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Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Gringo (2018) in Movies

Jun 29, 2019 (Updated Sep 25, 2019)  
Gringo (2018)
Gringo (2018)
2018 | Action, Comedy, Drama
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.
  
My Time At Portia
My Time At Portia
2018 | Casual, Simulation
Relaxing And Fun Game
I love this game because of how much there is to do in it, but it gives you a relaxed feel like Stardew Valley. If you like Stardew Valley and Minecraft you will like this game. The game allows you the freedom to explore and take your time with it. There are fun festival days and you can get to know your neighbors as well as romance specific characters with your male or female character. There are a few build missions that are timed, but the game doesn't really punish you if you miss the deadline. There are fun mini games too as well as dungeon crawl areas where you can battle monsters and earn rewards. The game has a ton of things to do and it can feel a little overwhelming, but if you take your time with it you find a rhythm that works. I found I really liked just gathering materials for my workshop and crafting. It's a fun and relaxing game that offers a lot of different things for everyone.
  
Playing For Keeps
Playing For Keeps
Jill Shalvis | 2019 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is my first book by the author and I can't help wondering why that is because this is a perfect mix of romance, humour and awww moments, especially with Lollipop--the three legged dog they rescue and joint adopt at the beginning of the book.

And Lollipop is what brings our two characters together. They may have already known each other but their love for the cute dog made them finally connect. The broke sarcastic girl and the rich suit wearing do-gooder.

I actually liked both Sadie and Caleb. To see the two relationship wary people slowly open up and let themselves feel something. To be themselves around each other instead of the person they feel they need to be. The eventual teasing as they begin to fall. It was super cute. Add in the dog and I was hooked.

I would love to read more of this series in the future whether it be previous books or Ivy's story which is next up, as they all seem like a great group of friends.
  
Flashes
Flashes
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
3.5 stars.

This is something like my sixth/seventh, maybe even eighth, book by the author and I've liked some more than others.

He always writes different stories, stuff I've never seen or read before, and blends paranormal, a bit of horror/gruesomeness and a splash of romance. His books tend to be very English in language and setting, and being from England and reading most books set in America, they're a nice change.

Now for the story. I had an inkling as to who it might be from about the 60-70% mark. Things just started to add up. <spoiler>Child crying. Mum being dead. It suddenly clicked</spoiler> so I wasn't too surprised by who was behind it but the lengths he was going to go to was quite disturbing.

It was a good story as usual but because I kinda figured out the bad guy before it was revealed at the end it wasn't quite as good as some of Tim's other works which keep you guessing.
  
Waking The Watcher
Waking The Watcher
Kim Loraine | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wow, what a read. I could not put this erotic supernatural book down. It’s fast paced, an easy read, there’s background on the MC’s, the story was very enjoyable, and I will definitely be rereading this after I read the rest of the series!

I got such Twilight Vibes while reading, but in a major adult way i.e. the erotic scenes. But the thing about this novel, is that it really isn’t erotic. It’s on the verge of being an erotic novel, but still is hanging onto it’s PG-13 romance roots. That could just be me also.

I loved how creative the author was with this story. Vampires unable to do the deed unless they have a Watcher inside of them lying dormant. And if that Watcher senses his mate, he goes crazy with control and trys to impregnate her. I was always fighting with who I actually shipped, but I will always be a Galen fan. That rugged sexy accent is all I need. 😋😘

“Galen, you have to let her go. You’re killing her.”
  
All the Birds in the Sky
All the Birds in the Sky
Charlie Jane Anders | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.7 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
A good blend of genres
All the Birds in the Sky is a rather difficult book to classify. It’s a rather good mix of sci-fi, drama, fantasy and romance, all under the guise of a battle between magic and science. I wouldn’t have thought such a mix of genres would work, but actually this does rather well. The two main characters, Patricia and Laurence, are well developed and enjoyable to read about, even if they are a little frustrating at times. The world of science and magic that they live in is an interesting idea and fascinating to delve into, although I did feel that the book didn’t quite go into as much detail as I’d like. I also felt a little disappointed with the ending. The entire book had been building up to this massive battle between science and magic, and it all turned out rather lacklustre and tame. It’s a shame really as until the ending, I’d rather been enjoying the story and couldn’t wait to find out what was next.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated 365 Days (2020) in Movies

Jul 30, 2020 (Updated Jul 30, 2020)  
365 Days (2020)
365 Days (2020)
2020 | Drama, International
1
1.0 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The same old story: boy meets girl, then he kidnaps her and keeps her prisoner for a year because he is a gangster and had a vision of her a few years previously while taking a bullet during his dad's assassination. Naturally she quickly falls in love with him; many games of hide-the-sausage ensue. Needless to say the whole thing looks like a commercial, albeit with much more cunningly-framed fellatio than the typical advert.

Basically attempts to mash up an erotic thriller (a genre noted for almost never generating excitement or arousal) with a coercive romance (the nastiest of all genres), with results that are virtually unwatchable: woodenly acted, leadenly directed, badly written in every way, it's a mixture of the clumsy and the tasteless from start to (baffling) finish. A horrible, unpleasant film: if future historians want evidence of just how badly screwed up this year was, they need only look at the fact that this film somehow became a streaming hit. Ugh, ugh; a thousand times ugh.
  
Stranger from Venus (1954)
Stranger from Venus (1954)
1954 | Sci-Fi
5
5.5 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Yet another low-budget British knock-off of The Day the Earth Stood Still, distinguished (sort of) by the fact it's managed to secure the services of one of the stars of the original film, Patricia Neal (the movie never got an American release as it might have drawn a plagiarism suit from Fox). Bloke from Venus arrives in the home counties to deliver a grave message about the dangers of atomic weapons, engages in chaste sort-of romance with a woman who lives locally (Neal), is messed about by the government.

At least it's a little easier to take seriously than Devil Girl from Mars, but the production is even more primitive and it's a lot less fun. Helmut Dantine does the best he can, dispensing cosmic wisdom in a gravelly Austrian monotone, but the punishingly low budget really shows. The purest kind of rip-off - there's nothing here that isn't in the original movie, and everything that is here is less accomplished and less interesting. Not awful, though, nor is it without a certain historical curiosity value for SF aficionados.
  
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
1998 | Action, Romance
8
7.7 (10 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Late 90's action comedy movie that acts as a sort of sequel to the old Zorro movies of old; with 'that mysterious masked man dressed all in black' who is here played by two different actors: by Sir Anthony Hopkins (the elder Zorro), and by a pre Puss In Boots Antonio Banderas (lets face it, Puss In Boots pretty much is a feline Zorro ...) as his younger protege.

It's also slightly surprising that this got a PG rating, with a strong vein of revenge running throughout it (the elder Zorro's quest to avenge the death of his wife, and to get his revenge on the man who stole his daughter and raised her as his own) alongside his younger protege's quest for revenge on the soldier who killed his brother.

Taking in horse chases, stunts, lots of swordplay, romance and even El Dorado, this is a genuinely enjoyable throwback to the less serious, less po faced movies of old than seems to be the current trend. (It's also better than the sequel)
  
Kalil (Men of S.O.C, #1)
Kalil (Men of S.O.C, #1)
S. Reynolds | 2014 | Mystery, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a slow burner with a build-up towards the main part of the story. There are parts of this story that aren't nice to read about but you do have to read all parts to fully understand the mindset of the serial killer. Trust me, you will feel really sorry for those girls, even knowing that it's not real and there is nothing you could do anyway.

This is very well written and put together and will leave you wanting more. The love build-up is slow and steady, although the lust is instantaneous, which makes a nice change in this era of insta-love.

For a book on the darker side of romance suspense but with added dashes of humour and deep friendships then definitely give this one a go! Recommended.
 
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
July 26, 2016