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Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Love, Simon (2018) in Movies
Jun 29, 2019 (Updated Sep 25, 2019)
Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends, and all of his classmates: he's gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.
I had been looking forward to this one, book adaptation... of course I was going to be... so getting this as our secret screening was fun great. But it really divided the pack and there was much discussion online about it after. But not so much about the film. I'm going to get the grumpy portion of this out of the way first.
I think this is only the second secret screening I've been to. The first one was Molly's Game, which again, was one I'd been looking forward to seeing, and when the card came up at the beginning I think only one person left. It certainly wasn't many. The card comes up for this one... well, it was like a mass exodus. Without the film even rolling I think we lost about half a dozen people. After the first couple of minutes we lost another load. It was that second lot that made me lose faith in humanity a little, because it wasn't more than seconds after Simon says that he's gay that I heard disapproving noises and footsteps trotting out of seats.
Most people online said the same thing about their cinemas. And I know that you don't have to watch every film ever made. But don't just turn your nose up at it because (and here's me being optimistic) it's a young adult film/novel. If you turned your nose up at it because its main character is gay... well... welcome to the real world, they're here, they're queer, and they're here to stay.
I was pleased to see that lots of people gave it a chance, and many seemed to enjoy it. There was a lot of hate for it from others though, and honestly, when you read the comments for it... well, just don't read the comments. For every good there is a bad, but most of the bad either just walked out or don't really give much in the way of a genuine excuse. Several feel like they're being cheated by Cineworld for showing things that aren't blockbusters... people... this isn't how these things work. Trust me, the company comes to the middle man who presents it to the consumer. Business 101. Companies know that you're going to pay to see their big blockbusters and buy their merchandise... why would they give it to you for free? (Yes I know we all have Unlimited cards and essentially get them for free, but you get my meaning.) There's already hype around them, they don't need more. Anyway, away from my rant.
Love, Simon was a wonderful film, and despite what some are saying, (sorry, swerving into rant territory there again) it was laugh out loud funny... and everyone was laughing. Except those people who left without giving it a chance... wow, sorry, I just can't let this go.
If you haven't quite forgotten your teenage years you'll see lots of bits in this that really ring a bell. Those awkward moments, the crushes, the annoying teachers, the pain. If you've experienced any of them then there will be bits that you physically react to. You can feel the emotions that are running around the characters, you know the decisions they're making are good, bad and terrible, and you can almost see the future. As the story unfolds you really do get pulled along with Simon. You feel his pain and you feel his joy.
A genuine smile inducing film. I think you can see my favourite bit in one of the trailers... straight people not having to come out... it honestly cracked me up.
Of course the book is in the TBR, I'll get round to it eventually. But regardless of how it stacks up next to the book is was a wonderful film. You can only hope that it is enlightening to some that watch it, and helpful to others.
I had been looking forward to this one, book adaptation... of course I was going to be... so getting this as our secret screening was fun great. But it really divided the pack and there was much discussion online about it after. But not so much about the film. I'm going to get the grumpy portion of this out of the way first.
I think this is only the second secret screening I've been to. The first one was Molly's Game, which again, was one I'd been looking forward to seeing, and when the card came up at the beginning I think only one person left. It certainly wasn't many. The card comes up for this one... well, it was like a mass exodus. Without the film even rolling I think we lost about half a dozen people. After the first couple of minutes we lost another load. It was that second lot that made me lose faith in humanity a little, because it wasn't more than seconds after Simon says that he's gay that I heard disapproving noises and footsteps trotting out of seats.
Most people online said the same thing about their cinemas. And I know that you don't have to watch every film ever made. But don't just turn your nose up at it because (and here's me being optimistic) it's a young adult film/novel. If you turned your nose up at it because its main character is gay... well... welcome to the real world, they're here, they're queer, and they're here to stay.
I was pleased to see that lots of people gave it a chance, and many seemed to enjoy it. There was a lot of hate for it from others though, and honestly, when you read the comments for it... well, just don't read the comments. For every good there is a bad, but most of the bad either just walked out or don't really give much in the way of a genuine excuse. Several feel like they're being cheated by Cineworld for showing things that aren't blockbusters... people... this isn't how these things work. Trust me, the company comes to the middle man who presents it to the consumer. Business 101. Companies know that you're going to pay to see their big blockbusters and buy their merchandise... why would they give it to you for free? (Yes I know we all have Unlimited cards and essentially get them for free, but you get my meaning.) There's already hype around them, they don't need more. Anyway, away from my rant.
Love, Simon was a wonderful film, and despite what some are saying, (sorry, swerving into rant territory there again) it was laugh out loud funny... and everyone was laughing. Except those people who left without giving it a chance... wow, sorry, I just can't let this go.
If you haven't quite forgotten your teenage years you'll see lots of bits in this that really ring a bell. Those awkward moments, the crushes, the annoying teachers, the pain. If you've experienced any of them then there will be bits that you physically react to. You can feel the emotions that are running around the characters, you know the decisions they're making are good, bad and terrible, and you can almost see the future. As the story unfolds you really do get pulled along with Simon. You feel his pain and you feel his joy.
A genuine smile inducing film. I think you can see my favourite bit in one of the trailers... straight people not having to come out... it honestly cracked me up.
Of course the book is in the TBR, I'll get round to it eventually. But regardless of how it stacks up next to the book is was a wonderful film. You can only hope that it is enlightening to some that watch it, and helpful to others.
Merissa (14046 KP) rated The Selkie's Mate (Waves of Fate #2) in Books
Feb 4, 2026 (Updated Feb 4, 2026)
THE SELKIE'S MATE is the second book in the Waves of Fate series, and I would definitely recommend you read these in order. If you didn't like Cody in Gregory and Daniel's book, I can pretty much guarantee you won't like him in here!
We begin at Gregory and Daniel's wedding, where Winston hears Henri speak for the first time. If you've read book one, you will know that is how Selkies find their mates - through the sound of their mate's voice. In one respect, the courtship between Winston and Henri isn't nearly as complicated as Gregory and Daniel. On the other hand, it's a whole lot more involved and emotional. We're talking a stalker, the loss of an unborn baby, and someone not entirely sane.
I can see it going one of two ways with Cody. Either he will find redemption in the form of his own mate, down a long and rocky road. Or he will become the Big Bad. I am here to find out which way it will go!!!
I loved how the Selkies speak slightly formally, due to their long lives. I also love the relationships between both the main characters and the supporting ones who have either had their story told, or will have it told in the future (fingers crossed!) I did love his Selkie though, so that's one redeeming feature he has.
A great addition to the series that I thoroughly enjoyed. I can't wait to see who comes next. HIGHLY 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!
Feb 4, 2026
We begin at Gregory and Daniel's wedding, where Winston hears Henri speak for the first time. If you've read book one, you will know that is how Selkies find their mates - through the sound of their mate's voice. In one respect, the courtship between Winston and Henri isn't nearly as complicated as Gregory and Daniel. On the other hand, it's a whole lot more involved and emotional. We're talking a stalker, the loss of an unborn baby, and someone not entirely sane.
I can see it going one of two ways with Cody. Either he will find redemption in the form of his own mate, down a long and rocky road. Or he will become the Big Bad. I am here to find out which way it will go!!!
I loved how the Selkies speak slightly formally, due to their long lives. I also love the relationships between both the main characters and the supporting ones who have either had their story told, or will have it told in the future (fingers crossed!) I did love his Selkie though, so that's one redeeming feature he has.
A great addition to the series that I thoroughly enjoyed. I can't wait to see who comes next. HIGHLY 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!
Feb 4, 2026
Sheridan (209 KP) rated Bird Box (2018) in Movies
Feb 4, 2019
Beautiful visuals (1 more)
Good acting
If this happened for real, you'd never make it. (1 more)
More questions than answers in the end
If you take off your blindfold you will die.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Welcome to the apocalypse bitches! Whatever this asshole is it takes over your brain and makes you off yourself. I love the idea, I love the concept. There's no way you'd achieve half the stuff they manage but lets just suspend belief for a minute because it was a good film. I like how they told the story by starting at the trip and going back to the beginning until they catch you up, it keeps the story interesting and appropriately paced. Though I enjoyed it, it does leave more questions than answers. Here's just a few that bothered me;
Why don't they come inside? Do the age old vampire rules apply, I wonder.
There is no way they could have driven blind from the house to the supermarket using just GPS and parking sensors. (Not really a question, it just annoyed me)
How were the birds in the supermarket still alive? (It's clearly been weeks since someone was there) And also on this note, Why were they there? Supermarkets don't sell birds...
Where did the girl and the blond guy go? They stole the car but you never see them again - wth happened there? Are they alive, dead? What?
How did she not run into the side of the river every five minutes? She's blindfolded and has never been there before. Have you ever tried to walk from your bedroom to the bathroom in the middle of the night? It ain't easy even when you know the place.
Why is there a blind school in the middle of nowhere? It feels end of the world cultish...
A good movie, but there are many questions that never get answers that left it a little confusing. Probably would watch it again just to see if I missed anything.
Why don't they come inside? Do the age old vampire rules apply, I wonder.
There is no way they could have driven blind from the house to the supermarket using just GPS and parking sensors. (Not really a question, it just annoyed me)
How were the birds in the supermarket still alive? (It's clearly been weeks since someone was there) And also on this note, Why were they there? Supermarkets don't sell birds...
Where did the girl and the blond guy go? They stole the car but you never see them again - wth happened there? Are they alive, dead? What?
How did she not run into the side of the river every five minutes? She's blindfolded and has never been there before. Have you ever tried to walk from your bedroom to the bathroom in the middle of the night? It ain't easy even when you know the place.
Why is there a blind school in the middle of nowhere? It feels end of the world cultish...
A good movie, but there are many questions that never get answers that left it a little confusing. Probably would watch it again just to see if I missed anything.
Christine Allard (22 KP) rated The Secret History in Books
Jan 26, 2018
Coming of age, why dunnit, college, and flawed characters
Contains spoilers, click to show
This book has been one of my all-time favorites for years, and one of the few I re-read about every year or two.
A clique of "gifted misfits" find one another and form a clique at a liberal arts school (think Middlebury) on the East Coast. One is dead very early on. The rest of the book unfolds with. their incredibly intertwined, co-dependant, and complex relationships as you slowly learn what happened, why it did, and what's going to go down after.
A clique of "gifted misfits" find one another and form a clique at a liberal arts school (think Middlebury) on the East Coast. One is dead very early on. The rest of the book unfolds with. their incredibly intertwined, co-dependant, and complex relationships as you slowly learn what happened, why it did, and what's going to go down after.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Girls & Boys in Books
Oct 1, 2018
Gut Wrenching
Review I just finished this book and I'm not even sure what to think. This review might just be a spew of words on a page because right now, I'm processing.
I got this audiobook from Audible through their audible originals program. I probably would have never in my life picked this up if it weren't for getting it for free. This book started off with a cute story about the main characters meeting and ends with a horrific gut wrenching ending. This is not a cute love story. This is not uplifting. It is heart wrenching but it is so beautifully done that I wasn't able to put it down.
The narrator truly put on a wonderful performance. She had a way to force you into the story & make you feel like this was a friend telling you the story.
All in all, it was good. Heart wrenching but good.
I got this audiobook from Audible through their audible originals program. I probably would have never in my life picked this up if it weren't for getting it for free. This book started off with a cute story about the main characters meeting and ends with a horrific gut wrenching ending. This is not a cute love story. This is not uplifting. It is heart wrenching but it is so beautifully done that I wasn't able to put it down.
The narrator truly put on a wonderful performance. She had a way to force you into the story & make you feel like this was a friend telling you the story.
All in all, it was good. Heart wrenching but good.
Andy K (10826 KP) rated Deadpool 2 (2018) in Movies
Oct 13, 2018
Best cameo ever!
So glad Ryan Reynolds finally found a character he could really live in. Had always thought he was a cool, funny actor but had never really connected with a role before this one.
More of the same from the last film here, so if you liked that you will like this.
This time he teams up with Cable and his self created band of amateur heroes the "X-Force" to fight more bad guys and try and save a young mutant from killing someone and going to far.
Great soundtrack, random movie references which is one of the things I love most, but thought it dragged in some parts where it was sort of dull and not much happening. Some of the jokes fell flat and the characters talked too fast so you couldn't understand them.
Great action and car chase scenes make this a very entertaining film to experience.
More of the same from the last film here, so if you liked that you will like this.
This time he teams up with Cable and his self created band of amateur heroes the "X-Force" to fight more bad guys and try and save a young mutant from killing someone and going to far.
Great soundtrack, random movie references which is one of the things I love most, but thought it dragged in some parts where it was sort of dull and not much happening. Some of the jokes fell flat and the characters talked too fast so you couldn't understand them.
Great action and car chase scenes make this a very entertaining film to experience.
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated The Princess Bride (1987) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
“Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” Need I say more? Well, yes, a lot more. Because the joy of The Princess Bride is almost infinite! Told as a fairytale to a boy sick in bed, who doesn’t like the slushy stuff, until he finds he can’t do without it. Peter Falk as the grandfather anchors this contender for most uplifting film ever made, but it is the detail of the epic love story between Buttercup and Wesley where we find true joy. Swashbuckling, charming, surreal and incredibly funny at every turn – it is possible to point to almost every minute as your favourite bit. The one film I would insist parents show their children. I have heard many people say this is their favourite film of all time, and I am not going to argue with that. Almost crying talking about it; do you want your romance to be above reality? As you wish.
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