Search

Search only in certain items:

Cinema Paradiso (1988)
Cinema Paradiso (1988)
1988 | Drama

"I’m going to be honest, since it’s just you and me here. I’d considered this my favorite film for many years. I hadn’t seen it in maybe five. When I came back to Los Angeles after our short hiatus on Jurassic World, I woke up early the first day of pre-production, still on Atlantic time. This movie was on Netflix, so I sat up in bed in a very nice hotel suite and watched it. The movie starts with a filmmaker in bed in a very nice hotel suite, who proceeds to remember his childhood and relationship with a great mentor and friend. I cried for two hours. Straight. It all unpacked right there and then. I got to our production office and my eyes were still red, my voice was gone. My producer, Pat Crowley, sat me down and asked if I’d been on a weekend bender. I hung my head and gave him the least embarrassing of the two available answers. “Yes.”"

Source
  
A Woman Under the Influence (1975)
A Woman Under the Influence (1975)
1975 | Classics, Drama
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"This is my favorite. It’s A Woman Under the Influence by John Cassavetes. What I love about his movies — especially this film too — is just the performances are so brave. The characters are so unpredictable. They’re so full of life. Also, there’s such a social commentary in this movie about how society doesn’t allow people to be who they really are, and I just find that a great metaphor for so many things in one’s life. I thought, “Through this one relationship, I’m moved in such a deep way.” I also love how Cassavetes pushes the performances so far that it finds this kind of amazing poetry at a certain point. I particularly remember this scene where Gena Rowlands is basically just so misunderstood and so cut down and beaten down that she finds this physicality. It was almost like a moment of ballet. I just think there’s something very genius going on in that film and very brave and I love it. It’s a beautiful film."

Source
  
40x40

ClareR (5996 KP) rated Open Water in Books

Mar 6, 2021  
Open Water
Open Water
Caleb Azumah Nelson | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This exquisitely written novella is so much more than a story about a relationship between a photographer and a dancer. It looks at race and the exhaustion of being a young black Londoner: how racism, police brutality and the need to be constantly alert can be psychologically damaging and impact on relationships. Open Water is a story about love, heartbreak, but ultimately there IS hope. I cant believe that so much has been put in to so few pages, and I finished feeling that I’d read a book of twice the length (in a good way!). Every word feels carefully considered - its just beautiful. Poetry written in prose form.
I have to admit, most of the references to music went over my head, but this didn’t bother me or lessen my enjoyment. In fact, it sent me in the direction of Spotify and caused raised eyebrows from the teenaged sons 🤷🏼‍♀️
Many thanks to Viking for providing me with a copy of this stunning book via NetGalley.
  
4.5 stars.

I enjoyed this. The banter; the attraction; the relationship.

I wasn't sure about this book; whether I wanted to read it; would I like it. And the answer now I have is yes and yes.

It hooked me in from early on and I so wasn't expected that to happen in the first chapter, not with how Chloe had described Bennett. And then I had to laugh when she just left him there and I knew I was going to really like it. Then as the hot sex and insults continued throughout, I just wanted to shout, "Get on with it and admit how you feel, you idiots!"

There was a nice progression to it, their feelings didn't suddenly occur, you saw it happen and I loved that.

I think I need to read the rest of the series now to see how some of the other characters and Bennett and Chloe's story continues.
  
The Mistake (Off-Campus, #2)
The Mistake (Off-Campus, #2)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
4.5 stars

I really like this series so far and I can't wait to read more of it!

I didn't think I could like this more than I did the first one and up until the half way point I didn't...and then it all started to come together beautifully and I ended up really falling for Logan, too. He came to his senses (finally!) and did everything he could to get Grace back.

I loved the banter between the teammates again in this one and the way they'd rib each other over their failures relationship wise and just in general. It made me smile a few times at least. I also loved how the author wrote the last chapter, not the epilogue, the one before. I, myself, felt a little like crying about Logan's future so I'm glad it all worked out in the end. And then I also loved the epilogue. They were all so happy!

I can't wait to read Dean's story!
  
TT
The Turning (Blood Ties, #1)
9
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
4.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw the amount of 1 and 2 star reviews for this, but I have to say I liked it. Okay, so it wasn't a typical paranormal romance. It has several gory scenes and some scary characters but there's still romance in it. And it's probably leaning more toward Urban Fantasy with a splash of Horror mixed in. I'll say it isn't for the squeamish because there are some detailed scenes of deformity and injuries and it isn't always pretty reading.

I really liked the two main characters, Nathan and Carrie, and some of the lesser seen ones; Ziggy, Max and the butler that I've currently forgotten the name of :S.

The progression of Carrie from concerned Doctor to kick-arse vampire hunter was an interesting journey and I loved her relationship with Nathan. They are so good together.
  
Shiver (Unbreakable Bonds #1)
Shiver (Unbreakable Bonds #1)
Jocelynn Drake, Rinda Elliott | 2015 | LGBTQ+, Mystery, Romance
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
4.5 stars

I was dragged into this from pretty early on. The connection between the four friends was amazing. They'd been through so much together. I'm definitely intrigued about reading the rest of their stories though I think since the series is all m/m romances that some shit is going to go down in the next books.

I loved the sexual tension between our boys in this. It was pretty scorching and when they finally gave into it, the romantic aspect of their relationship was so nice. I think they'd have died to save each other in the end.

One thing I did love was that the romance wasn't the main focus. These guys are badarse mofo's and kicked butt in a few scenes. The other part of the storyline when Lucas gets beat up over an investment was rather intriguing. Who was behind it and all that.

Definitely up for reading the rest of the series. Ashton/Snow's story next.