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Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Uncut Gems (2019) in Movies
Mar 2, 2020 (Updated Mar 3, 2020)
I despised this film so much, I can barely bring myself to look at Adam Sandler’s face ever again! I mean, I hated everything about it. Half a day after seeing it I am still feeling somewhat nauseous, and full of disbelief that it has been subject to such attention and favourable reviews.
Objectively, it isn’t a badly made film; it has a consistent visual and tonal style, and at least the semblance of a structure that drives towards a conclusion that makes sense. It is just that it is a nasty piece of work, about awful people in an awful world, doing awful things, presented as though that is somehow edgy and cool, rather than crass and offensive.
Not since Whiplash has a film felt so much like a heart-attack, such is the dizzying, unrelenting pace. If it is designed to unnerve then it accomplishes that in spades, but unlike Whiplash it is not a pleasant experience to be forced to feel that way for 2 hours in the presence of this despicable character. It lacks any kind of grace or empathy, replacing clever, tight dialogue with loud, grating rants that make you feel physically sick.
Much has been made by Netflix of publicising this as an awards worthy work, with Sandler at the centre of attention. And many have wondered why it has been shunned by every major awards, in every category. That is no mystery to me, because when you strip away the bling it is almost totally devoid of value or meaning. It is just about an arsehole being an arsehole, surrounded by arseholes, chasing something no one cares about but them.
Screaming and saying “fuck” a lot in every single scene does not constitute acting. It constitutes an annoying headache! This is not the Sandler of Punch Drunk Love or Reign Over Me, where he does demonstrate some skill, but the Sandler of his worst macho and misogynistic tendencies. Take my word for it and avoid this piece of trash at all costs. Life is too short. The only reason I am not giving this 1/10 is that it did have the power to offend me – insipid it isn’t, repugnant it surely is.
Objectively, it isn’t a badly made film; it has a consistent visual and tonal style, and at least the semblance of a structure that drives towards a conclusion that makes sense. It is just that it is a nasty piece of work, about awful people in an awful world, doing awful things, presented as though that is somehow edgy and cool, rather than crass and offensive.
Not since Whiplash has a film felt so much like a heart-attack, such is the dizzying, unrelenting pace. If it is designed to unnerve then it accomplishes that in spades, but unlike Whiplash it is not a pleasant experience to be forced to feel that way for 2 hours in the presence of this despicable character. It lacks any kind of grace or empathy, replacing clever, tight dialogue with loud, grating rants that make you feel physically sick.
Much has been made by Netflix of publicising this as an awards worthy work, with Sandler at the centre of attention. And many have wondered why it has been shunned by every major awards, in every category. That is no mystery to me, because when you strip away the bling it is almost totally devoid of value or meaning. It is just about an arsehole being an arsehole, surrounded by arseholes, chasing something no one cares about but them.
Screaming and saying “fuck” a lot in every single scene does not constitute acting. It constitutes an annoying headache! This is not the Sandler of Punch Drunk Love or Reign Over Me, where he does demonstrate some skill, but the Sandler of his worst macho and misogynistic tendencies. Take my word for it and avoid this piece of trash at all costs. Life is too short. The only reason I am not giving this 1/10 is that it did have the power to offend me – insipid it isn’t, repugnant it surely is.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Mr. Holmes (2015) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
The new Roadside Attractions film Mr. Holmes is a new twist on an age-old story.
We first see Sherlock Holmes (Ian McKellan) in a train voyage with a package, and we don’t know to or from where he’s going or why.
The entire movie is full of flash backs and multiple time frames of the same mans life, as he tries to piece together memories that seem to lie just beyond his ability to recollect
Holmes has retired from his detective business and is cared for by widowed housekeeper Mrs. Munro (Laura Linney) and her young son Roger (Milo Parker).
Roger is quick witted and interested in anything Holmes might be able to teach him, and throughout the movie their relationship moves from one of strained and grumpy acceptance (on the part of Holmes) to one of grandfatherly love. It is a beautiful relationship that develops between the two, and makes the near -disaster that occurs at the end of the film even more heart wrenching.
It is of utmost importance to Holmes that he remember the details of his last case, 30 years prior, that apparently caused him to close up shop as a detective and retire to the coast. The trip we see him on in the opening scene turns out to be a trip to Japan to meet with Mr. Umezaki (Hiroyuki Sanada) who helped him search for, and ultimately find, a plant (prickly ash) said to have curative powers for memory problems.
Holmes plays both the role of his younger self and as the 93 year old man with advancing Alzheimer’s very very well. I believed the character as a 60 year old and just as much as a 93 year old.
The film felt a little bit long, and there were a few slow spots but overall it flowed very well despite all the jumping around in time & place, and it wove together the stories past & present to tell a cohesive and interesting tale. It built relationships between the main characters and I could see the bond between Holmes and Roger, and even the somewhat prickly Mrs. Munro growing throughout the film.
I would give this film 4 out of 5 stars.
We first see Sherlock Holmes (Ian McKellan) in a train voyage with a package, and we don’t know to or from where he’s going or why.
The entire movie is full of flash backs and multiple time frames of the same mans life, as he tries to piece together memories that seem to lie just beyond his ability to recollect
Holmes has retired from his detective business and is cared for by widowed housekeeper Mrs. Munro (Laura Linney) and her young son Roger (Milo Parker).
Roger is quick witted and interested in anything Holmes might be able to teach him, and throughout the movie their relationship moves from one of strained and grumpy acceptance (on the part of Holmes) to one of grandfatherly love. It is a beautiful relationship that develops between the two, and makes the near -disaster that occurs at the end of the film even more heart wrenching.
It is of utmost importance to Holmes that he remember the details of his last case, 30 years prior, that apparently caused him to close up shop as a detective and retire to the coast. The trip we see him on in the opening scene turns out to be a trip to Japan to meet with Mr. Umezaki (Hiroyuki Sanada) who helped him search for, and ultimately find, a plant (prickly ash) said to have curative powers for memory problems.
Holmes plays both the role of his younger self and as the 93 year old man with advancing Alzheimer’s very very well. I believed the character as a 60 year old and just as much as a 93 year old.
The film felt a little bit long, and there were a few slow spots but overall it flowed very well despite all the jumping around in time & place, and it wove together the stories past & present to tell a cohesive and interesting tale. It built relationships between the main characters and I could see the bond between Holmes and Roger, and even the somewhat prickly Mrs. Munro growing throughout the film.
I would give this film 4 out of 5 stars.
Fears and Scars
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Elizabeth is ready to set a wedding date with the love of her life, sexy business tycoon Ryan Price....
romance love passion
Taking Heaven Lightly: A Near Death Experience Survivor's Story and Inspirational Guide to Living in the Light
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'A remarkable book ...Experiences like Roisin's have now been validated by hundreds of scientific...
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated All About the Hype (Jessie Jefferson, #3) in Books
Jan 5, 2021
So I'll be honest and say that I've forgotten a lot of what went on in the two previous books in this series but this starts with Jessie waking up on her sixteenth birthday, crying since it's also the anniversary of her mothers death, too. Her dad, Johnny Jefferson - famous rockstar, has a surprise gift for her of a trip to Disneyland with the rest of the family and one there, all her old school friends and the ones she's made while being in America turn up and they spend the day there. That same night, they throw a party for her and Johnny sings one of her bands songs sending their fame skyrocketing.
I feel i should mention my love of Johnny and Meg. I read their book, Johnny Be Good, years ago now and fell in love with them as a couple and then their second book, Baby Be Mine, tore my heart out a little with all the emotion it made me feel but they did get their HEA - although their story is also continuing through this series, too, and I think it came to a bit of a head in this one with the return of Dana.
As for Jessie, I didn't remember everything that happened in the previous books but my review of the last book on Goodreads threw some light on my feelings. I was a little torn in my feelings again, though, with Tom and Jack. It was like one minute Jack was being an arse and i wanted her to get back with Tom, and then the next Tom was shoving something in her face and I was happy for her to be with Jack. So confusing.
And also her band All Hype and their journey. It was cute to watch them slowly find success with the aid of Johnny when he thought they needed it. It was nice to read.
I will admit that I wasn't full invested in this story. Maybe it was the length of time I've left between books - about 3 years - but I was just waiting for the book to finish. That sounds harsh but I felt like I'd missed something.
I feel i should mention my love of Johnny and Meg. I read their book, Johnny Be Good, years ago now and fell in love with them as a couple and then their second book, Baby Be Mine, tore my heart out a little with all the emotion it made me feel but they did get their HEA - although their story is also continuing through this series, too, and I think it came to a bit of a head in this one with the return of Dana.
As for Jessie, I didn't remember everything that happened in the previous books but my review of the last book on Goodreads threw some light on my feelings. I was a little torn in my feelings again, though, with Tom and Jack. It was like one minute Jack was being an arse and i wanted her to get back with Tom, and then the next Tom was shoving something in her face and I was happy for her to be with Jack. So confusing.
And also her band All Hype and their journey. It was cute to watch them slowly find success with the aid of Johnny when he thought they needed it. It was nice to read.
I will admit that I wasn't full invested in this story. Maybe it was the length of time I've left between books - about 3 years - but I was just waiting for the book to finish. That sounds harsh but I felt like I'd missed something.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The Bronze Horseman in Books
Jan 6, 2021
2.5 stars.
Reading this on Scribd probably wasn't the best idea ever. Having to sit at my computer for god knows how many hours while I read all 800+ pages...
It started great, I loved Tatiana and her first meeting with Alexander...but then it went downhill from there when it turned out Alexander was the guy her sister had been seeing. It got progressively worse for me when she decided to end whatever blossoming thing they had as she felt she would break her sisters heart if she got together with him instead. This continued for almost half the book, which drove me mad--it was pretty repetative, especially considering it was set during the war and they might not live to see the end of it.
People changed over that time, lots of people died. I think one of my updates quite clearly captured this:
<blockquote>"Really driving me mad now :( You're sister is not a nice person anymore, Tatiana. If anyone deserves Alexander it's you for still being the same person you were at the start of the book, the same person that Alexander fell in love with. I hope, beyond everything, that you break your promise so that he has a reason to call things off with your sister so you can be together!!!!" </blockquote>
The ups and downs every few % did my head in. One minute they were kissing and saying nice things and the next they were shouting and arguing with each other.
I thought it would improve after the halfway point when they finally leave Leningrad but it continued for another 10% or so. I was expecting them to do the deed and then be all nice and happy. And this was the case for a while. Eat, have sex. Swim, have sex. Wash up, have sex...Repetative once more.
By the 70% mark, after reading each page word for word--and after almost a month of reading--I just wanted it over with and skimmed the remaining 250 pages. I got the gist and though I was happy they got together in the end I can't say I'm interested in finishing the trilogy. Really, stupidly, long books are not for me.
Reading this on Scribd probably wasn't the best idea ever. Having to sit at my computer for god knows how many hours while I read all 800+ pages...
It started great, I loved Tatiana and her first meeting with Alexander...but then it went downhill from there when it turned out Alexander was the guy her sister had been seeing. It got progressively worse for me when she decided to end whatever blossoming thing they had as she felt she would break her sisters heart if she got together with him instead. This continued for almost half the book, which drove me mad--it was pretty repetative, especially considering it was set during the war and they might not live to see the end of it.
People changed over that time, lots of people died. I think one of my updates quite clearly captured this:
<blockquote>"Really driving me mad now :( You're sister is not a nice person anymore, Tatiana. If anyone deserves Alexander it's you for still being the same person you were at the start of the book, the same person that Alexander fell in love with. I hope, beyond everything, that you break your promise so that he has a reason to call things off with your sister so you can be together!!!!" </blockquote>
The ups and downs every few % did my head in. One minute they were kissing and saying nice things and the next they were shouting and arguing with each other.
I thought it would improve after the halfway point when they finally leave Leningrad but it continued for another 10% or so. I was expecting them to do the deed and then be all nice and happy. And this was the case for a while. Eat, have sex. Swim, have sex. Wash up, have sex...Repetative once more.
By the 70% mark, after reading each page word for word--and after almost a month of reading--I just wanted it over with and skimmed the remaining 250 pages. I got the gist and though I was happy they got together in the end I can't say I'm interested in finishing the trilogy. Really, stupidly, long books are not for me.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Stolen Child (Hanlon Series #1) in Books
Jan 21, 2021
Well, crikey, that was a tough but exciting read that I wasn't able to put down despite the content.
I haven't read anything by this author before and missed this first time round when it was published under a different name but I'm so glad I didn't let it pass me by this time because what a treat it is, although it should come with a warning as there are some very unsavoury sections regarding child abuse that will upset people so be warned.
What we have here is a hard-hitting, gritty and dark story that starts at a fairly gentle pace whilst introducing the main characters but then, wow, it ramps up and doesn't stop until the end. The characters are exceptional and so well described that I could clearly see them in my mind.
The main character, DI Hanlon, is driven by her own form of justice and won't shy away from any situation even if it goes against the letter of the law - she will do what it takes to bring those responsible for despicable crimes to justice and she doesn't hold back. She is one tough cookie and I doubt any miscreant out there would want to be on her bad side!
The sense of tension Mr Coombs developed was palpable and the emotions this book evoked were so strong that I actually felt my heart-rate climbing and experiencing real anger and hatred towards some of the characters - not many books do that which, to me, shows the ability of the author to really draw you in and develop people and situations that get under your skin.
Due to the subject matter and the level of violence contained, this won't appeal to everyone however I would certainly recommend it to those who enjoy a less than flowery police procedural that is likely to be more realistic than most other books in the genre.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review and for introducing me to yet another excellent British author.
I'm off to read the second in the series now - The Innocent Girl.
I haven't read anything by this author before and missed this first time round when it was published under a different name but I'm so glad I didn't let it pass me by this time because what a treat it is, although it should come with a warning as there are some very unsavoury sections regarding child abuse that will upset people so be warned.
What we have here is a hard-hitting, gritty and dark story that starts at a fairly gentle pace whilst introducing the main characters but then, wow, it ramps up and doesn't stop until the end. The characters are exceptional and so well described that I could clearly see them in my mind.
The main character, DI Hanlon, is driven by her own form of justice and won't shy away from any situation even if it goes against the letter of the law - she will do what it takes to bring those responsible for despicable crimes to justice and she doesn't hold back. She is one tough cookie and I doubt any miscreant out there would want to be on her bad side!
The sense of tension Mr Coombs developed was palpable and the emotions this book evoked were so strong that I actually felt my heart-rate climbing and experiencing real anger and hatred towards some of the characters - not many books do that which, to me, shows the ability of the author to really draw you in and develop people and situations that get under your skin.
Due to the subject matter and the level of violence contained, this won't appeal to everyone however I would certainly recommend it to those who enjoy a less than flowery police procedural that is likely to be more realistic than most other books in the genre.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review and for introducing me to yet another excellent British author.
I'm off to read the second in the series now - The Innocent Girl.
Debbiereadsbook (1197 KP) rated All He Needs (My Truth #1) in Books
Sep 29, 2019
one teeny little niggle . . .
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Caden has lusted after his straight friend, Mason, for some time. Add in Rick, and Caden thinks he’s nuts for wanting two men. Then Caden’s snowboarding career is ended by a silly stupid mistake on his part, and he needs to go home to help his sister with her imminent arrival. But home is half-way across the globe and Caden doesn’t know if he’ll ever get back to New Zealand. When Caden is faced with a devastating loss, Mason and Rick come running to help THEIR man. Because Caden is THEIRS, they just need him to see it.
I loved this, a LOT!
All three guys have been lusting after the other two for some time, and it was great watching them all come together, even if it took such a loss to Caden for make everyone see.
All three guys have a say, in the first person. Each change occurs as the chapter changes and each change is clearly headed.
It’s not overly explicit, but it IS heart breaking in places. Caden’s loss, then the possibility he might lose his baby niece, and the way his father has dealt with everything up to now. His dad does comes good though, and I think Mason and Rick were great for Dad as well as Caden.
I have just one thing, that stops in getting 5 stars.
I felt I was missing some information on each of the guys stories, some back history that I wasn’t getting. Like there was another book before this one that I should have read.
Were these guys in another series, even as secondary characters? I’m not sure EXACTLY what I was missing, but you all know I’m all about sharing my feelings, and THIS feeling stayed with me right through the whole book!
Still, a very enjoyable read, that I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish in one sitting. It would be great to catch up with all of these guys, Dad included, at some point.
So, ONLY because of that niggly feeling.....
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Caden has lusted after his straight friend, Mason, for some time. Add in Rick, and Caden thinks he’s nuts for wanting two men. Then Caden’s snowboarding career is ended by a silly stupid mistake on his part, and he needs to go home to help his sister with her imminent arrival. But home is half-way across the globe and Caden doesn’t know if he’ll ever get back to New Zealand. When Caden is faced with a devastating loss, Mason and Rick come running to help THEIR man. Because Caden is THEIRS, they just need him to see it.
I loved this, a LOT!
All three guys have been lusting after the other two for some time, and it was great watching them all come together, even if it took such a loss to Caden for make everyone see.
All three guys have a say, in the first person. Each change occurs as the chapter changes and each change is clearly headed.
It’s not overly explicit, but it IS heart breaking in places. Caden’s loss, then the possibility he might lose his baby niece, and the way his father has dealt with everything up to now. His dad does comes good though, and I think Mason and Rick were great for Dad as well as Caden.
I have just one thing, that stops in getting 5 stars.
I felt I was missing some information on each of the guys stories, some back history that I wasn’t getting. Like there was another book before this one that I should have read.
Were these guys in another series, even as secondary characters? I’m not sure EXACTLY what I was missing, but you all know I’m all about sharing my feelings, and THIS feeling stayed with me right through the whole book!
Still, a very enjoyable read, that I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish in one sitting. It would be great to catch up with all of these guys, Dad included, at some point.
So, ONLY because of that niggly feeling.....
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Let's do it -The Authorised Biography of Victoria Wood
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THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'I was born with a warped sense of humour and when I was carried home...