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Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration
9.0
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As a young man, Ed Catmull had a dream: to make the world's first computer-animated movie. He...
American Kingpin: Catching the Billion-Dollar Baron of the Dark Web
Book
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The unbelievable true story of the man who built a billion-dollar...
crime biography
Heart Berries: A Memoir
7.7
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"Heart Berries by Terese Mailhot is an astounding memoir in essays. Here is a wound. Here is need,...
The Imposter
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The Impostor, by the admired Spanish writer Javier Cercas, is a true story that is nevertheless...
Thirteen Ways of Looking
Book
A story in this collection has been longlisted for the Sunday Times EFG short story award As it was,...
Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan
Book
In this vivid account of the U.S. Army's legendary 10th Mountain Division's heroic stand in the...
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Kane (Coven's End, #1) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
I picked this up as a freebie a few weeks ago now as a book for my PR/UF A-Z Challenge on Goodreads after struggling to find books with certain letters (I'm still struggling to find J, N, Q, X, Y and Z. Any suggestions much appreciated).
So this one starts with a group of merc's taking down a houseful of wolf shifters and then going to take down a houseful of vampires at the orders of a mystery someone. Then we meet Kane who's in a meeting with the Blood - the ruling council - and his mum, Lilith, as they try and get him to pick a mate so he can take the vampire throne. He doesn't want to mate with just anyone, especially when he's already found his true mate, werewolf princess, Jillian. He goes to investigate the site of the murders and bumps into Jillian, who finds out he is her fated mate and the fun begins.
I wasn't sure with how short this was that the story would progress enough for me but I was pleasantly surprised. We learn quite a lot about the werewolves and the vampires and I grew to like the main four characters though we only see things from Kane and Jillian's POV.
It is a serial with each book named after a different person in their harem and the story continuing throughout so be warned - we don't find out who was behind the killings in this one. I have to admit I am intrigued to find out what happens next with these four and to see who was behind the killings.
So this one starts with a group of merc's taking down a houseful of wolf shifters and then going to take down a houseful of vampires at the orders of a mystery someone. Then we meet Kane who's in a meeting with the Blood - the ruling council - and his mum, Lilith, as they try and get him to pick a mate so he can take the vampire throne. He doesn't want to mate with just anyone, especially when he's already found his true mate, werewolf princess, Jillian. He goes to investigate the site of the murders and bumps into Jillian, who finds out he is her fated mate and the fun begins.
I wasn't sure with how short this was that the story would progress enough for me but I was pleasantly surprised. We learn quite a lot about the werewolves and the vampires and I grew to like the main four characters though we only see things from Kane and Jillian's POV.
It is a serial with each book named after a different person in their harem and the story continuing throughout so be warned - we don't find out who was behind the killings in this one. I have to admit I am intrigued to find out what happens next with these four and to see who was behind the killings.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Yardie (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
This was the first film in quite some time that has had a trailer that accurately portrayed what you ended up viewing. So often I find I'm confused about something or, surprisingly, end up wondering where a clip from the trailer has actually gone during the film.
Yardie was a good watch. But... I don't really know. I honestly wish I knew what I didn't like about it, perhaps it's more accurate to say that I can't actually say what I was wowed by in it. The music is the one thing that I consistently enjoyed overall.
I'm familiar with the accent, but even I found it difficult to follow at the beginning, and while there's lingo too, it isn't difficult to decipher that in the context of the scenes. As we left the screen a woman behind me said she felt it needed subtitles, to which her boyfriend just laughed. As you go through the film it does get easier to understand, but there's no denying that it will lose some people on the journey. That being said, if they'd sacrificed the authentic accents then it wouldn't have been true to its roots.
I don't know the story it's based on, I would imagine the film is going to be fairly accurate giving the authenticity of everything involved. The ending of the film left me with no real feeling of pleasure considering the lead up to it.
What should you do?
You should see this one. I might not have enjoyed it as much as I was hoping but it's still an interesting story.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
That music.
Yardie was a good watch. But... I don't really know. I honestly wish I knew what I didn't like about it, perhaps it's more accurate to say that I can't actually say what I was wowed by in it. The music is the one thing that I consistently enjoyed overall.
I'm familiar with the accent, but even I found it difficult to follow at the beginning, and while there's lingo too, it isn't difficult to decipher that in the context of the scenes. As we left the screen a woman behind me said she felt it needed subtitles, to which her boyfriend just laughed. As you go through the film it does get easier to understand, but there's no denying that it will lose some people on the journey. That being said, if they'd sacrificed the authentic accents then it wouldn't have been true to its roots.
I don't know the story it's based on, I would imagine the film is going to be fairly accurate giving the authenticity of everything involved. The ending of the film left me with no real feeling of pleasure considering the lead up to it.
What should you do?
You should see this one. I might not have enjoyed it as much as I was hoping but it's still an interesting story.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
That music.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) in Movies
Oct 14, 2019
What Noise Does A Chainsaw Make?
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre- a classic horror film. Directed by a horror icon and legend- Tobe Hopper.
The Plot- When Sally (Marilyn Burns) hears that her grandfather's grave may have been vandalized, she and her paraplegic brother, Franklin (Paul A. Partain), set out with their friends to investigate. After a detour to their family's old farmhouse, they discover a group of crazed, murderous outcasts living next door. As the group is attacked one by one by the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen), who wears a mask of human skin, the survivors must do everything they can to escape.
The film was marketed as being based on true events to attract a wider audience and to act as a subtle commentary on the era's political climate; although the character of Leatherface and minor story details were inspired by the crimes of murderer Ed Gein, its plot is largely fictional.
Hooper limited the quantity of onscreen gore in hopes of securing a PG rating, but the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rated it R. The film faced similar difficulties internationally.
It has since gained a reputation as one of the best and most influential horror films. It is credited with originating several elements common in the slasher genre, including the use of power tools as murder weapons, the characterization of the killer as a large, hulking, faceless figure, and the killing of victims. It led to a franchise that continued the story of Leatherface and his family through sequels, prequels, a remake, comic books and video games.
I highly reccordmend this movie.
The Plot- When Sally (Marilyn Burns) hears that her grandfather's grave may have been vandalized, she and her paraplegic brother, Franklin (Paul A. Partain), set out with their friends to investigate. After a detour to their family's old farmhouse, they discover a group of crazed, murderous outcasts living next door. As the group is attacked one by one by the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen), who wears a mask of human skin, the survivors must do everything they can to escape.
The film was marketed as being based on true events to attract a wider audience and to act as a subtle commentary on the era's political climate; although the character of Leatherface and minor story details were inspired by the crimes of murderer Ed Gein, its plot is largely fictional.
Hooper limited the quantity of onscreen gore in hopes of securing a PG rating, but the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rated it R. The film faced similar difficulties internationally.
It has since gained a reputation as one of the best and most influential horror films. It is credited with originating several elements common in the slasher genre, including the use of power tools as murder weapons, the characterization of the killer as a large, hulking, faceless figure, and the killing of victims. It led to a franchise that continued the story of Leatherface and his family through sequels, prequels, a remake, comic books and video games.
I highly reccordmend this movie.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Sunrise at the Mayan Temple in Books
May 18, 2020
Slow Start, Fast Paced Second Half
Ricky Kidd is surprised when his younger brother, Joel, is given six tickets to spend 10 days down in Mexico. He’s even more surprised when his parents agree to send the two of them plus his friend Mike, Ralphy, and Lisa, along with Old Lady Bugsby as their chaperon, down there. When the group arrives, they learn they are there to be part of a dig at Chichen Itza. It sounds great, but Ricky soon begins to get new worries. Like why is everyone afraid of the leader of their dig? Are the rumors of an ancient legend come back to life true? Or is something more sinister happening?
Normally, I love this series, but this is definitely the weakest book. The mystery starts slowly with a travelogue as Ricky and the gang head south. Once the plot does begin, it moves quickly, but Ricky has to have much of it explained to him at the end. He does have a few insights, but not the usual ones that solve the case. The short story used to introduce the plot also causes some issues with the book overall, ignoring some of Ricky’s drive for justice we’d normally see. It twists the broader story instead of just introducing it. Fortunately, the characters are as wonderful as always, and I enjoy spending time with them. It also has some funny moments, including a great running gag. If you are already a fan, you’ll want to pick up this book, but if you are new to the characters, start with one of the earlier, better ones.
Normally, I love this series, but this is definitely the weakest book. The mystery starts slowly with a travelogue as Ricky and the gang head south. Once the plot does begin, it moves quickly, but Ricky has to have much of it explained to him at the end. He does have a few insights, but not the usual ones that solve the case. The short story used to introduce the plot also causes some issues with the book overall, ignoring some of Ricky’s drive for justice we’d normally see. It twists the broader story instead of just introducing it. Fortunately, the characters are as wonderful as always, and I enjoy spending time with them. It also has some funny moments, including a great running gag. If you are already a fan, you’ll want to pick up this book, but if you are new to the characters, start with one of the earlier, better ones.