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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Bel Canto in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This is a book unlike any I have ever read before. It seems like nothing much happens, yet I found myself sucked into the story & completely invested in how the characters would come out of the story. It was incredibly realistic, but at the same time so unbelievable & so romantic!
Bel Canto tells the story of a a birthday party for a captain of Japanese industry. That party is thrown in a Central American country better known for it's drugs than much else. The Japanese man is coaxed into coming to the party because he is a HUGE opera fan & his favorite soprano will be performing. As soon as Roxanne Coss finishes her last scheduled aria the lights go out & in pound soldiers looking to kidnap the president. Of course the president isn't there as he decided to stay home to watch his TV show!
From there, the story tells of the captivity of the hostages (guests at the party) & their captors. Relationships begin to flourish after the initial shock wears off. The book tells the story of this captivity & eventually it's tragic & heartbreaking conclusion.
Bel Canto tells the story of a a birthday party for a captain of Japanese industry. That party is thrown in a Central American country better known for it's drugs than much else. The Japanese man is coaxed into coming to the party because he is a HUGE opera fan & his favorite soprano will be performing. As soon as Roxanne Coss finishes her last scheduled aria the lights go out & in pound soldiers looking to kidnap the president. Of course the president isn't there as he decided to stay home to watch his TV show!
From there, the story tells of the captivity of the hostages (guests at the party) & their captors. Relationships begin to flourish after the initial shock wears off. The book tells the story of this captivity & eventually it's tragic & heartbreaking conclusion.
Dracoria Malfoy (690 KP) rated One of us is Lying in Books
Mar 20, 2019
i gotta say, this book has been given so many good reviews, i was super hyped. unfortunately, although it was a worthwhile read, i was kindaverymuch let down. the lack of diversity was a start; it was incredibly off-putting. of the 4 mains, only one was a POC, two of the others were your classic blonde hair, light-eyed perfect TV show type high schoolers. and i know that may have been a bit deliberate, but,,,,, cmon. the fact that one of the characters was queer was more of a plot point as opposed to actual rep. another con is that the characters seemed incredibly flat, especially at the beginning. if i'm gonna spend 300 pages reading about these characters, i wanna enjoy them
BuT tHiS iS aBoUt LoVe
so pros. THis was definitely an intriguing read. although slightly predictable, it still sometimes left you guessing as to why something happened. that romance got me screaming, we stan an enemies to friends-in-a-situation to friends to lovers.
so yeah, i truly did enjoy this book, even though it doesnt look like it. it was a good read, and maybe i'll pick it up again? who knows.
BuT tHiS iS aBoUt LoVe
so pros. THis was definitely an intriguing read. although slightly predictable, it still sometimes left you guessing as to why something happened. that romance got me screaming, we stan an enemies to friends-in-a-situation to friends to lovers.
so yeah, i truly did enjoy this book, even though it doesnt look like it. it was a good read, and maybe i'll pick it up again? who knows.
Lenard (726 KP) rated Shazam! (2019) in Movies
May 8, 2019 (Updated Jun 15, 2019)
Did you ever dream of becoming a superhero? Thaddeus Sivana does. Bullied by his father and older brother because they think he is weak, Thaddeus dreams of becoming the most powerful being in the world. However, Wizard, the last remaining guardian of the secrets of the universe, doesn't think he is pure of heart and worthy of being a superhero. Thaddeus decides to become a supervillain and waits for a champion of the downtrodden, Captain Marvel (I refuse to call him Shazam since he IS Captain Marvel unlike Carol Danvers who got a promotion to Captain after being Ms Marvel for decades). A couple decades later, Billy Batson who was abandoned by his mother at a state fair spends his day researching and looking for the woman who abandoned him while running away from various foster homes. That is, until he is placed in a foster home full of damaged children. He learns the value of family while learning how to be a hero. I watched the TV series every Saturday growing up and while the movie is good, the show remains a pivotal time in my life.
Heather (1 KP) rated The Man in the High Castle - Season 2 in TV
Jan 20, 2018
Great what if historical tv show
Contains spoilers, click to show
Again NOT for children. If you're sensitive to violence, etc then proceed with caution. Though I encourage everyone to at least watch a few episodes as I find the plot twists and story line out ways the gore. If there was more of it, I'd be turned off too much. But thankfully it's not every episode. I am still finishing season 2 but so far it's been very interesting! A small spoiler at the bottom.
Especially the plot twist of an alternate time period and universe where certain people aren't dead and stuff. Curious to see how both intersect and how the trade minister jumps to these alternate realities. Is he dreaming? Or literally time traveling? I guess we will find out eventually.
Especially the plot twist of an alternate time period and universe where certain people aren't dead and stuff. Curious to see how both intersect and how the trade minister jumps to these alternate realities. Is he dreaming? Or literally time traveling? I guess we will find out eventually.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated A Deadly Éclair (A French Bistro Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Mimi Rousseau is just months into her new venture of a French bistro and hotel in the heart of Napa County. This weekend, she is hosting her first event, the wedding of Angelica Edmonton, noted TV talk show host and the niece of Bryan Baker, Mimi’s benefactor and mentor. However, when tension at the pre-wedding dinner on Friday night leads to a dead body on Saturday morning, Mimi finds herself looking into the murder. What is going on?
It’s fun to find a series set in Napa County that doesn’t focus on wine, although wine is certainly present. The French food will definitely leave your mouth watering as you work your way through this good first mystery. The initial chapter has a bit of a data dump in it, but once beyond that, the mystery picks up and the pace never slows down again. The characters are outstanding, and the relationships between the series regulars is already strong. I’m looking forward to seeing that grow as the series progresses.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-deadly-eclair-by-daryl-wood.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It’s fun to find a series set in Napa County that doesn’t focus on wine, although wine is certainly present. The French food will definitely leave your mouth watering as you work your way through this good first mystery. The initial chapter has a bit of a data dump in it, but once beyond that, the mystery picks up and the pace never slows down again. The characters are outstanding, and the relationships between the series regulars is already strong. I’m looking forward to seeing that grow as the series progresses.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-deadly-eclair-by-daryl-wood.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated Room for Doubt in Books
Aug 21, 2018
Suicide or a Serial Killer?
A body has been found hanging from the Hollywood sign, and radio reporter Carol Childs is sent to the scene. The police have ruled it a suicide, but Carol thinks something else is going on. Before the weekend is over, Carol is contacted by a PI who shares her belief that there is more to this death. Then a caller to Carol’s new late Sunday show all but confesses. What is really going on?
From this intriguing premise, we get another fun mystery filled with plenty of suspense. I did have some issues with some moral issues brought up in this book, which is funny because I am on the opposite side of things on some TV shows I watch. A psychic we met in the first book is back, but I was happy that her “ability” only played a small part in the book. In fact, I enjoyed seeing her again since she is a fun foil for Carol. I really liked the cast of characters as well. There were some timeline issues in the middle of the book, but overall, they were a minor annoyance.
From this intriguing premise, we get another fun mystery filled with plenty of suspense. I did have some issues with some moral issues brought up in this book, which is funny because I am on the opposite side of things on some TV shows I watch. A psychic we met in the first book is back, but I was happy that her “ability” only played a small part in the book. In fact, I enjoyed seeing her again since she is a fun foil for Carol. I really liked the cast of characters as well. There were some timeline issues in the middle of the book, but overall, they were a minor annoyance.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Widows (2018) in Movies
Nov 18, 2018 (Updated Nov 18, 2018)
Based on a TV show that most people will probably have either forgotten or never heard of in the first place, the new film from Steve McQueen (not that one) exchanges the existential historical misery of his last one for existential present-day corruption and despair. When a crew of robbers are killed on a job-gone-wrong and the leader's widow is menaced by the target, demanding his money back, she decides to recruit the widows of the other men to execute her former husband's planned next heist in order to meet her obligations.
Smartly written and well played, there is a lot going on here apart from the obvious genre stuff - various subplots explore the lives of women in modern America, police violence, institutional racism, and so on. However, the problem is that the film seems to get lost in exploring all of this and the meat-and-potatoes stuff about the heist kind of gets a bit lost as a result - the robbery, when it finally arrives, feels a bit rushed and underdeveloped. Still, this is a quality movie with lots to commend it.
Smartly written and well played, there is a lot going on here apart from the obvious genre stuff - various subplots explore the lives of women in modern America, police violence, institutional racism, and so on. However, the problem is that the film seems to get lost in exploring all of this and the meat-and-potatoes stuff about the heist kind of gets a bit lost as a result - the robbery, when it finally arrives, feels a bit rushed and underdeveloped. Still, this is a quality movie with lots to commend it.
Amy Curtis (49 KP) rated White Gold in TV
Dec 4, 2018
Average...
There's only 6 episodes in this programme and I was really looking forward to binge watching it. I'm a big fan of Ed Westwick and I wanted to see what the boys from the Inbetweeners would be like in a different programme. The show was okay and the humour was brilliant. The only thing is it didn't feel like there was much of a story line half the time. It was only from episode 4 that something started to build. Ed Westwick does a fantastic job of taking on a con man who considers himself as a w***er and he speaks directly to the camera at times to talk to the audience directly and remind them why he is one. It was a quick watch and there were rumours that they were bringing a second season out. However due to allegations against Ed, this got put on hold and there is no certainty that White Gold will return. If there was a second season, the plot would need to definitely be expanded on. It is still worth a watch but I wouldn't drop everything because White Gold season 2 has hit my TV screen.
Elli H Burton (1288 KP) rated a video of Tee and Mo in TV
Oct 29, 2019
My daughter loves it (2 more)
It's musical, it's sweet, it's not full of ridiculous themes.
It's not a traditional family, it's just Tee and Mo and it works. Every family is different so it's relevant.
It's so pleasant and sweet
Thought there must be some parents on here that would appreciate some children's TV programs and I've done some of the work finding good ones!
Firstly, it's quite a calm and chilled show which is fab for towards the end of the day. It doesn't have much dialogue, it has a narrator and the characters say names but other than that it's mostly monkey noises (obviously because they're monkeys lol). I think that's why my daughter (14 months old) love it so much, it's not in your face chatting away. It's got leasons to learn in each episode that which is cute and it's NOT ANNOYING.
Sooooo many kids shows are a nightmare and are so annoying but this one is so chilled and nice I actually like putting it on. Definitely think if parents want to try something new for the kids, try this.
Firstly, it's quite a calm and chilled show which is fab for towards the end of the day. It doesn't have much dialogue, it has a narrator and the characters say names but other than that it's mostly monkey noises (obviously because they're monkeys lol). I think that's why my daughter (14 months old) love it so much, it's not in your face chatting away. It's got leasons to learn in each episode that which is cute and it's NOT ANNOYING.
Sooooo many kids shows are a nightmare and are so annoying but this one is so chilled and nice I actually like putting it on. Definitely think if parents want to try something new for the kids, try this.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018) in Movies
Feb 11, 2020 (Updated Feb 11, 2020)
Alfred The Movie
Teen Titans Go! To The Movies- has some great references, surprising comedic cameo, nice nods to the tv show and its also very funny.
Plus it finally has Nicolas Cage as Superman, he is only voicing him though, but still finally get Nicolas Cage as Superman after all these years. I would of still loved to see the live action verison with Nicolas Cage and Tim Burton directing it.
Anyways the plot: It seems that all the major superheroes out there are starring in their own movies -- all but the Teen Titans. Robin is bound and determined to remedy that situation by becoming a star instead of a sidekick. With a few madcap ideas and a song in their hearts, the Teen Titans head to Hollywood to fulfill their dreams. Things soon go awry, however, when a supervillain plans to take over the planet -- putting the very fate of the young heroes on the line.
Its a really great/intresting plot. If you havent seen this movie, than go watch it. Cause its a must see.
Plus it finally has Nicolas Cage as Superman, he is only voicing him though, but still finally get Nicolas Cage as Superman after all these years. I would of still loved to see the live action verison with Nicolas Cage and Tim Burton directing it.
Anyways the plot: It seems that all the major superheroes out there are starring in their own movies -- all but the Teen Titans. Robin is bound and determined to remedy that situation by becoming a star instead of a sidekick. With a few madcap ideas and a song in their hearts, the Teen Titans head to Hollywood to fulfill their dreams. Things soon go awry, however, when a supervillain plans to take over the planet -- putting the very fate of the young heroes on the line.
Its a really great/intresting plot. If you havent seen this movie, than go watch it. Cause its a must see.