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Chris (9 KP) rated Crocodile (2000) in Movies
Apr 26, 2020 (Updated Apr 26, 2020)
Mediocre step down for Tobe Hooper
Tobe Hooper, the director who brought us 1974s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, directs this low budget 2000 horror film about a group of unwitting college students who venture on a house boat for spring break and soon come face-to-face with a local legend, a giant mother crocodile who seeks vengeance when one of them destroy her nest and steal one of her eggs. This alone makes for a senseless plot as most of all of them deserve what's coming to them. The only thing really worth watching in this just seeking this giant reptile sink his chompers into them making a meal out of them. If there is one good thing about this flick, it is the soundtrack. The film stars Mark McLauchlin, Caitlin Martin and Chris Solari.
Aiden Gillen recommended The Bandini Quartet in Books (curated)
ClareR (5884 KP) rated Sorrow Spring in Books
Jun 9, 2025
Sorrow Spring is a slow to start gothic thriller - but it’s worth persevering with!
There’s a lot of scene setting: it’s 1978, and Rina has been unceremoniously left at her Aunt Agatha’s house by her mother. She has no more contact with her mother after this.
2019, and Rina’s niece, Cate, is searching for her aunt as her father is seriously ill and wants to see his sister for the last time.
But as Cate finds out more about her aunt, the more sinister are her findings and the more unfriendly the people she encounters.
There’s some ancient folklore, sketchy traditions and a rather interesting ending.
I listened to this on audiobook (Xigxag), which probably helped along the bits that tended to drag (1978 was a very talkative time), but all in all, this was a good read/ listen!
There’s a lot of scene setting: it’s 1978, and Rina has been unceremoniously left at her Aunt Agatha’s house by her mother. She has no more contact with her mother after this.
2019, and Rina’s niece, Cate, is searching for her aunt as her father is seriously ill and wants to see his sister for the last time.
But as Cate finds out more about her aunt, the more sinister are her findings and the more unfriendly the people she encounters.
There’s some ancient folklore, sketchy traditions and a rather interesting ending.
I listened to this on audiobook (Xigxag), which probably helped along the bits that tended to drag (1978 was a very talkative time), but all in all, this was a good read/ listen!
Ed O'Brien recommended Spirit Of Eden by Talk Talk in Music (curated)
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated A Single Source in Books
May 22, 2019
Veteran BBC reporter William Carver is in Cairo, bang in the middle of the Arab Spring. 'The only story in the world' according to his editor. But it isn't.
There's another story, more significant and potentially more dangerous, and if no one else is willing to tell it, then Carver will - whatever the consequences.
A Single Source tells two stories, which over a few tumultuous months come together to prove inextricably linked. There are the dramatic, world-changing events as protests spread across North Africa and the Middle East, led by a new generation of tech-savvy youngsters challenging the corrupt old order. And then there are two Eritrean brothers, desperate enough to risk everything to make their way across the continent to a better life in Europe.
The world is watching, but its attention span is increasingly short. Carver knows the story is a complex one and, in the age of Facebook, Twitter and rolling news, difficult stories are getting harder to tell. If everyone is a reporter, then who do you believe?
I have to say this book was a complete departure from the types of books I've been reading recently.
A Single Source is set in 2011 in a time that came to be known as the Arab Spring. Carver and his producer Patrick are in Cairos Tahrir Square to report on the January 25th uprising. There are three strands to the story the one set in Egypt, another revolving around the foreign office and the third set in Eritrea. Gradually these three strands are woven together..
A slow starter which I found very difficult to get into maybe because this is not my usual type of reading material.
This book is well written and descriptive and the author has done a lot of work and research.
Unfortunately just not my cup of tea but do recommend if political thrillers is what you like.
Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book.
Review copied to Amazon UK but link not available yet.
There's another story, more significant and potentially more dangerous, and if no one else is willing to tell it, then Carver will - whatever the consequences.
A Single Source tells two stories, which over a few tumultuous months come together to prove inextricably linked. There are the dramatic, world-changing events as protests spread across North Africa and the Middle East, led by a new generation of tech-savvy youngsters challenging the corrupt old order. And then there are two Eritrean brothers, desperate enough to risk everything to make their way across the continent to a better life in Europe.
The world is watching, but its attention span is increasingly short. Carver knows the story is a complex one and, in the age of Facebook, Twitter and rolling news, difficult stories are getting harder to tell. If everyone is a reporter, then who do you believe?
I have to say this book was a complete departure from the types of books I've been reading recently.
A Single Source is set in 2011 in a time that came to be known as the Arab Spring. Carver and his producer Patrick are in Cairos Tahrir Square to report on the January 25th uprising. There are three strands to the story the one set in Egypt, another revolving around the foreign office and the third set in Eritrea. Gradually these three strands are woven together..
A slow starter which I found very difficult to get into maybe because this is not my usual type of reading material.
This book is well written and descriptive and the author has done a lot of work and research.
Unfortunately just not my cup of tea but do recommend if political thrillers is what you like.
Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book.
Review copied to Amazon UK but link not available yet.
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Five Seasons Of Jam in Books
Jun 5, 2019
In Five Seasons of Jam by Lillie O’Brien shares a variety of different jam recipes of which she has discovered over the years during her travels. Many have unusual and quirky ingredients, although that may not be the case depending where abouts in the world you live.
Lillie offers lots of tips and ideas about not just the cooking of the jams, but how to access them if you don’t grown your own, or cannot find them in local shops. Some ingredients the author admits are hard to find, for example, the mulberries. If you can find a farm that sells them, great! If you happen to have a mulberry tree in your garden, or know someone who has, even better!
Why include hard to find ingredients? Well, for some they may not actually be that hard to find. Plus, much of what makes this book a little different from just a normal recipe book, is hearing Lillie’s story’s about her travels and how through families and friends she has discovered these fruits. And now, because she is more famous, she also get’s invites from helpful people who offer the chance to come and pick the harder-to-find fruits.
The hardback book is rather a good looking one, and inside there are many full page, colourful pictures. Each section is separated into seasons:
ALIVE- mid to late spring.
HOT – summer
BLUSH – early autumn
BARB – late autumn
FROST – winter to early spring
Overall this is a well thought out book, which is ideal for jam makers who want to go one step further and try the more different recipes. I particularly liked the ideas O’Brien shared for the Christmas recipes. I don’t know why it is, but I do tend to get more adventurous with my cooking around this seasonal period. I’m sure I’m not the only one! Would make a great gift for any jam making fiends.
Lillie offers lots of tips and ideas about not just the cooking of the jams, but how to access them if you don’t grown your own, or cannot find them in local shops. Some ingredients the author admits are hard to find, for example, the mulberries. If you can find a farm that sells them, great! If you happen to have a mulberry tree in your garden, or know someone who has, even better!
Why include hard to find ingredients? Well, for some they may not actually be that hard to find. Plus, much of what makes this book a little different from just a normal recipe book, is hearing Lillie’s story’s about her travels and how through families and friends she has discovered these fruits. And now, because she is more famous, she also get’s invites from helpful people who offer the chance to come and pick the harder-to-find fruits.
The hardback book is rather a good looking one, and inside there are many full page, colourful pictures. Each section is separated into seasons:
ALIVE- mid to late spring.
HOT – summer
BLUSH – early autumn
BARB – late autumn
FROST – winter to early spring
Overall this is a well thought out book, which is ideal for jam makers who want to go one step further and try the more different recipes. I particularly liked the ideas O’Brien shared for the Christmas recipes. I don’t know why it is, but I do tend to get more adventurous with my cooking around this seasonal period. I’m sure I’m not the only one! Would make a great gift for any jam making fiends.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Food52 Mighty Salads: 60 New Ways to Turn Salad Into Dinner in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Food52 Mighty Salads: 60 New Ways to Turn Salad into Dinner--and Make-Ahead Lunches, Too by Editors of Food52 is a very extensive collection of recipes including a lot of earthy recipes as well as some of the classics with European and Asian based choices as well.
What I like the most about Food52 cookbooks is all the helpful hints they give you such as how to refresh wilted greens, best way to store and easiest way to peel hardboiled eggs. This book is filled with good advice as well as gorgeous recipes. It has great photos and there is an abundant amount of dressing recipes and not just your standard vinaigrettes. I really want to try the seared scallop salad with black lentils, peanut noodle salad, spring vegetable panzanella and the Caesar- style kale salad sounds interesting.
I received this book from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I like the most about Food52 cookbooks is all the helpful hints they give you such as how to refresh wilted greens, best way to store and easiest way to peel hardboiled eggs. This book is filled with good advice as well as gorgeous recipes. It has great photos and there is an abundant amount of dressing recipes and not just your standard vinaigrettes. I really want to try the seared scallop salad with black lentils, peanut noodle salad, spring vegetable panzanella and the Caesar- style kale salad sounds interesting.
I received this book from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Camryn Manheim recommended Primal Fear (1996) in Movies (curated)
Connor Jessup recommended Late Spring (1949) in Movies (curated)
