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Awix (3310 KP) rated Everybody Knows (Todos Lo Saben) (2018) in Movies
Mar 12, 2019 (Updated Mar 12, 2019)
Spanish-language Euro-drama from Iranian director Asghar Farhadi is about as odd a fish as you might expect. Family wedding is going well until Penelope Cruz's daughter is kidnapped; much stressed is placed on everyone involved and their relationships, causing secrets to bubble to the surface in an unwelcome (to say the least) manner.
The thriller elements are definitely a bit of a red herring, as for much of the film the plight of the missing girl seems to get rather forgotten about while everyone sits or stands around articulating their personal baggage and unfinished emotional business. It does get a bit slow and talky (I believe I dozed off for a few moments), but the performances are meaty, involving ones with Cruz and Bardem showing every bit of their star quality and acting ability. Too well-scripted to really qualify as a melodrama, but certainly slices itself a thick slab of theatrical ham; performances make it a worthwhile watch.
The thriller elements are definitely a bit of a red herring, as for much of the film the plight of the missing girl seems to get rather forgotten about while everyone sits or stands around articulating their personal baggage and unfinished emotional business. It does get a bit slow and talky (I believe I dozed off for a few moments), but the performances are meaty, involving ones with Cruz and Bardem showing every bit of their star quality and acting ability. Too well-scripted to really qualify as a melodrama, but certainly slices itself a thick slab of theatrical ham; performances make it a worthwhile watch.
ClareR (5686 KP) rated Daisy Jones & the Six in Books
Apr 19, 2019
A true (fictional) history of a rock band!
I loved everything about this book. I’ve wanted to be in a Rock band since I was a small child. There were only two small problems with this: 1. Only I think I can sing; and 2. My mum would only let me learn to play the clarinet, not the guitar. Life is so unfair... Instead I live vicariously through my favourite bands and books like this!
Told through interviews with the various band members, we hear the story of the rise to fame of The Six, and their chance meeting with Daisy Jones. We hear the fascinating story of their relationships, particularly that between Billy the lead singer, and Daisy the OTHER lead singer.
It’s all very Fleetwood Mac - the love affairs, the break ups - I loved it! And yes, I did listen to Rumours once or twice whilst I was reading. How could I not?
Told through interviews with the various band members, we hear the story of the rise to fame of The Six, and their chance meeting with Daisy Jones. We hear the fascinating story of their relationships, particularly that between Billy the lead singer, and Daisy the OTHER lead singer.
It’s all very Fleetwood Mac - the love affairs, the break ups - I loved it! And yes, I did listen to Rumours once or twice whilst I was reading. How could I not?
KittyMiku (138 KP) rated The Former World in Books
Apr 27, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
Was truly amazing. I loved the characters and how every time you think you might know what is going on, it flips everything you think you know on its head. I found this to have some particularly good points about being a young girl and how relationships worked. I also enjoyed the scenery, which you can't help but admire while reading. Even with the perspective being from the main character's eyes, I found myself thrilled at every word and page. I did find it started off a little slow, but once I finished chapter 2, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I was glad to see it didn't focus too much o side details or rants, though it had that potential. I thought it moved smoothly through the story without giving too much away. Makes me excited to pick the rest of the 5 book series.
Sapphire Jane Sawkins (3 KP) rated Tinder in Apps
Feb 5, 2018
People can't message you without you matching with them (1 more)
It's easy to block people
Having met my past 2 serious relationships on Tinder, I feel that I have to give it a good rating. Without going into details, my past relationship ended due to reasons well away from Tinder. The bonus of this app is that people cannot message you unless you have expressed an interest in them. I guess you could also say this is a downside... if you think somebody sounds like your ideal partner, you cant message them unless they too have liked you.
I think it is safe to say that these days most people are too busy to go out and people the 'traditional' way, therefore online dating is the way forward. I know many people who have successfully used this app, whatever their desired outcome may be.
Online dating definitely has its drawbacks... but then does traditional dating not?
I think it is safe to say that these days most people are too busy to go out and people the 'traditional' way, therefore online dating is the way forward. I know many people who have successfully used this app, whatever their desired outcome may be.
Online dating definitely has its drawbacks... but then does traditional dating not?
Christine Allard (22 KP) rated The Secret History in Books
Jan 26, 2018
Coming of age, why dunnit, college, and flawed characters
Contains spoilers, click to show
This book has been one of my all-time favorites for years, and one of the few I re-read about every year or two.
A clique of "gifted misfits" find one another and form a clique at a liberal arts school (think Middlebury) on the East Coast. One is dead very early on. The rest of the book unfolds with. their incredibly intertwined, co-dependant, and complex relationships as you slowly learn what happened, why it did, and what's going to go down after.
A clique of "gifted misfits" find one another and form a clique at a liberal arts school (think Middlebury) on the East Coast. One is dead very early on. The rest of the book unfolds with. their incredibly intertwined, co-dependant, and complex relationships as you slowly learn what happened, why it did, and what's going to go down after.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Masking for Trouble (Costume Shop Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
In a town that loves costume parties, Halloween is a huge deal, which means things are very busy for Margo Tamblyn in her family’s costume shop, Disguise DeLimit. However, this year things are looking grim thanks to Paul Haverford, who has grand designs for the city, plans that include closing down small shops like Disguise DeLimit. However, when Margo finds Paul’s body at the opening party, she finds herself as the prime suspect. Can she find the killer and clear her name?
I loved the first book in this series because the characters are so wonderful. It was great to see them again and watch their relationships grow and change. The plot was fun and unique, and I enjoyed that as well. Plus the book made great use of the Halloween time frame.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-masking-for-trouble-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I loved the first book in this series because the characters are so wonderful. It was great to see them again and watch their relationships grow and change. The plot was fun and unique, and I enjoyed that as well. Plus the book made great use of the Halloween time frame.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-masking-for-trouble-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
On the day Winnie Johnson has to close her bakery due to a huge rent increase, she inherits an antique ambulance. She decides to use it to reopen her bakery as a mobile business, rushing her desserts to those in need. But when her neighbor is murdered, it puts a definite damper on her plans. Who would kill an elderly man?
The mystery aspect takes a back seat at times to getting the new business up and running, but I find the concept of this business absolutely brilliant. I’m wondering why no one hasn’t tried this in real life. The mystery does reach a logical conclusion that wraps things up. The characters are strong, and I’m looking forward to seeing where relationships go in future books. Rush out and get this debut.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-eclair-and-present-danger.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The mystery aspect takes a back seat at times to getting the new business up and running, but I find the concept of this business absolutely brilliant. I’m wondering why no one hasn’t tried this in real life. The mystery does reach a logical conclusion that wraps things up. The characters are strong, and I’m looking forward to seeing where relationships go in future books. Rush out and get this debut.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-eclair-and-present-danger.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated A Churn for the Worse (An Amish Mystery, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The peaceful summer in Heavenly, Pennsylvania, is ruined when one of the Amish farmers is murdered. Was he targeted because he is Amish? Or was it part of a string of burglaries hitting that part of town? Claire and Jakob will have to work together to find out.
Once again, we are transported to the town of Heavenly and get to spend time with characters we have come to love. The growth in the characters and their relationships we see here is absolutely amazing. The mystery is good as well. I thought I had it figured out, but I only had a small portion of it figured out. If you like this series, you’ll love this book. And if you have yet to start this series, fix that today.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-churn-for-worse-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Once again, we are transported to the town of Heavenly and get to spend time with characters we have come to love. The growth in the characters and their relationships we see here is absolutely amazing. The mystery is good as well. I thought I had it figured out, but I only had a small portion of it figured out. If you like this series, you’ll love this book. And if you have yet to start this series, fix that today.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-churn-for-worse-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The town of Frog’s Ledge, Connecticut, is celebrating the start of the holiday season with their big tree lighting, and Stan is doubly excited since her new pet patisserie is opening the next day. However, things take an unexpected turn when Santa dies on his way to light the tree. Meanwhile, two other men are missing. Is there a connection?
I was hooked from the start with this book. Even though I figured out one thread early on, I still wanted to know how it was all going to play out. I did feel the climax was rushed, but that is my only complaint about this book. I love these characters and the relationships that have grown over the course of the series, and getting to spend time with them helped add to the Christmas spirit in this book for me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/12/book-review-purring-around-christmas.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I was hooked from the start with this book. Even though I figured out one thread early on, I still wanted to know how it was all going to play out. I did feel the climax was rushed, but that is my only complaint about this book. I love these characters and the relationships that have grown over the course of the series, and getting to spend time with them helped add to the Christmas spirit in this book for me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/12/book-review-purring-around-christmas.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Scam Chowder (A Five-Ingredient Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Val Deniston’s grandfather is hosting a dinner party with a secret agenda. He’s hoping to confront Scott, a man who scams retirees out of their savings. However, before the confrontation can take place, Scott gets sick and leaves. The next day he is dead from poison. With the other dinner guests as suspects, Val must figure out what happened before the police arrest her grandfather.
The mystery in this book is very strong. I thought I could discount some of the suspects early on, but by the end, I felt they all could have done it. Yet, when the killer was revealed, it made perfect sense with clues pointing to his or her identity. I do wish that Val’s grandfather wasn’t so harsh to her, but the rest of the characters and their relationships are strong, and I’m anxious to see what happens to them next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-scam-chowder-by-maya.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The mystery in this book is very strong. I thought I could discount some of the suspects early on, but by the end, I felt they all could have done it. Yet, when the killer was revealed, it made perfect sense with clues pointing to his or her identity. I do wish that Val’s grandfather wasn’t so harsh to her, but the rest of the characters and their relationships are strong, and I’m anxious to see what happens to them next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-scam-chowder-by-maya.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.