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For, Lost Thoughts by Ballad
For, Lost Thoughts by Ballad
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Ballad is a rising singer-songwriter from Luanda, Angola. Not too long ago, he released a groovy contemporary R&B tune, entitled, “If”, produced by Jay Muse.

“‘If’ is the first track on my ‘For, Lost Thoughts’ EP, which touches on the themes of joy, love, depression, and acceptance. Also, ‘If’ represents joy.” – Ballad

‘If’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and lush instrumentation flavored with contemporary R&B and neo-soul elements.

The likable tune is featured on Ballad’s latest EP, entitled, “For, Lost Thoughts”. Also, you can get acquainted with the artist’s music by streaming his project via Spotify.

“This felt like therapy for me, like I needed to get out all of these emotions that life has taken me through.”

Ballad’s soulful sound is reminiscent of Maxwell and Prince, all wrapped up in one. Also, his music has amassed over 200K streams online.

His “For, Lost Thoughts” EP is his most personal project to date because it’s laced with vulnerability. Also, every word uttered from Ballad tells a story, his story.

The 5-track project highlights a transitioning period in Ballad’s life where he ultimately learned some of his biggest lessons in love. Also, it includes his “Wondering” single, which is dedicated to love lost.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/ballad-if/
  
Dawn - Single by Mackenta
Dawn - Single by Mackenta
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Mackenta is a singer-songwriter based in Toronto, Canada. Not too long ago, she released a music video for her “Dawn” single.

“I’ve noticed a common theme throughout my past relationships. Both parties weren’t really ready for something serious yet boundaries weren’t established. Therefore, causing a lack of respect. ‘Dawn’ is about falling for someone that you know won’t work in the long run, but letting it happen anyways.” – Mackenta

The audiovisual finds Mackenta chilling at a skate park with her significant other, played by Ty Senoj.

‘Dawn’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and chill instrumentation flavored with a contemporary R&B aroma.

“I felt a lot of mixed emotions while writing ‘Dawn’. Nostalgia over the good memories and potential. Resentment about not being something more. Shame over allowing the situation to escalate so far. I’m telling it from my point of view, so there’s a sense of blame towards this person who is not mature enough to take things seriously. Also, realizing that I’m equally to blame for not drawing the line or understanding my own intentions. Ultimately, it’s about two people who both need to heal before they could ever be together.” – Mackenta

‘Dawn’ will be featured on Mackenta’s upcoming EP, which will drop later this year.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/mackenta-dawn/
  
TH
The House on Foster Hill
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Just the right amount of suspense, mystery, romance, and creepiness......to satisfy the bookish mind!

I am not typically a "suspense" reader (and DEFINITELY not a suspense movie type of person at all). But when word about this book started circulating around the bookish world last year...I just knew I HAD to read it!!! I mean just look at that cover...It screams "YOU MUST READ ME! You MUST discover the secrets that I hold within these pages!"

Be prepared for a lot of emotions that will be brought to the surface while reading The House on Foster Hill. Jaime addresses some very difficult topics in this book. And I am SO glad she does. It is not easy to read about, but the TRUTH must be shared. The secrets, the pain, the shame, must all be brought forward for healing, restoration, and freedom.

With a dual timeline, the author alternates between the present and the past with flawless accuracy. Secrets and shame hide behind the walls of Foster Hill House. What will be revealed? And what will be lost to history forever?

I received a complimentary copy of The House on Foster Hill. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
The Moor
The Moor
Sam Haysom | 2018 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Horror
4
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Moor is Sam Haysom’s debut novel and though it seems to have pretty high ratings, I found it to fall short of my expectations. The book encompasses the story of a handful of thirteen-year-old boys on a hiking trip through the moors. During this trip, things go wrong and… well, that’s where it tries to be two stories at once: a ghost story and a creature feature.

The ghost story side of this book is fantastic. It’s written in a way that captures the reader’s imagination and honestly, I could picture the details quite well. What I didn’t like was the creature feature side of the book. The monster that makes up this horror tale should be terrifying, but instead I found it to be one dimensional–in fact, every single time the creature shows up, it’s described the same way which really put me off.

I felt no emotions or connections to the boys in the book, and this greatly diminished the emotional/fright factor of the novel for me. I really wanted to taste the fear that these teenaged boys were going through.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
  
Island Tales Vol. 1 (Island Tales #1-2)
Island Tales Vol. 1 (Island Tales #1-2)
KC Wells | 2014 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Island Tales Vol. 1 (Island Tales #1-2) by K.C. Wells
Two feel-good stories in one volume, both set in the gorgeous Isle of Wight, UK. Both of them are written extremely well, with emotions clearly showing, and reasons given for acting certain ways. The pacing is smooth, and the characters are well-rounded.

Out of the two, I preferred Waiting for a Prince. I loved how Mark and Sam became friends before lovers, and how Sam's history came to light. I was 'glad' to read about a woman abuser (although I know that sounds wrong!) It is something that happens all too often, and yet is not really spoken - or written - about.

I enjoyed September's Tide, but the whole business with Clark just annoyed me, especially when Michael got involved. And, to be honest, I still don't know why he did, or what he stood to gain by it. That's just me though.

A couple of great stories that are easy to read, and definitely recommended to read near the sea!

* 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!
  
A Vigilante (2018)
A Vigilante (2018)
2018 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
and the trucks won't stop coming...
Olivia Wilde is the main reason to watch this female empowerment/revenge film as her performance is visceral, raw, emotional and intense for sure.

Sadie is a young woman tormented by her family's history. She tried to cope with her uncontrollable emotions by attending a support group and by studying self defense. She has decided her course in life has become to defend the innocent women and children of domestic violence by being an Equalizer?Death Wish type "vigilante" on the batterers.

When her own past comes back to haunt her, she has to use all her newly acquired skills to escape and possible prevail.

While I don't obviously condone taking the law into your own hands, the audience is definitely with her as she exacts her raw justice on the domestic assailants.

I was disappointed in the 2nd half of the film which falls into a formula eroding the interesting character study which had been developing up to that point. Once the 3rd acts starts, it turns into a different film. I wish it would've stayed the plot line which showed her tortured soul more and showed her as the flawed heroine she is.

  
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
2019 | Sci-Fi, Thriller
This is not cinema?
A hero of mine recently said this is not cinema. Is it the same as a pop puppet singing a song someone else has written with no emotion or soul? Well no actually. Good cinema is good art and art makes you feel things. Endgame will make you ride emotions from start to finish. Ok it is s visual feast but it's full of messages and commentary as well and the overall ethos is, well pretty much "for the many not the few", take that what you will. There is also that incredible moment when all the most powerful ones line up and they are female and you go "wow, go kick ass". They have been brave. They don't care if some spotty fanboy cries into his jerk off sock because captain marvel had a vagina, they wanted a strong female character so they did it. It is brave cinema.

It's almost as though they knew the people would leak spoilers too so they make the sentiment of the film and character start at the beginning almost as if they are mocking themselves. Brave.

Did I enjoy the actual film though I hear you ask? Yeah, it was great.
  
In Stitches: The Highs and Lows of Life as an A&E Doctor
In Stitches: The Highs and Lows of Life as an A&E Doctor
Dr Nick Edwards | 2007 | Health & Fitness, Humor & Comedy, Medical & Veterinary
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dr Nick gives a very comedic but serious insight into what life is really like to doctors who work in the busy accident and emergency departments in UK hospitals!
The book is written as a series of blog style entries that work as chapters. Dr Nick expresses the trials and tribulations, the highs and the lows, the many emotions faced by an overworked and unfunded group of individuals. However, he also goes as far as to share his thoughts on the unfairness of other staff working in hospitals, the failures underpinning the mental health support due to lack of funding, the idiotic ways governments try to cut spending without considering the impacts on the staff and individuals requiring access to services and the devastation that alcohol and drug abuse is having on the health system!
These individuals go through a lot of abuse, and work long long hours, are forced to move around frequently, face being sued daily, and still work hard despite a lack of funding and resources to ensure that people are nursed back to health, or are given the support they need should a loved one not make it, and still be expected to smile! NHS staff are heroes to me
  
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
2019 | Drama
First of all, for an unpopular opinion, Tom Hanks does not, "look exactly like Fred Rogers". I was so sick of hearing that before the movie came out. He looks like Tom Hanks, playing Fred Rogers, wearing Mister Rogers' outfits. I didn't need him to look exactly like Fred Rogers. Tom Hanks is an actor, and it's a movie. I did enjoy watching the movie. Not that I can say I enjoyed the story in a happy way, since it touched on some very real, very dark adult emotions that had been hidden away for the majority of the main character's life. The way that Lloyd was woven into an episode of Mister Rogers for effect was trippy at times. Since they started out that way, it felt strange, as if the story's execution was wrong at the beginning. But the story does make sense. I just think that the beginning was a little uncomfortable. It was an interesting story, overall, though. Mister Rogers was an amazing man. I'm glad that they found a way to make a story about him that was more focused on an adult issue. It gave the magic and love of Mister Rogers yet another dimension.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated The Invisible Man (2020) in Movies

Mar 5, 2020 (Updated Mar 5, 2020)  
The Invisible Man (2020)
The Invisible Man (2020)
2020 | Horror, Sci-Fi
Great acting (1 more)
Fresh twist on a classic
Defies the law of physics (0 more)
The invisible enemy
The first thing I thought of when I saw the trailer for this was it reminded me of @Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) To be honest it has more in common with that classic thriller than other invisible man films. The opening sequence is very similar and I assume inspired by it. The acting is very good as our victim of domestic violence goes through an entire range of emotions with many thinking she is crazy. The SFX scenes are pretty good and look believable. I only noticed after this is billed as a Horror. There are a couple of jump scares and some bloody scenes but it definitely fits a Thriller more closely.
The only down side is some of the science in some scenes just wouldn't make sense in real life, rain hitting a solid object etc.
Must add the score really added to the intensity of many scenes and created a sense of being on a knife edge.
Overall a good enjoyable film. If you like a mix of thriller, with a Sci-fi angle and especially a fan of sleeping with the Enemy, you'll find this a nice surprise.