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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Death Race (2008) in Movies
Mar 31, 2021
In Death Race, a loose remake (sort of prequel?) to 1975's Death Race 2000, our lord and saviour Paul W.S. Anderson takes all of the things that made his Resident Evil films so mind numbingly shit, and applies them to a car racing movie. You know the drill - seizure inducing quick edits, with a liberal smattering of slow-mo for good measure, plenty of quippy douchebags, and the odd explosion of invasive "cool" guitar riffs.
However - it actually kind of works with the plot template and Death Race is easily one of Anderson's better films.
Jason Statham being in the driver's seat is always going to be a plus. He's being so very Statham as per, but if it ain't broke and all that. I can always appreciate the likes of Joan Allen and Ian McShane, and the action and story is well paced to ensure that it's entertaining as hell from start to finish.
Death Race is the epitome of fast food cinema. It's hot trash, but it's a pretty good time all things considered. A solid 6 angry Stathams out of 10.
However - it actually kind of works with the plot template and Death Race is easily one of Anderson's better films.
Jason Statham being in the driver's seat is always going to be a plus. He's being so very Statham as per, but if it ain't broke and all that. I can always appreciate the likes of Joan Allen and Ian McShane, and the action and story is well paced to ensure that it's entertaining as hell from start to finish.
Death Race is the epitome of fast food cinema. It's hot trash, but it's a pretty good time all things considered. A solid 6 angry Stathams out of 10.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Wicked Nobles (Nocturnal Academy #1) in Books
Dec 6, 2020
202
Kindle
Wicked Nobles ( Nocturnal Academy book 1)
By Margo Ryerkerk and Holly Hook
In a world ruled by vamps, being half fae and magicless sucks.
You know what’s even worse? Being sold into slavery by your own mother.
I am Onyx Logan, and my mother condemned me when she sent me to Nocturnal Academy. If I get lucky, the academy will mold me into a servant for rich vampires. If I’m not, I’ll become a courtesan.
But if the vamps think I’ll take this lying down like a good little bitch, they’re wrong. I don’t have the means to escape Nocturnal Academy, but I have my eyes set on someone who does.
Prince Preston Kallan, a handsome, pureblood fae teacher from the Summer Court, doesn’t know who I am yet, but he will soon. At least that was the plan. Because as it turns out, nothing goes the way I expect.
This is wasn’t bad at all! Written well and shows so much promise! I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. It’s an interesting story and a take on vampires and far I’ve not seen before. Quite a short books so im looking forward to reading more.
Kindle
Wicked Nobles ( Nocturnal Academy book 1)
By Margo Ryerkerk and Holly Hook
In a world ruled by vamps, being half fae and magicless sucks.
You know what’s even worse? Being sold into slavery by your own mother.
I am Onyx Logan, and my mother condemned me when she sent me to Nocturnal Academy. If I get lucky, the academy will mold me into a servant for rich vampires. If I’m not, I’ll become a courtesan.
But if the vamps think I’ll take this lying down like a good little bitch, they’re wrong. I don’t have the means to escape Nocturnal Academy, but I have my eyes set on someone who does.
Prince Preston Kallan, a handsome, pureblood fae teacher from the Summer Court, doesn’t know who I am yet, but he will soon. At least that was the plan. Because as it turns out, nothing goes the way I expect.
This is wasn’t bad at all! Written well and shows so much promise! I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. It’s an interesting story and a take on vampires and far I’ve not seen before. Quite a short books so im looking forward to reading more.
Having previously read and enjoyed "Stalker" by Lisa Stone, I certainly wasn't going to pass the opportunity to read this one and I wasn't disappointed.
What we have in "Taken" is a complex and gripping story of the abduction of 8 year Leila whose life is far from perfect being the daughter of a mother (Kelsey) prostituting herself and fighting addiction who has already had her older children taken from her.
Told from multiple points of view, we get a real insight into all the main characters which is not as confusing as it sounds believe me ... it works really well and, I believe, it makes the characters more believable and memorable.
The pace is perfect, the plot is absorbing, despite it being a little unrealistic in parts, and I did get the twist fairly early on but it was such that I continued to question myself until it was revealed.
Overall, a thought-provoking and enjoyable read which deals with some difficult subjects that, sadly, are prevalent within today's society but without the usual gratuitous violence which made a refreshing change.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK / HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
What we have in "Taken" is a complex and gripping story of the abduction of 8 year Leila whose life is far from perfect being the daughter of a mother (Kelsey) prostituting herself and fighting addiction who has already had her older children taken from her.
Told from multiple points of view, we get a real insight into all the main characters which is not as confusing as it sounds believe me ... it works really well and, I believe, it makes the characters more believable and memorable.
The pace is perfect, the plot is absorbing, despite it being a little unrealistic in parts, and I did get the twist fairly early on but it was such that I continued to question myself until it was revealed.
Overall, a thought-provoking and enjoyable read which deals with some difficult subjects that, sadly, are prevalent within today's society but without the usual gratuitous violence which made a refreshing change.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK / HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
ClareR (6106 KP) rated The Perseverence in Books
Sep 23, 2019
I’m not quite sure how to review a collection of poetry, so I think I’ll start by saying that I really enjoyed it. The themes centre around feelings of duality, I thought: being deaf in a hearing world, being mixed race, the poet feeling that he doesn’t belong in Jamaica with his relatives telling him just that, a feeling that he doesn’t belong in the UK either.
It made me really think about what it is to have an invisible disability too. In ‘Miami Airport’, the official says:
“You don’t look deaf?
can you prove it?”
This reminded me of the times when I would have to pull up my sons trouser leg to show his splints when challenged about queuing for the disabled toilet (please don’t do this, it’s not cool) - something he rightly wont let me do anymore, I should add!
It was really good to read this on The Pigeonhole, too, and to have some discussion about the poems. I do hope they repeat this soon. Oh, and I bought the book as well, because I really like to read poetry again (and again!). I’m a bit of a ‘poetry dipper’ 😉
It made me really think about what it is to have an invisible disability too. In ‘Miami Airport’, the official says:
“You don’t look deaf?
can you prove it?”
This reminded me of the times when I would have to pull up my sons trouser leg to show his splints when challenged about queuing for the disabled toilet (please don’t do this, it’s not cool) - something he rightly wont let me do anymore, I should add!
It was really good to read this on The Pigeonhole, too, and to have some discussion about the poems. I do hope they repeat this soon. Oh, and I bought the book as well, because I really like to read poetry again (and again!). I’m a bit of a ‘poetry dipper’ 😉
Forever Pucked (Pucked #4)
7.3
Rate It
Book
Being engaged to Alex Waters, team captain and the highest paid NHL player in the league, is...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Daughter of Hades ( Cerberus book 2) in Books
Mar 17, 2022
49 of 230
Kindle
Daughter of Hades ( Cerberus book 2)
By Helen Scott
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Poppy never thought her life would get this crazy.
Sexy hellhound guards and being the future queen of the Underworld? She had been happy being a waitress and a freelance graphic designer in Chicago, hadn't she? What she was doesn't matter, that life is long gone now.
Before she can travel to the Underworld, she needs to find three judges that will preside over the souls of the dead. But who are they? Where are they? And how the hell is she supposed to find them?
As she battles agents of Hel at every turn and is confronted with mysterious new enemy Poppy is decidedly on edge. Will she find her judges in time or will her enemies get to them first?
We pick this up with Poppy searching for her 3 judges as well as getting closer with her hellhounds. It was ok it’s an easy series to read and can get a bit spicy. It was action packed too. All the things you expect from a RH. The one thing I’d like more is more depth.
Kindle
Daughter of Hades ( Cerberus book 2)
By Helen Scott
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Poppy never thought her life would get this crazy.
Sexy hellhound guards and being the future queen of the Underworld? She had been happy being a waitress and a freelance graphic designer in Chicago, hadn't she? What she was doesn't matter, that life is long gone now.
Before she can travel to the Underworld, she needs to find three judges that will preside over the souls of the dead. But who are they? Where are they? And how the hell is she supposed to find them?
As she battles agents of Hel at every turn and is confronted with mysterious new enemy Poppy is decidedly on edge. Will she find her judges in time or will her enemies get to them first?
We pick this up with Poppy searching for her 3 judges as well as getting closer with her hellhounds. It was ok it’s an easy series to read and can get a bit spicy. It was action packed too. All the things you expect from a RH. The one thing I’d like more is more depth.
Guarding Reese
8.0
Rate It
Book
The angel Cassius is given a second chance to watch over his ward, Reese—but neither is good at...
MM Urban Fantasy Romance Novella
Merissa (13840 KP) rated Fumbled Hearts (Tennessee U #2) in Books
Jul 5, 2023
FUMBLED HEARTS is the second book in the Tennessee U series, but the first one I have read. This in no way impacted my enjoyment of this book, although I now really want to read book one!
Maddox and Ethan are both struggling for different reasons. Enough information is given at the beginning that you understand the problem without it being an info dump. The complexities of the problems are gradually revealed over time, showing how both of them are desperate to succeed for whatever reason.
I thought the two of them were incredibly sweet together, as well as being hot! Maddox's nail varnish fetish made me laugh, I loved how it was incorporated into the ending. The epilogue was absolutely perfect, showing their stories and also how Maddox is dealing with what he went through. Heartbreaking and joyful at the same time.
A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 5, 2023
Maddox and Ethan are both struggling for different reasons. Enough information is given at the beginning that you understand the problem without it being an info dump. The complexities of the problems are gradually revealed over time, showing how both of them are desperate to succeed for whatever reason.
I thought the two of them were incredibly sweet together, as well as being hot! Maddox's nail varnish fetish made me laugh, I loved how it was incorporated into the ending. The epilogue was absolutely perfect, showing their stories and also how Maddox is dealing with what he went through. Heartbreaking and joyful at the same time.
A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 5, 2023
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Hyacinth Girls in Books
Dec 7, 2018
<i>This eBook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Hyacinth Girls</i> is the beautifully written debut novel by Lauren Frankel. Rebecca is the guardian of thirteen-year-old Callie who, despite phone calls from school, believes Callie can do no wrong. When Callie is accused of bullying another student, Rebecca easily turns the story around to make Callie the victim.
The story begins with a prologue in which a billboard is being erected featuring Callie’s face and the words “Do you know your children?” This implies that something tragic happens to Callie, but as we read, we question exactly what this is. Was Callie involved with the bullying at school, or was she the one being bullied? Callie has not exactly had an easy life with both her parents dying when she was five, and therefore Rebecca often glosses over the true meanings of Callie’s behaviour, insisting that Callie is acting out of grief.
As well as the question of what happens to Callie, the readers are plagued with many other questions as the story goes on. For example: How did Callie’s mother, Joyce, die? How did her father die? Who is her father? Who is sending Rebecca letters from prison? These queries get answered toward the end of the book thus encouraging readers to continue in order to sate their curiosity.
It is interesting to see how an adult interprets children’s behaviour based upon their own lives and experiences as well as jumping to conclusion about the way the child is feeling. <i>Hyacinth Girls</i> provides both the adult and the child the opportunity to express their point of view. Rebecca begins by trying to understand what Callie is going through, and getting it wrong, as well as introducing the reader to the past and present situation. Callie, on the other hand, reveals the truth.
Although not essentially a young adult novel, Callie’s narrative makes it suitable for teenagers as well as adults. The theme of bullying is something many young people may be familiar with from either being a victim, the cause or a bystander. Parents, on the other hand, will easily relate to Rebecca as she tries to understand her best friends daughter.
Overall <i>Hyacinth Girls</i> is a great book with a very intense theme. It is so realistic that it creates a sense of shock as we realize that there are school children around the world experiencing all the things mentioned within the story. Hopefully this novel will open readers’ eyes and make them more aware of the things they do and how they affect other people.
Hyacinth Girls</i> is the beautifully written debut novel by Lauren Frankel. Rebecca is the guardian of thirteen-year-old Callie who, despite phone calls from school, believes Callie can do no wrong. When Callie is accused of bullying another student, Rebecca easily turns the story around to make Callie the victim.
The story begins with a prologue in which a billboard is being erected featuring Callie’s face and the words “Do you know your children?” This implies that something tragic happens to Callie, but as we read, we question exactly what this is. Was Callie involved with the bullying at school, or was she the one being bullied? Callie has not exactly had an easy life with both her parents dying when she was five, and therefore Rebecca often glosses over the true meanings of Callie’s behaviour, insisting that Callie is acting out of grief.
As well as the question of what happens to Callie, the readers are plagued with many other questions as the story goes on. For example: How did Callie’s mother, Joyce, die? How did her father die? Who is her father? Who is sending Rebecca letters from prison? These queries get answered toward the end of the book thus encouraging readers to continue in order to sate their curiosity.
It is interesting to see how an adult interprets children’s behaviour based upon their own lives and experiences as well as jumping to conclusion about the way the child is feeling. <i>Hyacinth Girls</i> provides both the adult and the child the opportunity to express their point of view. Rebecca begins by trying to understand what Callie is going through, and getting it wrong, as well as introducing the reader to the past and present situation. Callie, on the other hand, reveals the truth.
Although not essentially a young adult novel, Callie’s narrative makes it suitable for teenagers as well as adults. The theme of bullying is something many young people may be familiar with from either being a victim, the cause or a bystander. Parents, on the other hand, will easily relate to Rebecca as she tries to understand her best friends daughter.
Overall <i>Hyacinth Girls</i> is a great book with a very intense theme. It is so realistic that it creates a sense of shock as we realize that there are school children around the world experiencing all the things mentioned within the story. Hopefully this novel will open readers’ eyes and make them more aware of the things they do and how they affect other people.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Gerald's Game (2017) in Movies
Oct 24, 2017
As good as the book
I'll be honest and say I thought the book was good but nothing spectacular, and I'm afraid this follows suit.
I'll give it extra kudos for being so very true to the book, however like the book, it drags on and there's a little too much talking and thinking to the point where it was getting a bit boring. There was however great performances from such a small cast and they really did fit the characters well.
The gory gruesome aspects were truly horrific (in a good way), but I think it could've been so much scarier. The ending too although very good and very King, doesn't have as much of an impact here as it does in the book.
I'll give it extra kudos for being so very true to the book, however like the book, it drags on and there's a little too much talking and thinking to the point where it was getting a bit boring. There was however great performances from such a small cast and they really did fit the characters well.
The gory gruesome aspects were truly horrific (in a good way), but I think it could've been so much scarier. The ending too although very good and very King, doesn't have as much of an impact here as it does in the book.