The to be or not to be speech will always be one of my favorites.
This is in my top three favorite Shakespeare plays of all time because of the intricacies in the plot and the characters. I can't wait to get to study this again with a new professor to get different insights on the play itself.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Norton Anthology of Modern & Contemporary Poetry, Vol 1: Modern Poetry in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This is a great comprehensive book of Modernist poetry. There are many authors with a great selection of both the poetry and many technical essays.
I loved reading the biographies of the poets before diving into the actual poetry.
I had to get this book for one of my English classes in college, and it helped a lot with the understanding of the poetry. It was great because it included all of the footnotes that worked in tandem with the enjoyment of the poems.
I loved reading Langston Hughes the most. I had been introduced to a few of his poems, but this was the first time I had gotten to read so many. I love his style of writing in comparison to a lot of the other poets we read.
I can honestly say that TS Eliot is not my favorite Modernist poet, especially since it seems like each professor has us read at least one of his poems a quarter.
Overall, this is a super cool book to pick up, even if you aren't a huge fan of poetry, but want to be introduced to a lot of different styles.
I loved reading the biographies of the poets before diving into the actual poetry.
I had to get this book for one of my English classes in college, and it helped a lot with the understanding of the poetry. It was great because it included all of the footnotes that worked in tandem with the enjoyment of the poems.
I loved reading Langston Hughes the most. I had been introduced to a few of his poems, but this was the first time I had gotten to read so many. I love his style of writing in comparison to a lot of the other poets we read.
I can honestly say that TS Eliot is not my favorite Modernist poet, especially since it seems like each professor has us read at least one of his poems a quarter.
Overall, this is a super cool book to pick up, even if you aren't a huge fan of poetry, but want to be introduced to a lot of different styles.
Marylegs (44 KP) rated Call Me By Your Name in Books
Aug 14, 2019
So I heard lots of good things about this book. It was being (has been) made into a film. So I thought I'll give this a go. And after the effort it was to read this book, all I can say is, meh.
The were elements I really enjoyed, where I started to go "Ooo its starting to get good" and then I would be dragged back into really abstract ways to describe the scene. I honestly don't mind a bit of well done descriptions of visuals of feeling etc. But this just felt pointless. I think its a very, arty, type of writing and honestly its just not my cup of tea.
The story as a whole, is interesting and would normally be my cup of tea. Over a beautiful hot summer in Italy a young professor finishing off his philosophy book and the son of the people housing him in Italy begin a romantic affair in secret. The concept of the story brilliant and refreshingly new. The execution... honestly, not my style and the writing style really stopped me following the story easily. I just like a bit more instant gratification from my books.
The were elements I really enjoyed, where I started to go "Ooo its starting to get good" and then I would be dragged back into really abstract ways to describe the scene. I honestly don't mind a bit of well done descriptions of visuals of feeling etc. But this just felt pointless. I think its a very, arty, type of writing and honestly its just not my cup of tea.
The story as a whole, is interesting and would normally be my cup of tea. Over a beautiful hot summer in Italy a young professor finishing off his philosophy book and the son of the people housing him in Italy begin a romantic affair in secret. The concept of the story brilliant and refreshingly new. The execution... honestly, not my style and the writing style really stopped me following the story easily. I just like a bit more instant gratification from my books.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Apr 23, 2020
Jeremy Workman recommended Lola Montès (1955) in Movies (curated)
Darren Fisher (2447 KP) rated The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015) in Movies
Dec 11, 2020
Interesting adaptation of the notorious experiment
Along with the Milgram Experiment (1961) the Stanford Prison Experiment (1971) has been widely discussed. Both attempted to investigate the psychological effects of perceived power and its effect on the human psyche. The SPE focused on the struggle between prisoners and prison officers. The randomly chosen participants were university students who agreed to take part in the two week experiment (in a prison recreated under the university itself). Of course things take a turn for the worst when the guards revel in their power and push the prisoners beyond their limits in the name of scientific research. The experiment lasted only six days before psychology professor Philip Zimbardo pulled the plug on the whole sorry mess.
The film is mostly faithful ,offering a lean, straight to the point account of the events. No boring or irrelevant subplots going on. The actors are convincing and appear to relish their roles (maybe a sense of irony on the directors behalf..?). A good solid adaptation. Recommended.
Note: Footage from both the actual Milgram and SPE Experiments are available over the internet to watch (including youtube)
The film is mostly faithful ,offering a lean, straight to the point account of the events. No boring or irrelevant subplots going on. The actors are convincing and appear to relish their roles (maybe a sense of irony on the directors behalf..?). A good solid adaptation. Recommended.
Note: Footage from both the actual Milgram and SPE Experiments are available over the internet to watch (including youtube)
Zach Smith (62 KP) rated Hellboy (2019) in Movies
Jul 10, 2019
What a pile of cinamatic shit!
Contains spoilers, click to show
I always check the contains spoilers because I might make mention of something that happen that would annoy some twat that reads reviews before seeing the movie. The original actors warned these assholes not to do this and they did, so I love how they get rewarded over probably 50 million or more because it was such a wash, trying to catch possible deadpool fans by rating it R so they can show headshots and demons rip apart humans. It felt pointless, we also have a kungfu expert that happend to transform into a werecheetah, WTF kind of stuppid shit is that? This moovie drags on forever even dragging King Arthurs legacy through shit as well. It has ok special effects that appear to be directly stolen from the mind of Del Toro, they just didnt want to pay him I guess. Just shameful and dreadful. Snorefactor of 1/0.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Fallen (1998) in Movies
Jun 10, 2020
Time Is On My Side
Fallen- is one of those movies from the late 90's that has to do something with the bible, evil spirits and god. You had films like "Ends of Days", "Stigmata", "Spawn", "The Devil's advocate" and more. Fallen is one of them.
The plot: After witnessing the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas), whom he arrested, police detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington), and his partner, Jonesy (John Goodman), are soon investigating another murderer whose mode of operation is eerily similar to Reese's. In the course of the investigation, Hobbes meets theology professor Gretta Milano (Embeth Davidtz), who introduces him to the world of the occult and the possibility that an evil spirit is behind the killings.
I like the concept, is different and unique. Its a cat and mouse chase between a human being and a evil spirit that passing on from person to person. So you don't even know who is possessed.
The supernatural portion is very good. The suspense and thrills are good. Not enough action though. Other than that its a good supernatural film.
The plot: After witnessing the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas), whom he arrested, police detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington), and his partner, Jonesy (John Goodman), are soon investigating another murderer whose mode of operation is eerily similar to Reese's. In the course of the investigation, Hobbes meets theology professor Gretta Milano (Embeth Davidtz), who introduces him to the world of the occult and the possibility that an evil spirit is behind the killings.
I like the concept, is different and unique. Its a cat and mouse chase between a human being and a evil spirit that passing on from person to person. So you don't even know who is possessed.
The supernatural portion is very good. The suspense and thrills are good. Not enough action though. Other than that its a good supernatural film.
ClareR (5603 KP) rated To The Dogs in Books
Mar 26, 2024
To The Dogs by Louise Welsh is a gritty Glaswegian thriller that had me hooked from the first page.
Jim (James) Brennan is a criminologist professor, a vice chancellor of the local university. We meet him as he gets off a flight from Beijing in order to go to his local police station where his son is being held. Jim has tried hard to make his life as different as possible from the one he grew up in: his father was a local legend and hard man. Everyone was scared of his violence. It looks as though Jim’s son is determined to take up from where his grandfather left off.
Things go from bad to worse, when someone is determined to undermine everything Jim has tried to do for himself and his family.
I really enjoyed this. There’s never a dull moment (much to Jim’s detriment!), and Jim finds himself in a terribly awkward situation. He has to decide between his family and his reputation - or is there a way that he can protect both?
This is exciting stuff, and had me guessing up to the last page.
Jim (James) Brennan is a criminologist professor, a vice chancellor of the local university. We meet him as he gets off a flight from Beijing in order to go to his local police station where his son is being held. Jim has tried hard to make his life as different as possible from the one he grew up in: his father was a local legend and hard man. Everyone was scared of his violence. It looks as though Jim’s son is determined to take up from where his grandfather left off.
Things go from bad to worse, when someone is determined to undermine everything Jim has tried to do for himself and his family.
I really enjoyed this. There’s never a dull moment (much to Jim’s detriment!), and Jim finds himself in a terribly awkward situation. He has to decide between his family and his reputation - or is there a way that he can protect both?
This is exciting stuff, and had me guessing up to the last page.