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Blaine Harrison recommended track Morning by Beck in Morning Phase by Beck in Music (curated)

Yannis Philippakis recommended What Are Friends For by Charlottefield in Music (curated)

Biff Byford recommended Machine Head by Deep Purple in Music (curated)

Brendan Benson recommended track Just What I Needed by The Cars in Complete Greatest Hits by The Cars in Music (curated)

Rob Halford recommended Reign in Blood by Slayer in Music (curated)

Steve Vai recommended Alien by Strapping Young Lad in Music (curated)

Gruff Rhys recommended Get Up With It by Miles Davis in Music (curated)

Sarah (7800 KP) rated A Star Is Born (2018) in Movies
Jul 13, 2019
Dull and overhyped
I have seen so many good reviews about this film that I thought I was sure to love it, especially as I can’t usually say no to anything with decent songs. However, this was such a dire disappointment.
First of all, the plot isn’t anything new. Tortured and wannabe musicians have been done to death in films, and sadly much better than this. The entire film drags too, it’s so slow and dull and feels like it’s on forever. Aside from the ending, it’s rather boringly predictable and can’t even be saved by Bradley Cooper. He saves this film as his performance is brilliant, but I really don’t rate Lady Gaga, I didn’t think she was good at all, I found her very irritating and other than her voice which is of course phenomenal, I really didn’t like her. I also thought the start of the film with the beginning of the whole romance was so cliched, cheesy and a little bit cringeworthy. The songs were really good and with Bradley Cooper’s performance in general they made this film at least vaguely watchable, but I would never be in a rush to watch this again. Such a disappointment.
First of all, the plot isn’t anything new. Tortured and wannabe musicians have been done to death in films, and sadly much better than this. The entire film drags too, it’s so slow and dull and feels like it’s on forever. Aside from the ending, it’s rather boringly predictable and can’t even be saved by Bradley Cooper. He saves this film as his performance is brilliant, but I really don’t rate Lady Gaga, I didn’t think she was good at all, I found her very irritating and other than her voice which is of course phenomenal, I really didn’t like her. I also thought the start of the film with the beginning of the whole romance was so cliched, cheesy and a little bit cringeworthy. The songs were really good and with Bradley Cooper’s performance in general they made this film at least vaguely watchable, but I would never be in a rush to watch this again. Such a disappointment.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated A Killing in Costumes in Books
May 9, 2025
Memorabilia to Die For
Jay and Cindy were on their way to a successful career in Hollywood until their marriage ended when they both realized they were gay. Now, a couple of decades later, they are opening a Hollywood memorabilia shop in Palm Springs. Things are off to a slow start until aging actress Yana Tosh contacts them about selling her collection of Hollywood costumes. She’s talking to a larger auction house as well, and when Cindy and Jay’s competition dies, they quickly find themselves suspects. Can they clear their names?
This book has been on my radar for a while, and I’m glad I finally picked it up. The writing did make it hard to get into the story originally, but soon I was hooked on the mystery. There were several good twists and surprises on the way to the logical climax. Jay and Cindy share lead character duties, and they lead a cast of characters I enjoyed getting to know. And I smiled at the many references to classic movies, tv shows, and stars of the screen. We also get talk about classic musicians. At this point, this is looking like a standalone novel, but if a sequel does pop up, I’d be happy to visit Cindy and Jay again.
This book has been on my radar for a while, and I’m glad I finally picked it up. The writing did make it hard to get into the story originally, but soon I was hooked on the mystery. There were several good twists and surprises on the way to the logical climax. Jay and Cindy share lead character duties, and they lead a cast of characters I enjoyed getting to know. And I smiled at the many references to classic movies, tv shows, and stars of the screen. We also get talk about classic musicians. At this point, this is looking like a standalone novel, but if a sequel does pop up, I’d be happy to visit Cindy and Jay again.

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Musical Chairs in Books
Sep 17, 2020
A charming and delightful look at family and friendship
Bridget and Will are the best of friends--and nothing more--despite what everyone thinks. For over thirty years, they've been the two long-standing members of the Forsyth Trio. The third founding member, Gavin, went on to great success and stardom, leaving Bridget and Will to fill the position with a rotating crew of musicians. Before starting up the trio again, Bridget plans on spending the summer at her country house in Connecticut near her father, the famous musician Edward Stratton. But things go awry quickly. Her boyfriend breaks it off with her; her twenty-something twins surprise her by returning to the house for the summer, bringing their chaos with them; and the older Edward announces he's getting married. Will and Bridget decide to relaunch the Forsyth Trio at the wedding, but it all hinges on getting Gavin to return--someone they've both been avoiding for quite some time.
This is a charming and funny story. If it sounds all over the place, it's only because it's a reflection on Bridget's life, which is a total mess at the beginning of our tale. Each character in Poeppel's heartfelt tome is wonderful: real and true, standing out on the page as their own person. I fell easily for poor Bridget, hapless Will, the twins, and our host of side characters, ranging from Bridget's very New York-ish sister to Gwen to uppity Edward and his assistant to the local Connecticut townfolk who swarm to try to keep Bridget--and her cottage--from falling apart.
There's a lot of focus on music here--with Bridget, Will, and Edward all musicians, and it makes for a different and lovely book. While plenty of serious things happen, overall this is a sweet and funny story. I found myself smiling and laughing often while reading. There are some downright laugh out loud scenes. Bridget's inability to master technology, coupled with the helplessness of her twins, allow for some wonderful moments. But what really shines through is how much everyone here loves each other--Bridget and her kids, the whole Stratton family, and Will, who is truly part of the clan. How nice to read a book where, even if everyone might fight a day, their compassion and caring for each other shines through.
And, of course, I have a soft spot for any book featuring twins, so I enjoyed a prominent storyline featuring them.
Overall, this is delightful book that offered a wonderful distraction to the woes of the world. It's a funny and kind look at family and friendship, and it simply made me happy. 4+ stars.
This is a charming and funny story. If it sounds all over the place, it's only because it's a reflection on Bridget's life, which is a total mess at the beginning of our tale. Each character in Poeppel's heartfelt tome is wonderful: real and true, standing out on the page as their own person. I fell easily for poor Bridget, hapless Will, the twins, and our host of side characters, ranging from Bridget's very New York-ish sister to Gwen to uppity Edward and his assistant to the local Connecticut townfolk who swarm to try to keep Bridget--and her cottage--from falling apart.
There's a lot of focus on music here--with Bridget, Will, and Edward all musicians, and it makes for a different and lovely book. While plenty of serious things happen, overall this is a sweet and funny story. I found myself smiling and laughing often while reading. There are some downright laugh out loud scenes. Bridget's inability to master technology, coupled with the helplessness of her twins, allow for some wonderful moments. But what really shines through is how much everyone here loves each other--Bridget and her kids, the whole Stratton family, and Will, who is truly part of the clan. How nice to read a book where, even if everyone might fight a day, their compassion and caring for each other shines through.
And, of course, I have a soft spot for any book featuring twins, so I enjoyed a prominent storyline featuring them.
Overall, this is delightful book that offered a wonderful distraction to the woes of the world. It's a funny and kind look at family and friendship, and it simply made me happy. 4+ stars.