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Sensitivemuse (246 KP) rated The Perfect Mother in Books
Aug 24, 2018
Slow built up suspense with a great ending
Don’t be overwhelmed by the substantial amount of characters in this book. Some are just stand by, you’ll want to focus on: Francie, Colette, Nell, and Winnie. (Maybe Token on the side but he’s more a supportive role) it may seem haphazard and all over the place which is why it’s best to just focus on these four moms.
The chapters switch from different points of view and there’s that one lone chapter that’s presented in first person. It’s a mystery as to who that is until much later, but it certainly does keep you guessing on who that person could be. It may seem obvious at first and during the reading you feel so sure you know who that is and what’s behind the entire story but the blind side moment comes fast in the last few chapters and you’re left with a shock.
The plot slowly builds to a good mystery and suspense. The thrilling bits get you at the end. It’s a satisfying read, the characters grate on you (Francie and Nell are the ones I disliked the most), but it’s the suspense and the ‘keeping you guessing’ bits that get the reading going.
So although it may seem like it’s all over the place, give the book a chance and read. It’s well worth it with the superb ending.
The chapters switch from different points of view and there’s that one lone chapter that’s presented in first person. It’s a mystery as to who that is until much later, but it certainly does keep you guessing on who that person could be. It may seem obvious at first and during the reading you feel so sure you know who that is and what’s behind the entire story but the blind side moment comes fast in the last few chapters and you’re left with a shock.
The plot slowly builds to a good mystery and suspense. The thrilling bits get you at the end. It’s a satisfying read, the characters grate on you (Francie and Nell are the ones I disliked the most), but it’s the suspense and the ‘keeping you guessing’ bits that get the reading going.
So although it may seem like it’s all over the place, give the book a chance and read. It’s well worth it with the superb ending.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Outlaw King (2018) in Movies
Nov 11, 2018 (Updated Nov 11, 2018)
Most of the early notices for this film appear to have focused on Chris Pine's full-frontal nude scene, rather than the fact it's clearly the work of people who loved Braveheart so much they decided to make their own version. Early 14th century Scotland suffers under the yoke of English oppression; nobleman Robert the Bruce decides to stand up and do the right thing, even if it does mean breaking his word and murdering his rivals. Much shouting and many mud-spattered battle scenes ensue; the CGI button marked 'arterial spray' gets pressed a lot.
All right if you like this sort of thing, I suppose: some interesting mediaeval detail sneaks in, but most of the characterisation deals in stock types and the film-makers never quite persuaded me of why I should genuinely care about this story. Bruce spends much of the film brooding, which is not really Pine's strong suit, but there are some solid supporting performances (Florence Pugh is predictably good in a very thin part). The battles are well mounted and the scenery is nice; I imagine many people will enjoy this much more than I did. For the record: Chris Pine's winky is barely visible, far less so than Florence Pugh's boobies, which have attracted much less critical attention (now that's what I call a double standard).
All right if you like this sort of thing, I suppose: some interesting mediaeval detail sneaks in, but most of the characterisation deals in stock types and the film-makers never quite persuaded me of why I should genuinely care about this story. Bruce spends much of the film brooding, which is not really Pine's strong suit, but there are some solid supporting performances (Florence Pugh is predictably good in a very thin part). The battles are well mounted and the scenery is nice; I imagine many people will enjoy this much more than I did. For the record: Chris Pine's winky is barely visible, far less so than Florence Pugh's boobies, which have attracted much less critical attention (now that's what I call a double standard).
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Just Mercy (2019) in Movies
Feb 7, 2020
Exactly what you'd expect
After much deliberation, I decided on watching Just Mercy today - in all honesty because out of my 3 choices, it was on the earliest.
From seeing the trailer, Just Mercy is exactly the film you'd expect it to be. Which in a way was a tad disappointing, but as it's a true story, it would have been a surprise if it had turned out differently. The performances are very good, Michael B Jordan admittedly using the same facial expressions in most scenes but still a good turn. Jamie Foxx excels as you'd expect him to, it's just a shame he's not on screen as much as you'd like and Brie Larson is underused too. There's a lot of feels in this film too, I'd dare anyone not to be welling up by the end and it's also telling a true story that is important and meaningful, yet slightly worrying that this sort of injustice and racism was still happening in the early 90s!
The problem I think is that whilst this is a good film, it is your typical Oscar fodder. Which is odd considering it's lack of nominations. Films like this are far too common nowadays and there wasn't anything in this that made it stand out. But despite this it's still good and worth a watch for the story alone.
From seeing the trailer, Just Mercy is exactly the film you'd expect it to be. Which in a way was a tad disappointing, but as it's a true story, it would have been a surprise if it had turned out differently. The performances are very good, Michael B Jordan admittedly using the same facial expressions in most scenes but still a good turn. Jamie Foxx excels as you'd expect him to, it's just a shame he's not on screen as much as you'd like and Brie Larson is underused too. There's a lot of feels in this film too, I'd dare anyone not to be welling up by the end and it's also telling a true story that is important and meaningful, yet slightly worrying that this sort of injustice and racism was still happening in the early 90s!
The problem I think is that whilst this is a good film, it is your typical Oscar fodder. Which is odd considering it's lack of nominations. Films like this are far too common nowadays and there wasn't anything in this that made it stand out. But despite this it's still good and worth a watch for the story alone.
ClareR (6129 KP) rated Not As Nature Intended in Books
Feb 9, 2020
Not As Nature Intended is not a book that’s going to give you the warm and fuzzies. It’s a book that tells it how it is: it’s graphic, even without the pictures.
Rich Hardy is an animal activist, and he considers that it is his responsibility to inform the public of the living conditions that the animals who live and die for our food and clothing endure. And it’s not easy reading. It can’t have been easy researching either. It’s clear that Rich’s life and/ or safety is in danger on several occasions, and that by the way he deals with these incidents it just shows that these aren’t the first time he’s had to deal with them. This man has made it his life’s work to stand up for animals and the way they live and die (although as he is a vegan, I’m pretty sure he’d rather they didn’t have to die for our benefit at all), and has written this book in an informative, non-preachy way.
This has certainly made me think more about the food I put on my family’s plate, and we have reduced the amount of meat in our diet as a consequence. Who knows, perhaps we’ll ditch it completely!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising the book, and Rich Hardy for reading along.
Rich Hardy is an animal activist, and he considers that it is his responsibility to inform the public of the living conditions that the animals who live and die for our food and clothing endure. And it’s not easy reading. It can’t have been easy researching either. It’s clear that Rich’s life and/ or safety is in danger on several occasions, and that by the way he deals with these incidents it just shows that these aren’t the first time he’s had to deal with them. This man has made it his life’s work to stand up for animals and the way they live and die (although as he is a vegan, I’m pretty sure he’d rather they didn’t have to die for our benefit at all), and has written this book in an informative, non-preachy way.
This has certainly made me think more about the food I put on my family’s plate, and we have reduced the amount of meat in our diet as a consequence. Who knows, perhaps we’ll ditch it completely!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising the book, and Rich Hardy for reading along.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Ride Along (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
I will make this review quick and easy. This movie is simple. Simple pedestrian
story, simple shells of characters with no depth and simple jokes. This is the
kind of movie that you go watch, enjoy yourself and forget about ten minutes
after you walk out of the theater. Is that bad? Not as long as have the right
expectations going in.
If your expectations are the following, you will
have a good time:
– Fans of Kevin Hart going to see Kevin Hart be Kevin
Hart-lite
– Introducing your significant other or parents to Kevin Hart
(lite)
– Looking for a laugh at matinee movie prices
– Expecting to see a
simple version of the buddy cop genre
If your expectations are the
following, you will be disappointed:
– Expecting this movie to be as
funny as Friday because Ice Cube is in it
– Expecting Ice Cube to be
anything but devoid of personality
– Expecting Kevin Hart to be as funny as
his stand up
– Expecting the duo to do the buddy cop genre justice
That’s really about all there is to say about this film. Did I enjoy
myself? Yes I did, because I went in with the right type of expectations. But I
honestly cannot remember much about the movie or many of the jokes as I write
this review two days after watching it. So that should count for something.
story, simple shells of characters with no depth and simple jokes. This is the
kind of movie that you go watch, enjoy yourself and forget about ten minutes
after you walk out of the theater. Is that bad? Not as long as have the right
expectations going in.
If your expectations are the following, you will
have a good time:
– Fans of Kevin Hart going to see Kevin Hart be Kevin
Hart-lite
– Introducing your significant other or parents to Kevin Hart
(lite)
– Looking for a laugh at matinee movie prices
– Expecting to see a
simple version of the buddy cop genre
If your expectations are the
following, you will be disappointed:
– Expecting this movie to be as
funny as Friday because Ice Cube is in it
– Expecting Ice Cube to be
anything but devoid of personality
– Expecting Kevin Hart to be as funny as
his stand up
– Expecting the duo to do the buddy cop genre justice
That’s really about all there is to say about this film. Did I enjoy
myself? Yes I did, because I went in with the right type of expectations. But I
honestly cannot remember much about the movie or many of the jokes as I write
this review two days after watching it. So that should count for something.
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