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Sarah (126 KP) rated Seaforth Prison (The Haunted #3) in Books
Feb 18, 2019
A disappointing continuation of the series
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, which I've been reading as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription, even if certain elements felt a little predictable.
The second book didn't have quite the same level of excitement and tension as the first, but was still enough to hook a reader and kept with "The Haunted" theme of the series.
With this third book, any "haunting" element has really been pushed into the background and I don't feel that the story is quite as compelling in this latest installment. I also read some reviews of the second book after I finished it, and one in particular mentioned the lack of variety in the swearing - and now that I'm aware of it, it REALLY started to bother me.
I know I'm going to go ahead and read the next book in the series, at least. Hopefully this will be return to the more exiting themes of the earlier books
The second book didn't have quite the same level of excitement and tension as the first, but was still enough to hook a reader and kept with "The Haunted" theme of the series.
With this third book, any "haunting" element has really been pushed into the background and I don't feel that the story is quite as compelling in this latest installment. I also read some reviews of the second book after I finished it, and one in particular mentioned the lack of variety in the swearing - and now that I'm aware of it, it REALLY started to bother me.
I know I'm going to go ahead and read the next book in the series, at least. Hopefully this will be return to the more exiting themes of the earlier books
Awix (3310 KP) rated Styx (2018) in Movies
May 1, 2019 (Updated May 1, 2019)
No-frills drama from Germany (not much dialogue, and most of that in English) achieves genuine tension after a slow start. Competent, compassionate doctor seems to be having no trouble sailing the Atlantic until she comes across a ship loaded with refugees in very bad shape: her small boat can't help, and the authorities advise her by radio to leave the area; but they show no sign of doing anything to help. The arrival on board of a young boy only complicates matters further. What is she supposed to do?
Wears its heart very much on its sleeve as a parable about civilised European attitudes to crises in other parts of the world; not exactly subtle and doesn't seem to have many answers to give. The slow start may also put some people off. However, Wolff carries the film impressively, and the moral dilemma at its centre is engrossing and resonant. Director does good work with what's clearly quite a low budget.
Wears its heart very much on its sleeve as a parable about civilised European attitudes to crises in other parts of the world; not exactly subtle and doesn't seem to have many answers to give. The slow start may also put some people off. However, Wolff carries the film impressively, and the moral dilemma at its centre is engrossing and resonant. Director does good work with what's clearly quite a low budget.
Film and stuff (30 KP) rated Before I Wake (2016) in Movies
May 15, 2019
....meh
Director: Mike Flanagan
Writers: Mike Flanagan, Jeff Howard
Stars: Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane and Jacob Tremblay
What's it about?
New foster carers look after a sweet young boy whos dreams and nightmares come to life.
Is it scary?
Well, the first 20 to 30 minutes are really good. It builds slow and has a real confidence about it that is refreshing. sadly after that it devolves into standard horror clichés and is deeply not scary. It switches from tension building to attempted jump scares that simply don't land.
Does it have any redeeming features?
The reveal/twist is rushed and half arsed. Cody (the young boy) is so sweet and struggles with what is happening. Trying everything he can to stay awake because of his ability is so refreshing from the normal "evil child" trope.
How does it compare to other horrors?
It's mainstream. It offers a really nice premise but sadly doesn't do much with it.
Writers: Mike Flanagan, Jeff Howard
Stars: Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane and Jacob Tremblay
What's it about?
New foster carers look after a sweet young boy whos dreams and nightmares come to life.
Is it scary?
Well, the first 20 to 30 minutes are really good. It builds slow and has a real confidence about it that is refreshing. sadly after that it devolves into standard horror clichés and is deeply not scary. It switches from tension building to attempted jump scares that simply don't land.
Does it have any redeeming features?
The reveal/twist is rushed and half arsed. Cody (the young boy) is so sweet and struggles with what is happening. Trying everything he can to stay awake because of his ability is so refreshing from the normal "evil child" trope.
How does it compare to other horrors?
It's mainstream. It offers a really nice premise but sadly doesn't do much with it.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Blown Away in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I wasnt sure how I was going to feel about this book. I generally like second chance romances but it rubbed me the couples history rubbed me the wrong way. I know it shouldnt and that I am close-minded for thinking so.
I enjoyed the concept of this romance. Storm chasing isnt something we see a lot especially in the romance genre. I felt like it added enough tension and another dimension to Drew and Aidens relationship. I felt like they had more going on than just the typical oh we cant be together because of her dead ex-fiancé. I appreciated that. And honestly, they just made sense together.
This is the first novel I have read by this author so I am glad it was such an enjoyable read. Rothert really knows how to tell a love story.
I wasnt sure how I was going to feel about this book. I generally like second chance romances but it rubbed me the couples history rubbed me the wrong way. I know it shouldnt and that I am close-minded for thinking so.
I enjoyed the concept of this romance. Storm chasing isnt something we see a lot especially in the romance genre. I felt like it added enough tension and another dimension to Drew and Aidens relationship. I felt like they had more going on than just the typical oh we cant be together because of her dead ex-fiancé. I appreciated that. And honestly, they just made sense together.
This is the first novel I have read by this author so I am glad it was such an enjoyable read. Rothert really knows how to tell a love story.
Lee (2222 KP) rated The Post (2017) in Movies
Jan 26, 2018
I saw The Post earlier this week and it's taken me quite a while to think about how to review it. To be honest, it didn't really do much for me at all. It's clearly a very important part of recent history, an interesting story with huge relevance in these current times, but the first half was just so dull!
Tom Hanks is obviously brilliant, playing Ben Bradlee, editor of The Washington Post. But it's Meryl Streep that really shines here as Katharine Graham, the country's first female newspaper publisher and Bens boss. Following her journey through the male led news industry as she gradually finds the strength and confidence she needs.
The second half ramps up the tension somewhat and is a great improvement over the first half. Unfortunately for me though it just wasn't enough to leave any kind of lasting impression.
Tom Hanks is obviously brilliant, playing Ben Bradlee, editor of The Washington Post. But it's Meryl Streep that really shines here as Katharine Graham, the country's first female newspaper publisher and Bens boss. Following her journey through the male led news industry as she gradually finds the strength and confidence she needs.
The second half ramps up the tension somewhat and is a great improvement over the first half. Unfortunately for me though it just wasn't enough to leave any kind of lasting impression.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated I Am Half-Sick of Shadows (Flavia de Luce, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
It’s the week before Christmas, and a movie crew is coming to film at Flavia’s family home. While excited, Flavia is plotting how to trap Father Christmas when he shows up on Christmas morning. However, that takes a back seat when the lead actress is film is murdered. Fortunately for Flavia, the suspects are trapped in her home due to a massive snow storm. Can she figure out who the killer is?
While I do like the characters and didn’t find Flavia nearly as annoying in this book as I did the previous one, I found the plot way too slow. The murder happened half way through the book, and the tension and set up to justify that just wasn’t present. Once the murder took place, the book definitely picked up, however.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-i-am-half-sick-of-shadows.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While I do like the characters and didn’t find Flavia nearly as annoying in this book as I did the previous one, I found the plot way too slow. The murder happened half way through the book, and the tension and set up to justify that just wasn’t present. Once the murder took place, the book definitely picked up, however.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-i-am-half-sick-of-shadows.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Fixing to Die (Southern Ladies Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Sisters An’gel and Dickce Ducote are only too happy to help Mary Turner Catlin, the granddaughter of their friend. It seems the family house is haunted, and she wants them to help her figure out what is causing the problem. It isn’t too long after they arrive that they begin to experience some strange things, but it’s the uninvited guests who really up the tension. What are the sisters involved in now?
I love the main characters in this book, both human and four legged, so I was glad to get a chance to visit them again. They delight as always, and the new characters are strong as well. The pacing was a little off over all, but the haunted house aspect is a nice addition to the mystery. Fans of the author will enjoy this latest book.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-fixing-to-die-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love the main characters in this book, both human and four legged, so I was glad to get a chance to visit them again. They delight as always, and the new characters are strong as well. The pacing was a little off over all, but the haunted house aspect is a nice addition to the mystery. Fans of the author will enjoy this latest book.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-fixing-to-die-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Twelve Angry Librarians (Cat in the Stacks, #8) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Athena College is playing host to the Southern Academic Libraries Association convention and Charlie Harris’s old grad school classmate Gavin Fong is giving the keynote address. Charlie doesn’t have fond memories of Gavin, and an encounter opening night proves that Gavin is still as arrogant as ever. But when Gavin collapses and dies in the middle of his speech, Charlie is surprised. Yes, Gavin was a jerk, but who hated him enough to kill him?
As always, this is a strong mystery, with conflict and tension set up from the very first chapter. We have several strong motives and suspects before Gavin dies, and we get some nice twists before the logical solution. The suspects are all believable, and the returning characters continue to be strong. Charlie’s cat Diesel charms like always as well.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-twelve-angry-librarians-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As always, this is a strong mystery, with conflict and tension set up from the very first chapter. We have several strong motives and suspects before Gavin dies, and we get some nice twists before the logical solution. The suspects are all believable, and the returning characters continue to be strong. Charlie’s cat Diesel charms like always as well.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-twelve-angry-librarians-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated The Ghosts of Misty Hollow in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Emma and Phil are in Massachusetts at the invitation of mystery writer Gino Costello. He plans to include ghosts in his next book, and plans to use Emma’s expertise to get that part right. However, tension between Gino and Vanessa and the presence of many ghosts looking for Emma’s help will keep this trip for being restful.
While I don’t read many paranormal cozies, I enjoy this series because the characters are so much fun. We only really see Emma, Phil, and Granny here, but they are fantastic, and the new characters more than make up for any characters you might miss. The pacing is a little uneven, but the plot is good and the further I got into the book, the harder it was to put down.
Note: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-ghosts-of-misty-hollow-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While I don’t read many paranormal cozies, I enjoy this series because the characters are so much fun. We only really see Emma, Phil, and Granny here, but they are fantastic, and the new characters more than make up for any characters you might miss. The pacing is a little uneven, but the plot is good and the further I got into the book, the harder it was to put down.
Note: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-ghosts-of-misty-hollow-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Dr. Strangelove (1964) in Movies
Jun 12, 2018
Love the Bomb
Inspired, justly-celebrated black comedy satirising the absurdity of the nuclear arms race. American general is unhinged by a sudden attack of impotence, 'does a silly thing' and launches an atomic attack on the USSR. The President tries his best to restore order and sanity but finds the deck is stacked against him - suddenly it feels like too much trouble not to have a war...
The brilliant triple-performance by Peter Sellers is what you remember of this film, but it is powered along by the tension between the black absurdity of its characters and situations and the naturalistic realism with which they are depicted. Some terrific dialogue and brilliant visual gags, and a lacerating subtext about masculinity running out of control. Current concerns about crazed egomaniacs with their fingers on nuclear buttons mean that Dr Strangelove shows every sign of becoming worryingly topical again, but you can hardly blame Stanley Kubrick for that.
The brilliant triple-performance by Peter Sellers is what you remember of this film, but it is powered along by the tension between the black absurdity of its characters and situations and the naturalistic realism with which they are depicted. Some terrific dialogue and brilliant visual gags, and a lacerating subtext about masculinity running out of control. Current concerns about crazed egomaniacs with their fingers on nuclear buttons mean that Dr Strangelove shows every sign of becoming worryingly topical again, but you can hardly blame Stanley Kubrick for that.
