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Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Troop in Books
Mar 15, 2018
I was looking for something a little less serious-minded to read when I this new release came to my attention. It felt like I hadn't read any horror for a while so it seemed a perfect selection, and boy was it. Following 5 boys on a scout camping trip on a remote island does provide the author some chances to delve into what it's like being a teenage male right now, and he does so very well, fully fleshing out each of the characters. But once a strange, emaciated man arrives on the island looking for food, things take a turn for the worse, and rapidly spiral further and further downward from there. Interspersed throughout are clippings from news reports and court transcripts that help to fill in some of the backstory of exactly what lead to the events on the island, which also help to give the proceedings a feeling of being more real. And thinking what happens out there could be real only lends the proceedings that much more horror. I don't want to give away anything about what transpires, but I will say that if you are faint of heart or, perhaps more importantly, weak of stomach, then this book is not for you. If you are looking for something that will leave you genuinely creeped out however, then you should pick up a copy right away.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Hatching (The Hatching #1) in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Some people find spiders horrifying, others don't have much problem with them. I belong to the former group, and as such, found much in this book to creep me out. The story follows a large and diverse cast of characters located around the world, as a series of bizarre incidences involving spiders begins to point towards a larger disaster looming around the corner. With the cast featuring everyone from doomsday preppers to an FBI agent to an arachnologist to the President of the United States, it's practically a who's who of monster and disaster movie cliches. But thanks to the brisk pace and effectively gross manner of death, this combination of "Arachnophobia", "Alien" and pretty much any Roland Emmerich blockbuster winds up being very hard to put down. There are a few flaws, like some forced-feeling romance elements, and far too many of the characters being described as very attractive. The complete lack of any resolution presented by the ending is a bit of a disappointment as well, though I am left definitely interested in the next book. I don't know how much the type of person who would happily let a tarantula crawl up their arm will get out of this, but for everyone else, you will likely find yourself checking the corners of your walls for a couple days after finishing.
Sonofdel (6291 KP) rated Harry H Corbett: The Front Legs of the Cow in Books
Oct 31, 2019
Insightful, Poignant and Revealing
I started reading this after only knowing of Harry H Corvett in Steptoe and son as Harold the long suffering son of Albert (Wilfrid Brambell) and also n Carry on Screaming as Sidney Bung. I never realised what an accomplished actor he was at this point. After reading this amazing insight into his life i have realsied how versatile an actor he really was. With this being written by his daughter i expected a lot of fawning sentimentality and i am glad that i was proved wrong. This is a very revealing, moving and motivational book written with care and consideration. As well as her own personal experiences she draws on people from stage and screen that include but are not limited to Bryan Murphy, Lynda Baron and writers such as Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. One of the best bigraphies i have read for a very long time. Its a long book and tells of the history of the various theatres that Harry worked at and for but i found this interesting rather than distracting. This also includes a section at the end that debunks some of the myths associated with Steptoe and Son (them hating each other, Wilfrid Brambell always being drunk etc). All in all a five star read.
Merissa (13398 KP) rated Guardian in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book from Goddess Fish Promotions in return for a fair and honest review.
Holy Smoke, this book will give you something new to read. The story starts with 17-year-old Maggie suffering from being bullied by a jock, Serge. As you read, you find out that Maggie has strange abilities although she is quite content and able to deal with them. What makes this all the better is that her dad knows and helps too. There is no absentee parenting with this pair!
There is no slacking off in this book, you are literally carried from one thing to another. It has multiple layers and is woven together so well, that you will go where the book takes you instead of trying to figure it out beforehand.
Along with trying to solve a murder and not being killed in the process, you also have teenage angst in there of the uncertainty of knowing if someone likes you or not. There are also humorous moments, scary moments, tragic moments and sad. This book basically has it all.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and I really hope there is more to come. Favourite line of the book has to be right at the end - "Who knew I'd have to die to start living?" Excellent stuff and highly recommended.
Holy Smoke, this book will give you something new to read. The story starts with 17-year-old Maggie suffering from being bullied by a jock, Serge. As you read, you find out that Maggie has strange abilities although she is quite content and able to deal with them. What makes this all the better is that her dad knows and helps too. There is no absentee parenting with this pair!
There is no slacking off in this book, you are literally carried from one thing to another. It has multiple layers and is woven together so well, that you will go where the book takes you instead of trying to figure it out beforehand.
Along with trying to solve a murder and not being killed in the process, you also have teenage angst in there of the uncertainty of knowing if someone likes you or not. There are also humorous moments, scary moments, tragic moments and sad. This book basically has it all.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and I really hope there is more to come. Favourite line of the book has to be right at the end - "Who knew I'd have to die to start living?" Excellent stuff and highly recommended.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies
Nov 2, 2019
359. Joker. A freaking phenomenal movie! A bleak look at society, health care, and a whole bunch of other stuff rolled into one. Starring Joaquin Phoenix an actor known for diving into his roles and he quite obviously dove into this one. All about Norman Bate-ish guy Arthur Fleck, an unfunny wanna be comedian, works as a human sign holder dressed as a creepy clown, society treats him like crap, and his state appointed head doctor has told him funding has been cut and doctor visits will be no more, and yes he lives with his mommy who is not well. And after being noticed by a famous tv talk show host, Murray Franklin, played by Robert Deniro, after being recorded doing stand up, and calling him out on his un-funniness, it seems a screw that may have been loose has now been lost. A fantastic movie!
Stop reading here if you don't want any more info... lol...
I heard Joker 2 of course is in the works. I wanna say boo to that. Tho the name Wayne is thrown around and all those connections... A lot of Arthur's reality was not reality. Is he really THE Joker? I think it works as a stand alone. A one possible scenario type thing. Maybe it's just me. Filmbufftim on FB
Stop reading here if you don't want any more info... lol...
I heard Joker 2 of course is in the works. I wanna say boo to that. Tho the name Wayne is thrown around and all those connections... A lot of Arthur's reality was not reality. Is he really THE Joker? I think it works as a stand alone. A one possible scenario type thing. Maybe it's just me. Filmbufftim on FB
Hazel (2934 KP) rated A Nearly Normal Family in Books
Dec 13, 2019
A pretty good read
I don't read a lot of legal/courtroom stories and even less so-called Scandi-Noir type books but, for some reason, the blurb caught me and drew me in and, overall, I was pretty satisfied with "A Nearly Normal Family".
The book centres around a seemingly perfect family (they are anything but!) and is separated into three sections each told from the perspective of a family member following the arrest of the daughter for the murder of a man; each of these sections provided insight into each of the characters and a different take on the situation they find themselves in. What it also did was make this a slow burner with the tension mounting gradually towards the great ending which I found very satisfying.
I did have a couple of problems with this book though; one being that I couldn't connect with any of the main characters and struggled to empathise with any of them, the other being that I think there were times when things seem to have got lost in translation which made the story not flow quite as well as I was expecting.
Overall though a pretty good read and definitely worth the time I invested in reading it.
Thanks go to the good people of Pan Macmillan via NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
The book centres around a seemingly perfect family (they are anything but!) and is separated into three sections each told from the perspective of a family member following the arrest of the daughter for the murder of a man; each of these sections provided insight into each of the characters and a different take on the situation they find themselves in. What it also did was make this a slow burner with the tension mounting gradually towards the great ending which I found very satisfying.
I did have a couple of problems with this book though; one being that I couldn't connect with any of the main characters and struggled to empathise with any of them, the other being that I think there were times when things seem to have got lost in translation which made the story not flow quite as well as I was expecting.
Overall though a pretty good read and definitely worth the time I invested in reading it.
Thanks go to the good people of Pan Macmillan via NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
Very entertaining
I've grown up watching Who Wants to be a Millionaire although I have to admit the detail behind the Charles Ingram cheating scandal passed me by. I knew of it but that was it, so I found this show to be not only entertaining but informative too.
As far as tv dramas go, this is very entertaining. The 3 episodes are just enough to tell the story without being overly long and the whole scandal itself is an intriguing tale. I never knew the origins of the show or the real detail behind the scandal (like the brother being involved), so I found this to be fascinating and it was very well made. There's a great cast in this too, Matthew Macfayden is wonderful as the almost dim witted Ingram and he's ably supported by the rest of the cast. The star of the show though is definitely Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant. He's an absolute hoot and looks like he's having so much fun. It's just a shame that he isn't in this more, although understandable considering the story isnt about him.
Overall this is a very entertaining retelling of a true story and whilst the outcome is rather frustrating (as in real life), it's a lot of fun and has a great nostalgic feel.
As far as tv dramas go, this is very entertaining. The 3 episodes are just enough to tell the story without being overly long and the whole scandal itself is an intriguing tale. I never knew the origins of the show or the real detail behind the scandal (like the brother being involved), so I found this to be fascinating and it was very well made. There's a great cast in this too, Matthew Macfayden is wonderful as the almost dim witted Ingram and he's ably supported by the rest of the cast. The star of the show though is definitely Michael Sheen as Chris Tarrant. He's an absolute hoot and looks like he's having so much fun. It's just a shame that he isn't in this more, although understandable considering the story isnt about him.
Overall this is a very entertaining retelling of a true story and whilst the outcome is rather frustrating (as in real life), it's a lot of fun and has a great nostalgic feel.
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