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Rachel Maria Berney (114 KP) rated The Holiday Calendar (2018) in Movies
Dec 4, 2018
Solid feel good Christmas film
I enjoyed this Christmas film. It had magic, romance and drama. The acting was good and the storyline was a nice Christmas story line.
The main character will be familiar as Bonnie from The Vampire Diaries and as good an actor as she is, she is more annoying than likeable. That is the case in this film too. It's a shame, but the mistake she makes that causes the drama, seems like something a spoilt pentulant toddler would do. You take an instant dislike to her, not that you loved her from the off though.
Overall, I liked the idea and did enjoy the movie. Everyone needs a little magic at Christmas and The Holiday Calendar provides it.
The main character will be familiar as Bonnie from The Vampire Diaries and as good an actor as she is, she is more annoying than likeable. That is the case in this film too. It's a shame, but the mistake she makes that causes the drama, seems like something a spoilt pentulant toddler would do. You take an instant dislike to her, not that you loved her from the off though.
Overall, I liked the idea and did enjoy the movie. Everyone needs a little magic at Christmas and The Holiday Calendar provides it.
Merissa (13956 KP) rated Birthrights (The Awakening Trilogy #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This is the story of Caislyn and Jax, two very different women with attitude!
Jax has run away from an abusive relationship and started a new life. She considers herself wholly human in a world where the 'paranormal' exists.
Caislyn is a witch whose parents are missing and the world, including her lawyer, presume dead although she refuses to believe this.
Throw them together and what have you got? A fast-paced, punchy book that made me laugh with their humour and search along with them for answers. Vampires are "alive and kicking" in this book but are not, for once, in the hot seat but more a back seat driver which makes a nice change.
Will definitely be getting the second and third books in this series.
Jax has run away from an abusive relationship and started a new life. She considers herself wholly human in a world where the 'paranormal' exists.
Caislyn is a witch whose parents are missing and the world, including her lawyer, presume dead although she refuses to believe this.
Throw them together and what have you got? A fast-paced, punchy book that made me laugh with their humour and search along with them for answers. Vampires are "alive and kicking" in this book but are not, for once, in the hot seat but more a back seat driver which makes a nice change.
Will definitely be getting the second and third books in this series.
David McK (3773 KP) rated American Gods in Books
Jan 28, 2019
I don't get it: what's all the fuss about?
Written by an English-man now living in America, I'm aware that this has won numerous awards and is on the top of many peoples favourite reads, but for me? Not so much.
I found it tedious, dull, and un-involving, with the idea of new and old Gods fighting it out itself done better (and more enjoyably) elsewhere.
I'm sorry, but I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who asked for a Neil Gaiman book, pointing them instead towards the far superior (IMO) [b:Stardust|16793|Stardust|Neil Gaiman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328433738s/16793.jpg|3166179] or (even better!) [b:Good Omens|12067|Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392528568s/12067.jpg|4110990].
Written by an English-man now living in America, I'm aware that this has won numerous awards and is on the top of many peoples favourite reads, but for me? Not so much.
I found it tedious, dull, and un-involving, with the idea of new and old Gods fighting it out itself done better (and more enjoyably) elsewhere.
I'm sorry, but I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who asked for a Neil Gaiman book, pointing them instead towards the far superior (IMO) [b:Stardust|16793|Stardust|Neil Gaiman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328433738s/16793.jpg|3166179] or (even better!) [b:Good Omens|12067|Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392528568s/12067.jpg|4110990].
ClareR (6144 KP) rated Aquaman (2018) in Movies
Dec 31, 2018
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.
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.
Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4) in Books
Dec 30, 2019
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.
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.
Deborah (162 KP) rated Wars Of The Roses in Books
Dec 21, 2018
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.
Nice idea, but it doesn't work here.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated Snapchat in Apps
Nov 14, 2019 (Updated Nov 15, 2019)
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.
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.
Dean (6927 KP) rated The Hole (2012) in Movies
Jan 27, 2020
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.
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.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Operation Avalanche (2016) in Movies
Jan 11, 2020
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.
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.
Ronnie (304 KP) rated The Case Of The Drowned Pearl in Books
Apr 9, 2020 (Updated Apr 14, 2020)
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.
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.