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Business-State Relations in Brazil: Challenges of the Port Reform Lobby
Book
In recent years, the spotlight of international attention on Brazil has often been in the area of...
The Gospel in Brief
Book
Written in 1883, 'The Gospel in brief' is Tolstoy's harmonization of the four Christian gospels into...
Child Exploitation and Trafficking: Examining Global Enforcement and Supply Chain Challenges and U.S. Responses
Virginia M. Kendall, T. Markus Funk and Richard A. Posner
Book
Each year, more than two million children around the world fall victim to commercial sexual and...
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Brood (1979) in Movies
Sep 22, 2019
An R rated version of Inside Out?
Frank Carveth is just a father with some problems. His wife is currently enrolled in an intense, secluded, mysterious form of psychotherapy being conducted by an unusual doctor. His eccentric mother-in-law, has just been murdered through unusual circumstances and his young daughter is showing signs of physical abuse at the hands of his institutionalized wife that he must now investigate.
After the murder, his father-in-law also arrives, the situation worsens as he attempts to visit his daughter while in therapy without success. Still grief stricken, he wants to confront the doctor or at least understand what is happening.
Here is where the story becomes very unusual. The brutality being dispatched to various individuals is being administered by disfigured "dwarves" or misshapen children which makes no sense to Frank or the police which asks more questions.
After learning additional details, Frank returns to his wife's benefactor for a final confrontation with her and the doctor to ensure the release of his kidnapped daughter.
Cronenberg's early body horror films still stand as some of the most provocative of the gene and this film is certainly no exception. The deformed assailants provide immediate unique intrigue in the film representing something you have never seen previously and it only gets worse.
The total brutality they complete upon their victims is worsened by the fact some of it is even performed in front of children who would obviously be scarred for years to come.
The final reveal of "The Brood" is so intense, bizarre and graphic it will still turn off, repulse or offend almost anyone who watches it. Only true fans of the macabre, strange and totally extreme will find this palpable.
The great Oliver Reed is especially intense in his performance as the unconventional doctor performing his ritualistic treatments which include offbeat role plays where he has conversations with his patents pretending to be other people.
I can only imagine the reaction this film had upon its release in 1979.
After the murder, his father-in-law also arrives, the situation worsens as he attempts to visit his daughter while in therapy without success. Still grief stricken, he wants to confront the doctor or at least understand what is happening.
Here is where the story becomes very unusual. The brutality being dispatched to various individuals is being administered by disfigured "dwarves" or misshapen children which makes no sense to Frank or the police which asks more questions.
After learning additional details, Frank returns to his wife's benefactor for a final confrontation with her and the doctor to ensure the release of his kidnapped daughter.
Cronenberg's early body horror films still stand as some of the most provocative of the gene and this film is certainly no exception. The deformed assailants provide immediate unique intrigue in the film representing something you have never seen previously and it only gets worse.
The total brutality they complete upon their victims is worsened by the fact some of it is even performed in front of children who would obviously be scarred for years to come.
The final reveal of "The Brood" is so intense, bizarre and graphic it will still turn off, repulse or offend almost anyone who watches it. Only true fans of the macabre, strange and totally extreme will find this palpable.
The great Oliver Reed is especially intense in his performance as the unconventional doctor performing his ritualistic treatments which include offbeat role plays where he has conversations with his patents pretending to be other people.
I can only imagine the reaction this film had upon its release in 1979.
Unsheltered: A Novel
Book
The New York Times bestselling author of Flight Behavior, The Lacuna, and The Poisonwood Bible and...
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The Innocent in Books
May 10, 2018
This is the first book I have read by Harlen Coben. I saw it the library and it looked pretty interesting. Matt Hunter is on his way back to college when the unthinkable happens, he gets in a fight and ends up killing a boy. The story picks up 9 years later. Matt is married to Olivia, he is working as a "paralegal" at his brother's law firm, and is about to be a father. Things couldn't be any better for him right now. Until one day after his wife leaves for a business trip, he gets a strange message from her on his cell phone. Its a picture of another man. The next message is even more startling. His wife in a blonde wig with this man. What does all this mean, why would his wife do this to him. The reality turns out to be a whole lot more than Matt could ever imagine. This book is chock full of twists and turns and strippers and cops and ex-cons and family. A good book I didn't want to put down.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated On the Road with Del and Louise: A Novel in Stories in Books
Mar 9, 2018
This book is a collection of six stories starring Del and Louise, a couple constantly on the move. Some of it is trying to outrun crime, and some of it is trying to start a life together. We meet them in New Mexico as Del is planning on last robbery to set them up in a life on the right side of the law. Will it work? If not, will they be able to survive without turning back to crime?
I must admit I had a hard time getting past the fact that this duo are criminals, but as they grew as characters, I got caught up in their story. They are really the only characters who are in the entire book, but they can pull it off well. The various capers, schemes, and plots they find themselves in are all different, keeping us from getting bored while exploring the characters.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-on-road-with-del-and-louise.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I must admit I had a hard time getting past the fact that this duo are criminals, but as they grew as characters, I got caught up in their story. They are really the only characters who are in the entire book, but they can pull it off well. The various capers, schemes, and plots they find themselves in are all different, keeping us from getting bored while exploring the characters.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-on-road-with-del-and-louise.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Merissa (13398 KP) rated The Mating (Law of the Lycans #2) in Books
Mar 26, 2018
The Mating (Law of the Lycans #2) by Nicky Charles
In The Mating we meet Kane and Elise. Kane we have heard mentioned in Bonded, but Elise is a new character. They get together for political reasons, although Elise had a boyfriend. However, once she spends time with Kane, she finds she is thinking less of Bryan than she thought she would. Mix into the story a woman who wants what Elisa has, an oil company who wants to drill, a half-brother with murder on his mind, and you get a great story.
I found The Mating to be very well-written, with plenty of characters to like and dislike. Although at times, I really REALLY wanted the other characters to catch onto what was going on, it still played a part of the story, and I just had to wait until they caught up. With a steady pace, and some steamy times too, this book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I found The Mating to be very well-written, with plenty of characters to like and dislike. Although at times, I really REALLY wanted the other characters to catch onto what was going on, it still played a part of the story, and I just had to wait until they caught up. With a steady pace, and some steamy times too, this book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated A Deadly Éclair (A French Bistro Mystery, #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Mimi Rousseau is preparing for a celebrity wedding at her bistro and inn, but before things can really get underway, her mentor and financial supporter is found dead on the premises. With him gone, Mimi is under no obligation to repay the funds he had lent her to get her business started, so that makes her look mighty suspicious in the eyes of the law. Afraid that shell lose both her business and her freedom, Mimi decides to get to the bottom of things.
Daryl Wood Gerber (aka Avery Aames) is one of my favorite cozy authors, so I jumped at the chance to read the first book in her new mystery series. I was not disappointed. Good food, great friends, and plenty of intrigue keep this story moving along. Its a well-plotted mystery with lots of delicious sounding recipes included at the end. Culinary cozy fans will not want to miss this one.
<i>NOTE: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book.</i>
Daryl Wood Gerber (aka Avery Aames) is one of my favorite cozy authors, so I jumped at the chance to read the first book in her new mystery series. I was not disappointed. Good food, great friends, and plenty of intrigue keep this story moving along. Its a well-plotted mystery with lots of delicious sounding recipes included at the end. Culinary cozy fans will not want to miss this one.
<i>NOTE: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book.</i>
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Peaches and Scream (Georgia Peach Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Nola Mae Harper is returning to her home town of Cays Mill, Georgia, and her family’s peach farm to help run it while her parents take a three week cruise. However, she’s hardly arrived when she finds the body of the owner of the local lumber mill in the peach orchard. Worse yet, her brother-in-law is arrest for the crime. She and her siblings quickly close ranks and try to clear his name. But can they do it?
This may be a debut, but the town and the residents came to life for me right away. Nola and her family are wonderfully strong characters I can’t wait to visit again. Plus I loved their family bond. The plot was great with a steady pace an ending that surprised me. Truly, a sweet debut.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-peaches-and-scream-by-susan.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This may be a debut, but the town and the residents came to life for me right away. Nola and her family are wonderfully strong characters I can’t wait to visit again. Plus I loved their family bond. The plot was great with a steady pace an ending that surprised me. Truly, a sweet debut.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-peaches-and-scream-by-susan.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.