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Zac Clark recommended Tout va bien (1973) in Movies (curated)

 
Tout va bien (1973)
Tout va bien (1973)
1973 | International, Drama, Documentary
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"I love this movie and its revisionist style and its radical politics, but most importantly there is no more punk-rock move in cinema history than having the opening credits be the checks that you’re writing to the cast and crew. Godard—the rich-kid film nerd to end all rich-kid film nerds—gets the machinations of the motion picture “industry” better than any of us. Contempt is masterful, Weekend is a lark, Tout va bien burns everything to the ground."

Source
  
Sigfried's Smelly Socks!
Sigfried's Smelly Socks!
Len Foley | 2020
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sigfried's Smelly Socks! is an illustration book for children that focuses on describing the smell of dirty socks at its fullest. Whilst I have mixed feelings as to how disgusting this subject is, I quite liked the bright-coloured illustrations.

I strongly believe that children are meant to love this book - it is full of wittiness and it made me giggle a few times, when the author describes how different coloured socks smell differently, and all so awful.

This book has a tendency to make you imagine the smells in your mind while reading and watching the illustrations. It can even make you feel like you could actually smell them in the room. Lovely description, though some parts might be too hard to be understood by the younger audience:

But nothing compares to the other smell that burns the hairs on my head.

While we discuss the subject of how the book focuses on dirty socks and some people might find it unbearable - I would point to the fact that this book is a perfect masterpiece in reminding the little cute monsters that they need to keep their socks (and their hygiene in general) neat and clean. It is a great moral and life lesson through a very funny story told by the silly Sigfried, who seems to notice all the rotten smells that surround him.

Lovely read, and a lovely told story in a witty way. This book deserved a 4 out of 5 stars for the sole reason of this book maybe being too rich in the vocabulary for the audience it wants to reach.
  
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Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated Educated in Books

May 29, 2018  
Educated
Educated
Tara Westover | 2018 | Biography
10
9.3 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
All the stars in the Idaho Sky! Tara Westover is so very brave. And her book is hands-down, 5+ stars amazing. This is by far the most riveting memoir I've ever read. I am so fascinated by cult-like religions, as well as homesteaders/survivalists and end-of-the-world preppers - and this quenched every thirst I've ever had for all those things and infinitely beyond. This was the extreme of both of those worlds. I cannot believe this is real life. The epitome of "you can't make this sh*t up," I imagine those words running through Tara's head often.

This is a story of growing up in middle-of-nowhere Idaho with Mormon anti-government parents, who "home-schooled" Tara and her brothers and sisters, while preaching these crazy ideals on these poor kids who just didn't know any better. They believed everything their parents said (who wouldn't believe their own parents?!), and the abuse and neglect she had to essentially endure because of it, was heartbreaking. These kids grew up with no birth certificates, never stepping foot inside a classroom or a doctor's office, zero modern medicine (including for severe burns and brain injury!), living in filth and squalor, and the constant pressure to be of extreme faith and a tireless servant of a God, that required way to much of these poor children. And all under the watchful eyes of a father who takes no less than their utter devotion to that God, no matter what the consequences.

It pains me to see them choose sides throughout - you really do get the sense that these parents love Tara in all the way they know how, and they honestly feel that what they are doing is right and just, but it's just so blatantly wrong. I applaud Tara for trying so very hard - throughout every victory in her life without them, and coming out on the other side, not bitter at all, still feeling love for her family.

I was enthralled by this memoir. There wasn't any second of this book that dragged, or lulled - I literally could not put it down. The writing is so well thought out, every person rich with description and character, and you root for this strong-willed little girl to get out, and make something of her life and triumph over the family who may love her, but believe her to be evil because she just wants to be free. And we know, because of this amazing book, she finally is.

Love. Love. Love!
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review and to Tara Westover for sharing her story.
  
Alex Cross (2012)
Alex Cross (2012)
2012 | Action, Mystery
7
5.3 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Story: Alex Cross starts with homicide detective Alex Cross (Perry) and his team Thomas (Burns) and Monica (Nichols) needing to show their skills when a new hired killer nicknamed Picasso (Fox) uses his torture and pain techniques while eliminating people.

When the team learns of the targets they must work with who they think is the main target Giles Mercier (Reno), but this has made his team the newest targets for Picasso, who makes the killings personal.

 

Thoughts on Alex Cross

 

Characters – Dr Alex Cross is a homicide detective, we have seen this character before, but this time we meet a younger version of him, before he becomes the FBI agent we know. Alex has a family and is on the way to making his big career decision, when Picasso comes into his life, Alex will need to balance his skills and rage to stop him. Picasso is a hired gun, he is one of the very best in the world, he enjoys the pain he gives and receives, he makes his mission personal and drives Alex to limits he has never been pushed before. Thomas is the partner of Alex, he is shorter tempered, but loyal to Alex. Giles Mercier seems to be the main target of Picasso mission, he is the rich man that gets what he wants.

Performances – Tyler Perry was considered a strange choice for the leading role in this movie, known mostly for comedy and taking over from Morgan Freeman, he just doesn’t reach his levels, but is good through the film. it is Matthew Fox that shines the most as the cold calculated killer that enjoys the pain. The commitment Fox showed to this role needs to be praised because of the physical change he put his body through makes him an unlikely looking threat. Edward Burn is good as the partner while not being anything special and Jean Reno will always be good in the role he takes.

Story – To step into another Alex Cross story is always going to be interesting, picking up before he became an FBI agent helps us understand what drove him to be the determined man we know. Making the story personal for Cross shows how he can balance the law and revenge in his attempts to solve the crime. The story might not reach the level of intensity is could have for a personal story, it does everything we need for an entertaining crime mystery thriller.

Action/Crime/Mystery – The action involved in the film is good, even if moments of the effects used are weak. The crime is an interesting one to watch unfold, but it takes away from the mystery because we are always on the same level of the cops, we are not feed anything to solve.

Settings – Detroit makes for a good setting, it always feels like it is a place known for the crime rates.


Scene of the Movie – Picasso introduction fight.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – The Rocket effects.

Final Thoughts – This is an easy to watch crime thriller, it does everything it needs to do and is carried by a wonderful villain performance from Fox.

 

Overall: Crime fans watch.

https://moviesreview101.com/2018/07/15/matthew-fox-weekend-alex-cross-2012/