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Awix (3310 KP) rated Everybody Knows (Todos Lo Saben) (2018) in Movies

Mar 12, 2019 (Updated Mar 12, 2019)  
Everybody Knows (Todos Lo Saben) (2018)
Everybody Knows (Todos Lo Saben) (2018)
2018 | Drama, Thriller
7
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Spanish-language Euro-drama from Iranian director Asghar Farhadi is about as odd a fish as you might expect. Family wedding is going well until Penelope Cruz's daughter is kidnapped; much stressed is placed on everyone involved and their relationships, causing secrets to bubble to the surface in an unwelcome (to say the least) manner.

The thriller elements are definitely a bit of a red herring, as for much of the film the plight of the missing girl seems to get rather forgotten about while everyone sits or stands around articulating their personal baggage and unfinished emotional business. It does get a bit slow and talky (I believe I dozed off for a few moments), but the performances are meaty, involving ones with Cruz and Bardem showing every bit of their star quality and acting ability. Too well-scripted to really qualify as a melodrama, but certainly slices itself a thick slab of theatrical ham; performances make it a worthwhile watch.
  
Murder Notes (Lilah Love #1)
Murder Notes (Lilah Love #1)
Lisa Renee Jones | 2018 | Thriller
10
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was fast-paced, full of tension and suspense and I just could not put it down!
Oh so good but can I just start by saying MAJOR CLIFFHANGER!? Another fabulous, yet totally different read from Lisa Renee Jones!! This story follows FBI Profiler, Lilah Love, a tough, cold, foul-mouthed agent who is perfectly capable of taking care of herself and lets everyone know it. Having grown up in the rich Hampton's lifestyle (something she tries desperately to forget), she suddenly finds herself back in the Hampton's on a case and a growing list of questions about those closest to her. This leads her not only back to the family drama she left behind and that of the Hampton's elite, but her ex, Kane and one very large secret shared between them.

This book was fast-paced, full of tension and suspense and I just could not put it down! Highly, highly recommended!
  
A Room Away From the Wolves
A Room Away From the Wolves
Nova Ren Suma | 2018 | Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
9
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
So many things being represented! Like LGBTQ+, abuse, assualt, depression, etc. (1 more)
Ghosts + love + death + dark back story = recipe for the best book ever!
The beginning is a little confusing, but it ties up well in the second half. (0 more)
A wicked ghost story that will satisfy every need!
I absolutely loved this novel!! I couldn't get enough of it and didn't want it to end. There's LGBTQ+ representation, romance, death, mystery, family drama, talk of suicide and domestic violence. I mean A Room Away From the Wolves has it all!

The only reason why this novel isn't sitting at a 5-star rating is that it was a little confusing in the beginning. I didn't quite understand the story-line and plot and the characters seemed to be lacking. But once I actually delved deeper into the novel, I got my answers and everything became clear yet again.

Want to read more? Head over to my blog: bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
  
A Week Away (2021)
A Week Away (2021)
2021 | Drama, Family, Musical
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Fiercely innocuous Netflix family musical. Too cool for school (NB he's not actually that cool) bad-boy (NB nor is he that bad either) is given a choice between Juvie and going to church camp for a week. Cue lots of cute romance, gentle comedy, dancing and singing about the grace of God, and, wouldn't you know it, religious conversion.

A ruthlessly cynical grab at the juicy faith-based-movie market by Netflix. This one is better than most, I suppose: the songs aren't painful to listen to and everyone is clearly trying their hardest. But its determination to be completely non-threatening and wholesome renders it bland to the point of absurdity - the sentiments expressed are mostly inoffensive (although the subtext is inevitably authoritarian, as with most movies about finding God), but it's almost totally lacking in drama, grit, tension and any genuine sense of threat. Passable entertainment if you want to watch something totally unchallenging. But why would you?
  
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Kazu Kibuishi recommended Yi Yi (2000) in Movies (curated)

 
Yi Yi (2000)
Yi Yi (2000)
2000 | Drama, Romance
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"A phenomenal slice-of-life family drama directed by the late Edward Yang from Taiwan that exemplifies some of the great realist cinema that was being made in Asian countries during this time (see Ang Lee). And despite the films having very little to do with each other, I always personally associate this film with In the Mood for Love by Wong Kar-wai. Both films were released here in the U.S. at the same time, and I watched both on the same day. That was a crazy day. I still remember how the air tasted after stepping out of the theater that evening. Also—and I feel I have to mention this—I watched a third film that amazing weekend, After Life by Hirokazu Kore-eda, and it was my favorite of the three (and is one of my all-time favorites). Kore-eda has a nice movie called Still Walking available from Criterion, but I am hoping for a nice edition of After Life someday."

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