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Kevin Smith recommended Do the Right Thing (1989) in Movies (curated)
Awix (3310 KP) rated Deerskin (Le Daim) (2019) in Movies
Jul 21, 2021
Deadpan horror-comedy from our French friends. Middle-aged man Georges (John of the Garden) pays an eye-watering sum for a suede deerskin jacket and moves into a hotel in a remote town. He is clearly in the midst of some form of crisis, even before the jacket starts talking to him. It turns out the jacket has a dream, one which Georges shares...
Starts off in a vein of low-key weirdness and gradually gets more and more absurd as Georges' obsession grows and he is joined (sort of) by a young waitress who's desperate enough to believe some of the lines he comes out with. Very much a slow-burn comedy, but an effective one... except that the situation eventually gets so improbably ridiculous that the writer-director clearly couldn't think of a way of resolving it, so the film stops abruptly and not very satisfyingly after a brisk 75 minutes. Shame; entertaining in a quirky way, mainly because of Dujardin's central performance - worth seeing just for that.
Starts off in a vein of low-key weirdness and gradually gets more and more absurd as Georges' obsession grows and he is joined (sort of) by a young waitress who's desperate enough to believe some of the lines he comes out with. Very much a slow-burn comedy, but an effective one... except that the situation eventually gets so improbably ridiculous that the writer-director clearly couldn't think of a way of resolving it, so the film stops abruptly and not very satisfyingly after a brisk 75 minutes. Shame; entertaining in a quirky way, mainly because of Dujardin's central performance - worth seeing just for that.
Briannabrown1019 (799 KP) rated To Kill a Kingdom in Books
Nov 29, 2020
Meh?
"Everyone is a blank canvas, waiting to be filled with the color of discovery."
Well...
I mean I REALLY liked the story. The plot. Even the characters. And omg is this beautifully written.
"Hearts are forever scarred by our true nature."
However. This was a slooooooow burn. Very slow paced for me. For once a book where I almost felt things were too descriptive. I felt at times that I had to force myself to push through it. I was enjoying it, yes, but I was struggling to read through it. Its a feeling that I'm having a very hard time explaining, and honestly unlike anything I've ever felt when reading a book. So that was frustrating.
"The truth of what I am has become a nightmare."
Now with that being said, those last few chapters, like maybe the last 100 pages, SAVED this book for me. Things finally picked up there.
So am I glad I read it? Yes.
Is it one of my favorites? No.
But thats okay.
Well...
I mean I REALLY liked the story. The plot. Even the characters. And omg is this beautifully written.
"Hearts are forever scarred by our true nature."
However. This was a slooooooow burn. Very slow paced for me. For once a book where I almost felt things were too descriptive. I felt at times that I had to force myself to push through it. I was enjoying it, yes, but I was struggling to read through it. Its a feeling that I'm having a very hard time explaining, and honestly unlike anything I've ever felt when reading a book. So that was frustrating.
"The truth of what I am has become a nightmare."
Now with that being said, those last few chapters, like maybe the last 100 pages, SAVED this book for me. Things finally picked up there.
So am I glad I read it? Yes.
Is it one of my favorites? No.
But thats okay.
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Black Panther Vol. 1: A Nation Under Our Feet in Books
Nov 30, 2020
So what can I say? I liked it, yes. A bit dry in spots, felt like a bit of a slow burn in the very beginning, but really quite liked how Coates wrapped up the first arc of his run. Only thing not likable in this collection was the Jonathan Hickman-written material from NEW AVENGERS 18, 21, and 24 (if wasn't for this inclusion, I would have given it 5 Stars). Other than that, good stuff, great handling of the socio-political aspects of Wakanda. Looking forward to starting the 4th volume this week!
One concluding thought I want to put out there.. Don't go into Coates' BP run expecting a Marvel "paint by numbers" superhero book. This series is so much, offering a solid interpretation of the character. Coates has incorporated so much of what is going on in the world today, bringing into the comic, as well as stirring in Wakanda's rich historical background as well as the Wakanda pantheon of gods! If you go in with the approach I am recommending, you, too, will love Coates' BLACK PANTHER run!
One concluding thought I want to put out there.. Don't go into Coates' BP run expecting a Marvel "paint by numbers" superhero book. This series is so much, offering a solid interpretation of the character. Coates has incorporated so much of what is going on in the world today, bringing into the comic, as well as stirring in Wakanda's rich historical background as well as the Wakanda pantheon of gods! If you go in with the approach I am recommending, you, too, will love Coates' BLACK PANTHER run!
Pieces of Her Soul (Soul Tenders #1)
Book
In the words of her schoolmaster, Kiarra is an erratic disaster. In the well-ordered and balanced...
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Inheritance in Books
Sep 21, 2022
What an enthralling read!
Sarah will inherit a small fortune and a grand house IF she is able to solve the mystery of the disappearance of her late aunt's best friend something neither her aunt or the Police were able to do in over 30 years ... Sarah has 6 months and if she fails, it all goes to the Conservative Party!!!
This book is full of interesting characters; most of which are not particularly likeable but this works really well with the story and brings up all manner of likely suspects. The setting of Craigsmoor Manor is wonderfully described and creates additional atmosphere and a creeping sense of foreboding.
The plot is intriguing and very engaging and although it's a slow burn, the author keeps you gripped by his excellent story telling and I would definitely recommend to those who love a great mystery.
My thanks must go to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Inheritance.
Sarah will inherit a small fortune and a grand house IF she is able to solve the mystery of the disappearance of her late aunt's best friend something neither her aunt or the Police were able to do in over 30 years ... Sarah has 6 months and if she fails, it all goes to the Conservative Party!!!
This book is full of interesting characters; most of which are not particularly likeable but this works really well with the story and brings up all manner of likely suspects. The setting of Craigsmoor Manor is wonderfully described and creates additional atmosphere and a creeping sense of foreboding.
The plot is intriguing and very engaging and although it's a slow burn, the author keeps you gripped by his excellent story telling and I would definitely recommend to those who love a great mystery.
My thanks must go to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Inheritance.
The Bandalore (Pitch & Sickle #1)
Book
1885 London, England Silas Mercer died once. He’d rather not do it again. On his return to the...
MM Historical Gaslamp Fantasy
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Patient in Books
Apr 28, 2022
From the description, I was expecting an exciting and fast-paced thriller but this is not what I experienced; it was more a slow-burn domestic suspense/mystery/love affair that although wasn't what I anticipated, it kept me engaged most of the time.
I found the characters weren't particularly likeable and whilst this doesn't usually bother me that much, they did start to grate on my nerves which affected how I felt about them and the story as it developed.
The story itself was an interesting mystery but nothing overly exciting or different. The writing was a little over descriptive at times but it plodded on ok.
Overall, not the most exciting book I have ever read but not the worst either but, once again, there are many more positive reviews out there so give it a go if you enjoy romance books with a bit of mystery thrown in.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
I found the characters weren't particularly likeable and whilst this doesn't usually bother me that much, they did start to grate on my nerves which affected how I felt about them and the story as it developed.
The story itself was an interesting mystery but nothing overly exciting or different. The writing was a little over descriptive at times but it plodded on ok.
Overall, not the most exciting book I have ever read but not the worst either but, once again, there are many more positive reviews out there so give it a go if you enjoy romance books with a bit of mystery thrown in.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Family Business in Books
Oct 9, 2022
I have never read anything by Mr Sims before but I do like to dip into the horror genre on occasion however, this is what I would call more supernatural with a bit of horror thrown in rather than a full-blown horror but that's ok just like this was an ok read.
What I enjoyed: the characters were interesting and believable, the "monster" was something a bit different and the plot was pretty unique.
What let it down for me: it was a bit of a slow burn with not a lot happening for quite a lot of the book although there was an increasing sense of unease which built up from the start but it just seemed to take a long time to get there unfortunately.
Whilst I wouldn't say this was one of my favourites in this genre, I did like Mr Sim's writing style and I would be tempted to read his future books and I must give my thanks to The Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Family Business.
What I enjoyed: the characters were interesting and believable, the "monster" was something a bit different and the plot was pretty unique.
What let it down for me: it was a bit of a slow burn with not a lot happening for quite a lot of the book although there was an increasing sense of unease which built up from the start but it just seemed to take a long time to get there unfortunately.
Whilst I wouldn't say this was one of my favourites in this genre, I did like Mr Sim's writing style and I would be tempted to read his future books and I must give my thanks to The Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Family Business.
Merissa (12061 KP) rated Secretly Mine (Offbeat Shifters #1) in Books
Feb 11, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)
SECRETLY MINE is the first book in the Offbeat Shifters series, and the first thing I want to talk about is how wonderful it is to have two shifters, neither of which are bears or wolves!
Isaac left his job at the London Stock Exchange and is hired by an old college 'friend' as a bodyguard. His first job is to protect up-and-coming pop star, Jesse Steele. He expects a diva, but what he gets is very different.
This is a slow-burn romance with some steamy moments that enhance the overall story. The pacing is smooth, and the world-building and attention to detail are spot-on. I loved the suspense aspect of it, even though I guessed correctly early on who it was.
A great start to a series that I can't wait to continue. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 11, 2021
Isaac left his job at the London Stock Exchange and is hired by an old college 'friend' as a bodyguard. His first job is to protect up-and-coming pop star, Jesse Steele. He expects a diva, but what he gets is very different.
This is a slow-burn romance with some steamy moments that enhance the overall story. The pacing is smooth, and the world-building and attention to detail are spot-on. I loved the suspense aspect of it, even though I guessed correctly early on who it was.
A great start to a series that I can't wait to continue. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 11, 2021