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Ron's Gone Wrong (2021)
Ron's Gone Wrong (2021)
2021 | Adventure, Animation, Comedy
6
7.1 (7 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Cute animation with funny characters, this seemed like a nice diversion from the usual, mainly heavy, festival lineup.

Barney has an eccentric family. Dad is trying to make ends meet and Gran’s solution is food and a song. But for Barney, who just wants to fit in with his classmates, scraping by means not having the latest “Best friend in a box” robot to hang out with like everyone in his class.

As well as looking for something light hearted to watch, I was a little bit excited to see a children’s film in an adult only screening. I’m easily pleased, it’s the dream screening really.

When kids films from bigger studios don’t appear on my radar well in advance of their release I’m always a little sceptical. But the idea behind Ron’s Gone Wrong sounded like it was going to be a bit of a win, after all, it's either friendship or all out war, there's generally no in between.

Despite it having some bigger names in the cast, I really couldn’t put my finger on any of them as I watched. Performances were a little forgettable if I’m honest, out of everything, it’s the antics that are memorable, not the voices. The dialogue felt a little anaemic and it really just didn’t hit the spot for me.

Then there’s the animation, again, a bit of a shrug. It’s lovely but familiar. The little robots are a fun creation though and the way they interact with their humans and the online world is nicely done. As I watched it though I had flashes of other films. I tried to remember the name of the bots as I wrote the synopsis, but all I could think was PAL… but that’s Mitchell’s vs the Machines, and if you’ve seen that then you’ll more than likely draw some comparisons. That’s not the only film either.

Ron's Gone Wrong has some nice messages about friendship and it tries to shoehorn some ethics in there for the adults, but all in all, despite being a nice film, it doesn’t hold much of a punch to stand out from the crowd.

Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2021/10/rons-gone-wrong-movie-review.html
  
The Silence Project
The Silence Project
Carole Hailey | 2023 | Dystopia, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Silence Project grabbed me, sucked me in and I raced through it, desperate to know what was going to happen next.

What a fascinating concept. Rachel Morris moves in to a tent at the bottom of her pub garden and never speaks again. Other women are drawn to her cause, and a community is born. One that seems to worship Rachel and her message. It sounded an awful lot like a cult to me. And when Rachel and thousands of her followers burn themselves on the pyres that they built themselves, the cult of The Community is truly born.

This book is written as a memoir by Rachel’s daughter, Emilia. Unsurprisingly, she misses her mother at the same time as resenting her. I thought this was really well done: Emilia loses her mother the day that she pitches her tent.

I think this would make such a good book club book - there’s so much to discuss. The concept of The Community, and the fact that it had clearly become something entirely different to Rachel’s original idea - whatever that really was. But due to her silence, Rachel was never fully able to say exactly what it was that she wanted for the future of her movement. I wondered whether her silence was rational; was she depressed? Her silence meant that others could put words into her mouth, surely?

Was Rachel selfish or selfless? Would we think differently if she had been a man? That’s very much left to the reader to decide. What really disappointed me though, is that a group of women, The Community, after Rachel’s death, becomes corrupted. They convince everyone that they know best and bring in some pretty outrageous policies: enforced contraception, euthanasia that’s geared towards making a profit for The Community. They have their fingers in many pies and many governments.

I’ve got to admit, this disappointed me a little. There was always the hope that women would be different - but it turns out that they’re the same as everyone else.

That said, this is a really hard-hitting book that gave me so much to think about - and I loved it.
  
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Merissa (12971 KP) rated The Nines in Books

Apr 11, 2023  
The Nines
The Nines
Karen M. Bryson | 2015 | Contemporary, Romance, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This story has two damaged characters for the main leads - Roxie and Alexander. They are both mysterious in their own ways but are drawn together by fate/circumstances/online forum - you take your pick. Roxie is carrying a bucket load of guilt from the past and Alexander is carrying a whole load of anger from the past. However, their pasts and their presents collide so will they have a future together?

After I had finished this book, I messaged a friend of mine who had also read it and I said to her "What a horrible, fantastic book." And that is how I feel about this story. It is gripping and enthralling, you won't want to stop reading it but at the same time, it will make your stomach clench and your heartbeat race - and not always in a good way. You will become so engrossed with the characters that you will speed up your reading until this particular scene is finished. Your heartbeat will slow down... until the next scene.

This book deals with an issue that I have only ever seen on TV or read about in the news. I simply cannot imagine how it goes on in real life but unfortunately, it is too often an occurrence it seems.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book although it was different from what I expected when I read the synopsis - there was less about the bomber and Alex's revenge, less about Roxie's past and more about what was happening now. This is not a bad thing, just different to what I was expecting.

This is the first book in the series which can be read as a standalone but I will be reading the next in the series when it comes out, which is Blood Sings (Hector's Story). I need to know more about these anti-heroes! Highly recommended but be warned - it's not all nice!
 
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 10, 2016
  
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Merissa (12971 KP) rated The Pig Wars in Books

Jan 18, 2022  
The Pig Wars
The Pig Wars
M.K. Theodoratus | 2021 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE PIG WARS is a standalone fantasy set in a world of Elves, Half-Elves, and Humans, although it does feel as though this is a follow-on or spin-off from a previous set of stories. Our main female, Renna, is a Half-Elf and a strong warrior who has hung up her sword after a long and heart-breaking battle. Gorsfeld is human and wants to rule the Marches, either by marrying Renna or taking over her lands. He's not bothered which. Renna has a dodgy leg from birth which is used as the reason she is still alone.

As the title suggests, the whole book is about the two of them fighting over pigs. Renna is supposed to be the smart, strong, and silent type, but she is not quiet in her mind. There is always a monologue going on, usually about how upset she is because someone is riding roughshod over her, even though she makes no attempt to stand up for herself (apart from in her mind.) Gorsfeld has his fair share of monologues too, so I guess that's fair. Renna's character didn't do much for me. In fact, most of them didn't. There is a lot going on and her friends leave a lot to be desired. Because of some of the rants and situations, it makes me question if I have missed another story in this world. I felt as though I had dropped into a world already established where intrigue and political gains had already been explained.

There were some grammatical errors in the story, not enough to disrupt the flow, but enough so you notice. There is a hint of romance at the end, leading you to believe there might be another book in the making. This was a different book that I did enjoy, but I'm not sure I will be continuing if another story does come out.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
H(
Heartless ( Enemies to Lovers 1)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
125 of 235
Kindle
Heartless ( Enemies to Lovers 1)
By Michelle Heard
⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m warned that Carter Hayes is heartless.

He’s part of the screw crew.
He’ll just use you and leave you.
He’s ruthless and always gets what he wants.

Just look for the trail of broken hearts and dreamy sighs, and you’ll find him.

“Hot as sin, Carter.”

I don’t have time to fall head over heels for any guy. Besides, he’d never notice someone like me. I have a three-step plan. Get through college. Get a job. Get my sister out of the hell hole I left her in. That’s all I have time for.

That’s until I hear of the betting pool the guys started. Whoever screws me first gets the money. The moment Carter looks at me, I know it’s only because of the bet.

I tell myself our first kiss is only for show.
I hate my heart for falling for his irresistible charm.

For one foolish moment, I actually want him to be my first earth-shattering love. All it takes for me to give in is a little attention, a cocky smile, and a fake promise of a happily-ever-after.

When I’m surrounded by crumpled sheets and the smell of sex, I realize I let him have me for four hundred dollars.

To save what little pride I have left, I pretend it didn’t mean anything, that he’s just one last screw before we all leave college.

I’ve spent the last four years lying to myself. When I’m ready to take the final step of my plan, and save my sister, guess who walks through my front door?

I actually ended up liking this! The first couple of chapters I thought were a bit ropey the “ Screw Crew” and yes that’s what they called the women they slept with was a bit ridiculous but then again these were boys! But as it developed I actually thought it was a good quick read. It was a sweet ending too I’m not much one for romance.