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Joe Julians (221 KP) rated Suburbicon (2017) in Movies
Jan 30, 2018
Good performances (1 more)
Well shot
Muddled story (1 more)
Messy narrative
Despite a promising and fun fist couple of minutes, it quickly becomes clear that Suburbicon is both a missed opportunity and a jumbled attempt at constructing a story.
On the one hand, we have a black family moving into the area and being subjected to abuse and extreme prejudice, and on the other, a family hiding a dirty secret about a home invasion that led to the death of the mother. The problem is, neither of these plots is given the right amount of attention. The racial story is by far the most interesting here, yet it's relegated to a side plot and, with the exception of the young boy, none of the family get a chance to develop into actual characters. Then you have the murder story which takes up the bulk of the running time, but it's neither fresh nor original- it's actually rather dull.
Despite being beautifully shot and occasionally amusing (Matt Damon on a kid's bike), Suburbicon ends up being a bit of a slog. It's a mish mash of ideas and tones that don't come close to forming a coherent story. There's decent performances to be found, but beyond that- don't expect much.
On the one hand, we have a black family moving into the area and being subjected to abuse and extreme prejudice, and on the other, a family hiding a dirty secret about a home invasion that led to the death of the mother. The problem is, neither of these plots is given the right amount of attention. The racial story is by far the most interesting here, yet it's relegated to a side plot and, with the exception of the young boy, none of the family get a chance to develop into actual characters. Then you have the murder story which takes up the bulk of the running time, but it's neither fresh nor original- it's actually rather dull.
Despite being beautifully shot and occasionally amusing (Matt Damon on a kid's bike), Suburbicon ends up being a bit of a slog. It's a mish mash of ideas and tones that don't come close to forming a coherent story. There's decent performances to be found, but beyond that- don't expect much.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated The Magic of You (Malory-Anderson Family, #4) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I really wanted to love this book. I really did. As a Malory novel, I was so sure that it would be just as amazing as the others I have read. In fact, when my grandmother gave it to me, I couldnt wait to read it and bypassed a pile of books I had lined up to read.
Disappointment always leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
While the novel still held Lindseys easy straightforward style, lovable characters, and hilarious dialogue, it lacks the magic that I experienced with the others. I think this is because the lead female protagonist, Amy, annoyed me beyond reason. I dont think I have ever read a novel where the lead female was so obnoxious that I almost threw the book.
I give Amy props for being determined, but it reaches a certain point where I just believed her pathetic, to be honest. If she annoyed the hell out of me, I cant imagine how Warren felt. It annoys me just as much that apparently sex can make people fall in love. Sorry romance novels, it doesnt work that way.
However, I found myself laughing with this novel more than I did the others.
Disappointment always leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
While the novel still held Lindseys easy straightforward style, lovable characters, and hilarious dialogue, it lacks the magic that I experienced with the others. I think this is because the lead female protagonist, Amy, annoyed me beyond reason. I dont think I have ever read a novel where the lead female was so obnoxious that I almost threw the book.
I give Amy props for being determined, but it reaches a certain point where I just believed her pathetic, to be honest. If she annoyed the hell out of me, I cant imagine how Warren felt. It annoys me just as much that apparently sex can make people fall in love. Sorry romance novels, it doesnt work that way.
However, I found myself laughing with this novel more than I did the others.
ClareR (6054 KP) rated The Great Alone in Books
Feb 6, 2018
This was my second Kristin Hannah book, and it is set in very different circumstances to the last one (the last one was The Nightingale, set during World War 2). This is set during the 1970s in Alaska, in the back of beyond.
This is a story of survival: Leni and her mother survive the violence of Leni's Vietnam War vet father (who is suffering from PTSD after being held as a prisoner by the enemy). Cora, Leni's mother, will not leave him, saying that she loves him and needs him, and repeatedly pays the price. Leni loves Alaska and her boyfriend Matthew, but tragic circumstances take her away from both for a number of years. Many years later, under different circumstances, she is able to return.
I think I really like Kristin Hannah books. The way she describes the surroundings in Alaska: the wildness, the beauty, the unpredictability. I've read a couple of books recently set in the cold, snowy arctic circle, and this only made me want to actually see it myself even more!
I know I'm only two books in to my Kristin Hannah experience, but I can't say as there is anything about either of them that I didn't like. I'll be hunting down more!
This is a story of survival: Leni and her mother survive the violence of Leni's Vietnam War vet father (who is suffering from PTSD after being held as a prisoner by the enemy). Cora, Leni's mother, will not leave him, saying that she loves him and needs him, and repeatedly pays the price. Leni loves Alaska and her boyfriend Matthew, but tragic circumstances take her away from both for a number of years. Many years later, under different circumstances, she is able to return.
I think I really like Kristin Hannah books. The way she describes the surroundings in Alaska: the wildness, the beauty, the unpredictability. I've read a couple of books recently set in the cold, snowy arctic circle, and this only made me want to actually see it myself even more!
I know I'm only two books in to my Kristin Hannah experience, but I can't say as there is anything about either of them that I didn't like. I'll be hunting down more!
Mayhawke (97 KP) rated Wyatt Earp (1994) in Movies
Feb 26, 2018
In a shootout with Tombstone this would be heading for Boot Hill
The film is very worthy. It tells the story of Earp preceeding, and beyond the events at the OK Corral. There seems to be a reasonable amount of legitimacy to the story, but as always Earp's character - and his relationship with Jospehine - is pretty whitewashed, and hyped for drama.
But that's not actually what's wrong with the film, after all we expect that from Hollywood. The single largest failing of this film is that it plods. It's a plodding film that could have been a t least half an hour shorter than it is. Even that failing probably wouldn't have been so pronounced if this film hadn't bee released at almost exactly the same time as Tombstone, a film with as much historical accuracy in the Earp tale, but which was an hour shorter.
Then there was the cast. Wyatt Earp had a fabulous cast, as did Tombstone but the latter had breath-taking, career-high performances , a script that zinged and considerably more clarity of story and character.
Without Tombstone this film could have been a stand-out historical drama. But it isn't.
Worthy, but not brilliantly engaging
But that's not actually what's wrong with the film, after all we expect that from Hollywood. The single largest failing of this film is that it plods. It's a plodding film that could have been a t least half an hour shorter than it is. Even that failing probably wouldn't have been so pronounced if this film hadn't bee released at almost exactly the same time as Tombstone, a film with as much historical accuracy in the Earp tale, but which was an hour shorter.
Then there was the cast. Wyatt Earp had a fabulous cast, as did Tombstone but the latter had breath-taking, career-high performances , a script that zinged and considerably more clarity of story and character.
Without Tombstone this film could have been a stand-out historical drama. But it isn't.
Worthy, but not brilliantly engaging
The Pho Cookbook by Andrea Nguyen is an in-depth introduction to pho and its history. The book is split into six sections Pho Manual, Master Pho, Adventurous Pho, Pho Add-ons, Stir-fried, Pan-fried pho and Deep-fried Pho and Pho Sidekicks. Each section is includes high quality photographs that show both food and life in Vietnam.
An excellent book, both from the point of view of the approach and extensive documentation, as well as a sample of quality food writing. Beyond the useful directions and details about how to prepare the traditional Pho, and the meals to match with, the reader is also offered anthropological observations about the history of this meal and other insider information based on frequent visits to Vietnam and direct experience in her mother's restaurant.
The book provided many variations of Pho, which I am looking forward to trying out. While I haven't yet made any of the recipes, I did read over them and they vary in skill and level of difficulty, which is something I appreciate as a lover of Pho as well as a lover of easy recipes.
I received this book from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
An excellent book, both from the point of view of the approach and extensive documentation, as well as a sample of quality food writing. Beyond the useful directions and details about how to prepare the traditional Pho, and the meals to match with, the reader is also offered anthropological observations about the history of this meal and other insider information based on frequent visits to Vietnam and direct experience in her mother's restaurant.
The book provided many variations of Pho, which I am looking forward to trying out. While I haven't yet made any of the recipes, I did read over them and they vary in skill and level of difficulty, which is something I appreciate as a lover of Pho as well as a lover of easy recipes.
I received this book from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Kite Runner in Books
Jun 19, 2018
Moving and beautifully written
I can safely say that this is hands down the best book I’ve read so far this year. This book has been on my ‘to read’ list now for years, and I’ve never been moved to read it until now, mainly because I wasn’t sure it’d be my kind of story.... how wrong could I be.
This is possibly the most moving and beautifully written book I’ve read in a long time. The narration by the protagonist Amir is brilliantly done and it hooks you in from the very start. I was never bored for a second, whether reading about his childhood in Afghanistan or his later life in America and beyond. This is a heartwarming tale in parts, but for the most it is very sad and depressing and is a very good portrayal of war torn Afghanistan. I’ve never felt so moved to tears as I have when reading this book.The story itself too is not in the slightest bit predictable and to say I was surprised at the developments over the course of the book would be an understatement.
An amazing read and one that is sure to stick with me for some time.
This is possibly the most moving and beautifully written book I’ve read in a long time. The narration by the protagonist Amir is brilliantly done and it hooks you in from the very start. I was never bored for a second, whether reading about his childhood in Afghanistan or his later life in America and beyond. This is a heartwarming tale in parts, but for the most it is very sad and depressing and is a very good portrayal of war torn Afghanistan. I’ve never felt so moved to tears as I have when reading this book.The story itself too is not in the slightest bit predictable and to say I was surprised at the developments over the course of the book would be an understatement.
An amazing read and one that is sure to stick with me for some time.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Dark Star (1974) in Movies
May 31, 2018
Massively influential spoof of overly-solemn and pretentious 60s sci-fi movies looks like what it is - a student movie blown up to feature proportions. John Carpenter was known to comment that the world's greatest student movie would still only be a pretty unimpressive 'real' film and there is an element of truth in this, for Dark Star is often slightly primitive, especially in its visual effects.
But never mind that, just enjoy the way it deconstructs the likes of 2001 and their philosophical concerns - 'never mind all that intelligent life crap, just give me something I can blow up,' snaps the commander early on. Classical music is eschewed for a jaunty country tune, and so on.
Most significant is way the pristine interiors of other films' spacecraft are replaced by the squalid, utilitarian quarters of the Dark Star's crew - this is space bereft of novelty and glamour, it's just a boring and dangerous place to work. You can see the 'used universe' aesthetic of the late 70s SF boom and beyond being invented here. Plus this is the movie that directly led to Alien. Not the biggest or best SF movie of the 70s, but still one of the most significant in the history of the genre.
But never mind that, just enjoy the way it deconstructs the likes of 2001 and their philosophical concerns - 'never mind all that intelligent life crap, just give me something I can blow up,' snaps the commander early on. Classical music is eschewed for a jaunty country tune, and so on.
Most significant is way the pristine interiors of other films' spacecraft are replaced by the squalid, utilitarian quarters of the Dark Star's crew - this is space bereft of novelty and glamour, it's just a boring and dangerous place to work. You can see the 'used universe' aesthetic of the late 70s SF boom and beyond being invented here. Plus this is the movie that directly led to Alien. Not the biggest or best SF movie of the 70s, but still one of the most significant in the history of the genre.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty (Sleeping Beauty, #1) in Books
Nov 14, 2018
One day I was just looking online through random books that I could read and I came across this trilogy and it sparked my interest. I thought I would give this book a go. All I knew about it was that it was an erotic twist on a fairytale, I thought it might even be quite sweet...wow! One word comes to mind after reading this book...HARSH! To sum it up I would say 'torture-porn', and how tortured these characters indeed were. Although the story was well written it went beyond enjoyment and straight to 'I don't think I can even finish this book, it's pretty horrendous!'. But I stuck it out and finished it with a gob-smacked expression on my face. This isn't a sweet, fluffy and easy-to-read novel, its hard-core and sadistic. This review sounds like I didn't like the book yet I gave it 3 stars...this is because I really liked the challenge of getting through this book and it left me in shock, so many books i finish with a shrug then move on but this book is definitely something to remember. I am now reading a comedy inbetween carrying on with the series as even I feel like the characters need a break.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated La La Land (2016) in Movies
Nov 24, 2018
Great catchy soundtrack (2 more)
Great cast
Good story
A great musical where the music shines
This was a great movie and went well beyond my expectations. I have watched this many times now and still love it.
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are both fantastic and work well together. The songs are so good and catchy and convinced me to go get the soundtrack and am listening to it as i write this. It also convinced me to look into jazz which i never thought to listen to before. This movie feels like a love letter to that genre of music. This movie is all about the music and i loved every second of every song.
It is a romance story you have seen before but they sfill find a way to make if feel fresh and different with an ending not really expected. I think throughtout this movie i felt every emotion there is.
The movie was shot beautifully and in a way you could be convinced this was filmed either now or many years ago. There is an old fashioned feeling about this movie which i loved.
It may not be for everyone but i can recommend it for a musical fan. I never expected to enjoy it as much as i did.
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are both fantastic and work well together. The songs are so good and catchy and convinced me to go get the soundtrack and am listening to it as i write this. It also convinced me to look into jazz which i never thought to listen to before. This movie feels like a love letter to that genre of music. This movie is all about the music and i loved every second of every song.
It is a romance story you have seen before but they sfill find a way to make if feel fresh and different with an ending not really expected. I think throughtout this movie i felt every emotion there is.
The movie was shot beautifully and in a way you could be convinced this was filmed either now or many years ago. There is an old fashioned feeling about this movie which i loved.
It may not be for everyone but i can recommend it for a musical fan. I never expected to enjoy it as much as i did.
David McK (3663 KP) rated Hereward (Hereward, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Obviously the first in a planned series of novels on Hereward 'the Wake' (in this context, 'the Wake' means wary or watchful), who was a real Saxon who lead the resistance against the Norman invaders of England in William the Conquerors time.
While largely forgotten by history, many of Herewards exploits have later been subsumed into the many legends of Robin Hood - it is easy to see the parallels between the two characters and, as such, I thought that this could prove to be an interesting read.
Unfortunately, for me, much of the novel fell flat - I was never really drawn into it all that much; never really connected with any of the main characters. Starting in 1062, the novels takes place over a span of years (up to, and slightly beyond) The Battle of Hastings in 1066 with that battle (and Stamford bridge beforehand) largely glossed over - maybe only a chapter or two devoted to the both of them. Indeed, it was only in the last 70 pages or so - with the beginnings of the English resistance - that I began to be more drawn into the novel, by which stage it was too late.
While I may read the sequels, I'm not going to be looking for them.
While largely forgotten by history, many of Herewards exploits have later been subsumed into the many legends of Robin Hood - it is easy to see the parallels between the two characters and, as such, I thought that this could prove to be an interesting read.
Unfortunately, for me, much of the novel fell flat - I was never really drawn into it all that much; never really connected with any of the main characters. Starting in 1062, the novels takes place over a span of years (up to, and slightly beyond) The Battle of Hastings in 1066 with that battle (and Stamford bridge beforehand) largely glossed over - maybe only a chapter or two devoted to the both of them. Indeed, it was only in the last 70 pages or so - with the beginnings of the English resistance - that I began to be more drawn into the novel, by which stage it was too late.
While I may read the sequels, I'm not going to be looking for them.