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Sherryl Hancock-Author (1 KP) created a post
Jan 19, 2018
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Remember Me in Books
Feb 17, 2018
Noelle Winters does a good job creating a sense of suspense in [Remember Me]. The plot centers around Katy who's daughter was kidnapped three years ago. Suddenly the case is refreshed by a picture of her daughter being sent to her. The FBI sends Alex to liason with local law enforcement and the family on this case that her father originally worked. These two broken women find friendship and hope within each other.
The plot of this takes some unexpected twists. The romance is there but not the main focus. It was a really quick read with developed characters and a very steady pace.
The plot of this takes some unexpected twists. The romance is there but not the main focus. It was a really quick read with developed characters and a very steady pace.
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Keepers - Season 1 in TV
Jul 21, 2018
When I started watching this series this morning, I didn't think I'd finish it in a day. But, I really wanted to know how everything shook out.
This docu-series made me sick to my stomach. There were so many victims, and the reaction from the church was disgusting, even more so to me since I'm Catholic(ish). Law enforcement really dropped the ball, rather, they never picked the ball up.
While this is billed as more of a who-dun-it regarding Sister Cathy's murder, it was more of an exposé. It was very unsatisfying in that regard. Though, I don't feel as though the murder will ever be solved.
This docu-series made me sick to my stomach. There were so many victims, and the reaction from the church was disgusting, even more so to me since I'm Catholic(ish). Law enforcement really dropped the ball, rather, they never picked the ball up.
While this is billed as more of a who-dun-it regarding Sister Cathy's murder, it was more of an exposé. It was very unsatisfying in that regard. Though, I don't feel as though the murder will ever be solved.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated The Milagro Beanfield War (1988) in Movies
Jun 1, 2019
Beautiful Drama
Director Robert Redford brings us this story of a New Mexico town where tensions begin to rise when one farmer uses an unauthorized form of water to irrigate his bean crop. The act is noticed by the local townspeople, the local law enforcement and the opposing force of a rich property magnate eager to build a sprawling golf course on the town's land.
The townspeople eventually band together after much debate, but they are not sure anything can be done.
I enjoyed this drama; however, felt like it dragged a bit at times. The ensemble cast was enjoyable especially Christopher Walken and John Heard. Rubén Blades as the local law was also fun to watch.
The vast New Mexico countryside was probably my favorite element to watch. No doubt this factor was also probably appealing to Redford who is a lifelong environmentalist.
I enjoyed it.
The townspeople eventually band together after much debate, but they are not sure anything can be done.
I enjoyed this drama; however, felt like it dragged a bit at times. The ensemble cast was enjoyable especially Christopher Walken and John Heard. Rubén Blades as the local law was also fun to watch.
The vast New Mexico countryside was probably my favorite element to watch. No doubt this factor was also probably appealing to Redford who is a lifelong environmentalist.
I enjoyed it.
Gareth von Kallenbach (965 KP) rated Den Of Thieves (2018) in Movies
Jul 8, 2019
Heist films are typically filled with tropes and clichéd action sequences. Den of Thieves offers a new perspective on crime action films. The film stars O’Shea Jackson Junior (Straight Outta Compton) and Gerard Butler (300) on opposite sides of the law. Donnie (O’Shea Jackson Jr) is a new member of a bank heist crew focused on robbing the Federal Reserve in Los Angeles. Gerard Butler heads up a special division of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s department that is determined on stopping this crew.
The film delves deeper than typical films of this genre. Instead of having one-dimensional characters who are either career criminals or law enforcement officers seeking to be heroes, we find characters that are much more than their description. The criminals are cerebral and men of action. We see them as flawed beings who have families, friendships, and goals of eventually leaving crime.
For those on the side of the law, we witness how these heroes are only valiant on the outside. We see them as vulnerable, overzealous, and skirting the law as they view themselves as the embodiment of the law.
Den of Thieves demonstrates that crime action films can have well-developed storylines that don’t rely on the action to carry the film forward. The film will have audiences speculating about the next move and progression of the stories and crimes in a way that would make Ocean’s Eleven envious in its creativity. The characters have you confused and conflicted as who to pull for as they make the criminals relatable and sympathetic.
Den Of Thieves raises the bar for the genre of heist movies.
The film delves deeper than typical films of this genre. Instead of having one-dimensional characters who are either career criminals or law enforcement officers seeking to be heroes, we find characters that are much more than their description. The criminals are cerebral and men of action. We see them as flawed beings who have families, friendships, and goals of eventually leaving crime.
For those on the side of the law, we witness how these heroes are only valiant on the outside. We see them as vulnerable, overzealous, and skirting the law as they view themselves as the embodiment of the law.
Den of Thieves demonstrates that crime action films can have well-developed storylines that don’t rely on the action to carry the film forward. The film will have audiences speculating about the next move and progression of the stories and crimes in a way that would make Ocean’s Eleven envious in its creativity. The characters have you confused and conflicted as who to pull for as they make the criminals relatable and sympathetic.
Den Of Thieves raises the bar for the genre of heist movies.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) in Movies
Aug 20, 2018
The screenplay!
Man, just when I think Hollywood has nothing fresh to give us, they crank out a gem like this film.
When a sassy divorced Missouri woman is unhappy with local law enforcement after her daughter's brutal rape/murder case has gone cold, she takes matters into her own hands to try and spark some progress by purchasing three billboards shaming them.
The real star here is the dialogue. What a fresh, engaging, sometimes nasty script really kept me laughing, gasping and thoroughly entertained and wanting to know what happens next.
I would say the third act is a slight disappointment, but doesn't detract from an overall mesmerizing film.
When a sassy divorced Missouri woman is unhappy with local law enforcement after her daughter's brutal rape/murder case has gone cold, she takes matters into her own hands to try and spark some progress by purchasing three billboards shaming them.
The real star here is the dialogue. What a fresh, engaging, sometimes nasty script really kept me laughing, gasping and thoroughly entertained and wanting to know what happens next.
I would say the third act is a slight disappointment, but doesn't detract from an overall mesmerizing film.
Liliannar (58 KP) rated Blindsighted (Grant County, #1) in Books
May 29, 2018
The overall story for this book was decently well written. My biggest issue was the cookie-cutter nature of the characters. Nearly every character fit a stereotype about law enforcement or victims. Within meeting characters initially you have a generally clear impression of exactly what is going to happen. There are some variances in what I expected, but for the most part this is a very easy to predict book. The writing was still good, and since I listened on Audible and it was narrated by Kathleen Early it was pleasant to listen to. The cadences for some of the characters seemed to be a bit "off" but after getting to know that character it seems that's how they were meant to be written.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Vengeance is Mine (Benjamin Tucker, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ben is a reporter, and he's been brought in to shed light on a new case that's baffling local law enforcement. With his keen investigative knowledge and sharp eyes, they're hoping he can tell them how this killer is managing to get into women's homes, considering all the doors and windows are locked except the front one as he leaves the grisly scene behind. Aside from this, Ben has a few of his own issues: He's supposed to be writing a mystery novel, but his brain's stuck in reverse, and he doesn't feel like it would be anywhere near as good as his first book, a true-crime novel. He's also having to deal with his ex, who's determined to take half the royalties from that first book, seeing as how he worked on it while they were still together (divorces are grand, aren't they?). Even beyond all that, it turns out this current killer has more than just a passing fancy with Ben, and poor Ben gets dragged along for the ride as this story heats up.
I definitely enjoyed this novel, as I always love a good mystery/thriller. The main characters were very personable, and I like how Ben tries to use his skills as a journalist to not only do what he's been asked by law enforcement, but also to try and figure out just why this killer is obsessed with him. There are certainly some shocking twists all throughout the story, and I can say that I was on the edge of my seat more than once, trying to speed-read so I could get to the next jump.
4 1/2 stars
Ben is a reporter, and he's been brought in to shed light on a new case that's baffling local law enforcement. With his keen investigative knowledge and sharp eyes, they're hoping he can tell them how this killer is managing to get into women's homes, considering all the doors and windows are locked except the front one as he leaves the grisly scene behind. Aside from this, Ben has a few of his own issues: He's supposed to be writing a mystery novel, but his brain's stuck in reverse, and he doesn't feel like it would be anywhere near as good as his first book, a true-crime novel. He's also having to deal with his ex, who's determined to take half the royalties from that first book, seeing as how he worked on it while they were still together (divorces are grand, aren't they?). Even beyond all that, it turns out this current killer has more than just a passing fancy with Ben, and poor Ben gets dragged along for the ride as this story heats up.
I definitely enjoyed this novel, as I always love a good mystery/thriller. The main characters were very personable, and I like how Ben tries to use his skills as a journalist to not only do what he's been asked by law enforcement, but also to try and figure out just why this killer is obsessed with him. There are certainly some shocking twists all throughout the story, and I can say that I was on the edge of my seat more than once, trying to speed-read so I could get to the next jump.
4 1/2 stars
More adventures in the wizarding world
Contains spoilers, click to show
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two part play written by Jack Thorne, based on an original story by J. K. Rowling which continues directly where the last one ended, 19 years after the battle of Hogwarts.
The story follows Harry Potter, now Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic, and his younger son Albus Severus Potter, who is about to begin his first term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
After discovering that his father was present the night Cedric diggory died, Albus decides to right his father's wrongs by making sure Cedric never dies?!
What follows is truly unforseen....
This was some amazing story telling that genuinely had me hooked, a story about communication, trust & sacrifices.
The story follows Harry Potter, now Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic, and his younger son Albus Severus Potter, who is about to begin his first term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
After discovering that his father was present the night Cedric diggory died, Albus decides to right his father's wrongs by making sure Cedric never dies?!
What follows is truly unforseen....
This was some amazing story telling that genuinely had me hooked, a story about communication, trust & sacrifices.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Beverly Hills Cop (1984) in Movies
Jun 5, 2018
Axel Foley
If you were to look up the phrase "fish out of water movie", this film would have to be one of the top movies on the list.
After a Detroit police's officer's friend is murdered, he relocates himself to Beverly Hills, California to investigate only to discover law enforcement operates under quite different principles out there.
Alhough Eddie Murphy had made both "48 Hours" & "Trading Places" before this film was released in 1984, this one was definitely his breakout hit.
His crass, foul demeanor juxtaposed against the prim and proper by-the-book procedureness of the CA cops lent itself to many hilarious and memorable moments. His partners Judge Reinhold and John Ashton worked extremely well with Murphy who had really come into his own as a leading man comic actor for this role.
Still one of my all-time favorite comedies.
After a Detroit police's officer's friend is murdered, he relocates himself to Beverly Hills, California to investigate only to discover law enforcement operates under quite different principles out there.
Alhough Eddie Murphy had made both "48 Hours" & "Trading Places" before this film was released in 1984, this one was definitely his breakout hit.
His crass, foul demeanor juxtaposed against the prim and proper by-the-book procedureness of the CA cops lent itself to many hilarious and memorable moments. His partners Judge Reinhold and John Ashton worked extremely well with Murphy who had really come into his own as a leading man comic actor for this role.
Still one of my all-time favorite comedies.