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    Dr. Panda Town

    Dr. Panda Town

    Education

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    Let your imagination run wild and discover Dr. Panda Town! Step outside the house and go to the...

    Dr. Panda Mailman

    Dr. Panda Mailman

    Education and Games

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    **Winner of a Parents' Choice Gold Award for 2015!** Be a mailman and deliver mail as you explore a...

    RLM-Fin-PX

    RLM-Fin-PX

    Finance and Business

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    The RLM-12PX is a full simulation of the HP-12C Platinum financial and business calculator, with all...

Office Christmas Party (2016)
Office Christmas Party (2016)
2016 | Comedy
7
6.9 (12 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Josh Parker (Jason Bateman) is a man with many things on his mind. He has just finalized a divorce which has cost him his house, tons of money, and his confidence. Known for bunting instead of swinging away, Josh heads to his office to move on with his life as Christmas approaches.

His lead programmer Tracey (Olivia Munn) constantly reminds him of his playing it safe mentality to the point where she fed up with him and his ways.

Thankfully for Josh his boss Clay (T.J. Miller), values him and even though he is a goof who happened to be given the office by his late father who started the company, things are looking up.

That is until Interim CEO Carol (Jennifer Aniston) arrives and makes no effort to hide her disdain for her brother Clay, nor the company not meeting her expectations.

Carol quickly tells Josh and Clay that they will have to downsize if they want to stay open and in a very unpopular move, eliminates bonuses and the office Christmas Party.

Since the movie is called “Office Christmas Party”, you know that Carol’s request will fall on deaf ears as Clay convinces his sister that they are about to close a major client (Courtney B. Vance), and as such will have the deal set before she lands in London later that evening.

With nothing to go on aside from desperation, Clay puts the lovable but highly eccentric office into overdrive to create a party unlike any other so they can land the contract needed to stay in business.

When the party arrives one series of epic misadventures and mishaps after another arises which threatens to sink the company and everyone involved once and for all.

The film follows a fairly linear and somewhat predictable path but the strong cast does a great job and Kate McKinnon as the ultra-weird H.R. lead steals several of the scenes in which she is in. Bateman plays pretty much the same character that he has played in most of his recent work as the everyman that tries to make the best of the bad situation and Miller is pretty much recycling the same character he plays on Silicon Valley. That being said, there are plenty of laughs if you do not mind the very bawdy humor and Directors Josh Gordon and Will Speck keep things moving at a steady pace with laughs throughout the film.

While it is likely not going to be a holiday classic, “Office Christmas Party”, is a very fun and enjoyable diversion.

http://sknr.net/2016/12/09/office-christmas-party/
  
My rating: 4.5

<i>This eBook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review</i>

For fans of Veronica Roth’s <i>Divergent</i> series here is a book that delves deeper into the trilogy. Commonly referred to as “the next <i>Hunger Games</i>” Leah Wilson has compiled together several essays that treat <i>Divergent</i> in its own right. <i>Divergent Thinking: YA Authors on Veronica Roth’s Divergent Trilogy</i> is full of a variety of ideas each expressed by a different well-known author.

Although <i>Divergent</i> is a dystopian novel leaning heavily towards the science fiction genre, the essays in this book compare the storyline and its components with reality. Through the complex heroine, Tris, the reader learns about family values, friendships, secrets and lies – all of these things being something that is experienced within everyone’s lives.

What are really interesting are the various authors’ perceptions on Roth’s use of factions - from this stem essays on personality types, life choices, psychology, bravery and science. <i>Divergent Thinking</i> is full of thought-provoking ideas that many readers would not have considered when first reading the trilogy. These authors make the reader think more about their own lives in relation to Tris and Tobias’. Most importantly Wilson’s compilation draws attention to the amount of research Roth must have done in order to create a dystopian future.

What is particularly good about this book is that the authors treat the characters as people in their own right with their own personalities and opinions. Instead of criticizing the way Roth has portrayed someone they comment instead on how they disagree with a particular characters thought or action. This proves, in a way, the brilliance behind Roth’s writing. Through reading <i>Divergent</i> we are not only staring at a page of writing, we are drawn directly into the storyline.

To be able to appreciate the essays included in this book readers need to already have a good understanding of the original novels, in other words read the trilogy first. There are also many spoilers for those who have not yet reached the final installment, <i>Allegiant</i>. It would also help to be a fan of <i>Divergent</i> as all these authors clearly are. Overall this is such a fascinating read. Some chapters are more interesting than others but that will also depend on the reader. If you prefer science and facts there are essays in here for you, likewise if you prefer a more personal touch there is something for you too.
  
    Dr. Panda Home

    Dr. Panda Home

    Education and Games

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    Wake up and get ready! There are lots of things to do in Dr. Panda Home!! With over 20 different...