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ArecRain (8 KP) rated When Passion Rules in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I had been wanting to read this novel since I first saw the cover before it was even released. I don't understand why the cover is so delectable, but it made this novel a must read for me.
I love Lindsey's Malory Series. It's on my top 10 series list in fact. I have read some of her other works but this is the first in a few years. The greatest thing about Lindsey is that she knows how to tell a story. From her style to the dialogue, from the plot and character development to the story itself, the woman has a gift.
However, I did not fall in love with it the way I expected myself to. I love historical romance, and Lindsey is the Queen of Historical Romance. Despite this, I was not wowed like I thought I would. I loved how Lindsey put a little murder mystery in it. The twist towards the end was interesting, though not wholly unexpected.
I love Lindsey's Malory Series. It's on my top 10 series list in fact. I have read some of her other works but this is the first in a few years. The greatest thing about Lindsey is that she knows how to tell a story. From her style to the dialogue, from the plot and character development to the story itself, the woman has a gift.
However, I did not fall in love with it the way I expected myself to. I love historical romance, and Lindsey is the Queen of Historical Romance. Despite this, I was not wowed like I thought I would. I loved how Lindsey put a little murder mystery in it. The twist towards the end was interesting, though not wholly unexpected.
Lee (2222 KP) rated The Post (2017) in Movies
Jan 26, 2018
I saw The Post earlier this week and it's taken me quite a while to think about how to review it. To be honest, it didn't really do much for me at all. It's clearly a very important part of recent history, an interesting story with huge relevance in these current times, but the first half was just so dull!
Tom Hanks is obviously brilliant, playing Ben Bradlee, editor of The Washington Post. But it's Meryl Streep that really shines here as Katharine Graham, the country's first female newspaper publisher and Bens boss. Following her journey through the male led news industry as she gradually finds the strength and confidence she needs.
The second half ramps up the tension somewhat and is a great improvement over the first half. Unfortunately for me though it just wasn't enough to leave any kind of lasting impression.
Tom Hanks is obviously brilliant, playing Ben Bradlee, editor of The Washington Post. But it's Meryl Streep that really shines here as Katharine Graham, the country's first female newspaper publisher and Bens boss. Following her journey through the male led news industry as she gradually finds the strength and confidence she needs.
The second half ramps up the tension somewhat and is a great improvement over the first half. Unfortunately for me though it just wasn't enough to leave any kind of lasting impression.
Winnie’s new Emergency Dessert Squad business has been opened for six weeks, and it is quickly gaining customers. But then the unthinkable happens – someone dies after eating one of Winnie’s desserts. Now the phone has stopped ringing and it looks like Winnie may go out of business. In order to keep her new business running, she needs to find the killer, can she do it?
This series has such a fun premise, and the punny names that Winnie uses for her desserts are a delight. Just as much fun are the characters. They’re a bit unusual for a cozy series, but I appreciate them for that. The plot is strong as well. I saw a few plot points coming, but others caught me by surprise.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-silence-of-flans-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series has such a fun premise, and the punny names that Winnie uses for her desserts are a delight. Just as much fun are the characters. They’re a bit unusual for a cozy series, but I appreciate them for that. The plot is strong as well. I saw a few plot points coming, but others caught me by surprise.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-silence-of-flans-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Maggie is trying to deal with what she saw and learned in Berlin while training future spies to help England during World War II. But when a friend gets in trouble, Maggie snaps out of her depression to help. Meanwhile, Japan and the US are not finding any common ground in November of 1941.
Fans of the series will appreciate the character development we get here with Maggie and some other series regulars. It feels like a slower book than normal, but it was needed and I never felt my interest waning. Maggie and the others take a back seat to the lead up to Pearl Harbor at times, but I found that part just as interesting, and I don't know how the author could have played it any differently for this series.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-prime-ministers-secret.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Fans of the series will appreciate the character development we get here with Maggie and some other series regulars. It feels like a slower book than normal, but it was needed and I never felt my interest waning. Maggie and the others take a back seat to the lead up to Pearl Harbor at times, but I found that part just as interesting, and I don't know how the author could have played it any differently for this series.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-prime-ministers-secret.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Andrew Foster (5 KP) rated Comet (2014) in Movies
Jun 11, 2018
Love it!!
Contains spoilers, click to show
Justin Long's character reminds me so much of myself. The line about how his therapist says he's a narcissist for believing he is the smartest person in the world and his reply... Instantly made me love the character. This movie parallels a very... significant time in my life. So close that it's almost scary... Emmy Rossum also is one of my favorite actresses. These two together, which are pretty much the only characters in the story, are more than enough. This movie... It makes me cry almost every time I watch it, but I can't count how many times I have. Maybe it's just how closely it mirrors events in my life, but I fell in love with this movie the first time I saw it and has been my favorite movie ever since. If you are a romantic person, watch this movie. However, be ready to shed a few tears...
ClareR (6001 KP) rated The Outsider in Books
Jun 6, 2018
Another great, suspenseful novel from Stephen King!
I always get excited when a new Stephen King novel comes out, and this was no exception.
A boy is horribly murdered, mutilated and sexually assaulted, and a man is very publicly arrested - it's obvious to the police that he is the perpetrator. Lots of people saw him: from picking up the boy, to being seen after the act, covered in blood. Of course, this is Stephen King, so it's not that simple.
The characters are fantastic - easy to relate to, and Detective Ralph Anderson is especially good (in my opinion). I do like a man who can admit they're wrong and then actually DO something to rectify their mistakes.
What I like about King, is how he can make the supernatural seem so, well, natural. It all seems perfectly plausible, which makes it all the more terrifying.
Another fantastic novel from King, and I would highly recommend it!
A boy is horribly murdered, mutilated and sexually assaulted, and a man is very publicly arrested - it's obvious to the police that he is the perpetrator. Lots of people saw him: from picking up the boy, to being seen after the act, covered in blood. Of course, this is Stephen King, so it's not that simple.
The characters are fantastic - easy to relate to, and Detective Ralph Anderson is especially good (in my opinion). I do like a man who can admit they're wrong and then actually DO something to rectify their mistakes.
What I like about King, is how he can make the supernatural seem so, well, natural. It all seems perfectly plausible, which makes it all the more terrifying.
Another fantastic novel from King, and I would highly recommend it!
ClareR (6001 KP) rated The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah: The Autobiography in Books
May 26, 2018
Lyricist. Writer. Activist.
What a life this man has had! He had a hard start, living in one of the least affluent areas of Birmingham (UK), and running away with his mother to escape a violent father. The 1980s saw race riots, miners strikes and demonstrations against police brutality. Zephaniah and his dub poetry were at the forefront. By the 1990s he was a household name, and not just at home in the UK - he travelled and performed around the world.
I really admire this man. He hasn't had an easy life: he was in borstal as a teen, lived a life of crime for a while and decided for himself that he didn't want to live his life as a criminal where he would most certainly end up dead. HE turned his life around. He stands by his beliefs as well. A brilliant, self taught man, who sets a sterling example for all.
I really admire this man. He hasn't had an easy life: he was in borstal as a teen, lived a life of crime for a while and decided for himself that he didn't want to live his life as a criminal where he would most certainly end up dead. HE turned his life around. He stands by his beliefs as well. A brilliant, self taught man, who sets a sterling example for all.
Chrissie-ann (78 KP) rated Slumber (2017) in Movies
Jun 19, 2018
Why such bad IMDB rating
I've had this on my watch list for a while but with IMDB only giving it 4 I was reluctant to watch it. I saw on here that it has much better reviews and thought I would give it a go.
A doctor tries helping a family who are all experiencing some kind of sleep walking and becoming dangerous. I liked the idea of that story. So this afternoon I have sat down and watched it. I do not understand why it got such low ratings on IMDB. I thoroughly enjoyed it, from the beginning of the film there was a lot going on, you begin to connect with the family and feel uneasy about what might happen. The acting in my opinion is really good, Maggie Q has a good role to play. I liked the story behind the film and I thought it all added up nicely. I think it was a strong film that has been really underrated.
A doctor tries helping a family who are all experiencing some kind of sleep walking and becoming dangerous. I liked the idea of that story. So this afternoon I have sat down and watched it. I do not understand why it got such low ratings on IMDB. I thoroughly enjoyed it, from the beginning of the film there was a lot going on, you begin to connect with the family and feel uneasy about what might happen. The acting in my opinion is really good, Maggie Q has a good role to play. I liked the story behind the film and I thought it all added up nicely. I think it was a strong film that has been really underrated.
Lou Grande (148 KP) rated Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018) in Movies
Jun 27, 2018
A real tearjerker of a documentary
It felt weird rating this documentary as "epic," but whatever.
I saw this in theaters this week and cried like a little girl. This is a documentary about a wonderful man who did wonderful things. It showcased how he cared--truly, truly cared--and it called on the audience to remember his message: that you don't have to do anything spectacular to be special. You're perfect just the way you are. You have inherent value as a person, and you deserve to be loved and to be able to love.
If ever there was a man who embodied Christian values, it was Mr. Rodgers. The interviews here were especially poignant. They have the diverse cast and crew offer their memories and opinions. Some are heartbreaking, like interview with Francois "Officer" Clemmons.
Do yourself a favor. Watch this documentary. Remember what you learned all those years ago: you are perfect just the way you are.
I saw this in theaters this week and cried like a little girl. This is a documentary about a wonderful man who did wonderful things. It showcased how he cared--truly, truly cared--and it called on the audience to remember his message: that you don't have to do anything spectacular to be special. You're perfect just the way you are. You have inherent value as a person, and you deserve to be loved and to be able to love.
If ever there was a man who embodied Christian values, it was Mr. Rodgers. The interviews here were especially poignant. They have the diverse cast and crew offer their memories and opinions. Some are heartbreaking, like interview with Francois "Officer" Clemmons.
Do yourself a favor. Watch this documentary. Remember what you learned all those years ago: you are perfect just the way you are.
Sarah (126 KP) rated The Sixth Sense (1999) in Movies
Jul 28, 2018
One for the Must-See List
I remember when I first saw this film how completely shocked I was with the twist at the end. I'm not one for trying to guess what the ending is, whodunnit, etc. so it was a big surprise for me.
It's not a film I would class as a horror; although there are some moments that might make you jump, it's not scary in a traditional sense. The scares are more psychological (although there is some gore), and the story is actually quite moving in some ways; I found myself quite upset at the stories of some of the ghosts, and when reflecting after the "twist in the tale".
I think this is certainly a film that everyone should watch at least once. On a second watching, even though you are aware of the 'surprise' you are able to look out for more clues and hints as to what is to come, so it definitely stands up to repeated viewings.
It's not a film I would class as a horror; although there are some moments that might make you jump, it's not scary in a traditional sense. The scares are more psychological (although there is some gore), and the story is actually quite moving in some ways; I found myself quite upset at the stories of some of the ghosts, and when reflecting after the "twist in the tale".
I think this is certainly a film that everyone should watch at least once. On a second watching, even though you are aware of the 'surprise' you are able to look out for more clues and hints as to what is to come, so it definitely stands up to repeated viewings.