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Sarah (7798 KP) rated Libby, by OverDrive in Apps
Nov 3, 2017 (Updated Nov 3, 2017)
Good for hard to find books
I'm a real book person. I don't have a kindle and I much prefer to read actual books from my local library or from charity shops.
I get access to the Libby app through my local library card, and after fruitless searches for certain books available in the libraries themselves, I decided to cave in and try the electronic version. I can't complain, as the app actually had was I was looking for and I found the borrowing books and reading functionality very easy to use.
However the catalogue is fairly limited, and there isn't a large amount of new releases or popular books available. I'm not sure if this is down to the library you use, or the app itself, but it's very frustrating when you search for an author like Stephen King and find only 2 titles when he's written so many. This app also advertises that you can download books to a kindle, which almost tempted me into buying one until I found out that functionality is only available in the US. Urgh.
I get access to the Libby app through my local library card, and after fruitless searches for certain books available in the libraries themselves, I decided to cave in and try the electronic version. I can't complain, as the app actually had was I was looking for and I found the borrowing books and reading functionality very easy to use.
However the catalogue is fairly limited, and there isn't a large amount of new releases or popular books available. I'm not sure if this is down to the library you use, or the app itself, but it's very frustrating when you search for an author like Stephen King and find only 2 titles when he's written so many. This app also advertises that you can download books to a kindle, which almost tempted me into buying one until I found out that functionality is only available in the US. Urgh.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Stephen King's It in TV
Dec 11, 2017 (Updated Dec 11, 2017)
A good adaptation but now looks dated
As Stephen King adaptations go, this isn't half bad. It manages to stick fairly faithfully to the book and keeps at least most of the major characters and plot points mostly intact. Which considering the length of the book is fairly impressive.
Tim Curry steals the show as Pennywise although i wouldnt say hes particularly scary. He's the best thing about every scene he's in. Shame the same can't be said about the rest of the cast, whose acting ranges from just okay to downright awful. The child actors seem to be much better than their adult counterparts! There's also the fact that it now looks very dated being nearly 30 years old and it really shows it's age in the effects. And for some reason despite this being rated a 15, there's barely any gore or bloody injuries which is a shame as King's books are known for this.
In all honesty having watched this back recently, I think the new version might be better.
Tim Curry steals the show as Pennywise although i wouldnt say hes particularly scary. He's the best thing about every scene he's in. Shame the same can't be said about the rest of the cast, whose acting ranges from just okay to downright awful. The child actors seem to be much better than their adult counterparts! There's also the fact that it now looks very dated being nearly 30 years old and it really shows it's age in the effects. And for some reason despite this being rated a 15, there's barely any gore or bloody injuries which is a shame as King's books are known for this.
In all honesty having watched this back recently, I think the new version might be better.
Spooner (0 KP) rated The Dark Tower (2017) in Movies
Feb 25, 2018
Could have been so good!!!
Omg. If there was a book that could have been a great movie franchise,Dark Tower was that book. What the hell was Stephen King thinking with selling the rights to a no name director. I heard the only reason the director got the job was because the books helped him learn English.
Yeah ok so what? Just because I played a video game all the way through doesen't mean I should direct a movie version of it.
Why the hell was this a sequel to the books also? Not everyone has read the books. Newcomers aren't gonna understand this because they never read the books.
Idris Elba was a great Roland and sadly the only good thing about the movie. Matthew mccoughnahey was ok as the man in black. Honestly I thought Ray liotta would have been better.
This isn't a god awful movie,it's just a very poor take on the books. If Ron Howard had stayed on I know he would have nailed it.
Yeah ok so what? Just because I played a video game all the way through doesen't mean I should direct a movie version of it.
Why the hell was this a sequel to the books also? Not everyone has read the books. Newcomers aren't gonna understand this because they never read the books.
Idris Elba was a great Roland and sadly the only good thing about the movie. Matthew mccoughnahey was ok as the man in black. Honestly I thought Ray liotta would have been better.
This isn't a god awful movie,it's just a very poor take on the books. If Ron Howard had stayed on I know he would have nailed it.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The Dead Lands in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
The Dead Lands is at its core a story of survival in the face of apparently insurmountable obstacles - survival not just of a few individuals, but of humanity itself.
The story starts out in Sanctuary, and then hops back and forth between there and the group of escapees who have set off in the hopes of discovering something better. Each member of the scouting party has his or her own personal reason for fleeing Sanctuary. For some, the struggle with their decision to leave causes them almost as much grief as the monsters, inhospitable climates, and other people they meet along the way.
This book had both the horror-road-trip feel of The Talisman, by Stephen King and Peter Straub, and the find-other-survivors-and-keep-the-human-race-going vibe of The Passage, by Justin Cronin. (Both of which I highly recommend if you have not already read them!) It was a suspenseful, thought-provoking tale and I really enjoyed it.
The Dead Lands is at its core a story of survival in the face of apparently insurmountable obstacles - survival not just of a few individuals, but of humanity itself.
The story starts out in Sanctuary, and then hops back and forth between there and the group of escapees who have set off in the hopes of discovering something better. Each member of the scouting party has his or her own personal reason for fleeing Sanctuary. For some, the struggle with their decision to leave causes them almost as much grief as the monsters, inhospitable climates, and other people they meet along the way.
This book had both the horror-road-trip feel of The Talisman, by Stephen King and Peter Straub, and the find-other-survivors-and-keep-the-human-race-going vibe of The Passage, by Justin Cronin. (Both of which I highly recommend if you have not already read them!) It was a suspenseful, thought-provoking tale and I really enjoyed it.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Forsaken (Shadow Cove Saga #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
Forsaken is a book partially based on characters and events from the Salem witch trials. Some of these events find their way into the latest novel by best-selling novelist Thad McAlister.
Throughout the story, the author allows you glimpses into the past via excerpts from Clayton Stone's journal, showing you important events that happened in 1692. These journal entries give you just enough information to keep you guessing and add to the suspense when you are reading about the present. There were some good twists and a nice salute to Stephen King (one of my favorites) that made this even more fun to read. This was a great stay-up-all-night-reading type of spooky story, and I recommend this book to any fans of horror novels, witches, or things that go bump in the night. I will also be on the lookout for book #2 of the Shadow Cove Saga, to find out what happens to Ashley and Rachael!
Forsaken is a book partially based on characters and events from the Salem witch trials. Some of these events find their way into the latest novel by best-selling novelist Thad McAlister.
Throughout the story, the author allows you glimpses into the past via excerpts from Clayton Stone's journal, showing you important events that happened in 1692. These journal entries give you just enough information to keep you guessing and add to the suspense when you are reading about the present. There were some good twists and a nice salute to Stephen King (one of my favorites) that made this even more fun to read. This was a great stay-up-all-night-reading type of spooky story, and I recommend this book to any fans of horror novels, witches, or things that go bump in the night. I will also be on the lookout for book #2 of the Shadow Cove Saga, to find out what happens to Ashley and Rachael!
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Shining (1980) in Movies
Nov 25, 2018 (Updated Nov 25, 2018)
I just watched this film for the first time yesterday. I don't typically watch horror films/scary movies because I have an overactive imagination and don't need any other nightmare fuel.
I was finally convinced after a conversation with a co-worker when we were talking about how sometimes people just snap, and he emphasized how Jack Torrance's actions were completely fitting with a psychological break. I had also seen various references to the film, such as the extended scene in Ready Player One, and a South Park Halloween episode when Randy Marsh buys a Blockbuster and the same situation happens.
I wouldn't actually deem this as a straight-up horror film, it was definitely more of a psychological thriller. It was so well done (haven't read the book, nor will I ever, not a fan of Stephen King). The music fitting with the cinematography and creating the mood and overall tension in the film. It's definitely one of the best films I've watched as of late, and I'm glad I finally got around to it.
I was finally convinced after a conversation with a co-worker when we were talking about how sometimes people just snap, and he emphasized how Jack Torrance's actions were completely fitting with a psychological break. I had also seen various references to the film, such as the extended scene in Ready Player One, and a South Park Halloween episode when Randy Marsh buys a Blockbuster and the same situation happens.
I wouldn't actually deem this as a straight-up horror film, it was definitely more of a psychological thriller. It was so well done (haven't read the book, nor will I ever, not a fan of Stephen King). The music fitting with the cinematography and creating the mood and overall tension in the film. It's definitely one of the best films I've watched as of late, and I'm glad I finally got around to it.
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