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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Magnificent Seven (2016) in Movies
Jul 15, 2019
Full disclosure, I have never seen The 1960s Magnificent Seven film, nor do I care that at its core it is a retelling of the Japanese legend of the Seven Samurai. This is not a comparison review. Instead this is a simple review of what I watched on screen. Not beholden to anything other than itself as film and it being a western.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. The Magnificent Seven hits all the appropriate marks you would expect from a classic western. The sprawling landscapes, big gunfights against all odds, character musical cues, honor bound good guys and dastardly bad guys. The Magnificent Seven is an entertaining gallop for western fans both old and new alike.
That is not to say that this film is anything more thought provoking then a typical “White hats vs Black Hats” western story. However it is the performance of the actors and their portrayal of somewhat typical characters that is the soul and charm of the film. Led by Denzel Washington who plays Sam Chisolm, the deputized bounty hunter hired to free a simple town from under the tyranny of a rich minor who uses violence and intimidation to take what he wants. Chisolm puts together an unlikely posse of the jokester gun-shooter Josh Faraday (Chris Pratt), the civil war veteran sharpshooter Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), his knife welding companion Billy Rocks (Byung-hun Lee), the outlaw Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Fulfo), the grizzly frontiersman Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio) and the native warrior Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). Together they take on the dastardly greedy Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard) and his army of paid mercenaries. The entire ensemble gives solid and entertaining performances, however it is the chemistry among the cast that creates the feeling that they had a blast making this film together, much to our delight.
When we put these elements together the film works on an entertaining level. While some may find it forgettable once it is over, they will no doubt enjoy the ride along the way. In a year where the summer blockbusters have been mostly disappointing and forgettable, The Magnificent Seven is a bright spot on the film landscape than most big budget films this year.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. The Magnificent Seven hits all the appropriate marks you would expect from a classic western. The sprawling landscapes, big gunfights against all odds, character musical cues, honor bound good guys and dastardly bad guys. The Magnificent Seven is an entertaining gallop for western fans both old and new alike.
That is not to say that this film is anything more thought provoking then a typical “White hats vs Black Hats” western story. However it is the performance of the actors and their portrayal of somewhat typical characters that is the soul and charm of the film. Led by Denzel Washington who plays Sam Chisolm, the deputized bounty hunter hired to free a simple town from under the tyranny of a rich minor who uses violence and intimidation to take what he wants. Chisolm puts together an unlikely posse of the jokester gun-shooter Josh Faraday (Chris Pratt), the civil war veteran sharpshooter Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), his knife welding companion Billy Rocks (Byung-hun Lee), the outlaw Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Fulfo), the grizzly frontiersman Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio) and the native warrior Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier). Together they take on the dastardly greedy Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard) and his army of paid mercenaries. The entire ensemble gives solid and entertaining performances, however it is the chemistry among the cast that creates the feeling that they had a blast making this film together, much to our delight.
When we put these elements together the film works on an entertaining level. While some may find it forgettable once it is over, they will no doubt enjoy the ride along the way. In a year where the summer blockbusters have been mostly disappointing and forgettable, The Magnificent Seven is a bright spot on the film landscape than most big budget films this year.
Find Adventure, Alfie Atkins
Education and Games
App
In "Find Adventure, Alfie Atkins", children can create, play, and explore a world filled with small...
Debbiereadsbook (1457 KP) rated A Thousand Glittering Lights in Books
Jun 9, 2024
absolutely stunning book!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Jennie Lynn Roberts has become a firm favourite, her first book blew me away and I'm still struggling to catch my breath! But those books were fantasy/paranormal, and this is a contemporary romance and I wasn't sure how I was gonna feel about this book.
I need not have worried! I loved this book, massively!
It has some many layers and subplots, or at least I thought they were subplots, until everything start to merge together and things become much MUCH clearer! I wasn't confused, not really, just at times I felt I was reading those subplots as multiple books. Once things started to come together, however, those subplots made much more sense.
I loved how I just let myelf fall into this, along with those plots, and didn't really try to figure it out as I went. I usually do, trying to put 2 and 2 together to get 4, but for some reason, I let myself flow with the book. And I am so glad I did, because I didn't see it taking that route! Ok, so maybe I did try, but only a little.
I loved that we heard not just from Ellie, but alos from the male MC and some others. I wasn't WHY we were hearing from them, as I was reading, but I have to say, they were absolutely needed for those plots to come together. Roberts NAILED how Victoria (Ellie's best friend) was dealing with things, she absolutely did.
I can't go too much into what I loved most about this book, for spoilers, but know this: I loved this book and the way it went! I cried a lot, and cheered a lot. It's deeply emotional, not just for Ellie, but for out male MC. Because :
All he knows is darkness… and Ellie.
And never has there been a more perfect tag line!
I can't fault this book, I really can't. I'd love to be able to give it more, but I can't so...
5 full and glittering stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Jennie Lynn Roberts has become a firm favourite, her first book blew me away and I'm still struggling to catch my breath! But those books were fantasy/paranormal, and this is a contemporary romance and I wasn't sure how I was gonna feel about this book.
I need not have worried! I loved this book, massively!
It has some many layers and subplots, or at least I thought they were subplots, until everything start to merge together and things become much MUCH clearer! I wasn't confused, not really, just at times I felt I was reading those subplots as multiple books. Once things started to come together, however, those subplots made much more sense.
I loved how I just let myelf fall into this, along with those plots, and didn't really try to figure it out as I went. I usually do, trying to put 2 and 2 together to get 4, but for some reason, I let myself flow with the book. And I am so glad I did, because I didn't see it taking that route! Ok, so maybe I did try, but only a little.
I loved that we heard not just from Ellie, but alos from the male MC and some others. I wasn't WHY we were hearing from them, as I was reading, but I have to say, they were absolutely needed for those plots to come together. Roberts NAILED how Victoria (Ellie's best friend) was dealing with things, she absolutely did.
I can't go too much into what I loved most about this book, for spoilers, but know this: I loved this book and the way it went! I cried a lot, and cheered a lot. It's deeply emotional, not just for Ellie, but for out male MC. Because :
All he knows is darkness… and Ellie.
And never has there been a more perfect tag line!
I can't fault this book, I really can't. I'd love to be able to give it more, but I can't so...
5 full and glittering stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (13000 KP) rated By The Book in Books
Jun 26, 2017
By the Book by Maria Vickers
By the Book is a story that will give you the warm fuzzies as you pray for Josh and Sam to get together, and to STAY together. This may sound easy, but these two have both families against them. Josh does act immature at times, but he is actually mature enough to realise it! Sam is trying so hard to do the right thing, that he may end up losing the best thing for him.
This is a wonderful story, excellently told, and giving great insight into how family can cause issues even if they are not on the doorstep! With plenty of situations to keep the characters on their toes, their characters grow throughout. This is definitely a feel-good book, that has no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed.
Hot, steamy, tender, poignant, it's all here. 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!
This is a wonderful story, excellently told, and giving great insight into how family can cause issues even if they are not on the doorstep! With plenty of situations to keep the characters on their toes, their characters grow throughout. This is definitely a feel-good book, that has no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed.
Hot, steamy, tender, poignant, it's all here. 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!
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?
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated You'd Be Mine in Books
Apr 2, 2019
While browsing NetGalley "You'd Be Mine" came up. It sounded interesting and I'm a sucker for a good rockstar romance. This is a little different simply because it features a bunch of country music references which did throw me for a loop simply because I don't listen to country.
This book was surprisingly good. The main characters are realistic & will definitely make you root for them to get their lives together. They both are damaged and I like that they struggled with issues. It was nice to see how Erin Hahn wrote them. I definitely enjoyed the storyline. My only issue with this book was how easily things were fixed. It seems like it was wrapped up a little too quickly. I wish that we would have seen more of the "getting our lives together" stuff and less of the "everything is perfect" stuff.
I do appreciate that Erin was able to create solid characters and I will definitely look into reading more of her books.
All in all, it's a good book that had solid characters.
This book was surprisingly good. The main characters are realistic & will definitely make you root for them to get their lives together. They both are damaged and I like that they struggled with issues. It was nice to see how Erin Hahn wrote them. I definitely enjoyed the storyline. My only issue with this book was how easily things were fixed. It seems like it was wrapped up a little too quickly. I wish that we would have seen more of the "getting our lives together" stuff and less of the "everything is perfect" stuff.
I do appreciate that Erin was able to create solid characters and I will definitely look into reading more of her books.
All in all, it's a good book that had solid characters.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Murder Most Finicky (Pawsitively Organic Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Stan has been summoned to Rhode Island to work with a group of master chefs. Sheldon Allyn is hoping to put together an impressive dinner that will convince investors who give his business money, and if he succeeds, Stan will get the money to expand her gourmet pet food business. When Stan and the others arrive at their secret location, they find out of the chefs beat them there only to be murdered. As the weekend begins to fall apart, can Stan figure things out?
Since this book takes place in Rhode Island instead of Stan’s usual local, many of the series regulars only get cameos. That was my only complaint with this great book. The new characters are lots of fun, and even the brief time we spend with the series regulars seems some growth in them. The mystery is very strong with lots of moving pieces. I didn’t have it all put together until the end myself.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-murder-most-finicky-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Since this book takes place in Rhode Island instead of Stan’s usual local, many of the series regulars only get cameos. That was my only complaint with this great book. The new characters are lots of fun, and even the brief time we spend with the series regulars seems some growth in them. The mystery is very strong with lots of moving pieces. I didn’t have it all put together until the end myself.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-murder-most-finicky-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated License to Dill (Pickled & Preserved Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Piper’s ex-fiancee arrives in town hoping to get back together even though she has told him repeated they are over. However, the attention soon turns to the soccer team visiting from Italy and the mini-tournament against a team of locals. The Italian team’s manager was an exchange student when he was in high school, and his reappearance has opened old wounds from back then. When he is murdered, it becomes a question of which of those deeds from the past came back to haunt him in the present?
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were just as fun and charming as they were in the first in the series. The plot was wonderful with so many suspects and twists to the story I had a hard time putting it down. Yet things came together for a logical climax.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-license-to-dill-by-mary.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were just as fun and charming as they were in the first in the series. The plot was wonderful with so many suspects and twists to the story I had a hard time putting it down. Yet things came together for a logical climax.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-license-to-dill-by-mary.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Roxy the Raccoon: A Story to Help Children Learn about Disability and Inclusion by Alice Reeves is a book about Roxy who is disabled and needs a wheelchair and what her life is like.
This heart felt book for ages 4-8 shows children that there are ways to include a person who can not walk or stand, in their games and life, and how to be creative in finding ways around obstacles.
Roxy the Raccoon is differently-abled and cannot do the same thing as some of the other animals in the forest but with a bit of thought and working together they are able to play together and hang out and see and do the same things. This beautiful story shows how Roxy's friends make her feel included. The illustrations done in watercolor and are eye catching. A stunning book for all children.
I received an ARC from Jessica Kingsley Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars.
This heart felt book for ages 4-8 shows children that there are ways to include a person who can not walk or stand, in their games and life, and how to be creative in finding ways around obstacles.
Roxy the Raccoon is differently-abled and cannot do the same thing as some of the other animals in the forest but with a bit of thought and working together they are able to play together and hang out and see and do the same things. This beautiful story shows how Roxy's friends make her feel included. The illustrations done in watercolor and are eye catching. A stunning book for all children.
I received an ARC from Jessica Kingsley Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars.
Gail (4 KP) rated Hot Georgia Rein in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Hot Georgia Rein by Martha Sweeney
Five Stars
I loved this book it was funny and steamy. The characters were well written and I enjoyed Ivy's and Henry's connection. I felt so bad for them because they lost so many years together. Neither was ready for what the other offered. I felt that Ivy only needed to leave because she wanted out of the small town life. Henry never left because Georgia is his home and that is where he knew he belonged. They both were stubborn and could've gave in but it made the story that much more fun to watch them jump around each other. I didn’t like that Ivy kept her secret for so long. Even if she didn’t want to cause trouble the man had a right to know. Henry was such a coward for not fighting for her and Ivy was really selfish. It all came together very nicely and I wish it was longer. Big props to the author who had me wishing I could be reading this book instead of working.
Five Stars
I loved this book it was funny and steamy. The characters were well written and I enjoyed Ivy's and Henry's connection. I felt so bad for them because they lost so many years together. Neither was ready for what the other offered. I felt that Ivy only needed to leave because she wanted out of the small town life. Henry never left because Georgia is his home and that is where he knew he belonged. They both were stubborn and could've gave in but it made the story that much more fun to watch them jump around each other. I didn’t like that Ivy kept her secret for so long. Even if she didn’t want to cause trouble the man had a right to know. Henry was such a coward for not fighting for her and Ivy was really selfish. It all came together very nicely and I wish it was longer. Big props to the author who had me wishing I could be reading this book instead of working.