All Consuming : Corinne S.

It's not Buffy, but it's the best of Angel (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:55:02 GMT

by Bill L. Norton

While Angel has never been as good as Buffy (in my opinion), Season 4 is the best season I’ve seen. For the first time we burned through the discs similar to how we do with Buffy. In previous seasons, Angel seemed to take about 10x longer to get through than Buffy.

In Season 4 things were really happening and the pace was good. The ongoing story was compelling and there were a couple of Buffy character crossovers that made our day since we’ve already finished the entire Buffy series and we’re jonesing for more (that doesn’t exist).

We just started season 5 and so far it’s a big disappointment. I’m going to persevere and watch it all, but it’s looking like the show many have “”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_the_shark">jumped the shark." If that’s the case I’ll end up recommending to others that they just stop at the end of Season 4 and call it good. I hope I’m wrong—stay tuned.

A story about "The Assault on Reason"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:09:48 GMT

The Assault on Reason

by Al Gore

Benjamin and I listened to 2-3 chapters of this book on our drive home from Portland. While it was interesting, it spent too much time belaboring the point and was a little depressing. I’ve not been inclined to pick it up again since then, but that could change. For now I am pulling it off my list.

A story about "Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete Seventh Season"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:25:00 GMT

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete Seventh Season

by Alan J. Levi

Last night Benjamin and I watched the series finale of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s so sad it’s over. It was great fun to watch and I imagine we’ll always associate it with this pregnancy since we watched it from start to finish since I got pregnant.

Not compelling (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:19:28 GMT

Double Homicide

I am not a short story fan, so that’s my disclaimer. Had I realized that this book consisted of two short stories I would have skipped it. That said, I thought both of these stories felt unfinished and neither was really compelling in the end. I had trouble paying attention to the second one at all since I was disillusioned by that point and it’s easy to get distracted when listening to an audio book you’re not engaged in.

A story about "Be the Pack Leader: Use CESAR'S WAY to Transform Your Dog . . . and Your Life"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:22:56 GMT

Be the Pack Leader: Use CESAR'S WAY to Transform Your Dog . . . and Your Life

by Cesar Millan

I’m really listening to the unabridged audio version of the book, but since Amazon doesn’t carry it this is the closest match.

Cute and enjoyable (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:54:39 GMT

Waitress (Widescreen Edition)

by Adrienne Shelly

Not complete fluff, but a definite chick flick. Has some unexpected elements. I liked it.

A story about "By the Rivers of Babylon"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:48:03 GMT

By the Rivers of Babylon

by Nelson DeMille

I’m actually listening to this as an unabridged audio book on CD from the library, which apparently Amazon doesn’t have.

I read it in under 48 hours (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 05:48:55 GMT

Still Summer

by Jacquelyn Mitchard

This past weekend Benjamin and I went to Hood Canal and stayed in a bed and breakfast for a night. After a walk to te beach, a great dinner, and whatnot, we each read a book cover-to-cover in a weekend. This is the book I read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great dip into the characters lives and minds plus a page-turning adventure. One of the characters ia a bit two-dimensional and one gets what she doesn’t deserve, but it’s a great story and just as good of as read as Mitchard’s other fab books.

An amazing memoir (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 05:40:19 GMT

The Glass Castle, unabridged, 10 CD set

by Jeannette Walls

This is an astounding story of Janette Walls’ life. I don’t really know anything about the author (outside of what she covers in the story) and I picked this book up on a whim. Despite my lack of familiarity with the author, it was a fantastic memoir that gives true perspective on the things that most of us take for granted.

A story about "Small Wonder: Essays"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 02:19:17 GMT

Small Wonder: Essays

by Barbara Kingsolver

Barbara Kingsolver is a lyrical writer with a musical voice. This book is a treat to listen to as an audio book. Listening to her read makes me at once sad, elated, quiet, and humble.

Here’s a beautiful quote from the first chapter:

“God is in the details, the completely unnecessary miracles some tossed up as stars to guide us. They are the promise of fortune in a cloudless day, and the animals in the clouds; look hard enough, and you’ll see them. Don’t ask if they’re real.”

A story about "Homeland and Other Stories"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:35:32 GMT

Homeland and Other Stories

by Barbara Kingsolver

I listened to this book as a Chivers audio book and I didn’t think it was well-suited to listening. The short stories were fairly long, but since it was an audio book I had no sense of how long each story was and how far along I was in it. Also, there was no substantive pause between stories, so you didn’t get the natural resting period you would normally allow in a book of short stories. This was one audio book where I would have liked to have music between sections (and I don’t usually like that).

A review of "A Prairie Home Companion"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:11:49 GMT

A Prairie Home Companion

by Robert Altman

I am not a huge fan of the Prairie Home Companion radio show, but I like it okay. If you are a fan and expect nothing more from the movie, then you might enjoy it. Otherwise, don’t bother. As mentioned by other reviewers, the movie was boring with no strong plot and not enough character development. The majority of the movie takes place during a single radio show and you just see little bits and pieces of what’s happening backstage.

A story about "Homeland: And Other Stories"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:08:42 GMT

Homeland: And Other Stories

by Barbara Kingsolver

Nothing special (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Mon, 14 May 2007 07:29:04 GMT

A Spot of Bother

by Mark Haddon

This book pales in comparison to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, also written by Mark Haddon. There’s really nothing alike about them. I found this book to be a largely pointless and rambling tale of a man struggling with retirement, his life, and hypochondriasis. The payoff wasn’t worth the price for me on this one. It’s not terrible, I just can’t recommend it.

More of the same (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Mon, 14 May 2007 07:23:37 GMT

24: Season Five

Some parts of this season were very good and enthralling while other parts were not. In all cases, it was more of the same. Take it or leave it accordingly.

Very well done, but meandering (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Mon, 14 May 2007 07:17:52 GMT

The Good Shepherd (2006)

by Robert De Niro

This movie runs nearly three hours and it’s difficult to track the plot and characters through all the twists and turns (and the spy speak). It beautifully shot and well acted. The story isn’t one with a clear message (trust no one?) and it’s a bit dark. That seems to be a theme in our movie selections lately. Oh well. I guess I should move a comedy to the top of our Netflix list. ;)

Enjoyable continuation of the Spider-Man story (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Mon, 07 May 2007 19:19:02 GMT

Spider-Man 3

by Sam Raimi

I was happy with Spidey 3. It was corny and the very last scene felt like it was added in response to audience pre-tests, but it was good. Don’t go in expecting the world, but if you liked the first two I think you’ll like #3 as well.

Cute, but not great (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Fri, 04 May 2007 07:35:02 GMT

Chicken Little

by Mark Dindal

I thought this was a cute, fun take on an old story. It’s not the best kids’ movie ever, but it’s fun.

Well executed, but perhaps pointless (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Fri, 04 May 2007 07:18:18 GMT

Babel

by Alejandro González Iñárritu

This is an extremely well acted and well executed film full of great actors. The plot demonstrates both the interconnectedness of the world and the randomness of unfortunate events. However, it’s extremely dark and the previously described plot points may not be enough of a payoff for me after all that misery.

(POSSIBLESPOILER.) Benjamin pointed out that the white people all end up okay in the end while the brown folks don’t. It’s true, but I think it might be true-to-life rather than true-to-Hollywood.

If you’re the kind of person who likes well done films no matter how depressing, then this is for you. If you can only stand depressing films with a big payoff, then skip this one.

Very, very good (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Tue, 01 May 2007 02:30:28 GMT

Stranger Than Fiction

by Marc Forster

This movie far surpassed my expectations. It was fabulous and unexpectedly included a unique use of a graphic design “GUI” as its CGI. If you don’t like Will Ferrell, don’t let that keep you away. He does a shockingly good job and I don’t normally like him. Check out Jayme’s review on All Consuming for more info.

Decent suspense story (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Corinne S.) — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 08:07:43 GMT

Night Fall

by Nelson DeMille

This book is part of a series of mysteries starring the same detective. In that way, it’s formulaic and like many other mysteries. On the other hand, this book prominently features real facts from the TWA Flight 800 crash. It’s where fact meets fiction that’s sometimes unclear. I’m not sure how I feel about present-day novels that mix fact and fiction so freely. Somehow it seems less of an issue with historical fiction since history is somehow more fixed and known, but I think that’s just an illusion anyway. So, easy mystery to read and enjoy? Yes. Expose about TWA 800? No.