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Sneak a peek at the Southern fiction/mystery novel ALFIE CARTER by BJ Mayo on my blog, and enter the giveaway to win your own signed copy of the book - 3 winners!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2021/02/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-alfie.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
The seemingly never-ending Cabinda War (1975—) has left multitudes dead in its wake and thousands of children homeless and orphaned.

Jackaleena N’denga, a young Angolan girl, has become the sole survivor of one specifically brutal village massacre carried out by a band of guerrilla boy-soldiers.

Jackaleena’s resilience leads her to an orphanage on the west coast of Africa, known as Benguela by the Sea, where she and other children are taken in and protected. Her brilliant mind and endless questions capture the heart of her mentor, Margaret, who ensures her that her survival thus far—especially being the survivor from her village—must mean she has big things ahead of her. When the opportunity arises, she must find her purpose.

Not without a plan, Jackaleena stows away on a mercy ship that has made its yearly visit to the orphanage and is now preparing to return to America. Her journey takes her across the ocean, into the arms of New York City's customs officials, and finally into placement in a temporary foster home in Texas.

Enter Alfie Carter—a workaholic, small-town detective who is also battling memories of his past. His life is forever changed when he meets a young African girl looking for her higher purpose.

Kudos Comment

Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated The Battle of Algiers (1966) in Movies

Jan 28, 2021

The Battle of Algiers (1966)

1966 | Classics, Drama, War

7.4

(8 Ratings)

Movie Rating

This film-maker was unknown to me entirely before I decided to watch this film. In fact, I had only heard of the film itself quite recently from seeing it mentioned as one of the best films in the genre as a commentary on political insurgency and civil unrest. It is so well regarded that even the US military used it to prepare troops for entering Iraq. The main actors are largely unknown and many of the supporting cast and extras are not actors at all. The camera is allowed to wander and wobble, and such is the feel of random chaos at times you’d be forgiven for thinking this was a documentary. Nominated for 3 Oscars, and faultless in achieving its goal of humanising both sides of an argument, you can see the influence on Oliver Stone and Paul Greengrass, to name but two better known directors with a political edge.

It’s not a film I would feel the need to go back to, unless demonstrating to someone how to make something staged feel entirely real. I admire this film very much, but wouldn’t exactly call it entertaining or even rewarding as a story. Its purpose is to reinforce the tragedy of a people facing oppression and to realise the lengths both sides will go to in protecting their ideals and relative freedoms. The excellent hand held photography and score by the always inspirational Ennio Moricone are other reasons to watch it. As a history lesson of North Africa post WWII it also has a lot to offer.

Kudos

Andy K (10823 KP) rated Bakjwi (Thirst) (2009) in Movies

Oct 4, 2019

Bakjwi (Thirst) (2009)

2009 | Drama, Horror, International

8.5

(2 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Best vampire priest film ever!

The director of Oldboy brings you his own unique spin on the vampire film. A priest is assisting victims of a plague in Africa when he becomes afflicted with a unique illness he can't initially identify.

The moral Christian values slowly start to change as his lust for blood and sex consume him. He must continually inject the rose colored ambrosia to stave off boils from covering his entire body. He begins an affair with a married woman unbeknownst to her family or husband. Her lust and passion are fulfilled as well since she is unhappy with her husband and her marriage.

The priest is constantly torn between his former religious believes and his current immoral desires which are consuming him. His relationships evolve as he can now relieve the suffering of those who want to end their lives while assisting to maintain his own.

Will his desires or his new romance get the best of him?

Watched this as part of my October horror-a-thon, and was not disappointed. The concept for the film is completely unique in a good way and is assisted by pristine, sets, camera work and lighting. Some of the imagery will certainly catch your attention as something you have not seen before and the plot will keep you guessing.

The 135 minute running time did seem to drag a bit toward the middle of the film, but it gains traction and motors through the last hour rather quickly.

I really liked this one.