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Awix (3310 KP) rated Phase IV (1974) in Movies
Feb 22, 2018 (Updated Feb 22, 2018)
Strange, chilly SF movie; cerebral even by the standards of the early 70s - rather like 2001: A Space Odyssey with much more insecticide. Quite what's going on remains somewhat obscure, but some kind of cosmic force or phenomenon affects the behaviour of terrestrial ants in a rather alarming fashion; two scientists studying the insects find themselves besieged by the creatures, along with a survivor of one of their attacks.
By no means the B-movie shocker it sounds like; actually quite slow and thoughtful (maybe too much so). Saul Bass was primarily a graphic designer and his interest is clearly in the visuals: there are long sequences of close-up photography showing ants behaving peculiarly, with no dialogue or voice-over. Certainly some striking sequences, and kind of pleasantly mystifying to watch; the decision by the distributors to remove most of Bass' original ending was probably a mistake, robbing the climax of its impact. A curiosity, but a worthwhile one.
By no means the B-movie shocker it sounds like; actually quite slow and thoughtful (maybe too much so). Saul Bass was primarily a graphic designer and his interest is clearly in the visuals: there are long sequences of close-up photography showing ants behaving peculiarly, with no dialogue or voice-over. Certainly some striking sequences, and kind of pleasantly mystifying to watch; the decision by the distributors to remove most of Bass' original ending was probably a mistake, robbing the climax of its impact. A curiosity, but a worthwhile one.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Legacy of Secrets (Kingdom Keepers: The Return, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The Kingdom Keepers are back in 1955, trying to follow clues to find Walt’s pen so they can make sure it is properly preserved so they can use it in the future. Meanwhile in the present, Amanda and Jess are trying to figure out how to help them and stumble upon long buried secrets that might change the game for everyone.
The two plots are balanced perfectly, keeping us entertained. Plus we learn some hows and whys that I didn’t know I cared about but explain much of what has been happening in the Kingdom Keeper series. We don’t get as much direct action as in previous books, but there is still some of that, and it is great. Plus, as a DisNerd, I was extremely green with all the Kingdom Keepers got to do in 1955.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-legacy-of-secrets-by-ridley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The two plots are balanced perfectly, keeping us entertained. Plus we learn some hows and whys that I didn’t know I cared about but explain much of what has been happening in the Kingdom Keeper series. We don’t get as much direct action as in previous books, but there is still some of that, and it is great. Plus, as a DisNerd, I was extremely green with all the Kingdom Keepers got to do in 1955.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-legacy-of-secrets-by-ridley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Spy Ski School (Spy School #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Ben Ripley is thrilled to be officially called for his first field assignment. He’s going to Colorado to learn to ski. While there, he needs to befriend a girl so he can get close to her father and figure out his evil plans. However, Ben soon realizes getting close to his target isn’t going to be as easy as he thought. With the clock ticking, can he save the day again?
While the target audience might be middle graders, this is a delightful read for anyone. The story is strong, the pace never lags, and we get some fantastic complications and nail biting action scenes along the way. The characters are fun as always, and we get some good growth in a couple of them. There’s plenty of humor as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-spy-ski-school-by-stuart.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While the target audience might be middle graders, this is a delightful read for anyone. The story is strong, the pace never lags, and we get some fantastic complications and nail biting action scenes along the way. The characters are fun as always, and we get some good growth in a couple of them. There’s plenty of humor as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-spy-ski-school-by-stuart.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Clare Parrott (294 KP) rated Boys Next Door in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Hot steamy action from the first page but soon wears a bit thin as there's more sex than storyline to the book and I'm finding I'm scanning through the sex scenes the further I get in to the book just in the hope of finding some thing more interesting. This would have been a good book if a little more thought had gone into the writing, it needs more depth. I disliked the crudeness of some of the descriptions and it could have been more sensual but THEN, just when I think this is going to be a standard read the last couple of chapters are captivating. They have feeling and emotion, everything the rest of the book didn't have and I'm now feeling robbed that the rest of the book wasn't the same.
In the end the last few chapter more than make up for the rest, this is an adult read and I did enjoy it in the end.
3.5 Stars
In the end the last few chapter more than make up for the rest, this is an adult read and I did enjoy it in the end.
3.5 Stars
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Human Body: Discover the inner workings of the human body! in Books
Jun 14, 2018
Inside Out Human Body: Explore the World's Most Amazing Machine! by Luann Columbo is a fantastic book full of facts and diagrams which enables us to begin to understand the human body in all its glory. Each section has a layered model which illustrates some of the facts presented. The book is extremely informative.
This book gives the reader information about our muscular system, skeletal system, joints, digestive system, urinary system, respiratory system, and nervous system. Pronunciation tips for more advanced words like pulmonary are provided and there are some simple experiments kids can do to demonstrate what they’re learning, such as looking at the underside of their tongue in a mirror to see their blood vessels.
I recommend this book to any kid or kids and heart who loves learning about the human body.
Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group and becker&mayer kids! for this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book gives the reader information about our muscular system, skeletal system, joints, digestive system, urinary system, respiratory system, and nervous system. Pronunciation tips for more advanced words like pulmonary are provided and there are some simple experiments kids can do to demonstrate what they’re learning, such as looking at the underside of their tongue in a mirror to see their blood vessels.
I recommend this book to any kid or kids and heart who loves learning about the human body.
Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group and becker&mayer kids! for this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Zama (2017) in Movies
Jun 5, 2018
Very art-housey Argentinian movie which has managed to acquire some kind of profile due to the involvement as producers of Pedro Almodavar and Danny Glover. Mildly stressed functionary Zama finds himself posted to a backwater South American outpost of the Spanish empire, some time in the 17th century, desperately tries to get himself transferred elsewhere, has very little success with this. In the end it all goes a little bit Apocalypse Now/Aguirre the Wrath of God.
Beautiful to look at, but one of those films where the fact that not very much happens is kind of the point. Implicitly highly critical of colonialism and slavery, of course - the Spanish overlords and the trappings of their civilisation are shabby and squalid compared to the local people - but more a character study of someone who finds himself becalmed in life (nice central performance). As I say, not very much happens until quite near the end, but it doesn't happen very beautifully.
Beautiful to look at, but one of those films where the fact that not very much happens is kind of the point. Implicitly highly critical of colonialism and slavery, of course - the Spanish overlords and the trappings of their civilisation are shabby and squalid compared to the local people - but more a character study of someone who finds himself becalmed in life (nice central performance). As I say, not very much happens until quite near the end, but it doesn't happen very beautifully.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Ecosystems in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Ecosystems by Mary Lindeen is an informative, non-fiction book in the Physical Science Series. The book provides an interesting way that is easy for children to understand about some of the ecosystems in the world. Some of the things explained include location, climate and what might be living there.
This is an early reader book so will also help to reinforce reading skills and build confidence. At the back of the book it lists the high frequency words as well as content words that can be pre-taught or discussed if the book is being read aloud. There are facts given during the reading accompanied by wonderful photos and many labels. The section at the back for parents and teachers gives suggested activities for connecting concept as well as resources for further investigation.
I recommend this book for young readers and for parents and teachers to read to children.
I received this ARC from NetGalley via Norwood House Press in exchange for an honest review.
This is an early reader book so will also help to reinforce reading skills and build confidence. At the back of the book it lists the high frequency words as well as content words that can be pre-taught or discussed if the book is being read aloud. There are facts given during the reading accompanied by wonderful photos and many labels. The section at the back for parents and teachers gives suggested activities for connecting concept as well as resources for further investigation.
I recommend this book for young readers and for parents and teachers to read to children.
I received this ARC from NetGalley via Norwood House Press in exchange for an honest review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated “K” is for Killer in Books
Jun 26, 2018
Kinsey Faces a Daunting Case
PI Kinsey Millhone’s latest case is a cold one. Lorna Kepler has been dead for 10 months, and when she died she had been dead for two weeks before she was found, so the police couldn’t even determine the cause of death. As Kinsey begins to investigate, she realizes that Lorna had a completely secret life, and the investigation causes Kinsey to become a night owl like Lorna was. Will following her footsteps lead to her killer?
This is another great mystery. The cold case quality leads to some interesting complications to the investigation. Lorna’s life included some things that don’t normally pop up in my cozies, but we didn’t get gratuitous detail, which I appreciated. The ending was a bit rushed, but that’s a minor complaint. We don’t see much of the other series characters, but Kinsey is fantastic as always, and the book is populated with real people that draw us into the story.
This is another great mystery. The cold case quality leads to some interesting complications to the investigation. Lorna’s life included some things that don’t normally pop up in my cozies, but we didn’t get gratuitous detail, which I appreciated. The ending was a bit rushed, but that’s a minor complaint. We don’t see much of the other series characters, but Kinsey is fantastic as always, and the book is populated with real people that draw us into the story.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Black Panther (2018) in Movies
Jun 23, 2018 (Updated Jun 23, 2018)
Where was the action?
Being late to the party as usual, I just finished watching this film for the first time tonight.
I can't believe how well this movie did at the box office compared to the actual quality of the film. You'll never say a MCU doesn't look beautiful, have gorgeous sets, costumes and good casting, but that is just not enough these days.
Being completely unfamiliar with the Black Panther comics I was going in cold, but it seemed like some of the characters just weren't that interesting or had any place to go. There were extended periods within the film where not much happens and I felt bored. Some of the CGI was also sketchy at best.
I have been on record being not the biggest MCU fan in general and if this is the highest grossing of all of them, that just isn't right.
I guess I should watch Infinity War now.
I can't believe how well this movie did at the box office compared to the actual quality of the film. You'll never say a MCU doesn't look beautiful, have gorgeous sets, costumes and good casting, but that is just not enough these days.
Being completely unfamiliar with the Black Panther comics I was going in cold, but it seemed like some of the characters just weren't that interesting or had any place to go. There were extended periods within the film where not much happens and I felt bored. Some of the CGI was also sketchy at best.
I have been on record being not the biggest MCU fan in general and if this is the highest grossing of all of them, that just isn't right.
I guess I should watch Infinity War now.
Okay, I really wanted to love this book. Who wouldn't love a book that tells you that you're a badass in the title? Obviously, this girl didn't.
Now, I'm not saying that this book was awful but I'm not going to say that it was glorious and wonderful. The advice in here is good advice but it's nothing different than your stereotypical self help book.
Advice includes: Love yourself, send positive vibes to the universe, believe in yourself (now you really don't need to read the book).
Honestly, I was hoping that this book would help me in some way and I do know various people that this book could truly help but I was not one of those people. I did not get any epiphany moments except for the Blah Blah would love this part, and So and So would like this part.
Ultimately, I'm not a huge fan but it does have some good advice in a semi-sarcastic way.
Now, I'm not saying that this book was awful but I'm not going to say that it was glorious and wonderful. The advice in here is good advice but it's nothing different than your stereotypical self help book.
Advice includes: Love yourself, send positive vibes to the universe, believe in yourself (now you really don't need to read the book).
Honestly, I was hoping that this book would help me in some way and I do know various people that this book could truly help but I was not one of those people. I did not get any epiphany moments except for the Blah Blah would love this part, and So and So would like this part.
Ultimately, I'm not a huge fan but it does have some good advice in a semi-sarcastic way.