Search

Search only in certain items:

AC
A Christmas Peril: A Theater Cop Mystery. Book 1
J.A. Hennrikus | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Retired cop turned theater manager Edwina “Sully” Sullivan should be focusing on her theater’s production of A Christmas Carol. After all, the name star they’ve brought in can’t remember his lines, and actors are leaving in frustration. But what has captured her attention is the murder of Peter Whitehall. He’s not only the wealthiest man in town, but also a distant relative and the father of her friend Eric. Thanks to his security system, the police know someone in the family is the killer. Despite her intentions, Sully gets drawn into the puzzle. Can she figure out what happened?

This is a wonderful start to a new series. With my love of A Christmas Carol and live theater, I was looking forward to it, and it didn’t disappoint at all. The mystery is a modern-day twist on the isolated house mystery, and it is strong, with some surprises before we reach the logical end. Sully is already a wonderfully developed main character. There are some strong supporting characters here, and I’m looking forward to seeing the rest grow as the series progresses.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/09/book-review-christmas-peril-by-j.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
The Lighthouse (2019)
The Lighthouse (2019)
2019 | Drama, Horror
I steered me vessel to the theater last night and saw The Lighthouse. Not much I can say about the movie itself without giving spoilers, it's definitely one that can only be discussed between two people that have been stranded together for a couple of hours in a theater staring at the light from the projector viewing this film. Is it possible to love everything about a movie, but not really like the movie? Maybe I'm just going mad. The acting from Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson is some of the best you'll see this year, or any for that matter. The look and feel of the movie is as magical as the beauty and song of a siren on the rocky shore. To be honest, while giving praise to every aspect of it, I didn't feel like I actually liked the movie itself walking away from it. But with loving everything Robert Eggers cooked up with The Lighthouse and reflecting on my take away and interpretation of the story, it's one of my favorite movies of the year. This is why I love art so much; to really take a masterpiece like this in, to tear apart and pick at internally like a seagull, and then flatulate how I feel about it.
  
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
1968 | Classics, Sci-Fi

"My first memory was being in the movie theater — the strongest one up to this date, 60 or 48 years later. I still remember the shock of being transported into another dimension. Also, going through the gate of light like if I’d taken a huge dose of acid, like discovering other dimensions. But when you discover dimensions in a safe context as a movie theater, it looks even better. When I came out from that movie, I felt someone had injected me with something in the brain. I was obsessed with going to see the end of 2001. I liked the ape scenes, I like the beginning, but I just wanted to go again and again to see the movie, to go through the Stargate. And I’m happy, I met lately Douglas Trumbull [who did the visual effects on 2001], and we discussed Love, and he’s seen Enter the Void. For me, Douglas Trumbull was one of the very best partners in crime in this masterpiece, and just meeting him for me was just like discovering what was happening behind the curtain of the movie. This is the guy who like opened my mind when I was six years old."

Source
  
40x40

John Hawkes recommended The Wizard of Oz (1939) in Movies (curated)

 
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
1939 | Fantasy, Musical

"I grew up in a rural area and with four channels on a black and white TV. Birdman of Alcatraz would come on TV, anything with Don Knotts, like The Incredible Mr. Limpet, but Wizard of Oz was a big deal. That movie came on a couple times a year and as a little kid, as all kids are, I was pretty skeeved out by the flying monkeys. But I got past that and just really, really loved the film. I think that I related to the fantastical story as a whole, and also to the idea of being in a rural area and wondering what else is out there — what’s on the other side of the rainbow, so to speak. It was formative. When I was 19, I moved to Austin, Texas, and I went to the Varsity theater — rest in peace, Varsity theater — and saw the movie as an adult. When they’re in Oz and it’s suddenly color, I gasped, because I only had a black and white TV, and in the back of my head I knew the movie turned to color, but I had forgotten. That was a really wonderful surprise. Also, seeing it on a big screen made the movie that much more of a great gift."

Source
  
You Only Live Twice (1967)
You Only Live Twice (1967)
1967 | Action, Mystery

"That would have to be a James Bond film, and then I was trying to think of what my favorite one would be. And I guess it would probably be You Only Live Twice. Mr. Connery. Even though I really like Roger Moore, too. I mean I liked all the Bonds, honestly. Including the newest, Mr. Craig. He’s fantastic. But yeah, You Only Live Twice. It takes place in Japan as a part of it, and you’ve got Blofeld, Spectre, the classic villains, and the whole thing with the volcano that’s really a secret lair. And you’ve got Russia and the United States. You know, it’s huge in scope. And I don’t know, it’s this great classic Bond to me, and a great song, a great theme song. I think the first time I saw it, I definitely saw it on TV. I’m not sure what year it came out, but I may not have even been born yet when that came out. I mean my first exposure to James Bond was absolutely on television. And then my first one to see in the theater, which I also love, is The Spy Who Loved Me. That was pretty exciting. That was the first Bond I saw at a movie theater."

Source
  
Comedy Theater owner Elliot Freed is thrilled to meet his film idols Lillis & Townes when he hosts a special screening of their classic CRACKED ICE. But when he learns that Townes may have killed his wife 50 years before, Elliot just has to investigate. I was disappointed with the first in this series, but I really enjoyed this one. The characters were more likable, the plot much stronger, and the laughs were present in droves.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-it-happened-one-knife-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Parasite (2019)
Parasite (2019)
2019 | Drama
After @Andy K 's review, I moved this film up on my to-see list and watched it after Honey Boy at my local indie theater. I'm so glad I did.

The movie clocks in at over 2 hours long, but it didn't feel like it. The interesting thing about the title, is which family are the parasites referred to in the title. The tension is on point, and when the climax of the film finally hits, it pays off.

I don't want to say too much more about it, only that it's a must-see.
  
40x40

Andy K (10821 KP) Dec 4, 2019

Glad you enjoyed it!