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Jason Patrick (12 KP) rated It (2017) in Movies

Oct 24, 2017  
It (2017)
It (2017)
2017 | Drama, Horror
8
7.9 (354 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Directing (2 more)
Acting
Score and Soundtrack
Slightly Cliche Scares (0 more)
Much more than a Horror film...
While this film is a little lackluster in the scare department, it makes up for it with almost other aspect in the film! While the scares are good and tense, its nowhere near as scarey as the marketing makes it out to be. The tone of the film ranges from a horror, to a coming of age story, and some slight comic relief. The best thing about this film is the kids and their chemestry together on screen. Their performances are solid and you actually believe their friendship with each other. The director does such a great job making you care for the kids that when one of them is in danger, you actually worry for them. Skarsgard is also perfect as Pennywise with just the right balance of creepyness. The films score is also worth noting. Just like the film itself, the score isnt just your typical horror score. It ranges anywhere from scary, to sweet and at times somber. Overall, if you're expecting to be terrified as the marketing implies, then you might be disapointed. But if you watch the film expecting some decent scares with some emotional weight as well, then I believe you'll find yourself enjoying the film quite a bit.
  
Everything She Needs
Everything She Needs
K.L. Shandwick | 2014 | Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
After deciding she needs time to figure everything out Lily heads home to the UK. Heading out to spend some time with her friends Lily thinks that she sees Alfie, but realises that’s impossible until she gets a call from her dad letting her know that an American friend called Alfie will be there to see her in the morning.
Lily decides that she needs to listen to what Alfie needs to say or she will be always wondering what if, but she knows he also needs to realise how much he hurt her. Lily and Will’s friendship has never been the same since the one night they both regretted, and Jack is her one constant friend though out and realises that she does need to know what if.
Lily and Alfie have an amazing chemistry, but everything seems to be fighting against them, even after Alfie tells her everything. Circumstances have Lily misreading things that she has seen and Alfie always explaining himself to her.
Lily becomes more confident when she gets a job singing with a band and her life is looking brighter with Alfie always in the back of her mind. Lily finally realises with the help of Jack that no matter how much she loves Alfie that she has to put herself first, and to do that she must let him go.
  
Better Than I Know Myself
Better Than I Know Myself
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Did you ever have a friend who was more like family? For Regina Foster, Jewel Prescott, and Carmen Webb this is exactly true. Better Than I Know Myself starts in the late 70's when the girls are seniors in high school and making the decision on where to go to college. Three different girls from three very different backgrounds. Jewel, a former child star. Regina, the daughter of two college educated parents and little sister to older brothers who had all attended and graduated from college. And Carmen whose parents had left her at a young age.

The story progresses through their meeting in New York at Barnard and continues through their graduation. Regina and Jewel were already roommates when they met Carmen at the university library. They all got stuck in an elevator together and as they say, "The rest is history." They lived together through the early 80's as they grew into women and started to become independent.
The book covers twenty years of friendship and sisterhood and all the trials and tribulations that entails.

This book made me laugh out loud and brought a tear or two to my eyes. It also made me want to get together with my closest girlfriends. This is a book that you have to read until the end.
  
TD
Their Daring Hearts
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's been some time since I read a Sharlene MacLaren novel, so when I saw the chance to review this, I jumped on it. I wasn't disappointed! I fell in love with Levi and his Quaker family and "Gordon Snipp" was a fun character to get to know!

I loved the historical detail to the Civil War era. Ms. MacLaren chiseled the scenes well, and I felt like I was transported to the heart of the story, the center of the war. All the feelings that Josie, Gordon Snipp, felt, I felt. I loved the way Josie fought for what she felt was right.

Levi's sweet character....oh was he swoon worthy as the Chaplain of his company. I love the way his friendship with "Snipp" blossomed, and later, his love for a beautiful young woman. It was so fun watching them together.

This story of hope, longing, deception and forgiveness is beautifully created. It's 4 star worthy, and I will definitely recommend it to all! Ms. MacLaren brought to life the action of the war, the romance of two God-fearing characters and messages from God of understanding and trust. This is definitely a keeper on my shelf!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from CelebrateLit/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
Heavenly Creatures (1994)
Heavenly Creatures (1994)
1994 | Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
Wealthy and precocious teenager Juliet (Kate Winslet) transfers from England to Christchurch, New Zealand, with her family, and forms a bond with the quiet, brooding Pauline (Melanie Lynskey) through their shared love of Mario Lanza and their games of make believe. But when their parents begin to suspect that their increasingly intense friendship is becoming unhealthy, the girls decide to run away together, hatching a dark plan for those who threaten to keep them apart.

The movie is one of Peter Jackson’s earlier works, and demonstrates his unique sense of directing which featured in his first few films. Both Kate Winslett and Melanie Lynskey give outstanding performances - Melanie’s scowling face is especially disturbing.

Based on a true story, Jackson focuses a lot on the dream world element of the girls’ story, which I feel gives the film’s ending even more shock appeal.

I won’t spoil the ending, but let me say that the first time I saw the movie I felt so disturbed I felt as if I was actually there, and even now, when I rewatch the movie, I still get chills when the girls are walking down that path....

I appreciate that the film is not going to appeal to everyone, but the amazing performances of the two main characters, and the horrifying insight into how deep obsessive friendships can go, makes this an essential but very disturbing watch.
  
Show all 3 comments.
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Stephen (210 KP) Mar 12, 2019

One of my all time favourites!

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Kevin Phillipson (10072 KP) Mar 15, 2019

Never seen it

The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen
The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen
Katlyn Duncan | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Well Worth A Read!
This is the second book in a series entitled ‘The Sisters’ Secrets.’ The first one is called ‘The Sisters’ Secrets: Rose’, which I haven’t read, though, whilst not ideal, I don’t think it matters that much if they are read out of sequence. It was still a great book for me and worked fine as a stand-alone read.

The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen has all the required ingredients that make a really fantastic story in its genre: from the mood and undercurrents to the good writing and the experience of love and friendship, not forgetting the feelings of hope and moving on from the past.

There is plenty of romance in this thought-provoking story and lots of lighter moments, but this is not lightweight paranormal dross. It examines issues around family and relationships as well as bereavement and loss.

I recommend this very engaging, if a little short, read to those with a fondness for the Romance and Women’s Fiction genres. There are more secrets to be revealed in the next book of the series ‘The Sisters’ Secrets: Pearl’ and I will be reading that book, too!

Thanks to NetGalley, HQ Digital and the author, Katlyn Duncan for my free ARC of The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #TheSistersSecretsReen
  
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Kaz (232 KP) rated Never Let Me Go in Books

May 25, 2019 (Updated May 25, 2019)  
Never Let Me Go
Never Let Me Go
Kazuo Ishiguro | 2010 | Essays
8
8.1 (17 Ratings)
Book Rating
Beautiful writing and well crafted characters (0 more)
A little slow at times (0 more)
A Beautiful, but Disturbing Read
I read 'Never Let Me Go' a few years ago and, after just finishing re-reading this book, I realize that you possibly need to read it more than once, to really appreciate how brilliant this is.

'Never Let Me Go' tells the complex relationship between 3 friends Ruth, Tommy and Kathy, the narrator of this story. These characters are so well formed, that I totally believed that these people exist.

This is a story about friendship and growing up, which is something that you can relate to. However, the macabre twist to this story, delves deeper into what it is to be human.

My only real criticism of this book is that at times, it was a little slow. This melancholy, slower pace suited the story well. Due to the fact that the truth of what was happening to the main characters, was revealed slowly, meant that this had more impact. However, at times I felt like Kathy would be explaining something that had happened, but doing it in such a rambling way, that I wished that she would just get to the point.

Despite this little criticism, I think that this book is a beautiful and disturbing look into a future, that could potentially happen.

I would definitely recommend it.
  
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ClareR (6081 KP) May 26, 2019

Great review - this is one of my favourite books, and one of the few I’ve read more than once!

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Kaz (232 KP) May 26, 2019

Thanks! I actually was a bit underwhelmed the first time I read this, but reading it again really helped me to really appreciate it. I think that this is going on my list of favourite reads too.

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Jodabel (1 KP) rated A Little Life in Books

Mar 9, 2018  
A Little Life
A Little Life
Hanya Yanagihara | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.0 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Exceptional writing (3 more)
Friendship
Strong storyline
Powerful writing
A little hard to get started (0 more)
A little life, a lot to digest. My favourite book
I’ve read this book 3 times in the last 18 months. The story takes a little while to get into; introducing characters etc. But plough ahead please! I can’t recommend this book enough. Though it’s not for everyone. The book takes you on a journey with the main protagonist and his three best friends. It looks at a lot of aspects of human friendships. It gets dark, very dark in places and while Jude never understands his worth (and never will) I rooted for him like I hadn’t before with other characters. I’d say this book is about love mainly and how we each love and perceive being loved; but the underlying theme is how damaged can a human being be whilst still being a human being?! This book made me cry buckets every time I’ve read it, and I know this is a bit of a non review but this story is best read and not talked about unless with fellow readers. The first time you read this book, it gets you and if you’re like I was you’ll not be able to let it go. To say this book broke my heart wouldn’t be an understatement and that does not happen.
  
Mae and June and the Wonder Wheel
Mae and June and the Wonder Wheel
Charise Mericle Harper | 2017 | Children
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
Mae and June and the Wonder Wheel by Charise Mericle Harper is about June who loves to play with her dog Sam, especially since she is the only one to whom the dog can talk. When her grandmother sends her a big chalkboard on a wheel, with detailed instructions on how to use it, June is thrilled, and she and Sam have a lot of fun completing the suggested tasks. It's even more fun when a new girl moves in next door and ends up in June's class. Mae seems really nice, but classmate April is bound and determined that Mae will be her friend. The girls have to learn to get along, and eventually Mae and June become fast friends.

This is a very positive, fun story for beginning readers. The illustrations are very helpful in showing what is going on in the story and add a lot to it. Other nice touches are June's sometimes cranky teenage sister, the fact that Mae is a character of color without this fact taking over the story, and the adventure of the wonder wheel. This was a cute book about friendship, about pets, about family. June was a fabulous little kid, though a bit too much over the top at times. Still I liked how she stayed true to herself