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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Cottage in Books

Sep 5, 2021  
The Cottage
The Cottage
Lisa Stone | 2021 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Having read and enjoyed a few of Lisa Stone's previous books, I was only too happy to read her latest and I was not disappointed.

There are two strands to this book; the first is an intriguing story set in an isolated cottage at the edge of a wood. The main character, Jan, is not in a good place and needs a break away from a life that has spiralled down ... well she gets it but not in the way she would have hoped. The second, is the devastating story of Ian and Emma's loss of their baby and the repercussions of Ian's investigations as to why it has happened to them for a second time.

How are these two strands connected ... if at all?

Written at a steady pace with interesting characters, this is a book that will keep you reading to find out what happens. I admit that I worked out the twist quite early on but needed to keep reading to see how it all played out and, on the whole, it was very satisfying.

My thanks go to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
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Bob Mann (459 KP) rated Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) in Movies

Sep 28, 2021  
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
1979 | Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi
5
6.4 (25 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Given the longevity of this series, this has never struck me as an auspicious start. Yes, it has its positives…

The much repeated classic score by Jerry Goldsmith never fails to impress.
There’s a striking ‘Deltan’ heroine in the shapely form of Indian model Persis Khambatta (who sadly died very young).
And a twist in Alan Dean Foster’s story is genuinely clever (for those who know their space history).
However, all of this is outweighed by a story that is treacle-like in its telling. It’s a classic example of “look at how clever we are”, with special effects overriding everything else. A scene where Kirk travels to the Enterprise takes 5 minutes and 56 seconds (I looked up the Goldsmith track length): a scene involving nothing more than Scotty’s smug looks and Kirk’s awed reaction shots. Later in the movie, there are ENDLESS shots of the Enterprise travelling towards the centre of the cloud. Yawn! FOR F**CK’S SAKE GET ON WITH IT!!!

If this grand-standing was the quiet interlude between high-octane action sequences, then it might be partly forgiven. But even the action scenes are little less than soporific.
  
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David McK (3676 KP) rated Ransom (1996) in Movies

Nov 7, 2021  
Ransom (1996)
Ransom (1996)
1996 | Action, Drama, Mystery
6
7.3 (13 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Mid-90s thriller, starring Mel Gibson (back when he was still at the height of his career, before going completely loco IRL and getting himself into all sorts of trouble) as a wealthy airline owner whose son is kidnapped, and who must pay a ransom in order to get the kid back.

However, for 'reasons', and following a botched attempt to do so which the FBI crash, he decides instead to offer the ransom as a bounty on the kidnappers instead - kidnappers which the film has no qualms whatsoever about revealing from pretty much the get go.

That would have been a great twist (offering the ransom as a bounty, I mean) had the marketing for the movie not relied so heavily on it.

There's also surprisingly little made of it in the movie proper, save for one or two throwaway lines by interviewed citizens on the street.

As such, the film really relies on the 'star power' of Gibson himself and his co-star Rene Russo, alongside a strong turn by FBI agent Delroy Lindo and Gary Sinise.

The result is one of Gibson's more forgettable mid-90s thrillers, I feel.