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Mothergamer (1574 KP) rated The Walking Dead in TV
Apr 3, 2019
On Halloween Ron and I sat down to watch the premiere of The Walking Dead on AMC. I was quite hopeful when I saw that Frank Darabont the director of Shawshank Redemption was directing The Walking Dead. I was not disappointed. It stayed true to the first volume, Days Gone Bye right down to the scene with Rick Grimes showing mercy to a zombie with no lower torso dragging itself along and the scene with the tank in the city. I was delighted to see that Frank Darabont not only read Robert Kirkman's comic, but that he loved it and wanted to do it right the first time when it was presented on television.
Kirkman's brilliant writing and character development shined through in this first episode especially with Andrew Lincoln playing the role of Rick Grimes, the father (Lennie James) and son (Adrian Kali Turner) that Rick meets who are in emotional torment due to the father's now zombie wife roams the street in front of the house they're hiding in. You come to care about these characters so much and your heart goes out to them when you see their emotional struggle with a family member, a friend, or a loved one becoming a zombie.
Two things are certain. Frank Darabont got it exactly right and Ron and I will definitely be watching it and loving every minute of it.
The Walking Dead is on AMC Sunday nights at 10:00 p.m. and you can watch full episodes on the AMC website.
Kirkman's brilliant writing and character development shined through in this first episode especially with Andrew Lincoln playing the role of Rick Grimes, the father (Lennie James) and son (Adrian Kali Turner) that Rick meets who are in emotional torment due to the father's now zombie wife roams the street in front of the house they're hiding in. You come to care about these characters so much and your heart goes out to them when you see their emotional struggle with a family member, a friend, or a loved one becoming a zombie.
Two things are certain. Frank Darabont got it exactly right and Ron and I will definitely be watching it and loving every minute of it.
The Walking Dead is on AMC Sunday nights at 10:00 p.m. and you can watch full episodes on the AMC website.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Eight Hundred Grapes in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Georgia Ford had just arrived at her childhood home, dressed in her wedding dress, but it's not her wedding day. As she was having her final fitting, she saw her fiance in a way she had never expected to see him. So she runs home to her parents and brothers only to find that there are even more problems there. Always being the fixer in the family, will she be able to solve all the issues she runs into by running away from her own? Or will this be a time when fixing isn't going to work?
Synchronization is the theme of this novel. All things happen for a reason. Because this happened(or didn't)thatwas able to take place(or not). Georgia Ford is living as an attorney in Los Angeles when her world is turned upside down. She runs home to her family's winery in Sebastopol during the final harvest of the year. Final harvest is always a big deal for the Ford family and this year, even more so.
I LOVED this book! It showed so many different family dynamics and so many emotions. It made me laugh and cry. This novel felt so real to me, I could see myself in this setting. I picture myself reading this novel on the porch of the winemaker's cottage looking out over the winery, enjoying a glass of Block-14. The imagery is that vivid. I could definitely see this book becoming a major motion picture.
Kudos to Laura Dave for writing an incredible novel that many will love.
Synchronization is the theme of this novel. All things happen for a reason. Because this happened(or didn't)thatwas able to take place(or not). Georgia Ford is living as an attorney in Los Angeles when her world is turned upside down. She runs home to her family's winery in Sebastopol during the final harvest of the year. Final harvest is always a big deal for the Ford family and this year, even more so.
I LOVED this book! It showed so many different family dynamics and so many emotions. It made me laugh and cry. This novel felt so real to me, I could see myself in this setting. I picture myself reading this novel on the porch of the winemaker's cottage looking out over the winery, enjoying a glass of Block-14. The imagery is that vivid. I could definitely see this book becoming a major motion picture.
Kudos to Laura Dave for writing an incredible novel that many will love.
RavenclawPrincess913 (253 KP) rated Divergent in Books
May 26, 2019
Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Read Dates: May 21 - May 25th
Why did I choose to read this book?
I chose to read this book because I saw the movie back in Highschool and loved it and made me want to read the book as well after I learned it was orginally a book.
Did I like it? I loved the book.
Five things I liked about this book:
1. I love the dystopian part of the story and how they try to improve the society by dividing into fractions of like minded people.
2. I love the story between Tris and Four. I love how it's not like normal people and not too gushy. I loved how they helped each other through each others fears.
3. I love how Tris chose the fraction best for her rather than what others wanted her to choose. But, I also love how she'll sacrifice herself for the people she loves.
4. I love how her mom ended up being divergent as well.
5. I love how she can't be controlled and a robot like the others.
One character I disliked: Peter
Do I recommend this book? Yes
What is one similar book I think you'd like if you also love this book? Hunger Games
Questions for you:
1. Have you read this book and what similar book would you recommend to it?
2. What Fraction do you think you'd belong to?
3. Do you like the way I did review or the way I usually do reviews better?
Author: Veronica Roth
Read Dates: May 21 - May 25th
Why did I choose to read this book?
I chose to read this book because I saw the movie back in Highschool and loved it and made me want to read the book as well after I learned it was orginally a book.
Did I like it? I loved the book.
Five things I liked about this book:
1. I love the dystopian part of the story and how they try to improve the society by dividing into fractions of like minded people.
2. I love the story between Tris and Four. I love how it's not like normal people and not too gushy. I loved how they helped each other through each others fears.
3. I love how Tris chose the fraction best for her rather than what others wanted her to choose. But, I also love how she'll sacrifice herself for the people she loves.
4. I love how her mom ended up being divergent as well.
5. I love how she can't be controlled and a robot like the others.
One character I disliked: Peter
Do I recommend this book? Yes
What is one similar book I think you'd like if you also love this book? Hunger Games
Questions for you:
1. Have you read this book and what similar book would you recommend to it?
2. What Fraction do you think you'd belong to?
3. Do you like the way I did review or the way I usually do reviews better?
Awix (3310 KP) rated Star Trek (2009) in Movies
Jun 8, 2018
A Bad Reboot Production
Relaunch of the Trek movie franchise ties itself up horrendous knots trying to be all things to all Trekkies: they want to give a free hand to their shiny new creative team, so they don't want to be beholden to the original continuity - on the other hand, they don't want to upset the fans, so they feel obliged to kind-of keep the continuity anyway. In the end they decide to respect and honour the original universe by apparently obliterating it, which is a curious approach to take (this is how time travel always worked in Trek, as anyone familiar enough with the series to be scripting a movie based on it should have known).
The film is so busy being wholly-faithful-yet-provocatively-new that there isn't a great deal of space for plot, beyond the original characters getting back together again for the first time. The recasting is reasonably effective, but as most of them are playing somewhat different versions of the characters it's hard to be completely sure. Production values are good, but it's a $150 million movie from a major studio, so this is hardly a surprise. I did quite enjoy this movie the first time I saw it, but that was in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, dubbed into Russian. Once someone had explained the plot to me I felt somewhat differently about it - this is one of those rare films I dislike more each time I see it. Ultimately a pointless and quite patronising movie.
The film is so busy being wholly-faithful-yet-provocatively-new that there isn't a great deal of space for plot, beyond the original characters getting back together again for the first time. The recasting is reasonably effective, but as most of them are playing somewhat different versions of the characters it's hard to be completely sure. Production values are good, but it's a $150 million movie from a major studio, so this is hardly a surprise. I did quite enjoy this movie the first time I saw it, but that was in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, dubbed into Russian. Once someone had explained the plot to me I felt somewhat differently about it - this is one of those rare films I dislike more each time I see it. Ultimately a pointless and quite patronising movie.
Debbiereadsbook (1469 KP) rated Alaska (Sawyer's Ferry #1) in Books
Jun 17, 2018
a great easy read!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I really REALLY enjoyed this, I really did!
Holden is sent by his father to Alaska to fetch Gage back to work with their medical research team. Holden is faced with an impossible task: Bring Gage back, or lose everything. His home, his job, his every last penny. But Gage had left two years before and has no plans to return. Having Holden in his home after being caught in a storm, Gage decides he might as well takes whats offered, since Holden will be gone in a few days, right??
First person, multi point of view is not one of my favourite ways for a book to be written, but I did enjoy it here.
Gage and Holden have instant chemistry, and it's only when Gage makes Holden see he is not leaving Alaska, does Holden make a move. I liked that whatever is going on between them, creeps up on them both, and neither saw it coming, although when it was getting near to Holden making his decision, it was getting tense.
I liked that Gage stuck to his moral grounds over the medical research, and I did not see what happened with Holden's father coming at me, not at all!
It's not overly explicit, nor is it violent. It's a great easy read and I read it in one sitting.
A really easy, GOOD read!
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I really REALLY enjoyed this, I really did!
Holden is sent by his father to Alaska to fetch Gage back to work with their medical research team. Holden is faced with an impossible task: Bring Gage back, or lose everything. His home, his job, his every last penny. But Gage had left two years before and has no plans to return. Having Holden in his home after being caught in a storm, Gage decides he might as well takes whats offered, since Holden will be gone in a few days, right??
First person, multi point of view is not one of my favourite ways for a book to be written, but I did enjoy it here.
Gage and Holden have instant chemistry, and it's only when Gage makes Holden see he is not leaving Alaska, does Holden make a move. I liked that whatever is going on between them, creeps up on them both, and neither saw it coming, although when it was getting near to Holden making his decision, it was getting tense.
I liked that Gage stuck to his moral grounds over the medical research, and I did not see what happened with Holden's father coming at me, not at all!
It's not overly explicit, nor is it violent. It's a great easy read and I read it in one sitting.
A really easy, GOOD read!
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1469 KP) rated Sweet Obsession (Nights Series #4) in Books
Jun 17, 2018
doesn't quite hit THAT spot!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 4 in the Nights series. You don't NEED to have read the other three before one, because only Cam makes a brief appearance. But you SHOULD read them, because, I made a new shelf for them and everything! The other three books are down and dirty, and they take no prisoners or make no apologies for that.
This one, I found, while still hot and steamy, and it does have a great back story to why Ash was shipped first to Stanford and then to Singapore, it just didn't quite hit THAT spot, you know?? And it pains me, because I love this series!!
Both Ash and Luke have their say, so we get it all from both sides. We get what Ash thought he saw, that fateful night 5 years ago, and we get what really happened from Luke, and how he afterwards that caused him to push Ash away.
But these two admit their feelings to each other?? It's almost like Cam and Gabe all over again, cos this takes place over one evening into the next morning, and these guys get down and dirty and I loved that their first time together was extra special.
There isn't a HEA, but there is a Happy For Now. I have the next book to read soon, so we shall get their happy ever after.
Because it doesn't quite hit THAT spot,
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 4 in the Nights series. You don't NEED to have read the other three before one, because only Cam makes a brief appearance. But you SHOULD read them, because, I made a new shelf for them and everything! The other three books are down and dirty, and they take no prisoners or make no apologies for that.
This one, I found, while still hot and steamy, and it does have a great back story to why Ash was shipped first to Stanford and then to Singapore, it just didn't quite hit THAT spot, you know?? And it pains me, because I love this series!!
Both Ash and Luke have their say, so we get it all from both sides. We get what Ash thought he saw, that fateful night 5 years ago, and we get what really happened from Luke, and how he afterwards that caused him to push Ash away.
But these two admit their feelings to each other?? It's almost like Cam and Gabe all over again, cos this takes place over one evening into the next morning, and these guys get down and dirty and I loved that their first time together was extra special.
There isn't a HEA, but there is a Happy For Now. I have the next book to read soon, so we shall get their happy ever after.
Because it doesn't quite hit THAT spot,
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1469 KP) rated A Right Royal Affair in Books
May 29, 2018
warm and fuzzies and too stinking cute! Loved it!
I was gifted my copy of this book, that I write a review was not required.
But, people!! Warm and fuzzies AND too stinking cute is a thing Ms Juliet does so bloody well!
6th in line to the throne, Prince James, is drifting. He needs some focus, and after meeting Theo at his grandmother's acceptance of her medal, James hatches a plan to focus AND have Theo. But not everyone is happy for James and Theo, and there is also the tiny matter that James' grandmother, The Queen, might deny them their happiness.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting from the blurb to this book, I really wasn't. But I really REALLY enjoyed it! It kinda crept up on me, you know??
It's well told, from both men's point of view, so we get Theo's standing up to James. We get James' admission (not saying what!) And we get it from both of them when the charity event turns into the evening from hell.
And OH!!! The Converse thing?? Loved that! That was not something I saw coming at me! Loved the actions of the Princess of Wales, James' mother, and her matchmaking, and how well that turned out!
There were some proper laugh out loud moments, some emotional ones, some sad ones and a massive happy ever after. Loved how that 6th in line thing turned out too!
I wrote 4 stars at the top of the page, but sod it!
5 stars!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
But, people!! Warm and fuzzies AND too stinking cute is a thing Ms Juliet does so bloody well!
6th in line to the throne, Prince James, is drifting. He needs some focus, and after meeting Theo at his grandmother's acceptance of her medal, James hatches a plan to focus AND have Theo. But not everyone is happy for James and Theo, and there is also the tiny matter that James' grandmother, The Queen, might deny them their happiness.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting from the blurb to this book, I really wasn't. But I really REALLY enjoyed it! It kinda crept up on me, you know??
It's well told, from both men's point of view, so we get Theo's standing up to James. We get James' admission (not saying what!) And we get it from both of them when the charity event turns into the evening from hell.
And OH!!! The Converse thing?? Loved that! That was not something I saw coming at me! Loved the actions of the Princess of Wales, James' mother, and her matchmaking, and how well that turned out!
There were some proper laugh out loud moments, some emotional ones, some sad ones and a massive happy ever after. Loved how that 6th in line thing turned out too!
I wrote 4 stars at the top of the page, but sod it!
5 stars!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Merissa (13056 KP) rated One Last Heist in Books
May 29, 2018
One Last Heist by Dahlia Donovan
One Last Heist has a host of new characters, and our main couple are already married, which made for a lovely change. They both have jobs by day, but are thieves by night. Mack has a list of rules that he works to, helping to ensure he only robs from those who deserve it. And yes, there are plenty of Robin Hood references guaranteed to make you smile. They get caught up in a situation that quickly takes them from their 'normal' into something far more dangerous that could change their lives forever.
I loved how this story played out. Mack and Toshi are brilliant both together and separately. Charlie, Tosh's sister, is autistic and her coping mechanisms are captured perfectly, along with an explanation of the why's and how's. In fact, I have to say that I thought all of the characters were more than capable of standing on their own two feet. They worked great as a team, with their own individual strengths helping each other, but none were so weak they could ONLY be part of the team.
With plenty of twists and turns, only some of which I saw coming, or partially at least, this story kept my interest from start to finish. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I loved how this story played out. Mack and Toshi are brilliant both together and separately. Charlie, Tosh's sister, is autistic and her coping mechanisms are captured perfectly, along with an explanation of the why's and how's. In fact, I have to say that I thought all of the characters were more than capable of standing on their own two feet. They worked great as a team, with their own individual strengths helping each other, but none were so weak they could ONLY be part of the team.
With plenty of twists and turns, only some of which I saw coming, or partially at least, this story kept my interest from start to finish. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Kristin (149 KP) rated All The Dead Things (Deathling Chronicles #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
"Groundhog's Day" meets "Supernatural" in this exciting tale of Death and his minions!
Stan can see monsters. He's been able to do it since he was a toddler, and he saw one kill his father right in front of him. His mom doesn't believe him, of course, and he's been seeing a shrink ever since. That hasn't stopped him from seeing them, though; he's just learned how to ignore them and act "normal" over the years. That is, until this one day where he just snaps after seeing one at the end of the road. He screams at it, and it vanishes; Stan feels like he's accomplished something, after all this time. However, he wakes up the next day to find it's not ACTUALLY the next day; he's stuck in a time loop, and nobody else seems to realize it. How did this happen? And better yet, how does he fix it?
This was such a great story that I read it all in one sitting! I couldn't put it down; I had to know what was going to happen next. It's such an interesting take on the idea of the Grim Reaper, and it had all sorts of wonderful aspects: humor, love, loss, a little horror, members of the kinda-dead, and more. I really hope to read more from this author very soon, and I will be sure to pass along this title to all my friends.
5 stars =)
"Groundhog's Day" meets "Supernatural" in this exciting tale of Death and his minions!
Stan can see monsters. He's been able to do it since he was a toddler, and he saw one kill his father right in front of him. His mom doesn't believe him, of course, and he's been seeing a shrink ever since. That hasn't stopped him from seeing them, though; he's just learned how to ignore them and act "normal" over the years. That is, until this one day where he just snaps after seeing one at the end of the road. He screams at it, and it vanishes; Stan feels like he's accomplished something, after all this time. However, he wakes up the next day to find it's not ACTUALLY the next day; he's stuck in a time loop, and nobody else seems to realize it. How did this happen? And better yet, how does he fix it?
This was such a great story that I read it all in one sitting! I couldn't put it down; I had to know what was going to happen next. It's such an interesting take on the idea of the Grim Reaper, and it had all sorts of wonderful aspects: humor, love, loss, a little horror, members of the kinda-dead, and more. I really hope to read more from this author very soon, and I will be sure to pass along this title to all my friends.
5 stars =)
Lou Grande (148 KP) rated Sorry to Bother You (2018) in Movies
Jul 17, 2018
This movie was funny, poignant, and sure did take a turn in the third act. The world that Cassius Green ("cash is green") lives in is a not-quite bizarro version of our own world--take all the issues the United States is having and turn them to 11 and you'll understand. It reminded me a bit of Idiocracy in that way. But I digress. Cassius Green just wants stability. He wants to make money to eventually move out of his uncle's (Terry Crews) garage, and he wants to impress his girlfriend, Detroit (Tessa Thompson). He finds a job working as a telemarketer, and, what's more, he finds success by adopting a "white voice," voiced by David Cross. He soon faces a moral crisis when he finds out what he's actually selling, and who he's selling out.
Brilliantly shot and directed, Sorry to Bother You is a delight to watch. Every actor is on point, and the comedic timing never skips a beat. But it's not without a message, and it won't be hard to decipher. Sorry to Bother You is a satire in the purest of forms--and what is being satirized is us. After it's over, it invites you to take a moment to reflect on your own life, and what part you play in the world. Excellent, relevant film. Highly recommend.
(Also, I have to add that I saw this at a weekday afternoon matinee, and the audience was full of old white people. They looked less than pleased as we were walking out. What did you think this was??)
Brilliantly shot and directed, Sorry to Bother You is a delight to watch. Every actor is on point, and the comedic timing never skips a beat. But it's not without a message, and it won't be hard to decipher. Sorry to Bother You is a satire in the purest of forms--and what is being satirized is us. After it's over, it invites you to take a moment to reflect on your own life, and what part you play in the world. Excellent, relevant film. Highly recommend.
(Also, I have to add that I saw this at a weekday afternoon matinee, and the audience was full of old white people. They looked less than pleased as we were walking out. What did you think this was??)
