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Emma Watson recommended The Color Purple in Books (curated)

 
The Color Purple
The Color Purple
Alice Walker | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
8.5 (24 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"I am trying to choose works that cover as much ground as possible and are diverse… I’ve heard amazing things about this book from a person that I trust… The musical is currently on Broadway (starring Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson and Danielle Brooks) and a film was made of the book in 1985 by Steven Spielberg. It was Oprah Winfrey’s film debut and introduced Whoopi Goldberg (I love both of these women). I’m excited to read it and maybe do some watching too."

Source
  
The Earrings of Madame de... (1953)
The Earrings of Madame de... (1953)
1953 | Drama, Romance
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Another example of magnificent filmmaking, wherein the performances of Charles Boyer, Danielle Darrieux, and Vittorio De Sica and the direction of Max Ophuls are so perfect that it almost stands alone in a category of romantic European filmmaking. Ophuls’s great fame rests mostly on the extraordinary directorial control he brings to this special film. It seems the most quintessential French film ever made, based on a story by the French Louise de Vilmorin, but it was directed by the German Ophuls. Americans, sensibly enough, never really tried to do this kind of film."

Source
  
The Last Place You Look
The Last Place You Look
Kristen Lepionka | 2017 | Crime
9
8.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
funny (2 more)
dark
sarcastic
Roxane Weary is good at finding things. She always has been. So when she's hired by Brad Stockton's sister, Danielle, to find Brad's teenage girlfriend, Sarah, she doesn't think it will be a difficult case. Danielle is convinced she spotted Sarah at a gas station--despite the fact she disappeared fifteen years ago. Meanwhile, Brad is in jail--set to soon be executed--for the brutal murder of Sarah's parents the night Sarah disappeared; the prosecution also alleged that Brad killed Sarah as well. Brad did not put up much of a fight in his defense, but Danielle refuses to give up. Roxane quickly becomes caught up in Sarah's story and finds ties between her disappearance and other girls in the seemingly idyllic town of Belmont-- as well as connections to cases worked by her father, a police officer.

This is just a great book. It's easy to read and funny, albeit dark and sad at times. Roxane's dark, sarcastic humor is perfect. She gives off a Kinsey Millhone type vibe, if Kinsey was a functioning alcoholic with major Daddy issues. She's a complicated character (a complicated, real, female character - so refreshing!). She's bisexual (so wonderful to see reflected realistically in a novel). The other characters are well-formed and range from awful to sweet, but they support Roxane and the story perfectly.

As for the plot, it draws you immediately and keeps you constantly guessing, wondering what people know, who is telling the truth, and what's the actual story. I actually didn't figure this one out, so kudos to Lepionka. There are a few amazing "aha" moments that basically made me gasp. The town of Belmont is creepy and dark, and you'll find yourself completely wrapped up in its twisted, sad characters.

It looks like this is the first in a series, and I couldn't be happier; I can't wait to see where Roxane is headed next. Definitely recommend this one to mystery and thriller fans alike.
  
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
1989 | Horror
6
6.1 (10 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Out of fresh ideas
Hard to sat any 5th installment of a series stays fresh. This installment was released only 1 year after part 4 simply because the lead actress was young and they didn't want her to grow up too much.

The result is the same old same old feeling with a lower budget meaning bad lighting and not even good gore effects.

Actress Danielle Harris does a good job keeping the story going at a young age. She even has a tender moment with "Uncle Mike".

Overall, this leg of the franchise is complete and none too soon.

  
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Allison Knapp (118 KP) created a post

Jan 18, 2019  
As I near the completion of my first draft of The Wrath of Borgen, I have decided to take on the role of Beta reader for a friend of mine who has a current WIP on Wattpad. Since I am planning on seeking the help of Beta readers through that forum, I have decided to check out all the website has to offer.
The name of the book of which I am currently Beta reading is The Shattered Dragonslayer, and the name of my friend, the author, is Danielle Blume. So far, I highly recommend this book for others interested in Beta reading for an excellent fantasy novel with a high potential for success after publication.
     
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Ross (3282 KP) Jan 18, 2019

I'll look into that, thanks for the heads-up!

The Last Place You Look
The Last Place You Look
Kristen Lepionka | 2017 | Crime
8
8.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Roxane Weary is good at finding things. She always has been. So when she's hired by Brad Stockton's sister, Danielle, to find Brad's teenage girlfriend, Sarah, she doesn't think it will be a difficult case. Danielle is convinced she spotted Sarah at a gas station--despite the fact she disappeared fifteen years ago. Meanwhile, Brad is in jail--set to soon be executed--for the brutal murder of Sarah's parents the night Sarah disappeared; the prosecution also alleged that Brad killed Sarah as well. Brad did not put up much of a fight in his defense, but Danielle refuses to give up. Roxane quickly becomes caught up in Sarah's story and finds ties between her disappearance and other girls in the seemingly idyllic town of Belmont-- as well as connections to cases worked by her father, a police officer.

<i>This is just a great book.</i> It's easy to read and funny, albeit dark and sad at times. Roxane's dark, sarcastic humor is perfect. She gives off a Kinsey Millhone type vibe, if Kinsey was a functioning alcoholic with major Daddy issues. She's a complicated character (a complicated, real, female character - so refreshing!). She's bisexual (so wonderful to see reflected realistically in a novel). The other characters are well-formed and range from awful to sweet, but they support Roxane and the story perfectly.

As for the plot, it draws you immediately and keeps you constantly guessing, wondering what people know, who is telling the truth, and what's the actual story. I actually didn't figure this one out, so kudos to Lepionka. There are a few amazing "aha" moments that basically made me gasp. The town of Belmont is creepy and dark, and you'll find yourself completely wrapped up in its twisted, sad characters.

It looks like this is the first in a series, and I couldn't be happier; I can't wait to see where Roxane is headed next. Definitely recommend this one to mystery and thriller fans alike.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 06/13/2017.

<center><a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">Blog</a>; ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/mwcmoto">Twitter</a>; ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justacatandabook/">Facebook</a>; ~ <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KristyHamiltonbooks">Google+</a></center>;
  
Dumplin&#039; (2018)
Dumplin' (2018)
2018 | Comedy, Drama
Show that any girl can achieve the beauty industry (0 more)
Dumplin' is a must watch film of 2019
Wow, this film made me cry as you rooting for WillowDean Dickson nicknamed Dumplin' to achieve her goal to win the beauty pageant. This film shows you that if you put your mind to it you can do it. Also if you plus size you can still be worth in beauty and fashion. I feel Danielle Macdonald (plays Dumplin') role in this film will take her on to amazing films. I love how this shows all girls that you can feel body positivity any size. It makes me feel that I need to proud of my body I was born in.

 It's worth the watch.
  
Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
2019 | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Contains spoilers, click to show
I love the Conjuring series. I find it fascinating. I'm a little obsessed with Ed and Lorraine Warren so I watch anything to do with the universe. After the second Conjuring film, this is my favourite. It takes a lot for a horror to scare me and though it wasn't terrifying it made me jump a lot! That feeling like you're on a rollercoaster dipping down! I love it!!!!

It's set after the Conjuring (or inbetween depending on your source) after the Warren's have the doll secured in their occult museum. Mary Ellen is babysitting Judy, the Warren's daughter (who we learnt in the Conjuring shares her mothers gift) and her friend Danielle, distraught from the death of her father, pays a visit. The events after are pretty much all her fault. I kind of hate her for it despite understanding her reasoning. While the other films focus mainly on the demon Valek or the Annabelle doll demon (with the exception of the many spirits in the first conjuring) this film has a lot of the other never before mentioned spirits that the real Ed and Lorraine have written about. The White Lady, the Samurai, the Black Shuck. I was actually concerned for how they would portray the Werewolf after such disasters as teen wold or an American Werewolf in London but was happily suprised that they made it work quite well. Of course there is a semi happy ending and all is well, Judy gets her birthday and some friends and Danielle has closure but I'm very much looking forward to the third Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. Released this year hopefully!!!!!
  
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Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Urban Legend (1998) in Movies

May 8, 2021 (Updated May 8, 2021)  
Urban Legend (1998)
Urban Legend (1998)
1998 | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
The Legends Come True
Urban Legend- is a really good movie. I love the concept/plot of the film. The cast is really good plus it has cameoes from horror icons: Robert Englund, Brad Dourif and Danielle Harris.

The plot; A university is beset by a rash of gruesome murders that resemble old urban legends. When her friend Michelle (Natasha Gregson Wagner) is killed by someone hiding in her car, Natalie (Alicia Witt) begins to notice the pattern. Her suspicions grow stronger when her own roommate is strangled to death. Soon the quiet college campus is transformed into hunting grounds for a maniac, and Natalie struggles to find the killer and stop the bloodshed before she becomes the next victim.

Its a really good film and highly recordmend it.
  
Its Fantasy Fest time, a week and a half long party for adults on Key West leading up to Halloween. Hayley Snow is busy covering the event for the magazine where she works. Meanwhile, her mom is in Key West to get remarried. Then a woman dies and Hayley’s co-worker Danielle becomes the prime suspect. Oh yeah, and there’s a hurricane that might be heading to the island as well.

As you can see, there’s plenty to keep your interest. That kept the pages turning although I did feel it weakened the ending of the actual mystery a bit. That’s a minor complaint overall with the wonderful characters and the festive atmosphere of the island. If you need an arm chair vacation, this is the book for you.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-killer-takeout-by-lucy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.