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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Law Abiding Citizen (2009) in Movies
Aug 9, 2019
A good father and husband Clyde Shelton‘s (Gerard Butler) world is blown apart when a set of criminals break into his house and murder his family. When the prosecutor, Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx), cuts a deal with one of the criminals in order to convict the other, Clyde begins to realize the inherent flaws that exist in the judicial system. Once a law-abiding citizen, Clyde decides to take the matter into his own hands and it is up to Nick to stop him.
Foxx and Butler work exceptional well together, although this not one of Foxx’s best performances. Butler, on the other hand, manages an exceptional portrayal of Clyde as charming and understandable all while maintaining the unpredictability of a good antagonist. In fact, I was not surprised when the twenty-something something guy sitting next to me leaned over to his best friend and uttered “awesomest guy ever”, Clyde is pretty impressive.
A film about corruption, family, and justice, “Law Abiding Citizen” is psychologically thrilling and at times downright funny. Additionally, the combined use of technology, explosions, and clever twists, keep the action high. Well written, exhilaratingly timed, and distinctively unique, there only seems to be one giant pitfall, the ending. Without giving any more plot away I will tell you the ending was not as grandiose as it could have been leaving significant room for improvement.
Still “Law Abiding Citizen” was a fulfilling film, satisfying for anyone interested in the justice system, clever psychological thrills, or a well-rounded character. If you enjoy action or well composed plots, go see “Law Abiding Citizen”, it will leave you thinking and with an adrenaline filled action high.
Foxx and Butler work exceptional well together, although this not one of Foxx’s best performances. Butler, on the other hand, manages an exceptional portrayal of Clyde as charming and understandable all while maintaining the unpredictability of a good antagonist. In fact, I was not surprised when the twenty-something something guy sitting next to me leaned over to his best friend and uttered “awesomest guy ever”, Clyde is pretty impressive.
A film about corruption, family, and justice, “Law Abiding Citizen” is psychologically thrilling and at times downright funny. Additionally, the combined use of technology, explosions, and clever twists, keep the action high. Well written, exhilaratingly timed, and distinctively unique, there only seems to be one giant pitfall, the ending. Without giving any more plot away I will tell you the ending was not as grandiose as it could have been leaving significant room for improvement.
Still “Law Abiding Citizen” was a fulfilling film, satisfying for anyone interested in the justice system, clever psychological thrills, or a well-rounded character. If you enjoy action or well composed plots, go see “Law Abiding Citizen”, it will leave you thinking and with an adrenaline filled action high.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Revenge is Sweet in Books
Mar 11, 2020
Tally Holt has just opened a vintage sweets shop next to the basket shop operated by her best friend, Yolanda Bella, in the town of Fredericksburg, Texas. Tally’s opened in time for tourist season, and she’s hoping that will give her new business a boost. However, things get derailed when she finds a body in her kitchen. The victim was Gene Faust, the mayor’s adopted son. Gene didn’t have a good reputation, dating multiple women and borrowing money from all of them. Yolanda was one of his victims, and her scissors are the murder weapon. Can Tally and Yolanda figure out what really happened before one of them is arrested for the crime?
This book gets off to a good start, with several strong suspects before Gene even dies. From there, we have fun watching Tally and Yolanda try to figure out who actually committed the crime. The clues are woven into the story well, but one aspect of the plot is never fully explained. Who killed Gene and why is solved, however. The book is written third person from both Tally and Yolanda’s points of view. These switches definitely help tell the story and are always easy to follow. The characters could have been stronger at the beginning of the book, but we do get some development by the time the book is over. This is the first in the series, and I’m sure the characters will get stronger as the series progresses. There is a recipe at the end for one of Tally’s specialties – homemade Twinkies. This is an entertaining debut in what could turn into a series as addicting as Tally’s sweets.
This book gets off to a good start, with several strong suspects before Gene even dies. From there, we have fun watching Tally and Yolanda try to figure out who actually committed the crime. The clues are woven into the story well, but one aspect of the plot is never fully explained. Who killed Gene and why is solved, however. The book is written third person from both Tally and Yolanda’s points of view. These switches definitely help tell the story and are always easy to follow. The characters could have been stronger at the beginning of the book, but we do get some development by the time the book is over. This is the first in the series, and I’m sure the characters will get stronger as the series progresses. There is a recipe at the end for one of Tally’s specialties – homemade Twinkies. This is an entertaining debut in what could turn into a series as addicting as Tally’s sweets.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Murky Waters in Books
Mar 14, 2020
Kyra is the youngest of the three mermaid sisters we are learning about in Diane Vallere’s Mermaid Mystery novellas. She has been coddled and babied her entire life. Known for her beauty and her singing voice, she plays into both of those roles, flirting with every merman who shows interest. On her way to music lessons one morning, she finds the Nautilus Vault opened and several squid tied up near the entrance. She frees them, but she can tell someone has been inside the vault. Can she figure out who is responsible?
In many ways, this novella feels like a coming of age tale since Kyra really grows as the story progresses. No, she doesn’t start out as shallow as she may at first appear. I really enjoyed getting to know her and watching the growth happen over the course of the story. Now, this isn’t to say that we don’t get a mystery as well with plenty to keep us engaged. The growth comes directly from the events of the story, and it all feels very natural. There isn’t quite as much background on mermaid culture as there was in the first story, but we do get enough that if you jumped in with this story you wouldn’t be lost. The other characters are interesting, and we see some other sides of them than we did in the first novella. More than anything, I had fun imaging I lived in the ocean as well.
NOTE: This story, along with the stories of Kyra’s sisters, are included in the Mermaid Mysteries anthology. Buy them individually or as a set, but there is no need to buy both.
In many ways, this novella feels like a coming of age tale since Kyra really grows as the story progresses. No, she doesn’t start out as shallow as she may at first appear. I really enjoyed getting to know her and watching the growth happen over the course of the story. Now, this isn’t to say that we don’t get a mystery as well with plenty to keep us engaged. The growth comes directly from the events of the story, and it all feels very natural. There isn’t quite as much background on mermaid culture as there was in the first story, but we do get enough that if you jumped in with this story you wouldn’t be lost. The other characters are interesting, and we see some other sides of them than we did in the first novella. More than anything, I had fun imaging I lived in the ocean as well.
NOTE: This story, along with the stories of Kyra’s sisters, are included in the Mermaid Mysteries anthology. Buy them individually or as a set, but there is no need to buy both.
ClareR (6106 KP) rated A Curious History of Sex in Books
Feb 25, 2020
A Curious History of Sex is probably going to be one of my top reads of the year. This is why you should read it too (because let’s face it, if you’re reading my review, you’re either curious or you’ve read it too!):
1. It’s really well researched. The writer, Dr. Kate Lister, really knows her subject, and it shows, because
2. you have to know your subject to make something that could be really serious into something rather funny and thoroughly entertaining.
3. I’ve learnt a lot from this book, some things I’m not so sure that I would have ever found out about without reading this, and some that I never knew I NEEDED to know about!
4. The added photos are fascinating: there’s art, photos (ranging from the informative to the titillating, via some things that are frankly terrifying - some of the doctors equipment, for example!!).
5. You’ll want to tell all of your friends and selected family really inappropriate, yet interesting facts. Or maybe that’s just me...
6. Whores of Yore on Twitter will be your next stop, either whilst you’re reading the book, or as soon as you’ve turned the last page (or when you’ve finished reading my review! Go on - do it!). It’s great!
So, you’ll be wanting to go out and buy or borrow your copy now - am I right? Because it really is a fascinating read, and I suggest you do buy it as soon as possible!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this book - it was the most entertaining, eye-opening 10 days I’ve had in a while!
1. It’s really well researched. The writer, Dr. Kate Lister, really knows her subject, and it shows, because
2. you have to know your subject to make something that could be really serious into something rather funny and thoroughly entertaining.
3. I’ve learnt a lot from this book, some things I’m not so sure that I would have ever found out about without reading this, and some that I never knew I NEEDED to know about!
4. The added photos are fascinating: there’s art, photos (ranging from the informative to the titillating, via some things that are frankly terrifying - some of the doctors equipment, for example!!).
5. You’ll want to tell all of your friends and selected family really inappropriate, yet interesting facts. Or maybe that’s just me...
6. Whores of Yore on Twitter will be your next stop, either whilst you’re reading the book, or as soon as you’ve turned the last page (or when you’ve finished reading my review! Go on - do it!). It’s great!
So, you’ll be wanting to go out and buy or borrow your copy now - am I right? Because it really is a fascinating read, and I suggest you do buy it as soon as possible!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this book - it was the most entertaining, eye-opening 10 days I’ve had in a while!
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