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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Swing Time (1936) in Movies
Aug 14, 2020
Entertaining Despite Some Flaws
Fucking blackface, am I right? I’ll warn you now if you plan to watch Swing Time: There is a blackface scene. In spite of this touch of ignorance, as a black man, I have to say that I rather enjoyed the movie. The plot: When John Garnet (Fred Astaire) gets cold feet on his wedding day, his fiance opts to give him another chance if he can find a way to earn $25,000. John is all for it until he falls in love with a dance instructor and tries to find every way in the world to avoid making the money.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 6
In the beginning John’s dance troupe tries to distract him by keeping him from getting married. They feel like if he doesn’t go through with it, he can keep working with them. Despite their efforts, it was much more annoying than it was funny. Not a great way to kick off the story.
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 8
For the most part, the movie is cinematically gorgeous. I loved the dance numbers, well most of them anyway. It all reverts back to that damn blackface scene. It was an unnecessary piece of the film that did absolutely nothing for the story. Other than that, the movie is shot in a gorgeous fashion.
Conflict: 10
Most of the conflict stems from John’s rising feelings for Penelope the dance instructor (Ginger Rogers). You get the sense that they are meant to be together but John is working towards trying to be with another woman. You hope before the story’s end that he ends up in the right place. It’s a journey getting there.
Entertainment Value: 8
Memorability: 10
Pace: 10
Plot: 2
The premise and the way it unfolds is a miss for me. Fortunately the characters and setpieces were enough to carry the movie. it was a really hard buy-in for me.
Resolution: 10
While not perfect, the ending is a satisfying completion to the story. You can definitely see it coming the closer you get, but it’s still good. Great closure for the main characters.
Overall: 84
Not my favorite of the classics, Swing Time still deserves its place in history. As far as the blackface is concerned, I think we owe it to ourselves not to shy away from things that happened in history. Even the bad things. In spite being on the wrong side of history, I enjoyed it.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 6
In the beginning John’s dance troupe tries to distract him by keeping him from getting married. They feel like if he doesn’t go through with it, he can keep working with them. Despite their efforts, it was much more annoying than it was funny. Not a great way to kick off the story.
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 8
For the most part, the movie is cinematically gorgeous. I loved the dance numbers, well most of them anyway. It all reverts back to that damn blackface scene. It was an unnecessary piece of the film that did absolutely nothing for the story. Other than that, the movie is shot in a gorgeous fashion.
Conflict: 10
Most of the conflict stems from John’s rising feelings for Penelope the dance instructor (Ginger Rogers). You get the sense that they are meant to be together but John is working towards trying to be with another woman. You hope before the story’s end that he ends up in the right place. It’s a journey getting there.
Entertainment Value: 8
Memorability: 10
Pace: 10
Plot: 2
The premise and the way it unfolds is a miss for me. Fortunately the characters and setpieces were enough to carry the movie. it was a really hard buy-in for me.
Resolution: 10
While not perfect, the ending is a satisfying completion to the story. You can definitely see it coming the closer you get, but it’s still good. Great closure for the main characters.
Overall: 84
Not my favorite of the classics, Swing Time still deserves its place in history. As far as the blackface is concerned, I think we owe it to ourselves not to shy away from things that happened in history. Even the bad things. In spite being on the wrong side of history, I enjoyed it.
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Merissa (14102 KP) rated Daddy Protector (Night Ops Daddies #1) in Books
Sep 2, 2025
DADDY PROTECTOR is the first book in the Night Ops Daddies series, and trust me, there's not a snowball's chance in hell you will forget the name of the series.
You know when a blurb grabs you, like really grabs you, and you can't wait to read the book? That was this one for me. Well, it didn't turn out as I expected...
Okay, first things first. I was confused within the first couple of pages when Cole (Daddy MC) meets up with Hunter and gets arm-twisted into looking after Hunter's son, Richie (Little MC). Hunter? Who's that? The blurb says his name is Mitch! In the same part, I was put off by the author's use of 'real men'. I quote "I might be in my forties now, but a cold beer or several still appeals to me from time to time, that's for sure. And to sink them with some REAL MEN, the kind you find in the Night Ops Guards... well that's just perfection." Alphahole alert coming up!
Which leads me nicely onto the next point - see the bit in the sentence above about the Night Ops Guards? Get used to seeing it. I counted 27 instances of this phrase being used in the first 15%, and I probably missed some, as my eyes were too busy rolling. There is also the repetitive use of 'gruff', 'the son of a Night Ops Guard', and other phrases. Honestly, it just feels trite and flat, used more for word count than something meaningful between the two MCs.
I also didn't feel as though Cole was the best example of a Daddy, so I really hope that if anyone does pick up this book, they will have read other Daddy books first. There is a difference between being firm and being a jerk. Walking into someone's home, who doesn't know you, laying down the law, and telling them to put on "proper clothes" when they were enjoying Little Space, is a jerk of the first degree. There is more I could say, but I think I've said more than enough.
I was really looking forward to this book, reading about a group of military Daddies, saving the world one boy at a time. I was disappointed with what I got, and as such, I won't be recommending this book.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 2, 2025
You know when a blurb grabs you, like really grabs you, and you can't wait to read the book? That was this one for me. Well, it didn't turn out as I expected...
Okay, first things first. I was confused within the first couple of pages when Cole (Daddy MC) meets up with Hunter and gets arm-twisted into looking after Hunter's son, Richie (Little MC). Hunter? Who's that? The blurb says his name is Mitch! In the same part, I was put off by the author's use of 'real men'. I quote "I might be in my forties now, but a cold beer or several still appeals to me from time to time, that's for sure. And to sink them with some REAL MEN, the kind you find in the Night Ops Guards... well that's just perfection." Alphahole alert coming up!
Which leads me nicely onto the next point - see the bit in the sentence above about the Night Ops Guards? Get used to seeing it. I counted 27 instances of this phrase being used in the first 15%, and I probably missed some, as my eyes were too busy rolling. There is also the repetitive use of 'gruff', 'the son of a Night Ops Guard', and other phrases. Honestly, it just feels trite and flat, used more for word count than something meaningful between the two MCs.
I also didn't feel as though Cole was the best example of a Daddy, so I really hope that if anyone does pick up this book, they will have read other Daddy books first. There is a difference between being firm and being a jerk. Walking into someone's home, who doesn't know you, laying down the law, and telling them to put on "proper clothes" when they were enjoying Little Space, is a jerk of the first degree. There is more I could say, but I think I've said more than enough.
I was really looking forward to this book, reading about a group of military Daddies, saving the world one boy at a time. I was disappointed with what I got, and as such, I won't be recommending this book.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 2, 2025
Merissa (14102 KP) rated Finding Harbor (The Long Shadow Series #3) in Books
Nov 21, 2025
FINDING HARBOR is the third book in The Long Shadow series, and I wonder if I would have enjoyed this more if I had read the other two.
The first half of the book is fairly fast-paced as Patrick lands on the shores of St. Ann's, a small village in the middle of nowhere, for a deal that was a scam. He doesn't have enough money on him for a return ticket and is unsure of what to do. Angus is the local giant who seems to have everyone's respect. Patrick asks for a job, Angus gives him not only that but a place to live too. They kiss. Everything's tickety-boo.
BUT then comes the second half which, for me, felt a little off in the pacing. It also felt a little repetitive. During this time, I didn't really feel anything significant between the two men, beyond a push/pull situation where nothing seemed resolved.
You see, Patrick goes to The Rusty Anchor, against Angus' advice, and gets into a situation where Angus rescues him. Angus literally carries him out, making a statement to the town. Then they drift apart. Preacher comes to town, making everyone question the morality of Angus and Patrick living together. Sailors come to the store and cause trouble, Angus deals with them, Patrick and Angus drift apart. Mary goes into a three-day labour, Patrick and Angus help, then they drift apart. Angus saves Patrick from runaway horses and carries him home, once again making a statement to the town.
Overall, this is a low steam story that I enjoyed. I'm struggling to say whether or not it's high angst or medium. There are also lots of things left open, so I'm unsure if they're in other books or if this is their story done with. There is no obvious cliffhanger or HEA, but more of a HFN. Considering the time of the story, that isn't really a surprise.
I do think that this story would be better read as part of the series, simply because I am unsure of how much I have missed by not having read the others. I am sure this book will be popular and have no hesitation in recommending it to readers of this author.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 21, 2025
The first half of the book is fairly fast-paced as Patrick lands on the shores of St. Ann's, a small village in the middle of nowhere, for a deal that was a scam. He doesn't have enough money on him for a return ticket and is unsure of what to do. Angus is the local giant who seems to have everyone's respect. Patrick asks for a job, Angus gives him not only that but a place to live too. They kiss. Everything's tickety-boo.
BUT then comes the second half which, for me, felt a little off in the pacing. It also felt a little repetitive. During this time, I didn't really feel anything significant between the two men, beyond a push/pull situation where nothing seemed resolved.
You see, Patrick goes to The Rusty Anchor, against Angus' advice, and gets into a situation where Angus rescues him. Angus literally carries him out, making a statement to the town. Then they drift apart. Preacher comes to town, making everyone question the morality of Angus and Patrick living together. Sailors come to the store and cause trouble, Angus deals with them, Patrick and Angus drift apart. Mary goes into a three-day labour, Patrick and Angus help, then they drift apart. Angus saves Patrick from runaway horses and carries him home, once again making a statement to the town.
Overall, this is a low steam story that I enjoyed. I'm struggling to say whether or not it's high angst or medium. There are also lots of things left open, so I'm unsure if they're in other books or if this is their story done with. There is no obvious cliffhanger or HEA, but more of a HFN. Considering the time of the story, that isn't really a surprise.
I do think that this story would be better read as part of the series, simply because I am unsure of how much I have missed by not having read the others. I am sure this book will be popular and have no hesitation in recommending it to readers of this author.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 21, 2025
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Midnight Mass in TV
Nov 11, 2021
It's a rare thing indeed that I'm left in stunned silence when the credits start to to roll. Midnight Mass was one of those occasions (actually, due to its episodic format, this happened more than once)
This limited series is pretty much perfect in every way. For starters, every single piece of dialogue feels important. There are plenty of lengthy moments of talking, and most of these scenes are completely engaging, dripping with character development. In fact, every character we see throughout the show is given just the right amount of backstory, and I found myself profusely invested in all of them. The way these characters are crafted lead to a plethora of emotional moments. By the time the final scene rolls around, I was exhausted, but in a good and wholly fulfilling way.
The narrative in wonderfully paced. The horror element is present from the start, but is subtle to begin with, focusing on the island setting and the people that live there. The mysteries of the plot are drip fed and intriguing. When the twist and turns start to hit, it gives way to an unsettling horror-thriller with religion right at the centre. I'm a sucker for religious horror, and Midnight Mass is surely the new reigning champion of this particular sub genre. The way that this small island town finds themselves in the grip of a "full blown religious revival" as one of the characters puts it, manages to feel miraculous, warming, and eventually terrifying, all at once. Spearheading said revival is Father Paul, one of the most charismatic bastards ever commited to screen, and portrayed with aplomb by Hamish Linklater. He chews up every scene he is in and delivers some staggering monologues. His right hand, Bev Keane, is another highlight. Samantha Sloyan gives us hugely contemptible antagonist. The whole cast is nothing short of excellent, but these two in particular steal the whole show.
On top of all of this, every episode is shot beautifully. It's stunning to look at from start to finish. The music score is fantastic as well, especially the hymns. The use of them leads to some overwhelmingly powerful moments (especially in the final episode), and all of these positives combined result in a bonafide masterpiece.
It's clear that this was a passion project for Mike Flanagan in the way that it's so lovingly put together. He just keeps proving himself over and over again, and I can't give enough praise to both him, and Midnight Mass, and he's one of a fair few modern directors that ensure that the future of horror is bright indeed.
This limited series is pretty much perfect in every way. For starters, every single piece of dialogue feels important. There are plenty of lengthy moments of talking, and most of these scenes are completely engaging, dripping with character development. In fact, every character we see throughout the show is given just the right amount of backstory, and I found myself profusely invested in all of them. The way these characters are crafted lead to a plethora of emotional moments. By the time the final scene rolls around, I was exhausted, but in a good and wholly fulfilling way.
The narrative in wonderfully paced. The horror element is present from the start, but is subtle to begin with, focusing on the island setting and the people that live there. The mysteries of the plot are drip fed and intriguing. When the twist and turns start to hit, it gives way to an unsettling horror-thriller with religion right at the centre. I'm a sucker for religious horror, and Midnight Mass is surely the new reigning champion of this particular sub genre. The way that this small island town finds themselves in the grip of a "full blown religious revival" as one of the characters puts it, manages to feel miraculous, warming, and eventually terrifying, all at once. Spearheading said revival is Father Paul, one of the most charismatic bastards ever commited to screen, and portrayed with aplomb by Hamish Linklater. He chews up every scene he is in and delivers some staggering monologues. His right hand, Bev Keane, is another highlight. Samantha Sloyan gives us hugely contemptible antagonist. The whole cast is nothing short of excellent, but these two in particular steal the whole show.
On top of all of this, every episode is shot beautifully. It's stunning to look at from start to finish. The music score is fantastic as well, especially the hymns. The use of them leads to some overwhelmingly powerful moments (especially in the final episode), and all of these positives combined result in a bonafide masterpiece.
It's clear that this was a passion project for Mike Flanagan in the way that it's so lovingly put together. He just keeps proving himself over and over again, and I can't give enough praise to both him, and Midnight Mass, and he's one of a fair few modern directors that ensure that the future of horror is bright indeed.
Necole (36 KP) rated The Patient in Books
Nov 24, 2021
Asylum Fright
November 20, 2021
I just got done reading The Patient by Jasper Dewitt and was not expecting to get sucked into a one morning read-a-thon. I think I read it in maybe 2 ½ hours. With that being said, I gave this book a 3-star review, although it should be a 3 ½-star review. I will start with the good and end with the bad.
A young, overconfident psychiatrist gets a new job at a mental asylum and chronicles his attempts to treat a profoundly disturbed patient who has been in the hospital since early childhood through a series of online posts. Each chapter is a new day and a new post that Parker has shared with the readers. This manuscript writing style was a unique way to give us Parker’s perspective and account of what occurred with patient “Joe”. I also enjoyed the transcripts and the audio tapes added into the chapters. These few thing added more layers to the story, sucked you in deeper, and gave an unexpecting twist to the book. It was like you were really reading a true account from whom it occurred to.
After reading all the hype and the synopsis of the book, I was hooked and reeled in. A psychiatrist, a mental patient, an asylum set in my home state of Connecticut, strange occurrences to those who have treated patient “Joe”, misdiagnosis’, undiagnosis’, a 30 plus year mystery … The Patient seemed to have it all!!! Even dark, creepy, supernatural horror!!! A perfectly blended cocktail of psychological thriller and supernatural horror.
Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. I kept anticipating more twists, turns, gore and scare. I wanted this book to haunt me well after I finished. The ending felt rushed and not well thought out, I felt like I was cheated out of being scared out of my mind. There was enough horror, suspense, thrills and mystery to keep me reading but after completing The Patient, I just felt let down. I feel like even as the story unfolds, Jasper could have gotten more in depth with the creepy and horror factor but instead it was almost basic. I tried to let my imagination scare with the images the author tries to put in your mind but again I was disappointed.
If you want a quick read that will scare you a little but will keep the suspense up, then pick this up because one person’s opinion is not another’s and who knows, you might scare more easily than me.
I just got done reading The Patient by Jasper Dewitt and was not expecting to get sucked into a one morning read-a-thon. I think I read it in maybe 2 ½ hours. With that being said, I gave this book a 3-star review, although it should be a 3 ½-star review. I will start with the good and end with the bad.
A young, overconfident psychiatrist gets a new job at a mental asylum and chronicles his attempts to treat a profoundly disturbed patient who has been in the hospital since early childhood through a series of online posts. Each chapter is a new day and a new post that Parker has shared with the readers. This manuscript writing style was a unique way to give us Parker’s perspective and account of what occurred with patient “Joe”. I also enjoyed the transcripts and the audio tapes added into the chapters. These few thing added more layers to the story, sucked you in deeper, and gave an unexpecting twist to the book. It was like you were really reading a true account from whom it occurred to.
After reading all the hype and the synopsis of the book, I was hooked and reeled in. A psychiatrist, a mental patient, an asylum set in my home state of Connecticut, strange occurrences to those who have treated patient “Joe”, misdiagnosis’, undiagnosis’, a 30 plus year mystery … The Patient seemed to have it all!!! Even dark, creepy, supernatural horror!!! A perfectly blended cocktail of psychological thriller and supernatural horror.
Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. I kept anticipating more twists, turns, gore and scare. I wanted this book to haunt me well after I finished. The ending felt rushed and not well thought out, I felt like I was cheated out of being scared out of my mind. There was enough horror, suspense, thrills and mystery to keep me reading but after completing The Patient, I just felt let down. I feel like even as the story unfolds, Jasper could have gotten more in depth with the creepy and horror factor but instead it was almost basic. I tried to let my imagination scare with the images the author tries to put in your mind but again I was disappointed.
If you want a quick read that will scare you a little but will keep the suspense up, then pick this up because one person’s opinion is not another’s and who knows, you might scare more easily than me.