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Awix (3310 KP) rated Beast (2017) in Movies
May 18, 2018
Impressive debut film from Michael Pearce with an outstanding performance from Jessie Buckley at its centre. The setting is Jersey, but this is more like Cracker than Bergerac: a young woman trapped in a smothering relationship with her controlling mother starts a relationship with a drifter almost as an act of rebellion, but having committed to this what is she supposed to do when she learns he is a suspect in a string of local murders?
The thriller element is really kind of an afterthought, and the manner in which the did-he-or-didn't-do-it plotline is resolved would be unlikely to satisfy anyone if it were the sole focus of the film. But the film is built around characterisation and atmosphere much more than genre conventions, and is very strong here: as it continues it shades more into psychological horror than anything else, with a genuinely intense and impossible-to-predict denouement. An accomplished film in every department.
The thriller element is really kind of an afterthought, and the manner in which the did-he-or-didn't-do-it plotline is resolved would be unlikely to satisfy anyone if it were the sole focus of the film. But the film is built around characterisation and atmosphere much more than genre conventions, and is very strong here: as it continues it shades more into psychological horror than anything else, with a genuinely intense and impossible-to-predict denouement. An accomplished film in every department.
Johana Lee Scott (4 KP) rated How to Walk Away in Books
May 25, 2018
story (2 more)
realness
genuine
I Couldn't Put It Down
Let me just start by saying I received an advanced copy of this book thru #shespeaks. I thought it was going to be an average romantic plotted read. It was so much more for me. This book hit home with the realness and struggle a person goes thru after a life changing accident. In 1984 my other was crushed in a car accident, while she was pregnant with my little brother. Her best friend died. They told my mother she would never walk again. She struggled and fought and struggled some more. This book didn't sugar coat how difficult something like this can be. I appreciated this book much more than I can ever say. You can literally go from having everything...and nothing in literally one moment. Building yourself back up is the true victory after something like that happens.
Sarah (126 KP) rated The Sinner - Season 2 in TV
Feb 18, 2019
After being disappointed by the first season, I was curious as to what the second could possibly about - but looked forward to hopefully finding out more about Bill Pullman's character, Detective Harry Ambrose.
A different town, a different killer and another mystery that goes far beyond the deaths that we see in the first episode. Sadly, I still got the same feeling of "oh, that's it?" when it was all over.
Once again, the story comes to us via the medium of flashbacks, and, once again, the characters are just so unlikable.
We catch glimpses of Ambrose's past and are treated to flashbacks of, for instance, interactions between the "mother and son" who are the main focus of this investigation - but where you never really find out what the actual point of these scenes was.
I really do love a good crime thriller - sadly, this show just isn't the one for me.
A different town, a different killer and another mystery that goes far beyond the deaths that we see in the first episode. Sadly, I still got the same feeling of "oh, that's it?" when it was all over.
Once again, the story comes to us via the medium of flashbacks, and, once again, the characters are just so unlikable.
We catch glimpses of Ambrose's past and are treated to flashbacks of, for instance, interactions between the "mother and son" who are the main focus of this investigation - but where you never really find out what the actual point of these scenes was.
I really do love a good crime thriller - sadly, this show just isn't the one for me.
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated A Letter from Lancaster County in Books
Apr 9, 2019
A Letter for Lancaster County is a good sweet story. It seems about a redemption and learning to deal with death and grief. What a lovely plot. Katie Lloyd does a good job with it. We get the perspective of the main characters named Rose and Angelina.
They get a letter from their aunt Sylvia. Both girls is dealing with their own problems and grief of their mother. Will they learn that letting go and have faith? There a budding romance going on as well. What could that be and can Glenn and Rose being a match? You will need to find out by reading.
Can Angelina figure out what going on at home and her husband and family? To find that out, you will need to read to determine that. They find out that their Aunt Sylvia is sick, Will Rose decide to stay or will she go back to her home in Washington? This is a lovely and sweet story of love, friendship, and redemptions.
They get a letter from their aunt Sylvia. Both girls is dealing with their own problems and grief of their mother. Will they learn that letting go and have faith? There a budding romance going on as well. What could that be and can Glenn and Rose being a match? You will need to find out by reading.
Can Angelina figure out what going on at home and her husband and family? To find that out, you will need to read to determine that. They find out that their Aunt Sylvia is sick, Will Rose decide to stay or will she go back to her home in Washington? This is a lovely and sweet story of love, friendship, and redemptions.
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated Novitiate (2017) in Movies
Apr 12, 2019
Confusing scenes and imagery (4 more)
Maybe you have to be Catholic to understand it.
What the hell is happening?
What did I just watch?
Wait!? What? Did she just...?
This heathen is confused.
I am not a religious person though I find to discover about people's faith and acts of faith. This movie deals with the upheaval of after Vatican II was adopted in Catholicism in a convent where the mother superior refusing to give up the old ways while training prospective nuns under her care. The movie can be jarring at times in its violence and exploration of the novitiates and at other times is quite beautiful in showing pure live and faith, however misguided it seems to me. I'm not entirely sure what was happening in some of the scenes and even the ending was confusing. The movie, however, is well-acted. Maybe it's better understand by those of the same faith or who went to a Catholic school. This heathen was confused.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Gentlemen Broncos (2009) in Movies
Jan 19, 2018
This movie will definitely not be for everyone. It's along the same lines as Napoleon Dynamite (same director), so it's incredibly awkward at some points. Benjamin is an aspiring writer, whose mother tries to get him to make friends with Dusty (Mike White), and let's him go to a writing seminar. At this writing seminar, he meets his favorite author, Chevalier (Jemaine Clement), and turns in his story about Bronco to be judged to win a competition. Chevalier needs a story, so he takes Benjamin's story, changes some things (Bronco to Brutus), and publishes it as his own.
Benjamin, of course, isn't aware of this, and he let's his friend, Lonnie, make a completely awful movie based on the story. After the premiere of this awful movie, Benjamin picks up Chevalier's new book, and realizes he stole his story.
Bronco/Brutus is played by Sam Rockwell. Rockwell does an amazing job in both the roles of Bronco and Brutus.
The whole movie is hilariously awkward.
Benjamin, of course, isn't aware of this, and he let's his friend, Lonnie, make a completely awful movie based on the story. After the premiere of this awful movie, Benjamin picks up Chevalier's new book, and realizes he stole his story.
Bronco/Brutus is played by Sam Rockwell. Rockwell does an amazing job in both the roles of Bronco and Brutus.
The whole movie is hilariously awkward.
Beckie Shelton (40 KP) rated Heart of the Ocean in Books
Feb 8, 2018
I received an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am a lover of historical fiction and love anything paranormal so this story was one I was much anticipating so here goes.
Our heroine Eliza Robinson is sent to stay with her Aunt Mauve in the puritan community of Maybrook.
She comes to escape gossip after a refusal of marriage to her fathers business partner Mr. Thomas Beesly.
Eliza hears ghostly voices and later that night her aunt is murdered in her bed leading our Eliza on an adventure of ghosts murder romance and an old Journal belonging to Helena the deceased mother of our hero Jonathan Porter who supposedly drowned when Jon was a child.
I could say a lot more about this book but don't want to spoil it for anyone needless to say it was an excellent read and i really enjoyed it i do so love a happy ending give it a try you wont be disappointed.
I am a lover of historical fiction and love anything paranormal so this story was one I was much anticipating so here goes.
Our heroine Eliza Robinson is sent to stay with her Aunt Mauve in the puritan community of Maybrook.
She comes to escape gossip after a refusal of marriage to her fathers business partner Mr. Thomas Beesly.
Eliza hears ghostly voices and later that night her aunt is murdered in her bed leading our Eliza on an adventure of ghosts murder romance and an old Journal belonging to Helena the deceased mother of our hero Jonathan Porter who supposedly drowned when Jon was a child.
I could say a lot more about this book but don't want to spoil it for anyone needless to say it was an excellent read and i really enjoyed it i do so love a happy ending give it a try you wont be disappointed.
Bostonterrio (13 KP) rated The End of Your Life Book Club in Books
Jan 23, 2018
Inspirational reading
Contains spoilers, click to show
The premise of this book is sad and touched on some triggers for me as both my parents died as a result of cancer. I pushed past the triggers and thoroughly enjoyed this book. Who wouldn't want to be in a secret book club with someone close to them who shares their love of reading! Each book they read had depth and was thought provoking. I have read several of the books from their list and each one has added something to my knowledge base. My reading habits needed a boost and this book was the catalyst into my being more selective in my reading choices. The love of reading seemed to truly help the mother as her disease progressed. The flow of thoughts and ideas contained in their discussions was inspirational. I have suggested a grandmother/grandson book club to my book loving grandson but he was not entirely receptive. I am going to keep working on that.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Hazel Wood in Books
Mar 2, 2018
A little too over the top
I think I completely lost the plot trying to follow this fairytale within a fairytale. A modern day version of a Brothers Grimm-style folklore, the story follows Alice, who is trying to find her missing mother, and discovers that all is not what it seems.
The main thrust of the novel asks whether Alice is a character in a tale herself? And if she can escape her fate by running away from her story. And while I can appreciate the author's creativity, there's very little character development and there appears to be a fair few loose ends. The prose is heavy in metaphors to the point that the first half seemed far too long.
While many have described the book as a dark and creepy fantasy, I think it may have been a little overhyped - it's more of a weird version of Alice in Wonderland. Interesting, but not for me.
The main thrust of the novel asks whether Alice is a character in a tale herself? And if she can escape her fate by running away from her story. And while I can appreciate the author's creativity, there's very little character development and there appears to be a fair few loose ends. The prose is heavy in metaphors to the point that the first half seemed far too long.
While many have described the book as a dark and creepy fantasy, I think it may have been a little overhyped - it's more of a weird version of Alice in Wonderland. Interesting, but not for me.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Death in Four Courses (Key West Food Critic Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Key West's annual literary conference is focusing on food this year, something that excites Hayley since she is now covering food for a local magazine. However, when she finds the keynote speaker floating face down in a reflection pool, her weekend gets crowded with sleuthing as well as food.
I really did enjoy this book. The characters are great and the plot is complex enough I didn't have a clue what was happening until Hayley did. My only complaint is the relationship between Hayley and her mother, who is visiting during the book. It's realistic, but at times the way they interacted drove me crazy. I love how they grew as a result of spending the time around each other, however, so it was a great sub-plot in the end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-death-in-four-courses-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I really did enjoy this book. The characters are great and the plot is complex enough I didn't have a clue what was happening until Hayley did. My only complaint is the relationship between Hayley and her mother, who is visiting during the book. It's realistic, but at times the way they interacted drove me crazy. I love how they grew as a result of spending the time around each other, however, so it was a great sub-plot in the end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-death-in-four-courses-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.