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Bree (30 KP) rated Pookie Baby by Prof in Music
Sep 30, 2018
Smashley (63 KP) rated The Wizard of Oz (1939) in Movies
Aug 15, 2017
Characters (1 more)
Plot
Flying monkeys (1 more)
Creepy soldiers
It's a classic!
So I may be a little biased as I was born in the same Minnesota town as Judy Garland. Even so, there's something so magical about witches, munchkins, a colorful faraway land, and a girl who just wants to go home. And let's not forget those sparkly shoes! This movie is a treasured part of my childhood!
Rache (174 KP) rated Wine and Crime in Podcasts
Dec 13, 2018
Little known and interesting crimes (4 more)
Hilariously funny
Great research
Minnesota accents
Nice Pahps!
Wine and Crime - Best Cocktail Ever!
A hilariously funny combination of crazy crimes, three childhood friends from Minnesota, and wine. Lots and lots of wine.
With wine reviews, a "background and psychology" section, and at least two crimes per show, these girls discuss a variety of crimes from murders in crazy places, and murders for bizarre reasons, to the smuggling of horse genitals. There really is something for absolutely everyone, although the easily offended should probably exercise caution.
With over 90 episodes, live shows around the US, and their attendance at Crime Con, these three amazing women provide hours upon hours of incredible ear fodder, brain soup, giggle muscle aperitifs and gag-reflex beverages (yeah, maybe stretched that analogy a bit far). Still, the podcast is fascinating, nausea-inducing, hysterically funny, and utterly addictive, and will have you saying "nice pahp" faster than you think.
With wine reviews, a "background and psychology" section, and at least two crimes per show, these girls discuss a variety of crimes from murders in crazy places, and murders for bizarre reasons, to the smuggling of horse genitals. There really is something for absolutely everyone, although the easily offended should probably exercise caution.
With over 90 episodes, live shows around the US, and their attendance at Crime Con, these three amazing women provide hours upon hours of incredible ear fodder, brain soup, giggle muscle aperitifs and gag-reflex beverages (yeah, maybe stretched that analogy a bit far). Still, the podcast is fascinating, nausea-inducing, hysterically funny, and utterly addictive, and will have you saying "nice pahp" faster than you think.
FilmIntuition (33 KP) rated Virgil Wander in Books
Nov 21, 2018
Like a warm quilt on a cold day, in "Virgil Wander," Leif Enger wraps up his reader in evocative language that makes them want to pull the book closer and hold tight for this imaginative tale.
Narrated by the well-liked eponymous film projectionist who finds himself still getting his bearings and memory back after his car soars into Lake Superior during a snowfall, as Virgil navigates his small town with new perspective, we get acquainted with the equally affable, unique characters who inhabit the “cursed” town of Greenstone, Minnesota.
A seemingly straightforward journey made all the more enchanting by the author's magnetic prose, “Virgil Wander” is stunning not only in its simplicity but by how masterfully Enger builds a strong foundation of characters you can relate to before seasoning his story with elements of Norwegian myth and fisherman's tall tales, which in his hands become Minnesota magic.
A highly recommended chronicle of small town life with much more on its mind, this gorgeously penned sleeper is one of my favorite novels of 2018.
Narrated by the well-liked eponymous film projectionist who finds himself still getting his bearings and memory back after his car soars into Lake Superior during a snowfall, as Virgil navigates his small town with new perspective, we get acquainted with the equally affable, unique characters who inhabit the “cursed” town of Greenstone, Minnesota.
A seemingly straightforward journey made all the more enchanting by the author's magnetic prose, “Virgil Wander” is stunning not only in its simplicity but by how masterfully Enger builds a strong foundation of characters you can relate to before seasoning his story with elements of Norwegian myth and fisherman's tall tales, which in his hands become Minnesota magic.
A highly recommended chronicle of small town life with much more on its mind, this gorgeously penned sleeper is one of my favorite novels of 2018.
Emily Mortimer recommended State of Wonder in Books (curated)
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Once Upon an Ever After (Once Upon a Road Trip, #2) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
The amazing adventure of Angeli continues. After her road trip to explore half of America and meet some people from online face to face she returned to Minnesota with a new sense of self, a stronger sense of faith, and a new long distance boyfriend. In [Once Upon an Ever After] [Angela N. Blount] shows that nothing worth having is easy but it doesn't have to be hard as long as you stand by what you know and believe. This is an incredibly well written and well told coming of age novel for today. I highly recommend everyone read [Once Upon A Road Trip] and [Once Upon an Ever After].
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Spilled Blood in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Olivia Hawk is 16 years old and has been accused of killing Ashland Steele. Ashland is the daughter of Florian Steele. Mr. Steele is the largest employer in the small town of Barron, Minnesota. Olivia lives in the neighboring town of Croix and these cities have been at each other's throats for quite some time. The reason, Florian Steele's company.
This is another new author for me. This book was very shocking and pulled at my heart strings. It's a story of loss, revenge, sacrifice, love, sickness, family. Makes you asks questions like: What am I willing to do to save my child? what will I do for my brother's love? What will I do to save my company? What will I do without my wife? Who is killing all these people? To find the answers you have to read the book.
This is another new author for me. This book was very shocking and pulled at my heart strings. It's a story of loss, revenge, sacrifice, love, sickness, family. Makes you asks questions like: What am I willing to do to save my child? what will I do for my brother's love? What will I do to save my company? What will I do without my wife? Who is killing all these people? To find the answers you have to read the book.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Lost Girls in Books
Feb 13, 2018
In 1935, on the last evening of summer vacation, six-year-old Emily disappears from her family's vacation lake home. Emily's doting mother is devastated, and she and her two daughters (Emily's older sisters) spend the rest of their lives at the lake house, waiting for Emily to return. Six decades later, only Lucy, the middle sister, is still alive. Afraid of dying without telling her story, she writes the tale down in a notebook and leaves it, along with the house, to her sister's granddaughter, Justine. When Justine receives the news that her great-aunt has left her a house in Minnesota, she's shocked. They've only met once, after all, and Justine's flighty mother is still living. But Justine realizes the house represents a way to flee the suffocating life she's living now, and to give her daughters a better life. So they pack up for Minnesota, only to find the house run down, the Minnesota winter cold and isolating, and their only neighbors two elderly men who live in the nearby lodge. Justine's older daughter, Melanie, becomes interested in Emily's disappearance; her mother, Maurie, returns, bringing her usual craziness; and ghosts from Justine's own past threaten their safety. Justine doesn't know what happened at the lake sixty years ago, nor does she know if it's safe for her family now...
This novel was a quick read, which pulled me into its tale immediately. The POV alternates between present-day (late 1990s) with Justine and then flips back to the 1930s, as Lucy tells her story via letter. In this way, we get snippets about the past in chunks, allowing for the story to unfurl slowly, building up suspense. Young does an excellent job in creating her characters: Lucy and her older sister Lilith practically jump off the page, as does little Emily. Lucy was the star of the show for me, both as her younger self and via her letter-writing. Her sadness is easily apparent as she tells a tale of a family trapped by their own secrets.
This is a somber book with serious themes; it's not always an easy read. Still, the back and forth POV works well in this case, and you'll quickly become enraptured in Lucy and Lilith's past, in particular. Justine and Maurie (her mom) are more frustrating characters, but their story is still interesting, especially as you learn about Maurie's life growing up at the lake house with Lilith and Lucy. Overall, this was a different book (in a good way), with insightful and well-drawn characters, and an intriguing plot. Lucy sticks with you, even after it's over.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss (thank you!); it is available everywhere on 07/26/2016.
<a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">My Blog</a> ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justacatandabook/">Facebook</a>; ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/justacatandbook">Twitter</a>;
This novel was a quick read, which pulled me into its tale immediately. The POV alternates between present-day (late 1990s) with Justine and then flips back to the 1930s, as Lucy tells her story via letter. In this way, we get snippets about the past in chunks, allowing for the story to unfurl slowly, building up suspense. Young does an excellent job in creating her characters: Lucy and her older sister Lilith practically jump off the page, as does little Emily. Lucy was the star of the show for me, both as her younger self and via her letter-writing. Her sadness is easily apparent as she tells a tale of a family trapped by their own secrets.
This is a somber book with serious themes; it's not always an easy read. Still, the back and forth POV works well in this case, and you'll quickly become enraptured in Lucy and Lilith's past, in particular. Justine and Maurie (her mom) are more frustrating characters, but their story is still interesting, especially as you learn about Maurie's life growing up at the lake house with Lilith and Lucy. Overall, this was a different book (in a good way), with insightful and well-drawn characters, and an intriguing plot. Lucy sticks with you, even after it's over.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss (thank you!); it is available everywhere on 07/26/2016.
<a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">My Blog</a> ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justacatandabook/">Facebook</a>; ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/justacatandbook">Twitter</a>;
Awix (3310 KP) rated Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (2015) in Movies
Jun 6, 2018
Indie drama (with occasional mildly comic overtones) with a rather convoluted genesis (I'm not going through that again). Lonely Japanese woman believes she can change her life by locating the lost ransom money from the (wholly fictional) movie Fargo, sets off for Minnesota.
Brilliant, vanity-free performance by Rinko Kikuchi, who draws you in as a troubled but still engaging character; there are many moving moments. Much of the film is set in urban Tokyo and captures a real sense of the alienation which has such a negative impact on many people in Kumiko's situation. The US end of the film is slightly lighter in tone, equally well written, directed and performed.
Still, even if you've seen Fargo, I imagine this is a rather different and unsettling film, particularly the conclusion. It's ultimately about isolation, delusion, madness and death, and cheerful writing and polished production can only mitigate that so much. But still a very watchable oddity.
Brilliant, vanity-free performance by Rinko Kikuchi, who draws you in as a troubled but still engaging character; there are many moving moments. Much of the film is set in urban Tokyo and captures a real sense of the alienation which has such a negative impact on many people in Kumiko's situation. The US end of the film is slightly lighter in tone, equally well written, directed and performed.
Still, even if you've seen Fargo, I imagine this is a rather different and unsettling film, particularly the conclusion. It's ultimately about isolation, delusion, madness and death, and cheerful writing and polished production can only mitigate that so much. But still a very watchable oddity.