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Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated After Life in TV

Apr 3, 2019 (Updated Apr 3, 2019)  
After Life
After Life
2019 | Comedy, Drama
Brilliantly written (1 more)
Fantastically performed by the entire cast
Beautiful
Ricky Gervais seems to be like Marmite to most people. I have always really liked the guy. I love The Office and Extras and his first 3 stand up shows are amongst some of the funniest that I have ever seen. In the years since however, I have seem to fallen away from his projects. Not for any particular reason, but this lull meant that shows like Derek, Life's Too Short and An Idiot Abroad all passed me by. I'm not sure what it was about After Life that got me back on-board, maybe it was the fact alone that it was on Netflix.

Regardless, this show is fantastic. It is hilarious, it is truly touching, it is brilliantly written, acted and surprisingly well shot for what it is. The characters are all fantastic and their relationships with each other and the way that they analyse and question each other is brilliant too.

I think that the most impressive thing about the show overall though, is how much Gervais is able to say with such a simple premise and a small cast. There are only about 15 characters that we see in the small village where the show is set and yet Gervais has managed to tackle some really serious issues like grief, depression and suicide in a realistically convincing way and on top of that, he still manage to make you laugh. It really a masterful script and the entire cast do a brilliant job in their respective roles.

Overall, this is one of the best things that I have seen this year and I would strongly encourage everyone to give it a go, even if you are not a fan of Gervais or his previous projects. This show can take you from splitting your sides laughing to tearing up in an instant and any piece of art that can make me feel that way is extremely valuable in my eyes. Also the dog is amazing.
  
The Wife Between Us
The Wife Between Us
Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen | 2018 | Mystery, Thriller
8
8.1 (37 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is about a woman. A woman who was married to man whom she loved dearly. She loved him so much she couldn't see his flaws or how she was changing. This book is also about a woman who is about to marry said man. But his ex wants her to see all the things she didn't before it's too late. This book is also about a woman who loves this man unconditionally flaws and all. Just when you think you know which woman is which, you will be surprised. All together, these three women are centered around this one man. This one man who is rich and powerful and full of flaws.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I will admit that the book started off very slowly for me. The story was interesting enough, but there wasn't much there to make me pick up the book instead of watch a tv show. At about the 1/2 way point, there was a twist in the story that made me perk up a bit and changed my view on the whole story. Things really got into full swing then and I couldn't put it down. I had to see where the plot was going and what was going to happen at the end. It really leaves you on the edge of your seat.

It's hard to write a review about this book without giving too much away. You think you know what is going on, but in actuality you have no idea.

Richard is the man. He is handsome, rich, powerful. He was raised by his older sister after their parents where killed in car crash. Richard has been married twice before and he is now engaged to Emma. Richard's "crazy" ex-wife doesn't want to see this marriage take place and will stop at nothing to warn Emma, even if it makes her look crazier than Richards claims she is. Who will win in the end?
  
TT
The Turtle Boy (Timmy Quinn #1)
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
<b>5 STARS TO YOU</b>

Now THIS is an author that you need to keep your eye on!

I would just like to say first that I know the whole 'back from the dead to seek revenge for my death' story has been done and done...and done again, however, that doesn't stop this book from being a fantastic read. It is a novella, so expect a very short read in the sense you may be disappointed that you're just starting to get into it and then BAM! The End! On the other hand, this book is the first in a series so you'll be able to satisfy your cravings for the next installment.

At the time of purchase this book was free to download for Kindle...I am not sure if it still free as it's such a quality read.

The themes of this story may seem as if they are being somewhat retold again but I believe the author breathes new life into this story-line and makes you hang on for dear life and really want to complete the book, it never crossed my mind to stop reading at any point because I have read similar plot lines before.
It is a very creepy story, so I recommend it to fans of the horror genre and perhaps to those who enjoy murder mysteries and thrillers too due to the nice quick pace and the acts of revenge brought down upon unsuspecting characters.

I found the story had a really nice flow to it, sometimes nothing annoys me more than when i'm enjoying a book and suddenly a 'hiccup' of some sort appears within the pages which makes me want to throw it at a wall...interest lost...may return to it...maybe not...will take a while to read and get back into again. I am so glad that didn't happen to me with this book, the pace was too fast and the atmosphere too creepy.

Well done!
  
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Merissa (12911 KP) rated Intelligence Check (Dungeons and Dating #3) in Books

May 17, 2022 (Updated Jun 19, 2023)  
Intelligence Check (Dungeons and Dating #3)
Intelligence Check (Dungeons and Dating #3)
Katherine McIntyre | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
INTELLIGENCE CHECK is the third book in the Dungeons and Dating series, and it's time for Mase and Hunter. I was 'slightly' excited at the thought of this book and, let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

Mase is a perfect little ray of sunshine... on the outside. Inside, he is dealing with the loss of his twin sister, all the feelings that encompasses, plus normal things like trying to finish school and pay all his bills. Hunter, on the other hand, keeps himself to himself. He doesn't ask much of anyone, knowing all too well the feeling of being let down.

These two! Oh, my days. I love them so much. Two perfect-for-each-other puzzle pieces that slot together with ease. Well, not too much ease, because there's the whole 'issues from the past' to contend with, but you get my meaning. They do have their issues to deal with but they do the mature thing, in that they give each other space when needed, no matter how painful it may be, and communicate with each other.

It's a slow-burn romance in that Hunter isn't prepared to take advantage of Mason when he's drunk. Mason thinks he's been rejected by Hunter, and then Hunter thinks the same when Mason doesn't mention it again. Remember I said they communicated? Yeah, well, maybe not so much to begin with! 😆

This was a fantastic addition to the series that also let me catch up with Roxie and Mel, plus Cal and Julian. Now, I just need to know what's going on with Kelly! A brilliant book that I have no hesitation in highly recommending!!!

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 12, 2022
  
Spark &amp; Heir (Royal &amp; Piper #3)
Spark & Heir (Royal & Piper #3)
E.L. Tenenbaum | 2024 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SPARK & HEIR is the final part of this outstanding trilogy, so hold onto your hats because it's non-stop.

Quirin and Cal are with King Eryk, although neither of them knows for sure where or how they fit in. Cal bargains for her kingdom, paying a price she has always known about. Quirin finds himself torn between his old king who made him what he was, and the new queen who had won his loyalty and admiration. I absolutely loved how Quirin talked with Kylen about Cal. Kylen was also a character I grew to love, understated and shy, but with a massive heart for those he cares about.

Still told by three different people, you literally get the inside take on just how twisted and malicious Evalena is. My heart broke at times, not only for a specific character but also for Quirin.

Now, I'm going to be deliberately vague here, but I want to mention something without giving away any details... Quirin is sent away to gather information on what Evalena's doing, while Cal obviously stays behind. During that time, something absolutely necessary happened, but I didn't like it because Quirin wasn't there. After I got over my upset, I realised it was a perfect example of how war doesn't stop just because you're a main character!

The climax and epilogue are outstanding and I was hung on every word. I am sad to see this come to an end, although I still hope for more from this kingdom and for Quirin. A 5-star series and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me. Just don't make me choose my favourite book out of the three because I'm stumped!

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 10, 2024
  
I borrowed this from the Kindle Unlimited library.

This had a very slow start as we see Basilia - Basi - try to be a normal person instead of a rich snob as she runs away from her boring rich life and tries to fend for herself for the first time in her life. That starts with a job, so she and Tommy scour the newspapers looking for anything. She hands her resume into Kyros Tower, a real estate agents, and is surprised to be interviewed there and then. Things aren't all they seem, though, and soon Basi finds herself drawn into a strange game of monopoly with vampires.

The first 20% or so of this was rather slow and I was considering putting this down but I am so glad I carried on. It was good! It had me up until half eleven on my first night reading it just to see what was going to happen between Kyros and Basi. There was some serious sexual tension going on and I was hooked.

This definitely has a new take on vampires, and I don't want to go into detail as that would totally ruin it but it's different. I loved how Basi sort of slowly sank into their world and just went with it. Yeah, she freaked out at times but she did her best to make friends and get to know them, especially Laurel.

I've already borrowed book 2, off to start it now!
  
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Kurt Vile recommended Live At The East by Pharoah Sanders in Music (curated)

 
Live At The East by Pharoah Sanders
Live At The East by Pharoah Sanders
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I had that record for a long time and didn't pay much attention to it. I turned Jesse onto it. He's since tried to get it, and it's like $20, but I found it in a bin for like $4, $6. I didn't pay much attention to it, but then once I got deep into him - it's an incredible performance around the same time. The first song on there, 'Healing Song', does that very similar thing where it's just a couple of chords, but on this one they have two bass players. So they have one guy that's just playing the basic chords, the other one's really walking around it in this spiritual way, and the piano player's incredible, and people are even singing along. It sounds like late '80s or early '90s pop, like I think about this Janet Jackson song, it's a prototype for African-American pop, where it's all these songs, like... It's not like, "Ah man, I love me some Janet Jackson" - that stuff just gets embedded just 'cause you hear it on the radio 24/7, [but] you know that song, 'Escapade'? There's a riff in that song that I play on my guitar as a joke, but it's actually the best riff ever, it's sort of like that: this simple hook, but obviously they take it beyond, because they're all such good players. It's just pop that you can't deny mixed with free spiritualism."

Source
  
Coconut Island - Single by Meresha
Coconut Island - Single by Meresha
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Meresha is a Florida-based electro-pop singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Not too long ago, she released a lyric video for her “Coconut Island” single.

“So we crossed the sea again looking to find a land where we could thrive, you and I. Then a storm came suddenly, shook us up so violently, and we lost all track of time. The warm sand beneath my cold body, I rose with the sun when you found me.” – lyrics

‘Coconut Island’ tells a dreamy tale of a young woman who enjoys a sweet-like-candy-life on a tropical island with her significant other in the summertime.

Apparently, the breezy and warm air is fresh and pure, and the deep blue sea entices them to take a swim. Later, they savor the yummy juice from coconuts while the gentle waves crash the shore.
‘Coconut Island’ contains a fun storyline, pleasing vocals, and harmonious instrumentation flavored with a tropical-pop aroma.

Also, the likable tune sends an evergreen message which states that coco is good for your soul and nature is the remedy.

Meresha considers herself an #AlienPop innovator with a wide-ranging soulful voice and quirky sonic vision.

Her last single, “Jungle Potion”, went viral, hitting a million streams within a few weeks. Also, it was included on Ariana Grande‘s official personal playlist.

Meresha has landed on the Billboard charts 7 times, including peaking at #3 on Billboard’s Next Big Chart globally.
  
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Erika (17789 KP) rated Tenet (2020) in Movies

Sep 2, 2020 (Updated Sep 5, 2020)  
Tenet (2020)
Tenet (2020)
2020 | Action
I saw this film, FINALLY; the first showing in IMAX on the 31st via 'Early Access'. It was completely amazing on IMAX and it definitely needs to be seen that way, since that was the film Nolan shot it on.

I was glad that a movie made me think and I gave all of my attention to it. Honestly, I was able to figure out a lot of it before it was revealed, but that wasn't a bad, Hint, whenever you think something is a weird continuity error, it's not, it's intentional. The in-camera effects (as Nolan calls it) were AMAZING, Only Nolan could convince a working airport to let him crash a real plane into a building. Directors should take note that practical effects will ALWAYS look better than CGI.

The cast was amazing, and John David Washington, holy cow does he have physical prowess. I love Robert Pattinson in almost everything, and I really liked his character.


I can't say at this point whether I absolutely loved it, or just like it. I had this same issue with Dunkirk, where I know I liked it, but not how much (BTW I loved it after the 2nd viewing). I've already booked my ticket to see Tenet again on Friday.


EDIT: I saw Tenet again, and now I know for sure, that I really liked it! I'm pretty sure Robert Pattinson is my favorite character in the whole film.
  
Loyalties (BBS #1)
Loyalties (BBS #1)
Deborah Dorchak, Wendi Kelly | 2010 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Regina turns up in Diego's care after her last pack wanted rid of her. She has a very large chip on her shoulder and as the story progresses, you find out exactly why. Regina is a prickly character to start with but, you know what, that absolutely suited her.

I will admit, I thought I'd started the wrong book when I read the prologue but it all ties together perfectly. The character and world-building in this book are second to none. Everything slots into place but not without difficulties arising from miscommunication, circumstances etc.

One thing that I need to emphasise right now is just how good this shifter world is!! The ties that bind them are so strong. You learn a lot about 'pack life' and can imagine it being just this way. The explanations given on vampires, on how silver hurts the shifter, on how pack law rules are the only way, just fantastic!

This is a chunky book which I am so thankful for! This is a book to lose yourself in, to immerse yourself in and to thoroughly enjoy! Take your time with this book and enjoy every single word. Highly recommended!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 30, 2015