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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write in Books
Oct 13, 2017
A multitude of wonderful voices
From Lebanon to Pakistan, there is a whole host of female Muslim voices in this wonderful pioneering collection.
Some of the stand out stories, essays and poems include a man reconnecting with art through a woman's eyes, to political stories about the apartheid state of Palestine, so-called "honour crimes", and the illegal war in Iraq. The writers involved are award-winning authors such as Kamila Shamsie, actors, and even a young 15 year old poet - all based in the UK.
It avoids stereotypes and instead advocates quite a humanist outlook on femininity - that a person is complex, with a full range of emotions rather than just the standard media portrayal. A wonderful plethora of diversity.
Some of the stand out stories, essays and poems include a man reconnecting with art through a woman's eyes, to political stories about the apartheid state of Palestine, so-called "honour crimes", and the illegal war in Iraq. The writers involved are award-winning authors such as Kamila Shamsie, actors, and even a young 15 year old poet - all based in the UK.
It avoids stereotypes and instead advocates quite a humanist outlook on femininity - that a person is complex, with a full range of emotions rather than just the standard media portrayal. A wonderful plethora of diversity.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story (2019) in Movies
Apr 2, 2019 (Updated Apr 2, 2019)
Hugely affectionate and enjoyable portrait of Chris Sievey, who became a cult figure as the hapless, anarchic, peculiar all-round entertainer Frank Sidebottom. Sievey/Frank is probably best known outside the UK thanks to the movie he inspired with Michael Fassbender wearing the head; this documentary makes it quite clear just how much stranger and more entertaining than fiction reality was in this case.
Definitely a portrait of Sievey rather than his creation, but still hugely entertaining: the film doesn't skimp on detailing the troubles that he encountered throughout his life, but you still come away with a definite sense of a life well lived, and an immensely creative mind ceaselessly at work. A worthy memorial to a unique individual.
Definitely a portrait of Sievey rather than his creation, but still hugely entertaining: the film doesn't skimp on detailing the troubles that he encountered throughout his life, but you still come away with a definite sense of a life well lived, and an immensely creative mind ceaselessly at work. A worthy memorial to a unique individual.
Awix (3310 KP) rated A Clockwork Orange (1971) in Movies
Apr 7, 2019 (Updated Apr 7, 2019)
Kubrick's provocative examination of violence and morality. Young offender Alex (McDowell) leads a carefree life of theft, assault, and rape, until his actions catch up with him and he is sent to prison. There he volunteers for a new therapy which is supposed to remove his capacity for violent wrongdoing...
A massively iconic, much-imitated film, despite being taken out of circulation (in the UK at least) by the director for thirty years. The film's musings on the nature of moral agency are less striking than its baleful, scathing criticism of social attitudes towards crime and punishment, and the extraordinarily vivid opening and still difficult-to-watch opening sequence. A grotesque morality play with many coups de cinema; an extraordinary film by any standard.
A massively iconic, much-imitated film, despite being taken out of circulation (in the UK at least) by the director for thirty years. The film's musings on the nature of moral agency are less striking than its baleful, scathing criticism of social attitudes towards crime and punishment, and the extraordinarily vivid opening and still difficult-to-watch opening sequence. A grotesque morality play with many coups de cinema; an extraordinary film by any standard.
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated The Day After Tomorrow (2004) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
It’s not subtle, but boy does it get the job done. The Day After Tomorrow, directed by Roland Emmerich aka the disaster movie expert, this disaster movie is a slickly shot and well-paced film that’s brimming with special effects.
Some of them hold up well and some of them don’t (ahem, the wolves). But the story is decent and Jake Gyllenhaal is always a win, plus Dennis Quaid is always reliable. It’s also much, much better than 2009’s 2012 and remains a really good addition to the genre, though maybe a little too close to home for the UK at the moment. Storm Emma is on her way and she’s not going to be pretty.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/02/28/best-snow-movies-top-5/
Some of them hold up well and some of them don’t (ahem, the wolves). But the story is decent and Jake Gyllenhaal is always a win, plus Dennis Quaid is always reliable. It’s also much, much better than 2009’s 2012 and remains a really good addition to the genre, though maybe a little too close to home for the UK at the moment. Storm Emma is on her way and she’s not going to be pretty.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/02/28/best-snow-movies-top-5/
Willwoodncl (0 KP) rated Notes from A Big Country: Journey into the American Dream in Books
Feb 5, 2018
Loads of little tails aboit returning home
From the post office to garbage disposal this book literaly has everything, it is funny and light hearted but draws you into bill brysons world and you can imagine your sitting having a one to one with him .
I picked this book up purely by accident and couldnt put it down after 15 years of not reading anything more then a newspaper this book re-ignited the world and escapism that reading can bring
I picked this book up purely by accident and couldnt put it down after 15 years of not reading anything more then a newspaper this book re-ignited the world and escapism that reading can bring
Kaz4ray (17 KP) rated Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House in Books
Jan 28, 2018
This book is incredibly difficult to read if like me you are from the UK and don’t know much about the finer points of US Politics. However, if you persevere it gives us an inside look at Trump and the team behind him who are apparently the brains behind the clueless man himself. It really is a rather frightening read as it’s real life and if it is to be believed then an imbecile is in charge of the most powerful country in the world. I’m not sure what to make of it - I really don’t want to believe it as it is nightmare inducing but a lot of it rings true. Michael Wolff paints a very concerning picture of what is happening within the White House.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2589 KP) rated Cry Fowl in Books
Mar 10, 2018
Joe and Tommy are going to visit family in the UK, but they can’t leave behind their lives as homicide cops. Joe, visiting his in-laws in England, discovers that his father-in-law’s business partner has been murdered. Meanwhile, Tommy’s visit to family in Ireland is complicated by the fact that someone is out to kill his uncle.
It would have been nice if these two stories connected, but instead we get two novellas. That’s a minor complaint, however, since it is wonderful to get more adventures with these two great characters. Both stories are solid with plenty of complications before they are resolved. We also get some interesting developments for Joe and some good background on Tommy. Fans will be glad they read this one.
It would have been nice if these two stories connected, but instead we get two novellas. That’s a minor complaint, however, since it is wonderful to get more adventures with these two great characters. Both stories are solid with plenty of complications before they are resolved. We also get some interesting developments for Joe and some good background on Tommy. Fans will be glad they read this one.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Chocolate Cake in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Chocolate Cake by Michael Rosen is a short picture book about a boy’s love of chocolate cake. The boy ends up not being able to wait for his chocolate cake and this is the storm of his midnight chocolate cake feast. The boys mistake is that is does not clean up his trail of it. His mom figures out what happened in the end, which allows for a lesson on teaching children of being truthful.
The illustrations is great. The illustrations are unique. They appear to be hand drawn which helps the book to authentic.
I have this book 4/5 stars.
Thank you Penguin Random House UK Children’s and Puffin via NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The illustrations is great. The illustrations are unique. They appear to be hand drawn which helps the book to authentic.
I have this book 4/5 stars.
Thank you Penguin Random House UK Children’s and Puffin via NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Aasiyah Sidat (34 KP) rated The Lowland in Books
Jul 5, 2018
Brotherly Love...to another level!
I love books based in different countries other than the UK or the US. Reason being a good book helps you explore these new destinations and learn about different cultures and traditions.
I love reading books based in India. Maybe it is because I am Indian but I love learning about the country my family immigrated from. India is where my roots are and it's a completely different world.
The lowland is based in Kolkata or Calcutta as it was called back then. Although that is not part of the India I am from, it is very interesting how there are so many different traditions in the same country.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2017/04/brotherly-loveto-another-level.html
I love reading books based in India. Maybe it is because I am Indian but I love learning about the country my family immigrated from. India is where my roots are and it's a completely different world.
The lowland is based in Kolkata or Calcutta as it was called back then. Although that is not part of the India I am from, it is very interesting how there are so many different traditions in the same country.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2017/04/brotherly-loveto-another-level.html