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The Live Ghost (1934)
The Live Ghost (1934)
1934 | Comedy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Okay mid-period Laurel and Hardy short. Stan and Ollie are hired by regular antagonist Walter Long to help kidnap men to crew his allegedly-haunted ship; perhaps inevitably, they end up press-ganging themselves. Better not mention the ghost to the captain...
About as close to over-plotted as you can get with a L&H movie; some good stuff near the start but it gets a bit busy as it goes on - too much story, not enough slapstick. Concludes by recycling the (slightly gruesome) closing gag from the same year's Going Bye-Bye! Has its moments, but not as many as some other films from the boys.
  
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Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Chain in Books

Mar 31, 2020  
The Chain
The Chain
Adrian McKinty | 2019 | Crime, Thriller
5
6.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
A great concept for a thriller that just didn't feel like it reached it's potential for me. I listened to the audiobook narrated by January LaVoy.

When Rachael's daughter is kidnapped not only does she have to pay the ransom but also kidnap another child thus continuing a chain that has been supposedly going on for a while.

Rachael rapidly goes from about to break down to kick ass, which maybe the situation caused but on the whole, the characters didn't work for me and I found myself bored and often disbelieving of their interactions. It has a decent pace but just a bit of a meh thriller.
  
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Ross (3282 KP) rated Senseless in Books

Apr 2, 2020  
Senseless
Senseless
Ed James | 2020 | Crime
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Gripping from the start
This Ed James book has a very different feel to his usual murder mysteries. From the first page the reader is trying to piece together scant clues about the links between apparently distinct kidnappings as tortured and bewildered victims turn up. The combined efforts of DS Corcoran and Dr Marie Palmer, a criminal psychologist, are needed in order to work out what may have driven someone to kidnap and torture people in different ways.
The pacing of the book is superb as the reader is barely given a moment to catch their breathe before the next twist to the story, or revelation. Some good characters and interesting back stories come together for a truly gripping page-turner.
  
The Big Hit (1998)
The Big Hit (1998)
1998 | Action, Comedy
Action Packed (1 more)
Comedy
Bros Being Bros
The Big Hit- is a excellent film. Its a very underrated slapstick comedy action drama film. Mark Walhberg and Lou Diamond Phillips are excellent in this film.

The plot: Affable hit man Melvin Smiley (Mark Wahlberg) is constantly being scammed by his cutthroat colleagues in the life-ending business. So, when he and his fellow assassins kidnap the daughter of an electronics mogul, it's naturally Melvin who takes the fall when their prime score turns sour. That's because the girl is the goddaughter of the gang's ruthless crime boss. But, even while dodging bullets, Melvin has to keep his real job secret from his unsuspecting fiancée, Pam (Christina Applegate).

If you havent seen this film, than go watch it. Its really good.
  
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Joe (148 KP) rated Save Me in TV

Mar 23, 2018 (Updated Mar 23, 2018)  
Save Me
Save Me
2018 | Crime, Drama
8
8.0 (13 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Gripping episodes (2 more)
Solid cast
Gritty Brit drama
Only 6 episodes (1 more)
Not the ending I was hoping for
Knew I would be hooked when I saw "From the makers of Line Of Duty"
Contains spoilers, click to show
I like how the show addresses an important fact that in reality it's very easy these days for people to influence others with the use of the internet/social media.

When I saw the trailer for this series I thought it was just going to be another typical kidnap style show but I like the fact that Lennie James' character is actually arrested on suspicion of kidnapping his own daughter who he hasn't seen in over 10 years, and eventually becomes the character who does the most to try and find his daughter.

The ending was not what I was expecting and could probably have been worked differently but I appreciate they have set it up for another series.
  
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
1996 | Action, Sci-Fi
Definitely not Swedish
Indisputably the best of the TNG Trek movies, not that this is saying very much. Picard and company whizz off back to the 21st century to stop the malevolent Borg from changing history; there's no plot like a recycled Star Trek plot, I guess. Vaguely odd premise is realised well by Jonathan Frakes.

Kind of falls victim to the usual assumption that all Star Trek movies must necessarily be action movies, and (once again as usual) some of the more junior members of the cast don't get very much to do. Frankly, would have liked to have seen the original script where the Borg tried to kidnap Leonardo da Vinci (Patrick Stewart refused to wear tights on film any more, apparently), but moves along breezily enough and you don't need to be a full-on Trekkie to find something to entertain you here.
  
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Lindsay (1693 KP) rated Three Days to Forever (Mac Faraday Mystery, #9) in Books

Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)  
The author has you guessing from beginning to end. It's action packed along with a mystery through out. Laura Carr gives you what you look for in a mystery along with a little romance.

What up with all the Navy and military doing though out the book? Mac and Archie had been dealt with getting ready for their wedding. They're a family secret and what could that be?

Somehow Mac Faraday and David and Cameron are targeted along with Archie mother. There's a killer on the loose and they want something Mac Faraday has.

The terrorists wants to claim on a few members. They attempt to kidnap a woman. There seems to have a mishap at every turn. Will Murphy and the navy be heroes? This is a book is worth reading and getting the other books in the series would be worth buying. If you enjoy mystery or crime and detective books. This may be your cup of tea.
  
Six of Crows
Six of Crows
Leigh Bardugo | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
9.2 (45 Ratings)
Book Rating
Loved the story (2 more)
Loved that every character comes from very different backgrounds
The plot and intrigue
Awesome!!
Six of Crows is taking place in the magical universe created by Leigh Bardugo, the Grishaverse.

It follows the story of a crew hired to kidnap the creator of a very powerful and very dangerous drug from a fortress that's never been breached before.

Kaz, the leader of the crew, selects five people, each with a particular set of skills designed for completing this impossible heist.

I liked the complexity of the characters, the way they all have they're background stories and different relation with the people in the crew, which influences every action and the way they react to the others.

I also enjoyed the fact that this is not your usual superhero story where good wins over evil. Instead the powers come with a lot of complications and internal struggles and the line between good and evil is blurred out.

Definitely recommend this book!!
  
Justified Means (The Agency Files, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Have you ever been hooked on a book by the first page?

I was with this book by Chautona Havig. Justified Means was based off the question, what if a company had to kidnap a person to keep them safe without letting them know? Chautona Havig does a fantastic job with this book and answering that question. I loved the action packed chapters, the realistic attitudes of the characters, and the faith based foundation of this book. I loved the characters in Justified Means. They were well crafted, great arcs in their dialogue, and I LOVED how Chautona Havig weaved in the story of redemption. Plus, the overall story and mystery/ suspense was compelling and really fun to read.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars and I am sooo looking forward to reading the next book in the Agency series.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honestfeed back. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
Guardian Core (Sky Stone #2)
Guardian Core (Sky Stone #2)
Scarlett Van Dijk | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The second book in the series takes us back to the world of the Sky Guardians, with Skyla and Aaron. This is once again a book filled with action and emotion, with characters that jump out at you whether you like them (James) or not (May). May is an essential part of this story, but I just couldn't warm to her. James, on the other hand, has an integral role but I liked his character straight away.

With kidnap, heartbreak, a residence for the Sky Guardians, plus lots more, this book is filled from start to finish. With the story moving along at a fair pace, it builds to the climax and ends with a positive. It isn't all simple though, and Skyla has her work cut out for her.

A wonderful young adult fantasy to read and enjoy, definitely recommended.

* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 29, 2016