Search
Search results
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2269 KP) rated Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody in Books
Jun 27, 2019
Jane Will Charm You in This New Series Debut
A year ago, Jane Darrowfield took an early retirement, and she’s already beginning to look for things to do. She’s started helping her friends with problems, but she is surprised when she is approached by Paul Peavy, and manager of Walden Spring, a nearby 55-and-over community. It seems their community has devolved into high school, and the popular clique and the biker clique are at open war with each other through a series of nasty, escalating pranks. But before Jane’s suggestions can be put into practice, a dead body is found out on the community’s golf course. Have the pranks escalated to murder? Can Jane figure out what happened, or is she in over her head?
I love Barbara Ross’s books, so I was looking forward to starting this new series. I wasn’t disappointed. While the book does need a little time to set up these new characters, it does so without slowing down the mystery. Things only pick up when the murder takes place, and we follow Jane on some twists and turns that lead to the climax. We get glimpses of Jane’s past, but there is plenty more to explore in future installments; likewise, I suspect we’ll get to know the supporting players better as the series progresses. The suspects are a diverse and complex group, growing deeper as the book progresses. There are some funny scenes, especially at the beginning of the book. It does grow more serious as the book progresses, but we do still get some great moments that lighten the story. I’m definitely looking forward to getting to know Jane better as the series progresses.
I love Barbara Ross’s books, so I was looking forward to starting this new series. I wasn’t disappointed. While the book does need a little time to set up these new characters, it does so without slowing down the mystery. Things only pick up when the murder takes place, and we follow Jane on some twists and turns that lead to the climax. We get glimpses of Jane’s past, but there is plenty more to explore in future installments; likewise, I suspect we’ll get to know the supporting players better as the series progresses. The suspects are a diverse and complex group, growing deeper as the book progresses. There are some funny scenes, especially at the beginning of the book. It does grow more serious as the book progresses, but we do still get some great moments that lighten the story. I’m definitely looking forward to getting to know Jane better as the series progresses.
Darren (1599 KP) rated Queen and Country (2015) in Movies
Sep 2, 2019
Thoughts on Queen & Country
Characters – Bill lives on an island in the middle of the Thames, he is drafted the army which gets him to see more of the world, meet a mysterious woman and learn to stand up for himself. Percy is the loud best friend of Bill, who has done everything, he is the one that wants to get ahead of Bradley. Ophelia is the mysterious woman that comes into Bill’s life, she draws him but is keeping her secrets safe.
Performances – Callum Turner is fine in this leading role but just doesn’t capture the levels to make us want to see his character too often. Caleb Landry Jones is the one we want to see the most, he is fun to watch but not the most interesting. The cast are fine but they just come off like posh Brits in roles.
Story – The story is a sequel to a movie, I have never heard off, which is guess doesn’t help too much. We get to see a young man that goes into the armed forces that challenges his superiors while dealing with his own personal problems when it comes to tracking down a mysterious woman that can’t be with him. Nothing that interesting happens in this movie in the way you care enough to see where things go.
Settings – The film takes us from the basic location which show the training camp, but it has our characters coming from the posh backgrounds.
Scene of the Movie – Hard to find one.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – That clock storyline.
Final Thoughts – This is a boring movie that the more I think about things, the more I get bored about what I am thinking about it.
Overall: Nothing interesting happening here.
Characters – Bill lives on an island in the middle of the Thames, he is drafted the army which gets him to see more of the world, meet a mysterious woman and learn to stand up for himself. Percy is the loud best friend of Bill, who has done everything, he is the one that wants to get ahead of Bradley. Ophelia is the mysterious woman that comes into Bill’s life, she draws him but is keeping her secrets safe.
Performances – Callum Turner is fine in this leading role but just doesn’t capture the levels to make us want to see his character too often. Caleb Landry Jones is the one we want to see the most, he is fun to watch but not the most interesting. The cast are fine but they just come off like posh Brits in roles.
Story – The story is a sequel to a movie, I have never heard off, which is guess doesn’t help too much. We get to see a young man that goes into the armed forces that challenges his superiors while dealing with his own personal problems when it comes to tracking down a mysterious woman that can’t be with him. Nothing that interesting happens in this movie in the way you care enough to see where things go.
Settings – The film takes us from the basic location which show the training camp, but it has our characters coming from the posh backgrounds.
Scene of the Movie – Hard to find one.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – That clock storyline.
Final Thoughts – This is a boring movie that the more I think about things, the more I get bored about what I am thinking about it.
Overall: Nothing interesting happening here.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
Oct 1, 2019
A glimmer of hope
Contains spoilers, click to show
After a fleeting visit in Batman vs Superman (bleugh), my hopes weren't high for Wonder Woman.
But as everyone knows, it's actually pretty good.
One of the main problems with BvS is that it felt rushed, like Warner Bros were trying to pack in as much as they could in a short amount of time to establish a far reaching movie universe. Wonder Woman is a perfect example of why they should be concentrating on standalone movies first.
Given a full film to shine, Gal Gadot is a great fit as DCs First Lady. The time devoted to her backstory makes you care for her, and her surrounding team mates.
Gadot, and Chris Pine make a duo worth rooting for.
The story being set in wartime is used to great effect. The scene where Diana steps out into No Man's Land is nothing short of breathtaking. The visuals used throughout are great, and the script is a vast improvement on what we've had so far. There are no silly gimmicks like with Suicide Squad, just a good solid superhero adventure, with a good solid lead.
Wonder Woman falls apart at the final hurdle however. After Danny Huston (who is just sort of there) is set up to be Ares, it is revealed that David Thewlis' character is in fact Ares, and what follows is a climatic battle that is a dodgy CGI overload.
I have no problem with David Thewlis playing Ares, but his little mustache peeking out from underneath his Ares war helmet looks absolutely ridiculous.
But honestly, with the exception of the last 15 minutes, director Patty Jenkins has done a pretty decent job of bringing Wonder Woman to life. It's stands alongside Shazam! in terms of quality, and I'm actually looking forward to the upcoming sequel!
But as everyone knows, it's actually pretty good.
One of the main problems with BvS is that it felt rushed, like Warner Bros were trying to pack in as much as they could in a short amount of time to establish a far reaching movie universe. Wonder Woman is a perfect example of why they should be concentrating on standalone movies first.
Given a full film to shine, Gal Gadot is a great fit as DCs First Lady. The time devoted to her backstory makes you care for her, and her surrounding team mates.
Gadot, and Chris Pine make a duo worth rooting for.
The story being set in wartime is used to great effect. The scene where Diana steps out into No Man's Land is nothing short of breathtaking. The visuals used throughout are great, and the script is a vast improvement on what we've had so far. There are no silly gimmicks like with Suicide Squad, just a good solid superhero adventure, with a good solid lead.
Wonder Woman falls apart at the final hurdle however. After Danny Huston (who is just sort of there) is set up to be Ares, it is revealed that David Thewlis' character is in fact Ares, and what follows is a climatic battle that is a dodgy CGI overload.
I have no problem with David Thewlis playing Ares, but his little mustache peeking out from underneath his Ares war helmet looks absolutely ridiculous.
But honestly, with the exception of the last 15 minutes, director Patty Jenkins has done a pretty decent job of bringing Wonder Woman to life. It's stands alongside Shazam! in terms of quality, and I'm actually looking forward to the upcoming sequel!
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Audition (1999) in Movies
Oct 10, 2019
Be careful what you wish for!
A middle-aged man with a teenage son and a dead wife is longing for love. He is encouraged to start dating and devises a plan to find hiss new love. With his friend, they concoct an elaborate ruse placing an ad for an "audition" for a fictitious movie where actresses will come seeking the part. From there, the man may be able to find the new love of his life. After long hours he finally meets the seemingly young, timid and demure Asami whom he is immediately infatuated with.
His friend soon discovers she is not what she seems when her resume references do not check out. Mr. Infatuation doesn't care and continues to pursue his new mysterious love anyways. After a few dates, they meet at a hotel for sex. However, before the relationship is consummated, he must profess his undying love for her. (Boy was that a mistake!).
Without wanting to ruin the ending for you, it is one of the most unique, riveting and disgusting I have ever seen. It sort of seems like it comes from nowhere as you are watching, but makes sense the more you think about it. The are flashback scenes scattered throughout the film giving more backstory to Asami and helps the audience understand her motivations. Her solution to her problems is extreme and has been going on for some time, and the current widower boyfriend is just the latest victim.
The cold, heartless treachery is almost unbelievable and will definitely turn off anyone who is not in the mood for this type of film. The slow buildup and entertaining romance and detective story doesn't prepare you for what is to come.
Be warned!
His friend soon discovers she is not what she seems when her resume references do not check out. Mr. Infatuation doesn't care and continues to pursue his new mysterious love anyways. After a few dates, they meet at a hotel for sex. However, before the relationship is consummated, he must profess his undying love for her. (Boy was that a mistake!).
Without wanting to ruin the ending for you, it is one of the most unique, riveting and disgusting I have ever seen. It sort of seems like it comes from nowhere as you are watching, but makes sense the more you think about it. The are flashback scenes scattered throughout the film giving more backstory to Asami and helps the audience understand her motivations. Her solution to her problems is extreme and has been going on for some time, and the current widower boyfriend is just the latest victim.
The cold, heartless treachery is almost unbelievable and will definitely turn off anyone who is not in the mood for this type of film. The slow buildup and entertaining romance and detective story doesn't prepare you for what is to come.
Be warned!
Premium Mail App for Hotmail and Outlook
Productivity and Lifestyle
App
Hotmail Premium is a paid and completely ads-free version of the mail for Hotmail app. Enjoy your...
Rekenblobs plus- en minsommen
Games and Education
App
An adaptive practice programme to learn addition and substraction facts up to 20 that will really...
Site Audit Pro
Productivity and Business
App
‘The fastest way to audit on the go’ Site Audit Pro makes auditing simple. Record issues, take...
Hipster CEO
Games and Business
App
Hipster CEO 2 is COMING SOON but in the meantime why not sharpen your entrepreneurial skills on the...
Fing - Network Scanner
Productivity and Utilities
App
Fing, the top ranking, completely free and super-fast network scanner, that’s used by millions of...