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Spell of the Highlander (Highlander, #7)
9.0
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It's taken him eleven centuries to find the right woman. He's not about to lose her now. Jessi...
John Bailey recommended Contempt (1963) in Movies (curated)
All the Names They Used for God: Stories
Book
Spanning centuries, continents, and a diverse set of characters, these alluringly strange stories...
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Talking with Psychopaths and Savages: A Journey into the Evil Mind in Books
Oct 16, 2017
There is no journey into an evil mind, just the author's ego
God, if ever there is a narcissist, is the author writing this book. There are zero citations because he feels he's a good enough source by himself. This entire book is just pure self-promotion, with him speaking about one book or TV series he's been involved with in every single chapter, and his letters and interviews to serial killers are just a form of bragging rights disturbingly.
Ironically, there is little sincere empathy with the victims killed by these psychopaths, but just a titillation factor in this book, with the author essentially being a fanboy of these men and one woman. The book also inadvertently reveals how corrupt the American judicial system is, allowing white men to murder and defraud with impunity, while avoiding life sentences and even being granted parole after murdering three people in cold blood.
And with shockingly little psychology in this book, the author even "runs out" of his word count, so it ends abruptly. It is poorly written, as he repeats the phrase "elephants fly" etc. In every other paragraph, and I can now see why it has received low ratings on review sites. Not worth it.
Ironically, there is little sincere empathy with the victims killed by these psychopaths, but just a titillation factor in this book, with the author essentially being a fanboy of these men and one woman. The book also inadvertently reveals how corrupt the American judicial system is, allowing white men to murder and defraud with impunity, while avoiding life sentences and even being granted parole after murdering three people in cold blood.
And with shockingly little psychology in this book, the author even "runs out" of his word count, so it ends abruptly. It is poorly written, as he repeats the phrase "elephants fly" etc. In every other paragraph, and I can now see why it has received low ratings on review sites. Not worth it.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Die Hard (1988) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
I will even go so far as to say that this might be my favourite Christmas jumper of all time... oh my god I just had a fantastic idea for this year's Christmas jumper... anyway...
You've got to love Alan Rickman in this one. Our favourite Die Hard villain, with a dubious accent and that slightly unfortunate slow motion death scene. But if you talk Die Hard and that "ho ho ho" you always have to say it in his accent.
Holly is rocking the big hair, I'm not sure her shoulder pads were big enough for someone in her position at a major company, but we can let that slide. Quality powerful woman moment when she makes her demands of Gruber. Well done, Holly.
The one thing I always find dubious about this movie is the fact that McClane gets a little maniacal at times... but he does go through the ringer a bit so that's understandable.
You've got to love Alan Rickman in this one. Our favourite Die Hard villain, with a dubious accent and that slightly unfortunate slow motion death scene. But if you talk Die Hard and that "ho ho ho" you always have to say it in his accent.
Holly is rocking the big hair, I'm not sure her shoulder pads were big enough for someone in her position at a major company, but we can let that slide. Quality powerful woman moment when she makes her demands of Gruber. Well done, Holly.
The one thing I always find dubious about this movie is the fact that McClane gets a little maniacal at times... but he does go through the ringer a bit so that's understandable.
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated In Bloom: Trading Restless Insecurity for Abiding Confidence in Books
Mar 5, 2019
Most women that I know seem to deal with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. In today’s world of advertising, social media we are in a culture that is fueled by makeover shows, celebrities, and advertising that tells us how to dress, how to look and how to live. Most of the average day to day women have been hurt by the lasting memories of mean girls, or by other events much more wounding to the soul, we can become accustomed by self-doubt that it becomes ingrained to our self-image and thinking.
The focus of this book is to retrain our thoughts and to take another look at who God has created and how much He loves us and because He loves us we can love ourselves.
Kayla Aimee has written a book that many women can relate to. As you read the book you feel like she has reached into your own life and pulled out hidden feelings that you may not even realize are there, until you think yes, I’ve been there and felt that too.
Kayla Aimee has written this book using her own transformation from the self-doubt and inadequacy using examples from her own day to day life. In this book, she opens the way for women to:
• Identify the deep-seated sources of our assumed inadequacy and replace them with steadfast truths of scriptural affirmation.
• Replace our need for approval with the enduring promise of acceptance.
• Uncover our purpose, unlock our potential, and celebrate the God-given gifts in our unique personality.
This book is for every woman who longs for belonging, they will journey through Kayla’s writing and the biblical promises.
What I enjoyed about this book is the fact that the writer is so easy to identify with. I found myself in many of the examples of her own life that she wrote about and that made it so much easier to understand that I am not the only one dealing with accepting myself and who I am.
Any woman dealing with insecurities of any type would really appreciate this book. It is written by a woman who has been there, written in a warm, friendly way that invites the reader in and makes them feel welcomed.
At the back of the book is a study guide, so that this book can be read and discussed as a group or individually.
The focus of this book is to retrain our thoughts and to take another look at who God has created and how much He loves us and because He loves us we can love ourselves.
Kayla Aimee has written a book that many women can relate to. As you read the book you feel like she has reached into your own life and pulled out hidden feelings that you may not even realize are there, until you think yes, I’ve been there and felt that too.
Kayla Aimee has written this book using her own transformation from the self-doubt and inadequacy using examples from her own day to day life. In this book, she opens the way for women to:
• Identify the deep-seated sources of our assumed inadequacy and replace them with steadfast truths of scriptural affirmation.
• Replace our need for approval with the enduring promise of acceptance.
• Uncover our purpose, unlock our potential, and celebrate the God-given gifts in our unique personality.
This book is for every woman who longs for belonging, they will journey through Kayla’s writing and the biblical promises.
What I enjoyed about this book is the fact that the writer is so easy to identify with. I found myself in many of the examples of her own life that she wrote about and that made it so much easier to understand that I am not the only one dealing with accepting myself and who I am.
Any woman dealing with insecurities of any type would really appreciate this book. It is written by a woman who has been there, written in a warm, friendly way that invites the reader in and makes them feel welcomed.
At the back of the book is a study guide, so that this book can be read and discussed as a group or individually.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Their Daring Hearts in Books
Feb 27, 2019
It's been some time since I read a Sharlene MacLaren novel, so when I saw the chance to review this, I jumped on it. I wasn't disappointed! I fell in love with Levi and his Quaker family and "Gordon Snipp" was a fun character to get to know!
I loved the historical detail to the Civil War era. Ms. MacLaren chiseled the scenes well, and I felt like I was transported to the heart of the story, the center of the war. All the feelings that Josie, Gordon Snipp, felt, I felt. I loved the way Josie fought for what she felt was right.
Levi's sweet character....oh was he swoon worthy as the Chaplain of his company. I love the way his friendship with "Snipp" blossomed, and later, his love for a beautiful young woman. It was so fun watching them together.
This story of hope, longing, deception and forgiveness is beautifully created. It's 4 star worthy, and I will definitely recommend it to all! Ms. MacLaren brought to life the action of the war, the romance of two God-fearing characters and messages from God of understanding and trust. This is definitely a keeper on my shelf!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from CelebrateLit/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
I loved the historical detail to the Civil War era. Ms. MacLaren chiseled the scenes well, and I felt like I was transported to the heart of the story, the center of the war. All the feelings that Josie, Gordon Snipp, felt, I felt. I loved the way Josie fought for what she felt was right.
Levi's sweet character....oh was he swoon worthy as the Chaplain of his company. I love the way his friendship with "Snipp" blossomed, and later, his love for a beautiful young woman. It was so fun watching them together.
This story of hope, longing, deception and forgiveness is beautifully created. It's 4 star worthy, and I will definitely recommend it to all! Ms. MacLaren brought to life the action of the war, the romance of two God-fearing characters and messages from God of understanding and trust. This is definitely a keeper on my shelf!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from CelebrateLit/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Nurse Betty (2000) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
As bleak, jaundiced, and jet-black of a comedy as we've gotten in quite some time - this would make a perfect double feature with 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 or any of LaBute's other riveting provocations. But unlike even those others, this somehow manages to also have some sort of a happy ending? This really is fantastic; a well-rounded, bizarre, humorous (if not always consistently hilarious), completely solitary curio and a cleaner/better example of a woman flourishing in the knocking down of the toxic men in her life than 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳. Not to mention it has a surprisingly positive view of women in general without resorting to that insulting, disingenuous T-shirt-ready brand of corporate faux-feminism that stagnates the pond in many of today's films of the sort. Cast is insanely good, legit one of Freeman's best performances and Kinnear isn't too far behind. LaBute really was something, God could you imagine if comedies could still get screenplays like this, sell big, and be in awards contention?
Lee (2222 KP) rated Saint Maud (2020) in Movies
Oct 6, 2020
Saint Maud is a psychological horror about a young nurse (Morfydd Clark) who, following ‘an incident’ while working for the NHS, something horrific that is alluded to in the opening scene, now finds herself working in palliative care.
Maud is a lonely, isolated, and very religious young woman, and as she sits in her sparse little bedsit, she prays to God in the hopes that he will guide her as she begins her new role. That new role sees her taking over as carer for Amanda (Jennifer Ehle), an ex-dancer whose body is now succumbing to terminal cancer. As Maud feeds, bathes and generally does everything for Amanda, her obsession with her faith and religion begins to send her into a downward spiral, becoming increasingly convinced that her personal mission from God is to save Amanda's soul. Amanda’s lifestyle choices and love-life are often at odds with Maud’s beliefs, eventually resulting in tensions between them.
'In my head, she's very much this person who has felt really alienated her entire life and has always found it really difficult to connect with other people,' explains British director Rose Glass about the lead character of her feature-length debut. Morfydd Clark fills that role brilliantly, with her calm and innocent voice narrating much of the film through her prayers, and we experience her failed attempts at connecting with others while on a rather heavy and eventful night out on the town. An ominous score also helps to set the tone, along with a rather gloomy colour palette, and there is a general feeling of dread throughout.
Aside from that, it’s fair to say that Saint Maud really didn’t work for me at all. I was fully invested in the character of Maud, how faith was shaping her, and how her relationship with Amanda was affected. But two thirds into this slow-burn character study of a young woman essentially going through a breakdown, I was bored and desperate for something to happen. Considering the runtime is only 84 minutes long, that’s not good.
A last-minute burst of chaos and horror provided a glimmer of hope but was very short-lived. And an attempt to deliver powerfully, memorable imagery only resulted in laughs from my cinema audience the likes of which I haven’t experienced since the ending of Hereditary.
Maud is a lonely, isolated, and very religious young woman, and as she sits in her sparse little bedsit, she prays to God in the hopes that he will guide her as she begins her new role. That new role sees her taking over as carer for Amanda (Jennifer Ehle), an ex-dancer whose body is now succumbing to terminal cancer. As Maud feeds, bathes and generally does everything for Amanda, her obsession with her faith and religion begins to send her into a downward spiral, becoming increasingly convinced that her personal mission from God is to save Amanda's soul. Amanda’s lifestyle choices and love-life are often at odds with Maud’s beliefs, eventually resulting in tensions between them.
'In my head, she's very much this person who has felt really alienated her entire life and has always found it really difficult to connect with other people,' explains British director Rose Glass about the lead character of her feature-length debut. Morfydd Clark fills that role brilliantly, with her calm and innocent voice narrating much of the film through her prayers, and we experience her failed attempts at connecting with others while on a rather heavy and eventful night out on the town. An ominous score also helps to set the tone, along with a rather gloomy colour palette, and there is a general feeling of dread throughout.
Aside from that, it’s fair to say that Saint Maud really didn’t work for me at all. I was fully invested in the character of Maud, how faith was shaping her, and how her relationship with Amanda was affected. But two thirds into this slow-burn character study of a young woman essentially going through a breakdown, I was bored and desperate for something to happen. Considering the runtime is only 84 minutes long, that’s not good.
A last-minute burst of chaos and horror provided a glimmer of hope but was very short-lived. And an attempt to deliver powerfully, memorable imagery only resulted in laughs from my cinema audience the likes of which I haven’t experienced since the ending of Hereditary.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated The Lost Angel in Books
Feb 11, 2019
This book had almost too much going on, with an extensive glossary in the beginning pages - complete with color photos - that I needed to read beforehand to keep up with the plot. Javier Sierra made a point of mixing fact with fiction in this novel, and the book reads like an extensive 'conspiracy theory.' My husband is much more familiar with many aspects of the plot, and I often asked him if what I was reading about was really true or not. The book opens with a quotation of Genesis 6: 2-3, which states "...the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the Lord said, 'My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.'" This is followed by a quote from John Dee, who figures prominently in the plot, though I did not find the quote to be especially inspiring.
The main focus of the book is about a group of people who consider themselves descendants of those angels that joined with "the daughters of man," and want to find a way to get back into heaven. They will use any means necessary to accomplish this -- murder, deceit, even putting the whole planet in jeopardy.
The main character, Julia Alvarez, is a psychic who is completely duped by their antics. I understand that the author means for the reader to feel sympathy for the angelic descendants through Julia's narration, but the way that Julia allows herself to be used and deceived by even her own husband disgusts me. She believes whatever they tell her and does not question anything. In fact, anyone that does question this main family is characterized as foolish and forgettable, such as Ellen Watson and Inspector Figueiras.
There was one main problem I had with the plot, which is that in the Bible, the angels that mate with human women are 'fallen' because they disobeyed God, which is never addressed. What is also never addressed is any scriptural substantiation for what they believed about Noah and the ark. They believed they could force God to take them back into heaven with their thrown-together mish-mash of technology. How is that believable? God kicked the angels out - they certainly can't force their way back in! Not to mention, this family does not back up their belief that they are descendants of angels with actual scientific proof, such as DNA tests, even though they all claim to be men (and woman) of science.
Overall, the book twists a blasphemous tale of Biblical scripture, using factual information to support a fictitious plot. It has suspense, intrigue, and even a bit of romance, but the end is neither believable nor enjoyable. While books of this nature became popular thanks to the works of Dan Brown, (yes, I've read his stuff, too), I found this book to be merely an okay read.
The main focus of the book is about a group of people who consider themselves descendants of those angels that joined with "the daughters of man," and want to find a way to get back into heaven. They will use any means necessary to accomplish this -- murder, deceit, even putting the whole planet in jeopardy.
The main character, Julia Alvarez, is a psychic who is completely duped by their antics. I understand that the author means for the reader to feel sympathy for the angelic descendants through Julia's narration, but the way that Julia allows herself to be used and deceived by even her own husband disgusts me. She believes whatever they tell her and does not question anything. In fact, anyone that does question this main family is characterized as foolish and forgettable, such as Ellen Watson and Inspector Figueiras.
There was one main problem I had with the plot, which is that in the Bible, the angels that mate with human women are 'fallen' because they disobeyed God, which is never addressed. What is also never addressed is any scriptural substantiation for what they believed about Noah and the ark. They believed they could force God to take them back into heaven with their thrown-together mish-mash of technology. How is that believable? God kicked the angels out - they certainly can't force their way back in! Not to mention, this family does not back up their belief that they are descendants of angels with actual scientific proof, such as DNA tests, even though they all claim to be men (and woman) of science.
Overall, the book twists a blasphemous tale of Biblical scripture, using factual information to support a fictitious plot. It has suspense, intrigue, and even a bit of romance, but the end is neither believable nor enjoyable. While books of this nature became popular thanks to the works of Dan Brown, (yes, I've read his stuff, too), I found this book to be merely an okay read.