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Kim Pook (101 KP) rated 50/50 (2011) in Movies
Sep 10, 2020
After suffering for a while with back pain and night sweats, 27 year old Adam goes to the doctors and discovers he has a rare form of cancer with only a 50% chance of survival. This is a story of how he tries to come to terms with his diagnosis. There's happiness, sadness and of course struggles. It shows the reality of how having cancer can affect not only you but those around you too, including the harsh reality of a loved one walking away because they can't handle it.
The movie was enjoyable for the most part, but I do think they should have just kept it as a drama only, rather than try to make it a comedy too. Joseph Gordon Levitt did a fantastic job, but I felt seth rogens scenes needed toning down, they were too full on for this kind of movie.
The movie was enjoyable for the most part, but I do think they should have just kept it as a drama only, rather than try to make it a comedy too. Joseph Gordon Levitt did a fantastic job, but I felt seth rogens scenes needed toning down, they were too full on for this kind of movie.
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated The Cancer Ladies' Running Club in Books
Jul 1, 2021
I just couldn’t put this book down! It was such an easy read, but also one that made me laugh, cry and think about my own mortality all at the same time.
We follow Keira as she is getting a diagnosis of breast cancer, after always believing that she doesn’t get ill. We go with her as she battles her cancer as well as battling through the trials of every day life: being a mum, being a wife and owning a business. I really felt for her when things started to go wrong in different aspects of her life and felt her frustration when she felt that people weren’t being supportive or had started treating her differently.
Keira ends up speaking to a woman outside the hospital, who becomes one of her rocks throughout her treatment. Tamsin just happened to come along at exactly the right time for Keira, and together, along with two other women they meet along the way (Amma and Sian) they create the Cancer Ladies’ Running Club. The women go through so much together, all either going through treatment at the same time or having just finished treatment. They talk about how people have changed towards them and have their own personal rants about what is going on in their lives whilst all supporting each other.
I honestly didn’t want to put this book down and have loved every word of it. A definite 5 star from me!
We follow Keira as she is getting a diagnosis of breast cancer, after always believing that she doesn’t get ill. We go with her as she battles her cancer as well as battling through the trials of every day life: being a mum, being a wife and owning a business. I really felt for her when things started to go wrong in different aspects of her life and felt her frustration when she felt that people weren’t being supportive or had started treating her differently.
Keira ends up speaking to a woman outside the hospital, who becomes one of her rocks throughout her treatment. Tamsin just happened to come along at exactly the right time for Keira, and together, along with two other women they meet along the way (Amma and Sian) they create the Cancer Ladies’ Running Club. The women go through so much together, all either going through treatment at the same time or having just finished treatment. They talk about how people have changed towards them and have their own personal rants about what is going on in their lives whilst all supporting each other.
I honestly didn’t want to put this book down and have loved every word of it. A definite 5 star from me!
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Fault in Our Stars in Books
Mar 15, 2018
One of the most moving books I've ever read. The story of two teenagers falling in love is hardly anything new, but the fact that one has survived cancer (and lost a leg in the process) and the other is suffering from an almost certainly uncurable cancer adds a new, and heartbreaking wrinkle to the story. The characters all come off as very grounded in reality, and while capable of some witty dialogue, don't come off as unbelievably clever as say, the teens in "Juno". The illness itself is treated very realistically as well, with every bit of suffering arising throughout the book, while never being allowed to take over entirely. Due to the somewhat brief length of the book and also largely to how addictively well-written it is, I finished it in 2 sittings. One of the most beautiful love stories I've ever read, and one that will stick with me for a long time to come.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Ordinary Love (2019) in Movies
Dec 12, 2019
Rare sighting of the species Liamneesonus Seriousactorii, which has become increasingly elusive in recent years due to excessive Bessoning of its habitat. Here Neeson plays Tom, husband of Joan (Manville): they are a quietly devoted couple of many years' standing, whose world is understandably rocked when she is diagnosed with breast cancer.
Not quite your typical movie on this topic, for it concerns the impact of the follow-up treatment as much as the disease itself. The question is what new can be brought to this genre, or indeed this subject, by a new film - everyone's experience of cancer is necessarily personal, after all, and the more general the statement, the greater the danger of saying something fatuous or inane. The film mostly gets away with it, thanks to strong performances, but one subplot in particular does threaten to overegg the pudding and turn an affecting movie into melodrama. But overall a strong and moving film.
Not quite your typical movie on this topic, for it concerns the impact of the follow-up treatment as much as the disease itself. The question is what new can be brought to this genre, or indeed this subject, by a new film - everyone's experience of cancer is necessarily personal, after all, and the more general the statement, the greater the danger of saying something fatuous or inane. The film mostly gets away with it, thanks to strong performances, but one subplot in particular does threaten to overegg the pudding and turn an affecting movie into melodrama. But overall a strong and moving film.
MsKris1031 (8 KP) rated Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) in Movies
Jul 29, 2018
Frances McDormand (2 more)
Sam Rockwell
Intense
Shockingly good
I watched Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri after watching it receive a couple of awards. I was not disappointed.
This movie covers some hard topics - the pain a family goes through after the rape and murder of the daughter, the fact that the crime is unsolved, small-town interpersonal relationships, cancer, suicide, but still has the perfect script to make it a dark comedy. The actors all did fantastic jobs. I highly recommend this movie.
This movie covers some hard topics - the pain a family goes through after the rape and murder of the daughter, the fact that the crime is unsolved, small-town interpersonal relationships, cancer, suicide, but still has the perfect script to make it a dark comedy. The actors all did fantastic jobs. I highly recommend this movie.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2084 KP) rated Dead Ex in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Ex-boyfriend David Zetrakis was dying of cancer. But that didn't stop someone from killing him. And when Wollie's best friend Joey becomes the prime suspect, Wollie steps in to solve the crime. This book has a soap opera setting and feel, which adds to the fun. The second half slows down a little, but the third in the series is still a great read.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-ex-by-harley-jane-kozak.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-ex-by-harley-jane-kozak.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Wink in Books
Apr 6, 2020
Surprisingly light hearted read
The conversation went like this: "Whats that book? it really like the cover".
"Its called Wink, a new young adult book"
"what is it about?"
"A kid who has cancer of the eye"
"Why would anyone want to read that? It sounds miserable"
"Actually it is meant to be funny".
And actually it is quite a hard sell at first, but, dear reader, this is neither tragically sad not over sentimental. It does get emotional and it does tug at your heart strings except that isn't what sells the book. Its the ease of reading, the loveable character and the huge amount of empathy the book is packed with, in places you wouldn't expect it.
Author Rob Harrell had this exceptionally rare cancer of the tear gland but, instead of writing about his experience, he used his experience and created a teenage boy called Ross and his friends and family and told his story instead. The result is a wonderful book, difficult to put down and very easy to read.
What make this so special, other than the brilliant orange cover, is how real and likeable the characters are. I grew attached to all of them and wanted to stay with them. It is an incredibly human book which is light hearted, honest and (strangely for cancer) fun journey filled with the power of music, friendship and hope.
Now can we have a separate story for Jimmy as well? I loved Jimmy. You will too. Oh and the book made me cry loads of times, in a nice way and isn't that what anyone wants? Art to resonate with you?
"Its called Wink, a new young adult book"
"what is it about?"
"A kid who has cancer of the eye"
"Why would anyone want to read that? It sounds miserable"
"Actually it is meant to be funny".
And actually it is quite a hard sell at first, but, dear reader, this is neither tragically sad not over sentimental. It does get emotional and it does tug at your heart strings except that isn't what sells the book. Its the ease of reading, the loveable character and the huge amount of empathy the book is packed with, in places you wouldn't expect it.
Author Rob Harrell had this exceptionally rare cancer of the tear gland but, instead of writing about his experience, he used his experience and created a teenage boy called Ross and his friends and family and told his story instead. The result is a wonderful book, difficult to put down and very easy to read.
What make this so special, other than the brilliant orange cover, is how real and likeable the characters are. I grew attached to all of them and wanted to stay with them. It is an incredibly human book which is light hearted, honest and (strangely for cancer) fun journey filled with the power of music, friendship and hope.
Now can we have a separate story for Jimmy as well? I loved Jimmy. You will too. Oh and the book made me cry loads of times, in a nice way and isn't that what anyone wants? Art to resonate with you?
tonidavis (353 KP) rated The Fault in Our Stars in Books
Jun 30, 2017
Everything (3 more)
Johns writing style
Hazel and Gus
Isaccs friendship
On A Roller Coaster That Only Goes Up My Friend
Although I say books are emotional and heart breaking this is actually the only book ever to make me cry. I cried probably not at the point most people did. I cried at an Issac scene. John is the only person I've come across that can make you want to laugh and cry at the same time he writes the most dramatic scene and then puts in something out of character yet thoughtful and makes you over explode with emotion.
Its hard to explain the book to people without going well the main character has cancer but at the same time its not about cancer its about people. That's what makes John such a great writer is that he always see's people first and what ever problem they have wrong with them second.
This is a beautiful book with love friendship joy and pain its about life and death and everything in between. On Johns youtube channel vlogbrthers he always reminds everyone "Don't forget to be awesome." This book certainly doesn't.
Its hard to explain the book to people without going well the main character has cancer but at the same time its not about cancer its about people. That's what makes John such a great writer is that he always see's people first and what ever problem they have wrong with them second.
This is a beautiful book with love friendship joy and pain its about life and death and everything in between. On Johns youtube channel vlogbrthers he always reminds everyone "Don't forget to be awesome." This book certainly doesn't.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Trees Grew Because I Bled There in Books
Apr 14, 2024
71 of 220
Book
The Trees Grew Because I Bled There: collected stories
By Eric LaRocca
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Eight stories of dark fiction from a master storyteller. Exploring the shadow side of love, these are tales of grief, obsession, control. Intricate examinations of trauma and tragedy in raw, poetic prose. A woman imagines horrific scenarios whilst caring for her infant niece; on-line posts chronicle a cancer diagnosis; a couple in the park with their small child encounter a stranger with horrific consequences; a toxic relationship reaches a terrifying resolution…
This was a compilation of stories from a very talented authors. You get taken on a journey with these short stories. A few stories stood out from the crowd! The Strange things we become a story of how cancer destroys everything it touches and plays with the mind.
You’re not supposed to be here l, I think this is my favourite of them all a parents worst nightmare and a dark tale of secrets and desperation.
I’d also mention Where Flames Burned as Grass, would you sacrifice your child on the word of a complete stranger?
Really enjoyed these stories and the writing style.
Book
The Trees Grew Because I Bled There: collected stories
By Eric LaRocca
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Eight stories of dark fiction from a master storyteller. Exploring the shadow side of love, these are tales of grief, obsession, control. Intricate examinations of trauma and tragedy in raw, poetic prose. A woman imagines horrific scenarios whilst caring for her infant niece; on-line posts chronicle a cancer diagnosis; a couple in the park with their small child encounter a stranger with horrific consequences; a toxic relationship reaches a terrifying resolution…
This was a compilation of stories from a very talented authors. You get taken on a journey with these short stories. A few stories stood out from the crowd! The Strange things we become a story of how cancer destroys everything it touches and plays with the mind.
You’re not supposed to be here l, I think this is my favourite of them all a parents worst nightmare and a dark tale of secrets and desperation.
I’d also mention Where Flames Burned as Grass, would you sacrifice your child on the word of a complete stranger?
Really enjoyed these stories and the writing style.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Weird Sisters in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This was the book I gave out for World Book Night 2014. I had not read it prior to giving it, but I had heard it was good.
It wasn't exactly good, but it wasn't awful either. Honestly nothing much happened. It simply tell the story of the Andreas family. They admittedly don't have a "typical" family, but they deal with very typical family issues... cancer, dishonesty, child-parent dynamics, etc. But unlike typical families serious conversations (& even not so serious ones) were dealt with in Shakespeare quotes.
It wasn't exactly good, but it wasn't awful either. Honestly nothing much happened. It simply tell the story of the Andreas family. They admittedly don't have a "typical" family, but they deal with very typical family issues... cancer, dishonesty, child-parent dynamics, etc. But unlike typical families serious conversations (& even not so serious ones) were dealt with in Shakespeare quotes.