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Ari Aster recommended 45 Years (2015) in Movies (curated)
Kim Pook (101 KP) rated The Half of It (2020) in Movies
May 1, 2021
Ellie is a quiet introverted unpopular girl, she works hard to support her and her father, and even charges classmates to do their homework to earn extra cash. When one of the jocks, Paul, asks her to write a love letter to a girl, Aster, she at first refuses, why? She is also in love with her. But when her electric company threaten to cut her off due to being in arrears with them, she agrees to write Paul's letters and charges him $50 for the privilege. They become friends as Ellie continues to help Paul get closer to Aster through letters, texts and awkward dates.
It might sound like a romance movie, but it really isn't. It's more about the friendship between the two characters and its done really well, Aster is only a way of getting these characters closer and isn't a main part of the story. I liked how we see the friendship develop and was refreshing to see a movie where love is not the intention, proving that boys and girls can be just friends.
It might sound like a romance movie, but it really isn't. It's more about the friendship between the two characters and its done really well, Aster is only a way of getting these characters closer and isn't a main part of the story. I liked how we see the friendship develop and was refreshing to see a movie where love is not the intention, proving that boys and girls can be just friends.
Merissa (11584 KP) rated Race the Darkness (Fatal Dreams #1) in Books
May 4, 2021
Race the Darkness is a dark, paranormal, romance, suspense story, filled with connections, legends, and "bad stuff" that you wouldn't wish on anyone. Xander is our main male - an as*hole by his own admission. The trouble is, I can completely understand why he behaves the way he does. Even with his attitude, he wormed his way into my heart, and I only wanted the best for him. Isleen is almost ethereal, and not just because of her physical appearance.
This story is gripping from the very beginning, and it is hard to believe that this is Abbie Roads' debut novel! Exceedingly well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow. Race the Darkness flows so well, building up at certain points, before coming gently down, and then building up again.
I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who wants a slightly darker read, with plenty of 'character'. Absolutely wonderful.
* I received this book from The Book Garden / NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This story is gripping from the very beginning, and it is hard to believe that this is Abbie Roads' debut novel! Exceedingly well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow. Race the Darkness flows so well, building up at certain points, before coming gently down, and then building up again.
I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who wants a slightly darker read, with plenty of 'character'. Absolutely wonderful.
* I received this book from The Book Garden / NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her (2000) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
Back when every studio drama wanted to be indie real bad (when we got shit like J-Lo's 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭 𝘌𝘺𝘦𝘴 for example) and when hyperlink movies were king. This really could have been something, but instead it leans way too close into the template for all the movies this is ripping off (one-quirk characters overexplaining the themes to the leads and - by extension - the viewers, long writerly conversations that exist solely for decoration, cloying symbolism, purposefully disappointing non-resolutions, etc.) All but completely throws aside the lives of these unique, incredibly intriguing women in favor of having their stories revolve around some lackluster romance - pretty much defining them all by it in the end. For shame. Not entirely unpleasant, of course the ensemble is stuffed with amazing talent, it has a nice cadence and some decent scenes here and there. But as far as I'm concerned Rodrigo García should be fired for continually swinging and missing by turning these potentially thought-provoking stories into underwritten, tiresome (and borderline offensive) grief exploitation.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Her (2013) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
Super insane when you think about how an actual person was capable of making something this impeccable. Earth-shattering romance with very little frills, works as well as it does in part because Jonze - seasoned craftsman that he is - refuses to cloud the central dynamic(s) with overbearing "hey it's the future everybody look" winking nor random tech overanalyzing which usually bog down these types of films and take away from what works. It's easy to forget that acting can be this perfect - from the seismic Phoenix lead performance to Johansson's heart-wrenching and constantly evolving vocal presence. And it's nice to see a technology-oriented future-set film that doesn't dive into annoying 'The State of Things' preachiness or look like a grodey 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘙𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 rustbucket bootleg. In short, it never lets its story take a backseat to obnoxious gimmicks, ever - so everything is allowed to breathe. Wish it didn't spoil the final frame of the goddamned movie on the back of the DVD case, but otherwise holy fucking shit the waterworks were turned UP on this one.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Love and Decay, Episode One (Love and Decay, #1) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
For such a short book, this was really, really, good. It had humour, a bit of romance and zombies.
I loved Reagan and Haley's attitude considering it's the end of the world and they are two of the few remaining humans in a world overrunning with zombies. They're always joking and having a laugh with each other.
As for the brothers. I think I loved Hendrix from the moment he was tending to Reagan's wounds and trying not to laugh at her reaction to him seeing her hairy legs (still makes me laugh just thinking about it :P). The other's we haven't really gotten to know yet but they all seem like nice guys.
There are a few wording errors but they're easy to overlook because the story is so gripping.
After being half way through I had to go and hunt out the other 11 episodes on Amazon and saw that the omnibus/boxset of books 1-6 was free as well so I quickly downloaded it and am now eagerly awaiting a time when I can find out what happens next!
I loved Reagan and Haley's attitude considering it's the end of the world and they are two of the few remaining humans in a world overrunning with zombies. They're always joking and having a laugh with each other.
As for the brothers. I think I loved Hendrix from the moment he was tending to Reagan's wounds and trying not to laugh at her reaction to him seeing her hairy legs (still makes me laugh just thinking about it :P). The other's we haven't really gotten to know yet but they all seem like nice guys.
There are a few wording errors but they're easy to overlook because the story is so gripping.
After being half way through I had to go and hunt out the other 11 episodes on Amazon and saw that the omnibus/boxset of books 1-6 was free as well so I quickly downloaded it and am now eagerly awaiting a time when I can find out what happens next!
AJaneClark (3949 KP) rated Date with a Devil (Dallas Devils #1) in Books
Jan 14, 2021
First Read of the Year
258 Pages
Kindle Edition
This light and at times steamy kicked off the start of 2021 with a bang (of bodies hitting the boards, and the clashing of hockey sticks as pucks hit the ice)!
Austen hosts a popular online section for the Dallas Devils, going on "dates" with the players and introducing them to the fans... All went well until it was the turn of jock Dane, an athlete with a reputation for disliking the media and being a fan of the puck bunnies!
What follows for the duo with a great deal of chemistry, is a bumpy road which threatens to impact both of their careers and their relationship!
The first in the Dallas Devils series, and Winters does not disappoint with this contemporary sports romance. It was an easy read with a great deal of depth, well paced and oozing chemistry.
The story progression worked well with Winters' writing style, with added drama from a historical back story which is explained in further books, and a great antagonist.
Hoping book 2 is just as interesting!
Kindle Edition
This light and at times steamy kicked off the start of 2021 with a bang (of bodies hitting the boards, and the clashing of hockey sticks as pucks hit the ice)!
Austen hosts a popular online section for the Dallas Devils, going on "dates" with the players and introducing them to the fans... All went well until it was the turn of jock Dane, an athlete with a reputation for disliking the media and being a fan of the puck bunnies!
What follows for the duo with a great deal of chemistry, is a bumpy road which threatens to impact both of their careers and their relationship!
The first in the Dallas Devils series, and Winters does not disappoint with this contemporary sports romance. It was an easy read with a great deal of depth, well paced and oozing chemistry.
The story progression worked well with Winters' writing style, with added drama from a historical back story which is explained in further books, and a great antagonist.
Hoping book 2 is just as interesting!
BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated Shatter Me in Books
Jun 25, 2019
So good, I bought the second book 3 chapters in.
Contains spoilers, click to show
I can't say this for many books anymore, but I was hooked from page 1. The second I read the page about the cross thoughts and repeats being intentional, I was like 'this is gonna be good'. Juliette is so strong and beautiful and Adam is just perfect. The story flows so well and I never wanted to put it down!! And when I did have to, it was all I could think about. I was right there along with the characters, immersed in such a fantastical world Mafi thought up and shared so beautifully with us. It was like every fantasy I've ever had! Powers, romance, heroes and villains. This book will leave you wishing you were a superhero, fighting a battle for the good guys in a future so crazy, it has to be real!!! I can't wait to read book 2!! I actually bought this in paperback a while ago and after reading up to chapter 3, I had to buy the second one too!
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Gringo (2018) in Movies
Jun 29, 2019 (Updated Sep 25, 2019)
Harold's hum-drum life take an unexpected turn when he finds himself in Mexico, recently single, possibly jobless, and on the wrong side of a cartel boss.
I have to say, the first few minutes of this film were quite possibly my favourite... Harold (David Oyelowo) singing in his car... yep. That's how I start every morning and it just made me smile.
I like the fact that the trailer didn't give away any of the twist for this one. It made for a nice surprise and amusement. It was a nice little film, but I'd put a vote in for more Harold and Mitch (Sharlto Copley) time and less of everyone else. The pair made a great little double act. And while there was at least a good ending for Harold, I'm surprised that they didn't give him a little more romance. When the film ended, while satisfied, I did wonder if they just gave it the ending they did just so they could say they didn't go with the cliché one.
I have to say, the first few minutes of this film were quite possibly my favourite... Harold (David Oyelowo) singing in his car... yep. That's how I start every morning and it just made me smile.
I like the fact that the trailer didn't give away any of the twist for this one. It made for a nice surprise and amusement. It was a nice little film, but I'd put a vote in for more Harold and Mitch (Sharlto Copley) time and less of everyone else. The pair made a great little double act. And while there was at least a good ending for Harold, I'm surprised that they didn't give him a little more romance. When the film ended, while satisfied, I did wonder if they just gave it the ending they did just so they could say they didn't go with the cliché one.