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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (Ice Age 3) (2009) in Movies
Aug 9, 2019
Scrat and the gang are back, and this time in stunning 3D in the new “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs”. The third chapter in the popular series once again follows the adventures of the unusual mix of friends, in their frozen home.
As the film opens, Manny (Ray Romano), is a nervous wreck as Ellie (Queen Latifah), is expecting their first child. Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo), is ecstatic over the pending arrival, while Diego the tiger, (Dennis Leary), believes he has lost his edge and is no longer needed in a family environment.
As Diego prepares to set off on his own, Sid falls through a crack in the ice and discovers three eggs which he believes have been abandoned.
Sid decides to adopt the eggs and soon they hatch with three T-Rex infants. Unaware of what they are, Sid is delighted at his new family and ignores Manny’s warnings up until a gigantic T-Rex arrives looking for her children and takes them and Sid into a hole in the ice.
Despite their misgivings, Diego, Ellie, and Manny venture under the ice to rescue Sid and discover an entire world of dinosaurs that have survived and thrived under the ice. Facing numerous new dangers and having no idea where to go, the group is befriended by a weasel named Buck (Simon Pegg), who helps them track their missing friend.
Along the way the group must contend with flesh eating plants, laughing gas, dangerous dinosaurs, and hostile terrain as they attempt to save their friend and return home.
While the plot is simple and some will no doubt question how dinosaurs and mammals would be around at the same time, the film is fun, and I enjoyed it more than the previous film in the series. The creators know this is a family film that is intended for children and do not waste time with an overly complicated plot and keep character developments to the bare essentials.
Instead, we get a lively and quirky tale about friendship and family, as well as some funny moments and great animation. The technicians behind the film have wisely allowed the characters to remain the focal point of the film, but cleverly included the new 3D techniques to allow the audience a sense of immersion into the film.
The cast works well with one another and seem to be having a good time playing characters that have no doubt become familiar to them. Once again Scrat steals every scene he is appears in as he attempts time and again to capture his beloved acorn. A new character named Scratte adds a new dimension to the character as she plays not only a romantic interest in the film but also a new obstacle in his never ending quest.
The film was paced well and never overstayed its welcome, and despite some jokes that were better suited to an older audience, the film delivered a perfect summer film for the family to enjoy.
As the film opens, Manny (Ray Romano), is a nervous wreck as Ellie (Queen Latifah), is expecting their first child. Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo), is ecstatic over the pending arrival, while Diego the tiger, (Dennis Leary), believes he has lost his edge and is no longer needed in a family environment.
As Diego prepares to set off on his own, Sid falls through a crack in the ice and discovers three eggs which he believes have been abandoned.
Sid decides to adopt the eggs and soon they hatch with three T-Rex infants. Unaware of what they are, Sid is delighted at his new family and ignores Manny’s warnings up until a gigantic T-Rex arrives looking for her children and takes them and Sid into a hole in the ice.
Despite their misgivings, Diego, Ellie, and Manny venture under the ice to rescue Sid and discover an entire world of dinosaurs that have survived and thrived under the ice. Facing numerous new dangers and having no idea where to go, the group is befriended by a weasel named Buck (Simon Pegg), who helps them track their missing friend.
Along the way the group must contend with flesh eating plants, laughing gas, dangerous dinosaurs, and hostile terrain as they attempt to save their friend and return home.
While the plot is simple and some will no doubt question how dinosaurs and mammals would be around at the same time, the film is fun, and I enjoyed it more than the previous film in the series. The creators know this is a family film that is intended for children and do not waste time with an overly complicated plot and keep character developments to the bare essentials.
Instead, we get a lively and quirky tale about friendship and family, as well as some funny moments and great animation. The technicians behind the film have wisely allowed the characters to remain the focal point of the film, but cleverly included the new 3D techniques to allow the audience a sense of immersion into the film.
The cast works well with one another and seem to be having a good time playing characters that have no doubt become familiar to them. Once again Scrat steals every scene he is appears in as he attempts time and again to capture his beloved acorn. A new character named Scratte adds a new dimension to the character as she plays not only a romantic interest in the film but also a new obstacle in his never ending quest.
The film was paced well and never overstayed its welcome, and despite some jokes that were better suited to an older audience, the film delivered a perfect summer film for the family to enjoy.
Survivalcraft Day One
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Toca Life: Office
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Ever wonder what grown-ups really do at work all day? In Toca Life: Office, you get to tell stories...
Alice (12 KP) rated The Countess Conspiracy (Brothers Sinister, #3) in Books
Jul 3, 2018
What happened? Something went wrong with The Countess Conspiracy and I’m not 100% sure what it was that made it go wrong. I’m about 85% sure that it was Violet Waterfield, the remaining 15% though no idea.
The Countess Conspiracy follows the story of Sebastian Malheur and Violet Waterfield – the two remaining members (honorary included)of the Brother’s Sinister. In previous books Sebastian has become reviled by most people due to his “crazed” notions on reproduction of plants and comparing them to Darwinism and proving the theory correct.
He started off as a joker before becoming infinitely more serious as the books progressed and I missed the funny side to him. Unfortunately spends the better part of this book serious and seems to lose himself in his and Violets plot.
∞
Now Violet is my main issue with this book. Throughout I wanted to pull the stick out of her butt and beat her over the head with it. She was stuck-up, prudish, overbearingly annoying, flat out rude and completely beyond any hope.
At about 50% I gave her the benefit of the doubt what with her history with her previous husband and the many many miscarriages but in the next chapter I wanted to beat her over the head to knock some sense into her again. She was awful and insufferable.
In the latter pages of the book she redeemed herself most highly but by that time I’d already resigned myself to the fact that this book would get a 3 star review and not a 4.
∞
I found that parts of the book were a little bit Americanised particularly towards the end and it felt a little too modernised at some stages which detracted from the regency part of the genre.
It wasn’t an overly bad instalment just one that I didn’t enjoy nearly as much as the previous ones. There were parts to the story that I didn’t like and the characters I had some issues with (Violet and her sister Lily) being the biggest ones but overall it was alright.
The only thing worse than an unlovable woman was an unlovable woman who whined about not being loved.
The above is something to do with Violet and her mother’s rules, the only thing was though was that Violet whined – and she whined a lot.
“I know.” He didn’t look away from her. “Isn’t that what I said? Only one of us is in love, and it isn’t you.”
God that quote from Sebastian near broke my heart. I felt so sorry for him – the man’s been in love with her for 16 years and he’s had no chance in hell of getting her.
A final parting quote:
Knitting makes even the most conniving soul look innocent. Her mother had it right. For some reason, butlers rarely suspected that a woman who had started knitting would stop and sneak about a house. Idiocy on their part; they were knitting needles, not shackles.
That is the quote that made me smile. It’s such a misplaced quote for the story but it’s still really good.
The Countess Conspiracy follows the story of Sebastian Malheur and Violet Waterfield – the two remaining members (honorary included)of the Brother’s Sinister. In previous books Sebastian has become reviled by most people due to his “crazed” notions on reproduction of plants and comparing them to Darwinism and proving the theory correct.
He started off as a joker before becoming infinitely more serious as the books progressed and I missed the funny side to him. Unfortunately spends the better part of this book serious and seems to lose himself in his and Violets plot.
∞
Now Violet is my main issue with this book. Throughout I wanted to pull the stick out of her butt and beat her over the head with it. She was stuck-up, prudish, overbearingly annoying, flat out rude and completely beyond any hope.
At about 50% I gave her the benefit of the doubt what with her history with her previous husband and the many many miscarriages but in the next chapter I wanted to beat her over the head to knock some sense into her again. She was awful and insufferable.
In the latter pages of the book she redeemed herself most highly but by that time I’d already resigned myself to the fact that this book would get a 3 star review and not a 4.
∞
I found that parts of the book were a little bit Americanised particularly towards the end and it felt a little too modernised at some stages which detracted from the regency part of the genre.
It wasn’t an overly bad instalment just one that I didn’t enjoy nearly as much as the previous ones. There were parts to the story that I didn’t like and the characters I had some issues with (Violet and her sister Lily) being the biggest ones but overall it was alright.
The only thing worse than an unlovable woman was an unlovable woman who whined about not being loved.
The above is something to do with Violet and her mother’s rules, the only thing was though was that Violet whined – and she whined a lot.
“I know.” He didn’t look away from her. “Isn’t that what I said? Only one of us is in love, and it isn’t you.”
God that quote from Sebastian near broke my heart. I felt so sorry for him – the man’s been in love with her for 16 years and he’s had no chance in hell of getting her.
A final parting quote:
Knitting makes even the most conniving soul look innocent. Her mother had it right. For some reason, butlers rarely suspected that a woman who had started knitting would stop and sneak about a house. Idiocy on their part; they were knitting needles, not shackles.
That is the quote that made me smile. It’s such a misplaced quote for the story but it’s still really good.
Night Reader Reviews (683 KP) rated Nutritional Herbs for Optimal Health in Books
Feb 4, 2020
Honest Review for Free Copy of Book
Nutritional Herbs for Optimal Health by Mary T. Keane is an extremely short handbook detailing a select few herbs and their usefulness for nutrition and health. Though the serious herbalist will want a bigger, more detailed guide this is a nice quick reference or introductory book for the beginner.
Herbs have been used for centuries for their medicinal and nutritional properties. In fact they were the first form of medicine we had long before our current manufactured medicine became a thing. This book details the way some herbs used to be used before modern medicine took over and how they may still be used today. It also covers some of the illnesses people of today face and the deficiencies that cause them. It explains why and how specific herbs can help with some of these illnesses.
While the book has a large focus on Nettles (yes that stinging plant that many outdoors families were taught to avoid, at least where I live) for arthritis and kelp for the heart and thyroid other useful plants were mentioned. Comfrey will be a herb that many readers will want to keep on hand after learning about how it can speed up healing wounds significantly. Those prone to nausea will learn to keep Dandelion on hand and some Yaroow for toothaches and those hemorrhoids no one ever want to talk about. Don’t know how to properly use, prepare, or administer these herbs? Don’t worry all that is covered as well.
I really enjoyed how the author went into the historic uses of some of the herbs mentioned. It was especially interesting to learn how Stinging Nettle would directly be hit on the skin of a person suffering from Arthritis to increase circulation in order to reduce pain. I was disapointed that there was not a larger range of herbs mentioned. The book only talks about around twenty-three herbs total and some of those only got one short paragraph. Alos out of those few herbs mentioned only and a handful have pictures with them. Finally, my last complaint is that it talks about specific mineral or element deficiencies that can be treated with herbs more than the herbs themselves.
To be completely honest the only people who are going to really enjoy this book are health-conscious adults. This is largely because of the informative topic and the fact that this book is more of a handbook or guide. I rate this book 2 out of 4. While I did enjoy the information in this book it felt like there wasn’t that much offered. The lack of images and diversity of the herbs mentioned was a real let-down from me. Between that and the author frequently referring to or mentioning other books she wrote this book felt more like a teaser or sample and not the full thing.
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Herbs have been used for centuries for their medicinal and nutritional properties. In fact they were the first form of medicine we had long before our current manufactured medicine became a thing. This book details the way some herbs used to be used before modern medicine took over and how they may still be used today. It also covers some of the illnesses people of today face and the deficiencies that cause them. It explains why and how specific herbs can help with some of these illnesses.
While the book has a large focus on Nettles (yes that stinging plant that many outdoors families were taught to avoid, at least where I live) for arthritis and kelp for the heart and thyroid other useful plants were mentioned. Comfrey will be a herb that many readers will want to keep on hand after learning about how it can speed up healing wounds significantly. Those prone to nausea will learn to keep Dandelion on hand and some Yaroow for toothaches and those hemorrhoids no one ever want to talk about. Don’t know how to properly use, prepare, or administer these herbs? Don’t worry all that is covered as well.
I really enjoyed how the author went into the historic uses of some of the herbs mentioned. It was especially interesting to learn how Stinging Nettle would directly be hit on the skin of a person suffering from Arthritis to increase circulation in order to reduce pain. I was disapointed that there was not a larger range of herbs mentioned. The book only talks about around twenty-three herbs total and some of those only got one short paragraph. Alos out of those few herbs mentioned only and a handful have pictures with them. Finally, my last complaint is that it talks about specific mineral or element deficiencies that can be treated with herbs more than the herbs themselves.
To be completely honest the only people who are going to really enjoy this book are health-conscious adults. This is largely because of the informative topic and the fact that this book is more of a handbook or guide. I rate this book 2 out of 4. While I did enjoy the information in this book it felt like there wasn’t that much offered. The lack of images and diversity of the herbs mentioned was a real let-down from me. Between that and the author frequently referring to or mentioning other books she wrote this book felt more like a teaser or sample and not the full thing.
https://nightreaderreviews.blogspot.com
https://facebook.com/nightreaderreviews