Beautiful Words: A Dictionary
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As English has evolved over the past 1,500 years, words that were once in common usage have slipped...
The Unwritten, Vol. 1: Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity
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Tom Taylor's life was screwed from go. His father created the Tommy Taylor fantasy series,...
Sifting Through the Clues
8.0
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The Agatha Award–winning author of Wreath Between the Lines returns to the Cookbook Nook, where...
Cloud Whispers
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The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate. Katie...
women's fiction chicklit fiction family life literary fiction
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Your Name (2016) in Movies
Sep 22, 2021
What would your life be like if you were born somewhere else, *someone* else? How much of our lives is predetermined exclusively on such random variables beyond our control, things that we've all imagined changing at one point or another? Just to be upfront, one of my absolute least favorite plots in movies is switching bodies - the plot tends to just halt entirely to provide such rote "lol person does thing they don't usually do lol" or "uh oh... I'm another gender!" jokes before it actually decides to do anything. But between this and 2020's Freaky I'm glad to see they've finally started putting some nuance into these things. Honestly one of the greatest movies I've ever seen - probably the most bracingly beautiful animated movie ever conceived and it's just as impactful narratively. Tackles layers of regressive gender roles, the cruel indiscriminate randomness within human existence, the tumultuousness of adolescence, and along with Shyamalan's 𝘜𝘯𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 handles the concept of fate/destiny better than any other film I've seen. That and it's also just so damn hilarious. I initially thought the conclusion was maybe about 10 minutes too long, but afterwards I thought perhaps that was the point - in further distancing it from its preceding events, giving legitimacy to its setting. After a string of disappointments made me remember why I even love movies in the first place.
My first choice was THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain (two As and a BOTM!). This was a mesmerizing psychological thriller about a woman, Blythe, who has always feared motherhood, based on her own childhood. After giving birth to Violet, she becomes convinced there’s something wrong with her. Violet doesn't act like other kids. Her husband Fox says it's all in her head. When their second child, Sam, is born, Blythe has a wonderful connection with him--motherhood is finally everything she's wanted. But then it all changes in a devastating moment, and Blythe must face the awful truth she's been fearing.
THE PUSH offers a very honest and brutal look at motherhood. It definitely kept me flipping the pages! It starts off with a bang, then dragged a bit for me in the middle. It's certainly serious and sad, and, at times, a mystery as well. THE PUSH will keep you thinking long after you've turned that last page. 3.5 stars.
Dean (6927 KP) rated The Power of the Dog (2021) in Movies
Apr 1, 2022 (Updated Apr 1, 2022)
While set as a Western, shot in an awesome location in New Zealand, it's more of a character piece. No gun blazing here. It's the end of the Wild West era 1925 with Horses giving way to cars. A rancher and his brother are on a cattle drive. They meet a window and her young awkward son. Soon she marries the gentlemanly brother and moves to the ranch. Where they are tormented by Benendict Cumberbatch's character. At his awesome best in a more different role for him as a complex bully, mancho man exterior with a hidden depth to him.
Definitely an intellectual film with many layers and aspects to it. A lot of questions hinted at for the viewer to fill in the blanks. By the end it's a simple story told very intricately. Some great actors and beautiful photography, this will hold up well to repeat viewings.
It is very slow going to the payoff at the end and isn't the sort of film that will appeal to everyone. If you appreciate good acting and storytelling though check it out.
Merissa (13389 KP) rated Lost (Reflections, #10) in Books
Apr 10, 2023
I love how scenes from other books are played out in this one and they all fit together perfectly. This series continues to grow and turn into something so much more than 'just' a paranormal romance. The characters in this series are all growing in every book they feature. Fantastically well-written and thoroughly enjoyable. You will get 'Lost' in this story. I really can't recommend it highly enough.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
July 26, 2016
A Subtle Breeze (Southern Spirits #1)
8.0
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Ezekiel Matthers and Brendon Shanahan are about to find out that sometimes all it takes is a subtle...
MM Paranormal Romance