Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (936)

Content

Morgan Sheppard (936 KP) rated Call Me Michigan in Books

Jan 9, 2018

This is a second chance novel - Mason and Tyler were best friends in their younger years, although both of them wanted more, neither of them said anything. When Tyler left home under difficult circumstances, Mason got blinding drunk before chasing after her and giving her a drunken kiss. Now, this is not guaranteed to win anyone over, so unsurprisingly, Tyler leaves anyway. Fast forward a few years, and Tyler returns to take care of her family. Of course, the first person she sees is Mason, although he doesn't recognise her. Things are about to change for the pair of them.

This is a well written, fast moving and smoothly paced contemporary romance, showing character growth and not just with the two main characters. With getting to know each other again, things don't go exactly smoothly. However, things eventually work out for them, which is good because the situation is about to get a whole more complicated.

This is a story guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies, at the same time as you laugh and cry with the characters and the situations they find themselves in. Definitely recommended by me.

* I was given this book in return for a review which has in no way affected my opinion. *

Kudos

ClareR (5854 KP) rated The Penelopiad in Books

Apr 1, 2018

The Penelopiad

Margaret Atwood | 2005 | Fiction & Poetry

9.0

(5 Ratings)

Book Rating

The woman's side of the story.

I remember reading The Odyssey as a child, but I honestly don't think I gave Penelope a second thought (I don't think Odysseus did, either!).
This is Penelope's side of the story, told by her and her 12 unfortunate handmaidens. It shows how men ruled all aspects of life, even when they disappeared on their adventures for 20 years.
It's a very theatrical retelling - the handmaidens deliver their chapters in poetry, song and little plays. Penelope has a very modern turn of phrase (let's just say that I don't picture an ancient Greek!), perhaps something she has learnt in the fields of Asphodel, perhaps!
Penelope comes across as very clever, cunning even. She distracts and holds off the attention of the many suitors who are sponging off her riches. She has no love for her cousin, Helen of Troy, either. She is to blame for Odysseus disappearing for 20 years, after all.
A funny, insightful retelling of Penelope's story, and the story of the injustice suffered by the 12 poor handmaidens. The men don't come out of this story at all well, by the way!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this.

Kudos

Sarah (7799 KP) rated Midsommar (2019) in Movies

Apr 4, 2020

Midsommar (2019)

2019 | Drama, Horror, Mystery

6.8

(43 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Divisive

I’ve heard a lot of good things about this film so I was quite happy to see it available on Prime and finally get a chance to watch it. However I’m afraid to say that this was a complete waste of my time.

Like Hereditary before it, this film is obviously very divisive. I can see why too - it’s well made with some great acting, and if you’re a fan of these cult type films then I can see it being enjoyable. But for me I really didn’t enjoy it. Aside from appreciating the cinematography and acting, the rest of this film just ranged from downright dull to completely bizarre. It also reminded me of every single cult type film that has come before it - the problem with cults is that they’re kind of predictable. The gore was refreshing but it’s a shame this took well over an hour to get to this, and even then it didn’t bring much excitement. The first half, whilst slow, is at least interesting and well acted, but the second half is just bonkers and not in a good way. The nearly 2.5 hour runtime on this makes it a chore to get through as well.

Kudos

Jewels (684 KP) rated Hellboy (2019) in Movies

Jul 29, 2019

Hellboy (2019)

2019 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy

5.8

(88 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Sasha Lane (1 more)

Daniel Dae Kim

Just about all of it (0 more)

A fan of the original Hellboy movies, this came as an utter disappointment. They tried to get the cool-shock value with a ridiculous amount of unneeded gore, and by dropping the f-bomb about every other line. Both of these could have been cut by 3/4 and made a better movie. It did have some good one-liners and a few good comedic instances, but not enough to save this disaster.

Sahsa Lane was probably the best part of the movie, followed by Daniel Dae Kim, tho his character was not the best. David Harbour has the potential to be a great Hellboy, but it felt like he either didn't embrace and enjoy the character, or was made to hold back while playing Hellboy.

If they decide to proceed with a second film, I hope they cut back on the unnecessary gore and language, and that Harbour has a chance to really embrace the character and have fun with it. That being said, if you are in the mood for a crappy movie, or you are planning a crappy movie party, this one should be at the top of your list just because it is Hellboy.