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Football on the TV

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This app is a must have for all football fans to keep track of all the live football on TV. If you...

Awix (3310 KP) rated Wild Rose (2018) in Movies

Apr 16, 2019 (Updated Apr 16, 2019)

Wild Rose (2018)

2018 | Drama, Music

7.8

(8 Ratings)

Movie Rating

A Star is Paroled, More Like

Scottish-set take on the same kind of material as A Star is Born features a terrific performance (both acting and musical) from Jessie Buckley, and much less material about people falling in love or weeing themselves on stage. Talented but off-the-rails young woman comes out of prison, tries to reconnect with her mother and children, plans (not very realistically) to go to Nashville and become a country star. (The point is repeatedly made that country music is not the same as country and western music, but this is possibly not the venue to be pedantic in.) Features a cameo by Whispering Bob Harris, who gives an oddly unconvincing performance even though he's playing himself.

Buckley is tremendous, as noted, but Julie Walters is equally good as her disapproving mum (no singing from Walters, though); the film plays engagingly with audience expectations and - to its credit - resists the temptation to suggest there are easy answers to life's questions. It works really hard to earn its moments of triumph and joy: there is some real heartbreak along the way, and the film suggests that while being dedicated to your dreams is all very well, it can also make you a horrible person to be around. Cheats a bit at the very end, but has earned the right to by that point, I would say.

Kudos

Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated The Summer of Shambles (Ondine, #1) in Books

Jun 7, 2018

This book really took me by surprise!

The description didn't really entice me to read it, but the fact that the I loved the cover did! I know, I know, never judge a book by its cover, but I did, and I'm so glad I did!

When I read the first chapter, I thought I'd end up not finishing the book as I found it incredible dull and boring. However, by the second or third chapter, I was hooked! So please don't give up on this book if you're not into it by the second chapter.

I loved the characters of Shambles/Hamish (even if he did talk with a Scottish accent, lol) and Ondine. Ondine came across as being very sweet whilst Shambles/Hamish came across as being very opinionated.

I loved, loved, loved the fact that the author included very funny footnotes as I believe this actually did make the book that much better.

I also like the fact that this book doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a very light read, and I felt it was very fast paced.

There were a lot of sub-plots going on which made it more interesting.

I'd definitely recommend this book for anyone in middle school and all other ages that love YA. It's a sweet read =)

Kudos

Ross (3284 KP) rated Bodyguard in TV

Sep 25, 2018

Bodyguard

2018 | Drama, Thriller

8.2

(38 Ratings)

TV Show Rating

Gripping and gritty

Not normally a fan of British drama, I was persuaded to watch this based on the hype surrounding it and my wife being told by everyone at work how good it was. The first episode was exceptional TV - gripping, tense and realistic with strong characters outlined early on. For me, this was the peak, as PS David Budd (Richard Madden) acts on his suspicions over someone boarding his train.
From there on, Budd becomes embroiled in politics (as the protection officer for the outspoken Home Secretary) and a series of conspiracies. Right up until the final episode, there was a definite feel of early Homeland about this, as you are constantly trying to work out whether Budd is in on it, as the evidence suggests, or is honestly trying to stop the terrorists or find the culprits.
A few clumsy moments here or there that took the edge off for me (most notably certain people suddenly admitting everything under the lamest of police interrogations, but also more practical things like switching radio channels with only one hand).
Overall, Madden was a strong main actor, but as with a number of Scottish actors I find their need to soften their accent comes across as bad, less natural acting and it is hard for me to see past this.