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Grave Expectations
Grave Expectations
Alice Bell | 2023 | Crime, Mystery, Paranormal
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was a fun read and something a little different to the usual murder/mystery and whilst there are times when I found it a little immature - surprising really as the main character is in her 30's - overall, I quite enjoyed it.

The main characters of Claire, Sophie, Basher and Alex are an excellent eclectic group of people (and a ghost!) and I found their friendship was really well developed and felt authentic; the other characters ... not so much; they were a little stereotypical which was unfortunate. The mystery element was intriguing but the pace was a little slow.

Overall, a pretty good read although it may appeal to a more younger audience than me, i.e., under 30's!

Thanks to Atlantic Books, Corvus and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Grave Expectations.
  
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Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Fremonsters in Books

Dec 23, 2021  
Fremonsters
Fremonsters
Amy Marie | 2021 | Horror, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cody and his 2 friends Stevie and Brad, are ghost hunters not really having much to investigate, until a mysterious new artist displays his art at the museum of monsters that have been seen around the area over the years. Only now very peculiar things are happening which seem to point to some of the monsters being more than a myth!


A very well written descriptive story. You know where you are with this book no wondering what this that or the other is, as they are described in the book which really comes in handy when your not sure what something is. The close friendship between the friends is fantastic we all need close friends like that and are extremely lucky if we have them. An exciting captivating mystery that can be read again and again.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) in Movies

Apr 2, 2022 (Updated Apr 2, 2022)  
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
2020 | Action, Adventure, Animation
Good cast (1 more)
SFX
I feel the need for...
Well I still remember getting my Sega Megadrive in the early 90's and Sonic the Hedgehog came with it. It was a truly fast, fun colourful game. Not exactly the type of game you'd expect a live action film version of. Glad they redesigned the look of Sonic to suit the game more.
It's a pretty fun, light family action film. The friendship between Sonic and Doughnut Lord (James Marsden) was done nicely. It's fairly amusing at times and even has some big budget effects that look cool. Jim Carrey was made for this type of role of Dr Robotnik.
Whether you played the games back in the day or just need a fun family film this is one everyone should enjoy. The sequel out soon looks pretty good as well.
  
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JT (287 KP) rated Let Me In (2010) in Movies

Mar 10, 2020  
Let Me In (2010)
Let Me In (2010)
2010 | Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
8
7.3 (11 Ratings)
Movie Rating
t’s a hard thing remaking or rebooting a classic, whatever you want to call it, you have to make sure of one thing…don’t balls it up! Thankfully director Matt Reeves doesn’t do that, in fact he takes a brilliant original and puts his own spin on it.

The story of course is very much the same, Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a shy and slightly reclusive young boy who is struggling to come to terms with his parents impending divorce. On top of that he is viciously bullied at school and has no one to turn to but the imaginations of his own doing and personality.

When he befriends Abby (Chloë Grace Moretz) who is equally as shy as him a friendship blossoms between them against the backdrop of a cold and at times sinister winter. Abby is not quite what she seems deep down, that much is clear from the outset as her father (Richard Jenkins) goes out on nightly rampages to forage for the one thing that will keep her alive, blood.

Reeves does well to take the story in some new subtle directions such as the revelation that her so called father might well have started out as a mere boy himself and is purely by Abby’s side through need rather than wanting.

It doesn’t overshadow what is a true story of friendship and standing up in the face of adversity

There are some scenes however that stay true to Let the Right One In which of course would be lost if not included, but also the addition of new ones that are very much welcomed.

The acting is exceptional from the young leading man and woman. Smit-McPhee whose run out in the apocalyptic journey The Road only showcased his acting stature, and Moretz proves that she has a great future, if not already, having made her mark.

Reeves keeps this film focused on the young pairing with Owen’s mother being reduced to a mere blur even when she stands only a few feet away, his Dad just a voice on the end of the phone. Unlike the original Let Me In is very much a horror flick for the blood thirsty millennial generation, and the gore is well used and timed to perfection. It doesn’t overshadow what is a true story of friendship and standing up in the face of adversity.

There is no reason to compare this film with the original, despite the story and protagonists all being the same Reeves conducts his approach with originality that makes this equally brilliant.

We should all applaud Reeves for doing something that is incredibly hard in a fast changing industry that craves money from remaking or rebooting films to satisfy a new generation of film goers. He’s made a remake that was actually good!
  
Lynn + Lucy (2019)
Lynn + Lucy (2019)
2019 |
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The titular characters in Lynn + Lucy are lifelong best friends, and even live opposite each other on the same street. But the film explores tragic circumstances where a bond this strong can swiftly be broken.

Lynn (Roxanne Scrimshaw) is a married stay-at-home mum turned hairdressing assistant, who is delighted when her best friend Lucy (Nichola Burley) gives birth to her first child. But she is clearly struggling with a new baby and her volatile relationship.

The two friends differ in a lot of ways, as Lynn seems more grounded and content with being a mother, whereas Lucy is a party animal, impulsive and misses life before motherhood. Yet their friendship works and has stood the test of time – until one awful day where everything changes.

Lynn + Lucy plays like an elevated soap opera, that’s reminiscent of kitchen sink realism. The film is fuelled by honest depictions of everyday domestic life, and as a result you won’t see any beautiful cinematography from this.

It’s bleak, it’s raw, and it even feels intrusive at times. It’s likely you’ll feel uncomfortable watching this as a result. Director and writer Fyzal Boulifa forces you to join this community even if you don’t want to be there.

As we’re given insight into what happens behind closed doors, we’re able to see exactly why Lynn and Lucy’s friendship rapidly falls apart. It’s not long before others start gossiping about the tragedy that unfolds for the two friends and the community they live in.


Lynn is forced to get a job as her husband is injured and she’s never been employed before, so she goes to a hairdressers owned by a former classmate. There is certainly a hierarchy there, Lynn sweeps the floors and makes teas and coffees, whilst being reminded that it’s typically a job for a school leaver.

But with no formal qualifications on her CV, it’s all she’s got. And salon owner Janelle (Jennifer Lee Moon) makes sure Lynn knows that, making her life hell and talking about her behind her back. However, Lynn grows close to hairdresser Caroline (Kacey Ainsworth) once her friendship with Lucy is tested.

The salon feels like a high school clique, and is a sad reminder of history repeating itself. I really enjoyed the performances here as it reflected the bleak, realistic nature of the overall story, and how horrible people can still be even when several years have passed.

Lynn + Lucy is a tragic, sometimes amusing, look at working class families and close knit communities, as well as the devastating effects of a personal tragedy.

Expect very difficult themes, lingering camera shots, and a sinking feeling in your stomach at the end. Bring tissues.
  
Justice League (2017)
Justice League (2017)
2017 | Action, Adventure
Flash -Ezra Miller a delight (2 more)
Aquaman -though scene have been cut got to love Momoa
Wonder Woman
Stepon Wolfe (0 more)
Its better than critic give it credit for
I enjoyed Justice league. I don't think that steppon wolf was a particularly good cillian there seemed very little to thw character it was all crush kill destroy. Nothing refined or sinister compared to other DC Villians such as Lex Luthor or Joker.

What I enjoyed about this film was the friendship banter in the lustice league itself. Having met Jason Momoa at several conventions from Chevron to LFCC I 've got to say that he's pretty much his friendly self in the film and I was highly disappointed that it was mainly he's scence to have been cut out. Ezra Miller as the flash again is what makes the film he funny friendly and enjoyable to watch.
  
The Book Thief
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.8 (129 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's rare to find a book that grips you by the heart and takes you on a ride. There's so much to love about this book. Zusak definitely has a way with words that draw you in and make it hard to put down. The story is about a young girl torn apart from the life she's known during the holocaust. It details the pain of nazi Germany and the trials that went with it. This is a story about death, love, friendship, books, a love of words, and a young brave girl trying to do the right thing in a world gone bad. It's told in the viewpoint of death and his encounters with the book thief. Finished this in 5 days and I'm sitting here pining for more, even though the story was brought to an acceptable conclusion. Find the time to read this, it's well worth it.
  
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Chris (7 KP) May 25, 2018

While I have not read the book, I did see the movie which was excellent. I highly recommend the movie as well.