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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated The Hound of the Baskervilles in Books
Mar 9, 2018
There is a legend of a monstrous hound that haunts and hunts the members of the Baskerville family. But when legend looks to be real, Holmes is brought in to find out how Charles Baskerville really died. And is the latest heir in danger?
My knowledge of the Holmes cannon is embarrassingly lacking, but I took a step toward fixing that with this book. I found Holmes a little hard to take due to his arrogance early on, but as the book progressed, I grew to like him better. The rest of the characters were great. The mystery is wonderful, and the atmosphere almost gothic. A wonderful read during October.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/10/book-review-hound-of-baskervilles-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
My knowledge of the Holmes cannon is embarrassingly lacking, but I took a step toward fixing that with this book. I found Holmes a little hard to take due to his arrogance early on, but as the book progressed, I grew to like him better. The rest of the characters were great. The mystery is wonderful, and the atmosphere almost gothic. A wonderful read during October.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/10/book-review-hound-of-baskervilles-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Milleen (47 KP) rated The Empress Of Ice Cream in Books
Nov 14, 2018 (Updated Nov 14, 2018)
This was published back in 2010 but I recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical novels or gourmet food. This is a gastronomic romp through history. Based on the real-life of Louise De Karouelle, who went from Louis XIV French court at Versailles to 'keep company' with the British King, Charles II. An Italian chef, Carlo Dimirco, is sent to tempt the Royal British taste-buds with ices, sorbets, cordials and ice creams. His observations about the royal household, experiments in the ice house and the addition of extracts from 'The Book of Ices' balance Louise's view of her life. You'll come away with a dozen summer recipes and a good knowledge of a woman who is distantly related to both Princess Diana and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall.
Samantha Reece (16 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) in Movies
Nov 20, 2018 (Updated Nov 20, 2018)
Let me start out by saying, if you have never seen the first Fantastic Beasts movie or have little knowledge of the Wizarding World, you will probably not understand this movie.
Personally, I loved it! Yes, there is the whole McGonagall not being born yet situation, but I can look past that to all the depth put into the movie. It provided the audience with an overload of information to prepare the viewer for future movies. Newt has become my favorite character! Also, the baby Nifflers are adorable. Let’s not forget to mention that huge twist in the end! I’m still slightly confused over THAT, but there are lots of theories and ideas going through my brain. So, if you are a Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts fan, go watch it!
Personally, I loved it! Yes, there is the whole McGonagall not being born yet situation, but I can look past that to all the depth put into the movie. It provided the audience with an overload of information to prepare the viewer for future movies. Newt has become my favorite character! Also, the baby Nifflers are adorable. Let’s not forget to mention that huge twist in the end! I’m still slightly confused over THAT, but there are lots of theories and ideas going through my brain. So, if you are a Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts fan, go watch it!
Rache (174 KP) rated Astonishing Legends in Podcasts
Nov 30, 2018
Mysteries (2 more)
Intelligent conversation
Fantastic Research
Mysteries and the paranormal from around the world, from Dyatlov Pass and the Bloop to the Money Pit and the Black Monk of Pontefract. Scott and Forrest discuss the whole case, with excellent research support from the Astonishing Research Corps, and all of the possible explanations, from the very sensible to the utterly outlandish, without being judgemental, but with a healthy dose of scepticism. It can feel a bit like listening in on a conversation between two old friends, talking about the weird and wonderful backed up by a library of esoteric knowledge. With the research corps including astrophysicists and professional researchers, you can be confident that any topic has been thoroughly investigated from all angles.
A fascinating podcast, great to listen to for sceptics and believers alike.
A fascinating podcast, great to listen to for sceptics and believers alike.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Operation Avalanche (2016) in Movies
Jan 11, 2020
Yet another found footage movie, yet another film about the faking of the moon landings (these must surely outnumber films assuming Apollo 11 really happened by a considerable factor). An ambitious young CIA agent cooks up a plan to save NASA by fabricating footage of a successful moonshot.
Doesn't sound very promising, but just about pulls it off due to obvious knowledge of its subject and an unexpected level of technical proficiency - the team get the expertise they need by stealing it off the set of 2001 (a witty touch, but very well-executed). A bit larky most of the way through, which makes a third-act shift into a much more serious mode difficult to pull off, and not particularly original, but watchable and with some very nice moments.
Doesn't sound very promising, but just about pulls it off due to obvious knowledge of its subject and an unexpected level of technical proficiency - the team get the expertise they need by stealing it off the set of 2001 (a witty touch, but very well-executed). A bit larky most of the way through, which makes a third-act shift into a much more serious mode difficult to pull off, and not particularly original, but watchable and with some very nice moments.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Destiny Binds (Timber Wolves #1) in Books
Sep 1, 2019
A decent read
Scout Donovan is a girl who believes in rules, logic, and her lifelong love of Charlie Hagan. Alex Cole believes in destiny, magic, and Scout. When Alex introduces Scout to the world of Shifters, men who change into wolves or coyotes during the full moon and Seers, women who can see your most private thoughts and emotions with a mere touch, the knowledge changes everything and everyone Scout thought she knew.
<strong>A decent read</strong>
This was Twilight without the vampires only better written. Don't get me wrong I like the twilight books but this just had the edge. It felt a little but rushed in places but for a first in the series it definitely made me want to continue reading.
Love triangle that ends in tragedy!
⭐⭐⭐

<strong>A decent read</strong>
This was Twilight without the vampires only better written. Don't get me wrong I like the twilight books but this just had the edge. It felt a little but rushed in places but for a first in the series it definitely made me want to continue reading.
Love triangle that ends in tragedy!
⭐⭐⭐

Mel (490 KP) rated The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance in TV
Oct 5, 2019
I grew up in the 80s and it would be fair to say I've loved the original Dark Crystal film ever since I first saw it so there was no question when we heard about the new TV series that we were going to watch it.
Although it took me a few episodes to get into thr series overall I've loved it and that feel that they've gone back to the original puppets rather than an overuse of CGI. My main problem has been similar to watching the star wars prequels in that I've been watching it with the knowledge of what will happen (based on what we know from the film) and I feel that has taken something away from my enjoyment of the characters.
Although it took me a few episodes to get into thr series overall I've loved it and that feel that they've gone back to the original puppets rather than an overuse of CGI. My main problem has been similar to watching the star wars prequels in that I've been watching it with the knowledge of what will happen (based on what we know from the film) and I feel that has taken something away from my enjoyment of the characters.
Ross (3282 KP) rated Down Every Road by Merle Haggard in Music
May 4, 2020
Rolling Stone's 477th greatest "album" of all time
First off, since when was a 4-disc anthology considered an album?!
If there was a country version of the old "infinite monkeys with typewriters would eventually write Shakespeare" then I think I just listened to it. So many slightly different combinations of guitar and fiddle melodies, yet they never managed to recreate Jonny Cash.
Country really isn't my bag at all and I should never have listened to this.
Prior to this, my only knowledge of Merle Haggard was the Bloodhound Gang lyric "I was lonelier than Kunta Kinte at a Merle Haggard concert that night I strolled on into Uncle Limpy's Hump Palace lookin' for love", which I didn't understand until now. I wish it had stayed that way.
If there was a country version of the old "infinite monkeys with typewriters would eventually write Shakespeare" then I think I just listened to it. So many slightly different combinations of guitar and fiddle melodies, yet they never managed to recreate Jonny Cash.
Country really isn't my bag at all and I should never have listened to this.
Prior to this, my only knowledge of Merle Haggard was the Bloodhound Gang lyric "I was lonelier than Kunta Kinte at a Merle Haggard concert that night I strolled on into Uncle Limpy's Hump Palace lookin' for love", which I didn't understand until now. I wish it had stayed that way.
EmersonRose (320 KP) rated Alfred: The Boy Who Would Be King in Books
Nov 20, 2019
Alfred is a mostly ordinary boy, going to school, playing video games, and reading books about medieval history. His mother is a bit eccentric but all in all, he is living the regular life of an 11-year-old. That is until a mysterious man shows up one night and Alfred suddenly finds himself in a fantastical, medieval kingdom. What is even more strange, Alfred soon discovers he has families ties to this strange land and is the only heir left to the kingdom’s throne. Thrust in the middle of a country cursed by a witch, a dark lord, terrible creatures, and famine, Alfred has his work cut out for him. But thanks to the help of a few new friends, his medieval video game, and book knowledge, he is up for the challenge.
Alfred is a determined, hopeful, excited kid living out a child’s fantasy. He manages to stay strong through horrible circumstances and uses his knowledge of the period along with that of his own time to try and make things better for his people. The mashing together of periods offers plenty of hilarious moments as Alfred tries to explain things like TV and pro-wrestlers. His knowledge of things like agriculture and battle defenses quickly become lifesavers for the peasants who have accepted the return of the king.
This fantastical adventure is a beautiful story that balances the dark, harsh realities of 6997428survival against both enemies and natural, the struggle of the weight thrust upon Alfred’s shoulders, while also remaining lighthearted, funny, and fun. The story unfolds like a puzzle before the reader, much like it does for Alfred, as you discover more about his family, magic, and the politics of this magical world. Author Ron Smorynski has done an incredible job of creating an extraordinary world and characters that you can become invested it. The story captures the pure adventure and action so longed for in fantasy adventures while also tackling growing up, history, and family struggles. To me, it brings to mind such classics as Narnia and The Castle in the Attic.
The book is an excellent beginning. While the story itself is well rounded in itself, the real magic is in the story that it has left to tell. Throughout the book, we get the beginnings of magical rules, political struggle, villains powers, and the complicated history of Alfred’s family and those that knew them. The book leaves you with as many secrets as it answers and simply begs for a sequel. I am excited to see more from this author and continue my journey with Alfred and his friends, hopefully soon!
Alfred is a determined, hopeful, excited kid living out a child’s fantasy. He manages to stay strong through horrible circumstances and uses his knowledge of the period along with that of his own time to try and make things better for his people. The mashing together of periods offers plenty of hilarious moments as Alfred tries to explain things like TV and pro-wrestlers. His knowledge of things like agriculture and battle defenses quickly become lifesavers for the peasants who have accepted the return of the king.
This fantastical adventure is a beautiful story that balances the dark, harsh realities of 6997428survival against both enemies and natural, the struggle of the weight thrust upon Alfred’s shoulders, while also remaining lighthearted, funny, and fun. The story unfolds like a puzzle before the reader, much like it does for Alfred, as you discover more about his family, magic, and the politics of this magical world. Author Ron Smorynski has done an incredible job of creating an extraordinary world and characters that you can become invested it. The story captures the pure adventure and action so longed for in fantasy adventures while also tackling growing up, history, and family struggles. To me, it brings to mind such classics as Narnia and The Castle in the Attic.
The book is an excellent beginning. While the story itself is well rounded in itself, the real magic is in the story that it has left to tell. Throughout the book, we get the beginnings of magical rules, political struggle, villains powers, and the complicated history of Alfred’s family and those that knew them. The book leaves you with as many secrets as it answers and simply begs for a sequel. I am excited to see more from this author and continue my journey with Alfred and his friends, hopefully soon!
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Britannia - Season 1 in TV
Jan 11, 2018
David morrisey (2 more)
Zoe wannermaker
Epic killing scences
A little to contrived
So I just watched an early screening of the first episode of this series. As someone with decent basic knowledge of the timeframe and area I got the plot. However the friend who is unfamiler was to lost. I felt this is because the show tried to hard to be clever for itself.
It scenamatic where beautiful at part and if a fan of gorey death there is plenty that being said I found them trying to hard to be like game of thrones than being it owns show.
However not everything is bad about this show there are some interesting charcters that are emerging the young druid girl has much potioneal and the well known actors do what we know they can.
It scenamatic where beautiful at part and if a fan of gorey death there is plenty that being said I found them trying to hard to be like game of thrones than being it owns show.
However not everything is bad about this show there are some interesting charcters that are emerging the young druid girl has much potioneal and the well known actors do what we know they can.