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Predestination (2015)
Predestination (2015)
2015 | Mystery, Sci-Fi
A story about a girl named Jane
It seems I've been watching a fair amount of Ethan Hawke lately, total coincidence. I have to say he is probably one of my favorite current actors as he always seems to select smart scripts. His recent film First Reformed was amazing as was another recent Hawke watch, Daybreakers. The directors of Daybreakers recast Hawke as a time traveling policeman of sorts trying to track down one last killer before hanging up his hat.

His current status as a lonely barkeep is interrupted when a stranger walks in, sits down and begins telling their story. Intrigued, Hawke sits down and listens to the tale of an unwanted orphan, a unique person misunderstood by society but maybe destined for great things. They try not to let the hardships of their life get them down, but disappointment lies around every turn. The interactions they have in their life may seem adrift and random, but maybe they have some deeper meaning about the meaning of life or at least their place in it.

Ok, this is kind of a vague description; however, if you take the time to watch this film (I sure wish you would) you will thank me for not saying too much

It is easy to get caught up in all the time paradox stuff when writing or watching a time travel film. What would happen if Marty McFly meets his future self or disrupts the meeting of his parents? Themes are a lot deeper here and the mystery continues to weave itself into a knot before slowly unraveling as the film reaches its end.

Hawke and Australian actress Sarah Snook are captivating together onscreen as their characters interact and their true feelings and motivations are revealed. Both are flawed in their own way, but also looking for redemption and validation that their time on Earth has meaning.

I was totally blown away by the smart, completely interesting story and hope I can convince others to view. Mesmerizing!

  
Show all 3 comments.
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Andy K (10823 KP) Nov 8, 2019

I love those types of films!

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Versusyours (757 KP) Nov 8, 2019 (Updated Nov 8, 2019)

Yeah mind melters lol

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Jules (151 KP) rated Atypical in TV

Nov 24, 2019  
Atypical
Atypical
2017 | Comedy, Drama
Amazing
This show has really opened my eyes on the struggles Autism can cause in every day life. It not only follows Sam and his journey to find love, and then his life changing as he moves on to University, but it also follows a small story line around his parents and his younger sister has her own, fairly prominent story line.

Sam has Autism and doesn't always understand things well. The show really brings into life a few of the problems he may face, and how he deals with them.

Its mostly light-hearted and has a few comical characters, while still being serious at times and helping people understand what is going on.

Casey, Sams sister, understands his autism but always treats Sam as if he doesn't, in a good way. She still treats him with love and affection, but also annoys him and gets on his nerves, just as any sister would do.

The show also follows her story line, of starting in a new school and her track running. The show has some awesome characters, who show full understanding and love and care for Sam. One of the best being Sam's best friend,Zahid. Zahid is a funny and relatable, for the most part, character. He brings humour to the show in new ways, while always looking out for Sam. In ways, he shows Sam how to be 'Normal' though he's rather weird himself.

Zahid is not only Sam's best friend, but also the person he looks up to the most. The two characters have some very moving moments in the show. The show also combats toxic masculinity, with male characters seen crying, expressing feelings and hugging each other and expressing love for each other.

Overall, it is a brilliant show, that is enlightening and full of brilliant characters from all walks of life. It shows some real life problems and how a family deals with them, while taking care of each other. I would tell anyone to watch this and I imagine it would be enjoyed by all.
  
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Andrew Sinclair (25 KP) Nov 25, 2019

I couldn't agree more! It's a wonderful show!

The Edge of the World
The Edge of the World
Garrett Leigh | 2020 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
took a while, but excellent book!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is one of those books that I nearly dumped! NEARLY, but didn't.

Ollie said something, Shay said something, I forget who said what, but one of them said something that made the book a whole LOT more readable and I wanted to know what more. More Ollie, more Shay, just plain MORE! Cos ya'll know how greedy I am!

I loved that, when Ollie was keeping the things he found about Shay's family from Shay til certain points, he kept it from US too, and we only found it all out, just as Shay does. Loved being kept on my toes for that!

I loved that what happened to Ollie isn't immediately laid out for you and you have to piece together the clues. Again, we don't get the FULL picture til Ollie tells Shay all about it.

There is immediately attraction between the guys, yes, but it's a way WAY through the book before they actually get their sexy time, and strangely, I think I would have preferred that they did NOT have on-screen time, you know? I was loving the EMOTIONS that run rife through the book, real gut wrenching ones in places, and the sexy time, while still emotional for the guys, it kinda felt thrown in, that it was supposed to be there, just because, if you see what I mean? probably not, I'm not making much sense, I know!

Both guys have a say, in the third person, so we get all of Ollie's fear about doing this again, about being behind the camera again. We get all of Shay's growing feelings for Ollie, and we get it all from them both when the full history of Shay is revealed.

So, because it took me a while to fully engage . . .

4 solid stars

**same wroded review will appear elsewhere**
  
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Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Original Review posted on <a href=http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2013/04/review-graceling-by-kristin-cashore.html">Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Original Rating: 4.5

<i><b>Note:</b> Formatting is lost due to copy and paste</i>

   I've heard both good reviews and bad reviews, so like any book, I've had mixed feelings. But I've been wanting to read Graceling since I saw it sitting on the front shelves (where all the Gateway/Truman Award Books are at usually) last year. I just never got the chance to read it until I put it on my 2013 TBR Pile Challenge list (hmm... maybe joining challenges can do me some good after all).
 
     I'm glad to say that Graceling wasn't as bad as I feared it might be. It might be me and fantasy books, or it might just be because Graceling was different from other books I've read. It does have a really pretty cover though.
      Like any typical fantasy book, there's a different world. In this world, people with an extreme talent or skill are called Gracelings, and they are generally feared by ordinary people and are “outcasts.” The main character, Katsa, has the Grace of killing and works under King Randa of the Middluns, until she meets Prince Po of Lienid.
 
     What's really surprising is how the author manages to not make the villain very obvious off the bat like other books would normally do until later in the story, when Po and Katsa are actually discussing possible suspects *breaks off sentence before too much comes out*. Who knew such a Grace could be so deadly and powerful?
 
     I'm wondering though, if the villain is gone here, are the other unpleasant ones going to be the villains in the 2nd or 3rd book? No spoilers please!
 
     There are a few parts in Graceling that are probably not recommended for younger/immature (not that I'm calling younger ones immature – there are mature ones as well) people to read. Consider yourself a bit warned.
  
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Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Mercies in Books

Jan 23, 2020 (Updated Jan 23, 2020)  
The Mercies
The Mercies
Kiran Millwood Hargrave | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Chilling Tale of Witch Hunting
Throughout this book, I felt cold and kept having to pile on the blankets. The writing so effectively evoked the feelings of being in a remote Norway setting in the 17th Century - burrrrrr. The writing style took a little getting used to but it really added to the atmosphere in terms of the historical and geographical setting making for an engrossing historical fiction.

The book begins with a freak storm killing most (all the able-bodied) men who were fishing from the small village of Vardo. (This is based on a true story - the storm thing really did happen to a village of that time.) It’s a horrific tragedy and the women left behind have to work out how to survive without their husbands and sons. From the village, the tale is told from the perspective of Maren who loses her father, brother and betrothed.

With news of the circumstances of the village spreading a commissioner is appointed and travels from Scotland to oversee the village (because God only knows what could happen if you left women to sort stuff out themselves!!) It being the 17th Century, travel takes a long time and he stops off to get himself a wife on the way (must-have travel accessory) so the village gets by for many a year without oversight. With the arrival of the commissioner and his wife (Ursa) life again gets turned on its head as it turns out the new Commissioner has a knack for witch-hunting.

Although I found the pace a bit too slow for my liking it had a great feel and really evoked the frustration for the world women lived in at the time. With at times graphic descriptions of the way witch hunts were operated it’s at times a hard read. With the slow build, I did find the ending a bit rushed and unsatisfying but was left with plenty to reflect upon.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
  
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ClareR (6054 KP) Jan 23, 2020

Ooh, I have this book to review from NetGalley too - I’m looking forward to it now!!😊

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Eleanor (1463 KP) Jan 25, 2020

Hope you enjoy it 😊

Wide Open
Wide Open
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
View this and other reviews on my blog: www.diaryofdifference.com

<img src="http://amybodossian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/book-template-2-600x600.jpg"/>;

Wide Open is one of the few books of this kind. I personally am not a huge fan of poetry and I don’t enjoy reading it too often, but sometimes a book comes and makes me wonder I act this way. Amy Bodossian truly wrote something beautiful and unique, and I look forward to reading more poems from her.

I have to say a huge thank you to Outside the Box Press, for letting me have a copy of this book in an exchange for an honest review.

Wide Open (Published by Outside the Box Press) contains poetry written about love and sex. Amy writes with so much emotion and oh, the feels! It can be very straightforward and harsh at times, and it can be warm and loving as well, and it is a perfect blend of feelings and emotions that make you see the art of love and sex in a completely different and unique way. In the book you can also see a lot of amazing illustrations made by Amy, which perfectly represent each poem.

I wouldn’t say I loved it, because I don’t easily love books, but I have to mention that this one did surprise me in a very pleasant way. It is incredibly open and very thorough, and I believe it deserves a place on your shelves as well. It makes your body shiver from her words in an unusual way, and it helps you realise to always keep your heart open – to new loves, to new experiences, to new adventures, to new opportunities!

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Escape You (Cole Brothers #3)
Escape You (Cole Brothers #3)
Diana A. Hicks | 2020 | Contemporary, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
good but myabe not for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Tyler finds out his amazing one night stand is the mark for the next ATF raid. Then he finds himself on the opposite side of the fence, as her fiancee. Mia knows she has no choice to this union of Mafia branches, but she doesn't have to like it. Finding out there really IS a way out of it, is great, just not who Tyler really is. Can they really be together when it all goes down?

This is book 3 in the Cole Brothers series, and I have not read the others. I don't feel I missed out on anything by not doing, but this book gives me enough hints to THOSE books, that I would LIKE to go back and read them, because I want to, not because I need to.

And I really am NOT sure how I feel about THIS book! And ya'll know I'm ALL about my book feelings. Its just I don't seem to have any about this book and I cannot for the life of me, figure out what doesn't work for me.

I liked that both Mia and Tyler have a say, it is in the first person, but each change is headed as the chapter changes. I liked that Tyler's deception discovered late in the day, not by Mia, cos Tyler tells her, but by the other major players.

I liked that there is a much bigger picture here, with ALL the Cole brothers involved, and that picture is what makes me want to go back and read the other books. Maybe THIS one will fit in better then, I don't know.

A *for a Mafia book* Nice book, and as much I as hate using that word for a book, it's the ONLY one I can muster.

3 solid GOOD stars, just maybe not for me.

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Hearts on Air (Hearts, #6)
Hearts on Air (Hearts, #6)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This review and more can be found at my blog https://aromancereadersreviews.blogspot.com/

This has been borrowed from the Kindle Unlimited library.

Well, first things first. You DO NOT have to read book #5.5, One Epic Night, to understand this as it is included at the beginning of this book.

Then the story continues where that one left off. Trevor is now a TV star in a free-running show that follows him and a handful of other free runners as they do stunts around London and other big cities. One difference now is that Reya is not in his life. Chapters go back and forth a few times so we see what happened in the months following their "one epic night" and how things didn't end so well with them.

It's been about 2 years since then and Trevor suddenly turns up in Reya's life again wanting to be friends again and asking if she'll fill in for one of their pregnant PA's while she's off on maternity. Reya is wary of letting Trev back into her life but eventually agrees and they travel to several cities around Europe with the group doing stunts and free running in pretty parks and some well known places. As they spend time together, they grow closer once more and before long those feelings from two years ago are creeping back in.

One thing that was driving me a little mad was the Leanne and Callum thing. I know they get their own book in a different series but seeing their love/hate relationship and the arguments and tender moments and NOT KNOWING what was happening was driving me a little mad. I will definitely be getting their book at some point.

I also liked how we saw pretty much every other character from the series in this one towards the end. I had honestly forgot how they all connected but seeing them in those last few chapters was really nice.

Definitely should be read if you've enjoyed previous books in the series.
  
Frozen (2013)
Frozen (2013)
2013 | Animation, Family
One thing that easily wins my heart over in animated movies is the adorable little kid. Think Boo in Monsters, Inc. or Agnes from Despicable Me. Wide-eyed, funny and cute is the winning formula. In Frozen it’s Anna who wins me over with a simple flop and a sigh as she tries to entice her sister, Elsa in a late night snow adventure. As the older of the two princesses of Arendelle, young Elsa tries to be the responsible one, but even she can’t resist little Anna’s whispered, “Do you want to build a snowman?”

Because the only trailers I saw for this movie were the funny scenes with Olaf the snowman and Sven the reindeer, I honestly had no idea the movie was going to be a musical treat about two princesses. Disney knows the formula of a simple but engaging story, an attractive heroine, catchy songs and comical supporting characters has worked for them time and time again, so they doubled their efforts with two princesses, voiced beautifully by Kristin Bell (Anna) and Glee’s Idina Menzel (Elsa), two funny supporting characters and a plethora of memorable songs. While strongly geared toward little Disney princesses, boys will enjoy the antics of Olaf, voiced perfectly by Jon Gad and the bravery of Kristoff and his reindeer Sven, both voiced by another Glee alum, Jonathan Groff.
Disney must love the fact that every movie they release about princesses sparks nostalgic feelings of other Disney favorites. Because of the constant reference to “A true love’s kiss” in this movie, I’m digging around for my copy of “Enchanted”. While the songs are more broadway than the Disney pop little kids love, weeks after screening this movie both my husband and I still sing, “Do you want to build a snowman?” to each other and try to look as adorable as Anna. A definitely must-watch again.