More of My Book Reviews!

Want to read more book reviews by yours truly?

I’m a part-time reviewer at the wonderful Me, My Shelf, And I!

Check out these reviews I’ve already written:

• One by Leigh Ann Kopans
• Silver-White by Shawn Underhill
• MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza
• Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody
• Can You Survive? Bram Stoker’s Dracula by Ryan Jacobson
  

 

Follow all of my reviews and posts (past, present, and future) on MMSAI using the label/tag Katie!

Movie Review: Hick

Title:  Hick
Rated:  R
Director:  Derick Martini
Writer:  Andrea Portes
Stars:  Chlöe Grace Moretz, Blake Lively, Eddie Readmayne
Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis:  Tired of life with her drunken parents, 13-year old Luli (Chlöe Grace Moretz) starts a hitchhiking adventure from small town Nebraska to Las Vegas. Along her way she meets Eddie (Eddie Readmayne), a former rodeo cowboy with dangerous charm, and Glenda (Blake Lively), a coke snorting grifter with lots of advice. But the road to Vegas isn’t as glamorous as her TV led her to think. Luli finds herself in one bad situation after another on the road in this coming-of-age story.

My Thoughts:  The driving force of this film is the phenomenal acting. The whole reason I picked this up is because I love Chlöe Grace Moretz on screen. She hasn’t done anything I haven’t liked, that I’ve seen at the time of writing this anyway. Blake Lively, who I’ve been pretty lukewarm up to this point, surprised me with this role and her portrayal. Then there’s Eddie Readmayne. He’s British! Not once during the film did he sound anything other than a Texan (or from some southwestern state). Usually I can pick up on ‘false’ accents, but not this time. Other great appearances include:  Juliette Lewis, Rory Culkin, Alec Baldwin, Anson Mount, and Ray McKinnon.

Chlöe and Blake escaping a bad situation

As for the plot, it’s meanders a bit. I like a story that doesn’t feel forced, so this worked for me. Luli wasn’t completely sure how she was going to get to Las Vegas, and her voyage reflected that. It’s also a story that doesn’t have a clear moral or message. Portes and Martini let the viewer take what they get out of the story. I really like this format, but I know it’s not for everybody.

While I really liked the film, there were a couple of holes. First, Luli has a loaded gun with her. Yet she never brandishes it, even though there are plenty situations that would warrant it. Second, she has a wad of cash. After the first or second rough situation, why wouldn’t Luli just buy a bus ticket? This is a character who had enough forethought to create a pros and cons list of going to Las Vegas, where the cons column had “might die.” She knew the possibility, and I’m not sure if her need for love would overtake her survival instinct honed by years of self-raising.

But if she dies in Las Vegas, maybe she'll end up on CSI? Insta-fame!

Overall, I highly enjoyed watching this film. I can easily see myself re-watching in the future. This is a film not quite like anything else I’ve ever seen. If you like indie films or what you’ve read here, I recommend checking it out. If you’re unsure, Redbox has it! And don't forget to check out the novel it's based on, also titled Hick and written by Andrea Portes

Have you seen Hick? What were your thoughts? Do you share my love of Chlöe Grace Moretz films? Tell me in the comments below!

Book Review: Dead(ish) by Naomi Kramer

Title: Dead(ish)

Author:  Naomi Kramer

Rating:  2 Stars

Genre:  Humor, paranormal

Synopsis:  Linda is dead. Well, mostly. She didn’t go to the great beyond, or whatever is supposed to happen when someone dies. She’s stuck as a ghost. And until she figures out how to move on, Linda will make every second count by pranking the man who killed her—Mike, her boyfriend.

My Thoughts:  The cover hooked me. It’s so cutesy dark that I thought “I have to read this!” But make no mistake, that young adult style cover is misleading. Dead(ish) is an adult novel.

I really enjoyed the premise of this story. Linda pulls some hilarious pranks, like turning Mike’s skin orange. She also hires a private detective, Trent, to find her murdered body to try and find closure. The pranks and Linda’s relationship with the other characters are by far my favorite parts of this story.

My problems start with the fact that there is no setting. We are told in vague terms where we are, like “apartment” or “veranda,” but offered no details. When something changed in the environment, it didn’t feel significant, as that was the only detail I’ve seen. Kramer had many locations where physical details would have pulled me into the scene and deepened the story.

I also wasn’t sure who the characters were speaking to at times. Eventually it became clear that most of them were speaking to the reader. However, the story doesn’t start that way. It starts with characters talking to each other. I was confused when the fourth wall was broken. What is the situation that I am now part of this story? That question is sort of addressed with Linda thanking the reader for listening, but never fully answered.


Dead(ish) was a quick read (that only took me about an hour), consumed in between events during a busy day. I found it on the Kindle store for free. The premise was entertaining enough to keep me reading, but I probably will not read the sequel, (technically) Dead.

Find Naomi Kramer online:  website

Book Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Title:  Ready Player One

Author:  Ernest Cline

Rating: 5 Stars

Genre: Science fiction, dystopia

Synopsis:

Orphaned Wade Watts lives with his uncaring aunt in the Stacks, apartment complexes created from piled up trailer homes. Living in poverty and fear of his aunt’s current boyfriend isn’t too great, but there is one place he excels, the Oasis. Originally created as an online virtual reality game, OASIS has become everything—school, shopping, dating, work. And it could be Wade’s way out of poverty. Before dying, the creator of OASIS left a series of 80s themed puzzles hidden in the virtual world. Whoever solves these puzzles earns his estate. Will Wade make it to the Easter egg first? Or will he be outdone by his competitors or the creator’s rival tech company?

My thoughts:

I was hooked within the first three pages when I read references to Heathers, John Hughes, Space Invaders, and Oingo Boingo’s "Dead Man’s Party." While I may not have grown up in the 80s, I did begin my 80s love affair during early high school. I absolutely loved all of the pop culture drops—even the ones that weren’t familiar to me. That’s just more I get to discover. But what about those who don’t fawn over the 80s? Don’t worry! All of the references essential to the plot are explained. Those that don’t impact the plot are easily skimmed over, or if you’re curious, easy to find in a quick internet search.




While the nerdy references are what brought me in, the great story telling is what kept me reading. Cline creates a wonderfully vivid virtual reality. Different planets serve different purposes. One planet is filled with schools. Another is a cyberpunk cityscape populated with roughnecks and dance clubs. The real world setting feels like a plausible future. Within this world, the ramifications of technology and social issues are explored: anonymity, personas and identity, obesity, fraud, ownership, online friendships, and tons more.

Ready Player One has become one of my favorite reads this year. I will definitely be rereading this one in the future and discussing it with friends. Talking about this book has been almost as fun as reading it. I attended a local public book club, Books and Bars, where we discussed Ready Player One, and played Robotron. The group’s reaction was positive, with most rating high stars. As one participant put it, Ready Player One is a “nostalgic glitterbomb.” I fully agree with this description.

Photo by Dan Winters

Find Ernest Cline online:  Website  IMDB

What pop culture reference would immediately pull you into a book? Tell me in the comments below.