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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies

Oct 10, 2019  
Joker (2019)
Joker (2019)
2019 | Crime, Drama
Why so serious?
This is the first film in a long time that I've come out of feeling very divided, and it's taken a rather lengthy internal debate on the way home to figure out how I really feel about it.

This starts off slow, very slow and I was worried that I was going to get very bored very quickly. However Joaquin Phoenix's performance is phenomenal and although he is disturbingly thin for this, he's brilliant to watch, even considering the subject matter. If it wasn't for the Gotham setting and mention of the Wayne's, this wouldn't feel like a DC superhero/villain film and this is my main criticism. I love how dark and gritty Joker is and that this is mainly a study about mental health, but I do wish it had a little more in it to tie it to it's source material. Even just a nod to his most well known origin story as seen in some of the other films would've made this even better. I've heard a lot of people say this is uncomfortable viewing, but I didnt see that myself. It's just a stark portrayal of mental health and it does very well in this respect. The violence is sparse yet fits well - I didn't think it was overdone or excessive. And the final act with the talk show and ending was sheer brilliance and really brought Joker towards the character we know and love. It's this final part that sold this film for me, and I'm interested to see how they fit this into the rest of the DC universe, and if we start seeing more superhero films that are much darker and realistic. This is definitely a good example to follow!
  
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    HGTV

    Lifestyle and Entertainment

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    The HGTV app gives you on-the-go access to your favorite HGTV shows live and on demand. Find...

    XMEye

    XMEye

    Utilities and Lifestyle

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    XMEye是一款监控软件,配套ipc、Dvr等前端监控设备,通过设备的序列号以云方式登录,将实时的监控画面显示的移动设备上并对设备进行预览操作 XMEye is video monitoring software for IPC and DVR. With cloud technology, easy log in by the device's serial number to show the live view monitoring video to phone and do operation accordingly. •云登录 Support log in with cloud technology •实时预览 Support real time live view •远程录像回放 Support remote playback •本地录像以及播放 Local recording and play •截图以及查看图片 Support snapshot and pictures searching •语音对讲 Support bidirectional talk •云台控制 Support PTZ control •二维码扫描序列号 Support scanning serial number by QR code •云用户注册、修改 Support cloud user register and modify •远端设备添加、编辑和删除 Support remote device add, edit and delete •本地设备添加、编辑和删除 Support local device add, edit and delete •支持按地址方式添加设备 Support adding device by address •手动搜索本地局域网的设备 Support manually searching device in LAN •自动更新版本 Support version updating automatically •支持摇一摇搜索设备功能 Support searching device function by shake

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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2476 KP) rated Mint Chocolate Murder in Books

Jul 30, 2022 (Updated Jul 30, 2022)  
Mint Chocolate Murder
Mint Chocolate Murder
Meri Allen | 2022 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Was the Photographer’s Death Picture Perfect?
September has fallen, and the crowds have dropped off from their summer peak at Udder Delicious, but manager Riley Rhodes is finding life isn’t slowing down yet thanks to the art festival that former supermodel Maude Monico is hosting at the castle she’s purchased just outside of town. Riley is catering the opening night ice cream social, and that allows her to observe the weekend’s guest of honor, Adam Blasco, a controversial photographer. He fails to show up for his talk the next day, and he is soon found dead, locked in the castle’s former dungeon. Now Riley has to figure out not only how he came to be there, but who wanted him dead.

Yes, there is a reason that this castle (and a Scottish castle at that) is in the middle of Connecticut. That adds a fun layer to this mystery, but it does require a bit of set up at the beginning. Between that and meeting the victim and suspects, we are able to ease into the story. Since we have a locked room puzzle and in addition to figuring out who the killer is, there is plenty to keep us engaged, and the pages flew by until I reached the end. I enjoyed meeting the characters last year, and they were just as charming here. Meanwhile, the suspects were strong. While there actually isn’t much mention of mint chocolate here (a favorite flavor of mine), pumpkin spice proves to be a popular ice cream flavor in the story, and we get a recipe for it in the end. Whether you love ice cream or not, you’ll find this book a delicious sequel that you’ll enjoy.
  
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Merissa (13749 KP) rated She Sees Ghosts (Adirondack Spirit Series) in Books

Jan 20, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)  
She Sees Ghosts (Adirondack Spirit Series)
She Sees Ghosts (Adirondack Spirit Series)
David Fitz-Gerald | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SHE SEES GHOSTS is part of the Adirondack Spirit series that tells you about living in times gone past when life was both easier and a whole lot harder.

Mehitable has the ability to see and talk to ghosts. For a long time, she viewed this as a curse due to how it impacted her life. It is only as the story progresses, and she grows, that she can view it as something special. Mehitable is a strong character, determined to live her life the way she wants, rather than how society expects it. She is fully supported by her best friend, Polly, and her husband, Reuben. Other characters show up for their part, but the main story involves Mehitable, Polly, Reuben, and then Destiny. Although Destiny wasn't in it for long, he certainly had an impact. I would have liked to have had more of him, but he still managed to stake his claim in the book anyway.

This was a fascinating read that also gave insight into some of the living conditions that they contented within the here and now, as well as in their history.

I did feel the ending left me hanging. I am presuming the next book in the series will be about Moses, but I'm not completely sure. I would love to know more about Mehitable and her life though.

A wonderful story with lots of research shining through, making this a fantastic historical novel with paranormal elements. Definitely recommended by me.

* 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!
Jan 20, 2021
  
Out For Blood (Monsters of London #3)
Out For Blood (Monsters of London #3)
Alexandra Keillor | 2024 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
OUT FOR BLOOD concludes the Monsters of London but I'm hoping it's not the end of this world!

Vasilie and Deacon have successfully avoided each other for two books and now we find out why. Tamesis (the big bad of the trilogy) is Vasilie's sire and 'just a tad' obsessed. And it seems he was just the same one hundred years ago. He puts a major spanner in the works for Vas and Deacon, leading to them both running away from the other and trying to deal with the consequences of the choices they made. But now Tamesis is back on the scene and both Vas and Deacon realise their feelings (and the bond) aren't as dormant as they thought!

The scenes with Vas and Deacon, both together and separately, show you quite clearly just how their minds and feelings worked, one hundred years ago and in the present. There is pining, longing, tenderness, hotness, you name it. Neither their story nor the overarching one suffers from the other one getting page time. Both of them fit perfectly with the other, giving the reader a well-rounded, spectacular read.

You really need to read this as a trilogy to understand it all, but you will love it if you have! Kieran's pack is as wonderful as ever, and I finally, FINALLY, found out just why Tamesis attacked Kieran so many years ago. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy. The overarching story was superbly finished, and I found all the answers I needed.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me and I really hope to return to this world again.

** 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 16, 2024
  
Dreamland: A Ghost STory
Dreamland: A Ghost STory
Nick Clausen | 2019 | Horror, Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I would like to give a HUGE thank you to the author for giving me the chance to read his book and review it! I like quick reads, especially ones that make it difficult to put down. Why must I have to go back to reality? Can't I have my OWN dreamland? Without the demonic sirens?

Do you often remember your dreams? Most of the time, I don't and I always saw it as more of a blessing than anything. Who knows what my head concocted in my sleep. How about dreaming of someone whom you never really got to meet? Louie is twelve and never got the chance to know his father before he died of cancer. Now, he's dreaming of a man in a blue suit, who happens to look like his father and knows stuff about him and his mother.

Louie is dreaming of his father and they can talk and be together in a place called Dreamland. Sounds like a good thing, doesn't it? Don't be fooled! Everything has a price.

It's hard explain to his mother, however. Louie knows things his father told him that he couldn't possibly know from anybody else. So...what is this Dreamland and is it too good to be true?

This novel is the first one I've read from Nick Clausen and like I said, it was difficult to put down. I enjoyed the way the story was written. It's not told in any specific point of view from the characters, so you're able to know what's going on with this situation and the other without having to switch POVs.

Sirens are no joke! If you've read any bit of Mythology, you would know just how awful these creatures are. They are fun to read about, but damn, I don't want them in my dreams, not ever.

I would definitely categorize this as horror, but not going as far as to say Stephen King or watching an episode of the Twilight Zone. I think of it more as Goosebumps or Are You Afraid of the Dark? Don't knock that show. That was my show growing up in the 90s. I'm babbling, which is part of my charm.

I enjoyed reading this story and I felt bad for Louie and his mother, but I'm happy with how it ended and feel like there would have been no other way to do it. A quick read...but not in the dark.