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Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
I'm getting really fed up of having to say "I didn't see this one advertised anywhere". I had got it on my films to watch from the August listing as it was a new release, but the first I saw of it was scrolling through weekend cinema times and spotted it down as a Movies For Juniors. I don't remember even seeing it as a general release with more than one showing a day. I did the horrendous thing of judging the film by it's posters, shrugged my shoulders and moved on.
Please don't make my mistake. You need to see this film.
It is so beautifully done and it's sensitive towards it's viewers too. I didn't notice until right near the end (and even then it was actually just mild confusion) that there's no blood. Plenty of war action that you'd expect and injuries all over, but no blood. That alone makes it easier viewing for children, and I can honestly see it being used in schools as a teaching aid.
The animation is much more like a graphic novel style than most animated films that get released. I don't think the poster does it justice at all, it presents a very different image of the film.
I found it a very emotional watch. There were tears of sadness and joy, but then it was fairly even money I'd be crying along to this one.
Please don't make my mistake. You need to see this film.
It is so beautifully done and it's sensitive towards it's viewers too. I didn't notice until right near the end (and even then it was actually just mild confusion) that there's no blood. Plenty of war action that you'd expect and injuries all over, but no blood. That alone makes it easier viewing for children, and I can honestly see it being used in schools as a teaching aid.
The animation is much more like a graphic novel style than most animated films that get released. I don't think the poster does it justice at all, it presents a very different image of the film.
I found it a very emotional watch. There were tears of sadness and joy, but then it was fairly even money I'd be crying along to this one.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Anointed in Books
Sep 6, 2019
The cover grabbed my attention straight away when I saw this in the Netgalley catalogue. You should know by now that I like a good cover.
Then comes the story... Well. I read books for the romance aspect and it took a little too long, in my opinion, for anything even slightly romantic to happen. Yeah, I get she's on a mission to save the world and everything but surely she's allowed a little fun? Nevertheless, when it did happen. Phew! It was scorching. The attraction between Alana and Gaelen was hot from the very first meeting...and his eyes! The only problem with their attraction is that they don't particularly like or trust each other so they fight it, which results in some hot scenes.
There was a lot of description, which I will honestly say bores me to death sometimes and I skip over large areas. In this I scanned it, looking for important stuff that I might need to know.
It had a fair share of location changes; going from London to Wales to Italy to Ireland, as Alana hunted for the items and the information she needed to stop the demons from coming through the rift.
Not really for me, but if you like Urban Fantasy, lots of description, or some steamy sex scenes and attraction then this is probably for you.
Then comes the story... Well. I read books for the romance aspect and it took a little too long, in my opinion, for anything even slightly romantic to happen. Yeah, I get she's on a mission to save the world and everything but surely she's allowed a little fun? Nevertheless, when it did happen. Phew! It was scorching. The attraction between Alana and Gaelen was hot from the very first meeting...and his eyes! The only problem with their attraction is that they don't particularly like or trust each other so they fight it, which results in some hot scenes.
There was a lot of description, which I will honestly say bores me to death sometimes and I skip over large areas. In this I scanned it, looking for important stuff that I might need to know.
It had a fair share of location changes; going from London to Wales to Italy to Ireland, as Alana hunted for the items and the information she needed to stop the demons from coming through the rift.
Not really for me, but if you like Urban Fantasy, lots of description, or some steamy sex scenes and attraction then this is probably for you.
Rickey A. Mossow Jr. (689 KP) rated Dumbo (2019) in Movies
Aug 27, 2019
Another unnecessary remake of a childhood classic.
When I originally saw the trailer for this pop up on YouTube, my heart swelled with happiness and the child in me grinned from ear to ear. So many memories came back and flooded my heart and mind. Then, I actually watched this movie. It struggled for me from the beginning as it was instantly clear the star wasn't the elephant with big ears, but rather a typecast Danny Devito, Collin Farrell with a terrible southern accent, his women empowerment staple daughter, and his son that is just kinda there. The anthropomorphism of the animated film is gone, and without it, the key scenes lifted from the original don't carry the emotional weight they did. Much of the story makes little to no sense, including the climax and tie everything up in a neat bow ending. All the PC nonsense and making a statement about current social and political issues isn't needed. It's a kids movie. Once it was clear that this was Disney making a movie about evil corporations buying up small entities to make a monopoly, I checked out mentally from the obvious irony. As the credits rolled, I was just left with an empty feeling, my swollen heart shrunk and my grin gone. Memories from my childhood had been stamped out by Disney Inc. in search of the almighty dollar with yet another unnecessary and bad remake.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Cats (2019) in Movies
Jun 9, 2020
I'd rather have licked my own bum
Just dreadful. I'm not much of a one for musical theatre at the best of times - trying to convey a story through only song is bound to fail and both the songs aren't good and the storyline doesn't land.
5 minutes in we are bombarded with use of the word "jellicle" without any context, repeated over and over again by haunting cat-people. To amuse myself, I replaced "jellicle" with "genital" and it brightened my mood somewhat.
But by that point the damage was done, I was annoyed by the film and the whole concept. I realised I was in for nearly 2 hours of different cats being introduced through the medium of forgettable arrhythmic song.
Luckily my wife had seen the stage show once (her words - "I saw it to say I'd seen it, never want to see it again") so had a little idea of the storyline (something to do with an annual competition to win an undefined prize which turned out to be a hot air balloon ride).
The visuals are not perfect and in order to detract from how hideous the idea was, they had to be.
So many decent actors (ok just Dame Judy and Sir Ian) wasted.
I have realised what sums this film up succinctly and appropriately:
If this film was a person, it would be Louis Spence.
5 minutes in we are bombarded with use of the word "jellicle" without any context, repeated over and over again by haunting cat-people. To amuse myself, I replaced "jellicle" with "genital" and it brightened my mood somewhat.
But by that point the damage was done, I was annoyed by the film and the whole concept. I realised I was in for nearly 2 hours of different cats being introduced through the medium of forgettable arrhythmic song.
Luckily my wife had seen the stage show once (her words - "I saw it to say I'd seen it, never want to see it again") so had a little idea of the storyline (something to do with an annual competition to win an undefined prize which turned out to be a hot air balloon ride).
The visuals are not perfect and in order to detract from how hideous the idea was, they had to be.
So many decent actors (ok just Dame Judy and Sir Ian) wasted.
I have realised what sums this film up succinctly and appropriately:
If this film was a person, it would be Louis Spence.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated All the Dead Girls in Books
Jun 10, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
101 of 200
Kindle
All the Dead girls ( Graveyard Falls book 3)
By Rita Herron
When a violent storm hits Graveyard Falls, it unearths the unimaginable: skeletons of teenage girls, each dressed in white and holding a candle. It's clear to FBI agent Beth Fields that this is the work of a long-standing killer - but could it be the one she escaped years ago? She has no memory of the man who held her captive and murdered her friend. But even though someone was jailed for the crime, she's always feared that the real killer is still out there...waiting and watching.
Ian Kimball never believed his stepfather was guilty of Beth's kidnapping or the slaying of two local girls. Now Graveyard Falls's sheriff, he's determined to catch the true perpetrator. And when more young women go missing, he realizes he needs Beth's help. She is nothing like Ian expected, and everything he desires. But if they have any hope of finally ending the killer's reign of terror, Beth and Ian will need to put everything aside, including their past, their mistrust, and their growing attraction...
I loved this one and never ever want to visit Graveyard Falls! This had me guessing right to the end but once I saw Milo talking to Vanessa I thought Gotcha!!! It was a good thriller it’s good to see Beth being let to put her demons to bed!
Good read,fast paced and good storyline
Kindle
All the Dead girls ( Graveyard Falls book 3)
By Rita Herron
When a violent storm hits Graveyard Falls, it unearths the unimaginable: skeletons of teenage girls, each dressed in white and holding a candle. It's clear to FBI agent Beth Fields that this is the work of a long-standing killer - but could it be the one she escaped years ago? She has no memory of the man who held her captive and murdered her friend. But even though someone was jailed for the crime, she's always feared that the real killer is still out there...waiting and watching.
Ian Kimball never believed his stepfather was guilty of Beth's kidnapping or the slaying of two local girls. Now Graveyard Falls's sheriff, he's determined to catch the true perpetrator. And when more young women go missing, he realizes he needs Beth's help. She is nothing like Ian expected, and everything he desires. But if they have any hope of finally ending the killer's reign of terror, Beth and Ian will need to put everything aside, including their past, their mistrust, and their growing attraction...
I loved this one and never ever want to visit Graveyard Falls! This had me guessing right to the end but once I saw Milo talking to Vanessa I thought Gotcha!!! It was a good thriller it’s good to see Beth being let to put her demons to bed!
Good read,fast paced and good storyline
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated Books for Kids: Goodnight, Monster! in Books
Oct 2, 2020
A cute and cheeky bedtime story!
I knew I was going to enjoy this little read as soon as I saw the cover and the little blurb. Goodnight, Monster! by Chloe Sanders is a story about Ben, who doesn’t want to go to bed, because there is a monster in his room.
A message to give people a chance
When his mother encourages Ben to make friends with the monster. There is a lovely moment here with a message to give people a chance, as they are more than what they look on the outside. I really loved this moment, and I wish more children books focused on it.
Ben says hi to the monster and makes friends, and then gets him ready for bed. He teaches Monster Bo how to brush his teeth, and have a bath, and have dinner, but the monster keeps trying to misbehave and hides Ben’s socks under the bed, and does other cute silly things, but Ben teaches him how to be a good monster.
I really loved this bedtime story. I think it has a lot of messages to teach young children – especially for them to realise that it is now time for bed. Furthermore, a couple of life lessons are secretly hidden inside this book too, that makes me really happy.
If you have little ‘’monsters’’ at home, I am sure both of you will enjoy this short bedtime story.
I knew I was going to enjoy this little read as soon as I saw the cover and the little blurb. Goodnight, Monster! by Chloe Sanders is a story about Ben, who doesn’t want to go to bed, because there is a monster in his room.
A message to give people a chance
When his mother encourages Ben to make friends with the monster. There is a lovely moment here with a message to give people a chance, as they are more than what they look on the outside. I really loved this moment, and I wish more children books focused on it.
Ben says hi to the monster and makes friends, and then gets him ready for bed. He teaches Monster Bo how to brush his teeth, and have a bath, and have dinner, but the monster keeps trying to misbehave and hides Ben’s socks under the bed, and does other cute silly things, but Ben teaches him how to be a good monster.
I really loved this bedtime story. I think it has a lot of messages to teach young children – especially for them to realise that it is now time for bed. Furthermore, a couple of life lessons are secretly hidden inside this book too, that makes me really happy.
If you have little ‘’monsters’’ at home, I am sure both of you will enjoy this short bedtime story.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Papercutting Geometric Designs Inspired by Nature in Books
May 26, 2020
Perfect for people who are proficient at papercutting.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
It has been years since I tried papercutting designs. Of course, back then, they were basic and straightforward designs that anyone could do. When I saw Papercutting Geometric Designs Inspired by Nature by Patricia Moffett, I figured this was my chance to really try it.
I was hoping for step-by-step, easy to follow directions for beginners. Instead, Moffett provided an in-depth look at amazing but intricate geometric designs. The book gave me the feeling I was reading someone's term paper for an advanced class whose audience was other students with the same knowledge. The designs were too challenging for me to do.
This book would be perfect for someone who has already been papercutting. However, if you are a beginner, I would suggest you look for something else.
The rating given is three stars. On Goodreads, three means I "liked it." I did like looking at the beautiful designs and, if I become proficient in papercutting, I will come back to Moffett's book and try them again.
For now, Moffet has illustrated several interesting coloring/activity books that are more my speed. My favorite is The All-Round Activity Book: Get Creative with Activities, Games, and Illusions All Based on Dots.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 5/25/20.
It has been years since I tried papercutting designs. Of course, back then, they were basic and straightforward designs that anyone could do. When I saw Papercutting Geometric Designs Inspired by Nature by Patricia Moffett, I figured this was my chance to really try it.
I was hoping for step-by-step, easy to follow directions for beginners. Instead, Moffett provided an in-depth look at amazing but intricate geometric designs. The book gave me the feeling I was reading someone's term paper for an advanced class whose audience was other students with the same knowledge. The designs were too challenging for me to do.
This book would be perfect for someone who has already been papercutting. However, if you are a beginner, I would suggest you look for something else.
The rating given is three stars. On Goodreads, three means I "liked it." I did like looking at the beautiful designs and, if I become proficient in papercutting, I will come back to Moffett's book and try them again.
For now, Moffet has illustrated several interesting coloring/activity books that are more my speed. My favorite is The All-Round Activity Book: Get Creative with Activities, Games, and Illusions All Based on Dots.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 5/25/20.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Queen Con (The Golden Arrow Mysteries Book 2) in Books
May 5, 2020
Overly complicated
I wasn't keen on the first book in this series, but it got me just about intrigued enough to want to read the second. And sadly I liked this one even less than the first.
Fortunately MG was a much more bearable character in this book, although still fairly irritating - her actions and emotions are very childlike and not fitting for a grown adult. Calling her car the "Millennium Turd" drove me crazy. But at least her relationship with Matteo wasnt quite as prominent and frustrating. The problem with this book though is the plot. It's just ridiculous and overly complicated. I felt so confused trying to figure out what was going on and to me it was an entirely unnecessary sequel. A standalone story in the same setting would have been a much better idea rather than trying to link it too much into the plot from the first book.
Also the reveal about who the Golden Arrow is comes right at the end of the book and to be frank, I saw this coming from early on in the first book and I was aghast at how the characters in the book didnt see it coming. I've also already spotted the twist that any future books will throw up about this reveal, so it was rather a let down overall. I only bothered to read it as it was free on Kindle Unlimited!
Fortunately MG was a much more bearable character in this book, although still fairly irritating - her actions and emotions are very childlike and not fitting for a grown adult. Calling her car the "Millennium Turd" drove me crazy. But at least her relationship with Matteo wasnt quite as prominent and frustrating. The problem with this book though is the plot. It's just ridiculous and overly complicated. I felt so confused trying to figure out what was going on and to me it was an entirely unnecessary sequel. A standalone story in the same setting would have been a much better idea rather than trying to link it too much into the plot from the first book.
Also the reveal about who the Golden Arrow is comes right at the end of the book and to be frank, I saw this coming from early on in the first book and I was aghast at how the characters in the book didnt see it coming. I've also already spotted the twist that any future books will throw up about this reveal, so it was rather a let down overall. I only bothered to read it as it was free on Kindle Unlimited!
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