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Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The Grinch (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
After watching The Grinch my heart grew three times.
This is the first time that I've ever encountered The Grinch... yes, ever. Apart from calling people a grinch when they moan about Christmas. Never read the book, never seen previous incarnations. I really don't know how.
I'm really pleased that this film was good. After most of Secret Life Of Pets and all of Sing I was starting to lose faith in Illumination. This is a much better offering and genuinely a nice film. It's funny, it's thoughtful and it's Christmassy all rolled into one.
Despite the film being called The Grinch the stars of the show were Max and Fred. Max shows you just how happy a dog can be all of the time even if they're surrounded by negative feelings, and Fred, well... those puppy dog eyes... good boys! I did also love Cindy-Lou Who. That kids has a fantastic eye for gadgets that must come from repeated viewings of other holiday classics like Home Alone.
There really isn't a lot else to say about this other than it's a great film. Cindy-Lou is a great motivational speaker and the whole film in general fills you with the desire to do good things and take a new perspective on things... well it did for me... this film might have brainwashed me.
As a little extra we also take a step back to the good old days where you got a cartoon before the main screening! Yellow Is The New Black. An amusing diversion. Those poor little minions.
(P.S. The reason this is getting four and a half stars and not five is that the alarm clock. If you've seen the trailer you'll understand my slight disappointment... I suppose what they've done is more in keeping though. *grumpy sigh*)
What you should do
Don't be a Grinch. You should go and see this... kids, no kids, it doesn't really matter. It's brilliant animation with a wonderful story to tell.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
I'll take a giant portion of Cindy-Lou's ingenuity please!
This is the first time that I've ever encountered The Grinch... yes, ever. Apart from calling people a grinch when they moan about Christmas. Never read the book, never seen previous incarnations. I really don't know how.
I'm really pleased that this film was good. After most of Secret Life Of Pets and all of Sing I was starting to lose faith in Illumination. This is a much better offering and genuinely a nice film. It's funny, it's thoughtful and it's Christmassy all rolled into one.
Despite the film being called The Grinch the stars of the show were Max and Fred. Max shows you just how happy a dog can be all of the time even if they're surrounded by negative feelings, and Fred, well... those puppy dog eyes... good boys! I did also love Cindy-Lou Who. That kids has a fantastic eye for gadgets that must come from repeated viewings of other holiday classics like Home Alone.
There really isn't a lot else to say about this other than it's a great film. Cindy-Lou is a great motivational speaker and the whole film in general fills you with the desire to do good things and take a new perspective on things... well it did for me... this film might have brainwashed me.
As a little extra we also take a step back to the good old days where you got a cartoon before the main screening! Yellow Is The New Black. An amusing diversion. Those poor little minions.
(P.S. The reason this is getting four and a half stars and not five is that the alarm clock. If you've seen the trailer you'll understand my slight disappointment... I suppose what they've done is more in keeping though. *grumpy sigh*)
What you should do
Don't be a Grinch. You should go and see this... kids, no kids, it doesn't really matter. It's brilliant animation with a wonderful story to tell.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
I'll take a giant portion of Cindy-Lou's ingenuity please!
Blow Up the Frog
Entertainment and Games
App
Over 1 million downloads worldwide! The first ever hyper realistic frog-blowing simulator! The...
Eduardo Sanchez recommended Do the Right Thing (1989) in Movies (curated)
Destiny (8 KP) rated Some Lucky Woman in Books
Jan 5, 2018
Where did I find this book: I picked this book out from Bookbub based on its synopsis. I’m in this odd time after college where I relate to these stories of being unsure of the next steps to take in life.
How it’s written: It’s told in first person by Jana. She tells the tale of losing her husband, becoming a book reviewer and a book writer, and finding what makes her truly happy in life. It’s light, fun, and to the point with 360 pages and a very easy nature to it that makes it hard to put the book down.
What I like about the book: I loved that not everything happened for her in a month. There are credible time lapses between events instead of a whirlwind of change all at once. I really liked that she doesn’t wallow in self-pity for long. Jana moves on from her ex and looks for things that bring her joy. She does things for herself and doesn’t care about what others think…except Adrian.
Final Thoughts: This book was amazing! Truly entertaining read from beginning to end. Jana’s story from getting a divorce to finding herself is empowering and intriguing.
Honestly I probably should have posted this book as my first book review. I already had the idea of posting book reviews but this book was a huge catalyst for me. It helped me realize that I just needed to start. It didn’t have to be perfect and I didn’t have to have it all figured out. I just needed to get things started and I could change things up later if I wanted to.
So if you’re in a part of your life where you feel like you need a change, you want to try something new, you need to do something for yourself, I would suggest reading this book.
How it’s written: It’s told in first person by Jana. She tells the tale of losing her husband, becoming a book reviewer and a book writer, and finding what makes her truly happy in life. It’s light, fun, and to the point with 360 pages and a very easy nature to it that makes it hard to put the book down.
What I like about the book: I loved that not everything happened for her in a month. There are credible time lapses between events instead of a whirlwind of change all at once. I really liked that she doesn’t wallow in self-pity for long. Jana moves on from her ex and looks for things that bring her joy. She does things for herself and doesn’t care about what others think…except Adrian.
Final Thoughts: This book was amazing! Truly entertaining read from beginning to end. Jana’s story from getting a divorce to finding herself is empowering and intriguing.
Honestly I probably should have posted this book as my first book review. I already had the idea of posting book reviews but this book was a huge catalyst for me. It helped me realize that I just needed to start. It didn’t have to be perfect and I didn’t have to have it all figured out. I just needed to get things started and I could change things up later if I wanted to.
So if you’re in a part of your life where you feel like you need a change, you want to try something new, you need to do something for yourself, I would suggest reading this book.
Voice Answer Lite
Business and Reference
App
Voice Answer gives answers on many topics and can assist you with several tasks, all voice...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated The Body in the Cornfield in Books
Dec 2, 2023 (Updated Dec 2, 2023)
Actor Dead in an Oklahoma Cornfield
Drew Brauner has taken a part time job working for the historic Rose Creek outdoor amphitheater helping with their upcoming live streamed production of Oklahoma! However, the lead actor is causing problems, not the least of which is the fact that he always shows up for rehearsals drunk. However, when Drew’s friend Makenzie Selkirk goes to learn more about a windmill being set up on a nearby farm, she finds the body of the actor in the cornfield. Soon, the other members of their new book club are drawn into the case. Will they figure out what happened?
I loved the first book in the series and couldn’t wait to dive into this one. I missed the group scenes and the scenes building the friendships between the four leads. However, I did love spending time with all of them again and watching the characters grow. Each of them contributes something to the case, and I appreciate how the author balances the four lead characters. That also includes giving them various motives to investigate the case. We have plenty of suspects but not very many clues, yet the story never drags. I did find the climax a little weak, but it did answer all our questions. Overall, I did enjoy this book, and I’m looking forward to spending more time with the characters. If you are looking for a series with a strong group of main characters, this is one to check out.
I loved the first book in the series and couldn’t wait to dive into this one. I missed the group scenes and the scenes building the friendships between the four leads. However, I did love spending time with all of them again and watching the characters grow. Each of them contributes something to the case, and I appreciate how the author balances the four lead characters. That also includes giving them various motives to investigate the case. We have plenty of suspects but not very many clues, yet the story never drags. I did find the climax a little weak, but it did answer all our questions. Overall, I did enjoy this book, and I’m looking forward to spending more time with the characters. If you are looking for a series with a strong group of main characters, this is one to check out.
Debbiereadsbook (1551 KP) rated The Feisty Omega (Leongatha Pack Origins) in Books
Dec 19, 2024
I got to know Talius a bit better!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, Iwas gifted my copy of this book.
This is an Origins book, it comes before The Sad Omega. I am reading this book after that one. I said in my review for that book, that I didn't much like Talius. NOW I understand why he was the way he was in that book! SO, I think you really should read this book BEFORE The Sad Omega. It might give you a better view of Talius when you first meet him.
Omegas and Alphas cannot mate in this world until they are 22, or 19 with a special license. Talius meets Irian first just before his 17th birthday, he was still 16. But both are drawn to each other in a way they never were to anyone before. They get to known each other over several Christmases, until Irian's mother does something unthinkable: she gets that special license and Irian will have no choice but to mate the alpha chosen by her. And that is NOT Talius.
I really did like young Talius, and how he steps slowly around the young Irian, and how they get to know each other over time. That getting to know you bit was what I missed somewhat in The Sad Omega, I think. We don't get it, as they are already mated and bonded and happy in their pack.
I did not like Irian's mother but that also explains why she is absent from his life in future books.
Both men get a say and I loved getting into their heads as they come across each other for the first time, and at the end, when it all goes down! I did not see that going down as it did, but now I feel for Marius, the alpha that Irian was supposed to mate with, and I want to know if HE gets his HEA too.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Talius and Irian better, but more so Talius. I can see him differently now.
I hope to be able to read more of this pack, in the future.
4 very good stars
* same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is an Origins book, it comes before The Sad Omega. I am reading this book after that one. I said in my review for that book, that I didn't much like Talius. NOW I understand why he was the way he was in that book! SO, I think you really should read this book BEFORE The Sad Omega. It might give you a better view of Talius when you first meet him.
Omegas and Alphas cannot mate in this world until they are 22, or 19 with a special license. Talius meets Irian first just before his 17th birthday, he was still 16. But both are drawn to each other in a way they never were to anyone before. They get to known each other over several Christmases, until Irian's mother does something unthinkable: she gets that special license and Irian will have no choice but to mate the alpha chosen by her. And that is NOT Talius.
I really did like young Talius, and how he steps slowly around the young Irian, and how they get to know each other over time. That getting to know you bit was what I missed somewhat in The Sad Omega, I think. We don't get it, as they are already mated and bonded and happy in their pack.
I did not like Irian's mother but that also explains why she is absent from his life in future books.
Both men get a say and I loved getting into their heads as they come across each other for the first time, and at the end, when it all goes down! I did not see that going down as it did, but now I feel for Marius, the alpha that Irian was supposed to mate with, and I want to know if HE gets his HEA too.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Talius and Irian better, but more so Talius. I can see him differently now.
I hope to be able to read more of this pack, in the future.
4 very good stars
* same worded review will appear elsewhere
Dana (24 KP) rated Ready Player One in Books
Mar 23, 2018
So I want to start off by saying that I read this for my book club with my friends, not that that changes anything, I just wanted you to know. Also, I did a hybrid reading of this. I would actually read the physical book for about half of it, but the other half, I listened to the audio book. (It's read by Wil Wheaton, y'all!)
Okay, so onto my review. I really enjoyed reading this book. I am not a gamer at all, but I do love 80s references., especially to movies. So even though I didn't understand a lot of the video game references (except Pac Man and a few others), I still understand the overall encompassing love of the 80s culture.
At first, this is a really cool dystopian sci-fi book focusing on a kid who is trying to win an Easter Egg hunt inside of a video game to get out of a crappy situation at home. By the end, there is action, romance, bad guys, and so much more. Kind of like what you would find in a typical 1980s classic film.
I think what I loved most about this is all of the hidden allusions to the 80s. Yes, there are the overt ones like to Ferris Buller's Day Off or Pac Man or Blade Runner. But there are a lot of little moments as well that are subtle that I barely caught. I don't want to give any away, so I won't spoil them on here. This book almost becomes it's own kind of easter egg hunt for the readers.
I loved trying to figure out the clues with Winston. A few of them, I did get, but some I did not. It was still fun trying to write down all of the clues and figure it out like a code cracker.
I loved the relationships in this book, especially since they weren't the main focus of the novel. It was refreshing to see people getting along and working together toward the same goal.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend you see it before you go see the movie next year!
Okay, so onto my review. I really enjoyed reading this book. I am not a gamer at all, but I do love 80s references., especially to movies. So even though I didn't understand a lot of the video game references (except Pac Man and a few others), I still understand the overall encompassing love of the 80s culture.
At first, this is a really cool dystopian sci-fi book focusing on a kid who is trying to win an Easter Egg hunt inside of a video game to get out of a crappy situation at home. By the end, there is action, romance, bad guys, and so much more. Kind of like what you would find in a typical 1980s classic film.
I think what I loved most about this is all of the hidden allusions to the 80s. Yes, there are the overt ones like to Ferris Buller's Day Off or Pac Man or Blade Runner. But there are a lot of little moments as well that are subtle that I barely caught. I don't want to give any away, so I won't spoil them on here. This book almost becomes it's own kind of easter egg hunt for the readers.
I loved trying to figure out the clues with Winston. A few of them, I did get, but some I did not. It was still fun trying to write down all of the clues and figure it out like a code cracker.
I loved the relationships in this book, especially since they weren't the main focus of the novel. It was refreshing to see people getting along and working together toward the same goal.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend you see it before you go see the movie next year!
Merissa (13373 KP) rated Bound (The Academy #3) in Books
Jan 12, 2022
BOUND is the third book in The Academy series, and we return to Jamie with Wren still unconscious after whatever happened to him in book two. Events are moving forward at a fast pace but now she has to stand on her own two feet, instead of leaning on Wren.
Romance is definitely down the list in this book, apart from hints of the dratted triangle. Maybe I'm cold-hearted but I can't say I was disappointed by what he did at the end! I do feel this side of things was let down in this book though. There was no development with Wren - being as he was out of it for 90% of the book. I would have liked to see how their lives were entwined together. It wasn't for Wren to save the day but it didn't seem like a partnership either.
Now, if you wanted action instead of romance, this is for you. The action is non-stop. Jamie still doesn't know who to trust, and now the Elders are involved too. Their participation just sort of fizzled out though, so unless there are more books planned, you'll never know what went on there. The same for Wren, really. The big bad is revealed at the end, and it was no surprise, although it was to Jamie. But were they the ones to poison Wren? How did that happen? Who did it? These are the questions I am left with unanswered.
Although Jamie's storyline is concluded, it has also been left wide open for stories from others - including Jacob and Cass, Forrest and Chloe - to name just two.
On the whole, this was a slightly different take on Shifters and their history. I loved hearing about Jeanetta. If you like your books heavy on action and less on romance, this could be just the series for you.
** 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!
Romance is definitely down the list in this book, apart from hints of the dratted triangle. Maybe I'm cold-hearted but I can't say I was disappointed by what he did at the end! I do feel this side of things was let down in this book though. There was no development with Wren - being as he was out of it for 90% of the book. I would have liked to see how their lives were entwined together. It wasn't for Wren to save the day but it didn't seem like a partnership either.
Now, if you wanted action instead of romance, this is for you. The action is non-stop. Jamie still doesn't know who to trust, and now the Elders are involved too. Their participation just sort of fizzled out though, so unless there are more books planned, you'll never know what went on there. The same for Wren, really. The big bad is revealed at the end, and it was no surprise, although it was to Jamie. But were they the ones to poison Wren? How did that happen? Who did it? These are the questions I am left with unanswered.
Although Jamie's storyline is concluded, it has also been left wide open for stories from others - including Jacob and Cass, Forrest and Chloe - to name just two.
On the whole, this was a slightly different take on Shifters and their history. I loved hearing about Jeanetta. If you like your books heavy on action and less on romance, this could be just the series for you.
** 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!
Dean (6927 KP) rated Nocturnal Animals (2016) in Movies
Oct 9, 2017 (Updated Oct 9, 2017)
Great cast, especially the 3 lead characters (2 more)
Cool cinematography
Gripping story within a story
Visually impressive thriller
The visual elements of the film are great, to be expected I guess from a director from the design industry. The lighting and cinematography adds a great deal to many scenes.
The main actors Adams, Gyllenhaal and Shannon give great performances. What makes this interesting is the main story from the novel from Susan's Ex husband and how this links and has parallels to their past and current situation. One that will have you thinking long after the credits roll.... Although I did find the ending a little abrupt. One of the best films of the last year.
The main actors Adams, Gyllenhaal and Shannon give great performances. What makes this interesting is the main story from the novel from Susan's Ex husband and how this links and has parallels to their past and current situation. One that will have you thinking long after the credits roll.... Although I did find the ending a little abrupt. One of the best films of the last year.