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Paris for One and Other Stories
7.2
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A collection of 11 unmissable short stories from the Number One internationally bestselling author...
Darren (1599 KP) rated Thunderball (1965) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
Characters – James Bond is back once again, forcing himself on women while trying to recover missing warheads. He gets to do the sneaking around, while alluding capture from the people who know he is after them. We don’t learn much that we haven’t already seen from James in this movie. Domino is the woman on the side of Largo, one that James is trying to seduce to help uncover the location of the missiles and one that won’t give into his charm. Largo is number two in SPECTRE who is the mastermind behind this latest plan is he can pull of the plan he will help fund the criminal group. Fiona is another one of the women that Bond tries his best to get his hands on, another one of the women working for Largo.
Performances – Sean Connery continues to be strong in the leading role of the film, he is starting to have more fun with his performance too. When it comes to the Bond girls, they each have their own beauty while just being written as traditional, will sleep with Bond and more often than not, just pawns in the bigger game. Adolfo Celi is solid in the villainous role, even though it is his look that makes him more memorable than any of his actions.
Story – The story here follows James Bond on his latest mission to stop SPECTRE and their criminal actions against the world, now this is good to see the big villain return and yes, once again we don’t take on the head of SPECTRE as we continue to see plans for the organisation to bring terror on the world. the only negative is that we just glossed over them not being around in the last film and now suddenly they are back. As for the actual mission, we get the normal idea of Bond versus villain that will use weapons of mass destruction against the world with a limited time frame to stop them. This barely bring anything new to the world we are seeing Bond operate in and only continues the long running story against SPECTRE.
Action/Adventure – The action here is very unique and ambitious, we get most of the fight sequences happening underwater, something we rarely see even in this day of cinema, making the action the highlight of the film. the adventure gets to see James in another exotic location to save the day once again.
Settings – The film is set in the Bahamas for the most part, this gives us the beauty shots and as all Bond movies need, the women in bikinis. It shows how the remote islands can easily be used to harbour fugitives too.
Scene of the Movie – Mass underwater fight.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – It is more of the same.
Final Thoughts – This is another Bond movie that brings him against the criminal organisation known as SPECTRE once again as we continue to world build, it is easy to watch even if it isn’t going to be the most memorable in the series.
Overall: Simple Bond Film
Performances – Sean Connery continues to be strong in the leading role of the film, he is starting to have more fun with his performance too. When it comes to the Bond girls, they each have their own beauty while just being written as traditional, will sleep with Bond and more often than not, just pawns in the bigger game. Adolfo Celi is solid in the villainous role, even though it is his look that makes him more memorable than any of his actions.
Story – The story here follows James Bond on his latest mission to stop SPECTRE and their criminal actions against the world, now this is good to see the big villain return and yes, once again we don’t take on the head of SPECTRE as we continue to see plans for the organisation to bring terror on the world. the only negative is that we just glossed over them not being around in the last film and now suddenly they are back. As for the actual mission, we get the normal idea of Bond versus villain that will use weapons of mass destruction against the world with a limited time frame to stop them. This barely bring anything new to the world we are seeing Bond operate in and only continues the long running story against SPECTRE.
Action/Adventure – The action here is very unique and ambitious, we get most of the fight sequences happening underwater, something we rarely see even in this day of cinema, making the action the highlight of the film. the adventure gets to see James in another exotic location to save the day once again.
Settings – The film is set in the Bahamas for the most part, this gives us the beauty shots and as all Bond movies need, the women in bikinis. It shows how the remote islands can easily be used to harbour fugitives too.
Scene of the Movie – Mass underwater fight.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – It is more of the same.
Final Thoughts – This is another Bond movie that brings him against the criminal organisation known as SPECTRE once again as we continue to world build, it is easy to watch even if it isn’t going to be the most memorable in the series.
Overall: Simple Bond Film
Nikki Massey (8 KP) rated The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing in Books
Feb 7, 2019
Disappointing, dreary book
This book came with high acclaim and good reviews. Maybe that upped my expectations but I came away feeling quite disappointed and unsatisfied.
The writing felt very immature - a throwback to how I used to write when I was in primary school; he said "this" and she said "that".
There were very little descriptors about the settings and characters; everything felt flat and definitely not technicolour.
I had kept an open mind when I was reading the first section, the character was young, so perhaps she'd develop and the writing style would advance with it. No such luck.
I didn't warm to the characters at all and found I was grateful when I finished the book. Like a rubbish film, you have to get to the end just to make sure what you imagined actually happened.
The comparisons to Bridget Jones' Diary are too high a praise for this book. I thought, especially with the title, that she might be on a voyage to independence and develop into a strong woman but actually, it was very sexist and I felt quite frustrated by the outdated and misogynistic views of women. Disappointing read and I'd not recommend. Try it if you want, but that's my pennies worth...
The writing felt very immature - a throwback to how I used to write when I was in primary school; he said "this" and she said "that".
There were very little descriptors about the settings and characters; everything felt flat and definitely not technicolour.
I had kept an open mind when I was reading the first section, the character was young, so perhaps she'd develop and the writing style would advance with it. No such luck.
I didn't warm to the characters at all and found I was grateful when I finished the book. Like a rubbish film, you have to get to the end just to make sure what you imagined actually happened.
The comparisons to Bridget Jones' Diary are too high a praise for this book. I thought, especially with the title, that she might be on a voyage to independence and develop into a strong woman but actually, it was very sexist and I felt quite frustrated by the outdated and misogynistic views of women. Disappointing read and I'd not recommend. Try it if you want, but that's my pennies worth...
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Big Lies in a Small Town in Books
Jan 16, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Diane Chamberlain is a prolific writer who has been on my "want to read" list for years. When given the opportunity to review her latest book, Big Lies in a Small Town, I jumped at the chance. Having finished it, I am glad I did.
Morgan Christopher and Anna Dale are both strong, artistic women whose stories are told in alternating chapters. In 2018, Morgan is hired to restore a mural Anna painted in 1940. Beyond the mural, they both must deal with issues that are daunting and will test their character and resolve.
The story flowed well and the writing style made it hard to put it down. I ended up reading it in 2 sittings. There is one "surprise" that seems extremely obvious but the story is definitely worth reading.
It is marketed as women's fiction. To me, it seems to be a mystery too. Morgan makes it her mission to figure out secrets hidden in the mural. I do not want to say more than that and give anything away.
Many of her books are labeled as women's fiction. Some as mystery. I frequently skip books labeled women's fiction. After reading this, I probably will read more.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/15/20.
Diane Chamberlain is a prolific writer who has been on my "want to read" list for years. When given the opportunity to review her latest book, Big Lies in a Small Town, I jumped at the chance. Having finished it, I am glad I did.
Morgan Christopher and Anna Dale are both strong, artistic women whose stories are told in alternating chapters. In 2018, Morgan is hired to restore a mural Anna painted in 1940. Beyond the mural, they both must deal with issues that are daunting and will test their character and resolve.
The story flowed well and the writing style made it hard to put it down. I ended up reading it in 2 sittings. There is one "surprise" that seems extremely obvious but the story is definitely worth reading.
It is marketed as women's fiction. To me, it seems to be a mystery too. Morgan makes it her mission to figure out secrets hidden in the mural. I do not want to say more than that and give anything away.
Many of her books are labeled as women's fiction. Some as mystery. I frequently skip books labeled women's fiction. After reading this, I probably will read more.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/15/20.
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ClareR (5726 KP) rated The Queens of Innis Lear in Books
Nov 21, 2021
The Queens of Innis Lear is a retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear, which I haven’t read, so I can’t even begin to compare this frankly wonderful book to the original.
I’m not even going to write a synopsis, however short, because this is a 500+ page book, and it would be impossible. What I WILL say, is that this book really did deliver on the strong female character front. That alone would make this a book I’d want to read. The descriptions of the anthropomorphised island (that’s my big word for the day), the magic, the trees, was entrancing. Where is this place? I need to go there! It’s OK, I know it’s fictitious, but, y’know…
There are so many twists and turns, double crosses, misunderstandings - there’s never a dull moment on this island. Handsome men and Kings who are passed over because the women, the potential Queens, know that to have their own autonomy they must remain single.
Ok, this book could have been shorter, but I really believe that this would have affected the world building - and what a world Innis Lear and the countries near and far from it’s borders are!
If you like fantasy with Kings, Queens, magic and strife, then this may well be the book for you. I adored it.
I’m not even going to write a synopsis, however short, because this is a 500+ page book, and it would be impossible. What I WILL say, is that this book really did deliver on the strong female character front. That alone would make this a book I’d want to read. The descriptions of the anthropomorphised island (that’s my big word for the day), the magic, the trees, was entrancing. Where is this place? I need to go there! It’s OK, I know it’s fictitious, but, y’know…
There are so many twists and turns, double crosses, misunderstandings - there’s never a dull moment on this island. Handsome men and Kings who are passed over because the women, the potential Queens, know that to have their own autonomy they must remain single.
Ok, this book could have been shorter, but I really believe that this would have affected the world building - and what a world Innis Lear and the countries near and far from it’s borders are!
If you like fantasy with Kings, Queens, magic and strife, then this may well be the book for you. I adored it.