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God-Fearing and Free: A Spiritual History of America's Cold War
Book
Religion has been on the rise in America for decades - which strikes many as a shocking new...
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated One Of Us (2017) in Movies
Oct 24, 2017 (Updated Oct 24, 2017)
How religious dogma can appear under any situation
A heartbreaking documentary following three ex-Hasidic Jews, who are attempting to fight fanaticism within the ultra-orthodox community. From ex-communication, to rape, abuse, and kangaroo justice, the film shows how a wall of secrecy allows discrimination and zealotry to thrive.
In one story, a woman with seven children, who was abused by her husband and even at one point was run down whilst on her bicycle, because she tried to get a divorce through the court system. It's grim to say the least. Another young adult describes being raped as a child by a teacher, who was allowed to continue to work despite the claims.
The documentary is truly shocking and shows that extremism is reactive and can breed under any society and circumstance.
In one story, a woman with seven children, who was abused by her husband and even at one point was run down whilst on her bicycle, because she tried to get a divorce through the court system. It's grim to say the least. Another young adult describes being raped as a child by a teacher, who was allowed to continue to work despite the claims.
The documentary is truly shocking and shows that extremism is reactive and can breed under any society and circumstance.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated The Secret of the Golden Heart (Golden Heart, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
I totally didn't notice this was religious fiction when I entered the giveaway, but figured I'd give it a chance anyway. Besides, I still enjoy the Chronicles of Narnia.
Okay, I reached 130 pages out of 240 and I just cannot read anymore. While there are some interesting ideas within, this reads like a rough draft. Too much happens too fast for anything to sink in as nothing is fleshed out. It's all a series of "and then this happened and then this," etc, and mostly just telling instead of showing. Characters need more than a name to make them feel alive, scenes need more than just an action or two, and the story just felt lifeless. Sorry, I tried.
Received through Goodreads First Reads giveaway, along with a lovely bookmark.
Okay, I reached 130 pages out of 240 and I just cannot read anymore. While there are some interesting ideas within, this reads like a rough draft. Too much happens too fast for anything to sink in as nothing is fleshed out. It's all a series of "and then this happened and then this," etc, and mostly just telling instead of showing. Characters need more than a name to make them feel alive, scenes need more than just an action or two, and the story just felt lifeless. Sorry, I tried.
Received through Goodreads First Reads giveaway, along with a lovely bookmark.
Dean (6927 KP) rated The Society in TV
Jun 8, 2019 (Updated Jun 8, 2019)
Odd Netflix series
I heard some good things about this and it seemed mysterious, so I gave it a whirl. You'll be hooked early on given the strange premise. A towns teenager's go on a bus trip and come back to find all the adults have gone. There also appears to be no contact with the outside world. It has various religious, political themes running through it. About halfway through though it becomes quite slow and focuses on who has the power in the town. The ending was abrupt and felt unfinished. No doubt to set up a second series. It's quite long with 10 episodes each around an hour long. It's ok but could have been a lot better.
Autumn (3 KP) rated The Time Traveler's Wife in Books
Jan 18, 2018
this is a book i have to own. even before i was finished with it i wanted to read it a second time. it was so hard to finish just because i was so attached to the characters and their lives. it was like they nestled themselves into my heart and wouldn't let go.
unlike some other books where the author spouts off obscure literature and poetry and uses unrealistic prose this was very believable. their conversations, their actions, their passions. clare and henry felt like old friends. really amazing.
there was one tiny thing that bothered me though. it was niffenegger's religious comments. they weren't realistic. maybe to someone who grew up in the 60s but not in a post-feminist world. some didn't even make sense.
unlike some other books where the author spouts off obscure literature and poetry and uses unrealistic prose this was very believable. their conversations, their actions, their passions. clare and henry felt like old friends. really amazing.
there was one tiny thing that bothered me though. it was niffenegger's religious comments. they weren't realistic. maybe to someone who grew up in the 60s but not in a post-feminist world. some didn't even make sense.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Passion of the Christ (2004) in Movies
Apr 1, 2018
Still holds up years later
While I would not consider myself to be a religious person, I did enjoy Mel Gibson's film quite a bit. I was able to follow along with the story despite not knowing the events through many recent churchgoing experiences.
I have no problem with subtitled films either. Just like an English-speaking movie, the story just has to be interesting or compelling and this film is both.
I understand those who find this film controversial or do not enjoy, but, as with all movies, this is just one man's interpretation of events like any movie. The subject matter is what some people object to if their beliefs differ from Gibson's.
If you disliked originally, give it another chance.
I have no problem with subtitled films either. Just like an English-speaking movie, the story just has to be interesting or compelling and this film is both.
I understand those who find this film controversial or do not enjoy, but, as with all movies, this is just one man's interpretation of events like any movie. The subject matter is what some people object to if their beliefs differ from Gibson's.
If you disliked originally, give it another chance.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated The Shekinah Legacy (Charlotte Ansari, #1) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
This is another one that I probably wouldn't have ever read if it hasn't been free, followed by an occasion some time later when it seemed the most interesting-sounding thing hanging around on the Kindle when I happened to be bored. The plot reminds me if Dan Brown to some extent, although I know he certainly wasn't the first to write novels along such lines. Religious secrets, conspiracies, secret societies, competing spies, and a great deal of violence are all tossed together. I wanted the answer to a couple of questions just barely enough to keep reading, but I figured out all the big mysteries long before the last chapter. I think the book would have been much better if it had been edited down to be much shorter.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Superman (1978) in Movies
Feb 20, 2018
The first blockbuster superhero movie is still one of the best, treating its subject matter as one of the great American myths (and quite right too). Benevolent father-figure somewhere in the sky sends his only son to Earth, to do good deeds with his special powers and inspire people by his example (religious subtext is not laboured, thankfully).
Not especially like the Superman comics of the time, but a classy, charming movie all the same, performed by a charismatic and rather eclectic cast. Third-billed Christopher Reeve was instantly type-cast as Superman, but then Superman was also type-cast as Christopher Reeve for many years afterwards. The ending is somewhat confused but the movie's depiction of Superman himself is so very nearly perfect that it earns itself a pass on this.
Not especially like the Superman comics of the time, but a classy, charming movie all the same, performed by a charismatic and rather eclectic cast. Third-billed Christopher Reeve was instantly type-cast as Superman, but then Superman was also type-cast as Christopher Reeve for many years afterwards. The ending is somewhat confused but the movie's depiction of Superman himself is so very nearly perfect that it earns itself a pass on this.
Jcadden76 (64 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Far Cry 5 in Video Games
Jun 10, 2018
Storyline (5 more)
Atmosphere
NPCs
Villains
Perk System
Guns for Hire System
Repetitive encounters (1 more)
Lack of diverse weapons
Compelling story beautiful, open-world
Much like Far Cry 4 (which I loved) this is an open-world, vaguely linear action adventure game. Lots of terrain to explore, lots of odd encounters with strange NPCs.
The difference, and the real hook for me, is the storyline. Trying to avoid spoilers, go watch the trailer and get sucked in. Based in the US you are a US Marshal fighting a religious cult. Trying to reclaim Hope County from this bizarre and extreme set of believers.
The multiplayer is good and well thought out and different but I will admit that I have spent very little time in the Multiplayer world of Far Cry 5.
The difference, and the real hook for me, is the storyline. Trying to avoid spoilers, go watch the trailer and get sucked in. Based in the US you are a US Marshal fighting a religious cult. Trying to reclaim Hope County from this bizarre and extreme set of believers.
The multiplayer is good and well thought out and different but I will admit that I have spent very little time in the Multiplayer world of Far Cry 5.
saheffernan (157 KP) rated The Book of Essie in Books
Sep 5, 2018
Review
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book and how relatable these characters were. I felt joy, sadness, and heartbreak for Essie. I often times felt like I was watching a real reality show think ___ kids and counting from TLC. I loved how much it also related to thinks that are news now. Womens rights and violence against women. For being a book about a religious family that didn't play much into the book except to be part of various locations or one of parts of the story. I really loved how the book came to be a 180 turn around and how Essie seemed to pull the strings by guiding things to happen but not forceful she knew one to step back and wait.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) Oct 25, 2017