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Darren (1599 KP) rated Lost in the Sun (2015) in Movies
Sep 13, 2019
Characters – John is a crook, he seems to be freshly out of prison needing to payback debts for protection in prison, he offers to take Louis to his grandparents and starts using him to help pay of the debts, showing him the life of crime, it is clear early on that he does have a connection to Louis, we are left to see what that connection is. Louis is the teenager that has been left orphaned when his mother dies, he reluctantly joins John in the cross-country trip where he gets to learn certain things he wouldn’t have before, including how to drive and how to shoot a gun. We do only meet characters along the way, some help and most are the people they are robbing.
Performances – Josh Duhamel is good in the leading role, it is one of his better performances as she shows how conflicted his character is and just how desperate he is to clear his debts, while trying to guide the teenager. Josh Wiggins is great in his role of the film, he gets to show moments of grief and moments of moving on with life as he is the one that needs to learn the biggest life lessons. The rest of the cast are solid without needing to do that much.
Story – The story here comes down to one man trying to make up for his own mistakes in life by helping a young teenage boy across country to live with his grandparents only along the way we see him teach him life lessons which could one day prepare him for the real-world. This gives us a chance to see a redemption story while also giving us a coming-of-age chapter in Louis’s life, this isn’t going to break any ground in the genre and does everything it needs to do for the characters. We do get moments of questioning moments of what Louis is forced to do and for the most we don’t get enough time to look at the crimes that have left John where he is in life.
Action – The action in the film is simple, we get a couple of weak chases and robberies, they are easy to watch and barely break into a sweat.
Settings – The film takes us across America, we don’t hit any landmarks which just shows us small town after small town or open roads.
Scene of the Movie – The final moment.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Boys don’t just want to drive cars and shoot guns.
Final Thoughts – This is a simple coming of age film, it checks the boxes well without doing anything we haven’t seen before.
Overall: Coming-of-age 101
Performances – Josh Duhamel is good in the leading role, it is one of his better performances as she shows how conflicted his character is and just how desperate he is to clear his debts, while trying to guide the teenager. Josh Wiggins is great in his role of the film, he gets to show moments of grief and moments of moving on with life as he is the one that needs to learn the biggest life lessons. The rest of the cast are solid without needing to do that much.
Story – The story here comes down to one man trying to make up for his own mistakes in life by helping a young teenage boy across country to live with his grandparents only along the way we see him teach him life lessons which could one day prepare him for the real-world. This gives us a chance to see a redemption story while also giving us a coming-of-age chapter in Louis’s life, this isn’t going to break any ground in the genre and does everything it needs to do for the characters. We do get moments of questioning moments of what Louis is forced to do and for the most we don’t get enough time to look at the crimes that have left John where he is in life.
Action – The action in the film is simple, we get a couple of weak chases and robberies, they are easy to watch and barely break into a sweat.
Settings – The film takes us across America, we don’t hit any landmarks which just shows us small town after small town or open roads.
Scene of the Movie – The final moment.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Boys don’t just want to drive cars and shoot guns.
Final Thoughts – This is a simple coming of age film, it checks the boxes well without doing anything we haven’t seen before.
Overall: Coming-of-age 101
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Playmates in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Tania and Trevor Wilde are twins. They live in a small lake town with their parents. Every night their parents have "wine time" where they hurl bottles and insults at each other. Tania and Trevor spend "wine time" in their room wishing they could be anywhere else and making a plan to get away. The Wilde family is the definition of a dysfunctional family. Mom is abusive towards Tania and Trevor feels helpless to stop it. Then she invites strange men into the home while dad is away working. The next day, though, she will have bible study with some of her friends. Dad, is not exempt from the dysfunction. He is a professor at the local community college and brings home co-eds to the basement.
Tania frequently thinks about death and often coaxes Trevor to the dark side. She doesn't have many friends so she counts on her brother to fill that void. Then an unfortunate incident takes place and makes them both a lot darker.
Playmates, is a psychological thriller about killer kids. While this book did not have me on the edge of my seat, it held and captured my attention. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I look forward to the next titles in the Wilde series. Bedmates and Soulmates.
Tania frequently thinks about death and often coaxes Trevor to the dark side. She doesn't have many friends so she counts on her brother to fill that void. Then an unfortunate incident takes place and makes them both a lot darker.
Playmates, is a psychological thriller about killer kids. While this book did not have me on the edge of my seat, it held and captured my attention. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I look forward to the next titles in the Wilde series. Bedmates and Soulmates.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Killing Her Softly in Books
May 22, 2019
Afraid for her life after spending ten years in an abusive marriage, Kate Finelli has to find the courage to get herself out. When she calls the sheriffs office, she hears a familiar voice--Jack, the first man to show her love. Can Kate trust him to help her get away from the long-suffering abuse?
Jack left Harpers Glen for a career in the FBI. Hes returned to fill in for the sheriff, the man who mentored him his whole life. With strained family ties, Jack doesnt plan on staying in this small town for long, until a panicked call comes in from Kate. He left when she chose his brother, but must stay to help her now.
With the backdrop of a murder investigation and threatening notes, Kate and Jack find each other again. Will the tension within their family keep them apart? Or will their struggle for safety bring them together after all these years?
This is a fast paced romance mixed with some suspense. This story does deal with domestic violence.
Cleverly written and brought together.
Enjoyed the storyline and the plot.
Very believable characters and developed out well.
Enjoyable quick read.
Recommend reading.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. This is my honest voluntary review.
Jack left Harpers Glen for a career in the FBI. Hes returned to fill in for the sheriff, the man who mentored him his whole life. With strained family ties, Jack doesnt plan on staying in this small town for long, until a panicked call comes in from Kate. He left when she chose his brother, but must stay to help her now.
With the backdrop of a murder investigation and threatening notes, Kate and Jack find each other again. Will the tension within their family keep them apart? Or will their struggle for safety bring them together after all these years?
This is a fast paced romance mixed with some suspense. This story does deal with domestic violence.
Cleverly written and brought together.
Enjoyed the storyline and the plot.
Very believable characters and developed out well.
Enjoyable quick read.
Recommend reading.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. This is my honest voluntary review.
Kristin (149 KP) rated The Officially Unofficial Files of Dr. Gordon B. Gray in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Dr. Gray is basically a genius, having obtained a professorship by the age of 23. However, his intelligence is about to be put to the ultimate test as an old friend of the family drags him into one of the strangest occurrences he could ever imagine. All but one member of a family who were the sole inhabitants of a small town in West Virginia have vanished without a trace, and the military has been tasked with the who/what/why and how of the situation. Soon, Gray will find himself travelling the globe in search for answers, trying to protect himself and the mission along the way. Just what caused the disappearance, and why is it happening again?
This book was definitely interesting, and I never wanted to put it down. It was fresh and unlike anything I'd read before, and I was hooked from the start. Gray is a fun character to read about, as he's one of those immensely-intelligent individuals who doesn't really work well in the social arena, but his leaps and bounds regarding the issues of the case at hand were astounding. I've always been interested in the Tunguska event, and this just helped fuel the fire to find out what really happened. Awesome story!
5 stars
Dr. Gray is basically a genius, having obtained a professorship by the age of 23. However, his intelligence is about to be put to the ultimate test as an old friend of the family drags him into one of the strangest occurrences he could ever imagine. All but one member of a family who were the sole inhabitants of a small town in West Virginia have vanished without a trace, and the military has been tasked with the who/what/why and how of the situation. Soon, Gray will find himself travelling the globe in search for answers, trying to protect himself and the mission along the way. Just what caused the disappearance, and why is it happening again?
This book was definitely interesting, and I never wanted to put it down. It was fresh and unlike anything I'd read before, and I was hooked from the start. Gray is a fun character to read about, as he's one of those immensely-intelligent individuals who doesn't really work well in the social arena, but his leaps and bounds regarding the issues of the case at hand were astounding. I've always been interested in the Tunguska event, and this just helped fuel the fire to find out what really happened. Awesome story!
5 stars
Dean (6927 KP) rated Doctor Sleep (2019) in Movies
Oct 31, 2019
Shine on
So I recently watched The Shining again to prepare for this. I've not read the book so can't compare it to that. It's mainly set some 30 years after the events of The Shining with Danny now a grown man and struggling in life. He finally finds a calling and seems to settle in a small town where he can use his Shine in a positive way. He discovers a new child with a great power and also of a group who want to hunt her down exploit her power.
For a long film it did whizz by as the story was very interesting. It's a different type of horror film to the original. Although it's still dark and disturbing in its content. We learn more about those with this power and the evil group who hunt down those with the power. It's good to see the overlook hotel again but in some ways this film didn't really need visit the old location. I guess it does give it more of a connection to the original. Although a couple of scenes there really would have been better cut out.
Overall it's a very interesting, entertaining film that might not be scary as such. It is very dark and menacing. A great expansion on the Shining universe.
For a long film it did whizz by as the story was very interesting. It's a different type of horror film to the original. Although it's still dark and disturbing in its content. We learn more about those with this power and the evil group who hunt down those with the power. It's good to see the overlook hotel again but in some ways this film didn't really need visit the old location. I guess it does give it more of a connection to the original. Although a couple of scenes there really would have been better cut out.
Overall it's a very interesting, entertaining film that might not be scary as such. It is very dark and menacing. A great expansion on the Shining universe.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Big Lies in a Small Town in Books
Jan 16, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Diane Chamberlain is a prolific writer who has been on my "want to read" list for years. When given the opportunity to review her latest book, Big Lies in a Small Town, I jumped at the chance. Having finished it, I am glad I did.
Morgan Christopher and Anna Dale are both strong, artistic women whose stories are told in alternating chapters. In 2018, Morgan is hired to restore a mural Anna painted in 1940. Beyond the mural, they both must deal with issues that are daunting and will test their character and resolve.
The story flowed well and the writing style made it hard to put it down. I ended up reading it in 2 sittings. There is one "surprise" that seems extremely obvious but the story is definitely worth reading.
It is marketed as women's fiction. To me, it seems to be a mystery too. Morgan makes it her mission to figure out secrets hidden in the mural. I do not want to say more than that and give anything away.
Many of her books are labeled as women's fiction. Some as mystery. I frequently skip books labeled women's fiction. After reading this, I probably will read more.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/15/20.
Diane Chamberlain is a prolific writer who has been on my "want to read" list for years. When given the opportunity to review her latest book, Big Lies in a Small Town, I jumped at the chance. Having finished it, I am glad I did.
Morgan Christopher and Anna Dale are both strong, artistic women whose stories are told in alternating chapters. In 2018, Morgan is hired to restore a mural Anna painted in 1940. Beyond the mural, they both must deal with issues that are daunting and will test their character and resolve.
The story flowed well and the writing style made it hard to put it down. I ended up reading it in 2 sittings. There is one "surprise" that seems extremely obvious but the story is definitely worth reading.
It is marketed as women's fiction. To me, it seems to be a mystery too. Morgan makes it her mission to figure out secrets hidden in the mural. I do not want to say more than that and give anything away.
Many of her books are labeled as women's fiction. Some as mystery. I frequently skip books labeled women's fiction. After reading this, I probably will read more.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/15/20.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Good Girls Lie in Books
Jan 10, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
J.T. Ellison's latest work, Good Girls Lie, is set in an elite boarding school which is set atop a hill in the small town of Marchburg, Virginia. The students are only the best girls who are hand-picked each year by the dean. However, it is not a young adult book. It is a thriller full of secrets, secret societies, lies, and a strict honor code that is not always followed.
In the beginning, I found it difficult to get into the book but I am glad I kept reading. Several reviewers described it as fast-paced but I disagree. It is a slow burn but it does definitely burn. The twists were both expected and unexpected but worked well.
It opens with a body being found then flashes back to learn the events that lead up to the death. It is not a new tactic but, with the story, it works well.
J.T. Ellison is best known for her Lt. Taylor Jackson series. The 8th book, "Field of Graves" was published in 2015. She has teamed up with Catherine Coulter to write "A Brit in the FBI" series. The 6th book in the series, The Last Second, was published in 2019.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/10/2020.
J.T. Ellison's latest work, Good Girls Lie, is set in an elite boarding school which is set atop a hill in the small town of Marchburg, Virginia. The students are only the best girls who are hand-picked each year by the dean. However, it is not a young adult book. It is a thriller full of secrets, secret societies, lies, and a strict honor code that is not always followed.
In the beginning, I found it difficult to get into the book but I am glad I kept reading. Several reviewers described it as fast-paced but I disagree. It is a slow burn but it does definitely burn. The twists were both expected and unexpected but worked well.
It opens with a body being found then flashes back to learn the events that lead up to the death. It is not a new tactic but, with the story, it works well.
J.T. Ellison is best known for her Lt. Taylor Jackson series. The 8th book, "Field of Graves" was published in 2015. She has teamed up with Catherine Coulter to write "A Brit in the FBI" series. The 6th book in the series, The Last Second, was published in 2019.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/10/2020.
Stay Alive: Zombie Shooter Action RPG
Games, Entertainment and Stickers
App
Get ready for a crazy adventure, survive the zombie apocalypse. Help Wacky Walter and his friends...
Poyln: My Life Within Jewish Life in Poland, Sketches and Images
Yehiel Yeshaia Trunk, Piotr J. Wrobel, Robert Moses Shapiro and Anna Clarke
Book
Originally published between 1944 and 1953, Poyln (Poland) is one of the treasures of Yiddish...
