Search
Search results
Erika (17788 KP) rated 12 Years a Slave (2013) in Movies
Nov 17, 2018
This is one of those films that you only really need to watch once, and never have to watch again (like Schindler's List). It's brutal, and based upon a true story, which makes it even more powerful. Great direction from Steve McQueen, and killer cast. I'm a huge Michael Fassbender fan, and he killed it in his creepy role.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated BlacKkKlansman (2018) in Movies
May 25, 2019
Powerful
I have to be honest, I haven't seen a lot of Spike Lee's work although I loved Inside Man when that came out. So I wasnt entirely sure what to expect with this film, but I was pleasantly surprised.
This is definitely a strange film. It packs a powerful message but then is full of moments of sheer hilarity, which is definitely welcome in otherwise heavy scenes. But for the most part this doesn't detract from the true story this is telling. To be frank, some of this film is very disturbing to watch and the last 5/10 minutes that link to more recent events is harrowing and almost verging on overkill. The acting is second to none, especially Adam Driver and John David Washington, and the script and dialogue are very clever and witty. I do think this may be a little heavy handed at times and a little too long, but it's still a powerful and moving film.
This is definitely a strange film. It packs a powerful message but then is full of moments of sheer hilarity, which is definitely welcome in otherwise heavy scenes. But for the most part this doesn't detract from the true story this is telling. To be frank, some of this film is very disturbing to watch and the last 5/10 minutes that link to more recent events is harrowing and almost verging on overkill. The acting is second to none, especially Adam Driver and John David Washington, and the script and dialogue are very clever and witty. I do think this may be a little heavy handed at times and a little too long, but it's still a powerful and moving film.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated The Impossible (2012) in Movies
Aug 12, 2018
A true story (3 more)
Amazing cast, incredible performances
Fantastic writing
Great effects
Wow, such a powerful, intense movie!
Wow this is 1 of the most intense and powerful movies I've seen in such a long time.
I love disaster movies and the fact this is actually a true story adds so much to it. You can feel a lot more emotion throughout knowing this actually happened to someone and the characters are a real family that this actually happened to.
This is also thanks to such an incredible cast with amazing writing and acting. There is not 1 actor that is not phenomenal. Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor and a young Tom Holland are all fantastic. Their chemistry is natural and believable and give so much intensity and emotion to all their performances.
The effects are fantastic. The tsunami and the injuries all look great and real. Has a great score and it all makes you think and wonder what it must have been like for the people actually involved.
Absolutely fantastic and can definitely recommend. I paid £1 for the blu ray and it's 1 I will not get rid of and will watch again. If you get chance, watch it.
I love disaster movies and the fact this is actually a true story adds so much to it. You can feel a lot more emotion throughout knowing this actually happened to someone and the characters are a real family that this actually happened to.
This is also thanks to such an incredible cast with amazing writing and acting. There is not 1 actor that is not phenomenal. Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor and a young Tom Holland are all fantastic. Their chemistry is natural and believable and give so much intensity and emotion to all their performances.
The effects are fantastic. The tsunami and the injuries all look great and real. Has a great score and it all makes you think and wonder what it must have been like for the people actually involved.
Absolutely fantastic and can definitely recommend. I paid £1 for the blu ray and it's 1 I will not get rid of and will watch again. If you get chance, watch it.
Bubba Gee (147 KP) rated Unbroken (2014) in Movies
Jul 24, 2019
A look at the inhumanity of war
This is a harrowing tale based on the story of Olympic athlete Louis Zamperini (excellently played by Jack O'Connel) and his time in a pow camp in Japan during World War 2.
This film has a lot of hard scenes of soldiers captive being abused and having no rights at all, the camp director Watanabe especially seems to have an issue with young Louis.
A powerful film of a man reaching the heights of human accomplishment and ultimately being pushed further down than most will ever know.
A true take on the power of the human spirit and proof that no matter how bad it gets there's always a way to redemption.
This film has a lot of hard scenes of soldiers captive being abused and having no rights at all, the camp director Watanabe especially seems to have an issue with young Louis.
A powerful film of a man reaching the heights of human accomplishment and ultimately being pushed further down than most will ever know.
A true take on the power of the human spirit and proof that no matter how bad it gets there's always a way to redemption.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated To Dream of Shadows in Books
Apr 16, 2023
Oh my word ... what a story!! I don't think there are adequate words that capture adequately how I felt about this book and how good it was ... it was absolutely gripping and I was rivetted from the very first to the very last word ... and it's inspired by a true story.
To Dream of Shadows is a powerful story of survival, loss, resilience, hope and the power of friendship and love; it is a difficult book to read in parts but I was absolutely gripped and devoured it in quick time and have no problem recommending this to those of you who love getting totally immersed in a wonderful book that will have your emotions in tatters and your eyes glued to the words.
Many thanks must go to the author, Steve N Lee, for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of To Dream of Shadows.
To Dream of Shadows is a powerful story of survival, loss, resilience, hope and the power of friendship and love; it is a difficult book to read in parts but I was absolutely gripped and devoured it in quick time and have no problem recommending this to those of you who love getting totally immersed in a wonderful book that will have your emotions in tatters and your eyes glued to the words.
Many thanks must go to the author, Steve N Lee, for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of To Dream of Shadows.
Jill528 (15 KP) rated Before We Were Yours in Books
Jun 16, 2018 (Updated Jun 16, 2018)
I was completely blown away by this powerful and heart-wrenching story about family, love, perseverance, and loss!
This novel was inspired by the horrifying true events of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, run by Georgia Tann from the 1920’s-1950’s. The plot is written from two points of view, weaving between past and present, this is the story of how one family’s past has shaped its present. Lisa Wingate’s writing is absolutely flawless. She pulls you deep into the lives of each character where you feel like you are inside the novel witnessing all these heinous events up close.
Before We Were Yours is one of the best historical fiction books I have read to date, it will definitely stay with me for a very long time. Highly recommend!
This novel was inspired by the horrifying true events of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, run by Georgia Tann from the 1920’s-1950’s. The plot is written from two points of view, weaving between past and present, this is the story of how one family’s past has shaped its present. Lisa Wingate’s writing is absolutely flawless. She pulls you deep into the lives of each character where you feel like you are inside the novel witnessing all these heinous events up close.
Before We Were Yours is one of the best historical fiction books I have read to date, it will definitely stay with me for a very long time. Highly recommend!
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Witcher - Season 1 in TV
Jan 13, 2020
Good introduction, true to the feel of the books, despite Geralt
I have played a little of Witcher 3, and have read the three sets of Sapkowski's Witcher short stories which precede the main series of books. I found the series to be quite true to the feel of the books. Throughout the short stories you are reading what feels like a decent story of hunting a monster but longing to have something larger with more background to get your teeth into. Similarly, the series shows us certain of Geralt's exploits vanquishing monsters for various lords, which are ok but somewhat lacking.
Cavill as Geralt doesn't say much, which is true to his character in the game (but then as he is the PoV character, it would be odd if he was constantly chatting to you and there is rarely anyone else there!). He tends to grunt and swear and is generally a right brooding bore.
However, throughout the series we have the backstory to Ciri (the young girl destined to accompany Geralt) and Yenefer (the powerful mage Geralt is obsessed with), both of which give much more insight into the world, the politics and some of the magic.
Yenefer's story is especially gripping, going from a deformed kind-hearted girl to the strong, beautiful, powerful witch she becomes.
A few reviews complain that the story jumps around a lot, both in person/place and time and it is quite hard to stitch it together. All I would say is if you stick with it, it all becomes clear. Like with the books, some of Geralt's stories feature what seem like small details but which turn out to be very important for the future parts of the story.
My main gripe is as with the books the Witcher himself is a dreadfully boring, one-dimensional cliché of a character, but those around him, given more focus, make this quote a gripping and enjoyable series.
Cavill as Geralt doesn't say much, which is true to his character in the game (but then as he is the PoV character, it would be odd if he was constantly chatting to you and there is rarely anyone else there!). He tends to grunt and swear and is generally a right brooding bore.
However, throughout the series we have the backstory to Ciri (the young girl destined to accompany Geralt) and Yenefer (the powerful mage Geralt is obsessed with), both of which give much more insight into the world, the politics and some of the magic.
Yenefer's story is especially gripping, going from a deformed kind-hearted girl to the strong, beautiful, powerful witch she becomes.
A few reviews complain that the story jumps around a lot, both in person/place and time and it is quite hard to stitch it together. All I would say is if you stick with it, it all becomes clear. Like with the books, some of Geralt's stories feature what seem like small details but which turn out to be very important for the future parts of the story.
My main gripe is as with the books the Witcher himself is a dreadfully boring, one-dimensional cliché of a character, but those around him, given more focus, make this quote a gripping and enjoyable series.
saheffernan (157 KP) rated The Last Book Party in Books
Jun 25, 2019
I really thought this book was true to what might happen of you worked in New York City in the book publishing world. How easy it would be to get caught up with powerful writers, thinking you could learn so much from them instead lose yourself and your dream of making it big. In turn, causing you to do a few things you might not do usually. I also like that to me the title had multiple meanings in the book. The book seemed to lose a little of the story and drag a bit in the middle which is why I rated it as I did.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Indivisible in Books
Feb 27, 2019
As a former military brat, I love to read anything about the military. As a long time fan of Travis Thrasher's this book was a double bonus for me. I loved every second of this 5 star worthy novelization of true events.
PTSD is a very real, very scary thing for many folks. This story is about that. I felt every emotion of Heather and Darren as if it was my own. Every pain filled moment, every tear filled scene was my own. That is powerful when a novelization can do that to me. The beautiful story of Heather and Darren become a part of me and I won't soon forget them.
If you are looking to read a book that will fill you with hope, understanding, mercy and faith, then grab this book now. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I imagine it will be just as powerful as this book is. Five stars just doesn't seem like enough praises for this. Hats off to Travis Trasher for creating a beautiful, emotion filled novelization of Darren and Heather's story.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under not obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
PTSD is a very real, very scary thing for many folks. This story is about that. I felt every emotion of Heather and Darren as if it was my own. Every pain filled moment, every tear filled scene was my own. That is powerful when a novelization can do that to me. The beautiful story of Heather and Darren become a part of me and I won't soon forget them.
If you are looking to read a book that will fill you with hope, understanding, mercy and faith, then grab this book now. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I imagine it will be just as powerful as this book is. Five stars just doesn't seem like enough praises for this. Hats off to Travis Trasher for creating a beautiful, emotion filled novelization of Darren and Heather's story.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under not obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Remember the Titans (2000) in Movies
Nov 28, 2020
Denzel Washington (1 more)
Will Patton
Fight For What You Love The Most
Remember The Titans- is a excellent movie. Its powerful, moving, heartwarming, dramatic, family-moving, and based on a true story. Also it has a excellent cast. Both Denzel Washington and Will Patton are excellent. I didnt realize that Ryan Gosling was in this. He is so young in this. Anyways its a excellent football movie.
The plot: In Virginia, high school football is a way of life, an institution revered, each game celebrated more lavishly than Christmas, each playoff distinguished more grandly than any national holiday. And with such recognition, comes powerful emotions. In 1971 high school football was everything to the people of Alexandria. But when the local school board was forced to integrate an all black school with an all white school, the very foundation of football's great tradition was put to the test.
Its excellent.
The plot: In Virginia, high school football is a way of life, an institution revered, each game celebrated more lavishly than Christmas, each playoff distinguished more grandly than any national holiday. And with such recognition, comes powerful emotions. In 1971 high school football was everything to the people of Alexandria. But when the local school board was forced to integrate an all black school with an all white school, the very foundation of football's great tradition was put to the test.
Its excellent.