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Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2018) in Movies
Feb 9, 2018
fighting for others but fighting for yourself
Roman (Washington) is a defense attorney who is basically kept behind the scenes more as an advisory position partner who he has worked with for 20 plus years dies of an heart attack and the practice is being dissolved. George (Farrllel) is a head partner at the firm that has acquired Roman'f firms cases and is offered an position because of his knowledge of the law and his caring for his clients. He has abides by the law his whole life but a life changing event happens and he sees an opportunity to do something for him even if it is against his morals and the law. How does he live with himself afterwards and what becomes him only the story can tell you.
Lots of lawyer movies you see these days involve the lawyer to get involved in some type of action sequence. This movie brings us to a great story, a good plot and a great cast. The only problem with it is that it is a little slow and at times and makes you kind of not interested but, then it picks back up again. This is a must for any Denzel Washington fan. Colin Farrell is very good as well
Lots of lawyer movies you see these days involve the lawyer to get involved in some type of action sequence. This movie brings us to a great story, a good plot and a great cast. The only problem with it is that it is a little slow and at times and makes you kind of not interested but, then it picks back up again. This is a must for any Denzel Washington fan. Colin Farrell is very good as well
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Mummy (2017) in Movies
Mar 6, 2018 (Updated Mar 6, 2018)
I never fall asleep during films. I fell asleep.
The script and overall plot of this movie did not warrant big name actors like Cruise and Crowe. If anything, I think they played their parts badly and stopped a mediocre script from achieving the levels of mediocrity as a film. Cruise no longer has the charisma to play the cheeky, loveable rogue that this film needed (someone like hmmm Brendan Fraser) - that's not just saying what was needed to make it a decent remake of the "original", but what was needed for this script.
The plot relied on a number of stupid, illogical decisions by the main characters, and a lot of special effects. The aspects of the plot and the Mummy's mission which differed from the Fraser version were not well enough developed or explained to fully embed them in the plot - really, she just fancied Cruise?!
And the plot relied on too many coincidences, the discovery of the crusaders' tomb and the Mummy's tomb being almost exactly at the same time?! Really?!
And finally, the notion that there could be an area of London that is as-yet undiscovered and not covered in graffiti, human faeces and broken bottles is frankly ludicrous.
The plot relied on a number of stupid, illogical decisions by the main characters, and a lot of special effects. The aspects of the plot and the Mummy's mission which differed from the Fraser version were not well enough developed or explained to fully embed them in the plot - really, she just fancied Cruise?!
And the plot relied on too many coincidences, the discovery of the crusaders' tomb and the Mummy's tomb being almost exactly at the same time?! Really?!
And finally, the notion that there could be an area of London that is as-yet undiscovered and not covered in graffiti, human faeces and broken bottles is frankly ludicrous.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Red Sparrow (2018) in Movies
Mar 21, 2018
Quite a good adaptation
I've read a lot of negative reviews of this film, so i was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be quite good.
As an adaptation of the book, it sticks fairly faithfully to the original plot although choose to condense a few plot points to fit it into an already overly long running time. The ending for me was the biggest and best surprise, as it differs from the book and I thought actually made for a much better ending. They also managed to turn a very slow burning plot into something still very intriguing.
Jennifer Lawrence does okay, although her accent seems patchy at times and her fake hair is a little irritating. Joel Edgerton sadly isn't given much to go on as his character is very underdeveloped, however Jeremy Irons does well as per usual.
The main problem is that this is taken from a very detailed book which sadly can't be included completely in the film. This ended up with a few matters not being explained or elaborated on properly and it felt a like it was missing something. Not too bad for readers of the book like me, but my other half was left a tad confused!
As an adaptation of the book, it sticks fairly faithfully to the original plot although choose to condense a few plot points to fit it into an already overly long running time. The ending for me was the biggest and best surprise, as it differs from the book and I thought actually made for a much better ending. They also managed to turn a very slow burning plot into something still very intriguing.
Jennifer Lawrence does okay, although her accent seems patchy at times and her fake hair is a little irritating. Joel Edgerton sadly isn't given much to go on as his character is very underdeveloped, however Jeremy Irons does well as per usual.
The main problem is that this is taken from a very detailed book which sadly can't be included completely in the film. This ended up with a few matters not being explained or elaborated on properly and it felt a like it was missing something. Not too bad for readers of the book like me, but my other half was left a tad confused!
Dana (24 KP) rated The Assassin's Blade: The Throne of Glass Novellas in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Oh my god. I really liked being able to see where Celaena came from in these five short stories.
I loved how all of the stories were connected. This was basically another novel in the series, so that got me all excited.
I had to read this before I got Queen of Shadows because I felt like I needed to be able to better understand Celaena's character even more than I did with reading the other three books.
Like always, Sarah J Maas's plot and character development were on point. There weren't very many slow parts in the plot line. The characters were very well fleshed out. I absolutely adored getting to learn about how Celaena and Arobbyn interacted. I think that was one of my favorite parts of the novellas.
The story does end about a year before the actual series begins, so it was really fun to be able to go back and see everything that had happened before knowing exactly what was going to happen later in the series.
I recommend this to anyone who has been enjoying the Throne of Glass series. Those of you who haven't started the series, do it. I don't think you will regret it. :)
I loved how all of the stories were connected. This was basically another novel in the series, so that got me all excited.
I had to read this before I got Queen of Shadows because I felt like I needed to be able to better understand Celaena's character even more than I did with reading the other three books.
Like always, Sarah J Maas's plot and character development were on point. There weren't very many slow parts in the plot line. The characters were very well fleshed out. I absolutely adored getting to learn about how Celaena and Arobbyn interacted. I think that was one of my favorite parts of the novellas.
The story does end about a year before the actual series begins, so it was really fun to be able to go back and see everything that had happened before knowing exactly what was going to happen later in the series.
I recommend this to anyone who has been enjoying the Throne of Glass series. Those of you who haven't started the series, do it. I don't think you will regret it. :)
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Invaders in TV
Mar 15, 2018 (Updated Mar 15, 2018)
One of the classic TV alien invasion shows; the theme tune and the various visual gimmicks (aliens with crooked little fingers who incinerate when killed) are quite well-remembered, along with (possibly) the fact that many of the episodes aren't actually any good.
Larry Cohen's original concept - a paranoid thriller with few overt SF elements - was rapidly abandoned, and Cohen himself had little involvement. The programme is really a victim of the time it was made: episodic storytelling means that the aliens come up with bizarrely different schemes on a weekly basis (weather control, infiltrating industry, man-eating butterflies), and there are nagging problems with the format - it is required that the aliens never just kill Vincent, and that he never manages to get evidence of their activity, either. Some would say that Roy Thinnes' intensely dour performance is not exactly what a show like this needs.
Still, there are some good individual episodes, and the iconography of the show does hang around in your head (it's clearly one of the shows that was a major influence on The X Files). It's a shame this kind of story has since been done to death as you could easily imagine a contemporary Invaders remake being really good (even though the 90s mini-series really wasn't).
Larry Cohen's original concept - a paranoid thriller with few overt SF elements - was rapidly abandoned, and Cohen himself had little involvement. The programme is really a victim of the time it was made: episodic storytelling means that the aliens come up with bizarrely different schemes on a weekly basis (weather control, infiltrating industry, man-eating butterflies), and there are nagging problems with the format - it is required that the aliens never just kill Vincent, and that he never manages to get evidence of their activity, either. Some would say that Roy Thinnes' intensely dour performance is not exactly what a show like this needs.
Still, there are some good individual episodes, and the iconography of the show does hang around in your head (it's clearly one of the shows that was a major influence on The X Files). It's a shame this kind of story has since been done to death as you could easily imagine a contemporary Invaders remake being really good (even though the 90s mini-series really wasn't).
A much better sequel
Me Before You was such an unexpectedly good, sweet and heartwarming read. Sadly the sequel, After You, was a massive let down and I'd been expecting more of the same with Still Me. But fortunately, Still Me does fairly well in being the sequel we really should have had to begin with.
Louisa is a loveable character, although her chattiness and ineptitude sometimes comes across as either vexing or almost cringeworthy, and the same can be said of some of the predicaments she gets herself in. That's not to say I can't relate to parts of her life and emotions, and it's these parts that really drew me into this book. It was also nice to see Louisa finally doing what Will had wanted her to do. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't shed a tear or two towards the end.
The main problem with this book is it's completely unnecessary. There was really no need for one sequel, let alone two, and despite the fact that this is a much better sequel, you get the feeling reading it that we would have been much better off leaving Louisa as she was at the end of Me Before You.
Louisa is a loveable character, although her chattiness and ineptitude sometimes comes across as either vexing or almost cringeworthy, and the same can be said of some of the predicaments she gets herself in. That's not to say I can't relate to parts of her life and emotions, and it's these parts that really drew me into this book. It was also nice to see Louisa finally doing what Will had wanted her to do. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't shed a tear or two towards the end.
The main problem with this book is it's completely unnecessary. There was really no need for one sequel, let alone two, and despite the fact that this is a much better sequel, you get the feeling reading it that we would have been much better off leaving Louisa as she was at the end of Me Before You.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) in Movies
Mar 31, 2018
Unique and wonderful
Certainly not for everyone, The Killing of a Sacred Deer tells the story of a cardiologist and his family who befriend a teenage boy only to discover he has secrets to tell. His involvement with the family becomes more profound having grim consequences once his true motives are revealed. The doctor has to make some extremely difficult choices, not only to clear his conscience, but to save his family as well.
The screenplay for the film was remarkable in many ways mostly using awkward conversations and unique and interesting situations to move along the plot. The deadpan acting choices by the actors and "The Lobster" director Yorgos Lanthimoskeep you from being bored as the story moves through as you don't know where the twists and turns are going.
I would equate somewhat to the recent films, "Mother!" or maybe "Under the Skin" as in reactions to this film will tend to be extreme in loving it or hating it. Having seen so many films throughout my life, I am at the point now where anything interesting and unusual stands out.
I enjoy the occasional CGI explosionfest as much as anyone, but usually strive for something more interesting.
The screenplay for the film was remarkable in many ways mostly using awkward conversations and unique and interesting situations to move along the plot. The deadpan acting choices by the actors and "The Lobster" director Yorgos Lanthimoskeep you from being bored as the story moves through as you don't know where the twists and turns are going.
I would equate somewhat to the recent films, "Mother!" or maybe "Under the Skin" as in reactions to this film will tend to be extreme in loving it or hating it. Having seen so many films throughout my life, I am at the point now where anything interesting and unusual stands out.
I enjoy the occasional CGI explosionfest as much as anyone, but usually strive for something more interesting.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The Precipice (Mike Bowditch, #6) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I won my copy in a Goodreads First to Read Giveaway***
Mike Bowditch is a Maine game warden along the Appalachian Trail. When two young female hikers go missing, Mike and his girlfriend, wildlife biologist Stacey Stevens, join in the search. Once the bodies are found with teeth marks on the bones, the locals fear they may have been killed by coyotes. Stacey is sure that they weren't, and both she and Mike continue investigating, determined to find the truth of what happened to the two young women.
This was a well-written thriller, with believable characters and an interesting locale. The narrator did a nice job keeping his Maine accent where needed, without being over the top or distracting.
I didn't realize when I first started listening that this was book #6, but it was easy enough to figure out from the frequent references to Mike's past that it wasn't the beginning of a series. The book worked fine as a standalone novel, but I think I would have liked it even more had I read some of the earlier novels first. I will probably read more in this series, but I will start back at the beginning so I can watch Mike grow up into the man he is in this novel.
Mike Bowditch is a Maine game warden along the Appalachian Trail. When two young female hikers go missing, Mike and his girlfriend, wildlife biologist Stacey Stevens, join in the search. Once the bodies are found with teeth marks on the bones, the locals fear they may have been killed by coyotes. Stacey is sure that they weren't, and both she and Mike continue investigating, determined to find the truth of what happened to the two young women.
This was a well-written thriller, with believable characters and an interesting locale. The narrator did a nice job keeping his Maine accent where needed, without being over the top or distracting.
I didn't realize when I first started listening that this was book #6, but it was easy enough to figure out from the frequent references to Mike's past that it wasn't the beginning of a series. The book worked fine as a standalone novel, but I think I would have liked it even more had I read some of the earlier novels first. I will probably read more in this series, but I will start back at the beginning so I can watch Mike grow up into the man he is in this novel.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated The Exact Location of Home in Books
Jun 18, 2018
The Exact Location of Home by Kate Messner is a story that will pull at the readers heart. In the story Zig and his friends spend a great deal of time together going to garage sales, skipping rocks, and just being together. When Zig gets a gps, they begin geocaching. But Zig hides a secret from his friends that has changed his entire world. As Zig grows, he finds support from an unexpected ally and gives support to a young boy, both facing similar circumstances as Zig.
Messner has given us a compassionate and necessary middle grade story about the reality of homelessness for many children today. This story has a unique premise with the geocaching theme and I love that while the main character is in 8th grade he will be relatable for students both much younger and much older than he is. I would love to get this book into the hands of all teachers and administrators who struggle to understand how difficult school can be for children without a stable home life, and who make well-intended but thoughtless comments about the homeless population.
I received this ARC from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books and Bloomsbury USA Childrens via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Messner has given us a compassionate and necessary middle grade story about the reality of homelessness for many children today. This story has a unique premise with the geocaching theme and I love that while the main character is in 8th grade he will be relatable for students both much younger and much older than he is. I would love to get this book into the hands of all teachers and administrators who struggle to understand how difficult school can be for children without a stable home life, and who make well-intended but thoughtless comments about the homeless population.
I received this ARC from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books and Bloomsbury USA Childrens via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Smashed, Mashed, Boiled, Baked - and Fried, Too! by Ragavan Iyer is a beautiful. It has wonderful pictures, beautiful fonts. It has section at the end that lists the recipes out by categories including entrees vs sides, apps etc as well as by allergens.
This cookbook outlines potato appetizers, soup, main entrees, side dishes, and desserts from a full spectrum of cuisines and cultures, plus each recipe is beset with 'Tater Tips' or details pertinent to the history, procurement, variety, storage, and perishability of the potato being used. Iyer is cheeky, yet endearing and incredibly informative, like a friend that you adore grocery shopping with after a hearty cafe lunch.
Overall, I want to make everything in this cookbook, and I also think that by making Iyer's, "ultimate mashed potatoes" I will become everyone's favourite person over the holiday season (they look SO yummy!). Unfortunately, I worry that with so many people on strict diets, or low-carb diets, this cookbook may not sell as as much as it should. However, if you have a potato lover or carb queen in your life, get this cookbook for them - they will love you for it!
I received this book from Workman Publishing Company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This cookbook outlines potato appetizers, soup, main entrees, side dishes, and desserts from a full spectrum of cuisines and cultures, plus each recipe is beset with 'Tater Tips' or details pertinent to the history, procurement, variety, storage, and perishability of the potato being used. Iyer is cheeky, yet endearing and incredibly informative, like a friend that you adore grocery shopping with after a hearty cafe lunch.
Overall, I want to make everything in this cookbook, and I also think that by making Iyer's, "ultimate mashed potatoes" I will become everyone's favourite person over the holiday season (they look SO yummy!). Unfortunately, I worry that with so many people on strict diets, or low-carb diets, this cookbook may not sell as as much as it should. However, if you have a potato lover or carb queen in your life, get this cookbook for them - they will love you for it!
I received this book from Workman Publishing Company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.