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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated In Shadows Waiting in Books

Nov 15, 2019

When Simon Reynolds thinks he sees a shadow flit outside the window of the house he shares with his family, he doesn't think much of it. But when there are more ocurrences and other members of the family (including the dog) become unsettled by things not quite seen, it is clear that there is something not quite normal at work.

As the days go by the menace becomes clearer. What is going on and why?

This is very much a traditional ghost story told very effectively by Bint from Simon's point of view. The whole story is also told by Simon as a flashback so we are aware that there are tragic consequences.

The air of menace in the first half of the book is palpable. The ghost is only glimpsed and can be explained away in the cold light of day. As the plot progresses and the threat becomes more real I felt that this sense was lost - but perhaps this is inevitable. Things half-seen out of the window at dusk mean nervous glances out of the windows when reading, but more substantial manifestations don't invoke quite the same sense.

By that time however the reader will be very keen to see what happens to Simon and his family. The past is demanding a price from the present, but who is going to pay it?

Kudos

Awix (3310 KP) rated Emma (2020) in Movies

Feb 21, 2020

Emma (2020)

2020 | Comedy, Drama, Romance

6.8

(8 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

It's customary for the makers of new Jane Austen adaptations to declare they've come up with a bold new approach to the material. This almost invariably turns out not to be the case (we end up with all the usual balls, carriages, and people swanking about in top hats and Empire-line dresses) and it would probably be a bad idea anyway: a large segment of the audience of Jane Austen movies turns up precisely because they know exactly what they're going to get (balls, carriages, etc) and would be upset if it wasn't there. This version of Emma should suit them very nicely.

The director is also a photographer which probably explains why the composition and look of the thing is so impeccable, but may also have something to do with why the story feels a little a bit flat and difficult to follow near the start (there are lots of characters to keep track of). Not what you'd actually call rip-snortingly funny or especially romantic, but the performances are decent. The most interesting creative choice is the use of traditional folk music at various points on the soundtrack (Johnny Flynn sings as well as acts), but its authenticity does feel rather at odds with the tone of the rest of the movie. Passes the time decently - people who like this sort of thing will probably like Emma, too.