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Dean (6927 KP) rated Scream (2022) in Movies
Jan 17, 2022
Ticks all the Scream boxes (2 more)
Good gore effects
Ties in well with the other films
Welcome home Sidney
Good to see this get good reviews from the critics and you can see why. A great entry in the series while being new also pays homage to the original. The have the usual humour and Horror film commentary that has featured before. Plenty of nods to the other films and to Wes Craven, along with some nice touches. It will keep you guessing until the mask comes off. If you love the original you'll definitely enjoy this.
Dana (24 KP) rated Queen of Shadows in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Warning, if you have not read this book or any of the other ones before this, this review will have some minor spoilers, so if you don't want to find out stuff, do not read this review!!
I think this may have become my favorite of this series! After being somewhat disappointed with Heir of Fire (in relation to the other books in the series), Queen of Shadows had me jumping for joy.
I have loved how much the relationships between the characters have grown and have continuously evolved in the four books (plus The Assassin's Blade). In Heir of Fire, I couldn't really get into the story with Manon and her thirteen, but in this book, their story brought a lot more to the table. Her relationship with Eldie made me feel like she was more than she was in Heir of Fire. The fact that characters from the other books got such big parts in this novel. (Lysanna for the win!) Kaltain (from the first novel) and Lysanna (from The Assassin's Blade) became so important to this story line. It was great to see Aelin interacting with another female again in a way that wasn't just violence and heartache. I even love Rowan from this book. In the last book, he was kind if distant and unapproachable, but in Queen of Shadows, we got to see more of who he really was.
Chaol's development in this story was very good to see as well. From being a whiny little brat in Heir of Fire to being a decent human being in this book was fun to witness.
Abraxos is the freaking cutest little dragon I have ever read. I love him and I want my own!!!
It was cool to get to see Aelin slip on her Celaena mask again. The contrasts between the two is amazing to witness. Without those scenes, we wouldn't have been able to see how much she had actually grown--from being the bitchy assassin to being a badass queen, that was amazing. I think it was also very important to be able to see everyone's reactions to her slipping on the mask as well.
The changing of the narrators in this novel felt a lot more natural in the story than it did in Heir of Fire. It was as if they had all developed to a point where they cold tell their own stories in a way that made sense.
It is definitely important to read The Assassin's Blade before this book because without it, you won't get the weight of the actions that play out as much. You get more of the history behind Aelin, Lysanna, and Arobynn that make everything that happens make sense.
The action scenes were very well done. I enjoyed how the frenzied actions that were happening in the battles were equal to the frenzied writing on the page.
I think this may have become my favorite of this series! After being somewhat disappointed with Heir of Fire (in relation to the other books in the series), Queen of Shadows had me jumping for joy.
I have loved how much the relationships between the characters have grown and have continuously evolved in the four books (plus The Assassin's Blade). In Heir of Fire, I couldn't really get into the story with Manon and her thirteen, but in this book, their story brought a lot more to the table. Her relationship with Eldie made me feel like she was more than she was in Heir of Fire. The fact that characters from the other books got such big parts in this novel. (Lysanna for the win!) Kaltain (from the first novel) and Lysanna (from The Assassin's Blade) became so important to this story line. It was great to see Aelin interacting with another female again in a way that wasn't just violence and heartache. I even love Rowan from this book. In the last book, he was kind if distant and unapproachable, but in Queen of Shadows, we got to see more of who he really was.
Chaol's development in this story was very good to see as well. From being a whiny little brat in Heir of Fire to being a decent human being in this book was fun to witness.
Abraxos is the freaking cutest little dragon I have ever read. I love him and I want my own!!!
It was cool to get to see Aelin slip on her Celaena mask again. The contrasts between the two is amazing to witness. Without those scenes, we wouldn't have been able to see how much she had actually grown--from being the bitchy assassin to being a badass queen, that was amazing. I think it was also very important to be able to see everyone's reactions to her slipping on the mask as well.
The changing of the narrators in this novel felt a lot more natural in the story than it did in Heir of Fire. It was as if they had all developed to a point where they cold tell their own stories in a way that made sense.
It is definitely important to read The Assassin's Blade before this book because without it, you won't get the weight of the actions that play out as much. You get more of the history behind Aelin, Lysanna, and Arobynn that make everything that happens make sense.
The action scenes were very well done. I enjoyed how the frenzied actions that were happening in the battles were equal to the frenzied writing on the page.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Scarred Warrior (Dark Warrior Alliance book 7) in Books
Oct 20, 2021
173 of 250
Kindle
Scarred Warrior ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 7)
By Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Being a Dark Warrior and protecting others has been the only focus in Gerrick Haele's life for centuries, until he receives the shock of his life when one of the females he rescues from the archdemon's clutches ignites an arousal that hints at her being his Fated Mate. Problem is, Gerrick's Fated Mate was murdered four hundred years earlier and you are only ever given one mate in a lifetime. Questions of Dark magic and deception carry him down a path involving time travel, serums and fights to the death. Can he set aside his doubt and be the male Shae needs him to be, or will his past come back to haunt him and history repeat itself? Shae Mitchell has spent the last seven months being tormented, raped and tortured by vile archdemons and just wants her suffering to end. She is on the verge of giving up completely when Gerrick sweeps in to rescue her. Her relief at being liberated is short-lived when she realizes the demons have sunk their claws far deeper than the scars on her neck. As she fights to rid her mind of the archdemon's influence, she discovers that the explosive heat she shares with the sexy Dark Warrior threatens to consume her whole.
These get better and better each book! This was Gerricks and Shaes story which was just so well put together. We had the trapped females finally free from cages as well as a fated pair come together. Some catch ups with familiar faces and some exciting news for the king and queen. I have to say this every book I just love Mack more and more. One demon down and one to go before they unleash all hell. Really enjoyed this one.
Kindle
Scarred Warrior ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 7)
By Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Being a Dark Warrior and protecting others has been the only focus in Gerrick Haele's life for centuries, until he receives the shock of his life when one of the females he rescues from the archdemon's clutches ignites an arousal that hints at her being his Fated Mate. Problem is, Gerrick's Fated Mate was murdered four hundred years earlier and you are only ever given one mate in a lifetime. Questions of Dark magic and deception carry him down a path involving time travel, serums and fights to the death. Can he set aside his doubt and be the male Shae needs him to be, or will his past come back to haunt him and history repeat itself? Shae Mitchell has spent the last seven months being tormented, raped and tortured by vile archdemons and just wants her suffering to end. She is on the verge of giving up completely when Gerrick sweeps in to rescue her. Her relief at being liberated is short-lived when she realizes the demons have sunk their claws far deeper than the scars on her neck. As she fights to rid her mind of the archdemon's influence, she discovers that the explosive heat she shares with the sexy Dark Warrior threatens to consume her whole.
These get better and better each book! This was Gerricks and Shaes story which was just so well put together. We had the trapped females finally free from cages as well as a fated pair come together. Some catch ups with familiar faces and some exciting news for the king and queen. I have to say this every book I just love Mack more and more. One demon down and one to go before they unleash all hell. Really enjoyed this one.
Joe Julians (221 KP) rated Suburbicon (2017) in Movies
Jan 30, 2018
Good performances (1 more)
Well shot
Muddled story (1 more)
Messy narrative
Despite a promising and fun fist couple of minutes, it quickly becomes clear that Suburbicon is both a missed opportunity and a jumbled attempt at constructing a story.
On the one hand, we have a black family moving into the area and being subjected to abuse and extreme prejudice, and on the other, a family hiding a dirty secret about a home invasion that led to the death of the mother. The problem is, neither of these plots is given the right amount of attention. The racial story is by far the most interesting here, yet it's relegated to a side plot and, with the exception of the young boy, none of the family get a chance to develop into actual characters. Then you have the murder story which takes up the bulk of the running time, but it's neither fresh nor original- it's actually rather dull.
Despite being beautifully shot and occasionally amusing (Matt Damon on a kid's bike), Suburbicon ends up being a bit of a slog. It's a mish mash of ideas and tones that don't come close to forming a coherent story. There's decent performances to be found, but beyond that- don't expect much.
On the one hand, we have a black family moving into the area and being subjected to abuse and extreme prejudice, and on the other, a family hiding a dirty secret about a home invasion that led to the death of the mother. The problem is, neither of these plots is given the right amount of attention. The racial story is by far the most interesting here, yet it's relegated to a side plot and, with the exception of the young boy, none of the family get a chance to develop into actual characters. Then you have the murder story which takes up the bulk of the running time, but it's neither fresh nor original- it's actually rather dull.
Despite being beautifully shot and occasionally amusing (Matt Damon on a kid's bike), Suburbicon ends up being a bit of a slog. It's a mish mash of ideas and tones that don't come close to forming a coherent story. There's decent performances to be found, but beyond that- don't expect much.
Heather M (8 KP) rated Bear's Magic Moon in Books
Dec 31, 2018 (Updated Dec 31, 2018)
A story about bravery.
Little Bear loves his life on the ice, and has great fun all day long. However, there is one thing that Little Bear doesn't love: the DARK. He is afraid of the dark. So afraid is he, in fact, that when Daddy invites him to the new moon celebration, he cannot go, even to hear Wise Old Bear tell stories of his adventures.
Little Bear huddles in his home until a scary, shadowy figure appears in the entrance. This turns out to be Wise Old Bear, bringing a kind lesson to help Little Bear.
I love this lesson, and it's one that I always try to tell myself, my sons and the children I teach. Bravery is being afraid but going ahead and doing the thing you're afraid of anyway. Bravery isn't not being afraid. I believe that myself and it's great to see this being taught in a lovely picture book.
The illustrations are lovely, with lots of colour and interest added to the snowy landscape and Arctic skies.
This is a story that you will love to read with your children and would work well in the classroom too.
I posted this review on my blog:
https://wp.me/p9SEjW-76
Little Bear huddles in his home until a scary, shadowy figure appears in the entrance. This turns out to be Wise Old Bear, bringing a kind lesson to help Little Bear.
I love this lesson, and it's one that I always try to tell myself, my sons and the children I teach. Bravery is being afraid but going ahead and doing the thing you're afraid of anyway. Bravery isn't not being afraid. I believe that myself and it's great to see this being taught in a lovely picture book.
The illustrations are lovely, with lots of colour and interest added to the snowy landscape and Arctic skies.
This is a story that you will love to read with your children and would work well in the classroom too.
I posted this review on my blog:
https://wp.me/p9SEjW-76
Awix (3310 KP) rated Proxima (2019) in Movies
Aug 3, 2020
Slightly arty space drama with Eva Green. A female engineer is delighted to be selected for a mission to help prepare for the first manned landing on Mars, but does not anticipate the strain this will place on her relationship with her daughter.
Not really a science fiction film in any genuine sense of the word, but one which combines a very realistic portrayal of life as an astronaut in training with an examination of what it means to go off into space leaving your children behind. Doesn't quite ring correctly on a number of levels: we are invited to dislike the American mission commander, who is a chauvinist alpha-male in some ways, but on the other hand the film is about the extra difficulties of being a mum on the way to orbit. Mmm, I don't know - is it really that different from being a father and going off into space? A definite sense of maternity being idealised - a key sequence sees Green's character breaking mission protocols in a pretty major way just to keep a promise to her daughter. (Then again I'm neither a woman or a parent.) A bit of a shame as the film is engaging and well-played, but it's much more about Mas than Mars.
Not really a science fiction film in any genuine sense of the word, but one which combines a very realistic portrayal of life as an astronaut in training with an examination of what it means to go off into space leaving your children behind. Doesn't quite ring correctly on a number of levels: we are invited to dislike the American mission commander, who is a chauvinist alpha-male in some ways, but on the other hand the film is about the extra difficulties of being a mum on the way to orbit. Mmm, I don't know - is it really that different from being a father and going off into space? A definite sense of maternity being idealised - a key sequence sees Green's character breaking mission protocols in a pretty major way just to keep a promise to her daughter. (Then again I'm neither a woman or a parent.) A bit of a shame as the film is engaging and well-played, but it's much more about Mas than Mars.
Debbiereadsbook (1413 KP) rated A Killer Whisky: Alberta (Canadian Historical Mysteries) in Books
Mar 6, 2025
I did not see that ending coming at me!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is an historical murder mystery, set in the back drop of the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918, in Alberta, Canada.
And I really rather enjoyed it!
We get to hear from a good few people, and I do love hearing from everyone. Being set over 100 years ago, times and people have changed and I do like comparing then to now: habits mostly, but attitudes and customs, the way things were.
What I did like, was the way the epidemic was being treated: hand washing, masks and the like. Reminded me a lot of a more recent event, and I wonder if they DID do those things, or if the author took liberty, but not that it matters either way. Just a point.
What I especially liked, was that I did not get whodunnit til it was revealed in the book! I loved being kept on my toes and made to question everything and everyone. I really did not see that coming, so very well played there!
A solid 4 star read
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is an historical murder mystery, set in the back drop of the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918, in Alberta, Canada.
And I really rather enjoyed it!
We get to hear from a good few people, and I do love hearing from everyone. Being set over 100 years ago, times and people have changed and I do like comparing then to now: habits mostly, but attitudes and customs, the way things were.
What I did like, was the way the epidemic was being treated: hand washing, masks and the like. Reminded me a lot of a more recent event, and I wonder if they DID do those things, or if the author took liberty, but not that it matters either way. Just a point.
What I especially liked, was that I did not get whodunnit til it was revealed in the book! I loved being kept on my toes and made to question everything and everyone. I really did not see that coming, so very well played there!
A solid 4 star read
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Lindsay (1745 KP) rated Aoléon The Martian Girl (Part 3) in Books
Apr 9, 2019
I know children love action and adventures. Well this book sure has it. I truly know it got a space in it as well. It wonderful. Pictures are done well. They seem to capture you to look at them. Aoleon and Gilbert find themselves trapped when Aoleon is taking her pilot exam.
They start there adventure when they are spying on Luminon. Can they warn her father about Galact saboteur can do any damage. What happens next is just the beginning for their adventure and it live treating. They seem to find something in the moon above Mars. Gilbert leans to sky-board. There more trouble ahead. They seem to have been found or they were being tracked.
They get back to Aoleon home and find it ransacked by who know who. They find Uri who had hidden from them. These people who were there took her mother and father. She tell her sister to stay with her Grandma. Pax shows up and tell him that Aoleon an Gilbert will need to escape while they can and need to go somewhere where they can get the help. Will they escape? You will need to read to find out.
They start there adventure when they are spying on Luminon. Can they warn her father about Galact saboteur can do any damage. What happens next is just the beginning for their adventure and it live treating. They seem to find something in the moon above Mars. Gilbert leans to sky-board. There more trouble ahead. They seem to have been found or they were being tracked.
They get back to Aoleon home and find it ransacked by who know who. They find Uri who had hidden from them. These people who were there took her mother and father. She tell her sister to stay with her Grandma. Pax shows up and tell him that Aoleon an Gilbert will need to escape while they can and need to go somewhere where they can get the help. Will they escape? You will need to read to find out.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) in Movies
Mar 14, 2020
405. Sonic the Hedgehog. How was this movie good? Anyone else? So we start with meeting Sonic escaping some other world by jumping through his rings, so thats what their for, he isn't just a greedy bastard. He finds himself on Earth now, in the heartland of America I guess you'd call it. And he loves it, loves all his new friends, well the friends don't know he's there cause he's an alien n all and they might freak out! After a while of being alone, nothing dirty...or is it? Sonic has an explosion of power that knocks the town power out, alien loneliness is different than human i guess. Well the surge of power attracted the gov't in the form of Dr. Robotnik, an amazing over the top performance by Jim Carrey!! And he's there to take this specimen in to be studied, but luckily Sonic met nice police officer Tom, who's willing to help! Ben Schwartz aka Jean Ralphio, was great as Sonic, would've been more interesting as Jean Ralphio, but oh well. It really is funny and pretty exciting, worth checking out!! Filmbufftim on FB
Great City Parks
Book
Great City Parks is a celebration of some of the finest achievements of landscape architecture in...