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Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
1987 | Comedy

"It’s such a leftfield film for someone like me, but what is has is a very clear plot and it has two people trapped together inextricably. But what it does so well is that you laugh, you feel embarrassed, and then at the end — I cry my eyes out at the end of that film. Even thinking about it makes me upset. When Steve Martin is on the tube and John Candy gets off and he’s standing with his bag and he realises there is no one. It’s just such a beautiful thing. You can clearly see from Midnight Cowboy and Planes, Trains that there’s a pattern with me, and it’s really about loving other men – in a non-sexual way. It’s such a big thing for me — I value my friendships with my male friends. I’ve got a fiancé as well, and she’s certainly part of the action, but it’s a very different thing and you can’t get the same sort of friendship with a woman that you can with a man. And interestingly the filmmaking in Planes, Trains isn’t great. It looks so bad, it’s really televisual, but it’s got massive heart. ”"

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Pip Bartlett's Guide to Unicorn Training
Pip Bartlett's Guide to Unicorn Training
Jackson Pearce | 2017 | Children, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the second book in the amazing Pip Bartlett series. This time, Pip and her best friend, Tomas, find themselves at a magical creature show, which includes an unicorn exhibition. And things are personal, as one of the unicorns being shown is their beloved Regent Maximus, who is, of course, terrified of performing.

I've been reading these stories to my daughters, eight-year-old twins, and they are some of our all-time favorites. They love spunky Pip, who can talk to magical creatures; Tomas, who is allergic to all magical creatures; Pip's aunt and cousin; and all the adventures they go on. Every book has illustrations from Jeffrey Higgleston's Guide to Magical Creatures--Pip's bible, so to speak, which she adds to every time she encounters a new creature. They love the pictures and all the amazing imaginary creatures--even creating their own entries. I enjoy how the book brings out their creativity and that it's one that holds all of our attention. The stories are sweet and funny, focusing on family and friendship, but with lots of fascinating creatures and escapades too. What's not to love?
  
Every Little Piece (Second Chances, #1)
Every Little Piece (Second Chances, #1)
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is one of the oldest books still on my Kindle - from 2017 - so it's about time I read it.

It starts with Haley and her friends meeting up to decide what to do the day before graduation. They play pool and meet up with her boyfriend, Seth, and his friends for a few games before heading home to get ready for the big party that's happening. Things don't go well at the party, though, and when Seth disappears Haley and her friends search for him only to end up in a car accident. Fast forward a year and both Haley and Seth find themselves in the same place at the same time and Seth decides to try and make amends for what happened.

I'll admit I wasn't entirely into this. The characters were rather immature at times and how they acted really began to put me off the story. I didn't really gel with the romance or the storyline but I was intrigued about who was behind the accident so I continued to read.

This is a story of love, friendship, forgiveness and second chances. It just didn't work for me.
  
The Outsiders
The Outsiders
S.E. Hinton | 1988 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.7 (17 Ratings)
Book Rating
A great read about a kid in Oklahoma who is just trying to understand life. Written in 1967 it follows Ponyboy, yes that's his real name, his two brothers, and thier 'gang' of greasers as they try to navigate a world where they are labeled little better than hoods and have to avoid getting jumped by the socs from the rich side of town.
It's a coming of age story that I have mixed feelings about waiting so long to have read. It talks about class structure and how the way you present yourself to the world isn't always a reflection of self.

There is a lot of heavy stuff in it that translates well even decades later. And yeah, there will be people who say there's a little more than friendship between a few of the characters and whether or not that's true is up to the reader.

The book is told by a 14 year olds pov. An old (kind of) soul. But even if he thinks he's in the know he's still 14.
There is triggering things with violence, abuse, alcohol, and smoking, it's worth the discussion (in my opinion).
  
Light of Kaska
Light of Kaska
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I liked this.

It's my second story by the author, the other being The Huntress which I loved.

I'm not entirely a fan of sci-fi stories but Michelle has this way of weaving a tale that is heavy on the romance while still being very sci-fi/fantasy, and since I read books for the romance aspect most of the time they are right up my street.

I came to like Chase Stryker from early on and Sukeza grew on me the more she protested against his capture. Reading about their evolving relationship was great and I was urging them to stop being stubborn and just get together.

The relationship between Harle and Chase was fun to read about too. I'm used to reading about the relationship between female friends but the friendship between those two had me chuckling at times.

The synopsis didn't give much away with how this story would play out but I really enjoyed the journey over the three main places mentioned in the book and could picture them in my head.

I look forward to reading more books by the author.
  
All The Bright Places (2020)
All The Bright Places (2020)
2020 | Drama, Romance
7
7.0 (4 Ratings)
Movie Rating
A young lad finch goes for a run and comes across a young girl violet standing on a bridge. He tries talking to her but she tells him to leave. Instead he joins her on the bridge and it's assumed he helps her down as it cuts to the next scene.
We learn that finch is failing school and violet lost her sister, since then she has become withdrawn from society, she does have friends but has lost interest in doing anything with them.
Finch starts to take an interest in violet, he asks her to be his partner in a class project and sings to her in an Instagram post to get her to talk to him. This works and they meet up to talk. This starts the beginning of a friendship between the pair, which of course turns to romance.
I quite enjoyed the movie. it's not your typical romance movie, both characters are vulnerable and trying to save each other. I felt the characters worked very well together, but I did find it disappointing that we don't know much about finch the way we do about violet.
  
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
J.R.R. Tolkien | 1954 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.5 (64 Ratings)
Book Rating
Tolkein created a complete detailed universe complete with its own mythology and lore (2 more)
Varied and rounded characters
Epic journey of good verses evil and the grey areas in between
You will become obsessed...it is difficult not to fall in love with the world and it's characters (0 more)
Masterpiece
There is little I can say that has not already been said about The Lord of the Rings. It is an epic story of friendship, love, betrayal, war and essentially a coming of age journey. Middle earth and all its inhabitants come alive in your hands...you are transported to a world in chaos, a world of change where nothing is certain. Battle with dwarfs and elves, fight along side men who are impossibly brave and flawed and cry as the tiniest of people carry the biggest of burdens.
This book and the subsequent movies based on the world have been well quoted and are almost inbedded in British culture.
I envy those who haven't read them yet..you have a fantastic journey ahead. It will not be easy (this is not light reading) but it will be more than worth it. Enjoy, and give the elves my love.
  
Full Disclosure
Full Disclosure
Camryn Garrett | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I whizzed through this book in only 5 hours of actual reading time. It completely captivated me! Simone is a teenager, with all the problems and changes that come with it. To top it, she's adopted - with two gay dad's - and she was born with HIV. I don't know about everyone else, but I didn't cope with being a teenager very well so I'm already proud of this fictional yet utterly believable character. The narrative is done through Simone's eyes. And is so honest. It encompasses all the things that a teenager would be thinking; school stresses, friendship groups, sexuality and let's not forget high-school crushes. This is a brilliant coming of age YA novel. One that I think I will rave about for a while. Not only was it a brilliant read, it also taught me loads about HIV (U=U) and living with HIV. And the theme of this text is completely right, people don't know as much as they should and they react based on incomplete facts. I am so glad that I read this book and implore you to read it too.
  
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
2019 | Adventure
Amazing, with Feelings...
353. The Peanut Butter Falcon. An amazing movie! We meet a guy named Zak, he has Down Syndrome, lives in a nursing, no family, has Bruce Dern as a roommate and he loves wrestling, so much so, that he plans to break free of his forced housing, go on the run to The Salt Water Redneck's Wrestling School, and with the help of some friends at the home... hint: Bruce Dern... he breaks free. While on the run, he hides on a boat that belongs to Tyler, a fisherman, hobo with a shotgun, and also on the run from a few locals, because Tyler may or may not have destroyed several thousand dollars worth of their equipment. ONce he discovers Zak crashing on his boat, hears his tale, Tyler decides to help him out with the journey. Zak of course has someone looking out for him as well, in this case the nursing home bypasses authorities and just sends a lone aide, Eleanor, out to find him. A touching tale of two guys on the run that form a friendship that feels more like family. Filmbufftim on FB