Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Sam (228 KP) rated Aladdin (2019) in Movies

Oct 20, 2019 (Updated Oct 20, 2019)  
Aladdin (2019)
Aladdin (2019)
2019 | Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Will Smith in Completely Different Role (0 more)
Grows On You
I have very mixed feelings about this film. When I first started watching I hated all of it, the costumes were childlike, the acting mediocre, and the music didnt not transition well throughout the film.
So I watched it a second time with my newborn daughter (she likes musicals and I had nothing else in the house). She fell asleep instantly but that's beside the point. The second time watching I started to enjpy the music a little bit more, the transitions were terrible but the music itself wasn't bad. The acting also didnt seem as bad though I began to notice that Will Smith overshadowed the main characters as his acting alone read to be far superior. He dominated majority of the scenes, which wasn't a bad thing as he seemed to be the only one going above and beyond.
However I'm sad to say that even as the film proves to grow on you little by little I'd still have to say that it read to be more of a Disney Channel Movie rather than an actual Big Picture Film. Certainly didn't hold to the quality or standard that Disney demands of it's Main Features, especially one of the one's meant to be a part of their Princess Film Collection.
  
U(
Unbalanced (Demon Lovers, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Addie is having a last drink with her colleagues before making her way home to nurse her upcoming hangover. She has been made redundant and has nothing to get up for. On her way home, she hears a cry for help and goes to see what she can do. What happens next is beyond her wildest imaginings and sends her spiraling into the world of demons and fulcrums. What Leah did out of duty, Addie quickly comes to do out of love and affections for 'her' demons. Will she be able to balance out Jet and Locan before they kill each other and will them be able to kill the demon that is taking out the teams?

This is a very short story that is full of heat. It has an interesting part with the fulcrum and what it means to lose one but there is a part when Addie wonders if she has done her 'job' too well and isn't actually needed anymore. There are gaps in the world building and character back stories but it is only a short novella so you can't expect everything. There is some ménage action and a snippet of M/M that Addie watches whilst half asleep.

If you would like something to warm you up but not bog you down with details, then give this one a shot.
  
Reeva: A Mother's Story
Reeva: A Mother's Story
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I don't think it's fair to criticise the way in which this book is written given what it's about BUT on a few occassions this book, however, does go round in circles; repetitive statements and opinions.
Prior reading this I knew little of Reeva. I knew more about Pistorious because of the books I have read and the documentaries I've seen. A beautiful woman was murdered on the 14th Feburary 2013. FACT. Whether Pistorious knew it was Reeva or not he knew the damage in which the bullets would do. So, for this reason alone, he is guilty. Only, from watching him (without a lot of facts on Reeva's side-text messages and his possessive behaviour) part of me believed him and wants to believe him. Not because of his status-to be fair, just like June Steenkamp, I wasn't aware of his time in the olympics, but because I can't help but think/hope/want the photos of the couple smiling together to be genuine. Ahhhh facts are facts and after reading this book it's hard to believe anything Pistrious did or said.. as much as I really want to. I am half-way through another book which is based on all of the statements from witnesses and beyond... regardless of opinions... Reeva was taken far too early... may she rest in peace!
  
Big Lies in a Small Town
Big Lies in a Small Town
Diane Chamberlain | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

Diane Chamberlain is a prolific writer who has been on my "want to read" list for years. When given the opportunity to review her latest book, Big Lies in a Small Town, I jumped at the chance. Having finished it, I am glad I did.

Morgan Christopher and Anna Dale are both strong, artistic women whose stories are told in alternating chapters. In 2018, Morgan is hired to restore a mural Anna painted in 1940. Beyond the mural, they both must deal with issues that are daunting and will test their character and resolve.

The story flowed well and the writing style made it hard to put it down. I ended up reading it in 2 sittings. There is one "surprise" that seems extremely obvious but the story is definitely worth reading.

It is marketed as women's fiction. To me, it seems to be a mystery too. Morgan makes it her mission to figure out secrets hidden in the mural. I do not want to say more than that and give anything away.

Many of her books are labeled as women's fiction. Some as mystery. I frequently skip books labeled women's fiction. After reading this, I probably will read more.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/15/20.