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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated A Cajun Christmas Killing (Cajun Country Mystery #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
With a couple of weeks to go before Christmas, Maggie should be focusing on getting into the Christmas spirit. However, she’s just learned that a businessman is trying to take over her family’s bed and breakfast built on their family’s plantation. When he turns up dead, naturally, they are all suspects, and Maggie begins to try to figure out what really happened. With a list of suspects that only grows, can Maggie find the killer?
We are getting quite a nice community in this series, and I was glad to revisit Maggie and her friends and family. The characters only grow stronger here and some relationships take surprising turns. The mystery is strong and kept me guessing until the end, and sub-plots compliment the mystery and enhance the characters. Throw in some Louisiana recipes and Christmas traditions and you’ve got a holiday winner.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-cajun-christmas-killing-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
We are getting quite a nice community in this series, and I was glad to revisit Maggie and her friends and family. The characters only grow stronger here and some relationships take surprising turns. The mystery is strong and kept me guessing until the end, and sub-plots compliment the mystery and enhance the characters. Throw in some Louisiana recipes and Christmas traditions and you’ve got a holiday winner.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-cajun-christmas-killing-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Mamma Mia! (2008) in Movies
Feb 16, 2018 (Updated Feb 16, 2018)
Licensed to Kill Songs
Massively successful Swedish power-pop jukebox musical. Proof that, when it comes to musicals, high-quality songs and music more than make up for dubious plotting, general cheesiness, and stars who can't actually sing or dance. Greek-island-hotelier's daughter is about to get wed, as a result she discovers her promiscuous youth coming back to haunt her - meanwhile a wounded howler monkey takes up residence in the hotel... oh, sorry, my mistake, that's just what Pierce Brosnan's vocals sound like.
Screenplay is sort of admirable for crossword-setter-like ability to crowbar in as many Abba songs as possible, no matter how tenuous their connection to the plot; cast hurl themselves into the spirit of proceedings with considerable courage. You do come away reminded of what brilliant songwriters Benny and Bjorn are; actual movie is more reminiscent of arriving late at office party and finding everyone else is much more drunk than you. Long-threatened sequel arrives this year; fingers crossed they find a way to include 'The Day Before You Came' and 'Dum Dum Diddle'.
Screenplay is sort of admirable for crossword-setter-like ability to crowbar in as many Abba songs as possible, no matter how tenuous their connection to the plot; cast hurl themselves into the spirit of proceedings with considerable courage. You do come away reminded of what brilliant songwriters Benny and Bjorn are; actual movie is more reminiscent of arriving late at office party and finding everyone else is much more drunk than you. Long-threatened sequel arrives this year; fingers crossed they find a way to include 'The Day Before You Came' and 'Dum Dum Diddle'.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Apollo 13 (1995) in Movies
Jul 21, 2018
No problems here!
Everyone was waiting to see what Tom Hanks would do next after winning his back-to-back Oscars for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump. It ended up being another wondrous film about the true story of the doomed space mission and the many people who banded together to help save the lives of the three astronauts.
Everything about the film is fantastic including the acting, screenplay and special effects. If this film were made today, I think filmmakers would have tried to go too high tech and CGI when this is a human story and a triumph of the human spirit vs. something more savvy.
I really miss Bill Paxton most of all. His performance in the film was magnificent and hilarious, just like all his memorable characters. I truly miss him every day.
Through my melancholies, I was able to enjoy a perfect film like this. You know you are watching something truly awe-inspiring when you know how it's going to end and it still chokes you up.
Everything about the film is fantastic including the acting, screenplay and special effects. If this film were made today, I think filmmakers would have tried to go too high tech and CGI when this is a human story and a triumph of the human spirit vs. something more savvy.
I really miss Bill Paxton most of all. His performance in the film was magnificent and hilarious, just like all his memorable characters. I truly miss him every day.
Through my melancholies, I was able to enjoy a perfect film like this. You know you are watching something truly awe-inspiring when you know how it's going to end and it still chokes you up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated What Child is This in Books
Jan 1, 2019
Simple, Heart Warming Short Story
The story opens on Christmas Eve in London in 1940. It's the middle of the blitz, and rationing is in full effect, so it is looking like a very dismal Christmas for Maggie and Jack Harris. But then what little they do have is taken from them suddenly, and they find themselves on the streets. Jack goes looking for shelter and finds what looks like an abandoned house. Is it abandoned? What will Christmas day bring?
While I rarely read short stories, I had to grab this story from Rhys Bowen. Best known for her historical mysteries, this is more of a glimpse at tragedy and triumph during 24 hours. As such, it doesn't have the twists or shocks you might expect, but it is a very heartwarming tale. Jack and Maggie really shine, although I did find Maggie annoying at times. Believable, but annoying. A quick read (I read it in about an hour), this is a good way to hold on to the Christmas spirit just a little bit longer.
While I rarely read short stories, I had to grab this story from Rhys Bowen. Best known for her historical mysteries, this is more of a glimpse at tragedy and triumph during 24 hours. As such, it doesn't have the twists or shocks you might expect, but it is a very heartwarming tale. Jack and Maggie really shine, although I did find Maggie annoying at times. Believable, but annoying. A quick read (I read it in about an hour), this is a good way to hold on to the Christmas spirit just a little bit longer.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) in Movies
Dec 5, 2019
Stop Motion at its Best
Jack Skelington has become dispondant with his Halloween life. He feels bored, unfulfilled, and does not love the day like he used to.
While pondering his identity crisis, we stumbles out of Halloween Town and into Christmas Town!
Becoming obsessed with this new Holliday, he convinces the town to run Christmas, and takes father Christmas hostage/ for a forced holiday, in order to put their spooky twist on the day.
With a host of creepy but lovable characters, they learn the true spirit of Christmas.
Sounds cheesy? Well, surprisingly not. It is often debated as to weather this is a Christmas or Halloween film. Considering the lessons learnt, I would say it is an Xmas film, but a bit of a spooky one.
The songs are catchy (And I recommend the 2 disc soundtrack with the cover versions), the visuals are spectacular! All done with stop motion, it is a credit to this school of animation. Stunning and fun, it's a great watch, and one of my all time favourite.
While pondering his identity crisis, we stumbles out of Halloween Town and into Christmas Town!
Becoming obsessed with this new Holliday, he convinces the town to run Christmas, and takes father Christmas hostage/ for a forced holiday, in order to put their spooky twist on the day.
With a host of creepy but lovable characters, they learn the true spirit of Christmas.
Sounds cheesy? Well, surprisingly not. It is often debated as to weather this is a Christmas or Halloween film. Considering the lessons learnt, I would say it is an Xmas film, but a bit of a spooky one.
The songs are catchy (And I recommend the 2 disc soundtrack with the cover versions), the visuals are spectacular! All done with stop motion, it is a credit to this school of animation. Stunning and fun, it's a great watch, and one of my all time favourite.
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