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Nick Beaty (70 KP) rated Green Book (2018) in Movies
Jan 10, 2020 (Updated Jan 10, 2020)
Worthy best picture winner...
Green Book is the incredible true story of an Italian American bouncer Tony 'Lip', who is paid to drive and protect an African American pianist Dr. Donald Shirley, through the American deep south in 1962 when racial tension was very high.
Let's start off by saying this was definitely a worthy best picture winner at the 2019 Oscars ceremony. You can follow that up with an excellent Oscar nominated performance from Viggo Mortensen and an absolutely superb Oscar winning turn from the brilliant Mahershala Ali.
The beautiful thing about this movie is the chemistry between the two lead actors. Mortensen and Ali bounce off each other for the whole two hours, they will make you laugh, cry and generally their performances just make you feel good inside.
To wrap things up, superb acting, a beautiful story and very good directing from Peter Farrelly who is better known for his controversial comedies, really make this a must see movie for any true film fan.
Let's start off by saying this was definitely a worthy best picture winner at the 2019 Oscars ceremony. You can follow that up with an excellent Oscar nominated performance from Viggo Mortensen and an absolutely superb Oscar winning turn from the brilliant Mahershala Ali.
The beautiful thing about this movie is the chemistry between the two lead actors. Mortensen and Ali bounce off each other for the whole two hours, they will make you laugh, cry and generally their performances just make you feel good inside.
To wrap things up, superb acting, a beautiful story and very good directing from Peter Farrelly who is better known for his controversial comedies, really make this a must see movie for any true film fan.
Martin Scorsese recommended Paisan (Paisà) (1948) in Movies (curated)
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) created a post
Sep 29, 2019
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2163 KP) rated License to Dill (Pickled & Preserved Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Piper’s ex-fiancee arrives in town hoping to get back together even though she has told him repeated they are over. However, the attention soon turns to the soccer team visiting from Italy and the mini-tournament against a team of locals. The Italian team’s manager was an exchange student when he was in high school, and his reappearance has opened old wounds from back then. When he is murdered, it becomes a question of which of those deeds from the past came back to haunt him in the present?
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were just as fun and charming as they were in the first in the series. The plot was wonderful with so many suspects and twists to the story I had a hard time putting it down. Yet things came together for a logical climax.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-license-to-dill-by-mary.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were just as fun and charming as they were in the first in the series. The plot was wonderful with so many suspects and twists to the story I had a hard time putting it down. Yet things came together for a logical climax.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-license-to-dill-by-mary.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Otway93 (567 KP) rated What? (1972) in Movies
Nov 15, 2019
Well Improvised (1 more)
Humour
Story (1 more)
Acting
Rather pointless...
Contains spoilers, click to show
Despite the controversy surrounding Roman Polanski for the past few decades, he has made some astounding movies over the past 50-something years, Rosemary's Baby, The Fearless Vampire Killers, The Pianist, and many others.
Unfortunately, this 1972 x-rated comedy doesn't come up to their standards, it's rumoured that the whole point of the film was so he could see Sydne Rome naked, which would explain the lack of effort put into this film.
The film itself has very little story, a woman (Sydne Rome) escapes from 3 rapists and comes to a luxurious Italian house full of strange sexual deviants, all of whom fit perfectly in with 1970s sex-comedies, but couldn't really do serious acting. That's basically the film.
The script itself is for the most improvised, and the humour from this is probably the best thing about this film, and does cause some funny moments.
For the most part though, the film is only good for those with a particular sense of humour, not dry, but also not crude, somewhere inbetween.
Unfortunately, this 1972 x-rated comedy doesn't come up to their standards, it's rumoured that the whole point of the film was so he could see Sydne Rome naked, which would explain the lack of effort put into this film.
The film itself has very little story, a woman (Sydne Rome) escapes from 3 rapists and comes to a luxurious Italian house full of strange sexual deviants, all of whom fit perfectly in with 1970s sex-comedies, but couldn't really do serious acting. That's basically the film.
The script itself is for the most improvised, and the humour from this is probably the best thing about this film, and does cause some funny moments.
For the most part though, the film is only good for those with a particular sense of humour, not dry, but also not crude, somewhere inbetween.
Martin Scorsese recommended Salvatore Giuliano (1962) in Movies (curated)
Charlotte (184 KP) rated A Favor For a Favor in Books
Jan 21, 2021
The Mob, romance and favors.....
The Mob, romance and favors
Julia is a young, beautiful widow.....a product of Mob life and misfortune. She has a strong personality and knows that she doesn't want to be part of that life. I like how she's quite relatable, many of us want to avoid taking the same path as our parents in one way or another and that's what Julia is doing.
Domenico is hot! Another child of the Mob but never a made man. He's smart, successful, strong family bonds and bowled over by Julia.
A Favor for a Favor creates an Italian/American world full of intrigue and romance. I couldn't put the book down for long before I was drawn back to it and I'm still thinking about it now. Each time I thought I was nearly done something else happened, another puzzle piece was slipped back in....love it!
So, if you like to have something that keeps you guessing, has murder, romance and surprises then look no further.
Julia is a young, beautiful widow.....a product of Mob life and misfortune. She has a strong personality and knows that she doesn't want to be part of that life. I like how she's quite relatable, many of us want to avoid taking the same path as our parents in one way or another and that's what Julia is doing.
Domenico is hot! Another child of the Mob but never a made man. He's smart, successful, strong family bonds and bowled over by Julia.
A Favor for a Favor creates an Italian/American world full of intrigue and romance. I couldn't put the book down for long before I was drawn back to it and I'm still thinking about it now. Each time I thought I was nearly done something else happened, another puzzle piece was slipped back in....love it!
So, if you like to have something that keeps you guessing, has murder, romance and surprises then look no further.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Peaky Blinders - Season 4 in TV
Sep 22, 2019
Back on form
After the rather bonkers and confusing Russian madness in series 3, I’m very pleased to say that series 4 does not follow in 3’s footsteps and is instead a rather welcome return to form.
The threat faced in this series seems very real, and it brings an entirely sinister feeling to the entire show. The Shelbys have always come across as being bulletproof and able to overcome any obstacles or gangsters in their way, but this series shows an entirely different vulnerable side which is good to watch. As always, there are some wonderful performances in this and some great twists and turns in the plot. I felt like Adrien Brody’s Luca Changretta was a little too stereotypical and over the top, but I’m guessing that was how Italian gangsters were (or perceived to be) during those times, so I won’t hold it against him too much. I do sometimes think that some of the twists and turns get to be a little too much but overall this is a rather wonderful series as a great return to form.
The threat faced in this series seems very real, and it brings an entirely sinister feeling to the entire show. The Shelbys have always come across as being bulletproof and able to overcome any obstacles or gangsters in their way, but this series shows an entirely different vulnerable side which is good to watch. As always, there are some wonderful performances in this and some great twists and turns in the plot. I felt like Adrien Brody’s Luca Changretta was a little too stereotypical and over the top, but I’m guessing that was how Italian gangsters were (or perceived to be) during those times, so I won’t hold it against him too much. I do sometimes think that some of the twists and turns get to be a little too much but overall this is a rather wonderful series as a great return to form.
Awix (3310 KP) rated What Have I Done to Deserve This?! (¿Qué he hecho yo para merecer esto?) (1984) in Movies
Apr 14, 2020 (Updated Apr 14, 2020)
Almodovar claims his fourth film is a homage to Italian neorealism, but as the wildly silly plot involves teenage drug dealers, the Madrid kendo club, a plot to forge Hitler's diaries, a blood-stained lizard and a telekinetic schoolgirl we'll have to take his word for that. Every bit as camp and provocative as it sounds, if not moreso; possibly trying a bit too hard to be shocking in places (some jokes about a character who's a paedophile orthodontist feel very misjudged these days), but for the most part engaging and very funny.
You'd expect this would all be much too ridiculous to take seriously, but even this early in his career Almodovar is able to find the reality in his characters and make you care about them. Carmen Maura is at the centre of the film and does a terrific job of giving it all some unexpected emotional heft. In the end it's still an absurd black comedy, but one with some warmth and compassion to it. A very entertaining movie.
You'd expect this would all be much too ridiculous to take seriously, but even this early in his career Almodovar is able to find the reality in his characters and make you care about them. Carmen Maura is at the centre of the film and does a terrific job of giving it all some unexpected emotional heft. In the end it's still an absurd black comedy, but one with some warmth and compassion to it. A very entertaining movie.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Chasing the Italian Dream in Books
May 12, 2023
61 of 235
Book
Chasing the Italian Dream
By Jo Thomas
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A summer escape she'll never forget . . .
Lucia has worked hard as a lawyer in Wales, aiming for a big promotion she hopes will shortly come her way. Finally taking a well-earned break at her grandparents' house in southern Italy, the sunshine, lemon trees and her nonna's mouth-watering cooking make her instantly feel at home.
But she's shocked to learn that her grandfather is retiring from the beloved family pizzeria and will need to sell. Lucia can't bear the thought of the place changing hands - especially when she discovers her not-quite-ex-husband Giacomo wants to take it over!
Then bad news from home forces Lucia to re-evaluate what she wants from life. Is this her chance to carry on the family tradition and finally follow her dreams?
I liked this more than I thought I would it’s not something I normally pick up and thought I’d be bored with it but it was a pleasant read. Definitely for those who love a summer romance.
Book
Chasing the Italian Dream
By Jo Thomas
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A summer escape she'll never forget . . .
Lucia has worked hard as a lawyer in Wales, aiming for a big promotion she hopes will shortly come her way. Finally taking a well-earned break at her grandparents' house in southern Italy, the sunshine, lemon trees and her nonna's mouth-watering cooking make her instantly feel at home.
But she's shocked to learn that her grandfather is retiring from the beloved family pizzeria and will need to sell. Lucia can't bear the thought of the place changing hands - especially when she discovers her not-quite-ex-husband Giacomo wants to take it over!
Then bad news from home forces Lucia to re-evaluate what she wants from life. Is this her chance to carry on the family tradition and finally follow her dreams?
I liked this more than I thought I would it’s not something I normally pick up and thought I’d be bored with it but it was a pleasant read. Definitely for those who love a summer romance.