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Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated Cooties (2015) in Movies
Jul 7, 2020 (Updated Oct 26, 2020)
An Irreverent Off Color Zombie-Comedy
Contains spoilers, click to show
I thought this movie was very underrated by the critic community. I really enjoyed it and felt it had exactly what I look for in a zombie movie. The premise fits well with it's genre because in real life this would be terrible and frightening. Kids being zombies, yikes. But since it's a comedy it was easy for them to set up some pretty funny scenes of them having to fight off kids that are trying to eat them. Critics saying it not being funny enough are hard for me to agree with because it had plenty of laughs for me, although some of them fell flat or were kind of lame. And that it was too ugly and violent for younger viewers, well hello, it's rated R. I do have to say that away from the premise the story or plot wasn't all too creative but it plays out well over the 94 minute film. Some critics also commented about "uninspired plot mechanics" which to me was more about some of it being predictable or cliché with zombie tropes common to the genre but I thought they fit into the plot in a good way that kept the direction of the movie going. One thing that I did agree with was that the ending was disappointing or unsatisfactory but I've learned that in zombie movies that's something you have to expect sometimes. There's not going to always be a happy ending or any kind of ending sometimes but there was a funny after credits scene where the janitor is shown for a couple of seconds. I give this movie a 7/10.
Kate (493 KP) rated French Kiss in Books
Jul 13, 2020
This book is a real feel good book. It's a book that wouldn't be out of place being read on a sun lounger somewhere hot on holiday. I would definitely recommend it to people. Even though it did have some low moments for the character, the highs outweighed these.
The description of the places made me feel like I was there and it made me want to revisit to Paris again.
This was a strong love story and I feel the descriptions and the setting helped bring this to life.
It was a love story between characters and the place.
The only downside was the timing of one part of the book.
The main character was due to meet the guy at 5pm and she arrived at 4.45pm. The character then sat down on the grass with the person she did meet and went onto a restaurant. They then discussed going to a museum which closed at 5pm (and I'm sure they had spent more than 15 minutes chatting and being in a restaurant ordering food). After ordering food they agreed to go to the museum and the main character said they still had 2 hours before it closed. This just didn't add up. The way it sounded was that the time was 3pm. This was very confusing and it did affect how I read that part of the book as it confused me. I even had to go back and re read it to make sure I wasn't incorrect and had read it incorrectly the first time.
Apart from that it was a good story line and as I said the descriptions of the places were perfect.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
The description of the places made me feel like I was there and it made me want to revisit to Paris again.
This was a strong love story and I feel the descriptions and the setting helped bring this to life.
It was a love story between characters and the place.
The only downside was the timing of one part of the book.
The main character was due to meet the guy at 5pm and she arrived at 4.45pm. The character then sat down on the grass with the person she did meet and went onto a restaurant. They then discussed going to a museum which closed at 5pm (and I'm sure they had spent more than 15 minutes chatting and being in a restaurant ordering food). After ordering food they agreed to go to the museum and the main character said they still had 2 hours before it closed. This just didn't add up. The way it sounded was that the time was 3pm. This was very confusing and it did affect how I read that part of the book as it confused me. I even had to go back and re read it to make sure I wasn't incorrect and had read it incorrectly the first time.
Apart from that it was a good story line and as I said the descriptions of the places were perfect.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Instax Mini 11 in Tech
Jul 16, 2020
First off, I want to say how cute this little Instax camera is. It's definitely trendy enough. While it is a mini camera, it is quite bulky still compared to digital cameras from back in the day.
I found it easy enough to load the film (which can get quite expensive to buy). Most of the instructions were clear although it came with some round things, and I'm still not sure what those are supposed to be.
Picture quality isn't that great unless you get pretty close up. However, it does remind me of the picture quality you'd get from taking pics in the 90s when taking them from a closer up range.
This camera includes a selfie mode unlike it's predecessor. You just mess with the front lens bit, and viola, you have selfie mode. The picture quality of that was about the same as the up close photos.
The flash does work great, and for the price, this is a decent little camera. It also holds up to the rough and tumble of everyday life. In fact, I put mine in my bag and forget it's there a lot of the time, so there's plenty of bumps along the way for it.
I think this would be a great camera for those aged between 8 - 14 who want an easy and affordable camera that takes real pictures instead of digital ones. I think the 14+ crowd would enjoy it too, but I feel like that's the age group that would get the most enjoyment from it the most. For a fairly cheap camera, it gets the job done while looking cute!
(I received this camera for free from Smashbomb in a giveaway in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.)
I found it easy enough to load the film (which can get quite expensive to buy). Most of the instructions were clear although it came with some round things, and I'm still not sure what those are supposed to be.
Picture quality isn't that great unless you get pretty close up. However, it does remind me of the picture quality you'd get from taking pics in the 90s when taking them from a closer up range.
This camera includes a selfie mode unlike it's predecessor. You just mess with the front lens bit, and viola, you have selfie mode. The picture quality of that was about the same as the up close photos.
The flash does work great, and for the price, this is a decent little camera. It also holds up to the rough and tumble of everyday life. In fact, I put mine in my bag and forget it's there a lot of the time, so there's plenty of bumps along the way for it.
I think this would be a great camera for those aged between 8 - 14 who want an easy and affordable camera that takes real pictures instead of digital ones. I think the 14+ crowd would enjoy it too, but I feel like that's the age group that would get the most enjoyment from it the most. For a fairly cheap camera, it gets the job done while looking cute!
(I received this camera for free from Smashbomb in a giveaway in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.)
The Cote d'Or: The Wines and Winemakers of the Heart of Burgundy: 2017
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Cote-d'Or may be small in size but its influence is huge and its reputation alone can strike terror...
Ardrossan: The Last Great Estate on the Philadelphia Main Line
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A richly detailed history of the baronial splendour of the Philadelphia Main Line estate Ardrossan...
Civil War: The History of England: Volume III
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In Civil War, Peter Ackroyd continues his dazzling account of England's history, beginning with the...
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Kings Falling (The Book of the Wars, #2) in Books
Feb 23, 2021
This is the second book in Ronie Kendig's The Book of the War's series, I read and reviewed Storm Rising! when it released last year, and boy was it captivating. I think that it is important to read the books in order as Ronie Kendig builds the characters in the first book and you get to know them and their situations. You may be slightly confused if you read them out of order.
The characters in Kings Falling build upon what was established in Storm Rising. I loved getting to know the characters better and how the different subplots are working together. That is one reason I love reading Ronie Kendig's books, they always have a great depth of character. Aside from the main characters, the secondary characters caught my interest in this book, and I am not sure how we will get their full stories before the series ends (Uhm, Hint for more books about them?). I loved all the character's playful banter, the dangerous situations, and the real-life problems that they faced together as a team.
The storyline is very intriguing and keeps me guessing, especially how this book ended. I am very much anticipating the release of Soul Raging coming out in November. The storyline reminds me of stories along the lines of Lord of the Rings, or The Chronicles of Narnia albeit with more fast-paced adrenaline run than either of those stories.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for the second book being just as good (if not better than) the first, for the great characters, and for keeping me up till midnight reading to see the ending only to get the shock of a lifetime. I highly recommend this book!
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
The characters in Kings Falling build upon what was established in Storm Rising. I loved getting to know the characters better and how the different subplots are working together. That is one reason I love reading Ronie Kendig's books, they always have a great depth of character. Aside from the main characters, the secondary characters caught my interest in this book, and I am not sure how we will get their full stories before the series ends (Uhm, Hint for more books about them?). I loved all the character's playful banter, the dangerous situations, and the real-life problems that they faced together as a team.
The storyline is very intriguing and keeps me guessing, especially how this book ended. I am very much anticipating the release of Soul Raging coming out in November. The storyline reminds me of stories along the lines of Lord of the Rings, or The Chronicles of Narnia albeit with more fast-paced adrenaline run than either of those stories.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for the second book being just as good (if not better than) the first, for the great characters, and for keeping me up till midnight reading to see the ending only to get the shock of a lifetime. I highly recommend this book!
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated An Amish Picnic: Four Stories in Books
Feb 24, 2021
Baskets of Sunshine was a sweet book about finding love right in front of you and having the courage to walk in faith. Both of the main characters were fun and relatable, I enjoyed seeing their perspectives on age difference in a relationship. They both overcome the obstacles set before them with minimal fuss and a good dose of forgiveness.
Candlelight Sweethearts had an interesting storyline. The characters had very vivid descriptions and were both very shy and sweet, which made it an obstacle for them to overcome. The characters in this book really grow into themselves by the end of the story.
Reeling in Love was my favorite book in this collection, probably because I can see myself doing several of the things that the main character does. The story was well written, the scenes believable and it made me smile. I can totally see the situations presented happening in real life. Both the characters have struggled to overcome things and hurt feelings to mend, in the end, though they rely on God to help them muddle through.
Picnics and Prospects This was a fun mini mystery story! The characters played well off each other and I really enjoyed getting to know them (I do wish it could have been a longer story, just so I could have gotten to know the characters' stories a little better). Overall, though this was a fun read. Both of the characters had to come to the realization that sometimes first impressions can be wrong and everyone deserves a second chance.
I give these stories 4 out of 5 stars for their creative picnic ideas, the interesting characters, and the themes of faith and forgiveness.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Candlelight Sweethearts had an interesting storyline. The characters had very vivid descriptions and were both very shy and sweet, which made it an obstacle for them to overcome. The characters in this book really grow into themselves by the end of the story.
Reeling in Love was my favorite book in this collection, probably because I can see myself doing several of the things that the main character does. The story was well written, the scenes believable and it made me smile. I can totally see the situations presented happening in real life. Both the characters have struggled to overcome things and hurt feelings to mend, in the end, though they rely on God to help them muddle through.
Picnics and Prospects This was a fun mini mystery story! The characters played well off each other and I really enjoyed getting to know them (I do wish it could have been a longer story, just so I could have gotten to know the characters' stories a little better). Overall, though this was a fun read. Both of the characters had to come to the realization that sometimes first impressions can be wrong and everyone deserves a second chance.
I give these stories 4 out of 5 stars for their creative picnic ideas, the interesting characters, and the themes of faith and forgiveness.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated The Staircase in TV
Feb 25, 2021
The massive red writing on the promotional image says it all: Did he do it? In 2001, Michael Peterson was accused of murdering his wife, who was found dead at the bottom of their staircase covered in blood the prosecution said was too much for an accidental fall. But Peterson, supported by most (but not all) of his family maintains his innocence throughout, and the show follows his attempt to prove it. The first 8 episodes of this incredible story were first shown in 2004, before True Crime docs were really a thing, followed by two updates of several episodes in 2013 and then 2018 as the case updated and new evidence came to light.
Of all the docs on this list, this is the one that had me most gripped by the back and forth of the case. I changed my mind so much, almost several times an episode at points, because Peterson himself is both very likeable and very suspicious. There is an opportunity to weigh the evidence for yourself here that a lot of crime series ignore. The balance feels fair, and the case itself is so very fascinating, both from a personal and legal point of view. It plays like a real life soap opera at times, complete with cliff-hangers and teases, as Making a Murderer proved was so effective. To this day, I am not certain of Peterson’s guilt. The only thing I can say is that it was he himself who commissioned the series and allowed the filming of the case. Is that something a guilty man would do to manipulate what we see, or what an innocent man would do when unafraid of the truth? You decide! This would be the one I would recommend to anyone new to the genre, uncertain if this kind of thing is for them.
Of all the docs on this list, this is the one that had me most gripped by the back and forth of the case. I changed my mind so much, almost several times an episode at points, because Peterson himself is both very likeable and very suspicious. There is an opportunity to weigh the evidence for yourself here that a lot of crime series ignore. The balance feels fair, and the case itself is so very fascinating, both from a personal and legal point of view. It plays like a real life soap opera at times, complete with cliff-hangers and teases, as Making a Murderer proved was so effective. To this day, I am not certain of Peterson’s guilt. The only thing I can say is that it was he himself who commissioned the series and allowed the filming of the case. Is that something a guilty man would do to manipulate what we see, or what an innocent man would do when unafraid of the truth? You decide! This would be the one I would recommend to anyone new to the genre, uncertain if this kind of thing is for them.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Last Thing To Burn in Books
Dec 29, 2020
Wow ... that was one heck of a powerful read and one where the characters will stay with me for some time.
Jane - named so by her "husband" Lennie - was trafficked from her native Vietnam with her younger sister, she is kept captive on an isolated farm in what can only be described as squalid and run down conditions. She is watched every minute of every day, she is not allowed to speak to anyone, she is not allowed to go anywhere - her day is regimented from start to finish and for each perceived transgression, the treasured possessions she has are slowly burned in front of her eyes.
This is a harrowing story of a desperate life of servitude and abuse; the scary thing is that it is happening to thousands of men, women and children the world over which makes it even more upsetting. However, it is also a story of hope and the desperate will and strength to survive and fight back when things appear to be hopeless.
The whole book is written from "Jane's" perspective and she is an enthralling narrator. The setting is just perfect and described scarily accurately - my job takes me into isolated farmhouses that are pretty bleak and dilapidated and this made the story even more real for me.
This is not an easy read by any stretch of the imagination but despite that, I found it very hard to put down. I was drawn into the story hook, line and sinker; it grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go until the very last page ... it lingers still in the back of my mind and there are very few books that do this.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.
Jane - named so by her "husband" Lennie - was trafficked from her native Vietnam with her younger sister, she is kept captive on an isolated farm in what can only be described as squalid and run down conditions. She is watched every minute of every day, she is not allowed to speak to anyone, she is not allowed to go anywhere - her day is regimented from start to finish and for each perceived transgression, the treasured possessions she has are slowly burned in front of her eyes.
This is a harrowing story of a desperate life of servitude and abuse; the scary thing is that it is happening to thousands of men, women and children the world over which makes it even more upsetting. However, it is also a story of hope and the desperate will and strength to survive and fight back when things appear to be hopeless.
The whole book is written from "Jane's" perspective and she is an enthralling narrator. The setting is just perfect and described scarily accurately - my job takes me into isolated farmhouses that are pretty bleak and dilapidated and this made the story even more real for me.
This is not an easy read by any stretch of the imagination but despite that, I found it very hard to put down. I was drawn into the story hook, line and sinker; it grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go until the very last page ... it lingers still in the back of my mind and there are very few books that do this.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.