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Awix (3310 KP) rated Capernaum (2018) in Movies
Mar 21, 2019 (Updated Mar 21, 2019)
Astoundingly powerful and almost unbearably bleak social-realist drama from Lebanon. A young boy, in prison for a violent crime, takes his parents to court to sue them for giving birth to him. What has led him to this point? The film tells the story.
Basically a succession of horrors - never especially graphic, but relentless in its detail of the tribulations faced by the boy and those around him as they slip through the cracks of society. It probably sounds unwatchable, and it's not the kind of film you skip away from whistling, but it draws you in thanks to a near-total lack of sentimentality and a remarkable performance from 12-year-old Zain Al Rafeea as the main character. Makes Roma look very precious, dainty and bloodless; I'm not in a hurry to watch this film again, but I'm glad I did.
Basically a succession of horrors - never especially graphic, but relentless in its detail of the tribulations faced by the boy and those around him as they slip through the cracks of society. It probably sounds unwatchable, and it's not the kind of film you skip away from whistling, but it draws you in thanks to a near-total lack of sentimentality and a remarkable performance from 12-year-old Zain Al Rafeea as the main character. Makes Roma look very precious, dainty and bloodless; I'm not in a hurry to watch this film again, but I'm glad I did.
A modern horror masterpiece
I enjoyed Peele's first film "Get Out" and was expecting the same with this film but this was oh so much better.
Without giving anything away the film becomes at a steady pace,beginning with a flashback of nyong'o character as a little girl and then on to her as an adult with her own family as they head out on vacation.Once that fun day out is over then things take a sinister and nasty turn.
Fantastic performances from all but a special mention has to go to Nyong'o who is just incredible.A special mention goes to the use of the song "I Got 5 On It" in the film especially in a major set piece of the film.
An essential see for all fans of horror films.
Without giving anything away the film becomes at a steady pace,beginning with a flashback of nyong'o character as a little girl and then on to her as an adult with her own family as they head out on vacation.Once that fun day out is over then things take a sinister and nasty turn.
Fantastic performances from all but a special mention has to go to Nyong'o who is just incredible.A special mention goes to the use of the song "I Got 5 On It" in the film especially in a major set piece of the film.
An essential see for all fans of horror films.
Erika (17788 KP) rated A Spy Among Friends: Philby and the Great Betrayal in Books
Feb 18, 2018
If you're looking for a non-fiction book that reads like fiction, this is definitely a must-read.
Kim Philby is infamous, he was responsible for compromising countless agents/missions from the 1930s to the 1960s. He's the inspiration behind a lot of spy fiction, one of the biggest ones being Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. The book has a few main sources, Philby himself in his strange memoir written after he fled to Moscow, Nicholas Elliot, a friend and co-worker from MI-6, and James Angleton, also a friend from the CIA. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but there were so many signs of treachery, it's hard to believe that it took 30 years to finally get a confession from him.
And, I mean, come on, the dude decided on giving himself the nickname of Kim, like the character in Rudyard Kipling's novel.
Kim Philby is infamous, he was responsible for compromising countless agents/missions from the 1930s to the 1960s. He's the inspiration behind a lot of spy fiction, one of the biggest ones being Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. The book has a few main sources, Philby himself in his strange memoir written after he fled to Moscow, Nicholas Elliot, a friend and co-worker from MI-6, and James Angleton, also a friend from the CIA. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but there were so many signs of treachery, it's hard to believe that it took 30 years to finally get a confession from him.
And, I mean, come on, the dude decided on giving himself the nickname of Kim, like the character in Rudyard Kipling's novel.
Clare Parrott (294 KP) rated Gabriel's Redemption (Gabriel's Inferno, #3) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
I was so looking forward to reading this book, the 7 months waiting seemed like forever but finally the day arrived. Now 5 days later and i'm finished and I have to say it fell flat for me. We have the story of Gabriel and Julianne which seemed to be an account of day to day life with only a couple of interesting bits (sorry, i'm not giving anything away) Then theres Christa, some would say she got what she deserved and yes i think she did but it didn't keep me up till 2am reading so I could find out what happened to the nasty bitch. And then theres Paul...Why was he included? I seems to me his was a non story. I think I should have stopped at book 2 ( I can't believe I just said that!). 4 very generous stars.
EvanescentFlameBooks (1 KP) rated Herakles in Books
Jul 12, 2018
Edouard Cours' take on Herakles is more than worth it. Notably different than the Hercules you are used to seeing on the Disney Channel, Herakles is meant for the adult reader as it follows the mythos. With nudity and the humor to match, this is probably not something you would want you kids to get a hold of, but oh boy should YOU! Just the artwork alone is incredible. the colors were dark and gritty in a good way, helping set the tone for the comic and giving you a sense of how Herakles sees his world.
The story is done well, taking the legend that is Herakles and adding to it. The language used is modern,which makes this an easier read, though you can go pages at a time here and not see a single word and still have the story progress.
The story is done well, taking the legend that is Herakles and adding to it. The language used is modern,which makes this an easier read, though you can go pages at a time here and not see a single word and still have the story progress.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Red Rising in Books
Jul 12, 2018
I have been putting this book off for 2 years now and I have to say, I'm slightly disappointed in myself. Red Rising by Pierce Brown drips with all the goodies that Dystopian novels promise. The characters were interesting and I loved that there were mind games, physical games, and just some well written fight scenes.
I liked the plot but it did seem to borrow from many of the dystopian books I have read in the past. It became almost a game to compare books. That is the main reason I am giving this a 4 star review. I loved the plot but it did feel a little like a mashup of all of the recent and past dystopian books.
All in all, I enjoyed the characters the most and the plot was intriguing when I didn't feel like it was copying different books.
I liked the plot but it did seem to borrow from many of the dystopian books I have read in the past. It became almost a game to compare books. That is the main reason I am giving this a 4 star review. I loved the plot but it did feel a little like a mashup of all of the recent and past dystopian books.
All in all, I enjoyed the characters the most and the plot was intriguing when I didn't feel like it was copying different books.
B (62 KP) rated Pride and Prejudice in Books
Sep 30, 2018
I am so grateful to Jane Austen because this book changed my life and the way that I view the world. I simply do not have the words to explain what this novel means to me and to try to say as much would not do it justice. I feel like my life over the last 10 years has become centered around reading and rereading the Austen works and their adaptations as well as watching the films. Austen's witty and often sarcastic portrayal of the elegance and complex sinplicity of Regency England never fails to put a big stupid smile on my face. I feel like I have found kindred spirits in the foolish mistakes of Elizabeth Bennet and unsociable demeanor of Fitzwilliam Darcy. While I know this novel may not be everyone's cup of tea, I still highly recommend giving it a try.
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