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Photography and Africa
Book
Africa, a land comprising more than fifty nations and innumerable cultural variations, has long been...
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Interface
Book
In this book, Branden Hookway considers the interface not as technology but as a form of...
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2273 KP) rated Over My Dead Blog in Books
Nov 29, 2023 (Updated Nov 29, 2023)
Debut I Had to Read. And I’m Glad I Did
Winnie Lark has moved to the other side of the country from her family and found a new life she loves in Copper Bay, Massachusetts, while she runs a hugely successful book blog. When her twin brother, famous actor Strider Lark, comes for a visit, Winnie is nervous since their relationship has been strained in the last few years. But she doesn’t expect him to be suspected of murder after just one night in town. A local reporter has been killed, and Strider was the last one to see her alive. Can Winnie clear him of the crime?
As a book blogger, the hook for this cozy series immediately caught my attention. I’m glad it did since I enjoyed the book. Winnie and Strider’s relationship is a strong element to the book, and I appreciated that the author made it complex. Winnie takes a little while to get a line on what is happening with the murder (she is an amateur, after all), but once she does, she then worries about proving her case, a nice change from many cozies. I loved the characters we met, especially Winnie’s relationship with her two best friends. I can’t wait to spend more time with all of the characters. I also smiled at Winnie’s cute, cozy swears. There’s a fall vibe to the October set story. This book blogger can’t help but recommend this fun debut.
As a book blogger, the hook for this cozy series immediately caught my attention. I’m glad it did since I enjoyed the book. Winnie and Strider’s relationship is a strong element to the book, and I appreciated that the author made it complex. Winnie takes a little while to get a line on what is happening with the murder (she is an amateur, after all), but once she does, she then worries about proving her case, a nice change from many cozies. I loved the characters we met, especially Winnie’s relationship with her two best friends. I can’t wait to spend more time with all of the characters. I also smiled at Winnie’s cute, cozy swears. There’s a fall vibe to the October set story. This book blogger can’t help but recommend this fun debut.
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Beast (2017) in Movies
May 18, 2018
Impressive debut film from Michael Pearce with an outstanding performance from Jessie Buckley at its centre. The setting is Jersey, but this is more like Cracker than Bergerac: a young woman trapped in a smothering relationship with her controlling mother starts a relationship with a drifter almost as an act of rebellion, but having committed to this what is she supposed to do when she learns he is a suspect in a string of local murders?
The thriller element is really kind of an afterthought, and the manner in which the did-he-or-didn't-do-it plotline is resolved would be unlikely to satisfy anyone if it were the sole focus of the film. But the film is built around characterisation and atmosphere much more than genre conventions, and is very strong here: as it continues it shades more into psychological horror than anything else, with a genuinely intense and impossible-to-predict denouement. An accomplished film in every department.
The thriller element is really kind of an afterthought, and the manner in which the did-he-or-didn't-do-it plotline is resolved would be unlikely to satisfy anyone if it were the sole focus of the film. But the film is built around characterisation and atmosphere much more than genre conventions, and is very strong here: as it continues it shades more into psychological horror than anything else, with a genuinely intense and impossible-to-predict denouement. An accomplished film in every department.
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TLW21 (15 KP) rated Rampage (2018) in Movies
Apr 18, 2019
I had a love/hate relationship with this
Contains spoilers, click to show
They could have worked a few things out differently, they definitely overplayed the bad guys in places they should have been more focused on what was actually happening around them with the whole city falling apart and giant creatures attacking everywhere. The action scenes between the animals and The rock was just too much. There should have definitely more action with the animals themselves with all the crazy changes they had gone through it would have been epic
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Léon: The Professional (1994) in Movies
May 13, 2019
Cult thriller that gave the world Natalie Portman and briefly turned Luc Besson into someone with Hollywood clout; it's still almost certainly his best film. A troubled young girl (Portman) is orphaned by drug dealers and is taken under the wing of a supernaturally gifted hitman (Reno); he has issues of his own. Slowly the relationship between the two of them deepens, but the question of vengeance against the man who killed her family (Oldman) refuses to go away.
Stylish and witty, with great performances from the three leads; genuinely affecting in a way that most Besson movies simply are not. Surprisingly little action for what's supposedly a thriller but still very involving; the theatrical cut delicately skips around what's really going on in Leon and Mathilda's relationship. Knock a point off if you're watching the director's cut, which trades some of the subtlety for extra scenes which add a mixture of hokeyness and pure ick.
Stylish and witty, with great performances from the three leads; genuinely affecting in a way that most Besson movies simply are not. Surprisingly little action for what's supposedly a thriller but still very involving; the theatrical cut delicately skips around what's really going on in Leon and Mathilda's relationship. Knock a point off if you're watching the director's cut, which trades some of the subtlety for extra scenes which add a mixture of hokeyness and pure ick.
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Film and stuff (30 KP) rated Kin (2018) in Movies
May 30, 2019
Underrated
Contains spoilers, click to show
Kin is a modern twist on a story that feels very familiar.
Our hero is a boy that we assume was sent back in time to live in relative safety until his time to do something pivotal in a future war comes about.
The biggest issue is the ending. Audiences are unforgiving of sequel bait endings and this isn't subtle either.
Franco is a cookie cutter bad guy that just about reaches entertaining.
The relationship between our three main characters is thin and underdeveloped.
The beginning catalyst of the father dying suffers from an underdeveloped relationship between him and his sons as well as the father figure being largely unlikable.
All this being said, as an entire piece of work there is plenty to enjoy and that's what you will need to do with this film.
A mild recommendation
Our hero is a boy that we assume was sent back in time to live in relative safety until his time to do something pivotal in a future war comes about.
The biggest issue is the ending. Audiences are unforgiving of sequel bait endings and this isn't subtle either.
Franco is a cookie cutter bad guy that just about reaches entertaining.
The relationship between our three main characters is thin and underdeveloped.
The beginning catalyst of the father dying suffers from an underdeveloped relationship between him and his sons as well as the father figure being largely unlikable.
All this being said, as an entire piece of work there is plenty to enjoy and that's what you will need to do with this film.
A mild recommendation
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Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated A Promise for Tomorrow in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
A Promise for Tomorrow by Miranda Barnes is a wonderful book. It is a story about new beginning and new romantic interests. Just because one chapter in your life ends does not mean that life ends all together and this story shows the reader that second chances come around. Sarah, the main character, needed a change of pace so she quit her job, ended her relationship that was going nowhere and moved to a new place. In her new environment she found a new job, and made new friends. Sarah met India and became good friends which opened the door to meeting more people like Robert. The story will have you rooting for Sarah and Robert and their relationship.
The story was simply written but shows that people can take a chance on love when they have lost the one they love.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for a fair and honest review.
A Promise for Tomorrow by Miranda Barnes is a wonderful book. It is a story about new beginning and new romantic interests. Just because one chapter in your life ends does not mean that life ends all together and this story shows the reader that second chances come around. Sarah, the main character, needed a change of pace so she quit her job, ended her relationship that was going nowhere and moved to a new place. In her new environment she found a new job, and made new friends. Sarah met India and became good friends which opened the door to meeting more people like Robert. The story will have you rooting for Sarah and Robert and their relationship.
The story was simply written but shows that people can take a chance on love when they have lost the one they love.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for a fair and honest review.
Rose is in turmoil and feels that she is lost. What made her choose an abusive man instead of the sweet young pastor that has a fondness for her? She is now in therapy and is trying to re-establish a relationship with her father, which was lost when she chose the master manipulator.
Can the kindness of a young preacher and the help of the Planted bible group bring Rose out of the darkness and fear in her life? Can she find the strength to survive and allow these good people and God’s love into her life?
This is the last book in the Christian suspense series, Planted Flowers. As with the other books in the Planted series, this is more than just a book of mystery and romance. The underlining story has to do with finding faith, strength, understanding, and support while gaining a deeper relationship with God and his teachings.
Can the kindness of a young preacher and the help of the Planted bible group bring Rose out of the darkness and fear in her life? Can she find the strength to survive and allow these good people and God’s love into her life?
This is the last book in the Christian suspense series, Planted Flowers. As with the other books in the Planted series, this is more than just a book of mystery and romance. The underlining story has to do with finding faith, strength, understanding, and support while gaining a deeper relationship with God and his teachings.
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Kristie (106 KP) rated The Art of Escaping in Books
Sep 18, 2018
Fast read
I really enjoyed The Art of Escaping by Erin Callahan a lot more than I thought I would. This novel was a super cute contemporary and a fast, fun read. I loved seeing the characters grow and develop as the story went on. The friendship that starts between Mattie and Will, and later with Frankie and Stella, is an inspiring relationship that most people can connect with and would love to have in their own lives. Together, they overcome their fears and come into their own, as well as helping the people around them grow and learn. The character of Miyu was probably my favorite, I loved her attitude and learning about her and her mom Akiko. I would love to read a whole book based off of these two characters, and to learn more about their relationship. Overall, I really enjoyed this ya contemporary story, and would definitely recommend for all ages.