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ClareR (6062 KP) rated Her Last Holiday in Books
May 16, 2021
I liked this thriller very much, especially the slow build up of tension. It was only the stave a day format of The Pigeonhole that stopped me from turning to the end to find out what was going to happen (gasp! I know, I’m a terrible person!)
Fran, a 50-something single, teacher, is roped into attending a Wellness retreat by her mother - a retreat run by the same man who ran the one in Gozo where Fran’s sister, Jenna, went missing two years previously. The male counsellor, Tom, has just served two years in prison for the deaths of two other people on the retreat, and his wife wants him to get back to work as soon as possible. This may not have been a wise move.
I liked the flashbacks to Jenna’s retreat - there was as much tension in these parts as in her sister Frans present day parts. Neither past events or the present day make it any easier to guess what might have happened to Jenna, but there’s definitely something fishy going on in both timelines.
There were parts where I felt it best to leave my rational thoughts at the door - but hey, this is fiction. If I wanted real life, I’d read a newspaper (ahem. Or something). Many was the time over the 10 day period of reading this, where I was so frustrated at the end of the stave - I just wanted to read on. It’s definitely a book written for a day long binge read!!
Fran, a 50-something single, teacher, is roped into attending a Wellness retreat by her mother - a retreat run by the same man who ran the one in Gozo where Fran’s sister, Jenna, went missing two years previously. The male counsellor, Tom, has just served two years in prison for the deaths of two other people on the retreat, and his wife wants him to get back to work as soon as possible. This may not have been a wise move.
I liked the flashbacks to Jenna’s retreat - there was as much tension in these parts as in her sister Frans present day parts. Neither past events or the present day make it any easier to guess what might have happened to Jenna, but there’s definitely something fishy going on in both timelines.
There were parts where I felt it best to leave my rational thoughts at the door - but hey, this is fiction. If I wanted real life, I’d read a newspaper (ahem. Or something). Many was the time over the 10 day period of reading this, where I was so frustrated at the end of the stave - I just wanted to read on. It’s definitely a book written for a day long binge read!!
Dean (6927 KP) rated Murder on the Orient Express (2017) in Movies
Nov 9, 2017
All star cast (1 more)
Picturesque views
Pretty remake but lacking charm
I'm a bit Agatha Christie fan and love a Whodunit. I've seen the original Albert Finney version a few times and the David Suchet made for TV one. This is behind both of those. Although it has a great cast and some nice scenery it lacks any charm, suspense or tension. Maybe because I know the story so well but the flash backs, clues and final summing up weren't as good as the other versions. Might be more fun for those who haven't seen the other versions. I wasn't keen on Branagh's portrayal of Poirot either... But it's still a good story.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Prime Deception in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I really dont know what to say about this book to be honest! I thought I was going to be reading a good thriller but instead, it turned out to be an in-depth exploration of grief and guilt with a bit of thriller thrown in.
The story was interesting but could have been so much more than that; I felt there was way too much emphasis on the feelings of the main characters, which got boring quite quickly, and not enough development of the crime/thriller aspect of the story. The first third of the story was good, the second third was boring and the last third was when the tension developed but this was over very quickly.
Full review - http://haziegaze.blogspot.co.uk/
The story was interesting but could have been so much more than that; I felt there was way too much emphasis on the feelings of the main characters, which got boring quite quickly, and not enough development of the crime/thriller aspect of the story. The first third of the story was good, the second third was boring and the last third was when the tension developed but this was over very quickly.
Full review - http://haziegaze.blogspot.co.uk/
'Frank Critic (4 KP) rated Split (2016) in Movies
Jun 27, 2017
This movie keeps you on the edge of your seat with the tension, mystery and entertainment of the character of Kevin Wendellcrumb (2 more)
Secret shared universe
Fantastic performance from James McAvoy
Split: The film that brought M.Night Shymalan to the top
Split is a mysterious thriller staringa great performance by James McAvoy, which has shown that M.Night Shymalan really can make a good film as this film has brought him to top form. This film has terrific performances, mainly by James McAvoy, entertaining suspense which will keep you on the edge of your seat. Go and buy a ticket. Twice! You won't regret it.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Money Monster (2016) in Movies
Jul 19, 2017
Chemistry (1 more)
Good direction
A good start
This is a very impressive directorial debut from Jodie Foster. The movie stars two of the best actors in the industry, Julia Roberts and George Clooney. The two of them have a believable and amusing chemistry and the other players in the story also work together to achieve what is a thrilling if somewhat predictable time. The movie is well directed, but the script could definitely be a bit tighter and could also perhaps hide the twists in a more subtle way, but there is a sense of tension throughout the movie and there is definitely some fun to be had, just don’t expect anything more than a fairly shallow but still exciting film.
AbmostFiction (32 KP) rated I Am Legend in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Strong tension (4 more)
Comments on loneliness
New take on vampirism
Influential
Strong male character
Come out, Neville!
I Am Legend is an influential horror novel that despite being written in 1954 still holds up today.
Neville is the only survivor of a disease that turns people into howling vampires that gather outside his house every night to try and break in or lure him out. During the day he scavenges for supplies and tries to hunt his friends and neighbours and kill them while they're sleeping. Then before the sun sets he must barricade himself into his home to try and survive one more night.
In equal parts horrifying and heartbreaking, this fresh take on the vampire novel is one to read.
Neville is the only survivor of a disease that turns people into howling vampires that gather outside his house every night to try and break in or lure him out. During the day he scavenges for supplies and tries to hunt his friends and neighbours and kill them while they're sleeping. Then before the sun sets he must barricade himself into his home to try and survive one more night.
In equal parts horrifying and heartbreaking, this fresh take on the vampire novel is one to read.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated It Comes At Night (2017) in Movies
Sep 11, 2017
Well written dialogue (1 more)
Great performances
Not What I Expected
This movie surprised me in a good way. If you are a fan of movies like the Conjuring and Insidious and that is the sort of tone and style that you are expecting from this, then you will probably be disappointed. This movie is so much more than that. I don't think I've seen tension done this well in a horror scenario since 10 Cloverfield Lane last year. The performances are solid all around and we are given a good amount of context for the drastic decisions that we see certain characters make. This movie is chilling and thought provoking and is probably more creepy than it is scary, but it is still most definitely worth a watch.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Transcription in Books
Jun 6, 2019
Good but not memorable
I really struggle with books like this. It's well written with a fairly engaging plot, but is just ultimately unforgettable. It probably doesn't help that it's a book about spies which has been done better by someone like John Le Carre. Don't get me wrong this isn't a bad spy novel, it just doesn't build any real intrigue or tension. Juliet is a likeable main character if not as fully developed as she should be, and overall I did enjoy reading this book. But for me it's a sign of how unremarkable it is that I wouldn't ever go out of my way to recommend it to someone, and will likely have forgotten all about it by next week.
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Stone Age in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018 (Updated Mar 7, 2018)
Dice are most of the time anathema to Euro gamers. The numbered cubes are seen as the center of luck-driven games. Almost all of us have a tale to tell of knocking on the door of Irkutsk with a giant army only to be fended off by a few lucky rolls.
Reviewer: Farmerlenny
Read the full review here: http://islaythedragon.com/game-reviews/a-rolling-stone-gathers-no-moss-a-review-of-stone-age/
Reviewer: Farmerlenny
Read the full review here: http://islaythedragon.com/game-reviews/a-rolling-stone-gathers-no-moss-a-review-of-stone-age/
Awix (3310 KP) rated West Side Story (1961) in Movies
Feb 22, 2018
Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins' toweringly brilliant musical should be ring-fenced for eternity, regardless of what Steven Spielberg thinks. Racial tension and gang violence is rife on New York's west side, but when co-founder of the Jets Tony (Beymer) falls in love with Maria (Wood), sister of the leader of the Sharks, can this bring about peace and understanding between the two street gangs? (Probably not.)
Appealing leads and some soaringly beautiful love songs, but also whip-smart humour and social commentary in many of the other numbers, all superbly directed and choreographed. The darkening of the story into genuine tragedy is masterfully done. One of those transcendentally great films, especially on the big screen; the reason that we have a 10 on the scale.
Appealing leads and some soaringly beautiful love songs, but also whip-smart humour and social commentary in many of the other numbers, all superbly directed and choreographed. The darkening of the story into genuine tragedy is masterfully done. One of those transcendentally great films, especially on the big screen; the reason that we have a 10 on the scale.