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Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Ocean’s 8 (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
Does exactly what it says on the tin. A heist movie is probably right up near the top of my list for viewing pleasure, and the Ocean's series would in all likelihood take the top spots within it. You know you're going to be entertained. This did make me slightly nervous about seeing 8 because I was really looking forward to it. The way my luck goes that usually means that something is going to go wrong, but as it turns out, I didn't need to worry.
But it was yet another movie that brought some "technically" reviewers out of the woodwork. "Technically they wouldn't have gotten away with anything." Yes. We know. We're watching a film, not a documentary, how about we just concentrate on having some fun?
I was left momentarily reeling during the screening as I had a sudden realisation... I was missing a person. It hadn't occurred to me that in the first trailer, and in the film she says she needs seven people. I think my brain just auto-compensated her as number eight. So it was when they reveal the plan that I do the count and realise that, wait, there ARE only seven of them there. At this point it didn't even occur to me that there were eight people's names in the trailers, or that when you see them "incognito" on the tube in the trailer that Anne Hathaway is right there with them. All in all that made for a nice twist that my brain had somehow managed to miss.
The only technicality I'm going to call is that with Chen doing some acrobatics that technically brought it up to Ocean's 9.
While it used some of the same... strategies(?)... that we saw in the other films it was still a very entertaining watch. You still get that excitement from seeing them get away with the goods.
Everyone seemed to work really well in the parts they had. The only glaring exception for me was James Corden. I don't mind him as an actor (there's something seriously wrong with you if you don't like him as Craig in Doctor Who), but I understand he isn't everyone's cup of tea. Even from the trailers I was unsure of his role in this. After seeing the film I'm still unsure about it. He didn't sit right for me and I honestly don't understand why they didn't go for someone slightly more serious in the role.
I was pleasantly surprised by the audience too. I had expected a slightly female dominated audience, perhaps more couples, but actually I was outnumbered by small groups of lads and single male viewers. It's nice to see that this is appealing to lots of different people.
But it was yet another movie that brought some "technically" reviewers out of the woodwork. "Technically they wouldn't have gotten away with anything." Yes. We know. We're watching a film, not a documentary, how about we just concentrate on having some fun?
I was left momentarily reeling during the screening as I had a sudden realisation... I was missing a person. It hadn't occurred to me that in the first trailer, and in the film she says she needs seven people. I think my brain just auto-compensated her as number eight. So it was when they reveal the plan that I do the count and realise that, wait, there ARE only seven of them there. At this point it didn't even occur to me that there were eight people's names in the trailers, or that when you see them "incognito" on the tube in the trailer that Anne Hathaway is right there with them. All in all that made for a nice twist that my brain had somehow managed to miss.
The only technicality I'm going to call is that with Chen doing some acrobatics that technically brought it up to Ocean's 9.
While it used some of the same... strategies(?)... that we saw in the other films it was still a very entertaining watch. You still get that excitement from seeing them get away with the goods.
Everyone seemed to work really well in the parts they had. The only glaring exception for me was James Corden. I don't mind him as an actor (there's something seriously wrong with you if you don't like him as Craig in Doctor Who), but I understand he isn't everyone's cup of tea. Even from the trailers I was unsure of his role in this. After seeing the film I'm still unsure about it. He didn't sit right for me and I honestly don't understand why they didn't go for someone slightly more serious in the role.
I was pleasantly surprised by the audience too. I had expected a slightly female dominated audience, perhaps more couples, but actually I was outnumbered by small groups of lads and single male viewers. It's nice to see that this is appealing to lots of different people.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated One Small Thing (One Thing, #1) in Books
Sep 6, 2019
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
So Rue finds out he's going to be a dad after a one night drunken thing with a girl and he wants the baby. On sight he falls in love with baby Alice.
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_m8r241MBHz1rdt98to1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_m8r241MBHz1rdt98to1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_m8r241MBHz1rdt98to1_5001.gif"/></a>
And she's treated like a Princess by her daddy and Uncle Dusty. It's so cute!
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_lxdoqoPwAA1qm6oc3o1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_lxdoqoPwAA1qm6oc3o1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_lxdoqoPwAA1qm6oc3o1_5001.gif"/></a>
There's only one problem. Rue needs to go back to school so he can have his dream job as hairdresser. After scouring day-cares and finding them lacking he posts an ad in his building looking for a baby-sitter.
In comes Erik, his neighbour. Erik is fairly shy, he doesn't like change and large crowds but after meeting Rue and his baby daughter he's drawn to them and offers his services.
It was such cute reading for the first 40% or so when they're interacting with Alice, the awkwardness but the love she receives from her daddy, uncle and Erik.
I don't want to go into too much detail in case it spoils it for you but over time feelings change and a sweet romance blossoms between the two main characters.
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_n56mn6JBsi1skkueko1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_n56mn6JBsi1skkueko1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_n56mn6JBsi1skkueko1_5001.gif"/></a>
Alice grows up some.
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_m9b8cdhOtg1ryfwpio1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_m9b8cdhOtg1ryfwpio1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_m9b8cdhOtg1ryfwpio1_5001.gif"/></a>
As usual in books there was some conflict that our characters had to deal with and for that. I had many of these moments
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_n3lyd3cmvm1r4vgdao1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_n3lyd3cmvm1r4vgdao1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_n3lyd3cmvm1r4vgdao1_5001.gif"/></a>
And then of course:
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_n3204qyaHC1t1prrio1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_n3204qyaHC1t1prrio1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_n3204qyaHC1t1prrio1_5001.gif"/></a>
But all ends up good, so I'm one very happy person right now.
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_mls5tuR5HK1qhuxpco1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_mls5tuR5HK1qhuxpco1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_mls5tuR5HK1qhuxpco1_5001.gif"/></a>
I'm interested in reading Dusty's story too, off to hunt it out on Scribd :D
So Rue finds out he's going to be a dad after a one night drunken thing with a girl and he wants the baby. On sight he falls in love with baby Alice.
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_m8r241MBHz1rdt98to1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_m8r241MBHz1rdt98to1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_m8r241MBHz1rdt98to1_5001.gif"/></a>
And she's treated like a Princess by her daddy and Uncle Dusty. It's so cute!
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_lxdoqoPwAA1qm6oc3o1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_lxdoqoPwAA1qm6oc3o1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_lxdoqoPwAA1qm6oc3o1_5001.gif"/></a>
There's only one problem. Rue needs to go back to school so he can have his dream job as hairdresser. After scouring day-cares and finding them lacking he posts an ad in his building looking for a baby-sitter.
In comes Erik, his neighbour. Erik is fairly shy, he doesn't like change and large crowds but after meeting Rue and his baby daughter he's drawn to them and offers his services.
It was such cute reading for the first 40% or so when they're interacting with Alice, the awkwardness but the love she receives from her daddy, uncle and Erik.
I don't want to go into too much detail in case it spoils it for you but over time feelings change and a sweet romance blossoms between the two main characters.
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_n56mn6JBsi1skkueko1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_n56mn6JBsi1skkueko1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_n56mn6JBsi1skkueko1_5001.gif"/></a>
Alice grows up some.
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_m9b8cdhOtg1ryfwpio1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_m9b8cdhOtg1ryfwpio1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_m9b8cdhOtg1ryfwpio1_5001.gif"/></a>
As usual in books there was some conflict that our characters had to deal with and for that. I had many of these moments
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_n3lyd3cmvm1r4vgdao1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_n3lyd3cmvm1r4vgdao1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_n3lyd3cmvm1r4vgdao1_5001.gif"/></a>
And then of course:
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_n3204qyaHC1t1prrio1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_n3204qyaHC1t1prrio1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_n3204qyaHC1t1prrio1_5001.gif"/></a>
But all ends up good, so I'm one very happy person right now.
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/tumblr_mls5tuR5HK1qhuxpco1_5001.gif.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/tumblr_mls5tuR5HK1qhuxpco1_5001.gif"; border="0" alt=" photo tumblr_mls5tuR5HK1qhuxpco1_5001.gif"/></a>
I'm interested in reading Dusty's story too, off to hunt it out on Scribd :D
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BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Causeway (2022) in Movies
Feb 10, 2023
Strong Performances
Welcome back, Jennifer Lawrence, the movies missed you.
Shot to stardom early - a 3x Oscar Nominee by the age of 23 (winning once for SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK) and the top paid actress in 2015, 2016 - Jennifer Lawrence took a hiatus from filmmaking right before the pandemic.
With the lowkey, PTSD character study CAUSEWAY, let’s hope that Lawrence is back for good.
Directed by Lila Neugebauer (ROOM 104), Causeway tells the tale of Lynsey (played by Lawrence) who returns home after suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury while serving overseas. Once home, she forms an unlikely friendship with James (an Oscar Nominated Brian Tyree Henry) who also has some trauma to work through.
It is a low-key, pensive film about friendship, recovery and dealing with loss/pain. Most of the film is the 2 lead characters talking and in order for it to succeed, the 2 main characters better be performed by 2 charismatic, interesting actors.
And fortunately for CAUSEWAY, it is.
Starting with Lawrence. She is a unique acting talent in that one can see what she is thinking and feeling with a minimum of facial gestures. She draws the audience into her portrayal of Lynsey - making her a person to empathize with (but not pity). Lynsey is strong, fearful, focused and damaged and the audience sees every part of this in Lawrence’s performance. It is a wonderfully understated performance and it’s a shame that she, too, was not nominated for an Oscar.
But, of course, with a talk-y, two character piece, BOTH performances better be Oscar caliber to keep the audience engaged and with the surprising strong and vulnerable performance of here-to-fore known as comedy performer Henry (BULLET TRAIN) Causeway has the 2nd anchor to this film.
When James (Henry’s character) is first introduced, the audience gets the impression that he is the funny, affable, friendly rock that Lynsey needs to get back on her feet, but as the film progresses and we peel back the layers of James’ onion, we find out that he is just as damaged - and as real - as she is. Henry embodies James with the same strength and vulnerability that Lawrence shows as Lynsey - and Henry is a well-deserved Oscar nominee for his work.
Creidt, of course, for this paring - and the performances therein - lies with Director Neugebauer who lets her camera linger on the performances and the emotions that are laid raw in front of the viewer.
Not the fastest paced film, Causeway is a marvelous unlikely pairing of 2 damaged souls portrayed, strongly, by 2 fine actors.
Letter Grade: B+
7 1/2 stars (out of 10)
Shot to stardom early - a 3x Oscar Nominee by the age of 23 (winning once for SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK) and the top paid actress in 2015, 2016 - Jennifer Lawrence took a hiatus from filmmaking right before the pandemic.
With the lowkey, PTSD character study CAUSEWAY, let’s hope that Lawrence is back for good.
Directed by Lila Neugebauer (ROOM 104), Causeway tells the tale of Lynsey (played by Lawrence) who returns home after suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury while serving overseas. Once home, she forms an unlikely friendship with James (an Oscar Nominated Brian Tyree Henry) who also has some trauma to work through.
It is a low-key, pensive film about friendship, recovery and dealing with loss/pain. Most of the film is the 2 lead characters talking and in order for it to succeed, the 2 main characters better be performed by 2 charismatic, interesting actors.
And fortunately for CAUSEWAY, it is.
Starting with Lawrence. She is a unique acting talent in that one can see what she is thinking and feeling with a minimum of facial gestures. She draws the audience into her portrayal of Lynsey - making her a person to empathize with (but not pity). Lynsey is strong, fearful, focused and damaged and the audience sees every part of this in Lawrence’s performance. It is a wonderfully understated performance and it’s a shame that she, too, was not nominated for an Oscar.
But, of course, with a talk-y, two character piece, BOTH performances better be Oscar caliber to keep the audience engaged and with the surprising strong and vulnerable performance of here-to-fore known as comedy performer Henry (BULLET TRAIN) Causeway has the 2nd anchor to this film.
When James (Henry’s character) is first introduced, the audience gets the impression that he is the funny, affable, friendly rock that Lynsey needs to get back on her feet, but as the film progresses and we peel back the layers of James’ onion, we find out that he is just as damaged - and as real - as she is. Henry embodies James with the same strength and vulnerability that Lawrence shows as Lynsey - and Henry is a well-deserved Oscar nominee for his work.
Creidt, of course, for this paring - and the performances therein - lies with Director Neugebauer who lets her camera linger on the performances and the emotions that are laid raw in front of the viewer.
Not the fastest paced film, Causeway is a marvelous unlikely pairing of 2 damaged souls portrayed, strongly, by 2 fine actors.
Letter Grade: B+
7 1/2 stars (out of 10)
Debbiereadsbook (1721 KP) rated Around and Around We Go (Vermont Trailblazers #2) in Books
Apr 30, 2026 - 2:22 PM
it was EPIC, when Sandro let Bennett in!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Vermont Trailblazers series. While it can be read as a stand alone to book 1, The Best Parts of Him, I reckon you SHOULD read that book first. Why? Cos it was freaking awesome and so is this one!
Sandro is the oldest player in the team, and until his knees and/or back give out, he'll keep playing cos The Trailblazers are heading for a third consecutive championship this year. He just needs to hold out and put up with this documentary that is being made around them. Bennett is the director. He too, is facing the end of his career if this series tanked as much as the last one. That he is here, facing the love of his life after 15 years? Minor detail, and Bennett just needs to talk to Sandro, if Sandro will let him.
What I noticed while reading this book, (nay, I inhaled this book!) was although it's a hockey based book, there was very little actual on ice descriptions of play. And as a non-sporty person, I absolutely loved that! There are some, but only enough to give you a picture of what's going on, and it's not in great detail. It all made perfect sense to me, as sometimes, I get overwhelmed by the detail and I didn't here and I was able to fully concentrate on Sandro and Bennett.
And they were beautiful, they really were.
I fully understood why Sandro didn't really want to talk to Bennett, off camera, the man was still hurting, even after all this time, but when Sandro allowed Bennett in, finally?? Oh it was truly epic. Sandro made Bennett work for it, he really did.
I loved that Bennett found the theme for the series based on his own experience. Loved how the older Trailblazers were helping the new team members who really were struggling. And that Sandro found his future, along the same thread.
It takes time for the steam to build, and I loved being made to wait for it. This book is more about the emotions of these two men, and giving the other a second chance. Oh Bennett wanted Sandro, he really did, but Sandro wasn't sure about letting him in and I loved that they didn't jump straight back in. 15 years is a long time!
Absolutely cracking follow-up to book 1, and I can't wait to see what comes next. Well, I know who comes next, but I gotta wait so freaking long!
A stunning 5 star read!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Vermont Trailblazers series. While it can be read as a stand alone to book 1, The Best Parts of Him, I reckon you SHOULD read that book first. Why? Cos it was freaking awesome and so is this one!
Sandro is the oldest player in the team, and until his knees and/or back give out, he'll keep playing cos The Trailblazers are heading for a third consecutive championship this year. He just needs to hold out and put up with this documentary that is being made around them. Bennett is the director. He too, is facing the end of his career if this series tanked as much as the last one. That he is here, facing the love of his life after 15 years? Minor detail, and Bennett just needs to talk to Sandro, if Sandro will let him.
What I noticed while reading this book, (nay, I inhaled this book!) was although it's a hockey based book, there was very little actual on ice descriptions of play. And as a non-sporty person, I absolutely loved that! There are some, but only enough to give you a picture of what's going on, and it's not in great detail. It all made perfect sense to me, as sometimes, I get overwhelmed by the detail and I didn't here and I was able to fully concentrate on Sandro and Bennett.
And they were beautiful, they really were.
I fully understood why Sandro didn't really want to talk to Bennett, off camera, the man was still hurting, even after all this time, but when Sandro allowed Bennett in, finally?? Oh it was truly epic. Sandro made Bennett work for it, he really did.
I loved that Bennett found the theme for the series based on his own experience. Loved how the older Trailblazers were helping the new team members who really were struggling. And that Sandro found his future, along the same thread.
It takes time for the steam to build, and I loved being made to wait for it. This book is more about the emotions of these two men, and giving the other a second chance. Oh Bennett wanted Sandro, he really did, but Sandro wasn't sure about letting him in and I loved that they didn't jump straight back in. 15 years is a long time!
Absolutely cracking follow-up to book 1, and I can't wait to see what comes next. Well, I know who comes next, but I gotta wait so freaking long!
A stunning 5 star read!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere