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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated What Happened at Midnight in Books
Aug 27, 2020
Nighttime Crime
Frank and Joe Hardy are shocked when they get the new request from their father, famed detective Fenton Hardy. He wants them to break into a house and steal something. Of course, it is to keep an invention for his client safe. However, doing that puts the boys on the radar of a gang of smugglers. Will they be able to protect the invention and round up the smugglers?
I remember as a kid the title really intriguing me. Yes, several scenes take place at midnight, but the title isn’t as relevant to the story as it might be. That hardly matters since the story is so action packed that it is hard to put it down. Coincidence rules quite a bit, and the characters are thin. Elements are also very dated today. So in other words, it’s a typical Hardy Boys book. Still, I take that into account when I pick up one of these books, and I enjoy the nostalgia I get from revisiting these old friends.
I remember as a kid the title really intriguing me. Yes, several scenes take place at midnight, but the title isn’t as relevant to the story as it might be. That hardly matters since the story is so action packed that it is hard to put it down. Coincidence rules quite a bit, and the characters are thin. Elements are also very dated today. So in other words, it’s a typical Hardy Boys book. Still, I take that into account when I pick up one of these books, and I enjoy the nostalgia I get from revisiting these old friends.
Lou Grande (148 KP) rated Sorry to Bother You (2018) in Movies
Jul 17, 2018
This movie was funny, poignant, and sure did take a turn in the third act. The world that Cassius Green ("cash is green") lives in is a not-quite bizarro version of our own world--take all the issues the United States is having and turn them to 11 and you'll understand. It reminded me a bit of Idiocracy in that way. But I digress. Cassius Green just wants stability. He wants to make money to eventually move out of his uncle's (Terry Crews) garage, and he wants to impress his girlfriend, Detroit (Tessa Thompson). He finds a job working as a telemarketer, and, what's more, he finds success by adopting a "white voice," voiced by David Cross. He soon faces a moral crisis when he finds out what he's actually selling, and who he's selling out.
Brilliantly shot and directed, Sorry to Bother You is a delight to watch. Every actor is on point, and the comedic timing never skips a beat. But it's not without a message, and it won't be hard to decipher. Sorry to Bother You is a satire in the purest of forms--and what is being satirized is us. After it's over, it invites you to take a moment to reflect on your own life, and what part you play in the world. Excellent, relevant film. Highly recommend.
(Also, I have to add that I saw this at a weekday afternoon matinee, and the audience was full of old white people. They looked less than pleased as we were walking out. What did you think this was??)
Brilliantly shot and directed, Sorry to Bother You is a delight to watch. Every actor is on point, and the comedic timing never skips a beat. But it's not without a message, and it won't be hard to decipher. Sorry to Bother You is a satire in the purest of forms--and what is being satirized is us. After it's over, it invites you to take a moment to reflect on your own life, and what part you play in the world. Excellent, relevant film. Highly recommend.
(Also, I have to add that I saw this at a weekday afternoon matinee, and the audience was full of old white people. They looked less than pleased as we were walking out. What did you think this was??)
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The Hit (Will Robie #2) in Books
May 10, 2018
David Baldacci has done it again. Another heart pounding thriller with Will Robie.
Reading these books, always makes me wonder if there really are people defending our country like Will Robie. I read the book on America's best sniper, but he didn't do anything like this. Does art really imitate life?
In the installment of the Will Robie series, Robie is hired to take out someone he knows. But something doesn't seem right about this hit. Why didn't she follow out her mission as previously instructed? What would make her do something like that. Jessica Reel is as good if not better at this job than Will Robie. So something in his gut is telling him that the story he was given is not the whole truth. There has been a lot of that going on as of late.
So what happens if these two work together to get to the bottom of what is really going on? Will they be able to work together, or will one be out of the agency, the only way to go out?
Reading these books, always makes me wonder if there really are people defending our country like Will Robie. I read the book on America's best sniper, but he didn't do anything like this. Does art really imitate life?
In the installment of the Will Robie series, Robie is hired to take out someone he knows. But something doesn't seem right about this hit. Why didn't she follow out her mission as previously instructed? What would make her do something like that. Jessica Reel is as good if not better at this job than Will Robie. So something in his gut is telling him that the story he was given is not the whole truth. There has been a lot of that going on as of late.
So what happens if these two work together to get to the bottom of what is really going on? Will they be able to work together, or will one be out of the agency, the only way to go out?
Dean (6927 KP) rated The House of the Dead: Overkill in Video Games
Feb 24, 2019
Great graphics (2 more)
Variety of levels and enemies
Very funny!
A bloody good shooter!
An excellent light gun game for the Wii. One of the best I've played on any console and definitely the most fun. The best House of the Dead game for me, this was the first game that really sold the light gun gaming on the Wii.
The graphics are very good, it's quite a big game compared to other gun games. Some levels could take a good 15-20 minutes to complete. The music is groovy, there are plenty of guns to use. There is plenty of replay value with mini-games, various achievements to go for.
The thing that stands out the most is the humour. The whole feel is a tongue in cheek '70's grindhouse, Horror B Movie vibe. It works, the voice acting is good and it will probably make you laugh.
Overall it is a little easy on the normal levels but it's so enjoyable. If you like Horror films and light gun games you'll love this.
The graphics are very good, it's quite a big game compared to other gun games. Some levels could take a good 15-20 minutes to complete. The music is groovy, there are plenty of guns to use. There is plenty of replay value with mini-games, various achievements to go for.
The thing that stands out the most is the humour. The whole feel is a tongue in cheek '70's grindhouse, Horror B Movie vibe. It works, the voice acting is good and it will probably make you laugh.
Overall it is a little easy on the normal levels but it's so enjoyable. If you like Horror films and light gun games you'll love this.
Nick Hosmer (2 KP) rated Kindle E-Reader in Tech
Apr 24, 2019
Backlight (2 more)
Being able to read in sunlight without glare
Battery life
Slow menus (1 more)
Lagging text
Love this E-Reader
I have the kindle paperwhite 7th gen.
I carry this thing with me everywhere! I absolutely love this device. I enjoy being able to read it everywhere without having to worry about an internet connection, or having to contort my body to avoid screen glare. I have anywhere between 3-10 books downloaded at one time and that didn't make a large impact on its internal memory. The battery life on this is great, I usually read 1-2 hours a day and I go a week between charges, longer if I haven't used the device quite as often.
For as much as I enjoyed this device there are some shortcomings. There have been times that I have to turn the backlight off then back on again for it to work. All the menus lag when loading and while reading the pages occasionally take a moment to turn.
Overall I do recommend the kindle paperwhite or any kindle e-reader.
I carry this thing with me everywhere! I absolutely love this device. I enjoy being able to read it everywhere without having to worry about an internet connection, or having to contort my body to avoid screen glare. I have anywhere between 3-10 books downloaded at one time and that didn't make a large impact on its internal memory. The battery life on this is great, I usually read 1-2 hours a day and I go a week between charges, longer if I haven't used the device quite as often.
For as much as I enjoyed this device there are some shortcomings. There have been times that I have to turn the backlight off then back on again for it to work. All the menus lag when loading and while reading the pages occasionally take a moment to turn.
Overall I do recommend the kindle paperwhite or any kindle e-reader.
Robert Lindsay (9 KP) rated A Modern Tragedy Vol 2 by Grandson in Music
May 26, 2019
All killer, no filler (2 more)
Extremely heavy and modern sounding
Leaves me craving to see them live
Razor sharp rock and hip-hop fusion
Discovered at random while searching for Rock music released this year, Grandson managed to be heavy and thrilling, while also utilising modern production techniques more usually associated with hip hop and electronic music, the fusion is excellent.
There are five tracks on this EP and each has a distinctive flavour. Apologize is a swaggering endorsement of the self, warts and all, which every listener can adopt as their own personal anthem. Stigmata is a full on, head down rocker that no doubt sets mosh pits ablaze. Is This What You Wanted is a searing enditement of facing the grinding misery of the world, compared with escaping it via indulgence and excess, slower than its predecessors but no less furious. Falling is a tripped out meditation on struggling with addiction. Darkside is the take of a would - be school shooter that drips with menace until it finally drops, when it becomes openly hostile.
There are five tracks on this EP and each has a distinctive flavour. Apologize is a swaggering endorsement of the self, warts and all, which every listener can adopt as their own personal anthem. Stigmata is a full on, head down rocker that no doubt sets mosh pits ablaze. Is This What You Wanted is a searing enditement of facing the grinding misery of the world, compared with escaping it via indulgence and excess, slower than its predecessors but no less furious. Falling is a tripped out meditation on struggling with addiction. Darkside is the take of a would - be school shooter that drips with menace until it finally drops, when it becomes openly hostile.
Gail (4 KP) rated All the Wounds in Shadow (The Healing Edge, #2) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
All The Wounds in Shadows The Healings Edge book 2 by Anise Eden
Four Stars
I knew I would read the second book. I will say that I enjoyed this second book more than the first. Cate is doing better I feel and is taking life slow with Ben. It was still slow but I liked they direction the author went. This was a different view of Paranormal and the author makes you take note on how everything doesn’t have to be hot and heavy. But you get those moments were its really intense and the pressure for more is on. I wasn’t a big fan of the first book but this one had me understanding the first book more. The characters interacted really well together. There were a lot of different personalities in the mix and the author did a great job making sure no one was overshadowed or ran on in their moments. I look forward to book three and all the surprises the author has waiting for us.
Four Stars
I knew I would read the second book. I will say that I enjoyed this second book more than the first. Cate is doing better I feel and is taking life slow with Ben. It was still slow but I liked they direction the author went. This was a different view of Paranormal and the author makes you take note on how everything doesn’t have to be hot and heavy. But you get those moments were its really intense and the pressure for more is on. I wasn’t a big fan of the first book but this one had me understanding the first book more. The characters interacted really well together. There were a lot of different personalities in the mix and the author did a great job making sure no one was overshadowed or ran on in their moments. I look forward to book three and all the surprises the author has waiting for us.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Murder on the Beach in Books
May 28, 2021
Beach Reads to Enjoy Anywhere
Surfs up with this collection of eight mystery short stories set on the beach. We’ve got everything from a constantly disappearing family heirloom at a beach side wedding reception to a dead body on a girls’ weekend, a death at a frog leg cooking competition, a ring half buried in the sand, and an accident plagued trip to Cabo San Lucas.
Each story in this collection averaged 40 minutes for me to read, so there is plenty of content in the book. While some of the authors have written about their series sleuths, all of the stories can be read on their own, which was good because I was only familiar with one set of characters before I started the collection. All the stories feature strong characters and fun mysteries in addition to the variety of beach settings. Whether you take this book along to read at the beach or read it at home while dreaming of being at the beach, you’ll enjoy it.
Each story in this collection averaged 40 minutes for me to read, so there is plenty of content in the book. While some of the authors have written about their series sleuths, all of the stories can be read on their own, which was good because I was only familiar with one set of characters before I started the collection. All the stories feature strong characters and fun mysteries in addition to the variety of beach settings. Whether you take this book along to read at the beach or read it at home while dreaming of being at the beach, you’ll enjoy it.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Molly's Game (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
Based on the memoir Molly's Game: From Hollywood's Elite to Wall Street's Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker by Molly Bloom. The film follows Bloom, who becomes the target of an FBI investigation of her underground poker empire for Hollywood celebrities, athletes, business tycoons, and the Russian mob.
I guess I can take this off the list of films to see next year now thanks to this Secret Screening. It wasn't the film I thought they were going to put on, and a much later night than planned thanks to Cineworld listing it as an hour and a half long.
I enjoyed it, and it was a good watch, but I'd find it very difficult to rave about this one. Mainly it caught my interest because I love poker. The story flows well when it switches between the present and the past, and the narration worked well for me too. I'm not sure I'd have felt like I got my monies worth on a full priced ticket, but still an interesting film.
I guess I can take this off the list of films to see next year now thanks to this Secret Screening. It wasn't the film I thought they were going to put on, and a much later night than planned thanks to Cineworld listing it as an hour and a half long.
I enjoyed it, and it was a good watch, but I'd find it very difficult to rave about this one. Mainly it caught my interest because I love poker. The story flows well when it switches between the present and the past, and the narration worked well for me too. I'm not sure I'd have felt like I got my monies worth on a full priced ticket, but still an interesting film.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Life of Crime in Books
Feb 4, 2018
I loved it
What a saga!
What a story!
Fantastic characters, cracking and clever plot, excellent twists, perfect pace ... this had it in bucket loads and had me totally absorbed from the start.
The story follows the life of Jason Rampling and the various capers and general dodgy dealings he uses and gets involved in in order to get away from his and his daughter's crappy life living with his alcoholic mother on a dire council estate.
Jason is an Arthur Daley or Del Boy kind of a character - you could call him a bit of a rogue - but I really warmed to him; yes he's not the kind of man I would want my daughter to bring home but there was something about him that I was drawn to and although I certainly didn't agree with everything he did, I did find myself having some sympathy for him despite the scrapes he got into being mostly of his own doing. Melissa, another of the main characters, is another story ... oh my goodness, she is one character that had me going round in circles ... do I like her or don't I? and don't even get me started on Tracey!!!! There are several other characters that I could mention but I would be going on for ages such is the ability of the author to bring these people to life and make them feel authentic and memorable.
This is a compelling and gripping take on the consequences of living a life of crime and I would most definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a cracking read with not too much violence.
My thanks must go to the publisher, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, via Netgalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
What a story!
Fantastic characters, cracking and clever plot, excellent twists, perfect pace ... this had it in bucket loads and had me totally absorbed from the start.
The story follows the life of Jason Rampling and the various capers and general dodgy dealings he uses and gets involved in in order to get away from his and his daughter's crappy life living with his alcoholic mother on a dire council estate.
Jason is an Arthur Daley or Del Boy kind of a character - you could call him a bit of a rogue - but I really warmed to him; yes he's not the kind of man I would want my daughter to bring home but there was something about him that I was drawn to and although I certainly didn't agree with everything he did, I did find myself having some sympathy for him despite the scrapes he got into being mostly of his own doing. Melissa, another of the main characters, is another story ... oh my goodness, she is one character that had me going round in circles ... do I like her or don't I? and don't even get me started on Tracey!!!! There are several other characters that I could mention but I would be going on for ages such is the ability of the author to bring these people to life and make them feel authentic and memorable.
This is a compelling and gripping take on the consequences of living a life of crime and I would most definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a cracking read with not too much violence.
My thanks must go to the publisher, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, via Netgalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.