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From Frazzled to Fabulous: How to Juggle a Successful Career, Fatherhood, 'Me-Time' and Looking Good
Book
"Hilarious and thought-provoking, the Man Who Has It All highlights the ridiculousness of the...

Living Dangerously: Ordinary Enlightenment for Extraordinary Times: Watkins Masters of Wisdom: Osho
Alan Jacobs and Osho
Book
Osho is one of the best-known spiritual teachers of our time. The Sunday Times named him one of the...
RA
Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone
Book
'A feel-good story with oodles of charm' Daily Mail Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone tells the story...

Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Dead Don't Die (2019) in Movies
Jun 15, 2020
The dead should die...
I wanted to like this film so badly, but when I wanted to turn it off less than an hour in, i had to admit it wasn't for me. Although I did at least persevere until the end, even if it wasn't worth it.
I'm all for off beat and dark humour and wit, but I'm afraid for me this film was just too far in the left field. I liked the deadpan aspects and humour and also how it surpassed the fourth wall, the problem was the laughs were still few and far between. I like how this poked fun at today's society and there was a lot of social commentary, it was just so deadpan that a lot of the witty remarks were lost. The plot development too was so slow. The film was virtually over by the time it felt like it was going anywhere, and even when the zombies emerged in full they couldn't breathe any life (ha) into this. Strangely such a stellar cast were wasted too. Tilde Swinton's wacky funeral director was by far the most fun but even she got on my nerves by the end.
I'm all for your non-typical comedy, but sadly this film just wasn't for me. There are some good ideas in this but they feel wasted
I'm all for off beat and dark humour and wit, but I'm afraid for me this film was just too far in the left field. I liked the deadpan aspects and humour and also how it surpassed the fourth wall, the problem was the laughs were still few and far between. I like how this poked fun at today's society and there was a lot of social commentary, it was just so deadpan that a lot of the witty remarks were lost. The plot development too was so slow. The film was virtually over by the time it felt like it was going anywhere, and even when the zombies emerged in full they couldn't breathe any life (ha) into this. Strangely such a stellar cast were wasted too. Tilde Swinton's wacky funeral director was by far the most fun but even she got on my nerves by the end.
I'm all for your non-typical comedy, but sadly this film just wasn't for me. There are some good ideas in this but they feel wasted

Sarah (7800 KP) rated Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019) in Movies
Jul 3, 2020
Hilarious
Watching this film has really brightened up an otherwise rubbish week. I haven't laughed this much in a long time.
It's been quite some time since I watched the original Jay and Silent Bob, but i remember liking it alongside Dogma and everything else. This sequel has been a long time coming, but it is definitely welcome. Although it does highlight how long ago the original was as everyone now looks so old! I laughed out loud so many times watching this. If there's anything Kevin Smith does brilliantly is a smart, quick witted, intelligent script and this one is full of the quips and pop culture references you'd come to expect. Jason Lee's reboot vs remakes debate is possibly the funniest thing I've seen all year and even better, it's so true - right down to the comeback about Marvel films. As you'd expect as well there's a whole host of famous faces, both returning and new and they're great to see.
My only issue with this is that it dragged in the middle. It got a little too serious and the teenage girls characters and storylines were a little dull and boring, and we've seen this before (Dumb and Dumber Too for instance). But this aside, this is a marvellous fun and feel good film. There needs to be more films like this about.
It's been quite some time since I watched the original Jay and Silent Bob, but i remember liking it alongside Dogma and everything else. This sequel has been a long time coming, but it is definitely welcome. Although it does highlight how long ago the original was as everyone now looks so old! I laughed out loud so many times watching this. If there's anything Kevin Smith does brilliantly is a smart, quick witted, intelligent script and this one is full of the quips and pop culture references you'd come to expect. Jason Lee's reboot vs remakes debate is possibly the funniest thing I've seen all year and even better, it's so true - right down to the comeback about Marvel films. As you'd expect as well there's a whole host of famous faces, both returning and new and they're great to see.
My only issue with this is that it dragged in the middle. It got a little too serious and the teenage girls characters and storylines were a little dull and boring, and we've seen this before (Dumb and Dumber Too for instance). But this aside, this is a marvellous fun and feel good film. There needs to be more films like this about.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Hems and Homicide in Books
Jul 10, 2020
Can Iris Sew Up a Cold Case?
Iris Buckley is happy to be opening a new shop in her native Blueberry Cove, Maine. Partnering with her grandma, Anne, the shop will be a physical location for her internet business selling original apron designs and vintage linens. However, while starting the renovations, Iris discovers a skeleton in the basement. Anne immediately identifies the remains as belonging to her friend Star Moonshine. Anne always assumed that Star just drifted out of town back in the early 1970’s, but clearly something happened to her. Anne wants to make sure justice is served for her friend. Can Iris help her do that?
I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about this book, and it is easy to see why. Author Elizabeth Penney has created a wonderful location. Blueberry Cove is the kind of town I’d love to visit. Iris leads a cast of charming characters that I can’t wait to get to know better as the series progresses. While the plot got out to a great start, I did feel it bogged down a bit early on in the book. But once it kicked into high gear, we got some great twists before everything was neatly tied up. Prepare to be charmed when you pick up this book.
I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about this book, and it is easy to see why. Author Elizabeth Penney has created a wonderful location. Blueberry Cove is the kind of town I’d love to visit. Iris leads a cast of charming characters that I can’t wait to get to know better as the series progresses. While the plot got out to a great start, I did feel it bogged down a bit early on in the book. But once it kicked into high gear, we got some great twists before everything was neatly tied up. Prepare to be charmed when you pick up this book.

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020) in Movies
May 12, 2021
To be clear, I absolutely love the first two Bill & Ted films, and I've been pretty excited to check this out, but now, a few days after finally getting around to watching it, I realise that I'm not, and never was, too sure what I wanted from it.
On the one hand, I have a huge amount of respect for the filmmakers in respect to how hard they commited to sticking to the original tone and comedy style. Unfortunately, for me anyway, it just didn't work. The zany comedy of the first two are perfect for the late 80s/early 90s era, but these days, the whole thing comes across as try hard and occasionally cringe worthy. Don't get me wrong, there are certainly some funny moments, but the overall experience left me cold.
I'm sad that I feel this way, as it's an unnecessary sequel that I hoped would turn out to be surprisingly great, but a few days down the line, and I've largely forgotten most of what happens.
Bill & Ted Face the Music is a good natured attempt at recapturing the magic, but ultimately falls flat. I know that a lot of people liked it, so if you are a fan of the series in any way, then certainly check it out, and I hope you find something to love, but it just wasn't for me (sad face)
On the one hand, I have a huge amount of respect for the filmmakers in respect to how hard they commited to sticking to the original tone and comedy style. Unfortunately, for me anyway, it just didn't work. The zany comedy of the first two are perfect for the late 80s/early 90s era, but these days, the whole thing comes across as try hard and occasionally cringe worthy. Don't get me wrong, there are certainly some funny moments, but the overall experience left me cold.
I'm sad that I feel this way, as it's an unnecessary sequel that I hoped would turn out to be surprisingly great, but a few days down the line, and I've largely forgotten most of what happens.
Bill & Ted Face the Music is a good natured attempt at recapturing the magic, but ultimately falls flat. I know that a lot of people liked it, so if you are a fan of the series in any way, then certainly check it out, and I hope you find something to love, but it just wasn't for me (sad face)

Graham Lewis recommended ETT by Klara Lewis in Music (curated)

Guy Garvey recommended Melody's Echo Chamber by Melody's Echo Chamber in Music (curated)
FY
Fuck You, 2016
Book
In the year that David Bowie died, Brexit shocked us, 'Hiddleswift' was a thing and Trump trumped,...