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BookblogbyCari (345 KP) rated Everything is Lies in Books
Feb 3, 2019
Death, manipulation, and deception are the foremost themes in this suspense-thriller! Sophie arrives at her childhood home to find her mum dead, hanging from a tree, and her father stabbed to inches of his life on the floor.
Before she has time to grieve, Sophie discovers that her mum, Nina, was writing a memoir and had a publication deal. Sophie finds two of her mother’s notebooks, and another life is revealed where Nina had been seduced into a controlling cult.
The book is aimed at Sophie and begins with “Everything is Lies, and nobody is who they seem”. Sophie uncovers her mother’s secrets slowly, page by page. When a death is hinted at, Sophie is determined to find out more.
When she can’t find the third and final notebook, Sophie tries to contact people referred to in the book, and soon finds herself in danger. She even decides to meet the cult leader, where a monumental revelation is made to her. (No spoilers!)
During the course of events, there’s an attempted break-in and an attempt made on Sophie’s life! Just when all seems revealed, there is more action to follow! (No spoilers!)
I don’t normally find thrillers predictable, but this time I’m sorry to say I did. Not all of it, but enough so that most of it was no surprise, but not enough to ruin the book for me. I also felt that the author was needlessly showing off her vocabulary when more well-known words would have been more effective.
Before she has time to grieve, Sophie discovers that her mum, Nina, was writing a memoir and had a publication deal. Sophie finds two of her mother’s notebooks, and another life is revealed where Nina had been seduced into a controlling cult.
The book is aimed at Sophie and begins with “Everything is Lies, and nobody is who they seem”. Sophie uncovers her mother’s secrets slowly, page by page. When a death is hinted at, Sophie is determined to find out more.
When she can’t find the third and final notebook, Sophie tries to contact people referred to in the book, and soon finds herself in danger. She even decides to meet the cult leader, where a monumental revelation is made to her. (No spoilers!)
During the course of events, there’s an attempted break-in and an attempt made on Sophie’s life! Just when all seems revealed, there is more action to follow! (No spoilers!)
I don’t normally find thrillers predictable, but this time I’m sorry to say I did. Not all of it, but enough so that most of it was no surprise, but not enough to ruin the book for me. I also felt that the author was needlessly showing off her vocabulary when more well-known words would have been more effective.
Children of Paradise
Book
In the opening pages of this novel, an accident brings a young girl to the attention of the...
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Last Shift (2015) in Movies
Oct 23, 2017 (Updated Oct 23, 2017)
A bit of a mindscrew
I wasn't sure what to expect with this slightly low budget horror, but it is surprising on a few fronts. For one, it's a psychological horror and really messes with your mind watching it.
The story, although lacking, consists of a rookie police officer Juliana Harkavy (Walking Dead) starting her first shift at an empty police station with a horrific back story. A murderous cult leader and his two followers are said to have killed themselves inside the premises, leading to some disturbing occurrences. Will she or will she not make it?
The second surprising front was the fact it becomes increasingly claustrophobic watching it. The third is the ending. For an hour and a half film, it's not a bad watch.
The story, although lacking, consists of a rookie police officer Juliana Harkavy (Walking Dead) starting her first shift at an empty police station with a horrific back story. A murderous cult leader and his two followers are said to have killed themselves inside the premises, leading to some disturbing occurrences. Will she or will she not make it?
The second surprising front was the fact it becomes increasingly claustrophobic watching it. The third is the ending. For an hour and a half film, it's not a bad watch.
Gisell Middleton (189 KP) rated After the Fire in Books
Mar 18, 2019
This novel was amazing! I might venture to say it is one of my favorites this year. The setting and plot are very original and interesting. The characters are very well thought out and written realistically from a teenage girl, to a charismatic cult leader to a sympathetic FBI agent. While the alternating timeline is popular, it seems entirely necessary in this context since we would not get the full force of the trauma endured without the current sense of relief and uncertainty and damage. While it is a harrowing story, it is not as gruesome or graphic as it could have been which is a good thing for readers who might not have picked up this novel since it is a must read!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story (2019) in Movies
Apr 2, 2019 (Updated Apr 2, 2019)
Hugely affectionate and enjoyable portrait of Chris Sievey, who became a cult figure as the hapless, anarchic, peculiar all-round entertainer Frank Sidebottom. Sievey/Frank is probably best known outside the UK thanks to the movie he inspired with Michael Fassbender wearing the head; this documentary makes it quite clear just how much stranger and more entertaining than fiction reality was in this case.
Definitely a portrait of Sievey rather than his creation, but still hugely entertaining: the film doesn't skimp on detailing the troubles that he encountered throughout his life, but you still come away with a definite sense of a life well lived, and an immensely creative mind ceaselessly at work. A worthy memorial to a unique individual.
Definitely a portrait of Sievey rather than his creation, but still hugely entertaining: the film doesn't skimp on detailing the troubles that he encountered throughout his life, but you still come away with a definite sense of a life well lived, and an immensely creative mind ceaselessly at work. A worthy memorial to a unique individual.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated The Silence (2019) in Movies
Apr 13, 2019
A quiet place part 2
Contains spoilers, click to show
So this film is exactly like A quiet place. So much so its bordering on plagiarism! It follows a family and the teenage daughter is deaf. Cue weird monsters that kill people and the only way to stay safe is to be quiet - sound familiar? The only difference is the inclusion of a weird religious cult. In general its really well put together and the acting is top notch especially Stanley Tucci & the very good Kiernan Shipka. The biggest problem with this is that it builds up ok towards a climax that is over before it starts. Seriously the most rushed ending ever. So an ok film with a crappy ending.
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
This film started my love affair with the wonderful Robin Williams and his loss feels raw even today.
Mrs Doubtfire has become something of a cult classic over the years and its impressive script means it still remains relatable today – and just as hilarious.
Chris Columbus, who later went on to direct the first two Harry Potter films crafted a near-perfect adaptation of Anne Fine’s Madame Doubtfire. Most people don’t realise the film is based on a novel, and I have to admit, I only discovered this a few years ago.
Even decades after its theatrical release, Mrs Doubtfire proves films can still throw up a few surprises if you look deep enough.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/07/04/films-that-influenced-me-adam-brannon/
Mrs Doubtfire has become something of a cult classic over the years and its impressive script means it still remains relatable today – and just as hilarious.
Chris Columbus, who later went on to direct the first two Harry Potter films crafted a near-perfect adaptation of Anne Fine’s Madame Doubtfire. Most people don’t realise the film is based on a novel, and I have to admit, I only discovered this a few years ago.
Even decades after its theatrical release, Mrs Doubtfire proves films can still throw up a few surprises if you look deep enough.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/07/04/films-that-influenced-me-adam-brannon/
Dean (6927 KP) rated the Sega Genesis 32X version of Doom in Video Games
Jun 13, 2019
So addictive gameplay (1 more)
Good Graphics and sound effects
A classic
I can remember hearing a lot of hype about this game. This along with Wolfstein created the first person shooter games. So when it came to the Megadrive 32X it was a must have game. The graphics were pretty good for time if the environments were a little plain and chunky. The game moved fast though, and the sound effects of blasting some zombies or demons with your shotgun were great. It was a simple game of getting through a level to the exit while blasting baddies along the way with alsorts of weapons. Yet it was just so much fun, you could play for hours. A cult classic game!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Highlander (1986) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018 (Updated Feb 12, 2018)
Cult fantasy movie which kind of flopped on its initial release but spawned a franchise which seemed to go on forever (and may not in fact be completely defunct). Scottish highlander (played by a Frenchman) discovers he is immortal; is mentored by ancient Egyptian immortal (played by a Scotsman); must do battle with rival Russian immortal (played by an American) to decide the destiny of the world.
Pretty much as goofy as it sounds, but very likeable - strives for a sort of mythic grandeur, doesn't quite manage it. None of the battles in the story are quite as brutal as the one between Christopher Lambert and the English language, but Sean Connery is having fun; some decent fight choreography too. Benefits immensely from the Queen soundtrack.
Pretty much as goofy as it sounds, but very likeable - strives for a sort of mythic grandeur, doesn't quite manage it. None of the battles in the story are quite as brutal as the one between Christopher Lambert and the English language, but Sean Connery is having fun; some decent fight choreography too. Benefits immensely from the Queen soundtrack.