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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated My Absolute Darling in Books
Dec 31, 2017
Really struggled to get into this
This is one of those love/hate type of books, and unfortunately I fall into the latter camp. An extremely triggering and sensitive subject tackled here by author Gabriel Tallent - the topic of child sexual abuse written in the perspective of a young girl, Turtle, and her relationship with her father, Martin, who is responsible for abusing her. As she develops, she becomes more aware of her situation and the precarious horrors that she faces.
The major issue here is the gratuitous language used by the author, to describe Turtle's violent circumstance - it almost sounds pornographic rather than terrifying. While I can see Tallent's attempts to show Turtle internalising the language used by her father, it becomes overused and cliched. The pair are portrayed as gun-toting, hill-billy, survivalists and at one point, are even seen to read Deliverance. It is hyperbolic by the end in her bid to find justice, and for many survivors - this just isn't the case.
It does make sense why so many women have criticised his writing, he should probably try to stick to something a little closer to home.
The major issue here is the gratuitous language used by the author, to describe Turtle's violent circumstance - it almost sounds pornographic rather than terrifying. While I can see Tallent's attempts to show Turtle internalising the language used by her father, it becomes overused and cliched. The pair are portrayed as gun-toting, hill-billy, survivalists and at one point, are even seen to read Deliverance. It is hyperbolic by the end in her bid to find justice, and for many survivors - this just isn't the case.
It does make sense why so many women have criticised his writing, he should probably try to stick to something a little closer to home.
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated I Declare War (2013) in Movies
Jan 4, 2018
Not Bad
I Declare War is the first film I chose in my quest to watch 365 films in 2018. It won't go down as a classic, but rather a film you're glad you watched at least once. Honestly, had it been a film about anything else, it could've been a classic. The subject matter made it hard to stay intrigued. You're entertained sure, but in the back of your mind, you're constantly reminding yourself that this is kids playing a game. With no real stakes. In the woods.
That's the plot, guys. A game of War played with fake weapons by kids in the woods. There were some funny moments that gave me a chuckle. One quote in particular caught me off guard: "God is so gay." Hilarious. I also thought writer Jason Lapeyre did an excellent job of capturing the fun blend between reality and pretend and how blurred those lines can be when kids use their imaginations. Friendships get tested in the spirit of competition. We all know how much kids hate to lose.
Decent, not classic. Even better, you can check it out on Vudu right now for free. I give it a 70.
That's the plot, guys. A game of War played with fake weapons by kids in the woods. There were some funny moments that gave me a chuckle. One quote in particular caught me off guard: "God is so gay." Hilarious. I also thought writer Jason Lapeyre did an excellent job of capturing the fun blend between reality and pretend and how blurred those lines can be when kids use their imaginations. Friendships get tested in the spirit of competition. We all know how much kids hate to lose.
Decent, not classic. Even better, you can check it out on Vudu right now for free. I give it a 70.
Engaging!
I have read this book as a read-aloud to my class (5th graders) for two years now. Their reactions are always the same.. A very unexcited groan when I announce that I will be reading it to them for the foreseeable future... and then excited talking and cheering when it is time to read again. This book quickly becomes my class's favorite every year. It is filled with action, a lovable main character (who couldn't love a little warrior mouse in flip-flops that are way too big), and a grungy antagonist that we all love to hate. This book has sparked many "non-readers" to explore more books in this genre. It is wonderful to see them excited in reading and this book helps many of them. There is some mild language, however and many scenes that are a bit gruesome (but that's probably what draws them in to begin with- ha!) so just be warned about that. My brother read this when he was younger and it sticks with him, to this day, as one of his favorites.
Kaylin (39 KP) rated Warcraft (2016) in Movies
Apr 28, 2017
Awesome story and great writing (2 more)
Excellent use of CG
Travis Fimmel, Dominic Cooper, and Ben Foster excel in their roles
You have to have more than a general knowledge of Warcraft and its history to understand some of what is going on (2 more)
Went on a little bit long
Felt like a few scenes were missing
Welcome to the World (of Warcraft)
I love Warcraft! The video game, I mean, so I was very excited to see this movie and I wasn't disappointed. I felt like I was truly in Azeroth. I felt all that old hate for Gul'dan come back. I had all these awesome feelings! But, as great a time as I had, I realized that if you weren't familiar with the lore of Warcraft, then you were going to be very confused during this movie. While they explained some things, the person who went to the movie with me still had to lean over and ask me why some of the characters were doing what they were doing.
So, it's a pretty good movie, but if you don't know the lore, you're going to be pretty confused.
So, it's a pretty good movie, but if you don't know the lore, you're going to be pretty confused.
Kieran Harvey (51 KP) rated La La Land (2016) in Movies
Jul 16, 2017
Acting is phenomenal (7 more)
Music is amazing
Deserved the award wins
Re watchable again and again
Ryan Gosling
The opening scene
One of the best dance scenes ever
Soundtrack
Didn't win best Picture at Oscars (1 more)
Ryan Gosling didn't win best actor
A fantastic movie that has very little faults
This movie was a weird one for me because I hate musicals so the thought of liking this movie had never crossed my mind. However I went in to see it and just by the opening I was hooked. Everything that happens is flawless and executed to perfection. I went back to see it the next day and again and again for a total of 10 times its that good. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are electric together and the levels of preparation they did for the roles is outstanding. Some of the finest acting and finest directing seen in a long time so it thoroughly deserved it's credit at the Oscars however it really should've been winner of Best Picture over Moonlight, A.K.A biggest fix in the history of Oscars ever.
If you haven't already, watch this movie and you won't be disappointed at all !
If you haven't already, watch this movie and you won't be disappointed at all !
jmercado (1 KP) rated The Accidental Slave: Aya's Story (The Slave Series #1) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
How do i rate this book.
This was frustrating and as much as i hate to do it this did not meet the par for me.
The main character just flopped for me throughout most of the book.
With most of my updates all i could write was how...frustrating this character was.
Which upset me cause i loved her character before the kidnapping.
To me Aya seemed strong and independent but then as the story progressed that just went away.
And Kato just seemed like a lost puppy to me the whole time, which to some extent was impressive because you typically read about the "Bad-Boy" turn good. but her was always good, too good for someone who was a warrior for a year.
Another down fall for me was the Insta-Love. Typically its not a big deal for me but seriously, 7 days?? and your running away together. Get real.
The begging execution of this story tugged me in but that middle was hard to get through. The ending though was much better and i was happy i stuck through it in the end. but i will not be continuing the series.
This was frustrating and as much as i hate to do it this did not meet the par for me.
The main character just flopped for me throughout most of the book.
With most of my updates all i could write was how...frustrating this character was.
Which upset me cause i loved her character before the kidnapping.
To me Aya seemed strong and independent but then as the story progressed that just went away.
And Kato just seemed like a lost puppy to me the whole time, which to some extent was impressive because you typically read about the "Bad-Boy" turn good. but her was always good, too good for someone who was a warrior for a year.
Another down fall for me was the Insta-Love. Typically its not a big deal for me but seriously, 7 days?? and your running away together. Get real.
The begging execution of this story tugged me in but that middle was hard to get through. The ending though was much better and i was happy i stuck through it in the end. but i will not be continuing the series.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Spilled Blood in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I won an ARC of this book from First Reads.
This is the first Brian Freeman book I've ever read. Now that I'm done with it I feel like I've been missing out on a fantastic author! This book was so well written! It had colorful but realistic & well developed characters. The suspense was top notch. The conclusion was fast paced & 1 that I did not see coming in the least. So many books like this turn out to be too predictable. Thankfully this one was not!
Spilled Blood tells the story of Olivia Hawk, a high schooler who is arrested for murdering another high school girl. The evidence points strongly to her, both in the physical evidence from the scene & from the gossip around town. In sweeps her dad, a lawyer, who beings to slowly unravel the mysteries of the crime while struggling with the ever present, "Did she do it?" question. I hate to say much more than that for fear of ruining a fantastic plot!
This book had action, mystery, big companies, cancer, cover-ups, and bombs all covered yet still managed to throw in a good romance without feeling forced. This was an AMAZING read!!
This is the first Brian Freeman book I've ever read. Now that I'm done with it I feel like I've been missing out on a fantastic author! This book was so well written! It had colorful but realistic & well developed characters. The suspense was top notch. The conclusion was fast paced & 1 that I did not see coming in the least. So many books like this turn out to be too predictable. Thankfully this one was not!
Spilled Blood tells the story of Olivia Hawk, a high schooler who is arrested for murdering another high school girl. The evidence points strongly to her, both in the physical evidence from the scene & from the gossip around town. In sweeps her dad, a lawyer, who beings to slowly unravel the mysteries of the crime while struggling with the ever present, "Did she do it?" question. I hate to say much more than that for fear of ruining a fantastic plot!
This book had action, mystery, big companies, cancer, cover-ups, and bombs all covered yet still managed to throw in a good romance without feeling forced. This was an AMAZING read!!
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Keepsake in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This was a really good book! Believe it or not, it is actually the 2nd book I've read recently that involved hoarding. Weird!
Anyway, this book is so very easy to get hooked in to. It is so real! I found myself really feeling for Trish & Mary. They were both so screwed up in such a real way, but that just made them all the more interesting. I found the psychological aspects behind the hoarding & the OCD fascinating. It was such a struggle for both of the women.
The part that really got my respect though was the ending. It wasn't all tied up in a pretty bow, everyone smiling & everything okay again. Like I said before, it was real...real life. I was satisfied with the ending for that fact. I hate it when books are so real & then the author ruins it by tacking on that happy ending when all the readers know that real life isn't like that at all. So, Kirstina Riggle, thank you for not putting yourself into that cliched category & for having the guts & brains to "keep it real."
Anyway, this book is so very easy to get hooked in to. It is so real! I found myself really feeling for Trish & Mary. They were both so screwed up in such a real way, but that just made them all the more interesting. I found the psychological aspects behind the hoarding & the OCD fascinating. It was such a struggle for both of the women.
The part that really got my respect though was the ending. It wasn't all tied up in a pretty bow, everyone smiling & everything okay again. Like I said before, it was real...real life. I was satisfied with the ending for that fact. I hate it when books are so real & then the author ruins it by tacking on that happy ending when all the readers know that real life isn't like that at all. So, Kirstina Riggle, thank you for not putting yourself into that cliched category & for having the guts & brains to "keep it real."
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I listened to this book in almost one sitting, while on a long car ride. I was almost disappointed when I got there because I had two chapters left and I wanted to know what happened!
E&E was a very cute and clever story. It had everything: awesome characters, a villain you love to hate, mystery, adventure, surprises, romance, humor, and wonderful descriptions. Also, Werewolves and vampires. But not the sparkly modern-day super-sexy kind… the kind that will kill you. Oh yeah, also, they’re the professors.
And the students of the school Sophronia goes to?… they live in the sky. How cool is that? I loved Sophronia so much, and she reminded me of myself when I was nine (though she was like fourteen or something)
Suffice to say, I wanted to transfer to that finishing school instead of my boring old university.
Content/Recommendation: Clean! Recommend to ages 13+ (keep in mind, I’m 21 and I loved it).
Audio: The reader, Moira Quirk, was excellent! Wonderful use of accent and inflection, and very talented. Looking forward to hearing more of her voice acting.
E&E was a very cute and clever story. It had everything: awesome characters, a villain you love to hate, mystery, adventure, surprises, romance, humor, and wonderful descriptions. Also, Werewolves and vampires. But not the sparkly modern-day super-sexy kind… the kind that will kill you. Oh yeah, also, they’re the professors.
And the students of the school Sophronia goes to?… they live in the sky. How cool is that? I loved Sophronia so much, and she reminded me of myself when I was nine (though she was like fourteen or something)
Suffice to say, I wanted to transfer to that finishing school instead of my boring old university.
Content/Recommendation: Clean! Recommend to ages 13+ (keep in mind, I’m 21 and I loved it).
Audio: The reader, Moira Quirk, was excellent! Wonderful use of accent and inflection, and very talented. Looking forward to hearing more of her voice acting.
Rikkasaurus (0 KP) rated Mass Effect: Andromeda in Video Games
May 7, 2018
Game play (1 more)
World graphics
Facial graphics (2 more)
Bugs
Incomplete storyline
Andromeda got too much hate
Before the war against the Reapers led by Shepard, The Andromeda Initiative sought to send out colonies to another galaxy. You play as Sarah or Scott Ryder, a soldier in the Initiative to find a new home for your colony. Explore new planets and discover new species.
My thoughts? I played Andromeda when it first came out. It was super buggy. The facial expressions were laughable. But it was in space with all our familiar ME Easter eggs, had great game play, and a vast amount of potential. However due to the backlash of fans (yes, EA should have NOT released such a unrefined game. Yes, it isn't as good as the original trilogy - because it is unfair to compare it to the story arc of a complete trilogy!) EA has stepped away from continuing with this story which is the most frustrating thing ever. EA needs to bring it back and the team needs to break boundaries and be creative to bring this story line further to life and continue it on for a DLC or next game.
My thoughts? I played Andromeda when it first came out. It was super buggy. The facial expressions were laughable. But it was in space with all our familiar ME Easter eggs, had great game play, and a vast amount of potential. However due to the backlash of fans (yes, EA should have NOT released such a unrefined game. Yes, it isn't as good as the original trilogy - because it is unfair to compare it to the story arc of a complete trilogy!) EA has stepped away from continuing with this story which is the most frustrating thing ever. EA needs to bring it back and the team needs to break boundaries and be creative to bring this story line further to life and continue it on for a DLC or next game.