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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Die of Shame in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I am a huge Mark Billingham fan and am at the front of the queue when a new book comes out so it is with massive regret that I have to say that this one just didnt grab me by the neck like his other books have - you have no idea how upset this makes me feel. Its not that it is a bad book - its well written, has interesting characters and a good story line - but I found myself being rather indifferent about reading it and it took me a little longer than it normally does to read it when I compare it to others written by the same author.
Review at <a href="https://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/synopsis-from-goodreads-from-british.html">Reading Stuff 'n' Things</a>
Review at <a href="https://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/synopsis-from-goodreads-from-british.html">Reading Stuff 'n' Things</a>
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Save by Roy: Patrick Roy and the Return of the Colorado Avalanche in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I received [Save By Roy] as an advanced readers copy. I am a HUGE hockey fan and have the utmost respect for Patrick Roy(although as a New York Rangers fan I hate him with a passion.) I was really excited to read this book and I was not disappointed. It was well written and was almost like a written version of 24/7 on NHL network. It had insider points of view that regular fans don't get. The fact that Roy managed to bring this team to the playoffs after being almost last in the league the season before (only Florida was worse and they don't count) in the amazingly tough Western Conference was amazing. All hockey fans should read this book (even if Roy made you cry when you were younger).
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Unbroken in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Louie Zamperini is an amazingly inspiring human being. Unbroken tells the story of his life from his family's move to California due to a bout of pneumonia to his life into his 90s. He went through hell and fought his way back. He went from the deepest, darkest depths of human suffering and emotion to putting himself in a position to help other "lost boys."
This book was a tough read. It is hard to imagine that what Louie lived through is even possible, let alone that people really did experience it and lived to tell the tale... and it is a truly amazing tale. I found myself smiling, horrified, laughing, and with tears streaming down my face through the course of this book. It was a wild ride and well worth the read!
This book was a tough read. It is hard to imagine that what Louie lived through is even possible, let alone that people really did experience it and lived to tell the tale... and it is a truly amazing tale. I found myself smiling, horrified, laughing, and with tears streaming down my face through the course of this book. It was a wild ride and well worth the read!
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Five Quarters Of The Orange in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I am always fascinated with any novel, fiction or otherwise, that is set in the time of World War II. This book took me a bit longer to get in to than is typical of a book set in this time period. But the end made it well worth the wait.
At times it is hard to follow because it bounces back & forth between Boise's life currently & her childhood spent in a small village in France during WWII. The story itself didn't form fully for me until it ended...all the loose ends were tied up & the events up to that point finally made sense. The 1 thing that frustrated me was Mirabelle, the mother. I was left not being quite sure whether or not she was really crazy.
At times it is hard to follow because it bounces back & forth between Boise's life currently & her childhood spent in a small village in France during WWII. The story itself didn't form fully for me until it ended...all the loose ends were tied up & the events up to that point finally made sense. The 1 thing that frustrated me was Mirabelle, the mother. I was left not being quite sure whether or not she was really crazy.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Other Side of the Door (2016) in Movies
Sep 3, 2017
Love the South Asian-west mix of horror, but not particularly scary
An interesting concept, mixing some deep cultural traditions from India with western horror. After a mother loses her son in an accident, she brings him back by attempting to communicate with the dead. But what comes back is another being altogether. It's been done a million times, even in the form of Stephen King's Pet Sematary, but I like the Indian twist, especially for those who know that these kind of beliefs still exist. Shiva shamans, who are known to dabble in black magic, begin to stalk the family in an attempt to rid the house of spirits as well as other ghoulish entities. Great for those who understand the superstitions of India, but not for horror fans.
This book could not have come at a better time. As newly diagnosed with diabetes II, my doctor told me that I needed to closely follow a low sugar and low carb diet. Who knew that a combo like this would not only help me to start shedding pounds, but also improve my health (my energy level has increased) and well-being. Elviira’s book has helped me to look at the foods that I have been eating and find healthier more satisfying alternatives. I like that the recipes are easy to follow and mostly uses items that I can find at the local grocer. This is not a diet, but a lifestyle change that is good for you!
I received an ebook copy from NetGally in exchange for a fair review.
I received an ebook copy from NetGally in exchange for a fair review.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Troy (2004) in Movies
Mar 26, 2019
Hollywood retelling of the tale of Troy is just a bit better than you might expect in pretty much every department. Trojan prince Paris steals Greek queen Helen, leading to... does no-one read the Iliad any more? There's a lot of bother, let's put it that way.
Whole thing is handled in broad strokes and there are quite a few divergences from the traditional legend (the Trojan war lasts about a fortnight, not ten years, and you can forget any notion of Brad Pitt's Achilles being into, er, Greek-style romance, if you know what I mean), but overall this is fun, rousing stuff. Looking back on it now the various bits of political subtext not-so-subtly inserted into the film seem amusingly quaint more than anything else. A well-staged, classy blockbuster.
Whole thing is handled in broad strokes and there are quite a few divergences from the traditional legend (the Trojan war lasts about a fortnight, not ten years, and you can forget any notion of Brad Pitt's Achilles being into, er, Greek-style romance, if you know what I mean), but overall this is fun, rousing stuff. Looking back on it now the various bits of political subtext not-so-subtly inserted into the film seem amusingly quaint more than anything else. A well-staged, classy blockbuster.
Martin Lakin (278 KP) rated Bohemian Rhapsody - The Soundtrack by Queen in Music
May 8, 2019
Being a fan of Queen it is very difficult to stay biased while reviewing this soundtrack. Personally I would recommend it to anyone from a novice to a know it all. Highlights for me would be the live tracks that this album includes, especially "Now I'm Here" for me that is the live song that first got me really into Queen so has a special place in my heart. The inclusion of some of the tracks from LiveAid was brilliant as well, however I would have preferred the soundtrack to have the whole Live Aid set. I did like the inclusion of "Doing All Right" by Smile (Brian May and Roger Taylor's band before Queen) adding an insight to their beginnings. Overall it is a brilliant soundtrack and one I recommend to all.
Film and stuff (30 KP) rated Backtrack (2015) in Movies
May 15, 2019 (Updated May 15, 2019)
Fails to deliver
Director: Michael Petroni
Writer: Michael Petroni
Stars: Adrien Brody, Jenni Baird, Bruce Spence and Sam Neill
What's it about?
Peter Bower is a Psychiatrist who discovers all of his clients are ghosts that died in a train accident that he was witness to as a child. Whilst revisiting his home town where the incident took place, he begins to discover the truth behind the accident with the help of the victims spirits
Is it scary?
Nah. Tension fails to really build and the jump scares are very predictable
Does it have any redeeming features?
Well acted and a mildly gripping ending
.
How does it compare to other horrors?
It makes the sins by being neither entertaining or so bad that it's funny
Writer: Michael Petroni
Stars: Adrien Brody, Jenni Baird, Bruce Spence and Sam Neill
What's it about?
Peter Bower is a Psychiatrist who discovers all of his clients are ghosts that died in a train accident that he was witness to as a child. Whilst revisiting his home town where the incident took place, he begins to discover the truth behind the accident with the help of the victims spirits
Is it scary?
Nah. Tension fails to really build and the jump scares are very predictable
Does it have any redeeming features?
Well acted and a mildly gripping ending
.
How does it compare to other horrors?
It makes the sins by being neither entertaining or so bad that it's funny
Darkwriter1408 (8 KP) rated 21 Jump Street (2012) in Movies
Jun 12, 2019
Hilarious (1 more)
Good performances
Hilarious remake of the original
So where to start with 21 jump street. At first glance, you have two lead actors in there primes. Two comedic actors in there primes. Add that together with a fair script and you will have a good combination for a comedic film.
The performances of both Tatum and hill are on point and the supporting actors match them as well. With The only downfall I could really pick out would be there a fair bit of silent scenes where it's the obvious slapstick comedy.. For me, it doesn't pay off.
That being said, I would still watch this film again and still laugh, the plot is good, the performances are on point and the comedy albeit slapstick is still funny.
The performances of both Tatum and hill are on point and the supporting actors match them as well. With The only downfall I could really pick out would be there a fair bit of silent scenes where it's the obvious slapstick comedy.. For me, it doesn't pay off.
That being said, I would still watch this film again and still laugh, the plot is good, the performances are on point and the comedy albeit slapstick is still funny.