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Cori June (3033 KP) rated Mortal Kombat (2021) in Movies
Aug 23, 2021
CGI (1 more)
Fight scenes
I won a DVD in a give-away and here is my honest review, on the movie.
I really enjoyed the movie and went into it knowing full well it was a fight movie. I was pleasantly surprised that there was a bit of a storyline. I think it did a good job balancing out what was expected from those who played the game, except one scene that I was slightly sad they didn't end the fight in a certain way but that is completely personal preference.
I liked the CGI, it wasn't over done.
There is a lot of gore and I think it definitely holds up the R rating. I haven't watched or played Mortal Combat since the early 2000s but was able to follow along really well. It may help if you have some familiarity with the game especially for the Easter Eggs like catchphrases and backgrounds but not completely necessary.
I really enjoyed the movie and went into it knowing full well it was a fight movie. I was pleasantly surprised that there was a bit of a storyline. I think it did a good job balancing out what was expected from those who played the game, except one scene that I was slightly sad they didn't end the fight in a certain way but that is completely personal preference.
I liked the CGI, it wasn't over done.
There is a lot of gore and I think it definitely holds up the R rating. I haven't watched or played Mortal Combat since the early 2000s but was able to follow along really well. It may help if you have some familiarity with the game especially for the Easter Eggs like catchphrases and backgrounds but not completely necessary.
David McK (3883 KP) rated A Man on the Inside in TV
Dec 15, 2024 (Updated Dec 15, 2024)
This, I felt, is in many ways a spiritual successor to 'The Good Place', with many of the cast from that earlier show appearing in this (mainly in bit parts).
Here, Ted Danson plays a lonely widower who, following the death of his wife from Alzheimer's, seems to be drifting more and more away from having any meaning in life himself, and from his own daughter, until that daughter challenges him to find something to do with his time.
So he answers a newspaper ad, and is hired to infiltrate an OAP home, following the hiring of a Private Detective (who is too young to do so herself) to investigate the potential theft in said OAP.
And, of course, Charles finds himself connecting more and more with the residents and staff of the OAP, as well as with his daughter, as a result, in a 'feel good' series that still also has its share of sad moments ...
Here, Ted Danson plays a lonely widower who, following the death of his wife from Alzheimer's, seems to be drifting more and more away from having any meaning in life himself, and from his own daughter, until that daughter challenges him to find something to do with his time.
So he answers a newspaper ad, and is hired to infiltrate an OAP home, following the hiring of a Private Detective (who is too young to do so herself) to investigate the potential theft in said OAP.
And, of course, Charles finds himself connecting more and more with the residents and staff of the OAP, as well as with his daughter, as a result, in a 'feel good' series that still also has its share of sad moments ...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Bell Chime in Books
Dec 29, 2023
207 of 235
Kindle
The Bell Chime
By Mona Kabbani
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Can you hear the bell chime?"
A girl suffering from paralyzing night terrors finds a missing poster hanging from the door of her apartment building. On that poster is a photograph of a frighteningly familiar face.
It’s her.
Only, she’s never seen this photo before and something about its grin scares her. How its eyes seem to follow her no matter where she finds herself in the room.
Over a series of strange events to follow—events that will make her question whether her sanity is still there or fleeting—she must discover:
What is real and what is the nightmare?
This was eerily sad in so many ways. As someone who deals with psychosis and depression it struck home so hard! The question in the the foreword is thought provoking what exactly would you give up for peace of mind or happiness? Really well written.
Kindle
The Bell Chime
By Mona Kabbani
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Can you hear the bell chime?"
A girl suffering from paralyzing night terrors finds a missing poster hanging from the door of her apartment building. On that poster is a photograph of a frighteningly familiar face.
It’s her.
Only, she’s never seen this photo before and something about its grin scares her. How its eyes seem to follow her no matter where she finds herself in the room.
Over a series of strange events to follow—events that will make her question whether her sanity is still there or fleeting—she must discover:
What is real and what is the nightmare?
This was eerily sad in so many ways. As someone who deals with psychosis and depression it struck home so hard! The question in the the foreword is thought provoking what exactly would you give up for peace of mind or happiness? Really well written.
ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Sunshine Man in Books
Nov 23, 2025
The Sunshine Man is set in two timelines: 1989 and 1971.
In 1989, Bridie prepares to find and shoot the man, Jimmy Maguire, that murdered her sister upon his release from prison. She follows him as he’s picked up from the prison gates by his daughter, and as she drives him to old haunts and to visit his family.
In 1971, Jimmy and Providence are good friends. Jimmy and his family are outcasts, undesirables, always in trouble with the police. Providence can see beyond this with Jimmy.
This is such a sad story of family in all its guises (good and bad), revenge and redemption.
The Sunshine Man is a slow burn, but I found it worthwhile. I really got to know the characters, whether I really wanted to or not. Some were distinctly unpleasant people, but the motivations for their actions, whilst not excusable, were explained. I certainly won’t be forgetting this book in a hurry.
In 1989, Bridie prepares to find and shoot the man, Jimmy Maguire, that murdered her sister upon his release from prison. She follows him as he’s picked up from the prison gates by his daughter, and as she drives him to old haunts and to visit his family.
In 1971, Jimmy and Providence are good friends. Jimmy and his family are outcasts, undesirables, always in trouble with the police. Providence can see beyond this with Jimmy.
This is such a sad story of family in all its guises (good and bad), revenge and redemption.
The Sunshine Man is a slow burn, but I found it worthwhile. I really got to know the characters, whether I really wanted to or not. Some were distinctly unpleasant people, but the motivations for their actions, whilst not excusable, were explained. I certainly won’t be forgetting this book in a hurry.
GustavoCampello (6 KP) rated Hive (2021) in Movies
Feb 10, 2022
Sundance Film Award winning film, it took me a while to write because even now things are still hammering in my head. It is a simple film, but extremely strong. A portrait of a society so different from ours, with a Muslim and sexist majority. The delivery to the role of all the actresses is impressive as it is so realistic. The scenes that caught my attention the most are the moments of calm and happiness of women in the midst of such a chaotic and sad life. The ghosts of conflict and the scars they cause are present in every second of the film and it manages to convey, as far as possible, the horror that is war. A film about empowerment that anyone who cares about feminism has to watch. Now I'm in the mood to try ajvar, I have a friend from Macedonia who confirmed that it's delicious, looking for it in a market.
Debbiereadsbook (1818 KP) rated A Cold Christmas and the Darkest of Winters in Books
Dec 17, 2021
not bedtime reading but very good!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
A collection of 23 different authors come together to bring you short stories set around the winter season or Christmas.
Not a single one of these authors have I read before, and there is a varied bunch of tales here. Some are just sad but some are downright scary!
Loosely, they are "holiday" stories, but more are winter ones, rather than Christmas.
An eclectic bunch of tales that can be read at any time, but I'd recommend NOT at bedtime! You might stop on one of the scary ones, and get some weird dreams as a consequence, like I did!
I didn't read them all, I will be honest, but the ones I read were very good, or excellent. Just on the short side. but 23 stories across 360 odd pages is never going to produce novel length books.
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
A collection of 23 different authors come together to bring you short stories set around the winter season or Christmas.
Not a single one of these authors have I read before, and there is a varied bunch of tales here. Some are just sad but some are downright scary!
Loosely, they are "holiday" stories, but more are winter ones, rather than Christmas.
An eclectic bunch of tales that can be read at any time, but I'd recommend NOT at bedtime! You might stop on one of the scary ones, and get some weird dreams as a consequence, like I did!
I didn't read them all, I will be honest, but the ones I read were very good, or excellent. Just on the short side. but 23 stories across 360 odd pages is never going to produce novel length books.
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Shatter ( Destine Academy book 8) in Books
Dec 15, 2022
222 of 230
Kindle
Shatter ( Destine Academy book 😎
By Sara snow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Caroline and her friends are in a race against the clock as they try to protect themselves from any insidious influence from Tempeste.Gaspar is running out of time in his plight to save his family, andMarguerite Destine, the headmistress, is becoming increasingly desperate in her bid to find Eloise.Can Caroline keep Eloise safe, or is Eloise unable to be saved?
As Caroline struggles to protect those around her, it becomes all too clear the Tempeste—and the Entiere—are coming.
...and she is out of time
This is such a good series in short bursts. I’ve said so many times how this author packs so much into a few chapters it’s like reading a full book. This has a sad undertone especially at the end we find Caroline has finally been pushed to her limits by her dad and aunt.
Kindle
Shatter ( Destine Academy book 😎
By Sara snow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Caroline and her friends are in a race against the clock as they try to protect themselves from any insidious influence from Tempeste.Gaspar is running out of time in his plight to save his family, andMarguerite Destine, the headmistress, is becoming increasingly desperate in her bid to find Eloise.Can Caroline keep Eloise safe, or is Eloise unable to be saved?
As Caroline struggles to protect those around her, it becomes all too clear the Tempeste—and the Entiere—are coming.
...and she is out of time
This is such a good series in short bursts. I’ve said so many times how this author packs so much into a few chapters it’s like reading a full book. This has a sad undertone especially at the end we find Caroline has finally been pushed to her limits by her dad and aunt.
ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Imposter in Books
Mar 7, 2023
Obsession, loneliness and lies. What a hand-rubbing trio of themes they are!
Newspaper archivist Chloe is the sole carer of her grandmother who has dementia. She’s trying to fend off social services to keep her Nan at home - she’s all she has, after all.
It’s no surprise to me that Chloe develops an obsession with a past case that she comes across whilst digitalising old articles. Angela Kyle went missing as a 4 year old in 1980. Chloe tracks down the child’s parents, discovers they need a lodger, and gets the room when Nan has been moved into a home.
This is a sad book. Chloe’s nan’s dementia; Angela’s parents living with their loss and not knowing what happened to their child; Chloe’s obsession and loneliness. These are all strong, well-thought out characters - and it’s so tense! I felt like I needed to come up regularly for air!
It’s emotional, and the ending is absolutely plausible - it’s a cracking story!!
Newspaper archivist Chloe is the sole carer of her grandmother who has dementia. She’s trying to fend off social services to keep her Nan at home - she’s all she has, after all.
It’s no surprise to me that Chloe develops an obsession with a past case that she comes across whilst digitalising old articles. Angela Kyle went missing as a 4 year old in 1980. Chloe tracks down the child’s parents, discovers they need a lodger, and gets the room when Nan has been moved into a home.
This is a sad book. Chloe’s nan’s dementia; Angela’s parents living with their loss and not knowing what happened to their child; Chloe’s obsession and loneliness. These are all strong, well-thought out characters - and it’s so tense! I felt like I needed to come up regularly for air!
It’s emotional, and the ending is absolutely plausible - it’s a cracking story!!
Karla Dee (6 KP) rated All My Rage in Books
Mar 15, 2022
There was so much sadness and trauma woven all through this book. Abandonment issues, touch aversion, physical abuse, and mental. It was so sad and I need a second one from the author that lets me know Noor and Sal lived happily ever after.
I listened to the audiobook and the cast did an amazing job with all the voices and being filled with emotions. The ending with all the resources listed for readers who might be suffering from abuse also had me in tears. They did an amazing job at showing the struggles that immigrants can go through at home and at school. There were triggers warnings included in the beginning as well to warn those that might be sensitive to certain content.
I can't recommend this read/listen enough and def recommend this book for someone looking for a good cry with a very happy ever after for the two main characters with a horrible ending for the villainy character that you gotta love!
I listened to the audiobook and the cast did an amazing job with all the voices and being filled with emotions. The ending with all the resources listed for readers who might be suffering from abuse also had me in tears. They did an amazing job at showing the struggles that immigrants can go through at home and at school. There were triggers warnings included in the beginning as well to warn those that might be sensitive to certain content.
I can't recommend this read/listen enough and def recommend this book for someone looking for a good cry with a very happy ever after for the two main characters with a horrible ending for the villainy character that you gotta love!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde in Books
May 21, 2022
88 of 230
Book
The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde
By Eve Chase
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When four sisters arrive at Applecote Manor to spend the summer, all is clearly not well.
They find their aunt and uncle still reeling from the disappearance of their only daughter, five years before. No one seems any closer to finding out the truth.
Why did Audrey vanish? Who is keeping her fate secret?
As the sisters are lured into the mystery of their missing cousin, the stifling summer takes a shocking, deadly turn.
One which will leave blood on their hands, and put another girl in danger decades later . . .
______
This was good! So well written and such a sad story I love the setting just on the turn from 50s to 60s. I liked how it all tied together at the end and the characters got some closure. I’d definitely read more from this author.
Book
The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde
By Eve Chase
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When four sisters arrive at Applecote Manor to spend the summer, all is clearly not well.
They find their aunt and uncle still reeling from the disappearance of their only daughter, five years before. No one seems any closer to finding out the truth.
Why did Audrey vanish? Who is keeping her fate secret?
As the sisters are lured into the mystery of their missing cousin, the stifling summer takes a shocking, deadly turn.
One which will leave blood on their hands, and put another girl in danger decades later . . .
______
This was good! So well written and such a sad story I love the setting just on the turn from 50s to 60s. I liked how it all tied together at the end and the characters got some closure. I’d definitely read more from this author.