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Amy Curtis (49 KP) rated Gnome Alone (2018) in Movies
Dec 14, 2018 (Updated Dec 14, 2018)
Funny (1 more)
Easy to watch
Good light-hearted film
Contains spoilers, click to show
I stumbled across this film on Netflix and after seeing Gnomeo and Juliet and being impressed with that I decided to give it a go. I was expecting it to be a remake of the Christmas film Home Alone. I believe that was the original intention. Instead, the protagonist Chloe has recently moved into a new home with her mum and after travelling around and moving schools finds it difficult to make friends and keep them. She discovers a necklace in a secret room in the house and removed it. Later she discovers that the gnomes left in her house are alive and they need the necklace back. With the help of her nerd friend Liam, they combat both high school popular girls and aliens and save the world. Whilst the film does have some comedy in parts, it wasn't as humourous as I was expecting. It is a children's film however and there is an underlying message of 'dont judge a book by it's chsracter', 'be friends with who you want to be friends with' and the ultimate one 'be kind'. I also liked the fact that Chloe was glued to her iPhone and then when push come to shove she had to part with it. I think it gave a good message to modern society today of how absorbed we become with technology (she says writing this review on her smart phone). Anyway, it was a very good film and I thoroughly enjoyed it but it wasn't what I expected in the slightest.
Matt Martin (12 KP) rated Google Home in Apps
Sep 18, 2020
Unbeatable
This is my first review here and I chose this because it's my most used and most raved about product. I tell everyone to get this. Philips hue smart lights all over my house RUN THROUGH GOOGLE. Three nest thermostats for my 3 zones in my house RUN THROUGH GOOGLE. The 2 nest hub maxes, 4 nest mini's, 3 nest wifi points, 6 chromecasts all RUN THROUGH GOOGLE. My nest yale locks for my 2 doors, nest home security system with points in every window and door, my nest video doorbell & 4 outdoor cameras all RUN THROUGH GOOGLE. The dozen tp link casa smart plugs I have for everything around the house, the multiple govee light strips behind tvs and furniture all RUN THROUGH GOOGLE. You get the point. When comparing Google to Amazon Alexa I think it's a no brainer. Google is far more user friendly. Google works with everything a lot easier. The routines are amazing. At night instead of walking around my whole house turning everything off, the lights, the tvs, the fan, remembering to lock the door... None of that, just say "shut it down" (or whatever you choose to say) and it does it all for you. In the morning the routines can wake up by a phrase, by sunrise or by time and can play music, then read you the news, then turn on the lights, then make you coffee. Nothing to remember to do everyday. It really does make life so much easier. Hot day and you forgot to turn the Ac's on before you left for work? Don't even trip dawg, just tell Google it's time to go home and it'll turn all that on and give you the estimated time of your commute and then start playing your favorite podcast from where you left off. You can create groups of speakers, so if I tell Google to play Colter Wall downstairs it plays on all 6 downstairs speakers. The things this can do are literally endless. I can't say enough good things about it. If you know your tech especially this is the way to go. Google has become a part of our families everyday life.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Incredibles 2 (2018) in Movies
Jul 19, 2018
A very good film by any objective standards, with a wonderful aesthetic, solid plot and brilliantly-directed animation. It's role-reversal time in the Parr household as Elastigirl is obliged to go out and fight crime while Mr Incredible has to stay at home and take care of the children - needless to say another supervillain is lurking who will require the whole family to come together in order for good to triumph.
The thing is, for a Pixar film (and especially an Incredibles sequel) to be simply 'very good' is somehow not quite good enough, especially when they've had 14 years to work on it. The script sort of lets the whole thing down a bit - it's not quite as sharp or as tight as it needs to be, with a middle section that feels distinctly saggy. Apparently the release date was moved up by a year, which may explain why the film has this not-quite-completely-done air about it. It's a good, entertaining watch, but not as smart or as original as the first one; it never quite grabs the emotions, either.
The thing is, for a Pixar film (and especially an Incredibles sequel) to be simply 'very good' is somehow not quite good enough, especially when they've had 14 years to work on it. The script sort of lets the whole thing down a bit - it's not quite as sharp or as tight as it needs to be, with a middle section that feels distinctly saggy. Apparently the release date was moved up by a year, which may explain why the film has this not-quite-completely-done air about it. It's a good, entertaining watch, but not as smart or as original as the first one; it never quite grabs the emotions, either.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Nov 29, 2022
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Home Alone (1990) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
It's not Christmas until Kevin says "I've made my family disappear." In fact, it's probably one of the few that I actively watch every year, and it's one of two that I'll happily watch at any time of the year. (The other being Die Hard... don't get on my case, you know it's a Christmas film.)
On December 7th Home Alone turned 28 in the UK. 1990... just wow. I'm feeling old enough without films I grew up with being called classics.
If you haven't considered your own Home Alone plan... well, what have you been doing with your life?! As a tip, if you already have a zombie apocalypse plan in place then it's very easily adapted, you just need a little less lethal force. And it's probably best for me to remind you not to actually try this at home, because I'm not convinced that Harry and Marv would have survived. (And if we take the results from Better Watch Out then you're probably looking at some kind of murder charge.)
In December they were showing Home Alone a few times at Cineworld so it would have been rude not to go at least once to see it. I'm really getting into the classic releases on the big screen, it's so much fun. The show I picked was basically populated by adults, just two children brought along by their parents. We were all roaring with laughter, the comedy never gets old.
The music of Home Alone is instantly recognisable and yet I always forget that it's one of John Williams' epic creations. You can't hear it without thinking of the specific scene in the film it relates to, and it's certainly influences a lot of films since. Something that again I hadn't really noticed until I watched the Christmas horror film, Secret Santa (review coming soon).
It always fills me with questions though... Do all Americans have telephones with cords that are about 20 feet long? How did Buzz manage to shove that entire pizza slice in his mouth? Why did Leslie ever marry Frank? Why is Jimmy in the shop so over enthusiastic? How does Kevin manage to create all his traps in such a short amount of time? And who on Earth leaves their house that tidy when they're leaving for holiday? Especially when you consider they left in such a hurry!
The idea is such a fun one, I can see why it's so popular all this time later. Watching it more and more though you do realise that Culkin's acting was pretty bad, but that just adds to its charm.
Watching it with a group of people who already love the film really made it a better viewing. We all laughed at the amazing prat falls from Joe Pesci on the ice and the walls of the cinema caved in slightly as we all took a sharp intake of breath as Marv stood on that nail. It's genuinely more fun to roar with laughter with other fans.
It's sad to think that Home Alone could never happen these days. (Although Google did bring us an advert that gave us a peak at what might happen. I've put the video at the end of the post.) Kevin probably has several smart devices that they could contact or track, the house would also likely be equipped with state of the art surveillance and alarm systems that would have alerted someone to movement and doors opening. On the flip side though it's quite fun to think about what sort of traps Kevin could be creating with the wonders of modern technology. I'd say lets get a petition going to see that happen but while Home Alone 4 was passable I don't think we really need any more of them.
What you should do
This should be in everyone's Christmas film rotation. If you don't watch it at least once a year... well... *shakes head*.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Everyone needs those quick inventing skills, but I'm actually going to go with Kevin's other superpower... his amazing ability to make epic ice cream sundaes.
On December 7th Home Alone turned 28 in the UK. 1990... just wow. I'm feeling old enough without films I grew up with being called classics.
If you haven't considered your own Home Alone plan... well, what have you been doing with your life?! As a tip, if you already have a zombie apocalypse plan in place then it's very easily adapted, you just need a little less lethal force. And it's probably best for me to remind you not to actually try this at home, because I'm not convinced that Harry and Marv would have survived. (And if we take the results from Better Watch Out then you're probably looking at some kind of murder charge.)
In December they were showing Home Alone a few times at Cineworld so it would have been rude not to go at least once to see it. I'm really getting into the classic releases on the big screen, it's so much fun. The show I picked was basically populated by adults, just two children brought along by their parents. We were all roaring with laughter, the comedy never gets old.
The music of Home Alone is instantly recognisable and yet I always forget that it's one of John Williams' epic creations. You can't hear it without thinking of the specific scene in the film it relates to, and it's certainly influences a lot of films since. Something that again I hadn't really noticed until I watched the Christmas horror film, Secret Santa (review coming soon).
It always fills me with questions though... Do all Americans have telephones with cords that are about 20 feet long? How did Buzz manage to shove that entire pizza slice in his mouth? Why did Leslie ever marry Frank? Why is Jimmy in the shop so over enthusiastic? How does Kevin manage to create all his traps in such a short amount of time? And who on Earth leaves their house that tidy when they're leaving for holiday? Especially when you consider they left in such a hurry!
The idea is such a fun one, I can see why it's so popular all this time later. Watching it more and more though you do realise that Culkin's acting was pretty bad, but that just adds to its charm.
Watching it with a group of people who already love the film really made it a better viewing. We all laughed at the amazing prat falls from Joe Pesci on the ice and the walls of the cinema caved in slightly as we all took a sharp intake of breath as Marv stood on that nail. It's genuinely more fun to roar with laughter with other fans.
It's sad to think that Home Alone could never happen these days. (Although Google did bring us an advert that gave us a peak at what might happen. I've put the video at the end of the post.) Kevin probably has several smart devices that they could contact or track, the house would also likely be equipped with state of the art surveillance and alarm systems that would have alerted someone to movement and doors opening. On the flip side though it's quite fun to think about what sort of traps Kevin could be creating with the wonders of modern technology. I'd say lets get a petition going to see that happen but while Home Alone 4 was passable I don't think we really need any more of them.
What you should do
This should be in everyone's Christmas film rotation. If you don't watch it at least once a year... well... *shakes head*.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Everyone needs those quick inventing skills, but I'm actually going to go with Kevin's other superpower... his amazing ability to make epic ice cream sundaes.
Paul Smedley (141 KP) rated Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote in Tech
Sep 30, 2018
Faster (2 more)
Higher Quality Resolution
Massive amount of content
Much better than G1
Well I won this beauty in the giveaway and used it quite a bit lately before giving a review.
I already had the first generation firestick so knew how they worked but wanted one with the voice search function to accompany my Sky Q box that does the same.
Not only is the Alexa voice search function good but I also found that the resolution is better, the speed is better and the load up is quicker!
The load up is still slower than a Sky box or Netflix on my smart TV but it’s the home to great shows such as Preacher which I highly recommend.
Overall, if you’re looking for a firestick then this model is the one to go for for speed and access to the great programmes and films available through Amazon Prime.
Setup is extremely easy, a PIN can be used to stop little ones going on anything not age appropriate or to stop any unauthorised purchases plus it’s interface is easy enough for children to use to watch kids programmes or even play some android games on!
Top product, top present and even better as I got it through Smashbomb’s giveaway!!!
I already had the first generation firestick so knew how they worked but wanted one with the voice search function to accompany my Sky Q box that does the same.
Not only is the Alexa voice search function good but I also found that the resolution is better, the speed is better and the load up is quicker!
The load up is still slower than a Sky box or Netflix on my smart TV but it’s the home to great shows such as Preacher which I highly recommend.
Overall, if you’re looking for a firestick then this model is the one to go for for speed and access to the great programmes and films available through Amazon Prime.
Setup is extremely easy, a PIN can be used to stop little ones going on anything not age appropriate or to stop any unauthorised purchases plus it’s interface is easy enough for children to use to watch kids programmes or even play some android games on!
Top product, top present and even better as I got it through Smashbomb’s giveaway!!!
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated The BFG (2016) in Movies
Oct 13, 2018
Fun Family Film
An orphan girl is in for the surprise of her life when she stumbles upon a world of giants and, in the process, makes a best friend.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 8
Characters: 10
You quickly learn in The BFG that all giants are not created equal. You have your bullies, your overeaters, your dumb giants. The Big Friendly Giant is in a class of his own, a character you quickly come to appreciate. He’s smart but humble and is the type of being that would give you the shirt off his back…even if that shirt is eight sizes too large. He makes you care about what ultimately happens to him and his intriguing home world.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 2
Genre: 7
Entertaining and worthy of a watch, but falls just short of other upper echelon kids films I’ve seen.
Memorability: 6
Pace: 7
Plot: 2
Resolution: 8
Satisfies with a warm, feel-good ending anyone can get behind. Slightly far-fetched, but definitely a good payoff.
Overall: 70
The BFG gives you a lot to entertain you, namely it’s crisp visuals and the beautiful detail amongst the giants and their world. There is a dream world scene that I highly recommend watching in 4K as it’s colors are brilliant and pop off the screen. The pace, and the film as a whole, is far from perfect but it’s worth at least a single watch.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 8
Characters: 10
You quickly learn in The BFG that all giants are not created equal. You have your bullies, your overeaters, your dumb giants. The Big Friendly Giant is in a class of his own, a character you quickly come to appreciate. He’s smart but humble and is the type of being that would give you the shirt off his back…even if that shirt is eight sizes too large. He makes you care about what ultimately happens to him and his intriguing home world.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 2
Genre: 7
Entertaining and worthy of a watch, but falls just short of other upper echelon kids films I’ve seen.
Memorability: 6
Pace: 7
Plot: 2
Resolution: 8
Satisfies with a warm, feel-good ending anyone can get behind. Slightly far-fetched, but definitely a good payoff.
Overall: 70
The BFG gives you a lot to entertain you, namely it’s crisp visuals and the beautiful detail amongst the giants and their world. There is a dream world scene that I highly recommend watching in 4K as it’s colors are brilliant and pop off the screen. The pace, and the film as a whole, is far from perfect but it’s worth at least a single watch.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Elite (The Selection, #2) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
The Selection has narrowed down to just six girls. Who will win the Prince and the crown?
**Please be aware of SPOILERS if you have not read The Selection**
Tensions rise as the selection is narrowed down. True motives are shown and more than one heart is broken. The intensity dramatically increases in The Elite. Rebel attacks become more frequent and violent. Passion is heightened and the stakes are higher than ever. Who will stay and who will be sent home?
"It wasn't like I made his world better. It was like I was his world. It wasn't some explosion; it wasn't fireworks. It was a fire, burning slowly from the inside out." - The Elite Page 298
I found The Elite even more engrossing than The Selection. An excellent continuation of the series. Kiera's writing improves with this book and I was very impressed. Little things in the dialogue from The Selection were ironed out in The Elite. As America's diplomatic training progresses, so does the writer evolve with her. Excellent!!! While the passion is slightly intensified, it remains "clean". Nothing goes farther than passionate kissing. Again, parents please use your own discretion for your kids. Already started The One...And I was smart this time...I also have The Heir in my possession. The Crown is the fifth and final book in the series, and is due to be released in May. I can NOT wait!!!
**Please be aware of SPOILERS if you have not read The Selection**
Tensions rise as the selection is narrowed down. True motives are shown and more than one heart is broken. The intensity dramatically increases in The Elite. Rebel attacks become more frequent and violent. Passion is heightened and the stakes are higher than ever. Who will stay and who will be sent home?
"It wasn't like I made his world better. It was like I was his world. It wasn't some explosion; it wasn't fireworks. It was a fire, burning slowly from the inside out." - The Elite Page 298
I found The Elite even more engrossing than The Selection. An excellent continuation of the series. Kiera's writing improves with this book and I was very impressed. Little things in the dialogue from The Selection were ironed out in The Elite. As America's diplomatic training progresses, so does the writer evolve with her. Excellent!!! While the passion is slightly intensified, it remains "clean". Nothing goes farther than passionate kissing. Again, parents please use your own discretion for your kids. Already started The One...And I was smart this time...I also have The Heir in my possession. The Crown is the fifth and final book in the series, and is due to be released in May. I can NOT wait!!!
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre in Books
Jun 19, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
If you read World War Z, you know Max Brooks does an exceptional job at writing the fictional documentary format, making it feel like non-fiction. He does it again in Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre.
Devolution's release is accidently well-timed. The catalyst is the eruption of Mt Ranier. Roads are closed and destroyed by lahars, boiling mudslides. The government is working to help those affected. Outside the eruption zone is Greenloop, a small environmental utopia which consists of smart, completely "green" houses but still contains all of the modern amenities, Since their intention is to go completely green and reduce their carbon footprint, their food deliveries are for a week at a time. What happens when they are cut off and do not have the necessary food or supplies to get through the crisis? The discussion about consumers not stocking up and supermarkets offering farm-fresh items hit home during the Covid-19 crisis.
Oh, and there are also sasquatch they need to deal with. The premise might sound far fetched, but Brooks does a fabulous job of making it seem not only possible but probable. The people seem so real; I cheered out loud at one point.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 6/18/20.
If you read World War Z, you know Max Brooks does an exceptional job at writing the fictional documentary format, making it feel like non-fiction. He does it again in Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre.
Devolution's release is accidently well-timed. The catalyst is the eruption of Mt Ranier. Roads are closed and destroyed by lahars, boiling mudslides. The government is working to help those affected. Outside the eruption zone is Greenloop, a small environmental utopia which consists of smart, completely "green" houses but still contains all of the modern amenities, Since their intention is to go completely green and reduce their carbon footprint, their food deliveries are for a week at a time. What happens when they are cut off and do not have the necessary food or supplies to get through the crisis? The discussion about consumers not stocking up and supermarkets offering farm-fresh items hit home during the Covid-19 crisis.
Oh, and there are also sasquatch they need to deal with. The premise might sound far fetched, but Brooks does a fabulous job of making it seem not only possible but probable. The people seem so real; I cheered out loud at one point.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 6/18/20.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Dead Man Walking ( Death in a Northern Town book 3) in Books
May 4, 2022
78 of 230
Kindle
Dead Man Walking ( Death in a Northern Town book 3)
By Pete McKeirnon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My name is John Diant. Tortured father to a missing teenage girl, friend to a retro 1980s music obsessed Scouse smart arse and brother to Runcorn’s answer to Chuck Norris, only with less hair and a shitter beard. It has been several days since the zombie apocalypse came to Runcorn and now my home town, is nothing more than a dead town.This is my journal…The comedy horror trilogy continues with Death in a Northern Town 3: Dead Man Walking. Follow John, 80s Dave, Butty and Emily on their journey through zombie infested Runcorn, trying their best to survive against both the dead and the living.
I’ve said it after every book I bloody love this series!! This one was a just as good as the first two. I actually nearly wet myself laughing (or could be I’m getting old and after having 4 kids things get that way 😂😂😂) and also woke my husband at 1am at 80s Daves dream. The Tina Turner nut bush started it but Freddie Kruger and the mayonnaise spoon just had me in bits. I absolutely love this writers style and I still think it’s one of the best zombie books I’ve read. I urge everyone to read it. Also yay for zombie geese and ducks!!
Kindle
Dead Man Walking ( Death in a Northern Town book 3)
By Pete McKeirnon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My name is John Diant. Tortured father to a missing teenage girl, friend to a retro 1980s music obsessed Scouse smart arse and brother to Runcorn’s answer to Chuck Norris, only with less hair and a shitter beard. It has been several days since the zombie apocalypse came to Runcorn and now my home town, is nothing more than a dead town.This is my journal…The comedy horror trilogy continues with Death in a Northern Town 3: Dead Man Walking. Follow John, 80s Dave, Butty and Emily on their journey through zombie infested Runcorn, trying their best to survive against both the dead and the living.
I’ve said it after every book I bloody love this series!! This one was a just as good as the first two. I actually nearly wet myself laughing (or could be I’m getting old and after having 4 kids things get that way 😂😂😂) and also woke my husband at 1am at 80s Daves dream. The Tina Turner nut bush started it but Freddie Kruger and the mayonnaise spoon just had me in bits. I absolutely love this writers style and I still think it’s one of the best zombie books I’ve read. I urge everyone to read it. Also yay for zombie geese and ducks!!