Search
Search results
Merissa (12817 KP) rated Out of Focus in Books
Apr 29, 2022 (Updated Jun 23, 2023)
OUT OF FOCUS is a short story about two men working behind the scenes in a Welsh theatre. They are opposites in the fact that one is charming and one seems almost dour. There are reasons for it, of course, but they don't come to light immediately.
I loved how we met other characters too, getting a hint into their lives, not just the main characters. Alex and Luke take centre stage though in this low-angst slow-burn-but-not-quite romance. The attraction has been there for a couple of years without either of them acting on it, but once Alex is injured, all bets are off.
As with all of this author's works, I found the small details absolutely brilliant, and really help to make the story one that intrigues and compels you to keep turning the pages.
Although I'm not a huge fan of short stories, this one went down a treat, with all the information I could need, including a perfect epilogue to keep me happy. Absolutely 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 22, 2022
I loved how we met other characters too, getting a hint into their lives, not just the main characters. Alex and Luke take centre stage though in this low-angst slow-burn-but-not-quite romance. The attraction has been there for a couple of years without either of them acting on it, but once Alex is injured, all bets are off.
As with all of this author's works, I found the small details absolutely brilliant, and really help to make the story one that intrigues and compels you to keep turning the pages.
Although I'm not a huge fan of short stories, this one went down a treat, with all the information I could need, including a perfect epilogue to keep me happy. Absolutely 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 22, 2022
Phoebe (13 KP) rated Hannibal - Season 1 in TV
Oct 8, 2018
Hannibal's character portrayal (3 more)
Will's character depth
The aesthetic
The portrayal of mental disorders
A true favourite
I'm loving the show so far, and considering one of my all time favourite films is Silence of the Lambs, I have high expectations.
It did not disappoint.
The relationships built within this season are well thought out and captivating, especially that of Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter. The way the two men circle each other, their relationship filled with manipulation and a subtle seduction, you learn the ways they need each other, and become dependant on each other as they delve further into each other's psyches.
Speaking of, the way in which Will is both portrayed by Hugh Dancy, and treated within the show in regards to his innate aptitude for understanding the macabre is fascinating. I found it opened a new door to how the mind can work, and the dark repercussions they can have. This is also well shown through Abigail, as we follow through the aftermath of a traumatic event at the hands of her father.
The overly stunning aesthetics of this show work not only to entice but also to act as a juxtaposition to the gore caused by Hannibal and the "monsters of the week" in every episode. It allows the viewer a glimpse into how Hannibal sees the world; as a work of art. Even down to his victims. The elegance that he constantly exudes, particularly in scenes in his kitchen, almost numbs the viewer to the horrific truth behind his character.
Overall, a beautiful show. One I would highly recommend, but maybe not to those with a particularly weak stomach.
It did not disappoint.
The relationships built within this season are well thought out and captivating, especially that of Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter. The way the two men circle each other, their relationship filled with manipulation and a subtle seduction, you learn the ways they need each other, and become dependant on each other as they delve further into each other's psyches.
Speaking of, the way in which Will is both portrayed by Hugh Dancy, and treated within the show in regards to his innate aptitude for understanding the macabre is fascinating. I found it opened a new door to how the mind can work, and the dark repercussions they can have. This is also well shown through Abigail, as we follow through the aftermath of a traumatic event at the hands of her father.
The overly stunning aesthetics of this show work not only to entice but also to act as a juxtaposition to the gore caused by Hannibal and the "monsters of the week" in every episode. It allows the viewer a glimpse into how Hannibal sees the world; as a work of art. Even down to his victims. The elegance that he constantly exudes, particularly in scenes in his kitchen, almost numbs the viewer to the horrific truth behind his character.
Overall, a beautiful show. One I would highly recommend, but maybe not to those with a particularly weak stomach.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Kid Who Would Be King (2019) in Movies
Feb 19, 2019
Great fun British film
This film seems pretty timely - the backdrop of the country being split and in turmoil with everyone miserable and/or arguing perfectly nails pre-Brexit Britain, without actually naming the cause of the upset. Seeing kids sensing their parents' and teachers' stress levels and looking to help really nails home how much we are all struggling with the current climate and need to think about the impact that has on our homelives.
The plot is fairly standard Arthurian legend - boy pulls sword from stone and seeks to unite his enemies behind him in battling against forces of evil. The film does this with full knowledge and gentle telling of the actual legend, and doesn't look to be a re-telling, rather a modern day "second coming of Arthur".
There are plenty of laughs throughout the film, with a typical British flavour.
There is also action aplenty with some really powerful battle scenes and excellent SFX.
Director Joe Cornish (of Adam & Joe fame - there is also a nice cameo from Adam Buxton in the film) does a fantastic job of telling the story through the eyes of a child but without it being patronising or twee.
The cast are superb, with the young Merlin really being a star (and creepily like a young Joe Cornish). While I enjoyed Patrick Stewart's role as Merlin, I felt it added less gravitas than I think was intended and wasn't really necessary, the young incarnation perfectly playing the role himself.
A great, fun and thrilling adventure.
The plot is fairly standard Arthurian legend - boy pulls sword from stone and seeks to unite his enemies behind him in battling against forces of evil. The film does this with full knowledge and gentle telling of the actual legend, and doesn't look to be a re-telling, rather a modern day "second coming of Arthur".
There are plenty of laughs throughout the film, with a typical British flavour.
There is also action aplenty with some really powerful battle scenes and excellent SFX.
Director Joe Cornish (of Adam & Joe fame - there is also a nice cameo from Adam Buxton in the film) does a fantastic job of telling the story through the eyes of a child but without it being patronising or twee.
The cast are superb, with the young Merlin really being a star (and creepily like a young Joe Cornish). While I enjoyed Patrick Stewart's role as Merlin, I felt it added less gravitas than I think was intended and wasn't really necessary, the young incarnation perfectly playing the role himself.
A great, fun and thrilling adventure.
Al Franken, Giant of the Senate
Book Watch
#1 New York Times Bestseller “Flips the classic born-in-a-shack rise to political office tale...
Biography comedy politics
Lewis Hamilton: The Biography
Book
Lewis Hamilton is the record-breaking young British hero of Formula 1. His phenomenal debut season...
Gay Times - the original gay lifestyle magazine
Lifestyle and Magazines & Newspapers
App
It’s all change here GT. New look. New price. New mobile app. Download now. GT is the original...
Daily Life: Projects by Gert Voorjans
Thijs Demeulemeester and Hamish Bowles
Book
Ten projects by interior designer Gert Voorjans, all beautifully captured in this luxury edition....
The Godfather: Pt. 1: Godfather and Seventies Hollywood: Pt. 2: Gangster Film
10.0
Rate It
Book
Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather (1972) marked a transition in American film-making, and its...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Stir Until Petrified (Violetta Massoni #1) in Books
Sep 12, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
165 of 200
Kindle
Stir until petrified ( A Violetta Massoni book 1)
By Theda Vallee
Welcome to beautiful Palermo Bay, where the witches are fierce
...and the biscotti is to die for.
Violetta "Etta" Massoni is an Italian witch living and working with her overbearing family in the sleepy seaside town of Palermo Bay. Healing from tragedy, she wants nothing to do with the magic she was born with.
Etta soon finds herself forced into the world of magic that she had resisted for so long. The peaceful calm of her community is shattered by a string of attacks that leaves fifteen people trapped in their dreams. An ominous magic task force is sent to investigate, with Etta as their number one suspect.
Her family has never been able to mind their own business, and they aren’t about to start now! Dragging her grandmother from crime scenes will be the least of her worries. Join Etta and the whole Massoni girl gang on a perilous, hilarious adventure filled with magic, myth, and minestrone!
After waiting for so long I finally got round to reading this! Oh my god! I don’t remember the last time I gave a 5* and enjoyed a book so much! I laughed I adore Etta and her family! It was packed with wit and so well written! The last character I loved this much was Charley Davidson from Darynda Jones’s books! I also learnt what a Benandanti was and that in this book I’d be expecting a knock at the door on his 10th birthday. Also my favourite quote which had me laughing out loud!
“Where am I supposed to sit?” I eyed the motorcycle’s seat, trying to calculate how much butt room there was. He handed me a helmet, pointing to the back of the bike. “You sit behind me. It’s called the bitch seat.” “Does that make where you’re sitting the prick perch?” I asked, climbing on behind him. As I’d feared, sitting made my shorts move so far up my nether region, I was positive we’d need a search and rescue team to get them out later.
I really can’t wait to read the next book!
Kindle
Stir until petrified ( A Violetta Massoni book 1)
By Theda Vallee
Welcome to beautiful Palermo Bay, where the witches are fierce
...and the biscotti is to die for.
Violetta "Etta" Massoni is an Italian witch living and working with her overbearing family in the sleepy seaside town of Palermo Bay. Healing from tragedy, she wants nothing to do with the magic she was born with.
Etta soon finds herself forced into the world of magic that she had resisted for so long. The peaceful calm of her community is shattered by a string of attacks that leaves fifteen people trapped in their dreams. An ominous magic task force is sent to investigate, with Etta as their number one suspect.
Her family has never been able to mind their own business, and they aren’t about to start now! Dragging her grandmother from crime scenes will be the least of her worries. Join Etta and the whole Massoni girl gang on a perilous, hilarious adventure filled with magic, myth, and minestrone!
After waiting for so long I finally got round to reading this! Oh my god! I don’t remember the last time I gave a 5* and enjoyed a book so much! I laughed I adore Etta and her family! It was packed with wit and so well written! The last character I loved this much was Charley Davidson from Darynda Jones’s books! I also learnt what a Benandanti was and that in this book I’d be expecting a knock at the door on his 10th birthday. Also my favourite quote which had me laughing out loud!
“Where am I supposed to sit?” I eyed the motorcycle’s seat, trying to calculate how much butt room there was. He handed me a helmet, pointing to the back of the bike. “You sit behind me. It’s called the bitch seat.” “Does that make where you’re sitting the prick perch?” I asked, climbing on behind him. As I’d feared, sitting made my shorts move so far up my nether region, I was positive we’d need a search and rescue team to get them out later.
I really can’t wait to read the next book!