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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Men in Black International (2019) in Movies
Jan 6, 2021
Fun Characters, Fun Ride
In this sequel of sorts, two secret agents set out to stop an intergalactic threat. Oh, the reviews for this thing were just plain horrible. Honestly, I didn’t think it was bad. Good? No. Decent enough to watch while folding laundry? Sure.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 8
While the first ten minutes won’t blow you away, it was definitely enough to get my attention. I didn’t watch it and get turned off from the rest of the movie. Not perfect, but still fun.
Characters: 10
Men In Black typically knocks it out of the park with an array of unique characters and Men In Black International is no exception. It’s fun knowing that any and everything could be an alien and watching those lines get blurred is always fun. Agent H (Chris Hemsworth) and Agent M (Tessa Thompson) also make a great combo in their reuniting.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
I love the advancements they have expanded on since the third film. The forcefields blocking an intergalactic scene of the crime is a particularly nice touch. These type of sci-fi movies require much attention to detail and this movie doesn’t disappoint. From the all-white confines of the chic MIB offices to an interspecies card game, the movie is a visual feast.
Conflict: 10
Action you say? Not bad at all. Again, very consistent and fun to watch. The stakes were high enough to keep me engaged. The battles were sprawling and sharp. It really is a good time.
Entertainment Value: 6
Memorability: 1
Pace: 10
Plot: 4
Resolution: 2
Overall: 71
While I liked some of the twists Men In Black International tried to throw in, there was really nothing separating it from being your average, run-of-the-mill action movie. Fun? Sure, but it doesn’t have staying power or hold with stronger movies in the genre. Definitely doesn’t deserve the 22% Rotten Tomatoes gave it, but also not the strongest of the series.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 8
While the first ten minutes won’t blow you away, it was definitely enough to get my attention. I didn’t watch it and get turned off from the rest of the movie. Not perfect, but still fun.
Characters: 10
Men In Black typically knocks it out of the park with an array of unique characters and Men In Black International is no exception. It’s fun knowing that any and everything could be an alien and watching those lines get blurred is always fun. Agent H (Chris Hemsworth) and Agent M (Tessa Thompson) also make a great combo in their reuniting.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
I love the advancements they have expanded on since the third film. The forcefields blocking an intergalactic scene of the crime is a particularly nice touch. These type of sci-fi movies require much attention to detail and this movie doesn’t disappoint. From the all-white confines of the chic MIB offices to an interspecies card game, the movie is a visual feast.
Conflict: 10
Action you say? Not bad at all. Again, very consistent and fun to watch. The stakes were high enough to keep me engaged. The battles were sprawling and sharp. It really is a good time.
Entertainment Value: 6
Memorability: 1
Pace: 10
Plot: 4
Resolution: 2
Overall: 71
While I liked some of the twists Men In Black International tried to throw in, there was really nothing separating it from being your average, run-of-the-mill action movie. Fun? Sure, but it doesn’t have staying power or hold with stronger movies in the genre. Definitely doesn’t deserve the 22% Rotten Tomatoes gave it, but also not the strongest of the series.
BookInspector (124 KP) rated The Testaments (The Handmaid's Tale #2) in Books
Sep 24, 2020 (Updated Jan 26, 2021)
There are three protagonists in this book and the story is told from their perspectives. Aunt Lydia is one of the founders of Gilead, she helped to create the rules and she is worshipped and feared among the residents. She was the star of this book! I loved her story, that she shared from her past, and how she became so influential. On the other hand, I have a million questions, because some of her actions don’t really make sense.
Another person telling the story is Agnes, a teenage girl, that was raised in Gilead since birth. She is sharing her life story, that I found quite intriguing. I was surprised, how brainwashed people can be, and how easy it is to mould young people. Agnes amused me, and I really enjoyed her journey. The third person was my least favourite one, that was baby Nicole. She lives in a present-day like Canada, and I think she was the least interesting and kind of lame. However, when all three stories are combined, it did make a pretty amusing read.
The narrative of this book was constantly changing, depending on the character. I really liked the way the author tangled these stories. I think it was quite eventful and action-filled. I liked the way M. Atwood combined the different worlds and different times in this book, it had me engrossed. I really enjoyed the writing style of this novel, I think it was creative. The chapters had a decent length, and the book didn’t leave me bored. I really liked the ending of this book, I think it concluded this story very well.
To conclude, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I liked the character’s differences in values and understanding of what’s right and wrong. This book has an interesting, “mission” like narrative, and is quite layered, all these things kept me intrigued till the end. I hope you will give it a go and will enjoy it as much as I did.
Another person telling the story is Agnes, a teenage girl, that was raised in Gilead since birth. She is sharing her life story, that I found quite intriguing. I was surprised, how brainwashed people can be, and how easy it is to mould young people. Agnes amused me, and I really enjoyed her journey. The third person was my least favourite one, that was baby Nicole. She lives in a present-day like Canada, and I think she was the least interesting and kind of lame. However, when all three stories are combined, it did make a pretty amusing read.
The narrative of this book was constantly changing, depending on the character. I really liked the way the author tangled these stories. I think it was quite eventful and action-filled. I liked the way M. Atwood combined the different worlds and different times in this book, it had me engrossed. I really enjoyed the writing style of this novel, I think it was creative. The chapters had a decent length, and the book didn’t leave me bored. I really liked the ending of this book, I think it concluded this story very well.
To conclude, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I liked the character’s differences in values and understanding of what’s right and wrong. This book has an interesting, “mission” like narrative, and is quite layered, all these things kept me intrigued till the end. I hope you will give it a go and will enjoy it as much as I did.
Merissa (12911 KP) rated Kaps (Angelbound Offspring #5) in Books
Aug 2, 2020
Kaps is the fifth book in the Angelbound Offspring series and one that I wasn't too bothered about reading. The only reason I wanted to is because it is part of the series and I didn't want to miss anything from the other characters. HOW WRONG I WAS!!!!
In this story, I found out I had been suckered into seeing the masks Kaps hides behinds, just like the rest of her family and friends. It took Mack and his no-nonsense approach seeing Kaps in all her glory to help me see her that way too. And can I just say... she's brilliant! With this one instalment, I now want to go back and re-read the other four books in the series, just to see her with fresh eyes.
And Mack - oh, be still my heart. He was simply wonderful. He fought for Kaps, even against her friends, and stood by her throughout it all. I really can't wait for his book to come along. I need Kaps and Mack to get their HEA.
I can't leave this review for my favourite Grandma out of all of them 😉 - Great M. Such a brilliant character and I'm so glad she had Kaps' back in this.
This is part of a series from a series (Angelbound Origins followed by Angelbound Offspring) so I really do recommend you read them all to get the full picture into each of the characters and the storyline that runs through. Not only that but you get a fantastic world to dive into time and again.
For a book I wasn't bothered about reading to completely turn me around the way it did, I can only give it 5-stars! Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
In this story, I found out I had been suckered into seeing the masks Kaps hides behinds, just like the rest of her family and friends. It took Mack and his no-nonsense approach seeing Kaps in all her glory to help me see her that way too. And can I just say... she's brilliant! With this one instalment, I now want to go back and re-read the other four books in the series, just to see her with fresh eyes.
And Mack - oh, be still my heart. He was simply wonderful. He fought for Kaps, even against her friends, and stood by her throughout it all. I really can't wait for his book to come along. I need Kaps and Mack to get their HEA.
I can't leave this review for my favourite Grandma out of all of them 😉 - Great M. Such a brilliant character and I'm so glad she had Kaps' back in this.
This is part of a series from a series (Angelbound Origins followed by Angelbound Offspring) so I really do recommend you read them all to get the full picture into each of the characters and the storyline that runs through. Not only that but you get a fantastic world to dive into time and again.
For a book I wasn't bothered about reading to completely turn me around the way it did, I can only give it 5-stars! Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
DaveySmithy (107 KP) rated Wicked (2024) in Movies
Dec 3, 2024
A Magical, If Slightly Uneven Journey
The long-awaited Wicked movie finally graces the big screen in 2024, bringing the beloved Broadway musical to life with all the magic, heart, and soaring melodies that made it iconic. Directed by Jon M. Chu, this adaptation dives deep into the untold story of the witches of Oz, offering stunning visuals, powerhouse performances, and emotional depth that will captivate fans of the musical and newcomers alike.
The film explores the complex relationship between Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo), the misunderstood green-skinned girl who will become the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), the glamorous and ambitious witch-in-training. Both actresses deliver strong performances, with Erivo’s soulful voice shining in ballads like “Defying Gravity” and “I’m Not That Girl.” Grande brings charm and humor to Glinda, though her performance occasionally leans into caricature rather than character depth.
Visually, Wicked is breathtaking. The vibrant and intricate production design transports viewers to a fantastical Oz, from the emerald spires of the Emerald City to the mystical forests of Shiz University. Coupled with dazzling costume design and vivid CGI, the world feels alive and immersive.
However, the film does falter in pacing. At over two hours, certain scenes—particularly in the first act—feel overly drawn out, while others are rushed. Some of the musical numbers lose their emotional weight due to awkward transitions from dialogue to song, a challenge many stage-to-screen adaptations face.
Despite these shortcomings, Wicked soars where it matters most: its emotional core. The themes of friendship, identity, and the cost of doing what’s right resonate deeply. By the time the climactic “For Good” duet arrives, the film earns its tears and applause.
While not perfect, Wicked (2024) is a spellbinding adaptation that captures much of the magic of the original musical. Fans will walk away satisfied, and newcomers will find themselves enchanted. A solid 8/10.
The long-awaited Wicked movie finally graces the big screen in 2024, bringing the beloved Broadway musical to life with all the magic, heart, and soaring melodies that made it iconic. Directed by Jon M. Chu, this adaptation dives deep into the untold story of the witches of Oz, offering stunning visuals, powerhouse performances, and emotional depth that will captivate fans of the musical and newcomers alike.
The film explores the complex relationship between Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo), the misunderstood green-skinned girl who will become the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), the glamorous and ambitious witch-in-training. Both actresses deliver strong performances, with Erivo’s soulful voice shining in ballads like “Defying Gravity” and “I’m Not That Girl.” Grande brings charm and humor to Glinda, though her performance occasionally leans into caricature rather than character depth.
Visually, Wicked is breathtaking. The vibrant and intricate production design transports viewers to a fantastical Oz, from the emerald spires of the Emerald City to the mystical forests of Shiz University. Coupled with dazzling costume design and vivid CGI, the world feels alive and immersive.
However, the film does falter in pacing. At over two hours, certain scenes—particularly in the first act—feel overly drawn out, while others are rushed. Some of the musical numbers lose their emotional weight due to awkward transitions from dialogue to song, a challenge many stage-to-screen adaptations face.
Despite these shortcomings, Wicked soars where it matters most: its emotional core. The themes of friendship, identity, and the cost of doing what’s right resonate deeply. By the time the climactic “For Good” duet arrives, the film earns its tears and applause.
While not perfect, Wicked (2024) is a spellbinding adaptation that captures much of the magic of the original musical. Fans will walk away satisfied, and newcomers will find themselves enchanted. A solid 8/10.
The Bandersnatch (199 KP) rated Memoirs of a Geisha in Books
Nov 7, 2019
Memoirs of a Geisha is a historical fiction book published on September 27th 1997. Told in the first person Viewpoint of Geisha Sayuri (Original name Chiyo), It follows her journey from her childhood in a fishing village on the coast of Japan, forcibly taken to a Hanamachi in Gion Kyoto and raised to become a Geisha before experiencing the horrors of WW2 and being a Geisha during the hard work of rebuilding after a harrowing defeat.
My opinion of the book is one of both curiosity and interest. Japan is one of those countries where its history and culture is both unusual and mysterious. The book gives a brief glimpse into the hidden world of the Geisha which are a prominent spot in Japanese culture but are relatively unknown world wide. I believe that the story of Sayuri is one of personal travel and evolution. Since we see Sayuri';s experience as a child before becoming a Geisha, experiencing the horror of war and eventually finding love with the Chairman.
Arthur Golden was born on December 6th 1956 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. When he was eight years old his parents divorced with his father dying five years later. He spent most of his childhood living in lookout mountain, Georgia before graduating from the Baylor school in Chattanooga in 1974. After earning a degree in Fine art (Specifically Japanese art), an M. A. in Japanese history, Golden spent a summer at the Peking University in Beijing and spent some time working in Tokyo. When he returned to the states he earned an M. A. in English at Boston University. Golden married Trudi Legge and they went on to have two children Hays and Tess.
After getting the initial idea for Memoirs of a Geisha Golden spent six years over the story rewriting it at least three times, changing the view point until settling on the viewpoint of Sayuri. Golden had spent time interviewing several Geisha including Mineko Iwasaki (who ended up suing Golden when the Japanese version of the book came out for breach of contract.....the case was settled out of court in 2003) all of whom provided information about the world of the Geisha. After its release Memoirs of a Geisha spent two years on the New York Times bestseller list, its sold more than four million copies in English alone and has been translated into thirty-two languages around the world. In 2005 the book was made into a movie garnering three academy awards.
My opinion of Arthur Golden is very small and somewhat limited.......I believe he is a fantastic writer and very knowledgeable about Japanese history and art....Much more so than I am but hearing he faced being sued because of citing who his sources were when he was contracted not to has put something of a dampener on his character in my eyes.
Memoirs of a Geisha was released as a Movie on December 9th 2005 under director Rob Marshall and Produced by Steven Spielberg's production Company Amblin Entertainment and Spyglass Entertainment. With its production from pre- to post-production taking place mainly in California US, with a few spots filmed in Kyoto Japan. The movie received mixed reviews in the western world and received somewhat negative reviews in Japan due to its mixed casting of Chinese and Japanese actors and actresses and its relationship to history. Despite the chaos they won three Academy Awards (Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design), a Golden Globe (Best Original Score), A national Board of review (Best Supporting Actress), a satellite award (Outstanding screenplay) and three BAFTA's (Cinematography, Costume design and the Anthony Asquith award for Achievement in film music).
Whilst I quite like the movie I definitely feel that if more effort was put into tying more of both Japanese and Geisha history was some how tied into the movie. As well as using more Japanese Actors and actresses in the roles......despite that I believe the actors and actresses did a very good job in brining the script to life and keep a layer of mystery and fluidity to their roles.
And there you have it a book for all the ages, its definitely under the banner of AWESOME!!!.
My opinion of the book is one of both curiosity and interest. Japan is one of those countries where its history and culture is both unusual and mysterious. The book gives a brief glimpse into the hidden world of the Geisha which are a prominent spot in Japanese culture but are relatively unknown world wide. I believe that the story of Sayuri is one of personal travel and evolution. Since we see Sayuri';s experience as a child before becoming a Geisha, experiencing the horror of war and eventually finding love with the Chairman.
Arthur Golden was born on December 6th 1956 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. When he was eight years old his parents divorced with his father dying five years later. He spent most of his childhood living in lookout mountain, Georgia before graduating from the Baylor school in Chattanooga in 1974. After earning a degree in Fine art (Specifically Japanese art), an M. A. in Japanese history, Golden spent a summer at the Peking University in Beijing and spent some time working in Tokyo. When he returned to the states he earned an M. A. in English at Boston University. Golden married Trudi Legge and they went on to have two children Hays and Tess.
After getting the initial idea for Memoirs of a Geisha Golden spent six years over the story rewriting it at least three times, changing the view point until settling on the viewpoint of Sayuri. Golden had spent time interviewing several Geisha including Mineko Iwasaki (who ended up suing Golden when the Japanese version of the book came out for breach of contract.....the case was settled out of court in 2003) all of whom provided information about the world of the Geisha. After its release Memoirs of a Geisha spent two years on the New York Times bestseller list, its sold more than four million copies in English alone and has been translated into thirty-two languages around the world. In 2005 the book was made into a movie garnering three academy awards.
My opinion of Arthur Golden is very small and somewhat limited.......I believe he is a fantastic writer and very knowledgeable about Japanese history and art....Much more so than I am but hearing he faced being sued because of citing who his sources were when he was contracted not to has put something of a dampener on his character in my eyes.
Memoirs of a Geisha was released as a Movie on December 9th 2005 under director Rob Marshall and Produced by Steven Spielberg's production Company Amblin Entertainment and Spyglass Entertainment. With its production from pre- to post-production taking place mainly in California US, with a few spots filmed in Kyoto Japan. The movie received mixed reviews in the western world and received somewhat negative reviews in Japan due to its mixed casting of Chinese and Japanese actors and actresses and its relationship to history. Despite the chaos they won three Academy Awards (Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design), a Golden Globe (Best Original Score), A national Board of review (Best Supporting Actress), a satellite award (Outstanding screenplay) and three BAFTA's (Cinematography, Costume design and the Anthony Asquith award for Achievement in film music).
Whilst I quite like the movie I definitely feel that if more effort was put into tying more of both Japanese and Geisha history was some how tied into the movie. As well as using more Japanese Actors and actresses in the roles......despite that I believe the actors and actresses did a very good job in brining the script to life and keep a layer of mystery and fluidity to their roles.
And there you have it a book for all the ages, its definitely under the banner of AWESOME!!!.
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Antebellum (2020) in Movies
Oct 12, 2020
Monae shines - the rest falls flat
One of the films that I circled on my calendar back in the beginning of 2020 was a trippy looking "Civil War anachronism" film (my term) ANTEBELLUM starring Janelle Monae. I'm a sucker for these kinds of films, so was a little sad that I couldn't see it in the theater, but was thrilled when this "horror film" debuted on pay-per-view in time for Halloween.
I now know why the producers of this film decided to get this out now vs. waiting to release it theatrically sometime in 2021.
Billed as "Jordan Peel's GET OUT meets an M. Night Shyamalan film", ANTEBELLUM is a movie told in 3 acts. In the first act, Janelle Monae's character (who is given the slave name Eden) is brought into a Southern, Antebellum, plantation. This part of the film shows the desperation and despair that slaves lived in at a time that they had no rights and were under the whims of their White Slave Owners. The character of Eden is fiesty and is constantly looking to escape, but...eventually...is worn down by her masters and capitulates...to a point. This is the most successful part of this film, but has been better covered in other films like 12 YEARS A SLAVE.
The 2nd part of this movie takes place in "modern day" and concerns a successful author, Veronica Henley (also played by Monae). This character specializes in books and motivational speeches designed to empower the African-American woman. This part of the movie highlights Monae's appeal as a screen presence and she overcomes some weak writing to rise above. This part of the film, ultimately, falls flat for me, but I was curious as to how these 2 very different pieces of this movie fit together.
The 3rd part of this movie answers that question. If only, it answered it better....for pieces of this part of the movie works well...but others fall very, very flat resulting, ultimately, in a less than satisfying film-going experience that could have used some further work.
Monae's performance (for the most part) shines in this movie. She handles both characters that she is playing in a sharp, charismatic way. I could really buy that she is a popular "motivational" speaker (in the modern part of the movie). I could also see the fire in her spirit during the "Antebellum" part. What I didn't buy (and a weakness in the script doesn't help this part) is her "capitulation" to her slave owners.
And...that's about if for performances that stood out. All of the white actors playing the slave owners (mainly Eric Lange, Jena Malone and Jack Huston) are capital "E" evil. While this is probably historically accurate, they weren't evil enough - or multi-dimensional enough - to keep my attention. Compounding that issue is that the other characters in the "modern part" of the film are very generic and forgettable.
And then we get to the 3rd part of this film - where the first 2 parts are melded together.
It is one of those types of storytelling tropes that either you "go with it" or you don't. If you don't, the movie will lose you right there. If you do (and I did), then it is an interesting place to go and blends the first 2 parts of the film "well enough". My problem is that I didn't care enough about the characters to care about what happens.
I lay the blame of this on filmmakers Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz. They co-wrote and co-directed this movie. I had never heard of them, or (I don't think) I've encountered their work before, but upon reading up on them, they are listed as "Visionary Filmmakers Bush+Renz". If they are visionaries, they sure didn't bring much vision here. It was all pretty straightforward and could have used some other kind of "visionary" to lift this movie to a higher level.
You know, like Jordan Peele or even M. Night Shyamalan.
Letter Grade C+
5 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
I now know why the producers of this film decided to get this out now vs. waiting to release it theatrically sometime in 2021.
Billed as "Jordan Peel's GET OUT meets an M. Night Shyamalan film", ANTEBELLUM is a movie told in 3 acts. In the first act, Janelle Monae's character (who is given the slave name Eden) is brought into a Southern, Antebellum, plantation. This part of the film shows the desperation and despair that slaves lived in at a time that they had no rights and were under the whims of their White Slave Owners. The character of Eden is fiesty and is constantly looking to escape, but...eventually...is worn down by her masters and capitulates...to a point. This is the most successful part of this film, but has been better covered in other films like 12 YEARS A SLAVE.
The 2nd part of this movie takes place in "modern day" and concerns a successful author, Veronica Henley (also played by Monae). This character specializes in books and motivational speeches designed to empower the African-American woman. This part of the movie highlights Monae's appeal as a screen presence and she overcomes some weak writing to rise above. This part of the film, ultimately, falls flat for me, but I was curious as to how these 2 very different pieces of this movie fit together.
The 3rd part of this movie answers that question. If only, it answered it better....for pieces of this part of the movie works well...but others fall very, very flat resulting, ultimately, in a less than satisfying film-going experience that could have used some further work.
Monae's performance (for the most part) shines in this movie. She handles both characters that she is playing in a sharp, charismatic way. I could really buy that she is a popular "motivational" speaker (in the modern part of the movie). I could also see the fire in her spirit during the "Antebellum" part. What I didn't buy (and a weakness in the script doesn't help this part) is her "capitulation" to her slave owners.
And...that's about if for performances that stood out. All of the white actors playing the slave owners (mainly Eric Lange, Jena Malone and Jack Huston) are capital "E" evil. While this is probably historically accurate, they weren't evil enough - or multi-dimensional enough - to keep my attention. Compounding that issue is that the other characters in the "modern part" of the film are very generic and forgettable.
And then we get to the 3rd part of this film - where the first 2 parts are melded together.
It is one of those types of storytelling tropes that either you "go with it" or you don't. If you don't, the movie will lose you right there. If you do (and I did), then it is an interesting place to go and blends the first 2 parts of the film "well enough". My problem is that I didn't care enough about the characters to care about what happens.
I lay the blame of this on filmmakers Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz. They co-wrote and co-directed this movie. I had never heard of them, or (I don't think) I've encountered their work before, but upon reading up on them, they are listed as "Visionary Filmmakers Bush+Renz". If they are visionaries, they sure didn't bring much vision here. It was all pretty straightforward and could have used some other kind of "visionary" to lift this movie to a higher level.
You know, like Jordan Peele or even M. Night Shyamalan.
Letter Grade C+
5 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Merissa (12911 KP) rated Pitch Dark in Books
Sep 15, 2017
Pitch Dark by A. M. Wilson and Alex Grayson
Pitch Dark is exactly that... dark! It comes with trigger warnings, and the authors even say to contact them before you read if you have any questions. Don't take this lightly!
Niko was best friends with Aislin, and was the only one who didn't believe she had run away. At only fifteen-years-old though, Niko had a hard time getting anyone to believe him, and so Aislin was never found. He never stopped looking for his North though, and even became a police officer so he could carry on. What happens next is twisted and full of red herrings, guaranteed to keep you guessing until the end.
This book is written from different perspectives - Niko's, Lelu's, and sometimes, the big bad. Trust me when I say that it doesn't matter which perspective it is from, it's got some very grim parts in it. Niko is a bit over the top with his anger issues, although you have to see that to appreciate how he softens towards Doe. There was one particular point when my fingers curled, due to how well written a scene was. It turned my stomach, but it was excellent.
Like I said before, there are twists and turns, plus red herrings all thrown at you. You will think that you know who it is, and then you will doubt yourself. I had it right all along, and yet I was still surprised by the ending. At one point, I even convinced myself that a different character hadn't been shot and killed, and it was him doing it - all because the authors said that he wasn't identified due to him not having a face!
Pitch Dark is excellently written and is seamless between the two authors. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disturbed my reading flow. This story was dark and horrible, but it also had hope, and a glimmer of light. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with o requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Niko was best friends with Aislin, and was the only one who didn't believe she had run away. At only fifteen-years-old though, Niko had a hard time getting anyone to believe him, and so Aislin was never found. He never stopped looking for his North though, and even became a police officer so he could carry on. What happens next is twisted and full of red herrings, guaranteed to keep you guessing until the end.
This book is written from different perspectives - Niko's, Lelu's, and sometimes, the big bad. Trust me when I say that it doesn't matter which perspective it is from, it's got some very grim parts in it. Niko is a bit over the top with his anger issues, although you have to see that to appreciate how he softens towards Doe. There was one particular point when my fingers curled, due to how well written a scene was. It turned my stomach, but it was excellent.
Like I said before, there are twists and turns, plus red herrings all thrown at you. You will think that you know who it is, and then you will doubt yourself. I had it right all along, and yet I was still surprised by the ending. At one point, I even convinced myself that a different character hadn't been shot and killed, and it was him doing it - all because the authors said that he wasn't identified due to him not having a face!
Pitch Dark is excellently written and is seamless between the two authors. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disturbed my reading flow. This story was dark and horrible, but it also had hope, and a glimmer of light. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with o requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) rated Glass (2019) in Movies
May 13, 2019
See the cracks
#glass may open like its #unbreakable but soon after starts to #split at the seems becoming a #disappointing & unnecessary conclusion to a trilogy we didnt really need. I confess I didnt really care that much for Split but as with Glass i found the most impressive aspect of both of these films is simply watching #jamesmacavoy put in some seriously impressive character work & ultimatly carry both films alone. His ability to flip seamlessly between these inner characters is not only impressive stuff to watch but adds great tension & unpredictability to what is other wise a very dull movie. At first i was slightly #impressed with Glass (as it seem as if #mnightshyamalan had progressed as a film maker & not only learnt from his mistakes but also adapted completely new styles of film making too) but as the film played out i realised what he has actually done is instead stolen ideas from much better films (ie #getout) then re used them again here. Dont get me wrong at times Glass is filmed great, the score is good & there are some well done #tense moments but theses are more often on not ruined by Shyamalans dorky & damn right #silly sense of #humour, bad writing & forced exposition heavy visual cues & dialog. Its so patronising & predictable at times its almost like hes not only taking the piss out of the #superhero genre but us the viewer too. For a #film thats been so heavily promoted & built up now for such a long time i feel weve all been eagerly anticipating its release to see this big conclusion & i can tell you now its so not been worth the wait. Not only is the final act so #boring & increadibly anticlimactic the end its self feels flat, tact on & empty like M Night just straight up ran out of ideas. This film series started out so #fresh & interesting but Glass takes a strange turn to the generic & mundane side of the superhero genre that most #Marvel films these days have managed to grow out of by now. This is one #trilogy that should of stayed Unbreakable. Very disappointing. #odeonlimitless #odeon #saturday #weekendvibes #filmcritic #comicbook #hero #filmbuff #samuelljackson #brucewillis #comic #villain #sundayfunday
Carma (21 KP) rated Sweet Home Louisiana (Boys of the Bayou, #2) in Books
Jun 17, 2019
Explosive together, tortured apart. Will Maddie and Owen have the same fiery passion a decade plus later. Reunited on the Bayou can only lead them to rediscover who they were, where their lives have gone and who theyve become. Im loving these Bayou boys and girls.
Maddie left the Bayou about 12 years ago, she never wanted to return but then her brother died. She retunred for the funeral but ran again back to the west coast. It isnt that she hated her hometown, she hated how her hometown made her feel. Wild, unencumbered, no filter, she needed to feel more in control of herself. It didnt help that the bayou had Owen.
Owen is a bayou boy through and through. Maddie was his first real love and they were dangerous together. The passion and fire when the two of them got near each other could set the room on fire, and pretty much did. When Maddie wants to sell her shares of Boys of the Bayou she first must return home for 30 days as per the agreement made years before. Owen sees his chance to remind her whats in her blood, who she is down deep.
Owen and Maddie together are full of passion and spark. You can almost see the flames jumping off the pages when they come together. But will that be enough to get Maddie to want to stay home and run the company with them? She has an investor that is a good fit for the company that wants to jump head first into helping grow the company but the boys arent that open to a new person coming into their tight fold, especially with him having majority ownership along with Sawyer. Kennedy doesnt want Bennett there but for much different reasons (I see a juicy story unfolding).
This series has me dying in between releases. The author has the ability to pull me right into not only the pages and scenes but I can feel the heat of the bayou, the smells the bayou, the noise of the airboats. Sawyer is next up and it is going to be so so good, I can feel that too.
Maddie left the Bayou about 12 years ago, she never wanted to return but then her brother died. She retunred for the funeral but ran again back to the west coast. It isnt that she hated her hometown, she hated how her hometown made her feel. Wild, unencumbered, no filter, she needed to feel more in control of herself. It didnt help that the bayou had Owen.
Owen is a bayou boy through and through. Maddie was his first real love and they were dangerous together. The passion and fire when the two of them got near each other could set the room on fire, and pretty much did. When Maddie wants to sell her shares of Boys of the Bayou she first must return home for 30 days as per the agreement made years before. Owen sees his chance to remind her whats in her blood, who she is down deep.
Owen and Maddie together are full of passion and spark. You can almost see the flames jumping off the pages when they come together. But will that be enough to get Maddie to want to stay home and run the company with them? She has an investor that is a good fit for the company that wants to jump head first into helping grow the company but the boys arent that open to a new person coming into their tight fold, especially with him having majority ownership along with Sawyer. Kennedy doesnt want Bennett there but for much different reasons (I see a juicy story unfolding).
This series has me dying in between releases. The author has the ability to pull me right into not only the pages and scenes but I can feel the heat of the bayou, the smells the bayou, the noise of the airboats. Sawyer is next up and it is going to be so so good, I can feel that too.
Carma (21 KP) rated The Lemon Sisters (Wildstone, #3) in Books
Jun 17, 2019
I absolutely love reading Jill Shalvis books. She has the uncanny ability to get right into my head and thought process to lead me on an extraordinary adventure from the first page. The Lemon Sisters is no exception, with life quotes on every chapter and stories like popcorn farting, this is a true to life story.
Brooke and Mindy are the Lemon Sisters. Separated by time and distance, they each are settled into their own crazy lives. Brooke is busy adventure journalist who had a little hiccup in her career and Mindy is a mom to 3 wild kids. Mindy shows up and Brookes door and needs a break so Brooke agrees to take the kids home for a couple days to give Mindy the time she needs. Not wanting to mention to Mindy how close the edge Brooke was herself, she keeps her mouth shut and helps get Mindys life back on track.
Wildstone is a place Brooke never wanted to head back to, ever. She ran fast and far as soon as she could seven years ago and never looked back. Putting Garrett out of her every thought has been the hardest part of living away from home. This could get very interesting.
Garrett has lived next door to Mindy and Linc for years, he loves being a psuedo uncle to their 3 kids. Hes tried hard to keep Brooke from encroaching on his daily thoughts, but that has proven to be futile. Now with her next door again for who knows how long, his thoughts are no longer his own.
I love the flow of storylines from Brooke to Mindy to Linc and Garrett. Add in a quirky OCD like storyline with Brooke and her niece and you have a perfect flow of characters both main and secondary. Telling storylines within the main storyline including lines like Popcorn Farts and the cool quotes Ms. Shalvis puts at the beginning of chapters is just one of the many reasons I flock to books by this author. 5 out of 5 stars for a book I voluntarily read and reviewed without expectations. Wildstone hooked me again, toss me back and Ill get hooked again Im sure.
Brooke and Mindy are the Lemon Sisters. Separated by time and distance, they each are settled into their own crazy lives. Brooke is busy adventure journalist who had a little hiccup in her career and Mindy is a mom to 3 wild kids. Mindy shows up and Brookes door and needs a break so Brooke agrees to take the kids home for a couple days to give Mindy the time she needs. Not wanting to mention to Mindy how close the edge Brooke was herself, she keeps her mouth shut and helps get Mindys life back on track.
Wildstone is a place Brooke never wanted to head back to, ever. She ran fast and far as soon as she could seven years ago and never looked back. Putting Garrett out of her every thought has been the hardest part of living away from home. This could get very interesting.
Garrett has lived next door to Mindy and Linc for years, he loves being a psuedo uncle to their 3 kids. Hes tried hard to keep Brooke from encroaching on his daily thoughts, but that has proven to be futile. Now with her next door again for who knows how long, his thoughts are no longer his own.
I love the flow of storylines from Brooke to Mindy to Linc and Garrett. Add in a quirky OCD like storyline with Brooke and her niece and you have a perfect flow of characters both main and secondary. Telling storylines within the main storyline including lines like Popcorn Farts and the cool quotes Ms. Shalvis puts at the beginning of chapters is just one of the many reasons I flock to books by this author. 5 out of 5 stars for a book I voluntarily read and reviewed without expectations. Wildstone hooked me again, toss me back and Ill get hooked again Im sure.