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CJ (8 KP) rated The Bookshop (2017) in Movies
Sep 11, 2018 (Updated Sep 11, 2018)
Woman vs. town.
Based on the novel of the same title by Penelope Fitzgerald, it tells the story of widow Florence Green (Emily Mortimer) who opens a bookshop in an abandoned home in a small English village. Unfortunately, she does so against the wishes of some of the locals who try to get her removed from her shop. However, she does not find herself without allies and friends.
I was thoroughly delighted by the scenery and costumes in this movie. The stage was set very well. I’m a fan of Bill Nighy as a rule, but I can honestly say that this is the best role I’ve seen him in.
This isn’t a particularly feel good movie. If you’re looking for a Hallmark ending, keep looking. But it does have a few laughs, in that British small-town movie way, and I found it well worth my time. Especially in regards to Emily Mortimer’s and Bill Nighy’s performances.
I was thoroughly delighted by the scenery and costumes in this movie. The stage was set very well. I’m a fan of Bill Nighy as a rule, but I can honestly say that this is the best role I’ve seen him in.
This isn’t a particularly feel good movie. If you’re looking for a Hallmark ending, keep looking. But it does have a few laughs, in that British small-town movie way, and I found it well worth my time. Especially in regards to Emily Mortimer’s and Bill Nighy’s performances.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated The Life of Anna: The Complete Story in Books
Sep 28, 2018
Read the entire series from start to finish... Dark, sick, twisted, so, so wrong and yet SO good!? By far the darkest series I've ever read and was surely tough to read at times, yet I simply can't put it down. Its all here... beyond anything you could imagine... and more. I kept hearing about this series and finally got my hands on it and my god.. My heart broke over and over again until I simply couldn't take any more (and then grabbed the next book of course!?). You know those books where your heart races, your blood boils and you find yourself shaking uncontrollably as you have a panic attack while reading....well, this is THAT series from start to finish!? Holy mindf$%k!!! Could NOT put it down!! A seriously evil, beautiful, heart-wrenching, loving, torturous book!? This series will make you feel everything.. from rage to love. HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who loves a dark, dark read!
B (62 KP) rated The Handmaid's Tale - Season 1 in TV
Oct 6, 2018
Excellent adaptation
I really loved what the creators of this show have done with The Handmaid's Tale. The amount of relevancy that the social commentary still has on today's society blows my mind. I also really like how they've developed a lot of the characters. For example, in the book Serena Joy is mostly made out to be a villain, but her portrayal in the show is sympathetic. Much like in real life, the line between good and evil is blurred. I've found that while watching June is actually one of my least favorite characters. I've come to really love Nick although I feel intensely sorry for him in his predicament. I wish that they had put in some of the original narrative framing devices with the studying of the society of Gilead because I found that to be an interesting way of looking at it in the book and I hope they figure something out to keep it in the future.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Costa Rica in Tabletop Games
Nov 20, 2018
Don't leave a guy by himself....
It's a push your luck game, you decide how much you what to gamble based on probabilities. The theme is photography of the wildlife..... I like this idea for a theme, but the theme has very little to do with the mechanics. It's basically abstract. Also when you eliminate down to one player left on an expedition, that person has no reason to not go until they are forced to stop, in our game one person did hat and ate the whole board, he won by almost triple the 2nd place player, (which was me) Part of the game obviously is to prevent this from happening. but also if the game can do that, it's kinda broken.... I feel like this game didn't get play tested enough.... it's a very simple game and there's not much meat to it.... it feels like a game where you teach kids probability. Which if that's the goal it's pretty good.
Joe (2 more)
Twists
Dark humour
Sympathetic stalker.
Joe is an intelligent book store worker and he's not bad looking either. Problem is he might just be a psychopath. He becomes obsessed with women he believes are the one and from there on out he sets out to make them his and protect them no matter what that takes.
It has an underlying theme of dark humor with many finding the character of Joe to be incredibly sympathetic despite his actions and I did quite often find myself laughing at the series. I devoured it in 2 days and just couldn't stop watching despite the fact that I didn't feel at all sympathetic towards his victim Beck and even at times found her quite annoying and pathetic.
You looks set to be one of Netflixs biggest TV hits for this year and with a sequel already in development it's certainly worth a good binge.
It has an underlying theme of dark humor with many finding the character of Joe to be incredibly sympathetic despite his actions and I did quite often find myself laughing at the series. I devoured it in 2 days and just couldn't stop watching despite the fact that I didn't feel at all sympathetic towards his victim Beck and even at times found her quite annoying and pathetic.
You looks set to be one of Netflixs biggest TV hits for this year and with a sequel already in development it's certainly worth a good binge.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Serenity (2019) in Movies
Jan 26, 2019
WHAT did I just watch??????
I am very torn on this film, and I can't decide whether to just rate it as ok or good. The film weirdo inside of me kind of dug it, but I don't think most audiences will.The critics also hate it, but maybe this will be one of those cult classic things.
The trailer gives the general outline, Matthew McConaughey's character is a fisherman, obsessed by this fish, and Anne Hathaway's character asks him to kill her abusive husband, Jason Clarke (who is now being cast in absolutely everything nowadays). BUT, what is actually going on isn't really clear in the beginning. I feel like it gave hints to its twist fairly early.
Who is actually seeking serenity in the film? That's what you'll be thinking about the entire film.
The twist will most likely be a groaner for most people, as this sort of twist isn't really widely liked.
The trailer gives the general outline, Matthew McConaughey's character is a fisherman, obsessed by this fish, and Anne Hathaway's character asks him to kill her abusive husband, Jason Clarke (who is now being cast in absolutely everything nowadays). BUT, what is actually going on isn't really clear in the beginning. I feel like it gave hints to its twist fairly early.
Who is actually seeking serenity in the film? That's what you'll be thinking about the entire film.
The twist will most likely be a groaner for most people, as this sort of twist isn't really widely liked.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated I, Tonya (2017) in Movies
Dec 30, 2018
Great performances
I missed out on watching this when it was out at the cinema and I’m really disappointed I did, especially as it is actually quite good.
I didn’t know anything about true story about Tonya Harding, so for me this film was a real eye opener. It’s a fascinating story and the film features some great performances from both Margot Robbie and Sebastian Stan. However it’s Alison Janney that steals the entire film as the mother from hell, she’s horrible yet absolutely hilarious too. The way this film unfolds using a documentary style storytelling really works and makes for such an entertaining film. The film drags a little during certain parts, and it’s a little ambiguous as to whether you should feel truly sorry for Tonya or not, especially with the conflicting stories between her and Jeff. But it’s the brilliant cast and the unique story telling theta really make this film worth watching.
I didn’t know anything about true story about Tonya Harding, so for me this film was a real eye opener. It’s a fascinating story and the film features some great performances from both Margot Robbie and Sebastian Stan. However it’s Alison Janney that steals the entire film as the mother from hell, she’s horrible yet absolutely hilarious too. The way this film unfolds using a documentary style storytelling really works and makes for such an entertaining film. The film drags a little during certain parts, and it’s a little ambiguous as to whether you should feel truly sorry for Tonya or not, especially with the conflicting stories between her and Jeff. But it’s the brilliant cast and the unique story telling theta really make this film worth watching.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Killing Eve - Season 2 in TV
Aug 11, 2019
Not as good as first series
The first series of Killing Eve was really quite a nice surprise, wonderfully violent and humorous. The problem is that this second series is it’s more of the same and a poorer version at that. Yes its still rather violent and funny, but it just didn’t feel like anything new. If it wasn’t for Jodie Comer as the wonderful Villanelle, I don’t think I could’ve stuck with this series. She at least brings all of the humour and wicked violence which makes this series watchable. My main problem was Eve. I wasn’t her biggest fan to begin with, but I found her downright irritating and annoying in this series. Her indecision about what or who she wanted was getting rather stale by the final episode and the ending was just a bit meh, especially as anyone with a brain can figure out how it’ll pan out if they make a new series.
KatyShubo (75 KP) rated Big Love - Season 1 in TV
Jan 19, 2019
Characters (2 more)
Bizarrely normal
Theme tune
It’s Big Love from me
Big Love straddles the bizarre and the normal in a way that only they could. You will find yourself finding a favourite wife, (personally I can’t stand Margene- she’s too chirpy)
The cast put in stellar performances which make you feel like their just a normal family.
I love the theme tune and the opening sequence, it’s one of the most onpoint tv openers ever and it beautifully foreshadows things to come.
You will end up falling in love with this crazy, quirky little world.
This has been my choice of tv bingeing for the past few weeks and I had forgotten just how good this show is, it makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes your skin crawl and it will bring out your inner judge and if you are anything like me you will begin googling polygamy because you will want to know if Big Love is real or just a fanciful tale
The cast put in stellar performances which make you feel like their just a normal family.
I love the theme tune and the opening sequence, it’s one of the most onpoint tv openers ever and it beautifully foreshadows things to come.
You will end up falling in love with this crazy, quirky little world.
This has been my choice of tv bingeing for the past few weeks and I had forgotten just how good this show is, it makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes your skin crawl and it will bring out your inner judge and if you are anything like me you will begin googling polygamy because you will want to know if Big Love is real or just a fanciful tale
Merissa (13469 KP) rated Brothers In Arms in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Brothers in Arms Anthology has a military streak running through it, to no ones' surprise! Most of them are in a contemporary setting, but one has a distinctive Science Fiction feel to it. They aren't just M/M either, there are Ménage Moments too.
All of the stories are very well written, considering the scope of a short story. I would love to see some of them expanded into full-length stories! Some of these authors were already known to me, but some were new and I will definitely be reading more.
I enjoyed all the stories, but if I had to pick a favourite, it would be either One Night With You or Would You Wait For Me? Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
All of the stories are very well written, considering the scope of a short story. I would love to see some of them expanded into full-length stories! Some of these authors were already known to me, but some were new and I will definitely be reading more.
I enjoyed all the stories, but if I had to pick a favourite, it would be either One Night With You or Would You Wait For Me? Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!