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Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Blinded by the Light (2019) in Movies
Jul 10, 2019
One of the joys of having a cinema card are the previews, because you chose to pay monthly or yearly for unlimited films you get to see some films early, this can be anything from a day to a month. Then there are the secret films, a preview that can be a few months early but you only find out what you are seeing when the certificate card comes up. This is how I came to see Blinded by the Light. As the title came up I dug through my memory to see if I'd seen any trailers, I thought I had but couldn't remember anything about it. Five people left cinema so there must have been some trailers but people leaving doesn't really tell you much, there's always some one who leaves and it's better than the people who stay and mumble about how rubbish it is. After the title came the words ‘Inspired by real events.’ Which still doesn't give to much away, it could be an over the top farce like ‘I Tonya', a black comedy like ‘Three Billboards’ or a dull trudge like ‘The Post'.
It turns out that 'Blinded by the Light' is not really any of these, it's more of a 'slice of life' it the slice is a couple of years. The film centres on Javed, a Pakistani teen living in Luton, England in the late 1980s. Javed has written diaries and poems for most of his life but, due to his family life he has always kept them to himself. Not long after starting his A levels Javed is introduced to the music of Bruce Springsteen and finds that the lyrics speak to him in a way he's never felt before.
Blinded by the Light is a film about family, friends and finding your place. Javed starts off as a quiet, bookish character who, thanks to the people around him and his growing love of Bruce Springsteen records manages to find himself. However, this change leaded to problems as he clash’s with family and friends.
Being set in 80s and being about a Pakistani family the film also touches on the problem of racism and, from the clips I remembered from the trailer I found myself wondering if it was going to erupt into violence in the style of films like 'Made in England'. However, 'blinded by the Light' takes a more family friendly view, it does show some racism but less ‘violent’ and more personal making ‘Blinded by the Light’ a more family friendly film.
Although music plays a large part of the film it is not the music itself that’s important but the effect that it has on Javed, showing how the right music can change someone’s life.
It turns out that 'Blinded by the Light' is not really any of these, it's more of a 'slice of life' it the slice is a couple of years. The film centres on Javed, a Pakistani teen living in Luton, England in the late 1980s. Javed has written diaries and poems for most of his life but, due to his family life he has always kept them to himself. Not long after starting his A levels Javed is introduced to the music of Bruce Springsteen and finds that the lyrics speak to him in a way he's never felt before.
Blinded by the Light is a film about family, friends and finding your place. Javed starts off as a quiet, bookish character who, thanks to the people around him and his growing love of Bruce Springsteen records manages to find himself. However, this change leaded to problems as he clash’s with family and friends.
Being set in 80s and being about a Pakistani family the film also touches on the problem of racism and, from the clips I remembered from the trailer I found myself wondering if it was going to erupt into violence in the style of films like 'Made in England'. However, 'blinded by the Light' takes a more family friendly view, it does show some racism but less ‘violent’ and more personal making ‘Blinded by the Light’ a more family friendly film.
Although music plays a large part of the film it is not the music itself that’s important but the effect that it has on Javed, showing how the right music can change someone’s life.
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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Precious One in Books
Feb 13, 2018
I've loved Marisa de los Santos since I read "Love Walked In" 8 or so years ago. She has a lovely, poetic way with words and "The Precious One" doesn't disappoint there. It's told in the alternating voices of two sisters: Taisy, a grown woman, who has always wondered why her domineering father, Wilson, was never a true father to her, and who has been basically estranged from him since 18, and Willow, her 16-year-old half sister, Wilson's pride and joy.
After Wilson suffers a heart attack, he summons for Taisy and her twin, Marcus. Only Taisy -- still longing for the fatherly approval she could never attain-- comes. There she learns that Wilson wants her to write a book about his scholarly life. As she embarks on that quest, she learns more than she bargained for about her father, her halfsister, her stepmother, and herself.
Here's the thing about this book. Much of it is incredibly implausible. It's kind of insanely implausible. There's a line where Willow, who is truly this pure, kind child of 16, after being isolated her entire life by her father, is talking to a school friend and asking how anyone could possibly be so nice. That's how I feel about half the characters in the book. Willow, said friend, Luka, Taisy... we also meet Taisy's high school boyfriend, Ben, whom she abandoned when the Wilson craziness happiness. Even he's amazingly nice.
They're all so kind and amazing and introspective. Well, except for Wilson, who is a completely horrible person: even after you learn about his past, he's just an ass.
But it doesn't matter if the characters seem a little too nice, or things happen a little to easily. There's definitely adversity, and poor Willow is certainly put through the wringer in a short period in this book. You find yourself rooting for her (she's just so nice, dammit) and Taisy (she's just so feisty and kind, dammit!) and for their relationship(s). There's also a beautiful moment, where things sort of come full circle, and you find yourself amazed about de los Santos' writing all over again.
It's a pretty book, and a romantic book, and a slightly improbable book, but still a good read nonetheless. Rated 4 stars here, probably truly a 3.5 rating (there's a little de los Santos nostalgia that goes into that rating).
Note: I received a free ebook copy of this novel from Edelweiss in return for a honest review.
After Wilson suffers a heart attack, he summons for Taisy and her twin, Marcus. Only Taisy -- still longing for the fatherly approval she could never attain-- comes. There she learns that Wilson wants her to write a book about his scholarly life. As she embarks on that quest, she learns more than she bargained for about her father, her halfsister, her stepmother, and herself.
Here's the thing about this book. Much of it is incredibly implausible. It's kind of insanely implausible. There's a line where Willow, who is truly this pure, kind child of 16, after being isolated her entire life by her father, is talking to a school friend and asking how anyone could possibly be so nice. That's how I feel about half the characters in the book. Willow, said friend, Luka, Taisy... we also meet Taisy's high school boyfriend, Ben, whom she abandoned when the Wilson craziness happiness. Even he's amazingly nice.
They're all so kind and amazing and introspective. Well, except for Wilson, who is a completely horrible person: even after you learn about his past, he's just an ass.
But it doesn't matter if the characters seem a little too nice, or things happen a little to easily. There's definitely adversity, and poor Willow is certainly put through the wringer in a short period in this book. You find yourself rooting for her (she's just so nice, dammit) and Taisy (she's just so feisty and kind, dammit!) and for their relationship(s). There's also a beautiful moment, where things sort of come full circle, and you find yourself amazed about de los Santos' writing all over again.
It's a pretty book, and a romantic book, and a slightly improbable book, but still a good read nonetheless. Rated 4 stars here, probably truly a 3.5 rating (there's a little de los Santos nostalgia that goes into that rating).
Note: I received a free ebook copy of this novel from Edelweiss in return for a honest review.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Mama (2013) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Mama is a ghostly tale about two young sisters Victoria and Lilly who had
vanished after their parents were killed.Their Uncle Lucas (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau)
and his girlfriend Annabelle (Jessica Chastain) never stopped looking for them.
After nearly five years of searching, the girls are found and with some careful
observation and a couple of changes are forced to adapt to their new lives with
their uncle and his girlfriend. Little do Lucas and Annabelle know, there is a
strong supernatural force that will not let go of the young girls. Though Anabelle
hates that she has to become the mother figure for the girls she must do so for
their well being. She soon starts to experience strange happenings in the home and
senses an evil presence that is surrounding the girls and is making Annabelle’s life
a living Hell! Will she and Lucas find out how the girls survived all those years in
the cabin and what the truth is behind the evil force that the girls
call Mama?
Guillermo Del Toro has yet to bring a dull film to the screen with maybe the
exception of a couple of films here and there. His latest one Mama is by far one of
the best supernatural thrillers I have seen in an extremely long time! The story is
one that will be stuck in my nightmares for a while. It brings a new fear of what
might be hiding under our beds at night. As most of all Toro’s films, Mama was well
thought out and had a great flow without long drawn out scenes. Although the ending
was a little disappointing it was quite unexpected and still proves to be one of
Toro’s best so far.
I must admit I have always been a little afraid of the dark, only now it’s a
little worse after seeing Mama but hey, if your looking for a good scare and an edge
of your seat type of supernatural thriller like I usually am, Mama is the one to
see. Especially for those guys that want to take their girlfriends on a date to see
a movie that will make the girls hold on and not let go. I am usually disappointed
with most supernatural movies as they usually show the best scenes in the previews.
Mama leaves all the best scenes out of the previews forcing you to go and experience
them for yourself!
This movie is definitely not for the faint of heart!
vanished after their parents were killed.Their Uncle Lucas (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau)
and his girlfriend Annabelle (Jessica Chastain) never stopped looking for them.
After nearly five years of searching, the girls are found and with some careful
observation and a couple of changes are forced to adapt to their new lives with
their uncle and his girlfriend. Little do Lucas and Annabelle know, there is a
strong supernatural force that will not let go of the young girls. Though Anabelle
hates that she has to become the mother figure for the girls she must do so for
their well being. She soon starts to experience strange happenings in the home and
senses an evil presence that is surrounding the girls and is making Annabelle’s life
a living Hell! Will she and Lucas find out how the girls survived all those years in
the cabin and what the truth is behind the evil force that the girls
call Mama?
Guillermo Del Toro has yet to bring a dull film to the screen with maybe the
exception of a couple of films here and there. His latest one Mama is by far one of
the best supernatural thrillers I have seen in an extremely long time! The story is
one that will be stuck in my nightmares for a while. It brings a new fear of what
might be hiding under our beds at night. As most of all Toro’s films, Mama was well
thought out and had a great flow without long drawn out scenes. Although the ending
was a little disappointing it was quite unexpected and still proves to be one of
Toro’s best so far.
I must admit I have always been a little afraid of the dark, only now it’s a
little worse after seeing Mama but hey, if your looking for a good scare and an edge
of your seat type of supernatural thriller like I usually am, Mama is the one to
see. Especially for those guys that want to take their girlfriends on a date to see
a movie that will make the girls hold on and not let go. I am usually disappointed
with most supernatural movies as they usually show the best scenes in the previews.
Mama leaves all the best scenes out of the previews forcing you to go and experience
them for yourself!
This movie is definitely not for the faint of heart!
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated The Museum of Broken Promises in Books
Apr 20, 2020
I am so excited to be part of the Book Buzz for The Museum of Broken Promises by Elizabeth Buchan. This lovely book is out on 02nd April, so don’t forget to grab your copy!
This book is quite emotional and heart-breaking from the very beginning until the very end. Based in Europe, in two timelines between now and 1985, we are witnesses to cold war, politics, fight for freedom and an extraordinary love story.
Today, Laure is living in Paris and she owns The Museum of Broken Promises - a place of wonder and sadness. Every object in the museum has been donated and each represents a moment of grief or terrible betrayal. Laure also has hidden objects of her own in there, from her own youth.
Back in 1985, Laure is in Prague, running away after her dad suddenly passes away. But her life here is very confusing. She is struggling to comprehend the dark politics that are taking over the city. But then she meets a young musician. And her love for him is forbidden and causes trouble and terrible consequences.
It is only years after having created the museum that Laure can finally come to terms with her past and celebrate the love she is feeling!
My Thoughts:
This is a very emotional book and I have learned that I need to be in a certain mood in order to be able to fully appreciate it. This is one of those books that leaves a tiny mark in your heart that you will always carry with you.
The story is amazing, we are witnessing a great life full of memories and stories of love, fight for freedom, betrayals, fears, ups and downs. It is so realistic that will make you shiver at times.
I have to admit, I found myself slightly confused at the beginning, trying to figure out which timeline I am currently in, but after a few chapters, I am able to make a difference and get a clearer picture of the story.
I loved the idea of this Museum of Broken Promises. It made me think of what object I could maybe leave there to represent my grief.
I have to admit, I didn’t truly connect with Laure as a main character. She seemed too closed in her own world and her sharing her story in the way that she did was very contradicting to me.
I loved Tomas though. He was my absolute favourite, the hero of this book.
This book is quite emotional and heart-breaking from the very beginning until the very end. Based in Europe, in two timelines between now and 1985, we are witnesses to cold war, politics, fight for freedom and an extraordinary love story.
Today, Laure is living in Paris and she owns The Museum of Broken Promises - a place of wonder and sadness. Every object in the museum has been donated and each represents a moment of grief or terrible betrayal. Laure also has hidden objects of her own in there, from her own youth.
Back in 1985, Laure is in Prague, running away after her dad suddenly passes away. But her life here is very confusing. She is struggling to comprehend the dark politics that are taking over the city. But then she meets a young musician. And her love for him is forbidden and causes trouble and terrible consequences.
It is only years after having created the museum that Laure can finally come to terms with her past and celebrate the love she is feeling!
My Thoughts:
This is a very emotional book and I have learned that I need to be in a certain mood in order to be able to fully appreciate it. This is one of those books that leaves a tiny mark in your heart that you will always carry with you.
The story is amazing, we are witnessing a great life full of memories and stories of love, fight for freedom, betrayals, fears, ups and downs. It is so realistic that will make you shiver at times.
I have to admit, I found myself slightly confused at the beginning, trying to figure out which timeline I am currently in, but after a few chapters, I am able to make a difference and get a clearer picture of the story.
I loved the idea of this Museum of Broken Promises. It made me think of what object I could maybe leave there to represent my grief.
I have to admit, I didn’t truly connect with Laure as a main character. She seemed too closed in her own world and her sharing her story in the way that she did was very contradicting to me.
I loved Tomas though. He was my absolute favourite, the hero of this book.
ClareR (6157 KP) rated The Waiting Song in Books
Nov 7, 2017
Fosters understanding in children to those that are different to them. (3 more)
Lovely illustrations
Catchy song
Teaches ALL children how to share
A lovely little book which not only gives the autistic child advice on how to wait their turn, but also explains to the non-autistic child that everyone is different and there are some children who need help at learning how to share. The illustrations are bold and colourful, and I'm sure that the children in my setting would be just as keen to name the animals as to listen to the story. The song is simple and catchy, and I know that after a few times of reading it together, we would have children singing along.
In the past, we have used an egg timer to illustrate to children how long they can play with a toy before they should pass it along (for those who do not understand the "when you've finished, could you please give it to X"). I could see that for some of those children that this could be a possible tool as well. It's always good to add another string to your, and their, bow!!
I received this book free for an unbiased review through NetGalley and publisher.
In the past, we have used an egg timer to illustrate to children how long they can play with a toy before they should pass it along (for those who do not understand the "when you've finished, could you please give it to X"). I could see that for some of those children that this could be a possible tool as well. It's always good to add another string to your, and their, bow!!
I received this book free for an unbiased review through NetGalley and publisher.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated A Deeper Love Inside: The Porsche Santiaga Story in Books
May 10, 2018
What happens to kids when both of their parents are taken from them? Do they learn to survive with the situations they are given or do they find a new way to live their lives?
Porsche Santiaga was the middle daughter of Ricky and Lana Santiaga. When her parents were both arrested one night, and she her younger twin sisters were snatched up by the Bureau of Child Welfare. After being tossed from foster home to foster home and no word from her family, Porsche found herself in upstate New York in a juvenile detention center. There she met Siri(the gentle girl who was always there to protect her), Riot(the head of the Diamond Needles), and other members of the Diamond Needles to help her through her sentence.
When she is finally out on her own, she tries to find and help her family the best way she could. She is a natural born hustler so finding work for a fair wage was not a problem for her. She was only 12 years old and making over $1000 a week. She wasn't selling her body, or drugs. Just being the best person she could be and helping people in the neighborhood.
Porsche's story is a very sad one, but it has a happy ending.
Porsche Santiaga was the middle daughter of Ricky and Lana Santiaga. When her parents were both arrested one night, and she her younger twin sisters were snatched up by the Bureau of Child Welfare. After being tossed from foster home to foster home and no word from her family, Porsche found herself in upstate New York in a juvenile detention center. There she met Siri(the gentle girl who was always there to protect her), Riot(the head of the Diamond Needles), and other members of the Diamond Needles to help her through her sentence.
When she is finally out on her own, she tries to find and help her family the best way she could. She is a natural born hustler so finding work for a fair wage was not a problem for her. She was only 12 years old and making over $1000 a week. She wasn't selling her body, or drugs. Just being the best person she could be and helping people in the neighborhood.
Porsche's story is a very sad one, but it has a happy ending.