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BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Parallel Mothers (2021) in Movies

Mar 21, 2022  
Parallel Mothers (2021)
Parallel Mothers (2021)
2021 | Drama
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Cruz is terrific, the "B" plot is better
I have stated before that I find that Penelope Cruz is a very good (not great) actress when working in English. But…she has been a revelation to me as a GREAT Actress when I catch her work in her native language, Spanish, and she is especially good when she is working in a piece by the man that calls her his “muse”, Writer/Director Pedro Almodovar.

Such is the case with their latest collaboration - PARALLEL MOTHERS - an interesting and engaging film with a quality performance at the center of it by Cruz, a performance that has her, rightfully, nominated for the 4th time for an Oscar (she won in 2008 for her Supporting Role in VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA).

In this film, Cruz stars as one of 2 “parallel mothers”, who’s character, Janis, goes into labor at the same time as Milena Smit’s character, Ana. What happens to these two is that their lives will be intertwined in such a way that these “parallel mothers” will have a connection for the rest of their lives.

But, this is just the “A” story of this film and (as has been his custom), Almodovar gives us a “B” story that focuses on Spain’s attempt to continue to heal from the Spanish Civil War - and it is this part of the film that is the part that has lingered with me.

Cruz, of course, is a beautiful, wonderful choice as Janis. She holds the screen in every scene she is in (and that is almost every one) and her and Almodovar know what kind of movie they are making and head strongly in that direction. The surprise for me was Milena Smit’s performance as Ana as she holds her own in her scenes with Cruz.

The “A” story of this film is good (but not great) and it does fall, a bit, into “Soap Opera” territory, but Almodovar, Cruz et al know how to elevate it above that with realistic dialogue and emotions that grounds this portion of the film. It is the “B” plot that Almodovar seems to be more interested in and this, in turn, makes that part of the story the more interesting one. To be fair to Cruz, it does involve her character as well, but her relationship with Ana is put in the background, thus negating that relationship to the importance of the story.

The “B” plot was better and I almost wish that this was the main part of the story, it might have made it an overall better - maybe even excellent - film, but, instead, PARALLEL MOTHERS falls to “just” VERY GOOD.

Letter Grade: A- (for Cruz’ and Smit’s performances and the “B” plot)

8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
  
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Christine A. (965 KP) rated Little Darlings in Books

Mar 23, 2019  
Little Darlings
Little Darlings
Melanie Golding | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror, Thriller
7
8.1 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

Little Darlings by Melanie Golding has been described as an "unsettling thriller perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Grimms’ Fairy Tales." I would say I enjoyed the novel, its plot, and the writing.

Like almost all mothers with newborns, Lauren Tranter is exhausted from lack of sleep. Lauren has it worse than many mothers because she gave birth to twins. SInce she is so exhausted and sleep deprived no one believes her when, still in the hospital, she claims someone tried to take her children and wants to replace them with her own.

A month later her children are taken but when they are returned Lauren knows they are not really her children. Again, no one believes her.

What do you do when everyone tells you are wrong and does not believe you? Do you start to wonder if they are right? What if you are positive you are right and everyone else is wrong?

Melanie Golding's debut novel is a slow start but it is worth reading. The novel gets creepier and most suspenseful as the story progresses. The writing and character development, and the creepy stories at the beginning on the chapters helped set the mood well.

Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/23/19.
  
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Books&Football (34 KP) rated Big Little Lies in Books

Jan 19, 2018  
Big Little Lies
Big Little Lies
Liane Moriarty | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.6 (97 Ratings)
Book Rating
At the end, I figured it out before the story finished unfolding (0 more)
The Lies are Pretty Big..
At the recommendation of a friend, I dug into this book right away. I really enjoyed the characters and I kept waiting for the surprise that was promised. Having read some of this author's other books, it did not take me long to figure out how the characters came together. I really enjoyed the story and would recommend this to anyone who wanted to get swept away in the story based on a PTA like group. Their original purpose was to improve the school, but the mothers become mafia-like in their power moves