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HLD (99 KP) rated The Alienist - Season 1 in TV

Aug 22, 2018 (Updated Aug 22, 2018)  
The Alienist  - Season 1
The Alienist - Season 1
2018 | Drama
Superb scenery (2 more)
I imagine a close representation of the time period
Character development is slight in some of the main cast, but it is there
Dakota Fanning never smiles. Not once (1 more)
For all the terrible things that happen, I don't feel, as a viewer, the terrible people got what they deserved
Engaging and thrilling
Much like 'Hannibal', or 'Mindhunter', this show attempts to put our protagonist in the mind of the monster he is hunting. Although it takes him a while to realise that is indeed what he is doing.

This is in interesting idea for a show. Before Psychology was a respected field of medicine, you have alienists. Essentially doing the same job, but categorised differently.

Every character appears to have demons of their own. By the end of the season, they confront those demons simply by talking about them aloud to another person.

Also, was paedophilia as accepted 118 years ago as this show portrays? Is it merely an exaggeration of some historical accounts? Who knows, but it definitely created an unhealthy dynamic within society.
Everyone cares so much about the murders of these young men, but nobody cares about the children living on the streets. Or the people having sex with them.

The filming of the show does out-perform some of the acting, but the scenery added to the storylines that occur are sure to keep you entertained until episode ten.
  
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
2019 | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Love letter to Golden age of Hollywood. (2 more)
Chemistry of the cast carries the film.
Hilarious, tense and moments of sheer genius from Tarantino.
Plot is thin, and at times, weak. (0 more)
OUATIH is very simply put; A love letter to the golden age of Hollywood. It spans through the 1960's of Hollywood's obsession with Westerns, whilst focusing on the friendship of an ageing irrelevant actor, and his no nonsense and loyal stuntman, all set to the backdrop of the infamous Manson murders.

That alone sounds like a cocktail only Tarantino could blend, and a runtime of almost three hours unbelievably isn't enough to immerse me into the plot. It just feels second nature to what the film wants you to focus on, which is the friendship of Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Their chemistry is the forefront and heart of OUATIH, bringing hilarious and ludicrous moments every minute their on screen together.

The Manson family and Sharon Tate's brief film exposure do serve their point with the overarching storyline of Rick's dying career, but they don't make you care as much. That being said, the moments of pure madness, especially in the grand finale, really do keep you biting your fingernails. Remember, this is Tarantino, its bound the get a bit bloody.

The 9th entry in Tarantino's outstanding catalogue is by far not his best work, but it's a really sweet and sentimental love for all things cinema.
  
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Leigh J (71 KP) rated Warlock (1989) in Movies

Nov 12, 2019 (Updated Nov 12, 2019)  
Warlock (1989)
Warlock (1989)
1989 | Action, Horror, Mystery
8
5.6 (8 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Unexpectedly Good!
Contains spoilers, click to show
1691: a Warlock is captured and imprisoned by a Witch Hunter called Giles. On the night of his execution, a storm happens in which he mysteriously disappears, leaving no trace behind.
It transpires that the Warlock has been transported forward to 1988, and he lands in an Apartment with 2 roommates, one of which he murders. The Warlock then uses his power to get in touch with a Demon; who instructs him that there is a Grand Grimoire that has been split into 3 books. To become a true Son of Satan, he has to find the 3 books and put them back together to make the Grimoire. However, little does the Warlock know... Giles the Witch Hunter has been transported to the '80s with him, and is determined to take the Warlock down, with the help of a young Woman who was the 2nd roommate (who's rapidly aging thanks to a spell the Warlock put on her). Will they be able to find the Warlock before time runs out?
Warlock has really surprised me! I thought it looked like it was going to be really bad, and one of those Movies that I wish I'd never seen, and don't get me wrong there are moments that are unintentionally comedic and cheesy but I found myself strangely enjoying it, and actually thinking it's a very decent Movie that I'd watch again! Forgiveably cringeworthy, Horror fans should definitely give this one a go!
  
Murder at the Mansion
Murder at the Mansion
Janet Finsilver | 2016 | Mystery
8
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Redwood Cove Faces a Second Killer
Kelly Jackson has returned to Redwood Cove, California, ready to take on her new job as manager of one of the B&B’s in town. While it finishes up some renovations, she is helping out at a sister property, Redwood Heights. Redwood Heights has been having issue with jewelry being stolen from guest’s rooms, but things escalate when Kelly finds one of the guests murdered in that guest’s room. With the aid of the local senior citizen community watch, the Silver Sentinels, Kelly starts digging around. Can she figure out what happened?

Having grown up visiting the redwoods, I love this setting. I would love to visit in real life, between murders, of course. This book starts off strongly and never lets up, always giving us some complication or clue until Kelly pieces everything together. I didn’t have any problem remembering the characters, which is good since there are quite a few of them, but I do feel the cast could be a little better developed. I’m hoping that will come as the series continues. I also stumbled over a few editing errors. They were minor overall, fortunately. While there aren’t any recipes, there is more than enough talk about food to make your mouth water as you read the book. Overall, this is a good second in the series, and I hope to visit Kelly again soon.
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Mar 12, 2020  
Today on my blog, author Amanda Cabot stops by for a fantastic interview where she discusses her writing as well as her new historical Christian romance novel OUT OF THE EMBERS. Check it out, and enter the GIVEAWAY to win a $25 Barnes & Noble or $10 Starbucks GIFT CARD as well as a copy of Hill Country Sweets Cookbook and Out of the Embers. https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2020/03/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-out-of.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents' murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don't include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.