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Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Orange is the New Black: My Time in a Women's Prison in Books
May 14, 2017
Better that the netflix series
When I lifted this book from the shelve I thought it had been put in the wrong section as I was looking for memoir. I was delighted however, when I turned the book over and the blurb revealed that is was in fact a memoir. I had just finished watching all three series of 'Orange is the New Black' on Netflex and had quickly become a fan. The TV program is very thinly based on Kerman's actual experience and because of this I cannot make comparisons. The novel stands alone as an intelligent and well structured memoir that reads like fiction. The author portrays her time in prison through her connection with the other female prisoners and the way in which they were/are forced to endure prison life. The book is emotional, funny and heartbreaking. Kerman has captured a time in her life with precision that only a true writer can. I feel like I could have been there with her. Well done.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Lake Mungo (2009) in Movies
Sep 5, 2018
Nice Documentary style (1 more)
Good performances in the main
Wonky Twists (1 more)
Slightly disappointing ending
Lake Mungo delivers some eerieness but outstays its welcome
Contains spoilers, click to show
Lake Mungo is a found footage/documentary style hybrid horror movie that tells the story of a family whose 16 year old daughter drowns, but then continues to appear to her family and in footage and photographs in the local area.
Without wanting to spoiler anything, I will just say that the director manages to create a quite unsettling atmosphere, almost akin to that created in the first 3 paranormal activity movies, using CCTV footage and phone camera footage to add to the eye witness statements and interviews with the family.
The film is a little longer than it needs to be, the last section felt like it began detracting from the earlier scenes as they add a few last twists, but overall it is a well made film, with a strong sense of unease throughout.
Well worth a look if you like Paranormal Activity, and that style of film.
Without wanting to spoiler anything, I will just say that the director manages to create a quite unsettling atmosphere, almost akin to that created in the first 3 paranormal activity movies, using CCTV footage and phone camera footage to add to the eye witness statements and interviews with the family.
The film is a little longer than it needs to be, the last section felt like it began detracting from the earlier scenes as they add a few last twists, but overall it is a well made film, with a strong sense of unease throughout.
Well worth a look if you like Paranormal Activity, and that style of film.
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated My Spy (2019) in Movies
Jun 27, 2020
I like Dave Batista. This role served him and his strengths reasonably well.
Plot was SUPER predictable (which is fine, there's only so much you can do with this type of trope). Acting was better than average.
Here's my issue with this movie...it's allegedly a family movie. I'm no prude by any means. With that being said, when I want to watch a movie with my younger children I don't want there to be several references of "Jesus Christ" and "Bitch" (especially being spoken by a nine year old) throughout the entire movie. ESPECIALLY when they are adding NOTHING to the story or the context. I personally feel that if you are going to gear and market a movie as a family friendly adventure then that is what you should provide. I have nothing against people who do things however they do with their own children. I'm not that guy. But know the audience you are allegedly marketing to. That's only reasonable.
Again, I'm not a prude, I just felt like it rubbed me the wrong way.
Plot was SUPER predictable (which is fine, there's only so much you can do with this type of trope). Acting was better than average.
Here's my issue with this movie...it's allegedly a family movie. I'm no prude by any means. With that being said, when I want to watch a movie with my younger children I don't want there to be several references of "Jesus Christ" and "Bitch" (especially being spoken by a nine year old) throughout the entire movie. ESPECIALLY when they are adding NOTHING to the story or the context. I personally feel that if you are going to gear and market a movie as a family friendly adventure then that is what you should provide. I have nothing against people who do things however they do with their own children. I'm not that guy. But know the audience you are allegedly marketing to. That's only reasonable.
Again, I'm not a prude, I just felt like it rubbed me the wrong way.
Chloe (778 KP) rated Our Little Cruelties in Books
Mar 2, 2021
Interesting (2 more)
Great characters
Creates emotion
Does a lot with little
This was not exactly as I perceived it, I thought it would be a thriller/crime fiction type story but it is not. However, that doesn't detract from how good it is.
The story is full of twists and turns, that slowly unwind the characters and explain why they are how they are, sort of. I think the characters are brilliant and the way they are described/actions they take just makes you hate them.
Overall its sad to think that families are like this and it was interesting to see the same events from different viewpoints. I liked that the time frames shifted but were still easy to follow, when I first realised this I was apprehensive as I often forget to read the chapter name as I'm too excited to crack on.
There could have been more delving into the many mental health issues in the book. I also didn't like the hinting towards mental health being hereditary.
The story is full of twists and turns, that slowly unwind the characters and explain why they are how they are, sort of. I think the characters are brilliant and the way they are described/actions they take just makes you hate them.
Overall its sad to think that families are like this and it was interesting to see the same events from different viewpoints. I liked that the time frames shifted but were still easy to follow, when I first realised this I was apprehensive as I often forget to read the chapter name as I'm too excited to crack on.
There could have been more delving into the many mental health issues in the book. I also didn't like the hinting towards mental health being hereditary.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Kade's Dark Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, #1) in Books
Jan 8, 2021
DNF @ 25%. 1 star seems a little mean but I didn't like it.
Admittedly, I'm in a bit of a slump where paranormal books are concerned and I'm struggling to get into favourite series' such as Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 12! It's almost blasphemy to myself.
That being said the plot sounded right up my street for this. I think it was just the way it was written that made me give it up. I like my characters to be monogamous--if that's the right term. I'm guessing something's going to happen with Kade so why do I have to read about her having sex with her "loupe"? I'm not a fan of that. And then as I mentioned above the style didn't sit right with me, it wasn't gripping me and pulling me into the story. I found it awkward and considering it isn't the longest book, to see that I was only a quarter way in after three full days when, if it had grabbed my attention, I'd have finished it by now.
Not really my sort of thing.<br/>
Admittedly, I'm in a bit of a slump where paranormal books are concerned and I'm struggling to get into favourite series' such as Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 12! It's almost blasphemy to myself.
That being said the plot sounded right up my street for this. I think it was just the way it was written that made me give it up. I like my characters to be monogamous--if that's the right term. I'm guessing something's going to happen with Kade so why do I have to read about her having sex with her "loupe"? I'm not a fan of that. And then as I mentioned above the style didn't sit right with me, it wasn't gripping me and pulling me into the story. I found it awkward and considering it isn't the longest book, to see that I was only a quarter way in after three full days when, if it had grabbed my attention, I'd have finished it by now.
Not really my sort of thing.<br/>
Issac Holman recommended track Blinded By The Lights by The Streets in Grand Don't Come For Free by The Streets in Music (curated)
Nicholas Sparks recommended Toy Story (1995) in Movies (curated)
Alex Wolff recommended Scenes from a Marriage (1973) in Movies (curated)
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2021
I got really into this but I have to say that for me that last 10% was the best bit.
That Raffe finally showed some emotion about how he felt about Penryn after telling her quite a few pages before that he didn't even like her, which hurt both her and me. Iunderstand why he said it but it was just cruel.
I feel I have to mention Penryn's mum. She's CRAZY! Quite literally crazy, but she made me laugh with some of the things she did, like with the cattle prod at the Aerie.
As for Paige...well I'm torn about the poor kid now. I initially felt sorry for her, with her being taken and then when we, as readers, and Penryn finally find her again and we learn what they've been doing to the missing children, I felt even worse. But at the same time, she's no longer the little girl she was and in a way, she scares me.
I cant wait to read the next one now, to see how everything works out! Hopefully all will be well.
That Raffe finally showed some emotion about how he felt about Penryn after telling her quite a few pages before that he didn't even like her, which hurt both her and me. Iunderstand why he said it but it was just cruel.
I feel I have to mention Penryn's mum. She's CRAZY! Quite literally crazy, but she made me laugh with some of the things she did, like with the cattle prod at the Aerie.
As for Paige...well I'm torn about the poor kid now. I initially felt sorry for her, with her being taken and then when we, as readers, and Penryn finally find her again and we learn what they've been doing to the missing children, I felt even worse. But at the same time, she's no longer the little girl she was and in a way, she scares me.
I cant wait to read the next one now, to see how everything works out! Hopefully all will be well.
Debbiereadsbook (1761 KP) rated The Witches Prophecy (The Blue Flamed Witch #1) in Books
Nov 22, 2023
maybe not one for me!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
My review for this book will be short, because, to be honest, I'm really not sure what I just read!
I'll summarise as best as I can though.
I liked that multiple people have a say. So we get to hear from all the important people.
I LOVED the sarcasm from everyone! Trouble, especially.
I did not like, and I think this was my biggest issue, that multiple names were used for the same person. I got a bit confused right at the prologue and I think that set the screen for the rest of the book.
Lots of paranormal themes: prophecies, soul mates, demons, witches and gods, and a rare one: reincarnations. I liked that.
But, like I said, the multiple names thing kinda threw for the whole book, and I'm still a little confused by it all!
Maybe not one for me, but I did finish it, so
3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
My review for this book will be short, because, to be honest, I'm really not sure what I just read!
I'll summarise as best as I can though.
I liked that multiple people have a say. So we get to hear from all the important people.
I LOVED the sarcasm from everyone! Trouble, especially.
I did not like, and I think this was my biggest issue, that multiple names were used for the same person. I got a bit confused right at the prologue and I think that set the screen for the rest of the book.
Lots of paranormal themes: prophecies, soul mates, demons, witches and gods, and a rare one: reincarnations. I liked that.
But, like I said, the multiple names thing kinda threw for the whole book, and I'm still a little confused by it all!
Maybe not one for me, but I did finish it, so
3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere









