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Erika (17789 KP) rated Blindspotting (2018) in Movies
Sep 2, 2018
I was lucky enough to catch a showing of this film before it left the Drafthouse. I hadn't really been sold by the trailers, but I was willing to give it a try.
This might be one of my favorite movies of this year. The movie follows two best friends, living in Oakland, which is being progressively gentrified (which reminds me of where I live). This film was written by the two leads, and was partially inspired by their own lives. Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal were both fantastic, and were foils of one another. Diggs' Collin is three days away from being released from probation after a stint in jail. Collin sees an officer shoot an unarmed guy, but can't report what he saw because he was late for his curfew.
The film was really effective, and you felt the sheer terror in some of the situations. I was actually exhausted after watching it, but in a good way.
This might be one of my favorite movies of this year. The movie follows two best friends, living in Oakland, which is being progressively gentrified (which reminds me of where I live). This film was written by the two leads, and was partially inspired by their own lives. Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal were both fantastic, and were foils of one another. Diggs' Collin is three days away from being released from probation after a stint in jail. Collin sees an officer shoot an unarmed guy, but can't report what he saw because he was late for his curfew.
The film was really effective, and you felt the sheer terror in some of the situations. I was actually exhausted after watching it, but in a good way.
I saw IT at a midnight release in a theatre with a person who caused me personal distress and when I say I freaked out, I mean it. But the second viewing, in the day and not with a creep, proved to be a little less scary.
For those who have never read this book, this was a frightening view of how children view fear and how hysteria can grip a town. Unexplainable things happen and no one seems to notice, almost at all. The scene with the blood in the bathroom really freaks me out every time, and her father standing in it not noticing is awful. That being said, this far the movie and the book have a lot of differences.
All in all, I feel that the movie was done well, but it doesn't hold a candle to the book. I can't wait to see the next paet though because I might change my mind!
For those who have never read this book, this was a frightening view of how children view fear and how hysteria can grip a town. Unexplainable things happen and no one seems to notice, almost at all. The scene with the blood in the bathroom really freaks me out every time, and her father standing in it not noticing is awful. That being said, this far the movie and the book have a lot of differences.
All in all, I feel that the movie was done well, but it doesn't hold a candle to the book. I can't wait to see the next paet though because I might change my mind!
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated The French Kiss in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I have enjoyed all the James Patterson’s novels I have read to date.
This was the first of his BookShots that I had bought and when I saw it on audible.co.uk and lasted just over 3 hours I thought it would be perfect for a drive I had ahead of me. However, I was disappointed. The story itself is fast paced and in well-known Patterson style but I found it to be a weaker plot with predictable conclusion. I found the narrator, Jean Brassard, difficult to follow at times as he spoke with (in my opinion) a poor French/American accent. I think I would have preferred to read it rather than listen in this case.
MoMo Book Diary gives the audiobook a 3* rating – as I did not enjoy the narrator and found the book to be lacking in James Patterson’s normal style. This review is also published on my blog momobookdiary.com and Amazon websites.
This was the first of his BookShots that I had bought and when I saw it on audible.co.uk and lasted just over 3 hours I thought it would be perfect for a drive I had ahead of me. However, I was disappointed. The story itself is fast paced and in well-known Patterson style but I found it to be a weaker plot with predictable conclusion. I found the narrator, Jean Brassard, difficult to follow at times as he spoke with (in my opinion) a poor French/American accent. I think I would have preferred to read it rather than listen in this case.
MoMo Book Diary gives the audiobook a 3* rating – as I did not enjoy the narrator and found the book to be lacking in James Patterson’s normal style. This review is also published on my blog momobookdiary.com and Amazon websites.
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Indivisible (2018) in Movies
Nov 10, 2018
Great faith based movie
I was really looking forward to this movie when I saw the trailer. It has a few cast members that play in Grey's Anatomy, and their characters had similar personalities. I love the actors and they did a great job.
This movie is based on a true story about a military chaplain and his family. The film did a great job showing the families struggles, and how the family dynamics changed before and after deployment. I was worried that since it is a religious based movie that they would attempt to pray away PTSD or other mental health issues. I was happy to see that they didn't do that instead other characters encourage those In need to seek help. Over all I think it was a very real protrayel of the struggles military families go through. I would suggest this movie to other people who enjoy a tear jerker.
This movie is based on a true story about a military chaplain and his family. The film did a great job showing the families struggles, and how the family dynamics changed before and after deployment. I was worried that since it is a religious based movie that they would attempt to pray away PTSD or other mental health issues. I was happy to see that they didn't do that instead other characters encourage those In need to seek help. Over all I think it was a very real protrayel of the struggles military families go through. I would suggest this movie to other people who enjoy a tear jerker.
David McK (3633 KP) rated Batman: The Dark Knight Returns in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Commonly cited as one of the best Batman graphic novels, this is the one that turned Batman from the Camp Crusader of the Adam West years into the growling anti-hero of the Tim Burton and (later) Christopher Nolan films (leaving aside the Schumacher mis-steps in the middle).
Written in the 80s but set in the near-future, this sees Bruce Wayne return to his role as the vigilante 10 years after unspecified events that saw him hang up his cape. His return, however, also sees the return of some old foes, alongside that of some new.
While - as it was written in the 80s - some of the subject matter is now out of date (most noticeably, the Cold War between America and the USSR), this still holds up surprisingly well. I also have to say that, with some crowded art panels, language and the violence throughout, this is also not one for the kiddies!
Written in the 80s but set in the near-future, this sees Bruce Wayne return to his role as the vigilante 10 years after unspecified events that saw him hang up his cape. His return, however, also sees the return of some old foes, alongside that of some new.
While - as it was written in the 80s - some of the subject matter is now out of date (most noticeably, the Cold War between America and the USSR), this still holds up surprisingly well. I also have to say that, with some crowded art panels, language and the violence throughout, this is also not one for the kiddies!
Deborah (162 KP) rated The Loveday Secrets (Loveday, #9) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
I realised when I got this book that it was part of a series, only for some reason I thought it was the first part. When I started reading I found there appeared to be an awful lot of back story and when I checked I found it was something like the 9th book in the series!
That aside, I didn't have any difficulty following the plot and even saw some of the 'secrets' and plot developments coming a mile off. I'm only giving 3 stars as, although it was well enough written, even by the end I didn't find I cared enough about any of the character to wonder what would happen to them next. Even those that I think were supposed to be sympathetic to the reader I really couldn't care about; the book inspired no sense of empathy.
From other reviews on Amazon some people are really enjoying this series, but for me it was lacking in emotional engagement.
That aside, I didn't have any difficulty following the plot and even saw some of the 'secrets' and plot developments coming a mile off. I'm only giving 3 stars as, although it was well enough written, even by the end I didn't find I cared enough about any of the character to wonder what would happen to them next. Even those that I think were supposed to be sympathetic to the reader I really couldn't care about; the book inspired no sense of empathy.
From other reviews on Amazon some people are really enjoying this series, but for me it was lacking in emotional engagement.
Deborah (162 KP) rated To Make a Match (Scandal in London, #3) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
Loosely based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, Liana LeFey gives us the tale of a younger sister desperate to find marital happiness and an older sister who seems intent on blocking her at every turn. The sisters nearly end up engaged to the wrong men.... but this is an historical romance, so of course it all works out in the end!
I found this a perfectly enjoyable, easy read, if not one of the best examples of the genre. Lady Victoria Lennox was a bit of a minx and did need holding back a bit, while her older sister, Lady Amelia, was pretty unlikeable for most of the book - it was hard to see what her admirer saw in her. Both main male suitors seemed decent chaps, if not a swoon-worthy as some heroes.... was never quite clear why Victoria's father always seemed so harsh on her though. Ah well.
I found this a perfectly enjoyable, easy read, if not one of the best examples of the genre. Lady Victoria Lennox was a bit of a minx and did need holding back a bit, while her older sister, Lady Amelia, was pretty unlikeable for most of the book - it was hard to see what her admirer saw in her. Both main male suitors seemed decent chaps, if not a swoon-worthy as some heroes.... was never quite clear why Victoria's father always seemed so harsh on her though. Ah well.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated In Darkness (2018) in Movies
Dec 24, 2018
An average thriller
I’m pretty sure this went straight to tv over here, so I wasn’t expecting much however it is slightly better than I expected, even if it still a bog standard thriller.
The soundtrack is great, and the first part of them film is very well executed and comes across as quite arty, with some great music. The problem is that the rest of the film seems to get bogged down with a convoluted plot that’s made more complicated than it needs to be. Natalie Dormer is very good, it’s nice to see Joely Richardson in something recent, and it’s always nice to see Neil Maskell (even if he does play a similar character in everything he’s in - he seems to be the go to bloke for British cops). It’s just a shame that the cast can’t rise above the average plot. And the twist ending I saw coming a mile off.
One of those films that’s watchable but instantly forgettable as being distinctly average.
The soundtrack is great, and the first part of them film is very well executed and comes across as quite arty, with some great music. The problem is that the rest of the film seems to get bogged down with a convoluted plot that’s made more complicated than it needs to be. Natalie Dormer is very good, it’s nice to see Joely Richardson in something recent, and it’s always nice to see Neil Maskell (even if he does play a similar character in everything he’s in - he seems to be the go to bloke for British cops). It’s just a shame that the cast can’t rise above the average plot. And the twist ending I saw coming a mile off.
One of those films that’s watchable but instantly forgettable as being distinctly average.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Super Fun Sexy Time in Books
Jun 21, 2019
Consent (1 more)
Inclusive
Most Graphic of Graphic Novels
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL. Obviously, caps-lock was needed. Super Fun Sexy Times by Meredith McClaren is not your typical graphic novel, nor is it something that is going to be for everyone. It's graphic, and I do mean graphic so that that into consideration. The artwork beautiful, but the content takes the cake on how amazing this book is. This book is full of consent, sweet, fun, and sexy consent. I loved that we saw characters negotiating role play scenes & realistically talking about sex. I also truly appreciated how inclusive this book was. You have people of all shapes, sizes, sexual orientation, etc. which made me want to cry with how beautiful it was.
This is definitely a book I would recommend to the right reader. It is well worth the read & a book that I'm going to have to buy a hard copy of.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL. Obviously, caps-lock was needed. Super Fun Sexy Times by Meredith McClaren is not your typical graphic novel, nor is it something that is going to be for everyone. It's graphic, and I do mean graphic so that that into consideration. The artwork beautiful, but the content takes the cake on how amazing this book is. This book is full of consent, sweet, fun, and sexy consent. I loved that we saw characters negotiating role play scenes & realistically talking about sex. I also truly appreciated how inclusive this book was. You have people of all shapes, sizes, sexual orientation, etc. which made me want to cry with how beautiful it was.
This is definitely a book I would recommend to the right reader. It is well worth the read & a book that I'm going to have to buy a hard copy of.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (2018) in Movies
Oct 20, 2019
Inoffensive and forgettable
When I saw the first Goosebumps film, I'd been pleasantly surprised and loved it a lot more than I'd expected. Sadly the trailer for this follow up didnt look great, and I'm afraid to say the reality is rather disappointing too.
This is basically your run of the mill "scary" kids film. There was nothing particularly scary about it, the laughs were dull and predictable and even the blink and you'll miss it return of Jack Black's RL Stine isnt enough to make this film entertaining. Slappy is a great character and could be quite creepy, but in this they've really missed the mark. The ventriloquist dummies from Toy Story 4 were scarier than him! The CGI was quite dodgy at times too. The blessing with this film is that it's very short, and whilst it's not great it's still entertaining enough to keep you watching for the 90 minutes, it's just a very poor follow up to the surprising hit of the first.
This is basically your run of the mill "scary" kids film. There was nothing particularly scary about it, the laughs were dull and predictable and even the blink and you'll miss it return of Jack Black's RL Stine isnt enough to make this film entertaining. Slappy is a great character and could be quite creepy, but in this they've really missed the mark. The ventriloquist dummies from Toy Story 4 were scarier than him! The CGI was quite dodgy at times too. The blessing with this film is that it's very short, and whilst it's not great it's still entertaining enough to keep you watching for the 90 minutes, it's just a very poor follow up to the surprising hit of the first.