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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Square (2017) in Movies
Jun 30, 2020
Another of those occasions where the Smashbomb rating scale falls a little short: 'shoddy' isn't how I'd describe this film as much as fundamentally somewhat misconceived. Anyway: award-winning satire of liberal pretensions and angst set in and around a Stockholm art gallery. Curator Christian gets mugged, leading him to make some very poor decisions; various installations and performances go horribly wrong; the gulf between the high-minded aspirations of the museum's patrons and their actual behaviour is repeatedly exposed.
The odd quite funny and on-point scene, but it doesn't half labour its points and at nearly two and half hours it feels much too long (I watched it in installments, which I never normally do). Bang is pretty good in the central role and the thesis of the film is certainly relevent to the modern world, but it could have been funnier, sharper, and less irritatingly weird in places. As it is, this is a film satirising pretentiousness which actually feels rather pretentious itself - so not a great look. Hard work, if you ask me,
The odd quite funny and on-point scene, but it doesn't half labour its points and at nearly two and half hours it feels much too long (I watched it in installments, which I never normally do). Bang is pretty good in the central role and the thesis of the film is certainly relevent to the modern world, but it could have been funnier, sharper, and less irritatingly weird in places. As it is, this is a film satirising pretentiousness which actually feels rather pretentious itself - so not a great look. Hard work, if you ask me,
ClareR (5589 KP) rated Reputation in Books
Mar 24, 2022
Reputation is some serious edge of your seat stuff!
Emma Webster is a Labour MP, who is a victim of online abuse: death threats, rape threats, threats of acid attacks, trolling and just general online unpleasantness. It’s a big change from her life as a teacher, but she decides that she wants to serve the people of her constituency.
But all does not go as she would like it to, and the reputation that she fought so hard for, begins to fall apart.
This is a tense courtroom drama, which left me wondering if Emma was a reliable narrator or not. Put in the same situation, I would have had a very similar reaction - Emma wants to protect her daughter from all harm - as well as her own reputation.
This was such a tense, suspenseful read on The Pigeonhole, which had me guessing right up to the very last page (I’ll be honest, if I had been reading the book, I would have flicked to the end - it was seriously anxiety-inducing!).
Highly recommended!
Emma Webster is a Labour MP, who is a victim of online abuse: death threats, rape threats, threats of acid attacks, trolling and just general online unpleasantness. It’s a big change from her life as a teacher, but she decides that she wants to serve the people of her constituency.
But all does not go as she would like it to, and the reputation that she fought so hard for, begins to fall apart.
This is a tense courtroom drama, which left me wondering if Emma was a reliable narrator or not. Put in the same situation, I would have had a very similar reaction - Emma wants to protect her daughter from all harm - as well as her own reputation.
This was such a tense, suspenseful read on The Pigeonhole, which had me guessing right up to the very last page (I’ll be honest, if I had been reading the book, I would have flicked to the end - it was seriously anxiety-inducing!).
Highly recommended!
Amy Christmas (170 KP) rated The Tattooist of Auschwitz in Books
Jan 16, 2018
It's compelling at times (2 more)
The chapters are short
It's all to the point and not fluffy
Not compelling most of the time (2 more)
Writing can become very bland
It didn't feel real at times
I wouldn't say 'unputdownable'
This book is good, not great but alright.
You follow Lale a Slovakian Jew and in 1942 each family is required to gove over a worker for Labour camps. In hopes to keep his family safe Lale goes to Prague where he's put in a cattle car and shipped to birkaneau.
The story is sad and hopeful and shows the raw need for survival but also that in times like that we can all pull together.
While the story was good and lovely to read about the writing was bland and off-putting at times. I struggled to get through the entire book and put it down for ages at a time because I just wasn't enamoured by the writing as others were.
If you can't look past bad writing and appreciate the story this book is ok for you, but there are better accounts of that period of history waiting to be read.
You follow Lale a Slovakian Jew and in 1942 each family is required to gove over a worker for Labour camps. In hopes to keep his family safe Lale goes to Prague where he's put in a cattle car and shipped to birkaneau.
The story is sad and hopeful and shows the raw need for survival but also that in times like that we can all pull together.
While the story was good and lovely to read about the writing was bland and off-putting at times. I struggled to get through the entire book and put it down for ages at a time because I just wasn't enamoured by the writing as others were.
If you can't look past bad writing and appreciate the story this book is ok for you, but there are better accounts of that period of history waiting to be read.
Emily (1430 KP) rated The Running Man (1987) in Movies
Jul 8, 2020
Cheesy but great
Quite possibly the cheesiest Arnie film of all time, but that's what makes it so good. Arnie plays an ex-cop who refuses to fire upon unarmed civilians, but he gets overwhelmed by his team mates and the video afterwards gets edited to make it look like he was the one doing it and he gets thrown into a labour camp style prison. Eventually he and some others escape, he goes back to his old flat (which is now rented by a female journalist). Things happen, he eventually gets recaptured but again the footage is doctored but this time the journalist realises things aren't what they seem. All of the characters end up on a TV show called The Running Man, which seems to be contenders Vs characters in terrible costumes. This is where the fun begins. So many brilliant one-liners throughout the film (mostly from Arnie, but a few others) and just pure 'good guy wins, bad guy gets what's coming to him' cheese. Brilliant for an easy-watching film to laugh and cheer at! And for those that have seen it, all I need to add is "Hello Christmas Tree!"
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Surviving the Holocaust and Stalin: The Amazing Story of the Seiler Family in Books
Jan 29, 2023
This is a compelling story of one family's experiences of being a Hungarian Jew before, during and after World War 2.
No matter how many of these types of books I read, it never ceases to shock me how 'human beings' can develop an insidious culture against others just because they are different be it religion, race or whatever. What I didn't realise was how, even after the Russians liberated the death and labour camps created by the Nazi regime, the persecution of Jews continued for those living behind the 'Iron Curtain'.
This book has opened my eyes to the continued injustice and oppression that was inflicted upon the Jewish people by the Stalin regime despite the horrors they had been subjected to by the Nazis but what it also did was show the resilience, bravery and hope the Seiler family demonstrated despite the tragedies and hardships they encountered and experienced.
This is a must-read for people who are interested in European history and to ensure that the voices of those who went through one of the darkest periods of the twentieth century are not forgotten and I must thank Pen & Sword and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book.
No matter how many of these types of books I read, it never ceases to shock me how 'human beings' can develop an insidious culture against others just because they are different be it religion, race or whatever. What I didn't realise was how, even after the Russians liberated the death and labour camps created by the Nazi regime, the persecution of Jews continued for those living behind the 'Iron Curtain'.
This book has opened my eyes to the continued injustice and oppression that was inflicted upon the Jewish people by the Stalin regime despite the horrors they had been subjected to by the Nazis but what it also did was show the resilience, bravery and hope the Seiler family demonstrated despite the tragedies and hardships they encountered and experienced.
This is a must-read for people who are interested in European history and to ensure that the voices of those who went through one of the darkest periods of the twentieth century are not forgotten and I must thank Pen & Sword and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Daughter of Auschwitz in Books
Oct 1, 2022
“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” ELIE WIESEL
This is an extremely hard book to read but one I feel necessary so the past is not forgotten.
Tova was born just prior to the start of World War II; her earliest memories being of living in the ghetto her family and parents were sent to by the Nazi's. From the ghetto, she and her parents are sent to a labour camp; Tova is 5 years old. At the age of 6, Tova and her mum are separated from her dad for the first time as they are placed in different cattle cars and sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Tova describes her experiences from the eyes of an innocent child trying to make sense of the horrors she hears and witnesses every day. How someone, let alone a child, can survive what went on in that hell and come out the other side and live even close to a 'normal' life is beyond me. It is testament to the strength of her mother and the lessons she taught Tova that she survived and became the woman she did.
Many thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this powerful, heart-breaking but uplifting book. This should be required reading for all school children and adults alike.
This is an extremely hard book to read but one I feel necessary so the past is not forgotten.
Tova was born just prior to the start of World War II; her earliest memories being of living in the ghetto her family and parents were sent to by the Nazi's. From the ghetto, she and her parents are sent to a labour camp; Tova is 5 years old. At the age of 6, Tova and her mum are separated from her dad for the first time as they are placed in different cattle cars and sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Tova describes her experiences from the eyes of an innocent child trying to make sense of the horrors she hears and witnesses every day. How someone, let alone a child, can survive what went on in that hell and come out the other side and live even close to a 'normal' life is beyond me. It is testament to the strength of her mother and the lessons she taught Tova that she survived and became the woman she did.
Many thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this powerful, heart-breaking but uplifting book. This should be required reading for all school children and adults alike.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated A Quiet Place (2018) in Movies
Apr 26, 2018
Tense and interesting
I'm going to be frankly honest now and say this film is a little overrated. One of the best horrors I've seen in a long time, but still a tad overrated.
The premise is a very interesting and truly terrifying take on the usual end of the world scenario. And this for me is the best and scariest thing about the film, never before has silence been so scary. John Krasinski does a great job both acting, directing and writing and i think it's a shame he doesn't do a lot more acting wise. The creatures themselves are horrific and strange, but not too weird looking to be laughable (like Life). They potentially look a little too CGI but it's acceptable for the most part. The film in general starts off a little slow paced but then soon picks up speed, to the point where when it finished, I couldn't believe it had been on for 90 minutes. I'm also grateful that they don't try and spend much time over explaining this apocalypse, instead relying on a few choice newspaper cutouts.
I do have a few issues with this film though. It relies a little too heavily on jump scares, which although they're very effective in such a quiet film, for me they're a bit much. Also, some of the film beggars belief - a woman in labour making barely any noise? Hmm not too sure about that. And my final criticism is the fact that the opening scene is prominently featured in the trailer, meaning any shock or fear we would have had at this is long gone.
Overall a very good horror film, and one I'd love to see in silence in my own home.
The premise is a very interesting and truly terrifying take on the usual end of the world scenario. And this for me is the best and scariest thing about the film, never before has silence been so scary. John Krasinski does a great job both acting, directing and writing and i think it's a shame he doesn't do a lot more acting wise. The creatures themselves are horrific and strange, but not too weird looking to be laughable (like Life). They potentially look a little too CGI but it's acceptable for the most part. The film in general starts off a little slow paced but then soon picks up speed, to the point where when it finished, I couldn't believe it had been on for 90 minutes. I'm also grateful that they don't try and spend much time over explaining this apocalypse, instead relying on a few choice newspaper cutouts.
I do have a few issues with this film though. It relies a little too heavily on jump scares, which although they're very effective in such a quiet film, for me they're a bit much. Also, some of the film beggars belief - a woman in labour making barely any noise? Hmm not too sure about that. And my final criticism is the fact that the opening scene is prominently featured in the trailer, meaning any shock or fear we would have had at this is long gone.
Overall a very good horror film, and one I'd love to see in silence in my own home.
JT (287 KP) rated King of Devil's Island (2011) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
Any story about rebelling against the system is generally going to get an audience, people love an underdog story and King of Devil’s Island is a chilling one, in almost the literal sense.
Erling (Helstad) is a troubled individual and when he makes the journey to the island of Bastoy his stay is not going to be a pleasant one, but one of hardship and manual labour. Under the watchful eye of Bestyreren (the ever brilliant Skarsgård) he has to follow the rules or face punishment in the worst form possible, and that’s after trying to battle the freezing Nordic winters.
Even when he is read the rules the only thing on his mind is escape, failed attempts only bring more pain and misery. Inside he manages to share a bond with some of the other boys, but those who have been there for longer know the rules and rarely step out of line.
Along the way he is forced to deal with the harsh reality of the situation, and when Bestyreren let’s the return of vicious guard Bråthen back into the borstal the revolt begins. The Norwegian surroundings are an unforgiving place especially in this environment as Erling finds out the hard way, in one punishment he is made to move massive rocks from one spot on the ground to the other.
There is a sense that Bestyreren’s motives are for the good of the boys he presides over, he is harsh but fair and if anything he has empathy for them although he doesn’t show it. Turning them from outcast delinquents into responsible men.
The acting is solid, Skarsgård is always a commendable actor and turns in a decent performance, Benjamin Helstad also does a great job for someone quite unknown in world cinema. But Holst captures the essence for the need to survive and break the so called chains, it’s a powerful film, but then most Norwegian films that I have seen lately have been like that.
Erling (Helstad) is a troubled individual and when he makes the journey to the island of Bastoy his stay is not going to be a pleasant one, but one of hardship and manual labour. Under the watchful eye of Bestyreren (the ever brilliant Skarsgård) he has to follow the rules or face punishment in the worst form possible, and that’s after trying to battle the freezing Nordic winters.
Even when he is read the rules the only thing on his mind is escape, failed attempts only bring more pain and misery. Inside he manages to share a bond with some of the other boys, but those who have been there for longer know the rules and rarely step out of line.
Along the way he is forced to deal with the harsh reality of the situation, and when Bestyreren let’s the return of vicious guard Bråthen back into the borstal the revolt begins. The Norwegian surroundings are an unforgiving place especially in this environment as Erling finds out the hard way, in one punishment he is made to move massive rocks from one spot on the ground to the other.
There is a sense that Bestyreren’s motives are for the good of the boys he presides over, he is harsh but fair and if anything he has empathy for them although he doesn’t show it. Turning them from outcast delinquents into responsible men.
The acting is solid, Skarsgård is always a commendable actor and turns in a decent performance, Benjamin Helstad also does a great job for someone quite unknown in world cinema. But Holst captures the essence for the need to survive and break the so called chains, it’s a powerful film, but then most Norwegian films that I have seen lately have been like that.
Natari (73 KP) rated Claimed By Shadow (Cassandra Palmer, #2) in Books
Jul 19, 2019
Claimed by Shadow is a hard hitting, beautiful work of art in a novel. It continues the crazy life of Cassie Palmer, throwing the poor young lady into even more danger - be it for her life or for love.
The relationships that were started in the first book are explored in depth. Not just with love interests, but deeper understanding of Cassie's role and her interaction with those around her. Still mostly alone, her perseverence and devil-may-care-but-let's-not-be-too-hasty-because-living-is-a-nice-idea attitude really warms you to Cassie. If you weren't already won over by her speak-before-you-think and vulnerable-but-determined-to-get-through charm.
Again, we see her misadventues start with Cassie just going straight in through the front door, choosing to hide in plain sight. She is not a silly girl. And while she may let sexy casino manager Casanova take advantage of her - as in free labour - she'll be damned in anybody else gets the chance.
In book 2, Cassie finds out that she is under a powerful love spell that, if completed, will put her under thrall of the ever enigmatic but you son-of-a-b!tch master vampire Mircea. For someone who servitude is a fate worse than death, Cassie is none too pleased, even if the idea of loving and being loved by Mircea has a certain pleasant ring to it...
And in true Cassie style, which isn't her fault but a product of her natural 'luck', she ends up complicating the spell further and oh yeah has to track down a homicidal maniac who is trying to kill her.
Karen's writing is fun and non-stop action. It's an exhilerating ride, with fascinating detail of history and forethought for the plot. Where you read something in book one, expect to have those 'Oh yeah' moments as they are aplenty. Without leaving many plot holes or confusing matters, Karen has weaved a complex tale that speaks with each other back and forth spanning all books. We've only just begun the fun.
The relationships that were started in the first book are explored in depth. Not just with love interests, but deeper understanding of Cassie's role and her interaction with those around her. Still mostly alone, her perseverence and devil-may-care-but-let's-not-be-too-hasty-because-living-is-a-nice-idea attitude really warms you to Cassie. If you weren't already won over by her speak-before-you-think and vulnerable-but-determined-to-get-through charm.
Again, we see her misadventues start with Cassie just going straight in through the front door, choosing to hide in plain sight. She is not a silly girl. And while she may let sexy casino manager Casanova take advantage of her - as in free labour - she'll be damned in anybody else gets the chance.
In book 2, Cassie finds out that she is under a powerful love spell that, if completed, will put her under thrall of the ever enigmatic but you son-of-a-b!tch master vampire Mircea. For someone who servitude is a fate worse than death, Cassie is none too pleased, even if the idea of loving and being loved by Mircea has a certain pleasant ring to it...
And in true Cassie style, which isn't her fault but a product of her natural 'luck', she ends up complicating the spell further and oh yeah has to track down a homicidal maniac who is trying to kill her.
Karen's writing is fun and non-stop action. It's an exhilerating ride, with fascinating detail of history and forethought for the plot. Where you read something in book one, expect to have those 'Oh yeah' moments as they are aplenty. Without leaving many plot holes or confusing matters, Karen has weaved a complex tale that speaks with each other back and forth spanning all books. We've only just begun the fun.
Merissa (11731 KP) rated Green Hills and Daffodils (The Green Hills #1) in Books
Oct 24, 2023 (Updated Oct 24, 2023)
A book involving red and white dragons, set in Wales? Sign me up. Well, I did and what I got was different, very different from what I expected.
GREEN HILLS AND DAFFODILS starts with an American moving to a small village in Wales, wanting to put down roots. Jane is neurodivergent and has zero social filter. This leads to situations where she puts her foot in it. But honestly? I'm not surprised. That little village is a stirring pot of goodness knows what!
The main characters - Rhys, Jane, and Stewart - were all interesting. I did, however, get lost multiple times with just who was married to whom, and when, and who was who's father/mother. Honestly, talk about family saga! And, to be fair, I'm not even sure if it is relevant to the storyline yet!
This was a long book, giving plenty of background information on the characters, and their interactions with each other, being told by multiple perspectives on the same page. I now know more about sheep farming and ewes being in labour than I ever knew before. And once again, I'm not sure just how much was relevant.
There are a lot of stereotypes in here that I wish weren't. Wales is such a beautiful country and I hate to see it made fun of, even in a gentle way. I don't know if it was meant, or if it was a way of showing how Jane would put her foot in it, but still. Too much.
Saying that though, I found myself being hooked by the story. The whole book is slow, slow burn with our main 'love interests' not even meeting for the majority of the book. (It's literally in the epilogue for about two minutes!) I do feel involved in their story though, and want to see where it goes from here.
Definitely not what I expected and not really a romance, this is still a gripping story and recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Oct 24, 2023
GREEN HILLS AND DAFFODILS starts with an American moving to a small village in Wales, wanting to put down roots. Jane is neurodivergent and has zero social filter. This leads to situations where she puts her foot in it. But honestly? I'm not surprised. That little village is a stirring pot of goodness knows what!
The main characters - Rhys, Jane, and Stewart - were all interesting. I did, however, get lost multiple times with just who was married to whom, and when, and who was who's father/mother. Honestly, talk about family saga! And, to be fair, I'm not even sure if it is relevant to the storyline yet!
This was a long book, giving plenty of background information on the characters, and their interactions with each other, being told by multiple perspectives on the same page. I now know more about sheep farming and ewes being in labour than I ever knew before. And once again, I'm not sure just how much was relevant.
There are a lot of stereotypes in here that I wish weren't. Wales is such a beautiful country and I hate to see it made fun of, even in a gentle way. I don't know if it was meant, or if it was a way of showing how Jane would put her foot in it, but still. Too much.
Saying that though, I found myself being hooked by the story. The whole book is slow, slow burn with our main 'love interests' not even meeting for the majority of the book. (It's literally in the epilogue for about two minutes!) I do feel involved in their story though, and want to see where it goes from here.
Definitely not what I expected and not really a romance, this is still a gripping story and recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Oct 24, 2023