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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Play With Me (Grover Beach Team, #1) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
I really liked this YA Contemporary Romance. It was sort of run-of-the-mill but I really liked it.
Ryan Hunter obviously had feelings for Lisa and used the opportunity presented to him to get to know her better by training her for the--what I know as football, but what American's know as soccer--team.
Of course it didn't all go to plan, as is the case with most romances. There is always something that goes wrong or a misunderstanding.
The style was really easy for me to get into and I read the full 200-odd pages within a few hours. It was right up my street and I can't wait to read Ryan Hunter, book 2 in the series and all from Ryan's POV.
Ryan Hunter obviously had feelings for Lisa and used the opportunity presented to him to get to know her better by training her for the--what I know as football, but what American's know as soccer--team.
Of course it didn't all go to plan, as is the case with most romances. There is always something that goes wrong or a misunderstanding.
The style was really easy for me to get into and I read the full 200-odd pages within a few hours. It was right up my street and I can't wait to read Ryan Hunter, book 2 in the series and all from Ryan's POV.
Olajide Olatunji recommended track Downtown by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis in This Unruly Mess I've Made by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis in Music (curated)
David McK (3453 KP) rated Blade Runner 2049 (2017) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
I'm writing this in November 2019.
The setting for the original 1982 Blade Runner movie.
The future L.A. of that movie is nothing like the 'current' L.A.
Released over 30 years later to a film that, at the time, was considered a commercial flop (but later gained a cult following), this sequel is visually sumptuous but also rather, shall we say, slow.
This follows a new strain of Blade Runner/bioengineered replicant called Agent K (Ryan Gosling), who stumbles upon a clue to an old case while carrying out a mission: a clue that, eventually, leads him to Rick Deckard (a returning Harrison Ford) and that threatens to unravel the fabric of the society in which he lives.
The setting for the original 1982 Blade Runner movie.
The future L.A. of that movie is nothing like the 'current' L.A.
Released over 30 years later to a film that, at the time, was considered a commercial flop (but later gained a cult following), this sequel is visually sumptuous but also rather, shall we say, slow.
This follows a new strain of Blade Runner/bioengineered replicant called Agent K (Ryan Gosling), who stumbles upon a clue to an old case while carrying out a mission: a clue that, eventually, leads him to Rick Deckard (a returning Harrison Ford) and that threatens to unravel the fabric of the society in which he lives.
Julia Holter recommended Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom in Music (curated)
ClareR (5733 KP) rated The Dark Lake in Books
Sep 5, 2018
One to watch for.
A debut thriller that really kept me on the edge of my seat. Rosalind Ryan, a local Drama and English teacher, is found dead in the lake at a local nature reserve. Gemma Woodstock, a local Detective Sergeant, is put on the case. Except Gemma has a history with Rosalind, and she has a lot of other personal baggage.
I enjoyed this. They're all very human characters with lots of faults, sometimes unpleasant ones: but I liked that. I liked that the murderer wasn't at all obvious (to me, anyway!) and had me guessing right up to the end, and the whole reason for the murder was a shock, and at the same time, understandable.
I will keep an eye out for future novels by this author, particularly in this series. I really do think that she'll be one to watch out for in the future.
I enjoyed this. They're all very human characters with lots of faults, sometimes unpleasant ones: but I liked that. I liked that the murderer wasn't at all obvious (to me, anyway!) and had me guessing right up to the end, and the whole reason for the murder was a shock, and at the same time, understandable.
I will keep an eye out for future novels by this author, particularly in this series. I really do think that she'll be one to watch out for in the future.
Callum John Hunter (0 KP) rated Deadpool (2016) in Movies
Sep 20, 2017
We got what we asked for.
Well the film has been out for over a year now but I won't say any spoilers for anyone who has yet to watch it and if that is the case (where have you been!) I myself and many of my friends had waited for a Deadpool film for a long time and when we got the news we were all eager to see how well it would do, safe to say I was not disappointed one bit by the films direction I cannot fault it the only gripe I do have is that I wish it had been longer but apart from that I loved it and the comedy in it was well written along with breaking the fourth wall.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated La La Land (2016) in Movies
Jul 12, 2019
Truth be told, I didn’t know what “La La Land” directed by Damien Chazelle; and starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and featuring John Legend would be about. As soon as I was given the opportunity to see it I watched the trailer to prepare and the moment I finished that trailer I knew I needed to see the entire film. Emma Stone plays Mia, an aspiring actress just trying to make it in the world. While Ryan Gosling Plays Sebastian, a jazz musician who aspires to open his own club and keep jazz alive.
After running into each other multiple time the two fall in love but as their dreams take them in different paths, they fight to stay together. While the story could be considered a love story, it is so much more. The film is captivating through its combination of wardrobe and scenery. The choreography is impeccable and the music stunning. The opening scene really sets up the quality of the film and gets the viewer excited for the other musical numbers, which are equally just as stunning.
I was hesitant when I first saw Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in a musical, but they did phenomenal. The chemistry and humor on the screen is endearing and captivating, it pulled me into the story of Mia and Sebastian and made me wonder what was going to happen next.
Back to the music, the songs fit the characters and the story so well. They are woven into the scenes making them important to the story line. Also just in case I have not made myself clear already, the music is amazing. The score composed by Justin Hurwitz is a piece of art, and I know I will be buying the soundtrack. Watching this film made me think back to watching Gene Kelly, Ginger Rodgers, and Fred Astaire sing and dance in films. Quite honestly I have not seen this quality of musical film yet, and “La La Land” excites me with the idea of more films being made of this quality. I know I’ll be seeing this film again once it hit’s theatres!
After running into each other multiple time the two fall in love but as their dreams take them in different paths, they fight to stay together. While the story could be considered a love story, it is so much more. The film is captivating through its combination of wardrobe and scenery. The choreography is impeccable and the music stunning. The opening scene really sets up the quality of the film and gets the viewer excited for the other musical numbers, which are equally just as stunning.
I was hesitant when I first saw Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in a musical, but they did phenomenal. The chemistry and humor on the screen is endearing and captivating, it pulled me into the story of Mia and Sebastian and made me wonder what was going to happen next.
Back to the music, the songs fit the characters and the story so well. They are woven into the scenes making them important to the story line. Also just in case I have not made myself clear already, the music is amazing. The score composed by Justin Hurwitz is a piece of art, and I know I will be buying the soundtrack. Watching this film made me think back to watching Gene Kelly, Ginger Rodgers, and Fred Astaire sing and dance in films. Quite honestly I have not seen this quality of musical film yet, and “La La Land” excites me with the idea of more films being made of this quality. I know I’ll be seeing this film again once it hit’s theatres!
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Lincoln Lawyer (2011) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Mick Haller (Matthew McConaughey) is a criminal defense attorney who works out of his Lincoln Town Car in Los Angeles, hence the title of the movie and book “The Lincoln Lawyer” by Michael Connelly. Mickey defends all kinds of criminals and all he expects from his clients is that they pay him. While he may be a rather shifty lawyer, he is a loving father to his daughter Hayley (Mackenzie Aladjem) and he obviously still cares for her mother Maggie McPherson (Marisa Tomei).
Now although he has many clients, none are really big money clients. That changes one day when Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), a rich Beverly Hills playboy, is arrested for assault & attempted rape and he wants Mick to defend him. At first Mick believes that he will be able to easily get his client acquitted, but as he and his investigator Frank Levin (William H. Macy) dig deeper, they discovery disturbing information about the case and it’s possible link to another.
In his quest to win the all mighty “Not Guilty” verdict, Mick has many obstacles (both professional and personal) placed before him that he must successfully navigate around, and treachery hiding in the shadows that he must bring into the light or else he may lose more than just a case.
While the entire cast was incredible, Matthew McConaughey and Ryan Phillippe gave equally amazing performances (this is especially true for any scene that they were both in). The characters were well-developed, believable and for the most part likable, heck I even liked the biker Eddie (Trace Adkins). The storyline was intriguing with a twist or two that I did not see coming and it also had some very nice humor sprinkled in. I did find that in a few scenes the dialogue seemed to be a bit unnatural for what was going on but it didn’t really detract from the overall scenes in question. Personally I hope this film does well enough that they make a sequel (I believe the book’s sequel is The Reversal) because I would like to see more of these characters in action.
Now although he has many clients, none are really big money clients. That changes one day when Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), a rich Beverly Hills playboy, is arrested for assault & attempted rape and he wants Mick to defend him. At first Mick believes that he will be able to easily get his client acquitted, but as he and his investigator Frank Levin (William H. Macy) dig deeper, they discovery disturbing information about the case and it’s possible link to another.
In his quest to win the all mighty “Not Guilty” verdict, Mick has many obstacles (both professional and personal) placed before him that he must successfully navigate around, and treachery hiding in the shadows that he must bring into the light or else he may lose more than just a case.
While the entire cast was incredible, Matthew McConaughey and Ryan Phillippe gave equally amazing performances (this is especially true for any scene that they were both in). The characters were well-developed, believable and for the most part likable, heck I even liked the biker Eddie (Trace Adkins). The storyline was intriguing with a twist or two that I did not see coming and it also had some very nice humor sprinkled in. I did find that in a few scenes the dialogue seemed to be a bit unnatural for what was going on but it didn’t really detract from the overall scenes in question. Personally I hope this film does well enough that they make a sequel (I believe the book’s sequel is The Reversal) because I would like to see more of these characters in action.
Charlotte_14 (68 KP) rated ICED MALICE Detective Kendall Halsrud #2 in Books
Sep 26, 2019
Iced Malice Marla Madison
When I started reading this book I wasn’t aware that it was part of a series, but it became apparent that I was missing a lot of back story to fully understand the content of parts of the story, especially between Ryan and Brynn, and Kendell and Nash.
I would recommend that others do start this series with the first Detective Kendall Halsrud novel “Relative Malice” I imagine this will set the scene for Iced Malice as this is book 2 out of 4.
Even with having to work with missing plot keys I found Iced Malice to be an enjoyable crime mystery. I found it easy to get sucked into the mystery of the stories as they are more than one case happening during the course of the story. I’m not sure if it’s with me not starting with book 1 but I seemed to keep getting lost and in a permanent position of confusion.
I may have to come back to this again after I find the 1st book. It will not be for a while as I have a pile of books that I need to get through before any rereading takes place. So at present I feel I can only give Iced Malice 5/10
When I started reading this book I wasn’t aware that it was part of a series, but it became apparent that I was missing a lot of back story to fully understand the content of parts of the story, especially between Ryan and Brynn, and Kendell and Nash.
I would recommend that others do start this series with the first Detective Kendall Halsrud novel “Relative Malice” I imagine this will set the scene for Iced Malice as this is book 2 out of 4.
Even with having to work with missing plot keys I found Iced Malice to be an enjoyable crime mystery. I found it easy to get sucked into the mystery of the stories as they are more than one case happening during the course of the story. I’m not sure if it’s with me not starting with book 1 but I seemed to keep getting lost and in a permanent position of confusion.
I may have to come back to this again after I find the 1st book. It will not be for a while as I have a pile of books that I need to get through before any rereading takes place. So at present I feel I can only give Iced Malice 5/10
David McK (3453 KP) rated Saving Private Ryan (1998) in Movies
Jan 9, 2022
First, let me start with an admission: I'd never actually seen this film before, even if it is (now) nearly 25 years old!
Oh, I was aware of it all right - I even remember seeing the posters in the cinemas when it first came out - but it just never really appealed to me all that much.
War movies rarely do.
I was also aware of the reputation it held, in particular because of brutality of the opening D-Day Normandy landing scenes (which still pack a punch today).
In case you've been living under a rock? The story follows a group of eight soldiers, led by Tom Hanks Captain Tom Miller (and including an early breakout role for Vin Diesel - who actually has hair!), who have been detailed to find and return home an American Paratrooper (the Private Ryan of the title, played by Matt Damon) who has been dropped somewhere in Europe after that paratrooper's three brothers are all killed during those landings. Cue them traipsing across war-torn lands, with the occasional musing on whether it is worth potentially losing eight men to rescue one, and with the drama largely provided by the fact that you never quite know who is going to survive or get bumped off next!
Oh, I was aware of it all right - I even remember seeing the posters in the cinemas when it first came out - but it just never really appealed to me all that much.
War movies rarely do.
I was also aware of the reputation it held, in particular because of brutality of the opening D-Day Normandy landing scenes (which still pack a punch today).
In case you've been living under a rock? The story follows a group of eight soldiers, led by Tom Hanks Captain Tom Miller (and including an early breakout role for Vin Diesel - who actually has hair!), who have been detailed to find and return home an American Paratrooper (the Private Ryan of the title, played by Matt Damon) who has been dropped somewhere in Europe after that paratrooper's three brothers are all killed during those landings. Cue them traipsing across war-torn lands, with the occasional musing on whether it is worth potentially losing eight men to rescue one, and with the drama largely provided by the fact that you never quite know who is going to survive or get bumped off next!