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LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Soul (2020) in Movies
Jan 1, 2021
The second Pixar effort of 2020 is nothing short of excellent. Soul is a wonderful experience from start to finish, dealing with abstract ideas in a touching way, and boasting some of the finest animation out there.
When compared to older Pixar efforts, it's easy to see just how far this sort of thing has come. Soul manages to look photo realistic, despite the cartoony designs of the human characters. It has matured in other ways too - where these films used to be kid friendly adventures with a message lurking within, that's not quite the case anymore. The themes in Soul are very much for an older audience, and sure, there are talking cats and colourful visuals in The Great Before to keep younger viewers involved, but the narrative here focuses on how one can feel like their life is wasted sometimes, how it's easy to feel lost in such a big world, and the acceptance of death. With heavy subject matters at the forefront, the frequently heart-warming and funny screenplay results in an story that is expertly crafted to hit all the right emotional buttons, whilst still being fun, and full of awesome jazz.
Director Pete Docter is of course the man behind Up, Inside Out and Monsters Inc. so it's no surprise that his fourth Pixar feature is one that can stand tall next to those greats. A fantastic voice cast including Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Richard Ayoade, Anglea Bassett, Phylicia Rashad, and Rachel House among others, adds the remaining ingredients to ensure that Soul is another magnificent string in Pixar's bow, and is an essential watch.
When compared to older Pixar efforts, it's easy to see just how far this sort of thing has come. Soul manages to look photo realistic, despite the cartoony designs of the human characters. It has matured in other ways too - where these films used to be kid friendly adventures with a message lurking within, that's not quite the case anymore. The themes in Soul are very much for an older audience, and sure, there are talking cats and colourful visuals in The Great Before to keep younger viewers involved, but the narrative here focuses on how one can feel like their life is wasted sometimes, how it's easy to feel lost in such a big world, and the acceptance of death. With heavy subject matters at the forefront, the frequently heart-warming and funny screenplay results in an story that is expertly crafted to hit all the right emotional buttons, whilst still being fun, and full of awesome jazz.
Director Pete Docter is of course the man behind Up, Inside Out and Monsters Inc. so it's no surprise that his fourth Pixar feature is one that can stand tall next to those greats. A fantastic voice cast including Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Richard Ayoade, Anglea Bassett, Phylicia Rashad, and Rachel House among others, adds the remaining ingredients to ensure that Soul is another magnificent string in Pixar's bow, and is an essential watch.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The Alchemist and an Amaretto (Guild Codex: Spellbound, #5) in Books
Jan 8, 2021
This starts with a paintball fight as the Crow and Hammer guild go against each other in an equal parts fun and training game. Afterwards our four main characters head back to the bar where the guild is based and discuss their plans for Christmas and it's decided they should all head to Aaron's parents house/guild/school for the holidays. Only things aren't quite as safe and secure as they seem at the school.
I do love these four people: Tori, Aaron, Kai and Ezra. They've grown into a tight-knit group over the previous books and I am really invested in their adventures - and their romances. Tori had previously dated Aaron but it didn't really last long and now she's realising her feelings for Ezra are a lot more than just friendship and she will do just about anything to save him from his inner demon. I'm very intrigued to see where that will end up going because he's always been the shy, sweet but deadly one.
As for the story of this one with the mutated shapeshifters. I kinda figured out who the bad guy was from pretty early on though I was a little surprised by just quite how deranged he ended up being.
It did surprise me by finishing at the 85% mark. I don't know what I was expecting since the story had wrapped up by that point. I think I was disappointed that I didn't have more to read of this group of friends. Since i got this from the KU library, I'm going to grab some more of the series soon.
I do love these four people: Tori, Aaron, Kai and Ezra. They've grown into a tight-knit group over the previous books and I am really invested in their adventures - and their romances. Tori had previously dated Aaron but it didn't really last long and now she's realising her feelings for Ezra are a lot more than just friendship and she will do just about anything to save him from his inner demon. I'm very intrigued to see where that will end up going because he's always been the shy, sweet but deadly one.
As for the story of this one with the mutated shapeshifters. I kinda figured out who the bad guy was from pretty early on though I was a little surprised by just quite how deranged he ended up being.
It did surprise me by finishing at the 85% mark. I don't know what I was expecting since the story had wrapped up by that point. I think I was disappointed that I didn't have more to read of this group of friends. Since i got this from the KU library, I'm going to grab some more of the series soon.
ClareR (5726 KP) rated The City of Tears (The Burning Chambers #2) in Books
Feb 6, 2021
The story of Minou and Piet continues, starting with their idyllic lives in Puivert: Minou is the chatelaine, and Piet has returned from fighting for the Huguenot cause. They have two children: Marta, a precocious little girl, and their baby son Jean-Jacques. As a family they decide to travel to Paris for the wedding of the Catholic Marguerite de Valois (the King’s sister) and the Protestant Henri of Navarre (the first Bourbon King of France - and I never know whether to think of the biscuit or the drink whenever I hear the word ‘Bourbon’ 🤷🏼♀️). Their union is hoped to end the religious wars in France.
But of course nothing goes to plan. Cardinal Valentin is there in his role as the Duke of Guise’s confessor, and he’s out for revenge. The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre tears Minou and Piet’s family apart so that it is forever changed.
I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that Minou and Piet end up in Amsterdam. In Amsterdam their is a peaceful change in power from Catholic to Protestant. It’s interesting to see how their lives change, and how they are able to live in relative peace and cooperation with their Catholic friends and neighbours. It’s no less exciting than The Burning Chambers though. The family’s adventures take them back to France and in to more danger.
I loved all of the historical detail, and the thoughts and beliefs around religion at this time - and I cannot wait to read the next TWO books in this series! I’m hooked!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for this serialisation - it was outstanding!
But of course nothing goes to plan. Cardinal Valentin is there in his role as the Duke of Guise’s confessor, and he’s out for revenge. The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre tears Minou and Piet’s family apart so that it is forever changed.
I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that Minou and Piet end up in Amsterdam. In Amsterdam their is a peaceful change in power from Catholic to Protestant. It’s interesting to see how their lives change, and how they are able to live in relative peace and cooperation with their Catholic friends and neighbours. It’s no less exciting than The Burning Chambers though. The family’s adventures take them back to France and in to more danger.
I loved all of the historical detail, and the thoughts and beliefs around religion at this time - and I cannot wait to read the next TWO books in this series! I’m hooked!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for this serialisation - it was outstanding!
BookInspector (124 KP) rated 44 Tiny Secrets in Books
Sep 24, 2020 (Updated Jan 26, 2021)
The protagonist in this book is Betsy, and this book is told from a single perspective. Betsy’s parents are very well known pianists, hoping that Betsy inherited their talent but no matter how much she tries, she can not play the piano well. I feel very sorry for Betsy, she is so eager to please her parents, and she stresses out so much when she fails. 😦 I really didn’t like Betsy’s mother, she seems heartless and blind, seeking a trophy child rather than a real child with its fears and flaws.
The narrative feels pretty slow, to be honest. I think the whole idea was not fully utilised. The book concentrated more on pleasing and inner thoughts, missing what children really like, funny situations, the more of them, the better. 😀 That is why this book has a little depressing atmosphere.
The writing style was enjoyable, and I liked the way the book was designed. It is quite spaced out, and the colourful illustrations are superb. The chapters were too long for my liking and I did feel a little bored. The ending rounded the story nicely, but I hope in the next part of series there will be more surprises and adventures.
So, to conclude, it is a story about a wish to please and impress. Some of the characters annoyed me with their high expectations, but sometimes that is what adults do to children not even realising it. I liked what this story has to offer, but I was expecting more… But it is only my humble opinion, please do give this book a go, and I hope you will like it more.
The narrative feels pretty slow, to be honest. I think the whole idea was not fully utilised. The book concentrated more on pleasing and inner thoughts, missing what children really like, funny situations, the more of them, the better. 😀 That is why this book has a little depressing atmosphere.
The writing style was enjoyable, and I liked the way the book was designed. It is quite spaced out, and the colourful illustrations are superb. The chapters were too long for my liking and I did feel a little bored. The ending rounded the story nicely, but I hope in the next part of series there will be more surprises and adventures.
So, to conclude, it is a story about a wish to please and impress. Some of the characters annoyed me with their high expectations, but sometimes that is what adults do to children not even realising it. I liked what this story has to offer, but I was expecting more… But it is only my humble opinion, please do give this book a go, and I hope you will like it more.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Wife in Books
Sep 9, 2020
Their 10th wedding anniversary should be something to celebrate. Why does Zoe only feel dread?
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
After reading the synopsis of The Wife by Shalini Boland, I knew I wanted to read it. A bride faints on her wedding day while getting ready. She wakes to a massive headache and no memory of fainting or what led up to it. Everyone said she must have been overcome with emotion, but nothing felt right afterward. Fast forward ten years and Zoe is planning an anniversary party. As the anniversary draws closer, the people around her are acting strangely. If she finds out what happened during the missing time, will it ruin the life she built?
I know, right? Sound good, doesn't it? Well, when I started reading it, I was disappointed. I thought I had everything figured out but was still enjoying the story. Then, wait, what? The story becomes intriguing and pulls you in and does not let go. It is not the fluffy and straightforward story I thought it was. It is a thriller worth reading.
Although Boland herself says she writes "suspense thrillers and dark adventures," I had not read any of her work previously. Her novels are rated around four stars on Goodreads, and I will be reading more of her work soon.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/9/20.
After reading the synopsis of The Wife by Shalini Boland, I knew I wanted to read it. A bride faints on her wedding day while getting ready. She wakes to a massive headache and no memory of fainting or what led up to it. Everyone said she must have been overcome with emotion, but nothing felt right afterward. Fast forward ten years and Zoe is planning an anniversary party. As the anniversary draws closer, the people around her are acting strangely. If she finds out what happened during the missing time, will it ruin the life she built?
I know, right? Sound good, doesn't it? Well, when I started reading it, I was disappointed. I thought I had everything figured out but was still enjoying the story. Then, wait, what? The story becomes intriguing and pulls you in and does not let go. It is not the fluffy and straightforward story I thought it was. It is a thriller worth reading.
Although Boland herself says she writes "suspense thrillers and dark adventures," I had not read any of her work previously. Her novels are rated around four stars on Goodreads, and I will be reading more of her work soon.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/9/20.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) in Movies
Aug 19, 2019
Brad drives while Leo coughs: The Movie.
350. Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood. A movie that answers the big questions like: What is Brad Pitt's driving skills like? Or, what does Leonardo Dicaprio look like hacking up a lung? They will be answered because a large portion of this three hour long movie is dedicated to just that. Brad Pitt driving by himself listening to the popular tunes of the late 60's, Brad Pitt driving Leo around while Leo hacks up a lung from smoking and drinking, and Brad Pitt driving while flirting with one of the Manson girls he just happens to keep running into... OK with that out of the way, its a really cool movie, cool concept and of course great acting, writing and directing. Has the Tarantino signature, multiple separate storylines coming into one explosive finale... Basically its the story of a down on his luck actor, Rick Dalton, and his stunt double/bestie, Cliff Booth, and as I said earlier, Cliff drives a lot because his bestie Rick has racked up quite a few DUI's so... and at the same time... we have Rick's new neighbors on Cielo Drive, the Polanski's, Sharon Tate coming into her own stardom and enjoying life, and we also have Cliff's solo driving adventures where he picks up a Manson girl hitching and meets the rest of the family on the ranch, all leading up to the events of August 9, 1969. A pretty sweet ride, I think its the least violent of all Tarantino's movies, but don't worry there's a bit of bloodiness thrown in to make you say, 'there it is'! Filmbufftim on FB
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