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Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Shining (1980) in Movies
Jun 7, 2020
A classic
This film is undoubtedly a classic and I would never suggest it isnt, although it's probably divisive for me to say that it's not the best film I've ever seen.
From a psychological horror point of view, this is fantastic and is exactly what you'd expect from a Stanley Kubrick film. The score and the cinematography are brilliant. This entire film fills you with such a sense of unease and nervousness, without relying on predictable jump scares like modern horrors. Jack Nicholson has always been one of my favourite actors and he puts in a great performance here as the tormented Jack Torrance. Stephen King really dislikes this film and I can see why considering how much it differs from the book. For me yes there are differences but the majority arent a major problem and I can still appreciate the film itself.
The biggest issue I have with this film is Shelley Duvall. I really cannot stand her acting and her portrayal of Wendy is so laughable and over the top. I really don't like it whenever she's on screen and considering how central she is to the story, this is a major disappointment. If the character of Wendy had been better acted, I wouldve scored this film much higher - she really impacted on my enjoyment of what should be a hugely tense and suspenseful film.
Overall a classic, but definitely not perfect.
From a psychological horror point of view, this is fantastic and is exactly what you'd expect from a Stanley Kubrick film. The score and the cinematography are brilliant. This entire film fills you with such a sense of unease and nervousness, without relying on predictable jump scares like modern horrors. Jack Nicholson has always been one of my favourite actors and he puts in a great performance here as the tormented Jack Torrance. Stephen King really dislikes this film and I can see why considering how much it differs from the book. For me yes there are differences but the majority arent a major problem and I can still appreciate the film itself.
The biggest issue I have with this film is Shelley Duvall. I really cannot stand her acting and her portrayal of Wendy is so laughable and over the top. I really don't like it whenever she's on screen and considering how central she is to the story, this is a major disappointment. If the character of Wendy had been better acted, I wouldve scored this film much higher - she really impacted on my enjoyment of what should be a hugely tense and suspenseful film.
Overall a classic, but definitely not perfect.
Emeli Sande recommended track Angel of Mine by Eternal in Greatest Hits by Eternal in Music (curated)
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Second Nature in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Oh my gosh! This is the first book I've ever read of Jacquelyn Mitchard's & all I can say is WOW!!! I adored this book from the very first chapter! It was funny & heartbreaking, weak & strong, tender & harsh all at once.
Second Nature tells the story of Sicily Coyne. It begins by telling you about the day her life changed forever, she was 10. A fire broke out at her church trapping children inside. Who should rush in to save them but her father? She survives, kind of. But her dad isn't so lucky. I say she sort of survives because she is alive, but her face has literally been burned off of her.
She spends 13 years basically in hiding because she is so scarred. Then a chance phone conversation dramatically changes her life again.
The book really gets going from that point on Sicily, having faced the worst scenarios life can throw at someone, is once again faced with a life altering choice. The story centers around her choice & the way it impacts her & the lives of the people she surrounds herself with. This story was incredibly moving! It is almost too horrific to even be believable, but I still found myself rooting for her through the entire thing. You can't help but love her & yes, even envy her at times in this book.
She is truly one of those characters that is unforgettable. A strong, determined woman even when it seems like the entire world is out to get her.
Second Nature tells the story of Sicily Coyne. It begins by telling you about the day her life changed forever, she was 10. A fire broke out at her church trapping children inside. Who should rush in to save them but her father? She survives, kind of. But her dad isn't so lucky. I say she sort of survives because she is alive, but her face has literally been burned off of her.
She spends 13 years basically in hiding because she is so scarred. Then a chance phone conversation dramatically changes her life again.
The book really gets going from that point on Sicily, having faced the worst scenarios life can throw at someone, is once again faced with a life altering choice. The story centers around her choice & the way it impacts her & the lives of the people she surrounds herself with. This story was incredibly moving! It is almost too horrific to even be believable, but I still found myself rooting for her through the entire thing. You can't help but love her & yes, even envy her at times in this book.
She is truly one of those characters that is unforgettable. A strong, determined woman even when it seems like the entire world is out to get her.
Debbiereadsbook (1557 KP) rated Stone of Doubt (Stones of Iona #5) in Books
May 1, 2025
I liked that we heard from Evie, Aodhan and Munix
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 5 in the Stones of Iona series, and I think *I* maybe should have read them first. I'll try to explain.
Evie has met Aodhan before, but we don't get a full recap here. I felt it was kind of glossed over: they met in Egypt, Aodhan gave Evie a stone, says to call when she needs him, and then promptly disappears. I would have liked a much more detailed recap, especially as this book is a sort of starting point to join the series, if you haven't before.
And I think that's my biggest thing. I asked if I needed to read the other books first, and was told that it wasn't strictly necessary. But I would say, you DO need to read them. There is a huge back up cast and I wasn't fully able to place everyone, and fill in a mental timeline for everything.
The world building was good, but I still missed something. I wasn't able to fit the bits and pieces together to get a full picture.
All that aside, I did like this book. It's fast paced and I liked that we heard from Evie, Aodhan and Munix, the bad guy (sorta!)
It's dark and deadly in places, the romance is a bit of the sweet side, and not very explicit.
This is the first I've read of this author, I'd like to read something else, not this series, but a series from the beginning, so I can fully appreciate the world building and the writer's skill.
3 good stars, but only because I felt I missed a lot by not reading the others.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 5 in the Stones of Iona series, and I think *I* maybe should have read them first. I'll try to explain.
Evie has met Aodhan before, but we don't get a full recap here. I felt it was kind of glossed over: they met in Egypt, Aodhan gave Evie a stone, says to call when she needs him, and then promptly disappears. I would have liked a much more detailed recap, especially as this book is a sort of starting point to join the series, if you haven't before.
And I think that's my biggest thing. I asked if I needed to read the other books first, and was told that it wasn't strictly necessary. But I would say, you DO need to read them. There is a huge back up cast and I wasn't fully able to place everyone, and fill in a mental timeline for everything.
The world building was good, but I still missed something. I wasn't able to fit the bits and pieces together to get a full picture.
All that aside, I did like this book. It's fast paced and I liked that we heard from Evie, Aodhan and Munix, the bad guy (sorta!)
It's dark and deadly in places, the romance is a bit of the sweet side, and not very explicit.
This is the first I've read of this author, I'd like to read something else, not this series, but a series from the beginning, so I can fully appreciate the world building and the writer's skill.
3 good stars, but only because I felt I missed a lot by not reading the others.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Philomena (2013) in Movies
Oct 26, 2017
A great heartwarming comedy
I avoided this film for a few years mainly because of Steve Coogan, but i can honestly say it is a very funny, heartwarming, sad and disturbing tale.
Judi Dench is as fantastic as ever as Phil. She brings such warmth and a believability to the at times naive Irish woman. The script itself is clever and well written. I didn't think such a disturbing and horrible story could include some truly funny moments, but it pulls them off well. It also really highlights Phil's story without downplaying or making light of, and it's a story that really needs to be told. This isn't something that I was aware of, so it has really opened my eyes to what went on and did in fact make me quite angry.
My only criticism would be Steve Coogan. He seems to play a similar character in most films and other than towards the end of Philomena, you don't feel much ot care much for him.
Judi Dench is as fantastic as ever as Phil. She brings such warmth and a believability to the at times naive Irish woman. The script itself is clever and well written. I didn't think such a disturbing and horrible story could include some truly funny moments, but it pulls them off well. It also really highlights Phil's story without downplaying or making light of, and it's a story that really needs to be told. This isn't something that I was aware of, so it has really opened my eyes to what went on and did in fact make me quite angry.
My only criticism would be Steve Coogan. He seems to play a similar character in most films and other than towards the end of Philomena, you don't feel much ot care much for him.
Jennifer Daniell (108 KP) rated A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea in Books
Apr 10, 2018
Devastating. Heartbreaking. Sickening. And POWERFUL. I wish everyone would take the time to read about Doaa, or any refugee so that they can see just what it is that is happening. Why we MUST take these people into our country, our lives, and our homes. To be able to stop seeing them only as their religion, and instead for their humanity, their souls.
I do have to say that the author did Doaa somewhat of an injustice by being the one to tell her tale. I don't know why, but there seemed to be such a disconnect from the writer to the story, it felt very...matter of fact. Perhaps because of the language barrier or maybe because the author isn't an author by trade. Whatever it is, I suppose, is of little relevance as long as Doaa's story is heard, and because in the end their meeting led to the reuniting of a deserving family; safe, if not sound.
I do have to say that the author did Doaa somewhat of an injustice by being the one to tell her tale. I don't know why, but there seemed to be such a disconnect from the writer to the story, it felt very...matter of fact. Perhaps because of the language barrier or maybe because the author isn't an author by trade. Whatever it is, I suppose, is of little relevance as long as Doaa's story is heard, and because in the end their meeting led to the reuniting of a deserving family; safe, if not sound.
JSG87 (8 KP) rated Bird Box (2018) in Movies
Feb 22, 2019
Great acting. (2 more)
Sandra Bullock
Imaginative
A very good film that isn't quite understood by the masses.
I went into this move blind (no pun intended). Didn't have a clue what it was about.
The best part about it is how you never see the monster.
Now I've seen all over the Internet how this is apparently try about mental disorders and depression but I'm not quite sure if i agree with those assumptions (which is all we have tbh).
The film makers did say that they originally had the monster visible in the movie but that it didn't fit and didn't quite convey what they wanted so they cut it in the end.
I think I prefer it that way though because it leaves the movie open to interpretation. I'd recommend this move to anyone who likes suspense and mystery. It can be quite slow at times but there's always enough through provoking stuff happening that you might not notice.
The best part about it is how you never see the monster.
Now I've seen all over the Internet how this is apparently try about mental disorders and depression but I'm not quite sure if i agree with those assumptions (which is all we have tbh).
The film makers did say that they originally had the monster visible in the movie but that it didn't fit and didn't quite convey what they wanted so they cut it in the end.
I think I prefer it that way though because it leaves the movie open to interpretation. I'd recommend this move to anyone who likes suspense and mystery. It can be quite slow at times but there's always enough through provoking stuff happening that you might not notice.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated The White Road: The Nightrunner Series, Book 5 in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Thank goodness. A particular story arc is finally closed, spread over the length of this and the previous novel. It was interesting at first, then it got really tiresome. I will say that it was fairly unique, which is fairly rare, so kudos to Flewelling for that, and it really tested the relationship between Alec and Seregil while it lasted.
I'm not sure how much longer these books can stay fresh, although the world does offer more potential. Perhaps it's time for Flewelling to allow this couple to turn things over to a new generation? Their heritage does mean they'll be young enough for nightrunning for years to come, but that doesn't mean readers will stay interested in reading about them that long unless they go off to countries as yet unexplored. I, to be honest, would prefer to read stories including more female POV characters for a change. (I have nothing against gay male characters - I just like female characters, too.)
I'm not sure how much longer these books can stay fresh, although the world does offer more potential. Perhaps it's time for Flewelling to allow this couple to turn things over to a new generation? Their heritage does mean they'll be young enough for nightrunning for years to come, but that doesn't mean readers will stay interested in reading about them that long unless they go off to countries as yet unexplored. I, to be honest, would prefer to read stories including more female POV characters for a change. (I have nothing against gay male characters - I just like female characters, too.)
Melissa Parsons (14 KP) rated The Hobbit in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Brilliant adventure (1 more)
Must read before Lord of the rings
Amazing novel
The Hobbit is another master piece but the now deceased master of fantasy: Tolkein. If you ever see the J. R. R Tolkein name on a novel your guaranteed for a ride that you will not want to get off. May be slow to start but that can be a good thing. I know this recently was made in to a movie series but I do wish that this had been done before Lord of The Rings as the Hobbit gives us the background and shows us Bilbo as a younger man. Now I’m not gonna give any spoilers as I believe it’s a novel best experienced yourself but I will say this: anyone afraid of spiders needs to be prepared cause this book does contain giant spiders in a part of it.
Buckle up, relax and enjoy the wonderful journey of a Hobbit.
Buckle up, relax and enjoy the wonderful journey of a Hobbit.
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated The Captain Is Dead in Tabletop Games
Dec 13, 2018
I have only played this game once.
In The Captain is Dead, you and your teammates are going to be rushing around your ship attempting to hold the aliens off while you fix the ship’s engines (Jump Core).
I loved that you have to work as a team, and we would constantly be thinking of strategies, after every turn. It was great fun. You also get to choose from so many different characters, and they all do different things, have different number of actions you can play, and have different special powers.
I think that this game gets better and better the more you play, as you start to know what you're supposed to do, and how to win the game together. but there are so many ways to lose, and only one way to win, which makes the game almost unbeatable.
Needless to say, we lost (BADLY), but I was great fun and amazing experience.
In The Captain is Dead, you and your teammates are going to be rushing around your ship attempting to hold the aliens off while you fix the ship’s engines (Jump Core).
I loved that you have to work as a team, and we would constantly be thinking of strategies, after every turn. It was great fun. You also get to choose from so many different characters, and they all do different things, have different number of actions you can play, and have different special powers.
I think that this game gets better and better the more you play, as you start to know what you're supposed to do, and how to win the game together. but there are so many ways to lose, and only one way to win, which makes the game almost unbeatable.
Needless to say, we lost (BADLY), but I was great fun and amazing experience.