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Dean (6927 KP) rated Terror Train (1980) in Movies
May 3, 2021
Ok early Slasher film
One of the early 80's Slasher films featuring Scream Queen Jamie Lee Curtis just after she did @Prom Night (2008)
It's actually not that bad for a Slasher film of the time. A few years after pulling a prank on a medical student a bunch of students celebrate New Year's Eve with a costume party aboard a steam train. A lot of the time it doesn't feel like much of a Slasher film, the body count is quite low and the with not a lot of gore. The setting of the film is different and the train adds to the film quite well with the confined spaces. Also featuring David Copperfield. The plot is OK as the killer dons different costumes and there is a surprise as well. Overall a decent 80's slasher film worth checking out. Currently on Amazon prime.
It's actually not that bad for a Slasher film of the time. A few years after pulling a prank on a medical student a bunch of students celebrate New Year's Eve with a costume party aboard a steam train. A lot of the time it doesn't feel like much of a Slasher film, the body count is quite low and the with not a lot of gore. The setting of the film is different and the train adds to the film quite well with the confined spaces. Also featuring David Copperfield. The plot is OK as the killer dons different costumes and there is a surprise as well. Overall a decent 80's slasher film worth checking out. Currently on Amazon prime.
Debbiereadsbook (1441 KP) rated Courting Mr. Cutthroat (Campy Romances #3) in Books
Oct 31, 2021
cute read
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I enjoyed this, it just didn't blow me away.
It's a lovely sweet, small town, second chance (kinda) romance, with some steam, but not too much.
Cutter's art sounded interesting, and I googled nuts and bolts art to see what came up, and I loved them!
I liked that Gemma still held her crush for Cutter, even after all this time. And Cutter too, to an extent, held his feelings for Gemma but it takes time for him to fully admit to them and give in.
I loved that, while Cutter and his brothers appeared to have everything, being born into wealth, it's clear that money doesn't really buy you happiness.
It was a nice book, and someone will love but I couldn't, and for that I'm sorry!
3 solid stars
same worded review will appear elsewhere
I enjoyed this, it just didn't blow me away.
It's a lovely sweet, small town, second chance (kinda) romance, with some steam, but not too much.
Cutter's art sounded interesting, and I googled nuts and bolts art to see what came up, and I loved them!
I liked that Gemma still held her crush for Cutter, even after all this time. And Cutter too, to an extent, held his feelings for Gemma but it takes time for him to fully admit to them and give in.
I loved that, while Cutter and his brothers appeared to have everything, being born into wealth, it's clear that money doesn't really buy you happiness.
It was a nice book, and someone will love but I couldn't, and for that I'm sorry!
3 solid stars
same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1441 KP) rated Controller's Obsession (Obsessions #2) in Books
Dec 8, 2024
it suits this book, that it is low on the steam factor!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Obsessions series, and you should probably read book 1, Demon's Obsession before this one. It sets the scene as to why Merihem is banished to Earth, but also tells how RARE the Blissful Ones are. And you know, it's bloody good!
Now, this is IS good, but it doesn't quite hit the spot that Demon's did and I've no idea why! *insert wailing!*
What I DID like about it, though, was the beautiful way that Merihem, quite literally, flipped on a Peni (oooh see what I did there!), and was devoted to Peni, from that very first meeting, even if the goat kicked him in the nuts!
Merihem takes his pleasure when and where he wants to, but meeting Peni? No one else will do. Once Peni bites Merihem, and he can hear Peni's thoughts and, more importantly, his GOAT'S thoughts, Merihem is able to modify his behaviour to suit Peni, even if he wants to do all sorts of dirty things to his little pygmy mate!
I found it relatively low angst, and so flipping cute, and low on the steam factor. It suits THIS book that it is written that way, given Peni's past and his aversion to full on smex. The smexy times that are here, are wonderfully written, and absolutely perfect for these two.
I loved that we caught up with Dakata and Silas, and their news! We get a bit of Wanda's book, who is Silas' sister and of Scott's book, who is Dakata's assistant. I was surprised at the route that Wanda's book takes, and I look forward to seeing how Sayle and Oliver deal with that, given they write MM rather than FF books!
A thoroughly delightful addition to the series, I really did enjoy it!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Obsessions series, and you should probably read book 1, Demon's Obsession before this one. It sets the scene as to why Merihem is banished to Earth, but also tells how RARE the Blissful Ones are. And you know, it's bloody good!
Now, this is IS good, but it doesn't quite hit the spot that Demon's did and I've no idea why! *insert wailing!*
What I DID like about it, though, was the beautiful way that Merihem, quite literally, flipped on a Peni (oooh see what I did there!), and was devoted to Peni, from that very first meeting, even if the goat kicked him in the nuts!
Merihem takes his pleasure when and where he wants to, but meeting Peni? No one else will do. Once Peni bites Merihem, and he can hear Peni's thoughts and, more importantly, his GOAT'S thoughts, Merihem is able to modify his behaviour to suit Peni, even if he wants to do all sorts of dirty things to his little pygmy mate!
I found it relatively low angst, and so flipping cute, and low on the steam factor. It suits THIS book that it is written that way, given Peni's past and his aversion to full on smex. The smexy times that are here, are wonderfully written, and absolutely perfect for these two.
I loved that we caught up with Dakata and Silas, and their news! We get a bit of Wanda's book, who is Silas' sister and of Scott's book, who is Dakata's assistant. I was surprised at the route that Wanda's book takes, and I look forward to seeing how Sayle and Oliver deal with that, given they write MM rather than FF books!
A thoroughly delightful addition to the series, I really did enjoy it!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1441 KP) rated A Touch of Maple (Love in Maplewood #3) in Books
Jun 4, 2025
For these two, I think it was a perfect balance of steam and emotion.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is part of the Love in Maplewood series, I have not read any others and I don't think you would need to, they all appear to be linked only by Maplewood and the low angst tag. I wouldn't say no to reading any more, though!
Jason lives in Maplewood and helps run the family maple syrup farm. Bellamy is traded to the local ice hockey team. He has been moved a lot, and it's beginning to get old. Meeting Jason and things seemed to be looking up, that is, until he finds out that Jason is the brother of Ryland, his arch enemy.
What I especially loved about this book is the low angst. I have some *stuff* going on right now, and it absolutely hit the spot I needed it to! Jason and Bellamy are aware they will upset Ryland , but still know that what they have is special. And, as Bellamy points out, Ryland is the real instigator in their "feud"
I found it steamy, but not especially smexy, and I really enjoyed that I could just fall into the book and watch these two men fall in love, without smexy stuff taking over. I love a smexy book, don't get me wrong, but for these two, I think it was a perfect balance of steam and emotion.
I loved that there was not a break up/make up thing and I loved that Ryland, while initially. . .not hurt, but more put out. . .by Jason being with Bellamy, he comes around in the best way!
Loved the epilogue and the bonus chapter.
Thank you, Ms Aislin, for really making my day with this book.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is part of the Love in Maplewood series, I have not read any others and I don't think you would need to, they all appear to be linked only by Maplewood and the low angst tag. I wouldn't say no to reading any more, though!
Jason lives in Maplewood and helps run the family maple syrup farm. Bellamy is traded to the local ice hockey team. He has been moved a lot, and it's beginning to get old. Meeting Jason and things seemed to be looking up, that is, until he finds out that Jason is the brother of Ryland, his arch enemy.
What I especially loved about this book is the low angst. I have some *stuff* going on right now, and it absolutely hit the spot I needed it to! Jason and Bellamy are aware they will upset Ryland , but still know that what they have is special. And, as Bellamy points out, Ryland is the real instigator in their "feud"
I found it steamy, but not especially smexy, and I really enjoyed that I could just fall into the book and watch these two men fall in love, without smexy stuff taking over. I love a smexy book, don't get me wrong, but for these two, I think it was a perfect balance of steam and emotion.
I loved that there was not a break up/make up thing and I loved that Ryland, while initially. . .not hurt, but more put out. . .by Jason being with Bellamy, he comes around in the best way!
Loved the epilogue and the bonus chapter.
Thank you, Ms Aislin, for really making my day with this book.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Awix (3310 KP) rated X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) in Movies
Jun 6, 2019 (Updated Jun 6, 2019)
Final main-sequence entry in a film series that made a lot of noise about celebrating difference is likely to be met with indifference (at best). The sense that the X-Men franchise has finally run out of steam is only emphasised by the fact that this is another swing at the Dark Phoenix storyline, which somehow manages to be even less satisfying than the first time they did it.
A thin script and lacklustre direction are mainly to blame; there is the odd decent moment but they are not strung together effectively. Most of the X-Men feel like cardboard cut-outs this time. The usual charisma and acting skill is also largely absent, with only Michael Fassbender making much of an impression. I think it's fair to say that without the X-Men series there would not have been the MCU movies, so this franchise's place in history is assured - but the superhero movie has, ironically, evolved, and this film feels very tired and irrelevant.
A thin script and lacklustre direction are mainly to blame; there is the odd decent moment but they are not strung together effectively. Most of the X-Men feel like cardboard cut-outs this time. The usual charisma and acting skill is also largely absent, with only Michael Fassbender making much of an impression. I think it's fair to say that without the X-Men series there would not have been the MCU movies, so this franchise's place in history is assured - but the superhero movie has, ironically, evolved, and this film feels very tired and irrelevant.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Mated with the Cyborg (Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance, #2) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I learned the hard way that cyborg/android stories tend to either be good, or absolutely horrible. There seems to be no in between. Therefore, I am hesitant to read them. However, Mated with the Cyborg seemed interested and held promise. I was not disappointed.
While not a new plot, Mated with the Cyborg has a cast of appealing characters set inside an equally interesting world. Bristol creates a story balanced between action and romance. There is no lack of plot, but there was just as much heat. If you want some steam with your cyborg hero, this is definitely the story for you.
I was pleasantly surprised. This is the first story I have ever read from Bristol but it wont be the last. It isnt necessary to read the first in the series to enjoy this novel, I definitely want to pick it up after enjoying Mated so much.
I learned the hard way that cyborg/android stories tend to either be good, or absolutely horrible. There seems to be no in between. Therefore, I am hesitant to read them. However, Mated with the Cyborg seemed interested and held promise. I was not disappointed.
While not a new plot, Mated with the Cyborg has a cast of appealing characters set inside an equally interesting world. Bristol creates a story balanced between action and romance. There is no lack of plot, but there was just as much heat. If you want some steam with your cyborg hero, this is definitely the story for you.
I was pleasantly surprised. This is the first story I have ever read from Bristol but it wont be the last. It isnt necessary to read the first in the series to enjoy this novel, I definitely want to pick it up after enjoying Mated so much.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Mothers: A Novel in Books
Mar 8, 2018
Tedious love triangle
After reading great reviews about this book, I was mildly disappointed given that much of this book surrounds two women having a relationship with the same man, and less so about mothers.
The main character, Nadia is fatally flawed; she's seen as slightly erratic and irresponsible having had a relationship with the pastor's son and having had an abortion at the age of 17. However, it also focuses on the fact that she is traumatised after her mother's sudden and horrific death, and the man she had a relationship with was far older and helped pay for her abortion - so she should be seen less at fault than suggested.
At the same time, her church-going best friend Aubrey is the total opposite, and yet she ends up almost in the same situation as Nadia. The three end up in a love triangle, and that's where I lose interest in this book. It begins with a great concept but loses steam.
The main character, Nadia is fatally flawed; she's seen as slightly erratic and irresponsible having had a relationship with the pastor's son and having had an abortion at the age of 17. However, it also focuses on the fact that she is traumatised after her mother's sudden and horrific death, and the man she had a relationship with was far older and helped pay for her abortion - so she should be seen less at fault than suggested.
At the same time, her church-going best friend Aubrey is the total opposite, and yet she ends up almost in the same situation as Nadia. The three end up in a love triangle, and that's where I lose interest in this book. It begins with a great concept but loses steam.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) in Movies
Feb 19, 2018
Ninth James Bond film was rush-released to consolidate Roger Moore in the role, also to cash in on fad for kung fu movies at the time; forms part of the 'British civil servant travels by seaplane to sun-obsessed Christopher Lee's private island in search of missing girl, finds Britt Ekland waiting' movement of 1973-4. Bond must engage in battle of wits with triple-nippled assassin Scaramanga. Then-topical subplot about energy crisis trundles along in the background.
Not bad instance of Bond franchise as pure genre movie; decent fights and chases, but only one moment that really deserves a place on the 'best of Bond' showreel (the corkscrew bridge jump). Christopher Lee barely breaks a sweat as the best actor in the movie. Slightly sleazy atmosphere (in places it resembles a softcore porn movie with the sex edited out); you can kind of see why one of the original producers thought the series had run out of steam and departed before the next one.
Not bad instance of Bond franchise as pure genre movie; decent fights and chases, but only one moment that really deserves a place on the 'best of Bond' showreel (the corkscrew bridge jump). Christopher Lee barely breaks a sweat as the best actor in the movie. Slightly sleazy atmosphere (in places it resembles a softcore porn movie with the sex edited out); you can kind of see why one of the original producers thought the series had run out of steam and departed before the next one.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) created a post
Aug 1, 2022
David McK (3562 KP) rated The Aeronaut's Windlass in Books
Dec 20, 2023
The first book in Jim Butcher's new series: Cinder Spires series, if I'm honest I was a little unsure what to make of this at the start: it's not 'traditional' fantasy (that would be his 'Codex Alera' series); nor is it the urban fantasy (his - still ongoing - 'Dresden Files' series).
Rather, this is probably best described as Steampunk, which is a genre I previously had little exploration in, and which Google defines as:
"...a subgenre of science fiction and sometimes fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.".
Reading that description, this definitely fits right into that bracket!
To my mind, it also falls more towards the fantasy aspect of Steampunk: after all, we have a new magic system, airships, the ability to communicate with animals (cats), and monsters from the ground all within the pages of this story even if (for my money), it never quite gripped me as much as a Harry Dresden book.
Rather, this is probably best described as Steampunk, which is a genre I previously had little exploration in, and which Google defines as:
"...a subgenre of science fiction and sometimes fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.".
Reading that description, this definitely fits right into that bracket!
To my mind, it also falls more towards the fantasy aspect of Steampunk: after all, we have a new magic system, airships, the ability to communicate with animals (cats), and monsters from the ground all within the pages of this story even if (for my money), it never quite gripped me as much as a Harry Dresden book.