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Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated The Florida Project (2017) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Horrible
Halley an rebellious woman lives with her daughter Mooney in a budget type of motel on the outskirts of Disney world. Halley has no respect for anything and her attitude has passed on to her her daughter who is so disrespectful. Bobby (Dafoe) who is the manager knows the policy that longtime rentals are not allowed kind of has a soft spot for Mooney and the other kids who are there and bend the rules for them and allow them to keep switching rooms and stay longer. Disruptive behavior will be the end of Halley and have her daughter taken away for her with good reason.
This movie disturbed me so much. I know unfortunately that this type of living goes on in America and this movie just shines a light on it to a point that makes you sick. I am sorry I wasted my time on this film
This movie disturbed me so much. I know unfortunately that this type of living goes on in America and this movie just shines a light on it to a point that makes you sick. I am sorry I wasted my time on this film
KarenRC (6 KP) rated The Key to Death's Door in Books
Jul 23, 2018
Never before has a book had me in such a mixture of feelings... I hated it in the way that it was so graphic and the Daryl character so abhorrent, but I also found myself totally unable to stop reading.
This was my first book by this author, but I don't think it will be the last. The writing style and character descriptions are second to none. The hate for Daryls character is matched only by the love for Lee/Pauls character and his relationship with Charlie/Bobby and that is testament to the author, in the same way that I think that the graphic scenes got to me so much, because I could picture them so well.
Definitely one that is going to stay with me, but not sure if I have decided whether that will be in a good way or not, yet!!
This was my first book by this author, but I don't think it will be the last. The writing style and character descriptions are second to none. The hate for Daryls character is matched only by the love for Lee/Pauls character and his relationship with Charlie/Bobby and that is testament to the author, in the same way that I think that the graphic scenes got to me so much, because I could picture them so well.
Definitely one that is going to stay with me, but not sure if I have decided whether that will be in a good way or not, yet!!
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated The Masterpiece in Books
Mar 5, 2019
In her latest novel, Francine Rivers brings us Roman Velasco a well to do artist who could have anything money can buy, except peace and contentment. Using graffiti to deal with his hurt and emotions, running from foster home to foster home as a child, Roman aka Bobby Ray Dean (the bird) is haunted by his past as a graffiti tagger.
Roman hires Grace as his personal assistant to help free up his time so he can concentrate on painting, but little does she know about Romans alter ego Bobby Ray Dean. Grace s dealing with her own secrets. Recovering from a bad marriage, Grace vows never to let a man hurt her again, but as they get to know one another the pieces begin to come together that alter the course of their lives.
Francine Rivers has done a superb job writing this novel. She has created intriguing characters that every reader can relate to. The author has run with an idea of how a childhood trauma can impact adult life; how two broken individuals can find completeness together. The author also brings out the issues of how we as persons can fall into traps and be thrown into the worldly ways, only to suffer the consequences of our actions.
She also points out that we are saved by Grace and that God loves us, and sometimes some of us have to realize there is a hell in order to hear and understand the truth.
A wonderful novel that the reader will not be able to put down. Well written and keeps the reader wanting more.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Roman hires Grace as his personal assistant to help free up his time so he can concentrate on painting, but little does she know about Romans alter ego Bobby Ray Dean. Grace s dealing with her own secrets. Recovering from a bad marriage, Grace vows never to let a man hurt her again, but as they get to know one another the pieces begin to come together that alter the course of their lives.
Francine Rivers has done a superb job writing this novel. She has created intriguing characters that every reader can relate to. The author has run with an idea of how a childhood trauma can impact adult life; how two broken individuals can find completeness together. The author also brings out the issues of how we as persons can fall into traps and be thrown into the worldly ways, only to suffer the consequences of our actions.
She also points out that we are saved by Grace and that God loves us, and sometimes some of us have to realize there is a hell in order to hear and understand the truth.
A wonderful novel that the reader will not be able to put down. Well written and keeps the reader wanting more.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Heather, the Totality in Books
Mar 15, 2018
<b>2.5 stars</b>
I can understand the negatives reviews for this book because it was underwhelming.
People are complaining about the writing style but it didnt bother me that much. I guess this just felt like a slightly bulked out storyboard for a TV show, which would make sense as the author wrote Mad Men.
Some people think there is no character development in this novella, but I cant say I agree. Mark and Karen are well described throughout the book and though you dont get much history into each character, you learn enough about them as they grow older together and have a child. Same goes for Bobby. Heather, on the other hand, is more difficult to get to know. We didnt really get the chance to learn much about her.
I honestly feel like this book was a little above my level of understanding and maybe I didnt get the bigger picture, but to me this just felt like a slow story of overbearing, selfish parents, their confused golden child, and the obsession of a disturbed man. I know Im probably getting this all wrong but hey, what can you do.
I enjoyed Bobbys monologue, even though it was filled with sick and depraved rape imaginings. I guess because he was the only character that had any character, it made his part of the story worth reading. Other than that, it was pretty boring.
I agree with reviewers who said this felt cut off all of a sudden, because it does just seem to end out of nowhere, and in a pretty dull manner.
This novel reminded me of Hubert Selby Jrs work. Depressing, bleak, dark and slow. (But with worse characters and a less captivating plot).
<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.</i>
I can understand the negatives reviews for this book because it was underwhelming.
People are complaining about the writing style but it didnt bother me that much. I guess this just felt like a slightly bulked out storyboard for a TV show, which would make sense as the author wrote Mad Men.
Some people think there is no character development in this novella, but I cant say I agree. Mark and Karen are well described throughout the book and though you dont get much history into each character, you learn enough about them as they grow older together and have a child. Same goes for Bobby. Heather, on the other hand, is more difficult to get to know. We didnt really get the chance to learn much about her.
I honestly feel like this book was a little above my level of understanding and maybe I didnt get the bigger picture, but to me this just felt like a slow story of overbearing, selfish parents, their confused golden child, and the obsession of a disturbed man. I know Im probably getting this all wrong but hey, what can you do.
I enjoyed Bobbys monologue, even though it was filled with sick and depraved rape imaginings. I guess because he was the only character that had any character, it made his part of the story worth reading. Other than that, it was pretty boring.
I agree with reviewers who said this felt cut off all of a sudden, because it does just seem to end out of nowhere, and in a pretty dull manner.
This novel reminded me of Hubert Selby Jrs work. Depressing, bleak, dark and slow. (But with worse characters and a less captivating plot).
<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.</i>
Nickg24 (492 KP) rated Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) in Movies
Aug 15, 2019
The King Deserved Better
Was looking to forward to this next chapter in the Godzilla movies but alas bar one or two good things about it the majority of this film was poor.
My main criticism is for the human characters all fell flat.You couldn't really care about them,it seemed their only purpose in the film was to go on about their scientific theories or make crass jokes (can't pronounce one of the monsters names so let's call it gonorrhea instead) and is it just me or was millie bobby brown just plain annoying.They could have made Charles Dance bad guy a little more bladder,he just seemed to polite for my liking.
The CGI was good in parts with the final showdown between godzilla and ghidorah being the best of the titans fighting each other.
I really hope they improve things for the next installment in the series when godzilla faces kong.
My main criticism is for the human characters all fell flat.You couldn't really care about them,it seemed their only purpose in the film was to go on about their scientific theories or make crass jokes (can't pronounce one of the monsters names so let's call it gonorrhea instead) and is it just me or was millie bobby brown just plain annoying.They could have made Charles Dance bad guy a little more bladder,he just seemed to polite for my liking.
The CGI was good in parts with the final showdown between godzilla and ghidorah being the best of the titans fighting each other.
I really hope they improve things for the next installment in the series when godzilla faces kong.
Method Man recommended The Station Agent (2003) in Movies (curated)
Jake Gyllenhaal recommended Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993) in Movies (curated)
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Enola Holmes (2020) in Movies
Sep 28, 2020
Not very mysterious
It could arguably be said that we don't need yet another incarnation of Sherlock Holmes and his family. And in the case of Enola Holmes, I'd have to agree.
Millie Bobby Brown is wonderfully endearing and enigmatic as Enola, and even Henry Cavill as Sherlock wasn't half bad (I actually wish there could have been more of him in this). The problem is the story and whole premise of this film. It's trying to say something about female empowerment but then contradicts itself constantly by Enola spending her entire time trying to outwit her brother and chasing around after a boy. It's also a little lacking in actually mystery - the story it puts forwards is rather dull and not particularly mysterious. This film seems to be aimed at a younger audience, and for adults is just an average kids film. Indeed this is probably a film best suited for young/teenage girls and not one I'd recommend if you're not a teenager!
Millie Bobby Brown is wonderfully endearing and enigmatic as Enola, and even Henry Cavill as Sherlock wasn't half bad (I actually wish there could have been more of him in this). The problem is the story and whole premise of this film. It's trying to say something about female empowerment but then contradicts itself constantly by Enola spending her entire time trying to outwit her brother and chasing around after a boy. It's also a little lacking in actually mystery - the story it puts forwards is rather dull and not particularly mysterious. This film seems to be aimed at a younger audience, and for adults is just an average kids film. Indeed this is probably a film best suited for young/teenage girls and not one I'd recommend if you're not a teenager!
Merissa (11800 KP) rated Down and Dirty (Cole McGinnis #5) in Books
May 30, 2023
The first 65% or so of this book is going over what has happened in the previous books, but you see it from Ichi and/or Bobby's point of view. This gives you a more rounded view of what has happened, so it helps to put everything into perspective.
As is said in the book, Ichi is an old soul so it doesn't seem that much of an age gap between Bobby and Ichi. This also means that there is little or none of the miscommunication that appears prevalent in some cases. These two actually talk things out, which is really refreshing to read.
Claudia does her business in keeping her boys in line and all is good with the world. I would definitely say that this book adds a certain zing to the Cole McGinnis series. Definitely recommended.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 20, 2016
As is said in the book, Ichi is an old soul so it doesn't seem that much of an age gap between Bobby and Ichi. This also means that there is little or none of the miscommunication that appears prevalent in some cases. These two actually talk things out, which is really refreshing to read.
Claudia does her business in keeping her boys in line and all is good with the world. I would definitely say that this book adds a certain zing to the Cole McGinnis series. Definitely recommended.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 20, 2016
Merissa (11800 KP) rated Dirty Heart (Cole McGinnis #6) in Books
May 30, 2023
In the final book of the series, we get closer to finding out just why Ben shot Rick and Cole right at the beginning. Of course, this being a Cole McGinnis book, there's just no simple answer. We have to have people shot, chases, action, and don't forget the llamas! There are less than six degrees of separation for our characters, and as the mystery unfolds, characters show up that were once closely linked to Cole, Bobby, and Ben.
Well-written with a brilliant epilogue, this brilliantly concludes the series. And it is a series, a proper, full-on series, so you will need to read from book one for it to make any sense. If you like M/M Mystery Romance, then I can definitely recommend this.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 21, 2016
Well-written with a brilliant epilogue, this brilliantly concludes the series. And it is a series, a proper, full-on series, so you will need to read from book one for it to make any sense. If you like M/M Mystery Romance, then I can definitely recommend this.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 21, 2016