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Erika (17788 KP) rated The Favourite (2018) in Movies
Dec 29, 2018
Costumes (2 more)
Olivia Colman
Rachel Wiesz
This is definitely not the typical period piece, but I really enjoyed every minute of it. It was a little crude and a bit off in some places, but it was all effective. The costumes were all beautiful, and the wigs on the men were so outrageous but period accurate.
The devious little plots were hilarious to watch play out, though, I have to admit, I was rooting for Sarah (Wiesz) the whole time. As soon as Abigail (Stone) messed with the bunny, she was dead to me. I really felt for Queen Anne (Colman), she was all over the place, but it was understandable due to the emotional trauma she'd suffered. Overall, it showed an interesting dichotomy of female friendship, and it was fun to watch on screen.
The devious little plots were hilarious to watch play out, though, I have to admit, I was rooting for Sarah (Wiesz) the whole time. As soon as Abigail (Stone) messed with the bunny, she was dead to me. I really felt for Queen Anne (Colman), she was all over the place, but it was understandable due to the emotional trauma she'd suffered. Overall, it showed an interesting dichotomy of female friendship, and it was fun to watch on screen.
A Simple Favor
5.3
Rate It
Book
It starts with a simple favor—an ordinary kindness mothers do for one another. When glamorous...
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Give Me Your Hand in Books
Mar 10, 2019
Dark, intense, and compelling psychological thriller
Kit Owens is surviving high school but not living up to her true potential when Diane Fleming arrives at her school. Diane awakens a fire in Kit and the two form an unlikely friendship that propels Kit to academic success in her senior year. She and Diane study together and push each other to reach to be the best. Kit can't help but feel bad for her friend, who lives with her grandfather after the death of her dad. But all that changes when Diane shares an explosive secret with Kit, one that changes the way she views Diane and basically ends their friendship. Ten years later, Kit has tried to put Diane (and her secret) behind her. She's working in the lab of a female scientist, Dr. Severin, whom she's idolized for years--a woman Diane first helped introduce her to. But when Dr. Severin earns a prestigious grant and Kit learns that Diane is suddenly in the running for one of the coveted spots to work with the Doctor on the research, the past comes rushing back. Soon Diane and Kit find themselves over their head, with secrets and horror lurking around every corner.
So, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this one as I started it, but it grew on me. It's not really a pleasant read, at all, and none of the characters are ones you'll really love, but it's very compelling and there's a slow, foreboding creepiness that keeps you reading. I read this one quickly, as it's dark, twisty, and intense and very easy-to-read (as in, a page-turner, not the subject matter).
"My mom always say, you don't have a self until you have a secret." ~Diane
The novel flips between the "then" and "now" format, with Kit narrating to us. It's a female-centered book, and it easily depicts women's uphill battle in the workplace. It also shows the complicated feelings of our female characters: Kit has a lot of thoughts. Her struggle from a poor high school student to doctor is a fascinating one, even if I found her hard to empathize with. You won't necessarily agree with a lot of these characters' (sometimes outlandish) choices, but you'll find them oddly fascinating. I enjoyed how the novel delved into the darkness of friendship--and some of the competition that can come with it. Diane and Kit's relationship is dark and intense, as is the entire novel, really. The secrets that layer this book unravel slowly and eerily, and it really does keep you reading.
I especially thought this one was redeemed or bolstered by its ending; often a thriller is so good and then deflates at the end, but I actually thought this one got a little better at the end. The ending is really well-done, and I didn't feel let down whatsoever.
Overall, this is a dark, intense, and compelling psychological thriller. It's not exactly packed with loveable characters, but they are flawed, interesting, and--at times--quite creepy. You'll be drawn in by its twisty plot and complicated portrayal of friendship and secrets.
So, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this one as I started it, but it grew on me. It's not really a pleasant read, at all, and none of the characters are ones you'll really love, but it's very compelling and there's a slow, foreboding creepiness that keeps you reading. I read this one quickly, as it's dark, twisty, and intense and very easy-to-read (as in, a page-turner, not the subject matter).
"My mom always say, you don't have a self until you have a secret." ~Diane
The novel flips between the "then" and "now" format, with Kit narrating to us. It's a female-centered book, and it easily depicts women's uphill battle in the workplace. It also shows the complicated feelings of our female characters: Kit has a lot of thoughts. Her struggle from a poor high school student to doctor is a fascinating one, even if I found her hard to empathize with. You won't necessarily agree with a lot of these characters' (sometimes outlandish) choices, but you'll find them oddly fascinating. I enjoyed how the novel delved into the darkness of friendship--and some of the competition that can come with it. Diane and Kit's relationship is dark and intense, as is the entire novel, really. The secrets that layer this book unravel slowly and eerily, and it really does keep you reading.
I especially thought this one was redeemed or bolstered by its ending; often a thriller is so good and then deflates at the end, but I actually thought this one got a little better at the end. The ending is really well-done, and I didn't feel let down whatsoever.
Overall, this is a dark, intense, and compelling psychological thriller. It's not exactly packed with loveable characters, but they are flawed, interesting, and--at times--quite creepy. You'll be drawn in by its twisty plot and complicated portrayal of friendship and secrets.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) in Movies
May 18, 2019
Onscreen female friendships are the best!
When a friendship between an awkward tomboy and a shy girl blossoms into a thriving southern business in 1930s Alabama, the two young women have much to deal with including racism, domestic violence and even a murder.
Meanwhile, a middle aged woman meets a kindly old lady in a nursing home. The old woman begins to tell the tale of the two girls. The woman is intrigued and keeps coming back for more.
How does it all turn out? Does the girls' friendship endure and persevere?
I remember seeing this film when it was first released in 1991, but didn't revisit until yesterday.
Hot off their Academy Award wins, Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy are just marvelous and Mary Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson are perfect as the young woman forming their lifelong bond.
Even book author Fannie Flagg makes an appearance during one of the group sessions the middle aged woman attends. They get to talk about their vaginas! (Having never done so myself, I can't see the fascination!)
I think this ranks with Steel Magnolias as one of my favorite this type of film I have seen. Just poignant and one of those "Dramedy" "Happy/Sad" kind of films.
Meanwhile, a middle aged woman meets a kindly old lady in a nursing home. The old woman begins to tell the tale of the two girls. The woman is intrigued and keeps coming back for more.
How does it all turn out? Does the girls' friendship endure and persevere?
I remember seeing this film when it was first released in 1991, but didn't revisit until yesterday.
Hot off their Academy Award wins, Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy are just marvelous and Mary Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson are perfect as the young woman forming their lifelong bond.
Even book author Fannie Flagg makes an appearance during one of the group sessions the middle aged woman attends. They get to talk about their vaginas! (Having never done so myself, I can't see the fascination!)
I think this ranks with Steel Magnolias as one of my favorite this type of film I have seen. Just poignant and one of those "Dramedy" "Happy/Sad" kind of films.
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018) in Movies
Feb 6, 2019 (Updated Feb 6, 2019)
When bad movies happen to good actors.
I like Mila Kunis and adore Kate McKinnon on SNL but this movie is a huge clunker. There is nothing to save the poor plot and script. It's supposed to be a comedy/action film but fails at both. It's kind of all over the place and difficult to follow not because of complexity but because of the randomness of situations and scenes. The few funny moments were probably ad-libbed. The trailer was the best part of the movie, everything else was just awful. When the actors were on the press junket for the film, I recall them saying how funny the movie is. I think they don't always realize that movies that may have been fun for them to film are tedious for viewers to watch. Fun does not equal good or funny.
How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
8.3
Rate It
Movie Watch
From DreamWorks Animation comes the highly anticipated culmination of one of the most popular...
I really enjoyed this - there are some great characters who are both easy to empathise with AND easy to really dislike! I’ve seen comparisons to Sex and the City, but due to the fact that i haven’t seen a single episode, I can’t actually confirm that!
The three friends are a great mix of people who all have very different lifestyles, but still have enough in common and enough interest in each other, to be close friends.
And then there’s Isobel. An old friend of Simi’s from the time that she lived in Nigeria. I don’t think I’ve encountered a more unlikeable, manipulative character in quite a while. She knows how to get what she wants, and isn’t afraid to do it. She’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants.
It’s a fantastic read about female friendship, racism, family and class.
Another great find, and read, on The Pigeonhole!
The three friends are a great mix of people who all have very different lifestyles, but still have enough in common and enough interest in each other, to be close friends.
And then there’s Isobel. An old friend of Simi’s from the time that she lived in Nigeria. I don’t think I’ve encountered a more unlikeable, manipulative character in quite a while. She knows how to get what she wants, and isn’t afraid to do it. She’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants.
It’s a fantastic read about female friendship, racism, family and class.
Another great find, and read, on The Pigeonhole!
TT
The Three Graces of Val-Kill: Eleanor Roosevelt, Marion Dickerman, and Nancy Cook in the Place They Made Their Own
Book
The Three Graces of Val-Kill changes the way we think about Eleanor Roosevelt. Wilson examines what...
Andy K (10821 KP) Dec 29, 2018