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Nick Friesen (96 KP) rated The Circle (2017) in Movies
Jul 12, 2017
Tom Hanks (2 more)
Bill Paxton
The core concept
Unrealized Potential
There's a part early on the circle where the main character, Mae, is interviewing for a job at the titular company. The interviewer asks her what her biggest fear is. "Unrealized potential," she responds. That's pretty much my review of the movie. There's so much that could have been done with the great core concept of the Circle, but the potential was lost in poor writing and direction. The movie doesn't take the concept of questioning the benefit of privacy or lack thereof anywhere significant, and lots of screen time is spent on side tangents that also go nowhere. The Circle is perhaps most exciting in the final scene, when Mae pulls back the curtain on the antagonists, but it all comes to a screeching halt with no resolution. Couple that with Emma Watson's worst performance to date (she CAN NOT muster an American accent to save her life), and the Circle becomes a forgettable and not-so-thrilling thriller that not even Tom Hanks can salvage.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings (Real Mermaids, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Jade was positive she was just an average girl, until she fell asleep in her bath, inhaled some salt water, and sprouted a mermaid tail. Soon the truth comes out that her mom was a mermaid. But then how did her mom drown last summer? Jade works to come to terms with this new side of herself, maintain her close friendships without spilling her secret, attempt to keep her dignity around her adorable crush, and figure out the mystery behind her mother.
I enjoyed every second of this story. I instantly liked Jade and her slight sarcasm. Although the events were, in reality, absolutely ridiculous, they worked in the context of the book, and it was easy to get lost in the story and believe in mermaids for a while. It was much more of an exciting and thrilling adventure than I originally imagined it to be. The twist at the end was perfectly wonderful! I read it twice I liked it so much. (*grins ecstatically*) I would recommend this book in a heartbeat.
Content/Recommendation: Clean, ages 10-16
I enjoyed every second of this story. I instantly liked Jade and her slight sarcasm. Although the events were, in reality, absolutely ridiculous, they worked in the context of the book, and it was easy to get lost in the story and believe in mermaids for a while. It was much more of an exciting and thrilling adventure than I originally imagined it to be. The twist at the end was perfectly wonderful! I read it twice I liked it so much. (*grins ecstatically*) I would recommend this book in a heartbeat.
Content/Recommendation: Clean, ages 10-16
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Unsane (2018) in Movies
Feb 5, 2019
Starts off well, but with a poor ending
I’ll start off by saying I’m really impressed with the fact that this was filmed on a iPhone. Yes it’s pretty obvious in parts that it’s been done on a phone, and it gives the film a certain look, but I quite liked it. It really fit in with the overall tone of the film.
Claire Foy is a great actress and she is one of the main reasons this is watchable, and there’s a fun cameo from Matt Damon. The story itself starts off well and the first half of the film is actually very intriguing and thrilling. It makes you wonder what’s going on and it’s quite creepy and disturbing. The main problem with this film though is that the second half is a massive letdown. It wasn’t the ending that I’d expected or hoped for, and it was beyond predictable and just a bit ridiculous. It’s such a shame that the ending is stupid, as otherwise this would be a great film.
Claire Foy is a great actress and she is one of the main reasons this is watchable, and there’s a fun cameo from Matt Damon. The story itself starts off well and the first half of the film is actually very intriguing and thrilling. It makes you wonder what’s going on and it’s quite creepy and disturbing. The main problem with this film though is that the second half is a massive letdown. It wasn’t the ending that I’d expected or hoped for, and it was beyond predictable and just a bit ridiculous. It’s such a shame that the ending is stupid, as otherwise this would be a great film.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Sleep in Books
May 22, 2019
Anna suffers from crushing insomnia following an accident that she feels responsible for. Unable to forgive herself she moves to Rum to try and escape.
At first it would appear that the location and the job are just what the Dr ordered until the new intake of guests arrive and with them more disaster for Anna. The story is made even more interesting with what is going on at home. At first you cannot see any link, but as the story builds to its thrilling climax you realize the connection and there is even an unexpected twist at the end.
Once again C.L. Taylor has delivered a perfect thriller. I raced through this book as once I started I just couldn't stop. I kept thinking I had it all figured out.... BIG MISTAKE!!!! The ending is just WOW!
The setting is just wonderful for this story and just takes it to that next level.
Creepy, chilling, exciting and intriguing. A true reminder to never take things on face value!
Many thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books for the chance to read, review!
At first it would appear that the location and the job are just what the Dr ordered until the new intake of guests arrive and with them more disaster for Anna. The story is made even more interesting with what is going on at home. At first you cannot see any link, but as the story builds to its thrilling climax you realize the connection and there is even an unexpected twist at the end.
Once again C.L. Taylor has delivered a perfect thriller. I raced through this book as once I started I just couldn't stop. I kept thinking I had it all figured out.... BIG MISTAKE!!!! The ending is just WOW!
The setting is just wonderful for this story and just takes it to that next level.
Creepy, chilling, exciting and intriguing. A true reminder to never take things on face value!
Many thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books for the chance to read, review!
Robert Lindsay (9 KP) rated A Modern Tragedy Vol 2 by Grandson in Music
May 26, 2019
All killer, no filler (2 more)
Extremely heavy and modern sounding
Leaves me craving to see them live
Razor sharp rock and hip-hop fusion
Discovered at random while searching for Rock music released this year, Grandson managed to be heavy and thrilling, while also utilising modern production techniques more usually associated with hip hop and electronic music, the fusion is excellent.
There are five tracks on this EP and each has a distinctive flavour. Apologize is a swaggering endorsement of the self, warts and all, which every listener can adopt as their own personal anthem. Stigmata is a full on, head down rocker that no doubt sets mosh pits ablaze. Is This What You Wanted is a searing enditement of facing the grinding misery of the world, compared with escaping it via indulgence and excess, slower than its predecessors but no less furious. Falling is a tripped out meditation on struggling with addiction. Darkside is the take of a would - be school shooter that drips with menace until it finally drops, when it becomes openly hostile.
There are five tracks on this EP and each has a distinctive flavour. Apologize is a swaggering endorsement of the self, warts and all, which every listener can adopt as their own personal anthem. Stigmata is a full on, head down rocker that no doubt sets mosh pits ablaze. Is This What You Wanted is a searing enditement of facing the grinding misery of the world, compared with escaping it via indulgence and excess, slower than its predecessors but no less furious. Falling is a tripped out meditation on struggling with addiction. Darkside is the take of a would - be school shooter that drips with menace until it finally drops, when it becomes openly hostile.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated The Sky Throne in Books
Feb 8, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
Chris Ledbetter is a new author to me. His storytelling is nice and well written. I enjoyed his book “The Sky Throne” a fantasy and mythology book. It tells a story about a young Zeus and somewhat of how he comes to be a Geek God.
Will Zeus and his classmates find out what they are to do? The adventures they take are thrilling. Don is short for “Poseidon”. Is this book to tell the story of ancient Greek or is it more geared towards Modern? You will have to read the book to find out for yourself and decide. Though the story of young Zeus is about ancient Greek and becoming Greek God.
Hyperion coming to Create after young Zeus pulls enough pranks to get himself and his best friend expelled from Crete Lower Prep. Will he learn his lesson or will he continue with the pranks? Once his best friend is killed and his mother injured he is sent to Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia. He sent to Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia he as one question “Who is his real Mother”?
Will Zeus and his classmates find out what they are to do? The adventures they take are thrilling. Don is short for “Poseidon”. Is this book to tell the story of ancient Greek or is it more geared towards Modern? You will have to read the book to find out for yourself and decide. Though the story of young Zeus is about ancient Greek and becoming Greek God.
Hyperion coming to Create after young Zeus pulls enough pranks to get himself and his best friend expelled from Crete Lower Prep. Will he learn his lesson or will he continue with the pranks? Once his best friend is killed and his mother injured he is sent to Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia. He sent to Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia he as one question “Who is his real Mother”?
Fruit Bat (42 KP) rated My Ripper Hunting Days in Books
Mar 1, 2018
The book is a work of fiction but the author cleverly works fiction and known facts about the Jack the Ripper case to produce a thrilling read.
The main character of the book is pathologist Woodrow Riley who manages to get himself mixed up in some very nasty going on's its up to the reader to decide whether you think he ambitious stupid or gullible. Myself I think he is a mixer of all three.
The story is based around Woodrow's dairy writings of 1888 and how he unwittingly become involved in the killings of five unfortunate women killed by the hand, of the man the world would know as Jack the Ripper. Woodrow takes the reader on a journey though a series of meetings and interactions he has with various characters and this where it gets very interesting because after a while you realize that each of these character is not what he first appears to be .
Great read for these cold winter nights so snuggle up and enjoy.
The main character of the book is pathologist Woodrow Riley who manages to get himself mixed up in some very nasty going on's its up to the reader to decide whether you think he ambitious stupid or gullible. Myself I think he is a mixer of all three.
The story is based around Woodrow's dairy writings of 1888 and how he unwittingly become involved in the killings of five unfortunate women killed by the hand, of the man the world would know as Jack the Ripper. Woodrow takes the reader on a journey though a series of meetings and interactions he has with various characters and this where it gets very interesting because after a while you realize that each of these character is not what he first appears to be .
Great read for these cold winter nights so snuggle up and enjoy.
This was what I was looking for in an adult suspense novel. It was thrilling. The characters were not likable in a way you were still somehow rooting for. I honestly have no idea why I like Amy, why she is my favorite character in this book even though she is cunning and manipulative and sadistic, but I do. Flynn did a phenomenal job writing these characters in a way that I hate to love them, and love to hate them.
There were not many slow parts to this book. The plot twists just kept coming, hitting me in the face over and over and over which was so brilliant. I loved it.
I love not knowing what is going to happen next. I think it worked very well in this book, because thinking back, I could see where it was going. But in the moment, I had no idea. It was brilliant.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read more of Gillian Flynn's books.
There were not many slow parts to this book. The plot twists just kept coming, hitting me in the face over and over and over which was so brilliant. I loved it.
I love not knowing what is going to happen next. I think it worked very well in this book, because thinking back, I could see where it was going. But in the moment, I had no idea. It was brilliant.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read more of Gillian Flynn's books.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Starship Troopers (1997) in Movies
Feb 22, 2018
Not so much an adaptation of Heinlein's novel as a parody of it, Verhoeven's SF spectacular works equally well as storming action movie and outrageous black satire. Johnny Rico (Van Dien) joins the army for the wrong reasons, finds himself rising through the ranks as Earth provokes a war with the invertebrate Arachnids and finds itself facing a much more dangerous opponent than expected.
Verhoeven displays his usual uncanny ability to turn a movie on a dime - one second this is a deliberately cheesy deadpan comedy about growing up in a fascist utopia, the next it's delivering a genuinely thrilling action sequence that pushes the boundaries of CGI. Much, much smarter than it initially appears - even the decision to cast good-looking but essentially wooden young people (e.g. Denise Richards) in the lead roles seems calculated to make a point. Michael Ironside is genuinely good as the grizzled old soldier; another belting score from Basil Poledouris. Also weirdly prescient of the way the US and its media reacted after 9/11. Thoroughly enjoyable on many levels.
Verhoeven displays his usual uncanny ability to turn a movie on a dime - one second this is a deliberately cheesy deadpan comedy about growing up in a fascist utopia, the next it's delivering a genuinely thrilling action sequence that pushes the boundaries of CGI. Much, much smarter than it initially appears - even the decision to cast good-looking but essentially wooden young people (e.g. Denise Richards) in the lead roles seems calculated to make a point. Michael Ironside is genuinely good as the grizzled old soldier; another belting score from Basil Poledouris. Also weirdly prescient of the way the US and its media reacted after 9/11. Thoroughly enjoyable on many levels.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Your Closest Friend in Books
Jul 7, 2018
What a unique story and nothing like anything I've read before. You are thrown into the middle of a terrorist attack at the beginning of the story and not knowing whether she is going to survive or not, Cara confides her deepest secrets to the young lady who plucked her to safety. Secrets that should have stayed hidden as they are now used against her.
The writing style is easy to read and flows really well with each chapter written from the perspectives of the 2 main characters - Cara and Amy - which works extremely well for this book and the story. I did feel there was a bit of a lull in the middle but it certainly makes up for it as we move towards the thrilling conclusion.
Never having read anything by these authors before (Paul Perry and Karen Gillece ), I will most certainly keep my eyes open in future and thank you to the Publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, and NetGalley for once again introducing me to yet another great book that would likely have passed me by.
The writing style is easy to read and flows really well with each chapter written from the perspectives of the 2 main characters - Cara and Amy - which works extremely well for this book and the story. I did feel there was a bit of a lull in the middle but it certainly makes up for it as we move towards the thrilling conclusion.
Never having read anything by these authors before (Paul Perry and Karen Gillece ), I will most certainly keep my eyes open in future and thank you to the Publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, and NetGalley for once again introducing me to yet another great book that would likely have passed me by.