ScorchingSun
Ottawa Public Library
ScorchingSun's Completed Shelf
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SmileSmile, DVDSourire
DVD - 2022DVD, 2022
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Mar 17, 2024
Becoming SupernaturalBecoming Supernatural, BookHow Common People Are Doing the Uncommon
by Dispenza, JoeBook - 2017 | 1st edition.Book, 2017. 1st edition.
Added Mar 17, 2024
Comment:
Sorry, I'm guilty of not giving this book a chance.
In the past, I've partially read similar books: glowing Forewards, Introductions and long detailed, repetitive wondrous information.
A quick glance from me at a case in Chapter One, in which a woman riddled with ruinous debt, abuse, pain, crippling physical diseases and cancer seemed to show her path to recovery lay in strong meditation was off-putting to me.
I wasn't willing to invest time into diving in and swimming in this whatever it is.Sorry, I'm guilty of not giving this book a chance.
In the past, I've partially read similar books: glowing Forewards, Introductions and long detailed, repetitive wondrous information.
A quick glance from me at a case in Chapter One, in which a…
LapsisLapsis, DVD
DVD - 2021DVD, 2021
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Mar 17, 2024
Comment:
Either this film is so highly advanced or it's so feebly muddled that in either case, my limited intellect is unable to comprehend it.
A compliant dufus of a main character in a slow cooker movie, much of which has an odd, chilling atmosphere that telegraphs an unpleasant outcome. So does the actual ending qualify for this outcome?Either this film is so highly advanced or it's so feebly muddled that in either case, my limited intellect is unable to comprehend it.
A compliant dufus of a main character in a slow cooker movie, much of which has an odd, chilling atmosphere that…
The Last DuelThe Last Duel, DVDLe Dernier Duel
DVD - 2021DVD, 2021
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Mar 17, 2024
Comment:
Stark times and brutal, misogynistic politics ( not unlike today's world ).
A violent assault told from three self-serving viewpoints with some overlapping repetition, hence the long length of the film.
Keeps you guessing about the bloodthirsty outcome.Stark times and brutal, misogynistic politics ( not unlike today's world ).
A violent assault told from three self-serving viewpoints with some overlapping repetition, hence the long length of the film.
Keeps you guessing about the bloodthirsty…
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Feb 26, 2024
Comment:
The usual formula of arrogant big-powered boy meets lowly sassy girl actually worked this time.
The author hit on just the right degree of character setting and chemistry to make for an entertaining action adventure that will hopefully carry into the sequel.The usual formula of arrogant big-powered boy meets lowly sassy girl actually worked this time.
The author hit on just the right degree of character setting and chemistry to make for an entertaining action adventure that will hopefully carry into…
Jungle CruiseJungle Cruise, DVDCroisière Dans La Jungle
DVD - 2021DVD, 2021
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Feb 26, 2024
Comment:
Cute, pleasant adventure thriller.
Run-of-the-mill, though colourful and does have a unique backstory.
The Banshees of InisherinThe Banshees of Inisherin, DVD
DVD - 2022DVD, 2022
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Feb 26, 2024
Comment:
Some cringey pathos in the relationship between two mentally unbalanced men.
Visually it's sombre beautiful and not gloomy dull as these UK pictures tend to be.
Heavily slurred accents require subtitles to interpret.
Watch for the earth-searing explanation of the film's title.Some cringey pathos in the relationship between two mentally unbalanced men.
Visually it's sombre beautiful and not gloomy dull as these UK pictures tend to be.
Heavily slurred accents require subtitles to interpret.
Watch for the earth-searing…
Striking OutStriking Out, DVDSeries 1
DVD - 2017DVD, 2017
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Feb 10, 2024
Comment:
Little seems super flashy here but somehow the show is exceptionally absorbing.
Maybe it's because the pace moves at a nice clip with much tension, intrigue and morally charged cases.
A seamless connection between personal and professional issues and an underlying layer of anger and humiliation, yet this is balanced by its visual entertainment and light-hearted banter.
Series 02 ***1/2Little seems super flashy here but somehow the show is exceptionally absorbing.
Maybe it's because the pace moves at a nice clip with much tension, intrigue and morally charged cases.
A seamless connection between personal and professional issues…
TeslaTesla, DVD
DVD - 2020DVD, 2020
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Feb 10, 2024
Comment:
A melancholic capsule of Tesla's life and achievements.
Ethan Hawke portrays a toned down, troubled genius.
Like Oscar Issac, he chooses many of these staring-into-space with dead eyes, characters.
Bones of the DragonBones of the Dragon, Book
by Weis, MargaretBook - 2009 | 1st ed.Book, 2009. 1st ed.
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Feb 10, 2024
Comment:
Well-written adventure with some filler, especially near the end.
A perpetually fruitless dancing around of a love triangle and unrequited love was frustrating to read.
And unsettling was the whole Mafia gangster-like atmosphere ( raiding, pillaging and raping was considered a legitimate, honourable, community-sanctioned endeavour ). I guess normal is what everyone else is doing.
If you stick with the series, it actually gets better : characters evolve, plot thickens, action and thrills increase. Worth reading the whole series.
Sequels ***1/2Well-written adventure with some filler, especially near the end.
A perpetually fruitless dancing around of a love triangle and unrequited love was frustrating to read.
And unsettling was the whole Mafia gangster-like atmosphere ( raiding, pillaging…
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Jan 29, 2024
Comment:
A mostly bland sequel with characters running around chasing each other.
Even what should have been fascinating and inventive multiverses and worlds became numbingly overloaded ( like speed channel surfing ).
One good point was the revelations of origins and mystery locations.
Otherwise, a rehash.A mostly bland sequel with characters running around chasing each other.
Even what should have been fascinating and inventive multiverses and worlds became numbingly overloaded ( like speed channel surfing ).
One good point was the revelations of…
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Jan 29, 2024
Comment:
Fast-paced, high imagination world jumping adventure.
Jousting with an evil, mega villain.
And strange, odd, body altering superpowers are always fascinating.
Legacy of LiesLegacy of Lies, DVD
DVD - 2020 | Widescreen versionDVD, 2020. Widescreen version
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Jan 29, 2024
Comment:
Nothing special here. Fairly standard fare except that at certain angles, our hero Scott Adkins looks a lot like a thinner, half-shaven Ben Affleck.
A Beautiful Day in the NeighborhoodA Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, DVDBonjour, Voisin
DVD - 2020DVD, 2020
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Jan 29, 2024
Comment:
It's more about Mr Roger's powerfully mild attempt to "fix" one broken man's pain and anger, and in the process reveal the "living saint's" phenomenal social influence.
Tom Hanks is good, but it's Matthew Rhys' expressive-eyed performance that takes centre stage.It's more about Mr Roger's powerfully mild attempt to "fix" one broken man's pain and anger, and in the process reveal the "living saint's" phenomenal social influence.
Tom Hanks is good, but it's Matthew Rhys' expressive-eyed performance that…
The Body Language of PoliticsThe Body Language of Politics, BookDecide Who Is Lying, Who Is Sincere, and How You'll Vote
by Van Natten, DonnaBook - 2020Book, 2020
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Jan 16, 2024
Comment:
From the title and description, I was expecting step-by-step pointers on how to unmask lying political scoundrels.
But the information in the book is mostly vague and generalized. Not very helpful.
The BoysThe Boys, DVDSeasons 1 & 2 Collection
DVD - 2022DVD, 2022
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Jan 16, 2024
Comment:
Certainly cheeky and irreverent but the hardcore violent action and a truly scary dude (Homelander, who is basically a psychotic, megalomaniacal Superman) give the show a dark, gritty, malevolent feel.
Not for the faint of heart.
Dark WatersDark Waters, DVD
DVD - 2020 | Widescreen versionDVD, 2020. Widescreen version
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Jan 16, 2024
Comment:
Just like the truth is protected by lies during war, so is the truth often hidden by greed and corruption in the corporate world.
A strongly weaved tale of woe exposes one instance of this collective heartlessness.
VerityVerity, Book
by Hoover, ColleenBook - 2021 | First Grand Central trade paperback edition.Book, 2021. First Grand Central trade paperback edition.
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Jan 06, 2024
Comment:
Good psychological thriller interrupted constantly by overlong, gratuitously lascivious sex scenes and tiresome verbose passages, especially in the last part.
This is basically a hyperromantic, softcore porn novel with an embedded dark streak. A cup of tea for those who like it steamyGood psychological thriller interrupted constantly by overlong, gratuitously lascivious sex scenes and tiresome verbose passages, especially in the last part.
This is basically a hyperromantic, softcore porn novel with an embedded dark streak. A cup…
Jackass Fore❤erJackass Fore❤er, DVDJackass Touj❤urs
DVD - 2022DVD, 2022
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Jan 06, 2024
Comment:
Not much imagination here and done in a half-jackass way.
Note : the two women members of the team did very little.
Since the male jackasses were harping so much on Tarantula nipple pinches, crotch hits and underwater farts, I guess it would have been unseemly for the ladies to participate. Hard pass on this kind of equality.Not much imagination here and done in a half-jackass way.
Note : the two women members of the team did very little.
Since the male jackasses were harping so much on Tarantula nipple pinches, crotch hits and underwater farts, I guess it would have…
Perry MasonPerry Mason, DVDThe Complete First Season
DVD - 2020DVD, 2020
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Jan 06, 2024
Comment:
Beautiful sets and solid performances but the problem with the focus on a single case is that it can often drag, because you just know the episodes will plod on for many moons before the distant end is reached.
The first part did drag, though fortunately half way through, things changed (it seems some viewers stopped watching before that point).
Watch for a stirring demagogic scene from Tatiana Maslany.Beautiful sets and solid performances but the problem with the focus on a single case is that it can often drag, because you just know the episodes will plod on for many moons before the distant end is reached.
The first part did drag, though…
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Dec 23, 2023
Comment:
A good, unusual setup and a surprising twisty plot.
Unfortunately spoiled by seemingly endless streams of factual details, procedural routines, and technical jargon ( which author Hadfield probably felt readers expected ).
For avid fans of such, it's heaven. But for others like me, it's a quick glance only over those particular passages.A good, unusual setup and a surprising twisty plot.
Unfortunately spoiled by seemingly endless streams of factual details, procedural routines, and technical jargon ( which author Hadfield probably felt readers expected ).
For avid fans of such,…
Richard JewellRichard Jewell, DVDLe Cas Richard Jewell
DVD - 2020DVD, 2020
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Dec 23, 2023
Comment:
You might think a drama about an oddball, overweight man would be a snoozer, but several scenes here are powerful and award-worthy.
All-around excellent performances in a gut-gripping film where truth and justice are casualties of ambition.
ElvisElvis, DVD
DVD - 2022DVD, 2022
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Dec 23, 2023
Comment:
Elvis and his magical pelvis that can send girls reeling into swoonville.
Lots of songs and a good impersonation by Austin Butler.
A carnival-like approach to his life as a celebrity made any serious drama cloak itself in glitter and sequins rather than tears.Elvis and his magical pelvis that can send girls reeling into swoonville.
Lots of songs and a good impersonation by Austin Butler.
A carnival-like approach to his life as a celebrity made any serious drama cloak itself in glitter and sequins rather…
A Man Called OttoA Man Called Otto, DVDLa Vie Selon Otto
DVD - 2023DVD, 2023
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Dec 14, 2023
Comment:
Funny, acerbic, heartwarming.
So compare this film with the Swedish version ( "A Man called Ove").
Both are excellent tearjerkers, though this one deals more with the relationship between Otto and his pregnant new neighbour.
ScorchingSun's rating:
Added Dec 14, 2023
Comment:
To paraphrase : I read something tasty from the library. A nice little jaunt into witty wackiness.
Starts out peeking at seemingly distasteful upper-class snobs.
But stay with it, as this then contrasts with the earthy brutishness of the Farm.
The sassy assertiveness of the heroine is surprising fun.
P.S. Catch the delightful 1995 film version starring a young Kate Beckinsale.To paraphrase : I read something tasty from the library. A nice little jaunt into witty wackiness.
Starts out peeking at seemingly distasteful upper-class snobs.
But stay with it, as this then contrasts with the earthy brutishness of the Farm.
The…
Comment: