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Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated Rough Night (2017) in Movies
Feb 9, 2018
Oh what a night
Four college friends get together to go to Miami for there best friends Jess (Johansen) bachelorette party with the addition of Jess's friend from Australia. Alice (Bell) who is the wild one is Jess's best friend and does not want anyone else to come between them plans a wild weekend with her other friends Blair (kravitz) and Frankie (Glazer) and the addition of Pippa (mckinnion) Well drugs and alcohol get involved along with the person who they think is a stripper and then the unthinkable happens and they have to try and figure out a way out of it. What happens you got to watch
The cast is a who's who in the movie world today. A mixture of action and comedy come together to make this movie. However it is again another movie made of of other movies bits with a higher end cast hoping to make it better. A few really funny scenes but otherwise MEH
The cast is a who's who in the movie world today. A mixture of action and comedy come together to make this movie. However it is again another movie made of of other movies bits with a higher end cast hoping to make it better. A few really funny scenes but otherwise MEH
Christine Allard (22 KP) rated The Secret History in Books
Jan 26, 2018
Coming of age, why dunnit, college, and flawed characters
Contains spoilers, click to show
This book has been one of my all-time favorites for years, and one of the few I re-read about every year or two.
A clique of "gifted misfits" find one another and form a clique at a liberal arts school (think Middlebury) on the East Coast. One is dead very early on. The rest of the book unfolds with. their incredibly intertwined, co-dependant, and complex relationships as you slowly learn what happened, why it did, and what's going to go down after.
A clique of "gifted misfits" find one another and form a clique at a liberal arts school (think Middlebury) on the East Coast. One is dead very early on. The rest of the book unfolds with. their incredibly intertwined, co-dependant, and complex relationships as you slowly learn what happened, why it did, and what's going to go down after.
Lila Maclean is excited to be teaching her first semester as a professor. She’s not so happy with her department chair, however, especially after he shoots down her idea for a course on mysteries and basically tells her to sit down and observe. Walking into a department meeting a couple of hours later, she finds him stabbed to death on a table. With rumors that she knows more than she is saying, she decides to find the killer herself.
This is a fun debut. The college came alive for me, and I really enjoyed the setting. Now that Lila’s co-workers won’t be suspects, I’m looking forward to seeing them grow more as well since I liked most of them. While the book starts out quickly, I did feel the pace lagged a little in the middle before things came together for a logical end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-semester-of-our-discontent.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a fun debut. The college came alive for me, and I really enjoyed the setting. Now that Lila’s co-workers won’t be suspects, I’m looking forward to seeing them grow more as well since I liked most of them. While the book starts out quickly, I did feel the pace lagged a little in the middle before things came together for a logical end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-semester-of-our-discontent.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2326 KP) rated Caramel Crush (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #9) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Mel’s college roommate has finally come to collect on a favor that Mel owes her, and Diane wants Mel to deliver break up cupcakes to her ex-fiance. However, the delivery doesn’t go as planned when Mel finds Mike’s body. With the police looking at Diane as the killer, suddenly Mel finds herself with a new favor – keep Diane out of prison.
Who can you not love a book that starts out with break up cupcakes? The story that follows delivers on the promise with plenty of viable suspects and some good twists. I did feel Mel was foolish at the end of the book, but that was my only complaint. All the usual supporting characters are here, and they are their usual charming selves. I just love them! And there is one scene guaranteed to melt your heart.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-caramel-crush-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Who can you not love a book that starts out with break up cupcakes? The story that follows delivers on the promise with plenty of viable suspects and some good twists. I did feel Mel was foolish at the end of the book, but that was my only complaint. All the usual supporting characters are here, and they are their usual charming selves. I just love them! And there is one scene guaranteed to melt your heart.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-caramel-crush-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2326 KP) rated No Cats Allowed (Cat in the Stacks, #7) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The Athena College Library has a new director, and Oscar Reilly seems determined to drive all the staff away. The heads of the library’s departments hate him and Charlie’s friend Melba is ready to quit. In fact, Charlie’s issue, that Oscar is claiming allergies as a reason that Charlie can’t bring his cat Diesel to work anymore, seems minor. It’s not terribly surprising when Oscar turns up dead, but who actually killed him?
Those who like this series will love this installment. The characters are as delightful as ever, and we get some advancement on series plot threads. The murder is set up well with good suspects and motives that Charlie has to work his way through until we reach the logical solution. This is my favorite to date in the series.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-no-cats-allowed-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Those who like this series will love this installment. The characters are as delightful as ever, and we get some advancement on series plot threads. The murder is set up well with good suspects and motives that Charlie has to work his way through until we reach the logical solution. This is my favorite to date in the series.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-no-cats-allowed-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2326 KP) rated Twelve Angry Librarians (Cat in the Stacks, #8) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Athena College is playing host to the Southern Academic Libraries Association convention and Charlie Harris’s old grad school classmate Gavin Fong is giving the keynote address. Charlie doesn’t have fond memories of Gavin, and an encounter opening night proves that Gavin is still as arrogant as ever. But when Gavin collapses and dies in the middle of his speech, Charlie is surprised. Yes, Gavin was a jerk, but who hated him enough to kill him?
As always, this is a strong mystery, with conflict and tension set up from the very first chapter. We have several strong motives and suspects before Gavin dies, and we get some nice twists before the logical solution. The suspects are all believable, and the returning characters continue to be strong. Charlie’s cat Diesel charms like always as well.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-twelve-angry-librarians-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As always, this is a strong mystery, with conflict and tension set up from the very first chapter. We have several strong motives and suspects before Gavin dies, and we get some nice twists before the logical solution. The suspects are all believable, and the returning characters continue to be strong. Charlie’s cat Diesel charms like always as well.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-twelve-angry-librarians-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Lady Bird (2017) in Movies
Feb 26, 2018 (Updated Feb 27, 2018)
Warm and funny coming-of-age movie written and directed by Greta Gerwig. Seventeen-year-old girl Christine (aka Lady Bird) contends with the last year of school, troublesome romances, college applications, and her fraught relationship with her mother.
You could argue that there's nothing going on here we haven't seen in a dozen other movies, but surely the point of a coming-of-age movie (which is what this obviously is) is that it deals with universal experiences. This one feels fresh and sincere, anyway, even if it isn't actually autobiographical (or so we are assured). It's a bit dismaying to realise that people are now making films which are nostalgic about the 20th century, but the period detail is well-judged, along with everything else. Great performances and some lovely scenes, and very positive in a way that feels extremely of this moment, without seeming overly angry or political. A charming movie that deserves all the success it has achieved.
You could argue that there's nothing going on here we haven't seen in a dozen other movies, but surely the point of a coming-of-age movie (which is what this obviously is) is that it deals with universal experiences. This one feels fresh and sincere, anyway, even if it isn't actually autobiographical (or so we are assured). It's a bit dismaying to realise that people are now making films which are nostalgic about the 20th century, but the period detail is well-judged, along with everything else. Great performances and some lovely scenes, and very positive in a way that feels extremely of this moment, without seeming overly angry or political. A charming movie that deserves all the success it has achieved.
Clare Parrott (294 KP) rated Wrecked (Forever #4) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
This started off so well.
Lorrie back at college after her mum is murdered by her step dad and her dad kills himself, shes trying to get back to normal when in a freak accident she ends up falling into a frozen lake. Trapped under the ice she thinks she'll surely die until shes rescued by the handsome Hunter Jensen.
I was gripped, this sounded like a must read ... and then it fizzled out.
I don't have any idea what Lorrie looks like, I can't remember if the author has actually described her and far to much time was wasted messing around with a box of abandoned kittens. The chemistry was just fine between Hunter and Lorrie there was no need for the kittens.
It was a struggle not to abandon this book at 76% but if I had I'd never have found out about Hunter, which I'm pleased I stuck with it but sadly its just not going to make me buy book 2 :(
Lorrie back at college after her mum is murdered by her step dad and her dad kills himself, shes trying to get back to normal when in a freak accident she ends up falling into a frozen lake. Trapped under the ice she thinks she'll surely die until shes rescued by the handsome Hunter Jensen.
I was gripped, this sounded like a must read ... and then it fizzled out.
I don't have any idea what Lorrie looks like, I can't remember if the author has actually described her and far to much time was wasted messing around with a box of abandoned kittens. The chemistry was just fine between Hunter and Lorrie there was no need for the kittens.
It was a struggle not to abandon this book at 76% but if I had I'd never have found out about Hunter, which I'm pleased I stuck with it but sadly its just not going to make me buy book 2 :(
Versusyours (757 KP) rated Strange Free World by Kitchens Of Distinction in Music
Nov 6, 2019
Sonic landscape (1 more)
Thought provoking lyrics
Lost classic
This artist came to my attention late in my life and I missed them at their peak. This seemed to be to issue with the band and with this album. There was a buzz from critics but this didn't reflect on sales. A loose part of the UK shoegaze scene that used guitar effects to create ethereal and sonic soundscapes Kitchens of Distinction may have been too mellow and introspective in their lyrics, this is not to say that the lyrics are not tight provoking as they still hold up to modern ears. This album saw them at their finest with songs like Railwayed, Quick as Rainbows and Drive that Fast being the picks with these being played on college radio during the early 90s.
Overall this album is worth a visit as it deserves to be in more lives and has aged well in parts
Overall this album is worth a visit as it deserves to be in more lives and has aged well in parts
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Friday the 13th (2009) in Movies
Dec 13, 2019
Sleepaway Camp 2009
Since its Friday the 13th today, im going to review the remake/reboot of Friday the 13th film. The one that was actually pretty good. The one that was the 12th one. This one continued teenagers being teenagers. The one with Jason as the villian.
The Plot: Against the advice of locals and police, Clay (Jared Padalecki) scours the eerie woods surrounding Crystal Lake for his missing sister. But the rotting cabins of an abandoned summer camp are not the only things he finds. Hockey-masked killer Jason Voorhees lies in wait for a chance to use his razor-sharp machete on Clay and the group of college students who have come to the forest to party.
platinum dunes produce this one, and i actually like their horror remakes, and i think their really underrated.
This one continues to be scary, horrorfying, terrorfying and overall a good friday the 13th film.
The Plot: Against the advice of locals and police, Clay (Jared Padalecki) scours the eerie woods surrounding Crystal Lake for his missing sister. But the rotting cabins of an abandoned summer camp are not the only things he finds. Hockey-masked killer Jason Voorhees lies in wait for a chance to use his razor-sharp machete on Clay and the group of college students who have come to the forest to party.
platinum dunes produce this one, and i actually like their horror remakes, and i think their really underrated.
This one continues to be scary, horrorfying, terrorfying and overall a good friday the 13th film.