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Insomnia (2002)
Insomnia (2002)
2002 | Drama, Mystery
Gripping remake lets it's Scandi roots show.
Contains spoilers, click to show
A truly excellent thriller, this U.S. remake of a Norwegian film retains the feel of it's Scandinavian genesis.
Tense, twitchy and enthralling with fantastic performances, potent settings, and a great script and direction.

Pacino plays an L.A. cop hiding from his own guilt while investigating the death of a girl in Alaska.
Robin Williams is chillingly convincing as the manipulative bad man, proving yet again that he was a masterful actor as well as a gifted comedian.
  
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Jennifer Kirkland (1 KP) created a post

Jan 27, 2018  
Bardic Voices by Mercedes Lackey
I'm re-reading this series, as since my husband's death I find comfort in the literature I read as a teen or a young adult. And what I'm finding now, nearly thirty years later, is the same kind of anti-racism text as is found in Real Life Politics today. One of the Free Bards (Kestrel) is talking about Humans Only signs and varying things being declared as evil...

and I'm thinking... didn't I just hear this story on NPR?
     
When Lee meets Sissy Smith, she begins to wonder about the rumors that this young woman killer her husband a few months back. When Sissy comes under suspicion of a new death, Lee jumps in to figure out what is happening. The characters are always enjoyable, although I miss the supporting cast we used to see. Still the plot is strong and keeps the pages turning.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-chocolate-moose-motive-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Natalie Barnes is enjoying the slower pace of winter on Cranberry Island when her niece's painting mentor is murdered. Fernand was such a nice man, who would want to kill him?

There are plenty of storylines to pull you in and keep you reading, and the main characters are great. The recurring characters aren't as sharp as I remember them being, but that's a minor complaint.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/12/book-review-brush-with-death-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Death of Riley (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #2)
Rhys Bowen | 2003 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
New immigrant Molly Murphy has decided to take on a job as a private investigator. Somehow, she talks Riley into mentoring her. However, when he is murdered, Molly is on her own trying to find out what happened to him. Another great visit to 1901 New York, this one introduces more series regular characters and is stronger than the debut in the series.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-death-of-riley-by-rhys-bowen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Batman: A Death In The Family
Jim Starlin | 1989 | Comics & Graphic Novels
6
6.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was an interesting story. After reading the author's note, I found out that the death in the family was actually voted on by the public because they did not like this incarnation of Robin. That was interesting and made me really think about the power of asking readers what they want out of the story. It was actually a pretty intense story overall. I am glad I read it, thanks Dad for putting it in my room to read, but it wasn't my favorite.
  
OA
O' Artful Death
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sweeney St. George studies gravestones, so an unique one in Vermont is too much for her to resist. It is rumored that a murder is connected to the gravestone, but when a modern murder happens, Sweeney is left wondering what the connection might be. This series has an interesting hook and great characters. The plot was fascinating as well. Good start to an interesting series.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-o-artful-death-by-sarah.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
A Ghost Story (2017)
A Ghost Story (2017)
2017 | Drama
Recently added to Netflix is 2017 movie A Ghost Story, starring Casey Affleck. From A24, the studio responsible for The Witch and Heteditary, so I was very dubious about watching this! A poignantly beautiful tale of life, death, time and grief. With minimal dialogue, it is definitely a very weird film (a 5 minute scene of someone literally just eating pie in silence?!), and many people will just hate it. For me, there was just enough thought provoking and beautifully shot scenes to keep me happy.
  
The Carnivorous Carnival (ASOUE #9)
The Carnivorous Carnival (ASOUE #9)
Lemony Snicket | 2003 | Children
6
8.5 (21 Ratings)
Book Rating
I created a video explaining my slow decent into hating this series, book by book, for your viewing pleasure:




I kinda liked how this one ended. A horribly nice death for a character who was kinda silly and pointless anyway. Their whole arc felt jarring, at even at the end, when we know their single character trait they've been given, it felt really strange for the character to act the way they did.

Huuuuuuuh... 4 more books...