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Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Rope (1948) in Movies
Aug 22, 2019
Rope
Rope- is one of my faviorte alfred hitchcock's films.
Its mysterious, thrilling, suspenseful, dramatic, twisted, keep on making you guest until the end.
The plot: Just before hosting a dinner party, Philip Morgan (Farley Granger) and Brandon Shaw (John Dall) strangle a mutual friend to death with a piece of rope, purely as a Nietzsche-inspired philosophical exercise. Hiding the body in a chest upon which they then arrange a buffet dinner, the pair welcome their guests, including the victim's oblivious fiancée (Joan Chandler) and the college professor (James Stewart) whose lectures inadvertently inspired the killing.
I would highly reccordmend watching this movie.
Its mysterious, thrilling, suspenseful, dramatic, twisted, keep on making you guest until the end.
The plot: Just before hosting a dinner party, Philip Morgan (Farley Granger) and Brandon Shaw (John Dall) strangle a mutual friend to death with a piece of rope, purely as a Nietzsche-inspired philosophical exercise. Hiding the body in a chest upon which they then arrange a buffet dinner, the pair welcome their guests, including the victim's oblivious fiancée (Joan Chandler) and the college professor (James Stewart) whose lectures inadvertently inspired the killing.
I would highly reccordmend watching this movie.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Dirty Work (1933) in Movies
Feb 19, 2019
A cautionary tale of hubristic science operating beyond the constraints of morality, and poor health and safety standards too. Stan and Ollie's latest venture is sweeping people's chimneys for them; they pitch up at the home of mad scientist Professor Noodle who is working on a rejuvenation elixir.
Not quite one of the boys' first-rate shorts - obviously there is boundless potential in the notion of Laurel and Hardy as chimney sweeps (Ollie falls down the chimney, off the roof, etc, etc, while Stan destroys the interior decorations of the house), but the mad scientist plotline feels oddly grafted on and the concluding scenes are peculiar rather than funny. First two-thirds makes the film more than worthwhile, though.
Not quite one of the boys' first-rate shorts - obviously there is boundless potential in the notion of Laurel and Hardy as chimney sweeps (Ollie falls down the chimney, off the roof, etc, etc, while Stan destroys the interior decorations of the house), but the mad scientist plotline feels oddly grafted on and the concluding scenes are peculiar rather than funny. First two-thirds makes the film more than worthwhile, though.
Dean (6925 KP) rated Time Trap (2017) in Movies
May 23, 2019
A good low budget surprise
I stumbled across this on Sky cinema the other night. Never heard of it before but saw good reviews for it, so tried it out. It's quite a simple film in terms of plot. Some kids go looking down a cave for a missing professor. Things go from bad to worse once they are down there. If you like sci-fi films about time travel or the like you will like this quite a bit. The budget is low and the acting isn't great but the ideas in the film make up for it. Worth checking out if you are stuck with what to watch.
Chrissy (8 KP) rated An Equation For Murder in Books
Jan 25, 2018
I found myself quickly interested in the story of Sam and Lilly. The older woman, who gives so much of herself to everyone else and finally decides to do something for herself. The slightly younger man, a professor, who usually tries to avoid all of the women in his classes. It's a forbidden romance, that is just so right.
I was frustrated when the story would shift from their lives to these other characters that I couldn't figure out why I was reading about them. Then when the two stories merged everything got so much more intense and I couldn't stop until I finished.
Wonderful read.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I was frustrated when the story would shift from their lives to these other characters that I couldn't figure out why I was reading about them. Then when the two stories merged everything got so much more intense and I couldn't stop until I finished.
Wonderful read.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded in Books
Feb 1, 2020
This novel is commonly known as the first true English novel, as well as the first epistolary novel. I've taken numerous British and English Literature classes, but had not been introduced to this novel until I studied in England and took an English novel class taught by a German professor who learned English solely so he could read Shakespeare in the vernacular. I'm glad that this prof included this wonderful novel. It was a nice change from just assigning Jane Eyre and Great Expectations.
It's an interesting study on Pamela, and spawned so many great, satirical novels. This is definitely a must read if you like classic literature and enjoy reading the novels that shaped the literature of today.
It's an interesting study on Pamela, and spawned so many great, satirical novels. This is definitely a must read if you like classic literature and enjoy reading the novels that shaped the literature of today.
David McK (3233 KP) rated Sherlock Holmes: The Voice of Treason in Books
Apr 12, 2020
At first, I must admit, I wondered what a Sherlock Holmes story that had not been written by Arthur Conan Doyle would be like.
And then I listened to this.
Set in the 'traditional' Sherlock Holmes setting of late in Queen Victoria's reign (in this case, after Reichenbach Falls) - instead of the more contemporary setting popularised by TVs Sherlock - this did take me a bit to get into.
However, it is impeccably produced and acted - even if it relies quite heavily on flashbacks - taking in such key characters as Sherlock himself, Dr Watson, Sherlock's brother Mycroft and Professor Moriarty, in a mystery around the kidnapping of the Queen!
(I was never taught that in school …)
And then I listened to this.
Set in the 'traditional' Sherlock Holmes setting of late in Queen Victoria's reign (in this case, after Reichenbach Falls) - instead of the more contemporary setting popularised by TVs Sherlock - this did take me a bit to get into.
However, it is impeccably produced and acted - even if it relies quite heavily on flashbacks - taking in such key characters as Sherlock himself, Dr Watson, Sherlock's brother Mycroft and Professor Moriarty, in a mystery around the kidnapping of the Queen!
(I was never taught that in school …)
LucyB (47 KP) rated Three Daughters of Eve in Books
Jul 23, 2017
Powerful, thought-provoking story
I was really happy to receive Three Daughters of Eve on Netgalley, as I'd recently read an interview with the author and thought the book sounded fascinating.
It certainly lived up to expectations. The book is set both in the past and the present, focusing on Peri as a student in Oxford, and as a wealthy wife (14 years later) in Istanbul. It starts with something of a red herring, focusing on Peri's attack (and almost rape) by a beggar, then develops into an exploration of her past, as a Turkish Muslim at Oxford University.
She's flanked by Shirin, a non-believer, and Mona, a devout Muslim - making them 'the sinner, the believer and the confused'. They're united by a man called Professor Azur, who has a major influence in their lives, both positive and negative.
The book is an intriguing exploration into religion, belief and culture-clash - and in particular, the scenes detailing Peri's past, with a non-believing father and a devout mother, worked particularly well. A few moments jarred slightly - for example, the sudden revelation about the twin brother towards the end, and the abrupt shift in perspective from Peri to Professor Azur (again, towards the end), but for the most part, this book was masterfully executed and beautifully sustained throughout.
I think Shafak has a strong, resonant style, combined with a philosophical approach - which works really well. I'd definitely like to read more of her books
It certainly lived up to expectations. The book is set both in the past and the present, focusing on Peri as a student in Oxford, and as a wealthy wife (14 years later) in Istanbul. It starts with something of a red herring, focusing on Peri's attack (and almost rape) by a beggar, then develops into an exploration of her past, as a Turkish Muslim at Oxford University.
She's flanked by Shirin, a non-believer, and Mona, a devout Muslim - making them 'the sinner, the believer and the confused'. They're united by a man called Professor Azur, who has a major influence in their lives, both positive and negative.
The book is an intriguing exploration into religion, belief and culture-clash - and in particular, the scenes detailing Peri's past, with a non-believing father and a devout mother, worked particularly well. A few moments jarred slightly - for example, the sudden revelation about the twin brother towards the end, and the abrupt shift in perspective from Peri to Professor Azur (again, towards the end), but for the most part, this book was masterfully executed and beautifully sustained throughout.
I think Shafak has a strong, resonant style, combined with a philosophical approach - which works really well. I'd definitely like to read more of her books
Merissa (11797 KP) rated My Professor Sweetheart (Sweetheart Escapes) in Books
Sep 18, 2023
MY PROFESSOR SWEETHEART is part of the multi-author Sweetheart Escapes series and can be read as a standalone.
Jamie and Andres are the main couple in this one, although there are other characters I now want stories for, including Hank and Avery! Guess I'll be searching the author's backlist for those and keeping my fingers crossed.
Anyway, back to this one. Jamie is the student, so close to graduating, and Andres is the professor. They both sign up for the auction but the attraction is already off the charts when they finally meet at the resort. The Daddy/boy aspect of this was so good. Jamie wanted to learn all he could, and Andres was happy to help. It was done in a steamy sweet way and made it a great read.
Part of what I enjoyed so much is we see them on their weekend but also in 'real life' doing what they have to, to hide what they are to each other. And breaking each other's hearts before they figure out what to do. It really gave the story some depth for me, instead of it being insta-love. Well, it still was, but then we had the rest of the story to help build it up.
A brilliant story that I have no hesitation in HIGHLY recommending.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 18, 2023
Jamie and Andres are the main couple in this one, although there are other characters I now want stories for, including Hank and Avery! Guess I'll be searching the author's backlist for those and keeping my fingers crossed.
Anyway, back to this one. Jamie is the student, so close to graduating, and Andres is the professor. They both sign up for the auction but the attraction is already off the charts when they finally meet at the resort. The Daddy/boy aspect of this was so good. Jamie wanted to learn all he could, and Andres was happy to help. It was done in a steamy sweet way and made it a great read.
Part of what I enjoyed so much is we see them on their weekend but also in 'real life' doing what they have to, to hide what they are to each other. And breaking each other's hearts before they figure out what to do. It really gave the story some depth for me, instead of it being insta-love. Well, it still was, but then we had the rest of the story to help build it up.
A brilliant story that I have no hesitation in HIGHLY recommending.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 18, 2023
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Prediction in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[The Prediction] by [Darren Sugrue] was an excellent thriller. The question is, if you could know the date of death would you want to? Daniel did his PhD thesis on a mathematical formula that could predict when someone would die. His thesis was rejected and he gave up his old life to be a crane operator. Twelve years later his old professor approaches him after the death of his son and wants Daniel to take his thesis up again. This decision will change everyone involved.
The characters were well developed and drove the plot. I really liked how you got to see different perspectives throughout the book.I highly recommend this book. I could not put it down once I started reading.
The characters were well developed and drove the plot. I really liked how you got to see different perspectives throughout the book.I highly recommend this book. I could not put it down once I started reading.
E Riley (6 KP) rated Angels and Demons in Books
Feb 12, 2019 (Updated Feb 12, 2019)
Sometimes I think I must be missing something.. This is a book adored by many and yet I can't see quite see why. There were moments of brilliance and fascination, mostly involving religious history and the search for faith. The pace was fast and I wanted to keep reading to the end but had I not already mastered the eye roll due to raising teenagers, I would have learnt fast with this. The unassumingly handsome but excessively fit academics professor thrown into worldwide adventures with beautiful women seems a little stale for some reason... Can't think why. Despite this déjà vu, I expect to read another at some point, if only for the history.
A book to borrow from the library.
A book to borrow from the library.