![Imaginary (2024)](/uploads/profile_image/15a/baeecf68-4409-4060-9d3b-780f5128f15a.jpg?m=1708438625)
Imaginary (2024)
Movie
When jessica moves back into her childhood home with her family her youngest stepdaughter Alice...
![Dusk, Night, Dawn](/uploads/profile_image/6a5/4d36f06f-7273-48a8-a649-5fc89c7c36a5.jpg?m=1615974741)
Dusk, Night, Dawn
Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR How do we get through dark times when we feel like giving in to...
Deconstructing Depression: The Erosion of the Self in Late Modernity
Book
Depression is not a disease of the brain, a genetic disability or even a mood disorder. Rather,...
![The Only Story](/uploads/profile_image/96b/f607afa0-79b5-4865-8acc-1389bddc096b.jpg?m=1522362658)
The Only Story
Book
Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more; or love the less, and suffer the less? That is,...
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/d81/63dd3617-1a88-48b3-b112-36a8f7f1dd81.jpg?m=1593055998)
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated Close (2019) in Movies
Jul 7, 2020
Close protection officer, Sam Carlson (Noomi Rapace) saves two journalists while on a routine mission in South Sudan, when their vehicle is attacked by insurgents. Troubled child, Zoe Tanner (Sophie Nelisse) discovers she's inherited all of her father's shares in his company, Hassine Mining. Her stepmother, Rima Hassine (Indira Varma) is left shocked and angered as she has taken over as CEO and it was her family which founded the company. Rima demands that Zoe accompany her to the family home in Morroco while she completes a billion dollar deal for phosphate mining in Zambia. Sam is hired by Rima for the trip as her last bodyguard was fired. Sam's job is done but Zoe demands she stay the night. Then all hell breaks loose when that night a group of armed men attack and storm the complex.
This movie was really good. It had me from the beginning but then took forever to start up again. I was excited to see Noomi Rapace as the lead in this action film and she does not disappoint. Her performance was intense and she gives her all in this film. However the direction the movie goes plot wise seemed less interesting the longer it went on. It seemed to fall more into the "cliche", run of the mill, international action thrillers or straight to redbox/on-demand films. I still liked it a lot and there were also pretty strong performances by the other leading ladies. The daughter's performance to me was more "so-so" though. Still I give this movie a 7/10.
![The Relic Master](/uploads/profile_image/213/bfe4eef6-6706-499d-9eca-b44bcb495213.jpg?m=1522335746)
The Relic Master
Book
The year is 1517. Dismas is a relic hunter: one who procures “authentic” religious relics for...
![Becoming](/uploads/profile_image/45f/0a0e3196-f8f4-48c3-9644-6bcdf563945f.jpg?m=1548860535)
Becoming
Book
An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States. In a...
Non-Fiction
![The Big Thing: How to Complete Your Creative Project Even If You're a Lazy, Self-Doubting Procrastinator Like Me](/uploads/profile_image/e34/91ff1efa-4914-457c-ab4b-5c31cd637e34.jpg?m=1522334083)
The Big Thing: How to Complete Your Creative Project Even If You're a Lazy, Self-Doubting Procrastinator Like Me
Book
A New York Times business journalist explains why it's important for people to pursue big creative...
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/493/bfda8ad0-8292-4369-89cb-3e9fc02ca493.jpg?m=1561489153)
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Under the Skin (2014) in Movies
Feb 9, 2018
I say that because it took me awhile to digest some of the messages sprinkled throughout the film because I was too busy trying to focus on what was actually happening plot-wise. The film preaches that we are victims of our own desires, the things we should probably stay away from but can't. When we don't get the things that we want, we would rather destroy those things than treat them as a loss and move on. How many times have you heard, "I didn't want that job anyway" or "I hate that team. They win too much"? If we can't have the good thing, then no one should have it.
With strong messages like these, It's a wonder the film wasn't better. Overall, it just felt like a puzzle with missing pieces. You're guessing continuously, expecting things to fall into place at some point, but they never do. Again, not a bad film...it just could have been so much more. I expected more excitement and intrigue from a film about an alien female roaming Scotland streets luring men into her van.
For what it's worth, the film does a great job of grabbing your attention and curiosity immediately, setting a tone that demands your attention. Scarlett Johansson was great in her role as Laura the alien life form. You can't help but relate to her struggle of trying to blend in while trying to complete her mission at the same time. Perhaps that was another message: We shouldn't try and change who we are to fit in with social norms. A few tweaks could have made this film a lot better. Overall I give Under the Skin a 75.
![The Art and Adventure of Leadership: Understanding Failure, Resilience and Success](/uploads/profile_image/77b/407d8787-9bc8-41ce-83bc-ef776526f77b.jpg?m=1522328333)
The Art and Adventure of Leadership: Understanding Failure, Resilience and Success
Warren Bennis, Steven B. Sample and Rob Asghar
Book
For the first time, a top leadership scholar and a top leadership practitioner explore the true...