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Die For Me (Killing Eve #3)
9.0
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On the run together, Eve Polastri and the psychopathic Villanelle take refuge in the underworld of...
Body Snatched (Body Conscious #2)
Book
What’s worse than losing a body from a funeral home? Losing two. But mortician and amatuer sleuth,...
Cozy Mystery
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Beast (2022) in Movies
Oct 12, 2022
I enjoyed watching Idris Elba have the living shit beaten out of him by a lion more than I thought I would.
I went to see this on a Wednesday afternoon, when I had a couple of hours to kill, fully expecting to hate it, but it's a genuinely enjoyable thriller horror, with some tense moments. The characters are stupid way more often than they should be, and I got the feeling the script was improvised a fair bit, but honestly, Idris straight up chokes out a snake at one point, before punching the lion in the face a bit later, so it all balances out.
I went to see this on a Wednesday afternoon, when I had a couple of hours to kill, fully expecting to hate it, but it's a genuinely enjoyable thriller horror, with some tense moments. The characters are stupid way more often than they should be, and I got the feeling the script was improvised a fair bit, but honestly, Idris straight up chokes out a snake at one point, before punching the lion in the face a bit later, so it all balances out.
Bob Mann (459 KP) rated Loving (2016) in Movies
Sep 29, 2021
Hidden Vigour: Negga excels in another glimpse into America’s racist past.
A few weeks ago when I reviewed “Hidden Figures” I pointed out the how absurd the racist behaviour at NASA in the 60’s must have appeared to a young boy in the audience at my screening. In many ways, “Loving” – a film that has had a lot less publicity and is a less obvious ‘crowd-pleaser’ – makes a useful companion piece to that film.
It tells the true story (yes, yet ANOTHER ‘true story’!) of Richard and Mildred Loving who travelled from their home town of Central Point Virginia to Washington DC where – as a mixed race couple – they could legally get married.
However, on returning to their home state and living together as man and wife, they fell foul of the State’s repulsive antimiscegenation statute which banned inter-racial marriages. The Lovings were found guilty and sentenced to a year in jail, which was suspended on the requirement that – unbelievable but true – the couple leave Virginia and not return (together) for 25 years. The film documents the fight of the couple – largely led by the feisty Mildred (Ruth Negga) – to fight the injustice, taking the case ultimately to the US Supreme Court for an historic ruling.
This was an Oscar-nominated performance by Ruth Negga and, man, is it deserved. It’s a performance of such quiet understated power that it is a joy to watch. But also strong is that of Joel Edgerton (“Midnight Special“, “The Great Gatsby“) as Richard who here adopts a largely sulky and subservient manner that contrasts beautifully with Negga’s perky optimism.
I also loved the performance of Marton Csokas (Celeborn from “The Lord of the Rings”), chillingly unreasonable as the bigoted Sheriff Brooks and Michael Shannon (“Nocturnal Animals“, “Midnight Special“) as the Time photographer Grey Villet, capturing a classic picture that is shown (in standard ‘true story’ fashion) at the end of the film (and below).
Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, whose “Midnight Special” last year made my top 10 of the year, this is a thoughtful and educational piece that should particularly appeal to older viewers keen to see a drama of historical importance beautifully told.
It tells the true story (yes, yet ANOTHER ‘true story’!) of Richard and Mildred Loving who travelled from their home town of Central Point Virginia to Washington DC where – as a mixed race couple – they could legally get married.
However, on returning to their home state and living together as man and wife, they fell foul of the State’s repulsive antimiscegenation statute which banned inter-racial marriages. The Lovings were found guilty and sentenced to a year in jail, which was suspended on the requirement that – unbelievable but true – the couple leave Virginia and not return (together) for 25 years. The film documents the fight of the couple – largely led by the feisty Mildred (Ruth Negga) – to fight the injustice, taking the case ultimately to the US Supreme Court for an historic ruling.
This was an Oscar-nominated performance by Ruth Negga and, man, is it deserved. It’s a performance of such quiet understated power that it is a joy to watch. But also strong is that of Joel Edgerton (“Midnight Special“, “The Great Gatsby“) as Richard who here adopts a largely sulky and subservient manner that contrasts beautifully with Negga’s perky optimism.
I also loved the performance of Marton Csokas (Celeborn from “The Lord of the Rings”), chillingly unreasonable as the bigoted Sheriff Brooks and Michael Shannon (“Nocturnal Animals“, “Midnight Special“) as the Time photographer Grey Villet, capturing a classic picture that is shown (in standard ‘true story’ fashion) at the end of the film (and below).
Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, whose “Midnight Special” last year made my top 10 of the year, this is a thoughtful and educational piece that should particularly appeal to older viewers keen to see a drama of historical importance beautifully told.
A Step-by-step Course in Oil Painting: A Practical Guide to Techniques, with Easy-to-follow Projects Using Impasto, Toned Grounds, Blending and Under Painting, Shown in 185 Photographs
7.0
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This is a project-based book on painting with oils for beginners. Working your way through the 11...
Capital by John Lanchester
As soon as I read the blurb for this, I realised I'd seen the serialisation that was on TV a couple of years ago. I couldn't really remember much of the detail so it didn't really spoil the book for me.
Set on Pepys Road, a street in London, that has become expensive to live in purely due to its locality, we meet quite a cast of characters, some who live on the road and some who have connections in other ways.
We have Roger & Arabella Yount, a couple who are well off but still live well beyond their means; Petunia, an elderly lady who has lived on Pepys Road the longest and is dying of a brain tumour; a Pakistani family who own the corner shop on the end of the street and Freddy, a Premiership football star from Senegal. All receive an anonymous postcard with the message "We Want What You Have". The story follows a year in the life of these and many other characters. I really enjoyed it - the people were a real mix including many different cultures and I thought it was a good social character study. Not a great deal happened but I didn't mind this (but I do wonder if it needed to be almost 700 pages long). I hadn't heard of this author before but I'd be interested to read other books he has written.
Set on Pepys Road, a street in London, that has become expensive to live in purely due to its locality, we meet quite a cast of characters, some who live on the road and some who have connections in other ways.
We have Roger & Arabella Yount, a couple who are well off but still live well beyond their means; Petunia, an elderly lady who has lived on Pepys Road the longest and is dying of a brain tumour; a Pakistani family who own the corner shop on the end of the street and Freddy, a Premiership football star from Senegal. All receive an anonymous postcard with the message "We Want What You Have". The story follows a year in the life of these and many other characters. I really enjoyed it - the people were a real mix including many different cultures and I thought it was a good social character study. Not a great deal happened but I didn't mind this (but I do wonder if it needed to be almost 700 pages long). I hadn't heard of this author before but I'd be interested to read other books he has written.
Merissa (12929 KP) rated Temptation Returns (Recalled to Love #1) in Books
Dec 11, 2017
Temptation Returns (Recalled to Love #1) by Lisa Carlisle
Temptation Returns is the first novella in the Recalled to Love series, and we meet Antonio and Lina. This couple were together, but when Antonio joined the military he pushed Lina away as he didn't think it was right to keep her waiting for him. Lina eventually got over him, and found someone new. Unfortunately, Brad was 'safe' and there were no real sparks or passion between them. A couple of weeks before the wedding, and Antonio is back in town and sees Lina in a nightclub. The passion between them is still there, but Lina is now engaged, so things have changed between them.
I have to say that, for me, it was Antonio who made this book. I can understand Lina being conflicted when Antonio returned, but I can't agree with her actions following that first kiss. Yes, Brad turned out to be a first class jerk, but still... As for the story as a whole, it was fast-paced, angsty, and thoroughly enjoyable in many ways. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the scenes flowed from one to the next. A quick coffee break book, recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I have to say that, for me, it was Antonio who made this book. I can understand Lina being conflicted when Antonio returned, but I can't agree with her actions following that first kiss. Yes, Brad turned out to be a first class jerk, but still... As for the story as a whole, it was fast-paced, angsty, and thoroughly enjoyable in many ways. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the scenes flowed from one to the next. A quick coffee break book, recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (12929 KP) rated Lost Wolf (New Dawn, #4) in Books
Mar 21, 2019
Lost Wolf (New Dawn, #4) by Rachel M. Raithby
Lost Wolf is the fourth book in the New Dawn series, and we not only have a new couple, but we go back and re-meet the others too. The start of this book runs concurrently with a couple of the others, so you get to see Tyler and Regan in action that you 'missed' last time.
Regan hasn't had it easy, and it is her story to tell so I won't even try. Needless to say, Tyler is the one who helps her to live again, although being Dark Shadow, that poses a problem all of its own. Not only that, but Kat and Bass are having their own problems, brought about by Castor still trying to ruin their lives. No-one said being a shifter was easy.
There is so much in this book - from meeting new characters, to new romance, to building plans, to the world ending... it's all there. And without a single editing or grammatical error that I noticed. The storyline flowed smoothly, and with the chapter headings, you always knew when you were. I have thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the series, and I can't wait to see where we go from here. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Regan hasn't had it easy, and it is her story to tell so I won't even try. Needless to say, Tyler is the one who helps her to live again, although being Dark Shadow, that poses a problem all of its own. Not only that, but Kat and Bass are having their own problems, brought about by Castor still trying to ruin their lives. No-one said being a shifter was easy.
There is so much in this book - from meeting new characters, to new romance, to building plans, to the world ending... it's all there. And without a single editing or grammatical error that I noticed. The storyline flowed smoothly, and with the chapter headings, you always knew when you were. I have thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the series, and I can't wait to see where we go from here. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Single, Carefree, Mellow in Books
Feb 13, 2018
This collection of short stories started off strongly, and I found myself drawn into the web Heiny creates for her characters. The majority of her stories feature women and after the first couple ended, I found myself disappointed that we wouldn't get to know more about the characters. (There is one group of characters that she re-visits throughout a couple of stories in the collection, which does help sate your curiosity a bit.)
Because I devoured this book so quickly - over less than two days - I was a bit fatigued by the end. Most of the stories feature adultery in some form or another, and frankly, that got a bit old in the end. That would really be my only issue with the story set. By the end, you're thinking "really? again!" and wondering if these women have anything else to do to occupy their time.
Otherwise, this collection of stories is vibrant and poignant and at times, made me laugh out loud. I found myself tagging pages where lines were just so hilarious, I wanted to jot them down for safe-keeping: it's rare when that happens. And again, even though the stories were brilliant little nuggets, so many of the characters were so intriguing, I found myself wishing I could read more about them. I just wish they had a little more to do than cheat on each other all the time.
Because I devoured this book so quickly - over less than two days - I was a bit fatigued by the end. Most of the stories feature adultery in some form or another, and frankly, that got a bit old in the end. That would really be my only issue with the story set. By the end, you're thinking "really? again!" and wondering if these women have anything else to do to occupy their time.
Otherwise, this collection of stories is vibrant and poignant and at times, made me laugh out loud. I found myself tagging pages where lines were just so hilarious, I wanted to jot them down for safe-keeping: it's rare when that happens. And again, even though the stories were brilliant little nuggets, so many of the characters were so intriguing, I found myself wishing I could read more about them. I just wish they had a little more to do than cheat on each other all the time.
Isabel Smith (34 KP) rated The House Swap in Books
Jun 26, 2018
Tension, tension, so much tension!
From start to finish The House Swap is a taut and edgy examination of the rocky marriage between a young English couple, Caroline and Francis. When the opportunity arises for them to swap their city flat in Leeds with someone else’s suburban home in Chiswick they eagerly plan a week-long getaway for two so they can focus on repairing their relationship. Caroline soon starts finding signs that the owner of the suburban home she and Francis are currently occupying may very well be the person she’s tried so desperately to put behind her: her ex-lover, Carl. Francis, who knows about Caroline’s past affair, begins to notice that his wife is acting strange and inattentive; it’s putting him on edge, which is no place for a former pill-popper like himself to be. With both of their past obsessions threatening to burst back into their lives, Caroline and Francis brace themselves for the ultimate test in their marriage.
This psychological thriller definitely delivers on nail-biting suspense, calculated misdirection, and hair-raising shocks. There were more than a couple of well-placed red herrings which made the plot twists all the more juicy and exciting. Some of the content was a bit difficult to stomach, but it added to the domestic noir feel of the novel. Overall, The House Swap is a solid option for anyone looking for a fast-paced and multilayered novel that goes behind closed doors.
This psychological thriller definitely delivers on nail-biting suspense, calculated misdirection, and hair-raising shocks. There were more than a couple of well-placed red herrings which made the plot twists all the more juicy and exciting. Some of the content was a bit difficult to stomach, but it added to the domestic noir feel of the novel. Overall, The House Swap is a solid option for anyone looking for a fast-paced and multilayered novel that goes behind closed doors.