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Great but lacks depth
To start learning a language or refresh yourself on a language long ago forgotten, this is a great app to use.
I'm currently re-learning German after taking it at school and it's a great app to use. The interface is user-friendly and it works very well in bitesize chunks so you don't overface yourself. I like that they've introduced the conversations section to actually "talk" to people properly as opposed to reading/saying sometimes hilarious and bizarre sentences in the main learning section.
The main issue with it is that it doesn't go into any real depth on grammar or reasoning behind the language. Like where to use certain endings to words or how to work out which tense or which identifier - I'm forever struggling to remember whether it starts with der, die, das etc. I feel like even when I eventually complete all lessons and reach what Duolingo classes as 100% fluency, I'll still need to supplement it with other learning to truly master the language.
I'm currently re-learning German after taking it at school and it's a great app to use. The interface is user-friendly and it works very well in bitesize chunks so you don't overface yourself. I like that they've introduced the conversations section to actually "talk" to people properly as opposed to reading/saying sometimes hilarious and bizarre sentences in the main learning section.
The main issue with it is that it doesn't go into any real depth on grammar or reasoning behind the language. Like where to use certain endings to words or how to work out which tense or which identifier - I'm forever struggling to remember whether it starts with der, die, das etc. I feel like even when I eventually complete all lessons and reach what Duolingo classes as 100% fluency, I'll still need to supplement it with other learning to truly master the language.
Susan (45 KP) rated Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) in Movies
Jul 3, 2017
Everyone who's ever just had enough of life and all it's problems will love the courage of Francis as she chooses to give up everything for an inspiring and sometimes hilarious new life. (3 more)
Diane Lane and Sandra O give wonderful performances.
It's a multi textured and woven script with richly developed characters
A reminder that the scariest part of life is taking chances, so take every chance you get
A tribute to all of us who just want to pack up and run away..except Francis did it!
Contains spoilers, click to show
Romanic comedy dramas aren't necessarily my thing and yet I can watch this over and over again. We've all been Francis at some point in our lives..hurt, overwhelmed, desperate to feel normal again. So she takes us on her own journey where we find ourselves there with her at the Tucan villla she purchased on a whim. Now alone in a new country, surrounded by an unusual cast of characters, she rebuilds the aged villa along with her broken life and learns that hold truly is where the heart is.
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Season 3 in TV
Jul 8, 2017
Faith (5 more)
Doppelgangland
Wish
Umbrella scene
Band Candy
Mr Trick
The Zeppo (1 more)
Dead man party
Another amazing season to an amazing show
Some amazing episode in this series also the introduction to Faith and Anya can't be over looked they were both amazing editions to the show." As usal the quotes where outstanding.
"You know what? I was wrong. You are an idiot. My life happens to, on occasion, suck beyond the telling of it. Sometimes more than I can handle. And it's not just mine. Every single person down there is ignoring your pain because they're too busy with their own"
I loved Band Candy and a great introduction to Jane Epson on the buffy writing team.
I think everyone got a little misty eyes watching Buffy get her umberlla award at prom.
Only reason this didnt get a 10 from me is because my most hated buffy episode is the Zeppo athough Xander is one of my favorite charcter that epsidose reallt bored me and im not a zombie fan so dead man party was also not to my taste
"You know what? I was wrong. You are an idiot. My life happens to, on occasion, suck beyond the telling of it. Sometimes more than I can handle. And it's not just mine. Every single person down there is ignoring your pain because they're too busy with their own"
I loved Band Candy and a great introduction to Jane Epson on the buffy writing team.
I think everyone got a little misty eyes watching Buffy get her umberlla award at prom.
Only reason this didnt get a 10 from me is because my most hated buffy episode is the Zeppo athough Xander is one of my favorite charcter that epsidose reallt bored me and im not a zombie fan so dead man party was also not to my taste
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Wake of Vultures in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Wake of Vultures was an exciting, fast paced, interesting read. It was fun and different for me. It wasn’t phenomenal. I would probably read the next one in the series, but I wouldn’t spend money on it.
The biggest problem I had with the story was I felt that it tried to deal with too many things at once. Racism, sexism, sexual identity, slavery, nudity, and religion are all important and heavy topics. All of them together in one YA urban fantasy novel? It’s a bit excessive. Even though I of all people understand that sometimes when a story comes to you, as an author, you can’t change your character! That’s just who they are! And don’t get me wrong, the story was great and I enjoyed listening to it, and I was totally caught up in it. But there were times when I would listen and something would come up and I’d be like “this is too much. this is ridiculous.” It felt like overkill.
That aside, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the sequel.
The biggest problem I had with the story was I felt that it tried to deal with too many things at once. Racism, sexism, sexual identity, slavery, nudity, and religion are all important and heavy topics. All of them together in one YA urban fantasy novel? It’s a bit excessive. Even though I of all people understand that sometimes when a story comes to you, as an author, you can’t change your character! That’s just who they are! And don’t get me wrong, the story was great and I enjoyed listening to it, and I was totally caught up in it. But there were times when I would listen and something would come up and I’d be like “this is too much. this is ridiculous.” It felt like overkill.
That aside, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the sequel.
*＊✿❀ Maki ❀✿＊* (7 KP) rated Lore in Podcasts
May 3, 2018 (Updated May 3, 2018)
interesting stories (1 more)
amazingly atmospheric background music
can get repetitive (1 more)
"it seems"
I really like the premise of Lore. I'm endlessly fascinated by folklore, and the narrative structure of the podcast works for me. They're the perfect length to keep my attention, and the background music helps set the mood for the stories.
I only really have two small issues with Lore:
First, there's the somewhat repetitive nature of the subject matter (before every episode, my husband and I place bets on whether or not the episode is going to mention vampires, pooka, or H.H. Holmes - and lately - the Fox Sisters or Arthur Conan Doyle.) I do realize there's really only so many stories Menke can tell before he runs out of stories though, especially with the North American/UK-centric slant of the show.
And second, I don't mean to nitpick, but sometimes, it seems, Menke tends to overuse "it seems" as an interjection. It seems.
I apologize in advance if you can never unhear that writing quirk.
I only really have two small issues with Lore:
First, there's the somewhat repetitive nature of the subject matter (before every episode, my husband and I place bets on whether or not the episode is going to mention vampires, pooka, or H.H. Holmes - and lately - the Fox Sisters or Arthur Conan Doyle.) I do realize there's really only so many stories Menke can tell before he runs out of stories though, especially with the North American/UK-centric slant of the show.
And second, I don't mean to nitpick, but sometimes, it seems, Menke tends to overuse "it seems" as an interjection. It seems.
I apologize in advance if you can never unhear that writing quirk.
Merissa (13409 KP) rated Clara's Return (Stories of Lorst #2) in Books
May 15, 2018
Clara's Return (Stories of Lorst #2) by Suzanna J. Linton
Clara's Return starts where Clara finished. She is on her way back to her home as she tries to find out just who she is. Is she 'just' the King's Seer, or is there more to her than that? Clara is an wonderful character who has grown in these two books. She is quiet, happy to stay in the background, but she won't take any prisoners either. Stubborn as a mule, un-trusting and sometimes cynical, she is also loyal, quick-witted and warm. Clara and Emmerich spend most of the book apart, but that doesn't stop them from 'seeing' the other.
I really enjoyed this book, and would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone. However, I did feel that the ending was a bit abrupt - even Clara had questions that weren't answered. I sincerely hope that this means there will be another book in the Stories of Lorst series.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I really enjoyed this book, and would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone. However, I did feel that the ending was a bit abrupt - even Clara had questions that weren't answered. I sincerely hope that this means there will be another book in the Stories of Lorst series.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Villainous Vee (53 KP) rated Instant Family (2019) in Movies
Feb 27, 2019
Great casting (2 more)
Great script
Great message
This film was amazing!
Totally heartwarming to the point where I cried several times, however there were brilliantly timed comedic lines, that you could have tears streaming down your face but still be laughing.
Although crammed in to a 2 hour film I think they really accentuated the parts that needed to be. That fostering children is going to be hard especially if that childs parents are in the picture and wanting contact, that these children have sometimes been through more in their short lives than most people do in an entire lifetime but really all they want, even if they won't admit it and push against it, is a family, hugs, attention, to feel wanted, be safe and feel loved.
The message behind the film was beautiful and for me the cherry on top was during the credits where they had pictures of real families with their foster or adopted children, beautiful way to honour them.
Please go and see this film if you are on the fence because it was beautiful.
Totally heartwarming to the point where I cried several times, however there were brilliantly timed comedic lines, that you could have tears streaming down your face but still be laughing.
Although crammed in to a 2 hour film I think they really accentuated the parts that needed to be. That fostering children is going to be hard especially if that childs parents are in the picture and wanting contact, that these children have sometimes been through more in their short lives than most people do in an entire lifetime but really all they want, even if they won't admit it and push against it, is a family, hugs, attention, to feel wanted, be safe and feel loved.
The message behind the film was beautiful and for me the cherry on top was during the credits where they had pictures of real families with their foster or adopted children, beautiful way to honour them.
Please go and see this film if you are on the fence because it was beautiful.
Ashley Valencia (5 KP) rated Clue (1985) in Movies
Apr 1, 2019
Long Time Favorite
This movie is amazing. Mainly because the cast is made up of some of the most talented actors ever and they all play off of each other so well. One of the best ensemble casts ever assembled in my opinion. Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Madeline Kahn, etc.
The storyline is maybe a tad dramatic and silly but it just adds to the charm and the humor. The humor is on the dark side which is the best kind. There are some amazing one liners and jokes.
When i first became familiar with this movie we had it on dvd and were able to watch all three endings. Sometimes when it's shown on tv, they only show one ending for time purposes and in my opinion you really use out when you view it that way. Having said that, because of the way the film was shot, none of the endings actually work. This is maybe the only negative thing I really have to say about it.
The storyline is maybe a tad dramatic and silly but it just adds to the charm and the humor. The humor is on the dark side which is the best kind. There are some amazing one liners and jokes.
When i first became familiar with this movie we had it on dvd and were able to watch all three endings. Sometimes when it's shown on tv, they only show one ending for time purposes and in my opinion you really use out when you view it that way. Having said that, because of the way the film was shot, none of the endings actually work. This is maybe the only negative thing I really have to say about it.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Passenger (Professione: reporter) (1975) in Movies
Apr 14, 2019 (Updated Apr 14, 2019)
Existential meditation on identity and purpose from Michelangelo Antonionioni. Jaded journalist (Nicholson) finds the man in the next hotel room has died and decides to switch identities with him and make a fresh start (they are in a remote part of Africa and he is a close lookalike, which makes this somewhat plausible). He soon discovers the man whose life he has stolen had secrets of his own, and finds himself hunted by people in search of both his identities.
A film about the desire to be reborn and also to destroy oneself. Or, possibly, just about Jack Nicholson having a somewhat premature mid-life crisis, walking out on his old life and acquiring a rather younger girlfriend (Schneider). Either way, Nicholson is on startlingly restrained and effective form (this was made back when he was a serious leading man), and there are some technically brilliant moments scattered throughout the film. It is always enjoyable to watch, even if it does seem sometimes that it is rather less profound and meaningful than the director thinks it is.
A film about the desire to be reborn and also to destroy oneself. Or, possibly, just about Jack Nicholson having a somewhat premature mid-life crisis, walking out on his old life and acquiring a rather younger girlfriend (Schneider). Either way, Nicholson is on startlingly restrained and effective form (this was made back when he was a serious leading man), and there are some technically brilliant moments scattered throughout the film. It is always enjoyable to watch, even if it does seem sometimes that it is rather less profound and meaningful than the director thinks it is.
Sethea Spidell (5 KP) rated Pokémon GO in Apps
May 18, 2019
This game is so much fun to play. As long as you have an internet connection, you can play anywhere or anytime. The graphics are great and it really makes the monsters come to life. You can battle (2 more)
other players that you're friends with and send gifts back and forth. Hatching eggs and getting candy is so much easier with Adventure Sync and you get points for tasks done over a week. And to top
it all off you can now take pictures with your pokemon!
This game is so much fun to play. As long as you have an internet connection, you can play anywhere or anytime. The graphics are great and it really makes the monsters come to life. You can battle other players that you're friends with and send gifts back and forth. Hatching eggs and getting candy is so much easier with Adventure Sync and you get points for tasks done over a week. And to top it all off you can now take pictures with your pokemon!