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9 1/2 Weeks (1986)
9 1/2 Weeks (1986)
1986 | Drama, Romance
Wild, magnetic, and hot as hell - nobody does these like Lyne, man. One of the things I love most about this is that it's one of the sacred few of these that don't demonize kink *nor* make it a symptom of some trauma/mental illness; this is simply two consenting adults participating in a kinky relationship. They were getting this shit right in 1986, people - there's no excuse to keep messing it up 35 years later. Of course Rourke and Basinger have smoldering chemistry here too, their performances are so daring for the time and hold up airtight even today. Asks the devastating question of whether it's worse when passion is lost altogether, or when it becomes too consuming for one's reasonable expectations to handle? Also features a montage of the two leads fucking on a rainy alley staircase to loud 1980s synth music after beating up a random group of thugs - so you really get the best of both worlds. The last 20/25 minutes is the best work of Lyne's entire career. 80s MTV version of 𝘍𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘺 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘺 (still not quite as good as 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺, though).
  
The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist (1973)
1973 | Horror
Plot, acting, VISUALS! (0 more)
Nothing, really (0 more)
A classic for a reason
This movie has everything a horror fan could want. Demons, possession, the never-not-scary backward walking down the staircase, and of course, head spinning. This story of a girl possessed and slowly being devoured by a demon is my favorite kind of horror because it doesn't make you scared for a second. It makes you scared for years. The kind of story where you feel like it could really happen so you go home and check your closets, under the beds, and your kids' foreheads for triple sixes.
Compared to what we have now, the visual aspect of the movie is not the cleanest, but that doesn't detract from the awesome makeup and other effects. Reagan's slow descent into hell is reflected in her appearance as her teeth blacken and her skin rots with lesions. She does something in the movie that still makes my skin crawl (crucifix scene, ugh) but that's how I can tell that the movie hit its mark, if I can think on it years later and still get the creeps. This is definitely something to add to your Halloween collection if you haven't already.
  
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (2019)
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (2019)
2019 | Crime, Drama, Family
Boring Mansion Mystery
Sleuth Nancy Drew (Sophia Lillis) is tasked with getting to the bottom of a haunting mystery at the Twin Elms mansion.

Acting: 9
For the most part, Lillis’ performance is solid in her role as Nancy. She shows her range throughout the movie and you can easily understand why she was given the leading role. Fortunately she is at the helm of the majority of the movie because most of the actors were just “meh” in their roles. Their cardboard delivery gave the movie more of a Lifetime movie feel than a feature film.

Beginning: 10

Characters: 8

Cinematography/Visuals: 2

Conflict: 5

Genre: 1

Memorability: 2
Memorable? The main thing I remember is falling asleep not once but TWICE while watching the movie. There is nothing here that really stuck out for me, neither good nor bad. Wait, I do remember one thing: Waiting for the movie to be over.

Pace: 5
The movie had a tendency to drag on, shot for shot. You think you’re going to get to delve mostly into the mystery, but it somehow devolved into a “daily life” routine type of movie. There was a lot of Much Ado About Nothing as the film drags on. Weak pacing was a huge contributor in killing the whole vibe.

Plot: 2

Resolution: 2

Overall: 46
Yikes. Talk about a movie that is hard to stomach. If your kids ask to see Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase, suggest something else. By the time you get to the meat of this movie, you won’t care anymore.
  
Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook
Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook
Martha Stewart | 2006 | Home & Garden, Reference, Technical
10
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
It contains EVERYTHING (0 more)
The essential homekeeping encyclopedia
So first off, this is NOT a read-cover-to-cover kind of book. This is an encyclopedia. This is a you-spilled-red-wine-and-barbecue-sauce-on-Grandma’s-handmade-lace-doily-tablecloth-and-need-to-know-how-to-get-the-stain-out kind of book. And it’s AMAZING. If you have a question about homekeeping, the answer is in here.

How to take care of 12 different possible kinds of countertop materials? It’s in here.

What is this weird shaped scrub brush and what is it used for? In here.

Components of a staircase, pros and cons of carpeting a staircase, and how to do it if you choose to? In here.

How to read a Consumer Confidence Report provided by your water supplier? Different kinds of heating and cooling systems, and how to maintain them? Need to know all sixteen types of spoons? How to clean and maintain most small (and large) kitchen appliances? All in here, along with so much more.

It’s a huge book, with an incredible amount of information. It also features lots of pictures, charts, and the occasional inspirational quote. I checked this book out from the library once and immediately put it on my wish list to own, because I wanted a reference copy in the house! (I finally bought my copy almost a year ago.) If you have a passion for housekeeping (or even if you don’t but it’s still a responsibility of yours) this is a fantastic book to have in your arsenal. Yes, you can find most of this information through Google – but it can be hard to decide how reliable that information is. Martha’s not going to lie to you! You know she’s tested this stuff.

There’s more than just cleaning and maintenance – there’s also suggestions for home layout, how to make a house more convenient and comfortable for everyone living in it, hints for storage and workflow. This book really has everything.

I 100% recommend this book for homeowners, and renters can get a lot out of it, too.

You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com