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State of Emergency: The Way We Were: Britain, 1970-1974
Book
The book behind major BBC2 series The Seventies, Dominic Sandbrook's State of Emergency - The Way We...
Darren (1599 KP) rated Black Sheep (2006) in Movies
Oct 14, 2019
Characters/Performance – Henry is the successful brother that gets traumatised when he is young, now grown up he comes to back to the farm to collect his part of the money. When he learns the truth, he must now face his nightmares and fight off the killer sheep running over the farm. Angus the brother that has been experimenting on sheep for his own personal gain, this puts his own life and members of his farm. Experience is the environmentalist that wants to expose the farm but she quickly turns when she needs to fight to survive.
Performance wise, each performance adds to the comedy being told through this film, no one is great but they all know just how to get the extra laugh needed from their characters.
Story – Only in horror could you come up with an idea of genetical altered sheep that will try to kill people. If you watch this story with this in mind, you will truly enjoy this story because it is just that bonkers it works.
Horror/Comedy – The horror would be, how scary do you find sheep? Well what about killer mutant sheep, that is your horror side to the story but this could also be used to describe the comedy involved in this film too.
Settings – The film is set upon on the farm which is good for the horror isolation side of the film as they must use the land to fight the sheep off.
Special Effects – All the effects are practical and all come off looking fantastic when you look to add the extra element of gore to the film.
Final Thoughts – This is one of those horrors you can put on and enjoy because the laughs and idea are so farfetched you just must laugh to get through it all.
Overall: Fun and enjoyable horror comedy.
Performance wise, each performance adds to the comedy being told through this film, no one is great but they all know just how to get the extra laugh needed from their characters.
Story – Only in horror could you come up with an idea of genetical altered sheep that will try to kill people. If you watch this story with this in mind, you will truly enjoy this story because it is just that bonkers it works.
Horror/Comedy – The horror would be, how scary do you find sheep? Well what about killer mutant sheep, that is your horror side to the story but this could also be used to describe the comedy involved in this film too.
Settings – The film is set upon on the farm which is good for the horror isolation side of the film as they must use the land to fight the sheep off.
Special Effects – All the effects are practical and all come off looking fantastic when you look to add the extra element of gore to the film.
Final Thoughts – This is one of those horrors you can put on and enjoy because the laughs and idea are so farfetched you just must laugh to get through it all.
Overall: Fun and enjoyable horror comedy.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated Project Dogway in Books
Jan 2, 2022
Dogging a Killer
Cousins Caro Lamont and Mel Langston are both in attendance at a dog fashion show fundraiser to help raise awareness for heartworm (in dogs, that is). Mel’s boutique is providing fashion for the dogs that are walking the catwalk, er dogwalk, for the show. However, the show ends early when Phil Tawney drops dead after eating some shellfish. While Caro searches for Phil’s missing award-winning beagle, Mel attempts to comfort the not quite grieving almost ex-wife. Will they wind up gathering the clues needed to catch the killer?
As a fan of this series, I was delighted to see the characters return, even if only in a short story. Caro and Mel and still feuding here, so we get the story told in short chapters to make it easier to switch between the cousins as the focal point of the story. The authors do a great job of giving us clues without repeating themselves so that both cousins can solve the crime. We don’t see many of the series regulars, but we had to have time for new characters and the plot in this short story. The mystery is well thought out with a logical solution. We also get the fun of the over-the-top world these books brought to life. Make no mistake, this is a short story I read in about 45 minutes, but as long as you keep that in mind, you’ll be fine. As a series fan, it was fun to revisit the characters. If you are new to the series, it might be a good way to meet the characters. You’ll be hooked and looking for the first book before you know it.
As a fan of this series, I was delighted to see the characters return, even if only in a short story. Caro and Mel and still feuding here, so we get the story told in short chapters to make it easier to switch between the cousins as the focal point of the story. The authors do a great job of giving us clues without repeating themselves so that both cousins can solve the crime. We don’t see many of the series regulars, but we had to have time for new characters and the plot in this short story. The mystery is well thought out with a logical solution. We also get the fun of the over-the-top world these books brought to life. Make no mistake, this is a short story I read in about 45 minutes, but as long as you keep that in mind, you’ll be fine. As a series fan, it was fun to revisit the characters. If you are new to the series, it might be a good way to meet the characters. You’ll be hooked and looking for the first book before you know it.
James Dean Bradfield recommended ...For the Whole World to See by Death in Music (curated)
Merissa (12926 KP) rated Bad Rebound (Billionaire's Club: Bad Brothers #1) in Books
Sep 27, 2022
Who doesn't love a perfectly flawed hero?
BAD REBOUND is the first book in the Billionaire's Club: Bad Brothers series. We met Theresa in Bad Best Friend and it is now time for her own story. Rafe and Cora are on hand to help and to provide insight into how Theresa works. This is a good thing because Jeremy doesn't actually know her that well, even after all this time. He likes what he sees, but he doesn't see the whole picture; choosing to be blind to the things he doesn't want to acknowledge.
Jeremy is the perfect flawed hero. He will do anything for anyone and thinks 100% he is doing the right thing, showing them how much he cares. He is also human and makes mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are smothering the person he is trying to care for. Luckily for him, he had Theresa, his mum, and Melody to set him straight and make him take a good long look at himself. What makes him even better is he acknowledges how he went wrong and tries to correct himself.
Theresa - now here's a heroine that is harder to like. I get her back story, I do, but I was so glad when her mum shot her down. She never asked if it was the life her mum wanted, she just assumed, and we all know how that works out. To me, she was so condescending about anyone's dreams if they differed from her own. Her behaviour, although explained, left a lot to be desired in places. I still liked her though. I just thought she needed knocking down a peg or two as she was so quick to point out Jeremy's faults without looking at her own.
I loved this book and can't wait for the series to continue. I need Melody and Asher's story!!! I know it's going to tear me apart before it gets to the HEA and that's absolutely fine by me! A great start to a new series and definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jeremy is the perfect flawed hero. He will do anything for anyone and thinks 100% he is doing the right thing, showing them how much he cares. He is also human and makes mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are smothering the person he is trying to care for. Luckily for him, he had Theresa, his mum, and Melody to set him straight and make him take a good long look at himself. What makes him even better is he acknowledges how he went wrong and tries to correct himself.
Theresa - now here's a heroine that is harder to like. I get her back story, I do, but I was so glad when her mum shot her down. She never asked if it was the life her mum wanted, she just assumed, and we all know how that works out. To me, she was so condescending about anyone's dreams if they differed from her own. Her behaviour, although explained, left a lot to be desired in places. I still liked her though. I just thought she needed knocking down a peg or two as she was so quick to point out Jeremy's faults without looking at her own.
I loved this book and can't wait for the series to continue. I need Melody and Asher's story!!! I know it's going to tear me apart before it gets to the HEA and that's absolutely fine by me! A great start to a new series and definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Kim Pook (101 KP) rated Love, Guaranteed (2020) in Movies
Jan 28, 2021 (Updated Jan 28, 2021)
Loved it
Susan is a young single lawyer with a very busy life, she lives on leftover takeaways and her car is falling apart. On her way to work she bumps into an obnoxious guy who turns out to be a potential client in a very bizarre case. This guy wants to sue an online dating site called 'love, guaranteed' because he hasn't been able to find love. Susan takes the case and agrees to be signed up to the site herself for research, as well as interviewing Nicks past dates.
After a few bad dates, Susan decides to go out for a meal by herself only to find Nick on yet another disaster of a date, one thing leads to another and Nick and Susan end up eating together and have a lovely night, both agreeing it was their best meal out yet and of course anyone who has ever watched a romance move, knows where this goes.
To be honest I half expected this movie to be boring, but I enjoyed it from the start. It did take me a while to realise the main character was Rachel Leigh Cook as she looks so different, it's great to see her acting again though. I also though Heather gray am was very good in her role, she made her character seem real and who'd have thought a wayans brother would fit in to this kind of movie, it's like he was made for the part. I loved this feel good movie, but it did make me sick to death of Tiffany.
After a few bad dates, Susan decides to go out for a meal by herself only to find Nick on yet another disaster of a date, one thing leads to another and Nick and Susan end up eating together and have a lovely night, both agreeing it was their best meal out yet and of course anyone who has ever watched a romance move, knows where this goes.
To be honest I half expected this movie to be boring, but I enjoyed it from the start. It did take me a while to realise the main character was Rachel Leigh Cook as she looks so different, it's great to see her acting again though. I also though Heather gray am was very good in her role, she made her character seem real and who'd have thought a wayans brother would fit in to this kind of movie, it's like he was made for the part. I loved this feel good movie, but it did make me sick to death of Tiffany.
Merissa (12926 KP) rated Double Alchemy (Double Alchemy #1) in Books
Mar 20, 2018
Double Alchemy (Double Alchemy #1) by Susan Mac Nicol
Double Alchemy is the first book in the Double Alchemy duology. We meet Quinn, the Grand Master of the Warlocks, who has grown up knowing his role in life, and takes it very seriously. However, when he meets Cade, the attraction they feel for each other is off the charts! Cade is 'just' a human, or so he thinks. Then they find out that Cade has some elemental in his genealogy, which goes some way to explain the attraction. What happens with Cade and Quinn takes a back seat though when an old enemy, who Quinn thought was dead, turns up to cause mayhem and chaos.
This is a wonderful paranormal book that delves into the world of witches, Warlocks, and Withinners (still not sure why witches is the only one not capitalised though). With an in-depth world and social structure, this book was a delight to read. The pacing was smooth, and the transition from one scene/time to the next flowed very nicely indeed. I am looking forward to finding out more about Quinn and Cade, being as they are both mysterious characters indeed.
A great paranormal book, and definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is a wonderful paranormal book that delves into the world of witches, Warlocks, and Withinners (still not sure why witches is the only one not capitalised though). With an in-depth world and social structure, this book was a delight to read. The pacing was smooth, and the transition from one scene/time to the next flowed very nicely indeed. I am looking forward to finding out more about Quinn and Cade, being as they are both mysterious characters indeed.
A great paranormal book, and definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated Birdemic: Shock And Terror (2008) in Movies
Jul 9, 2018 (Updated Jan 23, 2019)
The horrible acting is fun to laugh at (2 more)
It actually has a song that got stuck in my head
You can have fun with the bad editing and camera work
One of the best "so bad it's good"
Contains spoilers, click to show
I'm not quite sure what rating I'm meant to give. It's a bad movie so should be low but It's to the point I love it so I had to give it a 8
It takes roughly about a hour for actual birds to appear and before that it's all about a guy with a blue car going about his daily life to work.
It may sound boring but it's too funny for you to be bored. The camera work is horrible, you can hear into he audio every single editing cut which is awkward. Characters have no chemistry (im pretty sure the main guy is a robot).
Even the opening scene spends about 10 minutes in a car, the music on a loop and yet all of this adds together to become 1 of the funniest movies.
There is 1 moment in the film where they dance and you can't help but sing along to the song. It's so catchy "we're hanging out, hanging out....hanging out with my family, having ourselves a party!)
This is by far my favourite of bad movies. Who attacks a bird with a coat hanger? Haha
I would recommend watching it at least once.
It takes roughly about a hour for actual birds to appear and before that it's all about a guy with a blue car going about his daily life to work.
It may sound boring but it's too funny for you to be bored. The camera work is horrible, you can hear into he audio every single editing cut which is awkward. Characters have no chemistry (im pretty sure the main guy is a robot).
Even the opening scene spends about 10 minutes in a car, the music on a loop and yet all of this adds together to become 1 of the funniest movies.
There is 1 moment in the film where they dance and you can't help but sing along to the song. It's so catchy "we're hanging out, hanging out....hanging out with my family, having ourselves a party!)
This is by far my favourite of bad movies. Who attacks a bird with a coat hanger? Haha
I would recommend watching it at least once.
Deborah (162 KP) rated The Daughter of Time (Inspector Alan Grant, #5) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
I've read this several times before, but it has been a while and I'd forgotten just how good a book this is! It's really almost like a play in some ways, as the action takes place entirely in one location - a hospital ward. Mentally of course, the reader follows Inspector Grant's mind as he finds an intellectual exercise that ends up absorbing him and taking him right out of the hospital bed!
Josephine Tey may have been writing in the golden age of detective fiction, but she's didn't stick to the accustomed 'rules' and went her own way, making for some very interesting books. The Daughter of Time is probably her best known book. It's a book that works on more than one level as it's about what it's ostensibly about, but I also see it as a comment on the meaning of Truth (The Daughter of time of the title) and of course, Tonypandy! In our modern age with 24 hour news, social media, 'fake' news, I'd say this book is more relevant than ever!
It's just a very well written book and I'll finish with one bit that really came out to me this time as simply a fantastic thought, beautifully put: "...perhaps a series of small satisfactions scattered like sequins over the texture of everyday life was of greater worth than the academic satisfaction of owning a collection of fine objects at the back of a drawer."
Josephine Tey may have been writing in the golden age of detective fiction, but she's didn't stick to the accustomed 'rules' and went her own way, making for some very interesting books. The Daughter of Time is probably her best known book. It's a book that works on more than one level as it's about what it's ostensibly about, but I also see it as a comment on the meaning of Truth (The Daughter of time of the title) and of course, Tonypandy! In our modern age with 24 hour news, social media, 'fake' news, I'd say this book is more relevant than ever!
It's just a very well written book and I'll finish with one bit that really came out to me this time as simply a fantastic thought, beautifully put: "...perhaps a series of small satisfactions scattered like sequins over the texture of everyday life was of greater worth than the academic satisfaction of owning a collection of fine objects at the back of a drawer."
Awix (3310 KP) rated Greed (2019) in Movies
Feb 24, 2020
The latest Coogan-Winterbottom collaboration is the kind of satire that draws blood, so it's lucky they have a note from the lawyers making it clear that it's absolutely and positively not based on the life of Sir Philip Green. A crass and amoral entrepreneur prepares for a lavish and decadent birthday celebration, in part to restore his image following some very bad publicity. Friends, family, and various hangers-on assemble; all does not go quite to plan - meanwhile, the ugly tale of the man's rise unfolds in flashback.
A friend initially demurred from seeing Greed, suggesting that he didn't need to see a movie to know how screwed up capitalism is - but I dragged him along anyway and we both enjoyed it. Mainly this is because it has a strong cast and a good script, although Steve Coogan is doing one of his comic grotesques and David Mitchell is basically just playing his usual comic persona under a different name. The shift from comedy to darker and more serious material as the film goes on is well handled, although you could argue the film is pushing it by attempting to be anti-capitalist, pro-feminist and pro-refugee all at the same time. Manages to be crowd-pleasing entertainment while scoring some serious points about the nature of the world in which we live. It may not teach you anything new, but it will probably make you care more about things you already know.
A friend initially demurred from seeing Greed, suggesting that he didn't need to see a movie to know how screwed up capitalism is - but I dragged him along anyway and we both enjoyed it. Mainly this is because it has a strong cast and a good script, although Steve Coogan is doing one of his comic grotesques and David Mitchell is basically just playing his usual comic persona under a different name. The shift from comedy to darker and more serious material as the film goes on is well handled, although you could argue the film is pushing it by attempting to be anti-capitalist, pro-feminist and pro-refugee all at the same time. Manages to be crowd-pleasing entertainment while scoring some serious points about the nature of the world in which we live. It may not teach you anything new, but it will probably make you care more about things you already know.