I have seen Kiss the Girls several times since it first came out to rent. I had it on VHS and I now have it on DVD. I have also read the book by James Patterson that the movie is based on. I really enjoy the movie and think it is worth watching.
Police detective and psychologist Alex Cross travels to Durham, North Carolina after he niece goes missing. It turns out that several young women have vanished in the area and the local cops are basically clueless. Soon after Alex arrives, Kate, a young doctor, is taken from her home by a man who calls himself Casanova. Kate is able to escape and she ends up working with Alex to find the other women and stop Casanova.
I did read the book before seeing the movie originally. It has been a long time since I last read the book, but from what I remember, the movie stays fairly close to the book. The book is actually the second to feature the character of Alex. The first book, Along Came a Spider, has also been turned into a movie, but it was done after this one. I have lost track of how many Alex Cross books there are. I gave up reading them several years ago.
I do think that Kiss the Girls has a decent mystery. There is some suspense to several scenes. The subject, dealing with women being abducted and held against their will, is a bit upsetting. The book goes into way more details about what is done to the women. Some of the things are just hinted at in the movie. Violence does turn up in some scenes, like when Kate is attacked and taken. Some of what happens may be disturbing to some viewers.
The characters in Kiss the Girls are interesting, though several of them aren’t that developed. Alex is likable and Morgan Freeman does well with the part, though I did picture Alex younger when I read the book. Kate is a very strong, determined woman and I did think that Ashley Judd did well with the part. If I remember right, this was one of her first big parts. Casanova is just seen in shadows and wearing a mask for much of the movie. He is heard speaking, and he has a creepy voice.
The DVD that I have of Kiss the Girls doesn’t have any extras. I don’t know if there is another version with extras. I also don’t know if the movie has been released on Blu-ray.
Kiss the Girls has a few issues, but it works well overall as a decent suspense thriller. Fans of Morgan Freeman should check it out.
I did get a review posted on Epinions.
Kiss the Girls
Showing posts with label Mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mystery. Show all posts
Friday, December 3, 2010
Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb
I continue to pick up the new In Death books by J.D. Robb when they come out. The series is now up to 31 books. The series is set in the future in New York City and follows homicide detective Eve Dallas on her various investigations. Things tied to her personal life, like her marriage to Roarke, also turn up. I just finished Indulgence in Death, the newest book.
Eve and Roarke are celebrating their second anniversary with a trip to Ireland when the book begins. Unfortunately, Eve can’t avoid death even on vacation since a dead body is found. She doesn’t investigate, but she does offer some help since the local cops aren’t very experienced with murder investigations. Once back home, Eve quickly gets a new murder case that is a bit odd. The first murder is followed by others that are also at least somewhat bizarre.
Indulgence in Death follows the murder investigations. It doesn’t take Eve long to tied the murders together since there are similarities. The mystery is interesting, though some of the previous books in the series have had stronger mysteries. Some violence pops up every so often, but the book isn’t as violent as many of the previous books have been. The plot is interesting and very entertaining. People who have enjoyed the previous books in the series will more than likely enjoy this one as well.
Since this is the thirty first book in a series, the characters are very well developed by this point. The main story does stand alone very well, but there are a few references back to events from earlier books. One case in particular is mentioned several times, mostly because a book about it has just been released. I do think it is best to read these books in order so that everything will make the most sense.
J.D. Robb is Nora Roberts, so people who like books by Nora Roberts may also like the In Death series. The mystery tends to be stronger in the In Death books and they are more violent at times.
Indulgence in Death is another very entertaining book in the In Death series. Fans of the series should definitely pick it up.
I did get a review posted on Epinions.
Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb
Eve and Roarke are celebrating their second anniversary with a trip to Ireland when the book begins. Unfortunately, Eve can’t avoid death even on vacation since a dead body is found. She doesn’t investigate, but she does offer some help since the local cops aren’t very experienced with murder investigations. Once back home, Eve quickly gets a new murder case that is a bit odd. The first murder is followed by others that are also at least somewhat bizarre.
Indulgence in Death follows the murder investigations. It doesn’t take Eve long to tied the murders together since there are similarities. The mystery is interesting, though some of the previous books in the series have had stronger mysteries. Some violence pops up every so often, but the book isn’t as violent as many of the previous books have been. The plot is interesting and very entertaining. People who have enjoyed the previous books in the series will more than likely enjoy this one as well.
Since this is the thirty first book in a series, the characters are very well developed by this point. The main story does stand alone very well, but there are a few references back to events from earlier books. One case in particular is mentioned several times, mostly because a book about it has just been released. I do think it is best to read these books in order so that everything will make the most sense.
J.D. Robb is Nora Roberts, so people who like books by Nora Roberts may also like the In Death series. The mystery tends to be stronger in the In Death books and they are more violent at times.
Indulgence in Death is another very entertaining book in the In Death series. Fans of the series should definitely pick it up.
I did get a review posted on Epinions.
Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Naked Heat by Richard Castle
Naked Heat is the second book by Richard Castle featuring the character of Nikki Heat. This book, along with Heat Wave, are a bit unique because they are closely tied to the tv show Castle. Richard Castle is actually one of the main characters on the show. After meeting detective Kate Beckett during an investigation, Rick decides to base a new character on her and gets to tag along on her cases. So far in the show and real life, two books have been released.
The main characters in Naked Heat and Heat Wave are definitely versions of the characters in Castle and some of the situations from the books have been pulled from the episodes of the show as well. I love that aspect of the book and think it makes it more entertaining.
Naked Heat picks up a few months after the first book ended. Nikki and Jameson Rook, the reporter who followed her around to write an article, haven’t seen each other in a while. Nikki is less than pleased with the article and that is why she ends the relationship they had started. Nikki starts investigating the murder of a gossip columnist and Jameson is involved because he was working on an article about her. Jameson convinces Nikki to let him work with her again. While working on the case, they also deal with their issues.
The main focus of Naked Heat is the murder investigation. The mystery in the book is interesting even though it could be a tad stronger. There is a bit of suspense in some scenes and while a few things that happen are predictable, there are surprises as well. Since the victim isn’t that well liked, there are a lot of suspects at first. The case ends up a bit more complicated as more things happen.
Nikki and Jameson are the main characters in Naked Heat. They are clearly versions of Kate and Rick from Castle. They are likable, interesting characters and I really enjoy reading about them. Some of the other characters have also been based on characters from the show. There isn’t a version of Alexis though. Several other minor characters turn up over the course of the book through the investigation.
Naked Heat is a very entertaining book that is worth reading, especially for fans of Castle.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Naked Heat
The main characters in Naked Heat and Heat Wave are definitely versions of the characters in Castle and some of the situations from the books have been pulled from the episodes of the show as well. I love that aspect of the book and think it makes it more entertaining.
Naked Heat picks up a few months after the first book ended. Nikki and Jameson Rook, the reporter who followed her around to write an article, haven’t seen each other in a while. Nikki is less than pleased with the article and that is why she ends the relationship they had started. Nikki starts investigating the murder of a gossip columnist and Jameson is involved because he was working on an article about her. Jameson convinces Nikki to let him work with her again. While working on the case, they also deal with their issues.
The main focus of Naked Heat is the murder investigation. The mystery in the book is interesting even though it could be a tad stronger. There is a bit of suspense in some scenes and while a few things that happen are predictable, there are surprises as well. Since the victim isn’t that well liked, there are a lot of suspects at first. The case ends up a bit more complicated as more things happen.
Nikki and Jameson are the main characters in Naked Heat. They are clearly versions of Kate and Rick from Castle. They are likable, interesting characters and I really enjoy reading about them. Some of the other characters have also been based on characters from the show. There isn’t a version of Alexis though. Several other minor characters turn up over the course of the book through the investigation.
Naked Heat is a very entertaining book that is worth reading, especially for fans of Castle.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Naked Heat
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Veronica Mars - The Complete First Season
Veronica Mars is a television show that I've heard about for years before finally watching it. I had read a few positive reviews of the seasons on Epinions. In the last few years, I've heard more about how good the show is on a movie board I joined. Earlier this year, I tracked down some episodes online. I really enjoyed them and decided that I wanted the DVD sets. I tracked down a sale and got all three seasons.
Veronica Mars is a wonderful show about a teenager, Veronica Mars, who works with her father Keith in his detective agency. Even though the main character is a teenager and much of what happens is tied to high school in some way, this show isn't just for teenagers. I actually think it is more for adults than teenagers because of the different subject matters that pop up every so often. The show is set in Neptune, a fictional southern California town.
Most of the episodes have a mystery of some sort that Veronica works on and solves by the end of the episode. The season also has a few season long mysteries that Veronica is trying to solve. The main one involves the murder of her best friend, Lilly Kane. Keith was the sheriff at the time of the murder. People in Neptune, especially the Kane family, weren't happy with how he handled the investigation and it wasn't long before he was recalled. After that, Veronica lost her popular friends at school, they had to move to a small apartment, and Keith's wife left. Someone was arrested, but Veronica doesn't believe he is the killer, so she does her own investigating. She is also trying to find her mother during the season. The mystery elements work very well to the make episodes entertaining. Time is also taken to deal with other issues Veronica has, like with her friends and love life.
The characters are all interesting, though not all likable. A few of them are jerks, but that works for what is going on. None of the characters are all good or all bad, which makes them more believable. Even Veronica has some flaws. Kristen Bell is wonderful in the part. The rest of the cast does well with their parts too.
I'm very glad that I decided to start watching Veronica Mars. I loved the first season and will probably start on the second season before long. It is too bad that such a good show was canceled after only three seasons, though it is probably lucky that the show had the chance to last that long. I have a feeling if it had been on a different network, it may not have lasted as long as it did.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Veronica Mars - The Complete First Season
Veronica Mars is a wonderful show about a teenager, Veronica Mars, who works with her father Keith in his detective agency. Even though the main character is a teenager and much of what happens is tied to high school in some way, this show isn't just for teenagers. I actually think it is more for adults than teenagers because of the different subject matters that pop up every so often. The show is set in Neptune, a fictional southern California town.
Most of the episodes have a mystery of some sort that Veronica works on and solves by the end of the episode. The season also has a few season long mysteries that Veronica is trying to solve. The main one involves the murder of her best friend, Lilly Kane. Keith was the sheriff at the time of the murder. People in Neptune, especially the Kane family, weren't happy with how he handled the investigation and it wasn't long before he was recalled. After that, Veronica lost her popular friends at school, they had to move to a small apartment, and Keith's wife left. Someone was arrested, but Veronica doesn't believe he is the killer, so she does her own investigating. She is also trying to find her mother during the season. The mystery elements work very well to the make episodes entertaining. Time is also taken to deal with other issues Veronica has, like with her friends and love life.
The characters are all interesting, though not all likable. A few of them are jerks, but that works for what is going on. None of the characters are all good or all bad, which makes them more believable. Even Veronica has some flaws. Kristen Bell is wonderful in the part. The rest of the cast does well with their parts too.
I'm very glad that I decided to start watching Veronica Mars. I loved the first season and will probably start on the second season before long. It is too bad that such a good show was canceled after only three seasons, though it is probably lucky that the show had the chance to last that long. I have a feeling if it had been on a different network, it may not have lasted as long as it did.
I did get a longer review posted on Epinions.
Veronica Mars - The Complete First Season
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Shutter Island
I went to see Shutter Island recently. I was intrigued by the trailers I saw, though I wasn't completely sure I wanted to see the movie. I'm glad I ultimately decided to see it. I do think it is a very good movie and it may end up being one of the best movies released in 2010.
The movie is based on the book by Dennis Lehane. I haven't read the book, though I am thinking about it now. I don't know first hand how close the movie stays to the book, but I have heard that it is very close. I know of at least one person that thinks the movie is too much like the book. Even without having read the book, I still thought a few things were a bit predictable and I did figure out something very early. Despite that, I still really enjoyed the movie. I may even pick up the DVD once it is released.
Shutter Island has a very creepy atmosphere and vibe. That comes across in the previews I've seen and I even thought that the movie might be more of a scary movie from the previews. There is suspense to what is going on, but I don't think the movie is scary. The pace is a bit slower, but that allows for enough time to properly introduce the characters and situations while also slowing building the tension. There is some mystery to what is going that helps to make the movie more interesting and entertaining. I think the cast does a wonderful job with the parts, especially Leonardo DiCaprio.
I do think a few things could have been handled a little better, but Shutter Island is very well done and a wonderful movie that is worth seeing.
I did post a longer review of Shutter Island on Epinions. I would have rated the movie 4.5 stars there if I had the option. Since I didn't, I decided to round to 5.
The movie is based on the book by Dennis Lehane. I haven't read the book, though I am thinking about it now. I don't know first hand how close the movie stays to the book, but I have heard that it is very close. I know of at least one person that thinks the movie is too much like the book. Even without having read the book, I still thought a few things were a bit predictable and I did figure out something very early. Despite that, I still really enjoyed the movie. I may even pick up the DVD once it is released.
Shutter Island has a very creepy atmosphere and vibe. That comes across in the previews I've seen and I even thought that the movie might be more of a scary movie from the previews. There is suspense to what is going on, but I don't think the movie is scary. The pace is a bit slower, but that allows for enough time to properly introduce the characters and situations while also slowing building the tension. There is some mystery to what is going that helps to make the movie more interesting and entertaining. I think the cast does a wonderful job with the parts, especially Leonardo DiCaprio.
I do think a few things could have been handled a little better, but Shutter Island is very well done and a wonderful movie that is worth seeing.
I did post a longer review of Shutter Island on Epinions. I would have rated the movie 4.5 stars there if I had the option. Since I didn't, I decided to round to 5.
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