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ClareR (6037 KP) rated Aquaman (2018) in Movies

Dec 31, 2018  
Aquaman (2018)
Aquaman (2018)
2018 | Action, Sci-Fi
Don’t believe the hype (or lack of it!)
I enjoyed this. I didn’t expect to, because it hasn’t had the best reviews, but I’m always pretty open minded when it comes to comic adaptations. I like the action and the unbelievability (if I want reality, I watch the news!), and I think Jason Mamoa was a pretty ‘believable’ Aquaman. Or at the very least, nice to look at ??‍♀️ (Shallow, I know). Special effects were really good, lots of underwater, floaty stuff, with loads of action and fighting (my boys really loved those bits).
And the environmental message was pretty clear: stop throwing rubbish in the sea, people!
So, we’ve seen the origin of Aquaman, and I feel we’ve been set up nicely for a follow up. I’ll be watching it.
  
MB
Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4)
10
8.8 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
All right, so the high school crap was taken care of. Kate was being a passive-aggressive douchecanoe and Curran was being the stereotypically boring alpha male and they called each other out on it, which is awesome.

I really don't want to give away the plot because it's a doozy. I loved this book and the only real complaint I have is Kate's internalized misogyny. I'm referring to the "slut" and "bimbo" comments. Come on, Kate! The only bimbo is Curran!

I also really enjoyed the Frienship between Andrea and Kate and hope it's explored more in the next book. It's really nice to see female leads in UF who like and respect their fellow women and don't think they're evil whores out to steal their man.
  
WO
Wars Of The Roses
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I think the title of the book is rather misleading - it's not really about the Wars of the Roses per se. The blurb on the inside of the dust jacket tells me it's a book looking more at the impact of this civil strife and the political, social and military situation. It does, as it claims, include many primary sources; 'English and European writings, diplomatic correspondence, personal letters and propoganda', but it is the promised 'detailed interpretation based on modern research' that I must have missed while reading this! To me this was a series of unconnected original documents linked with short paragraphs of text by Lander. In many places the book is so bogged down with inumerable footnotes that the flow of the text is completely lost.

Nice idea, but it doesn't work here.
  
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Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated Snapchat in Apps

Nov 14, 2019 (Updated Nov 15, 2019)  
Snapchat
Snapchat
Communication, Photo & Video, Social Networking
2
7.4 (179 Ratings)
App Rating
Downhill
I used to quite like Snapchat, but in all honesty, i was put off by the location feature. This showed where all your Snapchat friends were and was at risk of being hacked, so I instantly deleted the app. My worry was intensified when police came round out local college to warn parent, and tell them how to deactivate it. It does seem like an easy bullying or abuse tool now, if misused, and I did not like how the function is automatically on, and no clear instructions were given as to how to turn it off.
The idea is a nice one, but just not safe or practical. I no longer use the app and have no plans to reinstall unless it is made safer.
Sorry for the mum-rant.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated The Hole (2012) in Movies

Jan 27, 2020  
The Hole (2012)
The Hole (2012)
2012 | Family, Mystery, Sci-Fi
6
5.9 (8 Ratings)
Movie Rating
A little different
Hard to think of this as a horror as it's a 12a (PG13), however I can see why as it is quite creepy and wouldn't be suitable for younger kids! An intriguing hole in the basement of a new house just has to be checked out by the young brothers, aided by the cute girl next door. They get a lot more than they bargained for when they decide to take the locks off and open the door.
It felt a bit like the 'Burbs/Disturbia, crossed with the Messengers. Which is no bad thing as they are all good films. It has some nice touches, set design and the young actors do a pretty good job. For those who like stronger horror don't be put off by the film rating.
  
Operation Avalanche (2016)
Operation Avalanche (2016)
2016 | Comedy, Drama
6
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Yet another found footage movie, yet another film about the faking of the moon landings (these must surely outnumber films assuming Apollo 11 really happened by a considerable factor). An ambitious young CIA agent cooks up a plan to save NASA by fabricating footage of a successful moonshot.

Doesn't sound very promising, but just about pulls it off due to obvious knowledge of its subject and an unexpected level of technical proficiency - the team get the expertise they need by stealing it off the set of 2001 (a witty touch, but very well-executed). A bit larky most of the way through, which makes a third-act shift into a much more serious mode difficult to pull off, and not particularly original, but watchable and with some very nice moments.
  
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Ronnie (304 KP) rated The Case Of The Drowned Pearl in Books

Apr 9, 2020 (Updated Apr 14, 2020)  
The Case Of The Drowned Pearl
The Case Of The Drowned Pearl
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
On World Book Day Robin Stevens brings us a short Detective Society story at the seaside. When a famous swimmer shows up dead on the beach smelling of soap, the Detective Society must team up with the Junior Pinkertons to solve the murder and get back to their summer holiday.
I really enjoyed just setting aside a short amount of time to just sit down and read ‘The Case Of The Drowned Pearl’ in one go. It was a nice, short, easy read and it was great getting to see a murder investigated from a new angle, with the chapters alternating between Daisy and Hazel’s perspectives.
I can’t wait to read the next Murder Most Unladylike book, although it will be sad bidding a fond farewell to the Detective Society.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) in Movies

Aug 4, 2019 (Updated Aug 4, 2019)  
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure
Funnier than I expected (0 more)
Over the top stunts, even by Fast & Furious standards (0 more)
Decent spin-off
I was a bit surprised when I heard this spin off from Fast and Furious was being made. I guess it fills a gap between the next one. This delivers what you expect. Plenty of over the top action and unrealistic stunts, along with a fair bit of banter between the lead characters. There are some memorable scenes, the chase through London was great. The plots are slowly getting more absurd though. There are also some nice cameos you wouldn't expect. It was funnier than I thought it would be which was a bonus. If you like the Fast & Furious films you should enjoy this as well, although you can leave your brain in neutral.