Merissa (11950 KP) rated Touched by Death in Books
Dec 17, 2018
The story starts with Lou leaving all she knows behind - her home, her ex-boyfriend, everything. Why? Her grams has just died and she feels lost. She doesn't know what to do, so makes a decision to head to a place from her grams past where she may find a future. However a storm has a different idea, and Lou ends up going over a bridge into a lake. She doesn't die, is saved, but strange things begin to happen from that moment on.
And that is as much of the story as I am prepared to give away. You have the synopsis already anyway. What I can tell you is that Lou's 'journey' (and yes, I'm loathe to use that word) is astounding. The things she learns, the dreams she has, her general attitude, it all sticks with you. You are drawn into Lou's world, hoping against hope that she will get her HEA. The description of the broken heart about did me in, and that's the truth. Read it, find the quote, and tell me that you disagree. I dare you! I double dog-dare you!
It all ties in so perfectly, I can't honestly think of any way in which this story could be improved. The brothers, grams, Lou, Mr Blackwood, it's all here - and it's brilliant. There were no errors of any description, editing or grammatical, that disrupted my reading flow. However, in the case of being 100% accurate, I couldn't honestly say I would have noticed even if there were any. I was so completely engrossed in the story. Absolutely magnificent. Fantastic job by the author. Highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated A Dog's Way Home (2019) in Movies
Jun 22, 2019 (Updated Sep 25, 2019)
All the real life floofs were amazing and Shelby as Bella obviously gets five stars. The CGI floofs however should probably get a minus amount of stars. You notice it right from the start but once you get to that cougar that's when you think "oh it really is that bad!" It kind of feels like they found a cartoon of a cougar instead of a photo of one to work from.
I don't know where Ashley Judd has been hiding but it was good to see her back in a film. It was a nice little role and she did well with what she was given.
Bryce Dallas Howard was the voice of Bella and she does manage to give her the right tone for all the different situations. It's exactly what you think a dog would sound like if it could talk.
Bella's script is quite fun. Snow is ice cream falling from the sky and cutting the grass is indeed taking the mower for a walk, she even dislikes playing "go to work"... so do we Bella, so do we.
This had potential to be a 3.5/4 star film if it hadn't been for the frankly awful CGI, but I don't think I could see my way clear to give it more than that. It's predictable, just from the synopsis above you can make guesses at what's going to happen... something/someone is the reason Bella is far from home, she'll run away the first chance she gets, danger and camaraderie will be the themes while she's on her journey, she will somehow make it back even though it looks like everything is lost and they'll all live happily ever after.
What you should do
There are probably a lot of classic family films to stream or you already own which do the same job so there's probably no rush to see this one at the cinema. If you do though... take tissues.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
Any amount of floofs will do me!
Gareth von Kallenbach (977 KP) rated Dark Waters (2019) in Movies
Nov 28, 2019
Bilott, is visited by a farmer, Wilbur Tennant (Jim Azelvandre), who was an acquaintance of his Grandmother. As a child, he visited her home in West Virginia during the summers and had fond memories of that farm. Robert, having worked with DuPont on many cases, felt confident that he would be able to sort out the situation for Tennant. What he does not realize until he visits Wilbur’s farm is that the situation is more dire than he had known.
Wilbur had arrived with multiple VHS tapes recording the various issues that were happening to his farm animals. Bilott witnesses the mass graves that littered Tennant’s farm from his herd that had died from various illnesses. Wilbur is convinced that the reason is the dump that DuPont has created next to his property.
Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of Bilott is an exercise in subtlety. He becomes more purpose driven once his investigation and research in the information that DuPont had sent due to discovery. Anne Hathaway plays Sarah Bilott, Robert’s wife and steadfast partner. Over the years, Sarah had been supportive, however as the case drags on and Rob’s pay gets cut repeatedly, the strain begins to show.
This film has a stellar cast. From Tim Robbins, as Tom Terp, the managing partner at the firm, Victor Garber as DuPont’s in-house counsel. Mare Winningham as Darlene Kiger, a lead plaintiff in the class action suit and Bill Pullman as Harry Dietzler, lead counsel for the plaintiffs.
This movie has the quality that awards season loves. It is a David vs. Goliath, under dog wins story. Mark Ruffalo does a great portrayal of a man who initially does not want to pursue the case, then shifts to the defender of the people.
This movie is along the lines of Erin Brockovich and Norma Rae.
4.5 out of 5 Stars
Petting Zoo - Funny animated animal picture book
Education and Games
App
21 beautifully animated animals. Full of surprises, wit and quirky animations! "A wonderful App for...
Oscar the Cat - Virtual Pet
Games, Entertainment and Stickers
App
He's white, he's fluffy and absolutely adorable! Oscar the Cat - Virtual Pet is a new talking cat...
Bit - Time Travelling Caveman
Games, Book and Stickers
App
Bit is a simple caveman, living in a world of pixels. Wonderful dinosaurs and animals roam the...
Party Pugs: Beach Puzzle GO!
Games, Entertainment and Stickers
App
Are you ready to get down with the most adorable party animals around? Well, get down to the beach...
Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World
Book
Does life have meaning? Is it possible for life to be meaningful when the world is filled with...
Everyday Bento: 50 Cute and Yummy Lunches to Go
Book
"[Everyday Bento] is packed with ideas for fun, delicious lunches."--AlphaMom.com Your kids will...
The Complete Cartoons of the New Yorker
Adam Gopnik, David Remnick and Robert Mankoff
Book
The book that Janet Maslin of The New York Times has called 'indispensable' and 'a transfixing study...