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Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Rent-A-Pal (2020) in Movies

Oct 29, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)  
Rent-A-Pal (2020)
Rent-A-Pal (2020)
2020 | Horror, Thriller
7
6.8 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Rent-A-Pal certainly has that 90s vibe to it as lonely bachelor named David (Brian Landis Folkins) is looking for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his ageing mother (Kathleen Brady). His only escape is the chance to find a partner through a video dating service but he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-A-Pal.

Hosted by the charming and charismatic Andy (Wil Wheaton – Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Big Bang Theory, Stand By Me), the tape offers him what he yearns for, some much-needed friendship. But finding a Pal comes at a cost.
  
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David McK (3883 KP) rated Devotion (2022) in Movies

Feb 12, 2023 (Updated Feb 12, 2023)  
Devotion (2022)
Devotion (2022)
2022 |
5
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
I saw this on Amazon Prime (I don't think it got a theatrical release), and heard good things about it, with a few of the reviewers saying it was even better than Top Gun: Maverick.

Unfortunately, I think they watched a different film than me.

This is set during the Korean War, and tells the story of the friendship between Naval aviators Tom Hudner and Jesse Brown; the latter one of the first non-white aviators in the air force at the time.

 Personally, I found the film to be quite long and drawn-out, with even the vaunted flight scenes looking just not-quite right!
  
The Storyteller
The Storyteller
Jodi Picoult | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.6 (12 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have to say I am a die hard Jodi Picoult fan! I was before I read Sing You Home & I am still. I heard that this book was not her "norm" among various other things. But to me it was no different. It touches on love, family, friendships, & the definition of what constitutes a family. It speaks to current societal & politcial issues with Picoult's usual grace & lyrical writing style.
This book tells the story of Zoe & Max at the beginning. They are a couple who have tried unsuccessfully for years to have a child. They eventually begin IVF treatments & in the end have a boy, stillborn. This proves too much for their marriage & it falls to pieces. Zoe begins a friendship with an acquaintance who had contracted her musical therapy services for a student at the high school where she is a counselor.
In the end that friendship goes into places that no one involved ever expected. But ultimatly that unexpected relationship is what ends up saving them all in the end.
This story was beautifully written as usual with her books. It had me laughing & crying with the characters who were all so real & genuine that you couldn't help but root for each & everyone of them despite the fact that they find themselves on opposite sides of a contensious lawsuit. I hate to say more & ruin the book. Go read it. You will NOT be disappointed!
  
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Andrea (28 KP) rated Vampire Academy in Books

Aug 18, 2017  
Vampire Academy
Vampire Academy
Richelle Mead | 2007 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.5 (48 Ratings)
Book Rating
Passes the Bechdel test on the first page. (2 more)
Primary relationship is a friendship
Strong female protagonist
Other books in the series are stronger, so keep reading (1 more)
Don't judge a book by its movie
Not about vampires, and that's a good thing.
This series represents some of Mead's strongest writing. While this isn't the best book in the series (I save that distinction for #2, #3, and especially #6) it does give the necessary set up for everything.

The primary relationship with the friendship and devotion between Rose and Lissa. Both women have their own stories through the series and the book easily passes the bechdel test and many others. That isn't to say that the male lead isn't worthwhile; he will most likely become one of your fav "book boyfriends" but his role become bigger later in the books.


While the series contains vampires and is set in a vampiric world (practically no humans in the series) I wouldn't call it a typical vampire book. The vampire setting serves more as a way to introduce a discussion on class structure and politics. We seem more and more of this later in the series.


One thing of note: the primary romantics relationship in this book is between a student and her mentor/instructor. Also, while she is above the age of consent in Montana (where this is set) she is under 18 for half the series.
  
Bumblebee (2018)
Bumblebee (2018)
2018 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A robot movie with a heart
Inherent problems with prequels aside (you already know how things are going to end up), I hoped this film would work to set up the future Transformers movie timelines which it did.

After a large war on Cybertron, Optimus Prime sends everyone's favorite B-127 to Earth to scout out the land and set up a base the Autobots can use in their continuing battle against the Decepticons.

Eventually the out of place robot meets 18 year old Charlie and their friendship soon ensues. The usual government losers show up and choose the wrong side after two scout robot baddies make their appearances as well.

Charlie's family grows increasingly nervous as the teen seems to choose spending time with her new friend than with them.



The beginning battle sequence was phenomenal and the friendship between girl and robot makes this film different than the Michael Bay directed CGIgasm films for sure. I liked the scenes with Charlie and BB a lot. The other characters in the film, though were not very interesting, dull, boring and one dimensional, especially John Cena. The middle of the film meandered a little too much for me as well until the plot devices aligned and the direction to save everyone was made clear.

Overall, very entertaining film with a few minor complaints. Still would recommend.