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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Under the Blue in Books
Jul 7, 2024
131 of 220
Book
Under the Blue
By Oana Aristide
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A road trip beneath clear blue skies and a blazing sun: a reclusive artist is forced to abandon his home and follow two young sisters across a post-pandemic Europe in search of a safe place. Is this the end of the world?
Meanwhile two computer scientists have been educating their baby in a remote location. Their baby is called Talos, and he is an advanced AI program. Every week they feed him data, starting from the beginning of written history, era by era, and ask him to predict what will happen next to the human race. At the same time they're involved in an increasingly fraught philosophical debate about why human life is sacred and why the purpose for which he was built - to predict threats to human life to help us avoid them - is a worthwhile and ethical pursuit.
These two strands come together in a way that is always suspenseful, surprising and intellectually provocative: this is an extraordinarily prescient and vital work of fiction - an apocalyptic road novel to frighten and thrill.
This was a case of don’t judge a book by its cover I wasn’t expecting much from it to be honest. But I actually liked it. We follow two different stories that some how come together in the end one of 3 people trying to escape the pandemic and nuclear fall out and then 2 scientists developing an AI. While I liked it the ending left me feeling a bit flat! But it is worth a read.
Book
Under the Blue
By Oana Aristide
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A road trip beneath clear blue skies and a blazing sun: a reclusive artist is forced to abandon his home and follow two young sisters across a post-pandemic Europe in search of a safe place. Is this the end of the world?
Meanwhile two computer scientists have been educating their baby in a remote location. Their baby is called Talos, and he is an advanced AI program. Every week they feed him data, starting from the beginning of written history, era by era, and ask him to predict what will happen next to the human race. At the same time they're involved in an increasingly fraught philosophical debate about why human life is sacred and why the purpose for which he was built - to predict threats to human life to help us avoid them - is a worthwhile and ethical pursuit.
These two strands come together in a way that is always suspenseful, surprising and intellectually provocative: this is an extraordinarily prescient and vital work of fiction - an apocalyptic road novel to frighten and thrill.
This was a case of don’t judge a book by its cover I wasn’t expecting much from it to be honest. But I actually liked it. We follow two different stories that some how come together in the end one of 3 people trying to escape the pandemic and nuclear fall out and then 2 scientists developing an AI. While I liked it the ending left me feeling a bit flat! But it is worth a read.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Triple 9 (2016) in Movies
Aug 9, 2017
Forgettable In Every Way
I've seen some awful reviews of Triple 9, ripping the movie apart and claiming it to be the worst movie of 2016. These people clearly haven't seen Independence Day: Resurgence.
It's not a bad movie, nor is it a good movie, it's just nothing. Totally forgettable and unremarkable in every way. These movies are actually the hardest to review, because I have nothing passionate to say either for or against the film. The script is mediocre, the performances are generic, especially for such a talented cast, the direction is functional and the resulting quality of the movie overall is plainly middle of the road as a result.
Give this one a skip, it's not the worst movie that you will ever see, but it's utterly forgettable.
It's not a bad movie, nor is it a good movie, it's just nothing. Totally forgettable and unremarkable in every way. These movies are actually the hardest to review, because I have nothing passionate to say either for or against the film. The script is mediocre, the performances are generic, especially for such a talented cast, the direction is functional and the resulting quality of the movie overall is plainly middle of the road as a result.
Give this one a skip, it's not the worst movie that you will ever see, but it's utterly forgettable.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated OUT (A Cam Thomas Story #1) in Books
Mar 4, 2018
This is another book recommendation I got from a book chat. I am loving those since it is helping find amazing books like this. Cam is a main character that you really want to see everything work out for because she is just authenic. Of course some things are not realistic but it is fiction and I guess some people get that lucky. The relationship,although it is the soul mate thing, develops nicely. They even have road bumps(or more like potholes into Narnia). This is where the secondary characters come in to help fix things. I like that the secondary characters are not fluff but played a role is directing the plot but aren't overbearing. I definately will read more in this series. It is binge worthy.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Sex Drive (2008) in Movies
Feb 25, 2018
This movie is incredibly crude, but completely hilarious. It's got some of the funniest lines I've ever laughed at loud and obnoxiously in theaters. I always know if it's a good comedy if there are lines I still laugh at years later (ten in this case, it makes me feel old af). The main character, pretends to be this buff, muscle car owning dude, and chats up chicks online. Of course, the car belongs to his brother, James Marsden's character. One of the chicks tells the main character that she's willing to 'go all the way' (this is a high school age movie), if he makes this road trip from his home to somewhere in TN or KY. Various hijinks ensue, and rando actors show up throughout. Like Seth Green randomly being Amish.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) in Movies
Jun 21, 2018
The dog went on the picnic basket!
The Griswolds!
Everyone's favorite adventurous family embarks on their inaugural journey together to go see Wallyworld in California and encounters creepy annoying relatives and all sorts of unsavory characters along the way.
I once had a long discussion with someone about which was better, the first Vacation or Christmas Vacation, this one being my favorite of the bunch. The family dynamic on the open road, for me, was slightly more entertaining than Christmas at home with the relatives which is also still a lot of fun.
Seemed like a liked the introduction of Randy Quaid, John Candy, Christy Brinkley and Imogeen Coca and just thought it was a lot of fun waiting to see what happened next.
Everyone's favorite adventurous family embarks on their inaugural journey together to go see Wallyworld in California and encounters creepy annoying relatives and all sorts of unsavory characters along the way.
I once had a long discussion with someone about which was better, the first Vacation or Christmas Vacation, this one being my favorite of the bunch. The family dynamic on the open road, for me, was slightly more entertaining than Christmas at home with the relatives which is also still a lot of fun.
Seemed like a liked the introduction of Randy Quaid, John Candy, Christy Brinkley and Imogeen Coca and just thought it was a lot of fun waiting to see what happened next.
tonidavis (353 KP) rated The Incredibles 2 (2018) in Movies
Jul 17, 2018
Not so incredible
I'm usually a huge fan of Disney pixar but honestly this film fell short for me. The first two thirds of the film I found rather slow. The plot was predictable. The only relationship or interest I found was Jack Jack powers and then later Edna interactions with Jack Jack and his powers I was also disappointed with Disney not putting strobe warning in the state for the first week and a half of the films release. I have several friend who suffer from epilepsy and had UK got the same time as us and not had warning I dread to think what would of happens. For me this was safe I fly middle of the road nothing to write home about.
Sue (5 KP) rated Better Off Read (Bookmobile Mystery #1) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Cleo Watkins is a septuagenarian librarian that is hoping to save her storm-damaged library, but all hopes are lost when the primary beneficiary is found murdered. Unfortunately, Cleo’s best friend Mary-Rose and her grandson Ollie become the prime suspects.
Cleo takes to the road in her repurposed school bus turned bookmobile and is on a mission to stop the young mayor from permanently closing her beloved library and solve the murder.
The cast of characters in this book are delightful; 70 something Cleo is all heart, her best friend Mary-Rose is full of spunk, close friend Henry is a complete gentleman, and Rhett Butler (the cat) is full of cat mischief.
This was a fun cozy mystery to read and I do hope the author makes a series out of it.
Cleo takes to the road in her repurposed school bus turned bookmobile and is on a mission to stop the young mayor from permanently closing her beloved library and solve the murder.
The cast of characters in this book are delightful; 70 something Cleo is all heart, her best friend Mary-Rose is full of spunk, close friend Henry is a complete gentleman, and Rhett Butler (the cat) is full of cat mischief.
This was a fun cozy mystery to read and I do hope the author makes a series out of it.
CKD (37 KP) rated Tapestry of Fortunes in Books
Dec 7, 2018
I won this book from the Goodreads First Reads giveaways. I wasn't sure what to expect as I've only read one other book quite a few years ago by this author. I remember that I liked the book but I have not picked up any of her other books to read in the interim. I loved loved loved this book. It focuses on Cecilia (Cece) and her life after she the death of her best friend. She makes some changes in her life and makes some new friends that she probably never would have met and goes on a road trip with them that resolves some issue in each of their lives. I absolutely recommend this book to others. It was enjoyable and I didn't want it to end.
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Beau, Lee, The Bomb, & Me in Books
Jan 6, 2019
Not Okay
I'm normally a fan of road trip novels, and the crazy adventures they feature. I picked up this book expected to really enjoy a cynical take on life as a teenager. Instead this book pissed me off. I would never ever want any teenager who suffers from depression or bullying to read this book. The attitude in this book is that bullying happens, and no one cares so don't bother asking for help. By the end of the book the attitude is a little better, but never enough to make up for the awful things that adults allow to happen in the beginning. I will say there was a few shining moments mostly involving a dog, but even that only pulls my overall rating to a 3.
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Little Miss Sunshine (2006) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
A stunning film of disfunction and family values, where every character has a different quirk contributing to failure and unhappiness, brought together by young Olive, who just wants her moment in the spotlight. A pithy commentary on America in the early 21st Century, that relies on pathos and and a very modern sense of individuality to mine its comedy. A sequence of powerful monologues and a road trip that always looks like failing; the pay-off in Little Miss Sunshine is seeing the value of hope against all odds. Even when that hope is hinged on something ultimately so trivial. It makes me laugh and yearn for them to “win” so much! And the coup de grace is the way they win and come back together. Forgiveness x innocence = Joy.