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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Square (2017) in Movies
Jun 30, 2020
Another of those occasions where the Smashbomb rating scale falls a little short: 'shoddy' isn't how I'd describe this film as much as fundamentally somewhat misconceived. Anyway: award-winning satire of liberal pretensions and angst set in and around a Stockholm art gallery. Curator Christian gets mugged, leading him to make some very poor decisions; various installations and performances go horribly wrong; the gulf between the high-minded aspirations of the museum's patrons and their actual behaviour is repeatedly exposed.
The odd quite funny and on-point scene, but it doesn't half labour its points and at nearly two and half hours it feels much too long (I watched it in installments, which I never normally do). Bang is pretty good in the central role and the thesis of the film is certainly relevent to the modern world, but it could have been funnier, sharper, and less irritatingly weird in places. As it is, this is a film satirising pretentiousness which actually feels rather pretentious itself - so not a great look. Hard work, if you ask me,
The odd quite funny and on-point scene, but it doesn't half labour its points and at nearly two and half hours it feels much too long (I watched it in installments, which I never normally do). Bang is pretty good in the central role and the thesis of the film is certainly relevent to the modern world, but it could have been funnier, sharper, and less irritatingly weird in places. As it is, this is a film satirising pretentiousness which actually feels rather pretentious itself - so not a great look. Hard work, if you ask me,

Map My Heart: My Love-Life in Doodles
Book
How to spend a night being a self-pitying wreck: Get on FB and stalk your ex, then spend 20 minutes...

Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Accidental Romeo in Books
Jan 11, 2021
First off: the cover is amazing - well the guy is. And the plot sounded good.
It started quite good but it become pretty obvious from fairly early on that a certain someone wasn't all that he seemed and it was rather slow in getting to the culprit and why he'd done what he did.
And then the romance, too. It started quite nice and gentle and then the dirty talk when they finally got into bed...there is one word I don't like - begins with c, ends in t, and is 4 letters - and Hunter used it a few times. To me, it's not hot or attractive. I find it kinda vulgar and it puts me off.
As for the rest of the story. I just found it a little boring. There wasn't enough stuff going on for me. I like a little angst between my characters, I like to get drawn into their romance, I like them to fight and make up...
It just wasn't what I wanted it to be.
It started quite good but it become pretty obvious from fairly early on that a certain someone wasn't all that he seemed and it was rather slow in getting to the culprit and why he'd done what he did.
And then the romance, too. It started quite nice and gentle and then the dirty talk when they finally got into bed...there is one word I don't like - begins with c, ends in t, and is 4 letters - and Hunter used it a few times. To me, it's not hot or attractive. I find it kinda vulgar and it puts me off.
As for the rest of the story. I just found it a little boring. There wasn't enough stuff going on for me. I like a little angst between my characters, I like to get drawn into their romance, I like them to fight and make up...
It just wasn't what I wanted it to be.

Bob Mann (459 KP) rated Crawl (2019) in Movies
Sep 8, 2019
Kaya Scodelario makes a striking action heroine (1 more)
Some "Jaws-lite" action scenes
Directed by Alexandre Aja (“Piranha 3D”) this is a sub-90 minute film that at least doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s been a decent summer hit for the studios (at the time of writing it has made $75 million on a meagre $13 budget).
It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted in its gore. It delivers a lot of chomping, with the action getting progressively more ludicrous, reminiscent of the “flesh-wound” scene in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”!. Some jump scares work well. But I can’ t say its a great film, because it’s really not. In the hands of a Spielberg, this might have really had legs (…to chomp on, LoL). It’s CERTAINLY no “Jaws”. It’s not even a “Deep Blue Sea”. But it’s mildly entertaining nonetheless.
For the full review, please check out One Mann's Movies on https://bob-the-movie-man.com/2019/09/06/one-manns-movies-film-review-crawl-2019/
It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted in its gore. It delivers a lot of chomping, with the action getting progressively more ludicrous, reminiscent of the “flesh-wound” scene in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”!. Some jump scares work well. But I can’ t say its a great film, because it’s really not. In the hands of a Spielberg, this might have really had legs (…to chomp on, LoL). It’s CERTAINLY no “Jaws”. It’s not even a “Deep Blue Sea”. But it’s mildly entertaining nonetheless.
For the full review, please check out One Mann's Movies on https://bob-the-movie-man.com/2019/09/06/one-manns-movies-film-review-crawl-2019/

3 Is The Magic Number (The Flamingo Bar #3)
Book
Can close proximity provide Jake, Bailey, and Sam the chance to find out if three is the magic...
MMM Contemporary Erotic Romance

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson #1)
Book
There are six things very wrong with my life: 1. I have one of those under-the-skin spots that...

Merissa (12404 KP) rated Puzzle Me This in Books
Sep 13, 2023
Puzzle Me This is a short read that is big on emotions! Although it takes place over a number of months, it is very fast-paced, making it seem quicker than it is.
Both of our MCs have issues and baggage to deal with, and I loved that! The other thing I loved was the fact Alex was in a wheelchair WASN'T the biggest part of it. There was so much more to this story than that, but I won't give out any spoilers.
Personally, I would have preferred a bit more about the characters themselves, them getting to know each other, before the angst. However, that would probably take it to novel status, rather than novella.
Well written and edited, with no spelling or grammar issues that disrupted me. This is a perfect coffee break book, with plenty of the warm fuzzies to go around.
* 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!
Sep 11, 2019
Both of our MCs have issues and baggage to deal with, and I loved that! The other thing I loved was the fact Alex was in a wheelchair WASN'T the biggest part of it. There was so much more to this story than that, but I won't give out any spoilers.
Personally, I would have preferred a bit more about the characters themselves, them getting to know each other, before the angst. However, that would probably take it to novel status, rather than novella.
Well written and edited, with no spelling or grammar issues that disrupted me. This is a perfect coffee break book, with plenty of the warm fuzzies to go around.
* 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!
Sep 11, 2019

Merissa (12404 KP) rated A Daddy for Christmas: Ever in Books
Nov 14, 2023
EVER is the first book in the multi-author A Daddy for Christmas series I have read, and it's sweet and low angst. If that's what you're looking for, you've found it.
Ever is by himself, not knowing who he really is. His last boyfriend made fun of him for liking teddies, so he now tries to hide that part of him. Birch is a daddy who has suffered a painful family loss and isn't interested in being with anyone. Up until he hears Ever's voice, that is.
These two are just so cute - both of them listening and communicating for the most part. I have to admit, my favourite Daddy is the Caretaker Daddy and this was written brilliantly.
A gentle seasonal story that I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to read more in this series. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 14, 2023
Ever is by himself, not knowing who he really is. His last boyfriend made fun of him for liking teddies, so he now tries to hide that part of him. Birch is a daddy who has suffered a painful family loss and isn't interested in being with anyone. Up until he hears Ever's voice, that is.
These two are just so cute - both of them listening and communicating for the most part. I have to admit, my favourite Daddy is the Caretaker Daddy and this was written brilliantly.
A gentle seasonal story that I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to read more in this series. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 14, 2023

Merissa (12404 KP) rated Clausing a Scene (Christmas Falls #6) in Books
Nov 30, 2023
CLAUSING A SCENE is the sixth book in the Christmas Falls series but don't expect to see much of the town!
Brant is Col's best friend. Hig is Col's dad (he was 17 when Col was born.) Both have liked each other for a LONG time and when Col is delayed getting to his dad's, their lust explodes in a shower of purple sparks.
This is one of the steamier stories set in this town, mostly because they hole up in Hig's house and don't want to go anywhere. You hear about the town a couple of times, usually as someone is walking or driving down a road, but that's about it. A couple of characters from other books are also mentioned.
Fast-paced with low angst, this was a great addition to the series and definitely recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 29, 2023
Brant is Col's best friend. Hig is Col's dad (he was 17 when Col was born.) Both have liked each other for a LONG time and when Col is delayed getting to his dad's, their lust explodes in a shower of purple sparks.
This is one of the steamier stories set in this town, mostly because they hole up in Hig's house and don't want to go anywhere. You hear about the town a couple of times, usually as someone is walking or driving down a road, but that's about it. A couple of characters from other books are also mentioned.
Fast-paced with low angst, this was a great addition to the series and definitely recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 29, 2023