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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Admirable Crichton (1957) in Movies
Feb 23, 2019 (Updated Feb 23, 2019)
Well-made but somewhat odd British comedy. Status-obsessed Lord Loam (Parker) and his entourage wind up shipwrecked on a desert island; in order to survive some drastic steps have to be taken, and redoubtable butler Crichton (More) - yes, there is a Red Dwarf character named after him - rises to the occasion. Soon, the traditional hierarchy is upended But what will happen if they ever get rescued?
The Admirable Crichton seems incredibly dated nowadays, but it probably did so back in 1957 as well. Its preoccupation with the class system perhaps feels a bit quaint, but the story predicated on it is still involving - Lord Loam's daughter and Crichton fall in love, but can only be together in the class-inverted society they create on the island; there are similar subplots. It's fairly amusing in a broad sort of way, but the moments that stick with you are the ones of sadness and regret. It's hard to imagine a modern rom-com having the bravery to serve up an ending as downbeat as this one. Probably works better as a comedy-drama, to be honest; does so rather well.
The Admirable Crichton seems incredibly dated nowadays, but it probably did so back in 1957 as well. Its preoccupation with the class system perhaps feels a bit quaint, but the story predicated on it is still involving - Lord Loam's daughter and Crichton fall in love, but can only be together in the class-inverted society they create on the island; there are similar subplots. It's fairly amusing in a broad sort of way, but the moments that stick with you are the ones of sadness and regret. It's hard to imagine a modern rom-com having the bravery to serve up an ending as downbeat as this one. Probably works better as a comedy-drama, to be honest; does so rather well.
Recommended gritty read
What a roller-coaster of a ride that was! I'm sure I experienced all the emotions known to man whilst reading this book - joy, surprise, sadness, disgust, anger, anticipation and fear to name but a few.
The characters are believable and brilliant although not all of them are particularly likeable. The story is gripping and had me hooked from start to finish and although I anticipated the end, it didn't disappoint or spoil it for me. The only complaint I have is the epilogue ... what the heck?!?! I found it cheesy and, in my humble opinion, totally unnecessary apart from tying up a couple of loose ends which could have been put elsewhere in the book however, this didn't ruin it for me it just made me "tut" and roll my eyes.
Kimberley Chambers isn't known as the "Queen of Gangland Crime Fiction" for nothing and I would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy a gritty story that's not all about violence and hate.
Thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
The characters are believable and brilliant although not all of them are particularly likeable. The story is gripping and had me hooked from start to finish and although I anticipated the end, it didn't disappoint or spoil it for me. The only complaint I have is the epilogue ... what the heck?!?! I found it cheesy and, in my humble opinion, totally unnecessary apart from tying up a couple of loose ends which could have been put elsewhere in the book however, this didn't ruin it for me it just made me "tut" and roll my eyes.
Kimberley Chambers isn't known as the "Queen of Gangland Crime Fiction" for nothing and I would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy a gritty story that's not all about violence and hate.
Thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Dana (24 KP) rated Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror in Books
Mar 23, 2018
"Versions of cities flattened under the equalizing night.
The summer demands and takes away too much,
But night, the reserved, reticent, gives more than it takes."
- As One Put Drunk into the Packet Boat
There are so many emotions in this collection: loneliness, grief, sadness, hope, longing, fear--they are all so strong but not overpowering.
I love whenever he talks about stillness and silence. Those moments are so peaceful and full of possibility. It almost makes you ache to be in one of those moments.
His thoughts on writing and what it takes to be a writer and writes are so perfectly beautiful.
There seems to be a theme of forgotten moments and trying to recapture those moments.
Any time he mentioned the night or any water, I just loved. Mainly because I love both of those things, but also because there was so much care in those details that they become so realistic.
My Favorite Poems from the Collection:
As One Put Drunk into the Packet Boat
A Man of Words
Grand Galop
River
The One Thing that Can Save America
Ode to Bill
The summer demands and takes away too much,
But night, the reserved, reticent, gives more than it takes."
- As One Put Drunk into the Packet Boat
There are so many emotions in this collection: loneliness, grief, sadness, hope, longing, fear--they are all so strong but not overpowering.
I love whenever he talks about stillness and silence. Those moments are so peaceful and full of possibility. It almost makes you ache to be in one of those moments.
His thoughts on writing and what it takes to be a writer and writes are so perfectly beautiful.
There seems to be a theme of forgotten moments and trying to recapture those moments.
Any time he mentioned the night or any water, I just loved. Mainly because I love both of those things, but also because there was so much care in those details that they become so realistic.
My Favorite Poems from the Collection:
As One Put Drunk into the Packet Boat
A Man of Words
Grand Galop
River
The One Thing that Can Save America
Ode to Bill
Tayla (27 KP) rated Girl Walks Out of a Bar: A Memoir in Books
Jun 17, 2018
Character (2 more)
Rawness emotion
Taboo Topic Insight
Everyone Should Read This Book
Girl Walks Out of a Bar is an amazing book that I recommend to everyone. The raw emotion and insight to a taboo topic are absolutely stunning. I found it impossible to put the book down. As I read Lisa Smith's story I was captivated by her addiction. I felt sadness and sorrow with every negative event and joy with each success. I couldn't help but cheer her on through her road to sobriety.
For someone who has not dealt firsthand with such an addiction, this book was a real eye-opener. It is not often we have the opportunity to peek into the head of an addict and understand what day to day life is like for them. Girl Walk Out of a Bar really helped me gain a better understanding of life for an addict and in return open my eyes to others situations.
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to read this book and recommend it to every adult who would like to better understand those around us.
For someone who has not dealt firsthand with such an addiction, this book was a real eye-opener. It is not often we have the opportunity to peek into the head of an addict and understand what day to day life is like for them. Girl Walk Out of a Bar really helped me gain a better understanding of life for an addict and in return open my eyes to others situations.
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to read this book and recommend it to every adult who would like to better understand those around us.
Lee (2222 KP) rated Final Space Season One in TV
Aug 18, 2018
An epic comedy space drama
Final Space flashed up a few times for me as a recommended show on Netflix. As the trailer automatically played, it came across as some kind of Futurama/Rick and Morty wannabee, with annoying characters. So I ignored it, until one day I just decided to give it a go. And, it was slightly annoying for a while. But, it was also slightly funny at times too, and I remember feeling a bit like that about the first episode of Rick and Morty, so I stuck with it a little bit longer. I'm so glad I did.
Final Space is a sprawling, epic space adventure. Set across 10 episodes, each one continuing the story, starting with a teaser of the final episode, and ending with a cliffhanger. Huge space battles, tonnes of action, drama, sadness, and even some romance. There's an evil bad guy, plenty of hilarious characters, and a cute little planet destroying alien, who now has his own plush toy (added to my Christmas list...). And it all builds to ask incredible, tension filled finale with an even bigger cliffhanger. I freakin loved this show...
Final Space is a sprawling, epic space adventure. Set across 10 episodes, each one continuing the story, starting with a teaser of the final episode, and ending with a cliffhanger. Huge space battles, tonnes of action, drama, sadness, and even some romance. There's an evil bad guy, plenty of hilarious characters, and a cute little planet destroying alien, who now has his own plush toy (added to my Christmas list...). And it all builds to ask incredible, tension filled finale with an even bigger cliffhanger. I freakin loved this show...
ClareR (5726 KP) rated Running in Circles in Books
Jan 5, 2019
A good start to a new series!
Lucy works on a very small newspaper on a Thai island. She arrives after a traumatic experience back home in England, hoping to escape the memories of whatever has happened to her.
However, she becomes involved in some traumatic events on the island: a bomb goes off across from the hostel that she lives in, killing many people in the bars nearby, and a body washes sup on the beach - an investor in her newspaper. Lucy and her boss, Steve, decide to investigate these two occurrences and consequently become involved in some very disturbing events.
I really liked this. There is a feeling of 'disconnect' with Lucy. Her former trauma has left its mark on her, she is finding life difficult, and the author writes this feeling really well. I thought the whole atmosphere was well written - I could feel the humidity, the claustrophobia and the sadness and fear post bombing.
I'll be interested to read the next book in this series when it comes out - I rather like Lucy and Steve.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for my copy of this book to read and honestly review.
However, she becomes involved in some traumatic events on the island: a bomb goes off across from the hostel that she lives in, killing many people in the bars nearby, and a body washes sup on the beach - an investor in her newspaper. Lucy and her boss, Steve, decide to investigate these two occurrences and consequently become involved in some very disturbing events.
I really liked this. There is a feeling of 'disconnect' with Lucy. Her former trauma has left its mark on her, she is finding life difficult, and the author writes this feeling really well. I thought the whole atmosphere was well written - I could feel the humidity, the claustrophobia and the sadness and fear post bombing.
I'll be interested to read the next book in this series when it comes out - I rather like Lucy and Steve.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for my copy of this book to read and honestly review.
Vegas (725 KP) rated Stan & Ollie (2018) in Movies
Mar 21, 2020
Great portrayal of two greats
Coogan and Reilly star as the legendary double act, both actors must has spent hours perfecting Laurel and Hardys mannerisms, speech and comic timing as their portrayal of their respective characters are spot on...
This is the story of the latter part of their career, on a tour of the UK with the possibility of a new film as a dangling carrot to perform...
The comic routines during the stage parts of the film are almost as well performed as the real thing, yet coupled with the humour, is an underlying sadness of two stars trying to regain what they once had, and it's this that stops it being a feel good film as it is quite moving and sad if you are a fan of the duo...
It is interesting to see how their relationship is strained at times yet in spite of that how much they obviously cared for each other...
I don't know if the stars won any awards for their playing of Stan & Ollie, but if they didn't, they should have...
This is the story of the latter part of their career, on a tour of the UK with the possibility of a new film as a dangling carrot to perform...
The comic routines during the stage parts of the film are almost as well performed as the real thing, yet coupled with the humour, is an underlying sadness of two stars trying to regain what they once had, and it's this that stops it being a feel good film as it is quite moving and sad if you are a fan of the duo...
It is interesting to see how their relationship is strained at times yet in spite of that how much they obviously cared for each other...
I don't know if the stars won any awards for their playing of Stan & Ollie, but if they didn't, they should have...
Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery
8.0
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From the Nasa astronaut who spent a record-breaking year aboard the International Space Station -...
What Remains True: A Novel
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In this mesmerizing drama, one life-altering event catapults a family into turmoil, revealing...
thriller
Letters to the Lady Upstairs
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A charming, funny, poignant collection of twenty-three letters from Marcel Proust to his upstairs...