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Infinity PoolInfinity Pool, DVD
DVD - 2023DVD, 2023
dricco's rating:
Added Mar 17, 2024
The BlackeningThe Blackening, DVD
DVD - 2023DVD, 2023
dricco's rating:
Added Mar 17, 2024
Comment:
This might be the funniest horror movie I've ever seen!
Saw XSaw X, DVD
DVD - 2023DVD, 2023
dricco's rating:
Added Mar 17, 2024
Comment:
"Out of all the men to cheat, you pick John Kramer? I mean, I call that epic bad luck."
Not as good as the original, but better than most of the other sequels!
Extremely disgusting and disturbing, as they all are.
Expend4blesExpend4bles, DVD
DVD - 2023DVD, 2023
dricco's rating:
Added Mar 16, 2024
Comment:
The chemistry between Statham and Stallone is still fun to watch, but this movie lacks almost everything that made this series in the first place! There are no surprise ex-actions stars (Andy Garcia was NOT an action star!), and the bad guy is pretty lame. And though Megan Fox is easy on the eyes, she is not believable as an Expendable.
AND, though I do like Jason Statham, I didn't like that this was pretty much his movie.
Not sure if I'd watch a part 5...The chemistry between Statham and Stallone is still fun to watch, but this movie lacks almost everything that made this series in the first place! There are no surprise ex-actions stars (Andy Garcia was NOT an action star!), and the bad guy is…
The ExorcistThe Exorcist, DVDBeliever
DVD - 2023DVD, 2023
dricco's rating:
Added Mar 16, 2024
Comment:
Definitely not as scary as the original, but still creepy enough to bother me. Lots of good acting in this! Leslie Odom Jr. is great as one of the dads, Ann Dowd is terrific, and Lidya Jewett is pretty amazing for such a young actress! And of course, Ellen Burstyn steals every scene that she is in, which was for too few for me! AND, a great ending!Definitely not as scary as the original, but still creepy enough to bother me. Lots of good acting in this! Leslie Odom Jr. is great as one of the dads, Ann Dowd is terrific, and Lidya Jewett is pretty amazing for such a young actress! And of…
CobwebCobweb, DVD
DVD - 2023DVD, 2023
dricco's rating:
Added Mar 16, 2024
Comment:
More creepy than scary. But the name 'Peter' is said/whispered during the movie sure is freaky! And once again, proof that being the first born child is never easy!
dricco's rating:
Added Mar 07, 2024
Comment:
“Makoons is the word for “little bear,” or bear cub.”
It is now early in the summer of 1866 of this family’s history. The twins are growing up and learning how to hunt. Which is good, as a large chunk of this book is dedicated to the hunting of the buffalo! It is very detailed, especially how the family uses ALL of the buffalo, and in all the different ways that they do so! And also, how they celebrate the hunt and give thanks to the buffalo, and never kill more than they need!
There is love and loss in this story, some loss natural, and some unexcepted. I suffered my own loss, knowing that this is the last book in the series, and also knowing that I will miss this family and their stories. It was a really good bunch of books to read!
Interesting to watch how Two Strike sort of becomes Tallow, and Omakayas sort of become Nokomis. And how Fly, a horse that lost her calf, ends up giving milk to a lamb and a buffalo calf! Life being Life!
I really loved the following quote, from Nokomis:
“I do not need a marker of my passage, for my creator knows where I am. I do not want anyone to cry. I lived a good life, my hair turned to snow, I saw my great-grandchildren, I grew my garden. That is all.”
I hope that I can say the same when my time comes!
Miigwech Louise Erdrich for a wonderful five books! Much appreciated!“Makoons is the word for “little bear,” or bear cub.”
It is now early in the summer of 1866 of this family’s history. The twins are growing up and learning how to hunt. Which is good, as a large chunk of this book is dedicated to the hunting of…
dricco's rating:
Added Mar 05, 2024
Comment:
This begins right where the previous book ended, with Parker on the run from the cops after the armored car robbery. And to blend in, he ends up joining a group of citizens combing the surrounding countryside - looking for him! (and the other two robbers). And, while on the run from the last job, he decides to take on a new job - robbing a racetrack! It's a good story, and interesting in that Parker teams up with a total amateur to pull of this job! Sort of a new twist for him! It's also part two of a three part story arc, so the next book will let us know how it all plays out!
Unfortunately, it is my last read in this series, which is a total bummer. Maybe in a few years I'll revisit the collection, and this time read them in order! I'll miss ya' Parker!
Funny thing about the title - the parrot doesn’t talk! So, um, don't do what the title of the book tells you to do.This begins right where the previous book ended, with Parker on the run from the cops after the armored car robbery. And to blend in, he ends up joining a group of citizens combing the surrounding countryside - looking for him! (and the other two…
dricco's rating:
Added Mar 03, 2024
Comment:
It’s 1866, and Omakayas is married with children!?!?!
That felt like a big jump from where the last novel left off! But I guess it’s been 14 years, so…
She has twin eight-year-old boys, Chickadee and Makoons. And Chickadee is stolen by the Zhigaag brothers! The ENTIRE family packs up camp to chase them down, including Two Strike. And, as Orph Carter says, “…I don’t want to be here when Two Strike comes after this boy.”! Good advice, as Two Strike has grown into a tremendous woman hunter/warrior and her strength rivals any man! It's a good story, with a nice ending, but I must admit that I liked the tales of young Omakayas a little more than the story of her twins. It isn't bad, it's just my preference. Great illustrations and great map, as well as a cool song for the twin whose name graces the cover of the book:
"I am only the Chickadee
Yet small things have
great power
I speak the truth."
And good advice from Nokomis: "She said that was how the world should work. We should fix what we break in this world for the ones who come next, our children." Amen!It’s 1866, and Omakayas is married with children!?!?!
That felt like a big jump from where the last novel left off! But I guess it’s been 14 years, so…
She has twin eight-year-old boys, Chickadee and Makoons. And Chickadee is stolen by the Zhigaag…
The Saga of the Bloody BendersThe Saga of the Bloody Benders, Graphic NovelThe Infamous Homicidal Family of Labette County, Kansas
by Geary, RickGraphic Novel - 2007Graphic Novel, 2007
dricco's rating:
Added Mar 01, 2024
Comment:
The Bloody Benders, "The Infamous Homicidal Family of Labette County, Kansas."! Ma, Pa, John Jr., and Kate!
The book starts with a nice map of the state of Kansas, 1870. And then in Part I, we get a nice history lesson of the settling of Kansas, including "Bleeding Kansas" and how it became intwined with the slavery issue at that time in United States history. And then come the Benders...
They murder travelers and rob them, killing a total of approximately eight people and stealing almost $6,000 plus jewelry, saddles, clothes, and more. A bloody family indeed! And then, poof! They're gone!
It's a nice, concise retelling of the saga of the Bloody Benders. And quite disturbing! Good artwork too!The Bloody Benders, "The Infamous Homicidal Family of Labette County, Kansas."! Ma, Pa, John Jr., and Kate!
The book starts with a nice map of the state of Kansas, 1870. And then in Part I, we get a nice history lesson of the settling of Kansas,…
dricco's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2024
Comment:
The heist in this one is a bank/four armored car job. That gets complicated by a card game at the beginning!
Chapter 1 of part Four is a doozy! Stark intricately weaves all the different plot lines together from all the different characters points of view! Riveting reading! And then - a cliffhanger ending? I really hate those! Especially when it is not 'listed' as such! Apparently, from this book until the end is a trilogy, which is fine. I just didn't like getting to the end of this one and having this unexpected ending. I'm not certain, but I don't think that has happened in this series before. Still, it's a Parker novel, so I'll get over it!The heist in this one is a bank/four armored car job. That gets complicated by a card game at the beginning!
Chapter 1 of part Four is a doozy! Stark intricately weaves all the different plot lines together from all the different characters points…
dricco's rating:
Added Feb 23, 2024
Comment:
“John Dortmunder was a man on whom the sun shone only when he needed darkness.”
A good first sentence to a good first chapter of this book! One in which John pretends that he fell asleep in a store when it closed for the night! Pretty smart!
“This job has too many graveyards in it, he said. ‘He’ being Dortmunder. And definitely, he's right! This caper has to do with attempting to match a DNA sample with a corpse in order to try to inherit part of the rights to an "Indian" casino! Of course, this being Dortmunder, it doesn't go easy, or the way it was planned! Not even close!
It's not quite as funny as other books in this series, and there isn't as much action. But it's still John and friends, and still worth the read! Unfortunately, it is my last read in this series, which is a total bummer. Maybe in a few years I'll revisit the collection, and this time read them in order!“John Dortmunder was a man on whom the sun shone only when he needed darkness.”
A good first sentence to a good first chapter of this book! One in which John pretends that he fell asleep in a store when it closed for the night! Pretty smart!
“This…
dricco's rating:
Added Feb 16, 2024
Comment:
“Her name, Omakayas, meant Little Frog. She was nine winters old.” It was 1849. She grows up a lot in this book both in her family and in her training with medicine. She has her vision quest! She also gets a new pet and a new baby brother! And a new threat - the white man.
I love Old Tallow! And her winter coat! I also liked the Break-Apart-Girl!
It's another great chapter in this series, though it ends with great sadness. The encroachment of the chimookoman, or white people, change everything for Omakayas and her people.
Last sentence:
“Here was the next life they would live together on this earth.”“Her name, Omakayas, meant Little Frog. She was nine winters old.” It was 1849. She grows up a lot in this book both in her family and in her training with medicine. She has her vision quest! She also gets a new pet and a new baby brother! And a…
dricco's rating:
Added Feb 15, 2024
Comment:
Great first line:
“When the phone rang, Parker was in the garage, killing a man.”
“… a firebreak, the small fire you set in front of the big fire to steal its fuel and keep it from coming on.”
“Every once in a while, something that was old that was supposed to be done with, comes back and has to be dealt with again. This is one of those.”
'Those' meaning someone from the past is attempting to kill Parker. Never a good idea. Just like double crossing him, or trying to cheat him. Bad, bad ideas.
There are two plotlines in this book - dealing with the above situation, and trying to steal gold and priceless artwork from a hunting lodge in Montana. They are both fun to read, but I did get confused with all of the character names. Maybe I'm just getting old. But not old enough to thoroughly enjoy when Parker threatens an entire organization, like he did with the Outfit 20 books ago! This time it's a group called Cosmopolitan. And this time, the group gives in much quicker than the Outfit did. I guess some folks are learning on how to deal with Parker!Great first line:
“When the phone rang, Parker was in the garage, killing a man.”
“… a firebreak, the small fire you set in front of the big fire to steal its fuel and keep it from coming on.”
“Every once in a while, something that was old that…
dricco's rating:
Added Feb 12, 2024
Comment:
"The only person left alive on the island was a baby girl."
Thus starts the first book in this series! And what a story it is! It is a story of an Ojibwa family, and their community, living through four seasons on the island. The reader is allowed a glimpse into the ways and traditions of the family in each season, often with very descriptive stories of how things are made and done. And we get some wonderful 'ancient' type stories too! And also some sad stories, like what happened when Small pox comes to the island in 1847.
“She held him when he died.” Poor baby News. And poor Omakayas!
Omakays is the main character of the book, "a nimble young girl of seven winters". Through her eyes, we see her family, friends, and her life on the island. It is infused with magic, mystery, joy, and sadness. And bears and a crow friend! And her journey leads her to an unexpected ending and discovery!
I really enjoyed this book! The writing is wonderful, and the author's illustrations are such an added bonus! I'm excited to read the next book and follow Omakays on her life's journey! And, p.s., I highly recommend that you use glossary at the back of the book when you come to an Ojibwa word that you don't know! It really enhanced my enjoyment of the book!"The only person left alive on the island was a baby girl."
Thus starts the first book in this series! And what a story it is! It is a story of an Ojibwa family, and their community, living through four seasons on the island. The reader is…
dricco's rating:
Added Feb 04, 2024
Comment:
“Ignorance is bliss, all right, but it’s also a good way to get blown away.”
Quarry runs into Turner, an old partner whom things went sour with five years before. Following Turner, Quarry ends up on a porno film set, which is in a snowbound lodge. Two murders quickly follow. It's not the best of the Quarry books, but it is entertaining! On to #5!“Ignorance is bliss, all right, but it’s also a good way to get blown away.”
Quarry runs into Turner, an old partner whom things went sour with five years before. Following Turner, Quarry ends up on a porno film set, which is in a snowbound lodge.…
dricco's rating:
Added Feb 02, 2024
Comment:
“Killing people with blunt objects isn’t really my style, but then style is a luxury I can’t always indulge in.”
"I hoped I wouldn't have to kill her. I probably would. But I hoped not."
Ahh, big hearted Quarry! He comes into contact with a female version of himself, as he is trying out his new business plan to prevent killers from killing - for a fee! He's still got the Broker's list, and he is hoping he can use it to be in business for himself. This is his first attempt at the new plan. And it's a pretty good read (and quick!), with an interesting ending.
“Maybe next time.”“Killing people with blunt objects isn’t really my style, but then style is a luxury I can’t always indulge in.”
"I hoped I wouldn't have to kill her. I probably would. But I hoped not."
Ahh, big hearted Quarry! He comes into contact with a…
dricco's rating:
Added Feb 01, 2024
Comment:
‘It’s your willingness to explore blind alleys, that’s what decides the outcome of a case’
A real page turner right from the beginning! So much so that I read the whole thing in one day!
A steady, methodical investigation that connects the detective's past with his present. What is the significance of the list of 12 bridges and their corresponding months, found in two separate places? One in Kaga’s mother’s possessions, and one in the apartment of a murdered man. And how many individuals are actually involved in all of this? It's a heck of a puzzle, one that Detective Kaga pieces together slowly and expertly. And once he discovers the thread that ties everything together, he unravels it with amazing precision! I really enjoyed this, as I have all of the books in this series! I hope that there are more to come!‘It’s your willingness to explore blind alleys, that’s what decides the outcome of a case’
A real page turner right from the beginning! So much so that I read the whole thing in one day!
A steady, methodical investigation that connects the…
dricco's rating:
Added Jan 30, 2024
Comment:
A drunken one- night stand leads to a stalker which leads to a murder. On his wedding day, no less!
And then? Paranoia!!!
This book is really, really good! Following the main character's descent into madness is quite the ride! And that ending... wow! I really liked chapter 16, and the way that the author describes the movements of ‘death’! “Death just watched and waited, in position to command both sides at once.” Just an excellent, page turner of a book!
“The train had died. Every train dies at the end of every journey. The train was dead now, and lying in its coffin: the station.”
“His hand shifted. His love story came to an end.”
“The instinct to live is greater than the instinct to love.”A drunken one- night stand leads to a stalker which leads to a murder. On his wedding day, no less!
And then? Paranoia!!!
This book is really, really good! Following the main character's descent into madness is quite the ride! And that ending...…
dricco's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2024
Comment:
Parker is approached with a job to rob a riverboat casino on the Hudson. But, he says, “I don’t like anything where there’s one entrance, one exit.” and, “A boat on the water is a cell, you can’t just up and go away.” Both good points! BUT, it’s ALL cash, possibly 400 grand, so…
But there always seems to be a hitch with these plans, and in this book, Ray Becker is that hitch.
Parker said, “I came to tell you, your problems are over after all.”
No loose ends in Parker’s world.
Another really good chapter in this series! I am in awe that even though this is the eighteenth book, it's still fresh and entertaining! I'll be sad when I finally read my last Parker novel.Parker is approached with a job to rob a riverboat casino on the Hudson. But, he says, “I don’t like anything where there’s one entrance, one exit.” and, “A boat on the water is a cell, you can’t just up and go away.” Both good points! BUT, it’s…
dricco's rating:
Added Jan 23, 2024
Comment:
“From thirty feet away she looked like a lot of class. From ten feet away she looked like something made up to be seen from thirty feet away.”
Marlowe is hired to recover the Brasher Doubloon, an expensive rare coin that the owner believes was stolen by her daughter-in-law. Three murders plop into his investigation, both connected to the coin. “Marlowe practically knee-deep in dead men.” It's a good, fast-paced read and with Chandler you get the authentic noir vibe! I'm excited, and a bit sad, to be almost done with the series!
“A man leaning out of a high window. A long time ago.”“From thirty feet away she looked like a lot of class. From ten feet away she looked like something made up to be seen from thirty feet away.”
Marlowe is hired to recover the Brasher Doubloon, an expensive rare coin that the owner believes was…
"You Just Need to Lose Weight""You Just Need to Lose Weight", BookAnd 19 Other Myths About Fat People
by Gordon, AubreyBook - 2023Book, 2023
dricco's rating:
Added Dec 24, 2023
Comment:
“In the United States, anti-fatness is the rule, not the exception.”
“For fat people, the biggest barrier to health may be pervasive anti-fatness.”
“Anti-fat discrimination is real, it deeply harms fat people, and it operates at alarming rates.”
“Anti-fatness is the last socially acceptable form of discrimination.”
This book really resonated with me, as I have been fat all of my life. It is extremely well researched, and debunks a lot of the myths that I have taken for truths all of my life. And it really details how society has 'criminalized' fat people in almost every facet of life. I wish everyone, regardless of shape or size, would read this book!“In the United States, anti-fatness is the rule, not the exception.”
“For fat people, the biggest barrier to health may be pervasive anti-fatness.”
“Anti-fat discrimination is real, it deeply harms fat people, and it operates at alarming…
dricco's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2023
Comment:
"Long ago, the forest was dark and deep."
So begins this little book. It's a quick read, but incredibly illustrated and carries a good message! Still, I would have liked to see what was chained up box on the wagon! Guess it'll remain... a mystery!"Long ago, the forest was dark and deep."
So begins this little book. It's a quick read, but incredibly illustrated and carries a good message! Still, I would have liked to see what was chained up box on the wagon! Guess it'll remain... a…
Leave the Gun, Take the CannoliLeave the Gun, Take the Cannoli, BookThe Epic Story of the Making of the Godfather
by Seal, MarkBook - 2021Book, 2021
dricco's rating:
Added Nov 19, 2023
Comment:
“the moviemakers and the mob”
2 hours and 56 minutes of pure heaven for me! I absolutely love "The Godfather" and was eager to learn more about it! But this book is really focused on the business of the film industry as it related to getting this film to the big screen... The book doesn’t get to Coppola until page 101! Robert Evans seem to get more time in here than him! So, for the most part, I wasn't a fan of this. I did like the stories about Sicily, and the actual, actual shooting of the film. But those were small parts of an otherwise fuh-gedda-aboudit read.
“I believe in America.”
- Amerigo Bonasera“the moviemakers and the mob”
2 hours and 56 minutes of pure heaven for me! I absolutely love "The Godfather" and was eager to learn more about it! But this book is really focused on the business of the film industry as it related to getting this…
dricco's rating:
Added Nov 19, 2023
Comment:
A wonderful read from a local author, who resides right here in Novato!
“This will keep the monkey off your back, because being a man is more than a notion.”
‘This’ being a peach seed monkey. A tradition in Fletcher Duke’s family, a family that traces back all the way to Senegal, 1796. A family filled with love, loss, and all of the thorns and thistles that all families have.
This book is so good! The Duke's family is like all families, with all of the trials and tribulations that a family has. I was totally riveted to their story and found it to be quite the page turner! And that peach seed monkey tradition just resonated so deeply with me. I wish my family had something amazing like that....
“prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child “
“being a man is more than a notion”A wonderful read from a local author, who resides right here in Novato!
“This will keep the monkey off your back, because being a man is more than a notion.”
‘This’ being a peach seed monkey. A tradition in Fletcher Duke’s family, a family that…
Comment: