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Kelly (279 KP) rated The Birth of a Nation (2016) in Movies

Jan 9, 2019  
The Birth of a Nation (2016)
The Birth of a Nation (2016)
2016 | Drama
8
7.7 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
A story that needed telling (0 more)
The ending was rushed (0 more)
Moving and powerful story
Contains spoilers, click to show
The birth of a nation tells the story of slave preacher Nat Turner, who leads an uprising on a plantation in the 1830s. The film itself is based on a true story.

The film tells a story of a personal history, which may otherwise be forgotten and serves as a stark reminder of what happens when we allow profits to prioritise over humanity. The bulk of the film concentrates on the slipping standards and increasing violence on the plantation where Nat was enslaved. Being a preacher, Nat was privy to conditions on nearby plantations, but chose to act after a series of event, which included the brutal attack of his wife and his own lashing for baptising a white man without the permission of his owner.

The acting within the film was good and believable. The plot line includes some pretty horrific scenes that demonstrates the ways in which slaves were punished. These scenes were used to serve a purpose to the story rather than forced to the audience.

Personally, I felt that the film itself focuses too much on the motivation of Nat Turners rebellion, and brushed over the events of the rebellion and Nat’s execution. However I have still scored the film highly, as I believe that it is a story that needs to be told in order to remind us of the horrific way that an entire race of people were perceived and treated during the 17 and 1800s. So many story’s of brave people have been lost, and we need to be aware of stories like that of Nat Turner in order to understand that slaves were not always complacent of their circumstance.
  
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Sam (74 KP) rated The Note in Books

Mar 27, 2019  
The Note
The Note
Zoe Folbigg | 2019
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Maya Flowers sees a new commuter on her train, and knows that he’s The One, so she becomes obsessed, imagining what his life is like and who he is until she plucks up the courage to give him a note.

When I realised that this was based on a true story, I decided to read it, thinking that because it was meant that it wouldn’t to be too pink and fluffy. And I was quite glad that I picked it up because it was entertaining.

I really liked Maya, the fact that she seemed so normal. I loved that her obsession with James was so obvious, it made her such a relatable character.

I did struggle a bit with the pace of the novel. It was quite slow all the way through, when I’m more into novels that jump straight into a good juicy plot. But I should have expected this from a book that’s about missed chances.

It was definitely an enjoyable read, with some funny parts. It also definitely made me smile. However I did definitely struggle with it, and to say that it’s only short, it took me a bit longer to read than I thought it would. It just seemed to be missing something.

But since it’s based on a true story, I’m not sure I can really comment much on the plot.

It’s definitely worth reading if you like Jojo Moyes, and I did enjoy it. My only comment is that the pace seemed to let it down.
  
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Tonya (52 KP) rated The Informant! (2009) in Movies

Jan 13, 2018 (Updated Feb 5, 2018)  
The Informant! (2009)
The Informant! (2009)
2009 | Comedy, Drama, Mystery
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Matt Damon (1 more)
Lots of twists and turns
A bit slow at times (0 more)
It was a train wreck that I just couldn't turn away from
This was a strange movie ... and apparently based on a true story - but I guess real life is the strangest of them all. Matt Damon plays a character bent on doing the right thing and turns his company in for unfair business practices. He's not a very smooth FBI informant but he gets the job done. But don't run to the kitchen for more snacks in the last 30 minutes or you will miss the twists and turns that actually make the movie worth watching. You won't find a lot of action in this movie but you will get a lot of plotting, deception, and worthwhile dialogue.
  
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lurkykitty (3 KP) rated Woven in Moonlight in Books

Mar 25, 2020  
Woven in Moonlight
Woven in Moonlight
Isabel Ibanez | 2020 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A beautiful and lush fantasy based on Bolivian culture
Woven in Moonlight is a beautiful and lush fantasy, based on the culture and history of Bolivia. It is set in the fictional country of Inkasisa. Ximena is a stand in for the Condesa, the last remaining royal of the Illustrian people. Her people were driven from La Ciudad when Atoc, of the Llacsan people, usurped the throne using an ancient relic. The Illustrians live in isolation and poverty while the Llacsans rule Inkasisa. When Atoc demands that Catalina, the true Condesa, marry him, Ximena travels to La Ciudad in her place. Her plan is to act as a spy and retrieve Atoc's ancient deadly relic. Atoc is a cruel and dictatorial ruler, but Ximena comes to realize that not all Llacsan people are bad. She questions everything she has been told about who the true oppressors are, as the Illustrian people did not treat the Llacsans well when they were in power. She meets a kind princess, a vigilante, a healer, a guard and a maid, among others, and changes her views. The story is fast paced and the writing is beautiful. I really loved this book - great world building, fascinating magic (woven animals created from moonlight!), and wonderful descriptions of Bolivian food and clothing.