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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated 13th (2016) in Movies
Sep 19, 2017
Essential viewing for an understanding of current times
There's a very good reason this film won a BAFTA for best documentary, exploring how the American prison system has been monetized in order for huge corporations to profit from punishment.
It also explores how mass incarceration is a new version of an old system of slavery, in some cases literally - using prisoners to make goods for businesses such as Microsoft, Victoria Secret even building parts for Patriot Missiles for free. It shows how ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council), a group of corporations, lobby and create policies for governments to push into law. And it reveals how police brutalisation is but an extension of old ideologies.
There has been a series of incredible exposés recently about the African American struggle and corruption of systems, all of which are absolutely vital and significant for current times, and this is definitely important for those who want to understand how we got to this breaking point in time.
It also explores how mass incarceration is a new version of an old system of slavery, in some cases literally - using prisoners to make goods for businesses such as Microsoft, Victoria Secret even building parts for Patriot Missiles for free. It shows how ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council), a group of corporations, lobby and create policies for governments to push into law. And it reveals how police brutalisation is but an extension of old ideologies.
There has been a series of incredible exposés recently about the African American struggle and corruption of systems, all of which are absolutely vital and significant for current times, and this is definitely important for those who want to understand how we got to this breaking point in time.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Zero Day (John Puller #1) in Books
May 10, 2018
John Puller is an Army investigator. He is called to Drake, West Virginia when a fellow Army officer is found dead(along with his wife and children) in his in-laws home. With the help of local police chief Cole, they uncover some interesting dealings in Drake.
Drake is a mining town, as most are, in West Virginia. When people start showing up dead in this small town for no apparent reason, people tend to get really upset by that. So why are people getting killed? What is going on in this town that someone is trying to keep secret? Who is behind it all.
In this first John Puller novel, you are pulled in from the beginning. David Baldacci does an amazing job of drawing you into his stories and keeping you there.
**Beware** If you are listening to the audio you will hear actual gun shots and explosions! Be prepared!!
Drake is a mining town, as most are, in West Virginia. When people start showing up dead in this small town for no apparent reason, people tend to get really upset by that. So why are people getting killed? What is going on in this town that someone is trying to keep secret? Who is behind it all.
In this first John Puller novel, you are pulled in from the beginning. David Baldacci does an amazing job of drawing you into his stories and keeping you there.
**Beware** If you are listening to the audio you will hear actual gun shots and explosions! Be prepared!!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2177 KP) rated Hair of the Dog in Books
May 11, 2018
Penny Has Another Hairy Case
Penny Lively’s cousin and best friend, Annie Moore, runs the animal clinic in town. Normally, everything flows smoothly there, but trouble is brewing. First, Annie has to fire Nicole, the clinic’s technician, for stealing medicine. Then Annie is caught over the dead body of Brian, her business partner. Naturally, the police start looking at Annie as their prime suspect, but Penny knows her cousin better than that. Brian was such a nice guy; who would want to kill him?
It is so wonderful to be back in the town of Cypress Cove. The characters are a lot of fun, and I enjoyed seeing some relationships grow here. The new characters are just as strong. The plot is good, although the pacing is a little off in the second half. Still, things come together for a strong climax. I really felt like I was transported to the area. Penny, her town, and her vineyard were brought to wonderful life.
It is so wonderful to be back in the town of Cypress Cove. The characters are a lot of fun, and I enjoyed seeing some relationships grow here. The new characters are just as strong. The plot is good, although the pacing is a little off in the second half. Still, things come together for a strong climax. I really felt like I was transported to the area. Penny, her town, and her vineyard were brought to wonderful life.
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in Books
May 25, 2018
I really enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the story disgraced journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, hired to investigate a prominent Swedish family, the Vangers, and the mysterious disappearance/death of a little girl, Harriet Vanger, 40 years ago.
He ends up working with a young female hacker-extroardinaire who has SERIOUS emotional baggage, and together they uncover clues that the police missed all those years ago, and find out some pretty damning family secrets.
Lisbeth Salander is badass. I loved her in this - she is now a favorite female lead character of mine. Larsson developed her character so much that I'll be surely reading the other two books in this series to see how she progresses and comes out of her dark, exterior shell... but hopefully doesn't lose her edginess and fearlessness in the process.
Steig Larsson is pretty twisted and disturbed, and I'm pretty sure he was a misogynist. But, this book is genius and I think it deserves 5 Stars.
He ends up working with a young female hacker-extroardinaire who has SERIOUS emotional baggage, and together they uncover clues that the police missed all those years ago, and find out some pretty damning family secrets.
Lisbeth Salander is badass. I loved her in this - she is now a favorite female lead character of mine. Larsson developed her character so much that I'll be surely reading the other two books in this series to see how she progresses and comes out of her dark, exterior shell... but hopefully doesn't lose her edginess and fearlessness in the process.
Steig Larsson is pretty twisted and disturbed, and I'm pretty sure he was a misogynist. But, this book is genius and I think it deserves 5 Stars.
RəX Regent (349 KP) rated The Hangover (2009) in Movies
Feb 25, 2019
Better than expected
Contains spoilers, click to show
Well, first off, this was a lot funnier than I was expecting. It's a simple story of four friends, well sort off, who go to Las Vegas for one of their stag nights, but after being slipped something, they lose their memories of the night, as well as the groom and find a trail of destruction left in their wake! Including a baby, a tiger and stolen police car!
This "Who Done it" scenario is played to comic effect quite well but there's nothing to justify the film's reputation. It's funny in parts and the performances are quite believable as the bazaar situations play out but in the end, the final is pay off doesn't work for me, being somewhat of an any climax. But having said that, it does try to deliver a message or two about relationships and has its moments but overall I wanted more comedy and less moralising whilst trying to be as gross as possible.
Not half bad though
This "Who Done it" scenario is played to comic effect quite well but there's nothing to justify the film's reputation. It's funny in parts and the performances are quite believable as the bazaar situations play out but in the end, the final is pay off doesn't work for me, being somewhat of an any climax. But having said that, it does try to deliver a message or two about relationships and has its moments but overall I wanted more comedy and less moralising whilst trying to be as gross as possible.
Not half bad though
ClareR (5686 KP) rated Blood on the Stone in Books
Apr 26, 2019 (Updated Apr 26, 2019)
A well-researched, exciting historical murder-mystery.
This is a very enjoyable murder mystery, set in 17th century Oxford. The English Parliament is being hosted by Oxford, with King Charles II, his wife and mistresses also present (although we don’t really see them)
Luke Sandys, Chief Officer of the Bailiffs, is called on to solve the murder of an MP (Member of Parliament), and also to stop a treasonous plot against the King.
The Bailiffs were an early precursor of the modern police force from what I could make out. There’s some great historical detail about them, about everyday lives at this time, and about religious and political tensions between Protestants and catholics. It’s just a really good story overall!
There is a historical note at the end of the story that was very interesting, and I really appreciated the extra information.
In all, a well researched and exciting story!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and the author, Jake Lynch, for reading along!
Luke Sandys, Chief Officer of the Bailiffs, is called on to solve the murder of an MP (Member of Parliament), and also to stop a treasonous plot against the King.
The Bailiffs were an early precursor of the modern police force from what I could make out. There’s some great historical detail about them, about everyday lives at this time, and about religious and political tensions between Protestants and catholics. It’s just a really good story overall!
There is a historical note at the end of the story that was very interesting, and I really appreciated the extra information.
In all, a well researched and exciting story!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and the author, Jake Lynch, for reading along!
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Twisted in Books
May 22, 2019
BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THREE THINGS:
1. The police are looking to charge me with murder.
2. No one knows who I am. Or how I did it.
3. If you think you've found me. I'm coming for you next.
After you've read this book, you'll know: the truth is far more twisted...
When Maria Cooper accidentally uncovers one of her husband Pauls secrets she enlists her lover Daryl in a plot to get even.
This book is full of suspense and intrigue with lots of twists and turns.
Just when you think you've got it worked out there's another revelation that blows your theory away.
The characterization is excellent, the storytelling first class and the final reveal is kept for the very last page.
Can't wait to see what Steve Cavanagh comes up with next; definitely a book I would recommend reading.
Thanks a lot to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THREE THINGS:
1. The police are looking to charge me with murder.
2. No one knows who I am. Or how I did it.
3. If you think you've found me. I'm coming for you next.
After you've read this book, you'll know: the truth is far more twisted...
When Maria Cooper accidentally uncovers one of her husband Pauls secrets she enlists her lover Daryl in a plot to get even.
This book is full of suspense and intrigue with lots of twists and turns.
Just when you think you've got it worked out there's another revelation that blows your theory away.
The characterization is excellent, the storytelling first class and the final reveal is kept for the very last page.
Can't wait to see what Steve Cavanagh comes up with next; definitely a book I would recommend reading.
Thanks a lot to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mayhawke (97 KP) rated Murder In Steeple Martin in Books
Feb 7, 2018
Slow starter but soon pulls you in
This book starts a little slowly but very soon rewards those who stick with it and becomes one of the most engaging books I have read in a long time. Vaguely reminiscent of Agatha Raisin, in that the heroine is a dumpy middle-aged, neurotic woman who lives in deeply rural England with a cat. Yet this is by no means a rip-off.
Somewhat less manic than A.R., both series carry on an old and well-established style of British Mystery writing. That said, it is clear that Lesley Cookman has gone out of her way to break some of the rules. For example there is only -shock, horror!- *one* murder in her book;her characters have no access to the Police enquiry, so are working completly in the dark; and as much as she can she has avoided having characters do obviously stupid things.
This is not an earth-shattering book, but it is a thoroughly good read.
Somewhat less manic than A.R., both series carry on an old and well-established style of British Mystery writing. That said, it is clear that Lesley Cookman has gone out of her way to break some of the rules. For example there is only -shock, horror!- *one* murder in her book;her characters have no access to the Police enquiry, so are working completly in the dark; and as much as she can she has avoided having characters do obviously stupid things.
This is not an earth-shattering book, but it is a thoroughly good read.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Bring Me Back in Books
Mar 2, 2018
Unnerving with lots of twists
B. A. Paris returns once again with a deeply troubling psychological thriller following a couple and a woman, who disappeared 12 years ago.
Finn and his girlfriend Layla are in France before she mysteriously vanishes, leaving him to answer police questions over her disappearance. Fast forward 12 years, and Finn has settled down, about to marry Layla's older, much more mature sister, but suddenly bizarre events begin to occur, and they wonder - has she returned?
The entire book is unnerving, moving between several narratives and voices, first establishing Finn's version of the past and the present. And then soon after, another voice emerges, and you're left to question whether it really is Layla.
While you do get an inkling with 30 minutes left of the book about what could be possible - it is written so that the final reveal is still harrowing and shocking. Another gripping thriller from Paris.
Finn and his girlfriend Layla are in France before she mysteriously vanishes, leaving him to answer police questions over her disappearance. Fast forward 12 years, and Finn has settled down, about to marry Layla's older, much more mature sister, but suddenly bizarre events begin to occur, and they wonder - has she returned?
The entire book is unnerving, moving between several narratives and voices, first establishing Finn's version of the past and the present. And then soon after, another voice emerges, and you're left to question whether it really is Layla.
While you do get an inkling with 30 minutes left of the book about what could be possible - it is written so that the final reveal is still harrowing and shocking. Another gripping thriller from Paris.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2177 KP) rated Circle of Influence (Zoe Chambers Mysteries, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
After an especially tension filled Township Board meeting, paramedic Zoe Chambers is called to an abandoned car with a dead body in the front seat. That discovery on a cold winter night plunges Zoe and Police Chief Pete Adams into a complex mystery that hits too close to home. Where will it end?
I shouldn’t have put this debut off for so long. It’s an amazing book full of great writing. The characters are strong, and they pull us into the story quickly. There are so many twists and turns along the way, but everything makes perfect sense by the time we reach the end. Zoe and Pete share third person narrator duties, something the author uses perfectly to let us get to know the leads and build the tension in the story.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-circle-of-influence-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I shouldn’t have put this debut off for so long. It’s an amazing book full of great writing. The characters are strong, and they pull us into the story quickly. There are so many twists and turns along the way, but everything makes perfect sense by the time we reach the end. Zoe and Pete share third person narrator duties, something the author uses perfectly to let us get to know the leads and build the tension in the story.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-circle-of-influence-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) Sep 20, 2017