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Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
1971 | Fantasy, Musical

"In terms of mind-blowing experiences, I would say the first film was Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, just because I think — I’m pretty sure — that’s the first time I ever saw a live action movie in a movie theater as a kid. My dad took me and my brother to see it. I think up till then I’d only seen one animated movie in a movie theater. I think it was Robin Hood, which, for some reason, was really boring to me. But we went to see Willy Wonka, and I was so blown away, and it so freaked me out, that I couldn’t stop thinking about it for years. I had watched movies on TV and stuff, but that was the first time I think I was old enough to go to the movies, and be able to sit through a movie without wanting to get up and run around the theater. Just seeing it that big and getting sucked into it. I don’t even think I realized those were actors and that anything was fake. I think I just thought it was all real, that Charlie was a real kid, and Willy Wonka was a real person. I really think I thought it was real. I really thought the whole family lived in that one room. I was probably in second grade or something… So I probably didn’t actually think it was real, but I responded to it like it was real."

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The Congress (2014)
The Congress (2014)
2014 | Animation, Sci-Fi
Restored my belief in the power of movies, one of the most fulfilling cinematic experiences I've ever had and probably will ever have in my lifetime. Not trying to undersell how structureless this is, but it gets a free pass for how rigorously committed to the mindfuck it is - it just wouldn't have worked out even a fraction as well with any sort of form. I spent the better part of this with my jaw frozen in the dropped position, it's been so long since I've truly been blown away and couldn't believe what I was watching actually got made. Part personal, quasi-documentary character study of a real life actress; part actually good "Black Mirror" episode about the evolution of idolization; part 50s cartoon nightmare; part acid trip; part "holy shit my tears are crying" drama. Can't even begin to justifiably describe how good this film looks in words, essential viewing - can only be believed by first having seen. Robin Wright and Harvey Keitel give megaperformances to match the boundless ambition - 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘈𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘴 can't even compare. A nebulous, meditative, and bracingly surreal slideshow of future-fantasy and riffs on what the future could bring with a refreshing lack of pretention and cynicism for once (though I'm sure I stand alone in thinking that) that's never anything less than beautiful. Never wanted to let go, never has some variation of "your past is dead" been said so despondently. And what a fucking A-class score.
  
    Queen II by Queen

    Queen II by Queen

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    Album

    Limited 180 gram heavyweight vinyl LP repressing of this album from the British rock quartet. Queen...

    Sago Mini Babies

    Sago Mini Babies

    Education

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    App

    Introducing the Sago Mini babies. Boys and girls love caring for these adorable characters. Feed...

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ClareR (5879 KP) rated Fragile in Books

Nov 2, 2021  
Fragile
Fragile
Sarah Hilary | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I think there is always a case for choosing a book based purely on the cover. This is another of those times where I’ve done precisely that - and I loved this book.

Fragile is a haunting thriller, where two young people, Nell and Joe, run away to London from their foster home after a tragic event. An event that we’re drip fed the information of as the book progresses.

Joe and Nell become separated, so Nell decides to go and knock on the door of the last place she saw him. When Dr. Robin Wilder opens the door at Starling Villa, Nell manages to talk him into employing her as his housekeeper. But all is not as it seems. Is Nell really safe here? What happened in Wales before she ran away to London with Joe? What does Dr. Wilders wife want with Nell? And where is Joe?

Nell and Joe’s backstories about their lives in care are heartbreaking. From a young age, Nell becomes the house ‘mother’, cleaner and cook. It’s a horrible life for her and so well described. Joe’s life isn’t any better.

Actually, the writing is so descriptive: people and places are described picture perfectly, and some scenes are so emotive, whilst others are really tense. The gripping finale was heartbreaking.

Sarah Hilary is a new author to me, and one that I’ll certainly look out for in future.