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Helena Rubinstein: The Woman Who Invented Beauty
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This text presents numerical differential equations to graduate (doctoral) students. It includes the...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Paddington 2 (2017) in Movies
Feb 3, 2019
Wonderful, whimsical film for kids and adults alike
As I was perusing various "Top Films of 2018" lists, one surprising film kept showing up on these lists, so I thought I'd better check it out.
And I'm glad I did for PADDINGTON 2 is a charming family film that entranced me from beginning to end with wonderful performances and a charm and whimsy that hooked me from start to finish.
A follow-up to the moderate 2014 hit (based on the beloved children's books series) about a Peruvian bear that heads to 19th Century London seeking adventure - and finds a family - PADDINGTON 2 follows said Bear as he is caught up in a robbery and is mistakenly jailed for the crime. Can Paddington make friends with the burly inmates in the prison? Can the Brown family help find the true perpetrator of the crime and help spring Paddington? Can faith and love triumph in a time of skepticism and darkness?
It's a family film, what do you think?
The joy in this film is in the telling - and Paul King (returning as Director/Writer) does a wonderful job telling a joyous, family-friendly story without diving into sacrine-ness (is that a word? It is now) and schmaltz. He tells the story with a sly wink in his eye and dives deep into whimsical detail of late 19th century London - a London racing full throttle into the steam age. There is a light cyber-punk sensibility to the proceedings and this works wonderfully well.
As you would expect, King does a nice job getting the actors to click into the sensibilities and style of this film. Ben Wishaw is back as the voice of Paddington - and he is perfectly cast. Wishaw has a naivete and sense of wonder to his voice that serves the Paddington character well. Jim Broadbent, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins and Julie Walters all reprise their roles - in winning fashion. But it is the newcomers that shine. Brendan Gleeson shows off some comic chops as main prison bad guy "Knuckles" McGinty who forms an unlikely friendship/partnership with Paddington and, especially Hugh Grant as vain, egotistical actor Phoenix Buchanan. I won't spoil the antics of Grant's character but I have a feeling that Mr. Grant had as much fun bringing this character to screen as I did watching him.
Two final things - the finale really works for me as King sets up each character's "special skill" at the beginning of the film that they will need to bring to bear (no pun intended) during the action at the end. To often, character's and character threads are set up at the beginning of a film only to be abandoned by the end, so it is satisfying to me when King sets up items at the beginning of this film and then PAYS THEM OFF at the end.
And, finally, STAY THROUGH THE CREDITS. There is a scene in the credits that is as good as anything that is in the film. I won't spoil the fun for you, but want you to know about this so you won't miss it.
A wonderful, whimsical, time at the movies. If you have kids (5,6,7 years old), this is a MUST SEE. For the rest of you, if you're looking for fun escape from the world, this film will do it.
Letter Grade A-
8 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
And I'm glad I did for PADDINGTON 2 is a charming family film that entranced me from beginning to end with wonderful performances and a charm and whimsy that hooked me from start to finish.
A follow-up to the moderate 2014 hit (based on the beloved children's books series) about a Peruvian bear that heads to 19th Century London seeking adventure - and finds a family - PADDINGTON 2 follows said Bear as he is caught up in a robbery and is mistakenly jailed for the crime. Can Paddington make friends with the burly inmates in the prison? Can the Brown family help find the true perpetrator of the crime and help spring Paddington? Can faith and love triumph in a time of skepticism and darkness?
It's a family film, what do you think?
The joy in this film is in the telling - and Paul King (returning as Director/Writer) does a wonderful job telling a joyous, family-friendly story without diving into sacrine-ness (is that a word? It is now) and schmaltz. He tells the story with a sly wink in his eye and dives deep into whimsical detail of late 19th century London - a London racing full throttle into the steam age. There is a light cyber-punk sensibility to the proceedings and this works wonderfully well.
As you would expect, King does a nice job getting the actors to click into the sensibilities and style of this film. Ben Wishaw is back as the voice of Paddington - and he is perfectly cast. Wishaw has a naivete and sense of wonder to his voice that serves the Paddington character well. Jim Broadbent, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins and Julie Walters all reprise their roles - in winning fashion. But it is the newcomers that shine. Brendan Gleeson shows off some comic chops as main prison bad guy "Knuckles" McGinty who forms an unlikely friendship/partnership with Paddington and, especially Hugh Grant as vain, egotistical actor Phoenix Buchanan. I won't spoil the antics of Grant's character but I have a feeling that Mr. Grant had as much fun bringing this character to screen as I did watching him.
Two final things - the finale really works for me as King sets up each character's "special skill" at the beginning of the film that they will need to bring to bear (no pun intended) during the action at the end. To often, character's and character threads are set up at the beginning of a film only to be abandoned by the end, so it is satisfying to me when King sets up items at the beginning of this film and then PAYS THEM OFF at the end.
And, finally, STAY THROUGH THE CREDITS. There is a scene in the credits that is as good as anything that is in the film. I won't spoil the fun for you, but want you to know about this so you won't miss it.
A wonderful, whimsical, time at the movies. If you have kids (5,6,7 years old), this is a MUST SEE. For the rest of you, if you're looking for fun escape from the world, this film will do it.
Letter Grade A-
8 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Witchwood Crown in Books
May 1, 2019
700 pages that feel like so much more
I haven't read the preceding series but had researched and general consensus was that it was not mandatory. This was my first experience of Tad Williams. And indeed, I did not feel I was missing out on any information - there is enough discussion of past events to make me want to read that series, but it is done in such a way as to give the new reader enough insight.
As with so much epic fantasy, this book covers a large world, with numerous PoV characters, different cultures, creatures and races. In this regard, Williams has shown himself to be a true master - he really has built a new world that feels so well embedded and thought-through.
The plot, however, was quite well hidden in the book. The High King and Queen seem to uncover possible rumours of evil sorcery within the kingdom and there is a hint of the evil Norn rising up again. But that is such a small part of the book, so much of it is simply chatting, moaning about things, going ice skating and hill-climbing and healing people from injury/poison. With such a time commitment from readers there is a need to make every chapter count, and I felt at times the reader was being somewhat let down with needless scenes and interactions.
The battle scenes were rare exceptions, being exciting and well narrated.
I felt one major part of the book was going to be the coming-of-age and maturity of Prince Morgan, the heir to the high throne. However at the end of the book he is still an obnoxious, alcoholic arse.
This book had to be either a bridge between the old and the new series, or the start of the new one, and somehow it manages to be neither. I don't feel enough of what is surely to follow has been set up, but likewise I don't feel I know enough of what happened before and how it will influence what comes later.
A large commitment that has yet to pay off.
As with so much epic fantasy, this book covers a large world, with numerous PoV characters, different cultures, creatures and races. In this regard, Williams has shown himself to be a true master - he really has built a new world that feels so well embedded and thought-through.
The plot, however, was quite well hidden in the book. The High King and Queen seem to uncover possible rumours of evil sorcery within the kingdom and there is a hint of the evil Norn rising up again. But that is such a small part of the book, so much of it is simply chatting, moaning about things, going ice skating and hill-climbing and healing people from injury/poison. With such a time commitment from readers there is a need to make every chapter count, and I felt at times the reader was being somewhat let down with needless scenes and interactions.
The battle scenes were rare exceptions, being exciting and well narrated.
I felt one major part of the book was going to be the coming-of-age and maturity of Prince Morgan, the heir to the high throne. However at the end of the book he is still an obnoxious, alcoholic arse.
This book had to be either a bridge between the old and the new series, or the start of the new one, and somehow it manages to be neither. I don't feel enough of what is surely to follow has been set up, but likewise I don't feel I know enough of what happened before and how it will influence what comes later.
A large commitment that has yet to pay off.
All About Space Magazine
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Every issue of All About Space delivers fascinating articles and features on all aspects of space...
Debbiereadsbook (1149 KP) rated Sin and Tonic (Sinners #6) in Books
May 15, 2018
a very fitting end!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
And breathe! Deep breath, it's just a review, Debbie, you can do it!
So! This is book 6 in the Sinners series and I would recommend that you at least read Sinners Gin (book 1) and Absinthe of Malice (book 5) before you read this one. You need to know about Miki and Kane from the beginning since this is the conclusion to their story. Actually, I take that back. Read them ALL, please! Not least because they are 4 and 5 stars reads from me, but because you need these boys in your life, you really do!
Miki is falling apart, and someone is trying to kill him. He finds out his mother's and then his father's name, and all hell breaks loose!
It's been a while (Dec 2016) since I read book 5 and I don't reread, but once I got going, it all comes back to you. Ford spins her tales like no other, and I LOVE her work. It just grabs you, and pulls you kicking and screaming, along for the very bumpy ride that Miki and Kane take you on!
I loved that Miki was finally able to ask for help, because that was a hard fought battle with himself. I loved that he was calling Donal (Kane's father) Dad. oh! I just LOVED IT!!! Loved that I did not see who might be responsible for everything, until it was revealed in the book. Ford has a way of keeping you on your toes!
Very VERY emotional in places, a little bit messy what with dead bodies and things, but so, so bloody awesome!
I can't say much, cos of spoilers and things but read it! Read them ALL!!
It's always sad, coming to the end of a MUCH loved series, but I *think* this actually might be my favourite of the whole series. And of course I want to LISTEN to this, because I really don't hear the voices right, and I NEEEEEEED Tristan James and the Morgan/Finnegan boys and girls in my ear one more time.
So, a very VERY fitting end, and I LOVED the epilogue! And I love love LOVED that Miki was finally able to share Kane a little world the world, more specifically, how much Kane means to him.
A Song For Kane
So throw back the gates of hell,
Pull me down the path I'd walked.
Find me in the darkness,
No matter if I balk.
Sing me a son of redemption,
Sing me a ballad of love and bliss.
Remind of the Heaven,
I found in our first kiss.
Bravo, Ms Ford.
5 full and shiny stars but really, it deserves far more!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
And breathe! Deep breath, it's just a review, Debbie, you can do it!
So! This is book 6 in the Sinners series and I would recommend that you at least read Sinners Gin (book 1) and Absinthe of Malice (book 5) before you read this one. You need to know about Miki and Kane from the beginning since this is the conclusion to their story. Actually, I take that back. Read them ALL, please! Not least because they are 4 and 5 stars reads from me, but because you need these boys in your life, you really do!
Miki is falling apart, and someone is trying to kill him. He finds out his mother's and then his father's name, and all hell breaks loose!
It's been a while (Dec 2016) since I read book 5 and I don't reread, but once I got going, it all comes back to you. Ford spins her tales like no other, and I LOVE her work. It just grabs you, and pulls you kicking and screaming, along for the very bumpy ride that Miki and Kane take you on!
I loved that Miki was finally able to ask for help, because that was a hard fought battle with himself. I loved that he was calling Donal (Kane's father) Dad. oh! I just LOVED IT!!! Loved that I did not see who might be responsible for everything, until it was revealed in the book. Ford has a way of keeping you on your toes!
Very VERY emotional in places, a little bit messy what with dead bodies and things, but so, so bloody awesome!
I can't say much, cos of spoilers and things but read it! Read them ALL!!
It's always sad, coming to the end of a MUCH loved series, but I *think* this actually might be my favourite of the whole series. And of course I want to LISTEN to this, because I really don't hear the voices right, and I NEEEEEEED Tristan James and the Morgan/Finnegan boys and girls in my ear one more time.
So, a very VERY fitting end, and I LOVED the epilogue! And I love love LOVED that Miki was finally able to share Kane a little world the world, more specifically, how much Kane means to him.
A Song For Kane
So throw back the gates of hell,
Pull me down the path I'd walked.
Find me in the darkness,
No matter if I balk.
Sing me a son of redemption,
Sing me a ballad of love and bliss.
Remind of the Heaven,
I found in our first kiss.
Bravo, Ms Ford.
5 full and shiny stars but really, it deserves far more!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**