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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Under the Skin (2014) in Movies
Feb 9, 2018
Hoped For More
Under the Skin was doing just fine...until it took a strange direction that I really couldn't get behind. I can't explain it without ruining the movie so I won't. I'm not saying it's not worth watching at least once. However, even if you end up liking it, your appreciation for the film may not be immediate.
I say that because it took me awhile to digest some of the messages sprinkled throughout the film because I was too busy trying to focus on what was actually happening plot-wise. The film preaches that we are victims of our own desires, the things we should probably stay away from but can't. When we don't get the things that we want, we would rather destroy those things than treat them as a loss and move on. How many times have you heard, "I didn't want that job anyway" or "I hate that team. They win too much"? If we can't have the good thing, then no one should have it.
With strong messages like these, It's a wonder the film wasn't better. Overall, it just felt like a puzzle with missing pieces. You're guessing continuously, expecting things to fall into place at some point, but they never do. Again, not a bad film...it just could have been so much more. I expected more excitement and intrigue from a film about an alien female roaming Scotland streets luring men into her van.
For what it's worth, the film does a great job of grabbing your attention and curiosity immediately, setting a tone that demands your attention. Scarlett Johansson was great in her role as Laura the alien life form. You can't help but relate to her struggle of trying to blend in while trying to complete her mission at the same time. Perhaps that was another message: We shouldn't try and change who we are to fit in with social norms. A few tweaks could have made this film a lot better. Overall I give Under the Skin a 75.
I say that because it took me awhile to digest some of the messages sprinkled throughout the film because I was too busy trying to focus on what was actually happening plot-wise. The film preaches that we are victims of our own desires, the things we should probably stay away from but can't. When we don't get the things that we want, we would rather destroy those things than treat them as a loss and move on. How many times have you heard, "I didn't want that job anyway" or "I hate that team. They win too much"? If we can't have the good thing, then no one should have it.
With strong messages like these, It's a wonder the film wasn't better. Overall, it just felt like a puzzle with missing pieces. You're guessing continuously, expecting things to fall into place at some point, but they never do. Again, not a bad film...it just could have been so much more. I expected more excitement and intrigue from a film about an alien female roaming Scotland streets luring men into her van.
For what it's worth, the film does a great job of grabbing your attention and curiosity immediately, setting a tone that demands your attention. Scarlett Johansson was great in her role as Laura the alien life form. You can't help but relate to her struggle of trying to blend in while trying to complete her mission at the same time. Perhaps that was another message: We shouldn't try and change who we are to fit in with social norms. A few tweaks could have made this film a lot better. Overall I give Under the Skin a 75.
Amy Norman (1042 KP) rated Queen of Nothing in Books
Apr 1, 2020
This is the final book for the trilogy of The Folk of the Air series.
I adored this book, and struggled to put it down; the culmination of a very fast paced series that delivers.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who preferred Arya's story arc in Game of Thrones but with more magic, intrigue, and scheming oh so many schemes.
Holly has built a beautiful world, that is absolutely intoxicating, and I will honestly ache for more to come from this series.
I also appreciate this book so much for the strong female characters, there were some really subtle and nuanced details that I don't believe a male writer could portray, or even think of.
It is vulnerable in a way that I think most will relate to, and might get under your skin 😉but it is not overwhelming or over the top, in fact it is extremely well balanced overall.
Please go and enjoy for yourself ☺
I adored this book, and struggled to put it down; the culmination of a very fast paced series that delivers.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who preferred Arya's story arc in Game of Thrones but with more magic, intrigue, and scheming oh so many schemes.
Holly has built a beautiful world, that is absolutely intoxicating, and I will honestly ache for more to come from this series.
I also appreciate this book so much for the strong female characters, there were some really subtle and nuanced details that I don't believe a male writer could portray, or even think of.
It is vulnerable in a way that I think most will relate to, and might get under your skin 😉but it is not overwhelming or over the top, in fact it is extremely well balanced overall.
Please go and enjoy for yourself ☺
Dark Sacred Night
8.0
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LAPD Detective Renée Ballard teams up with Harry Bosch in the new thriller from #1 NYT bestselling...
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Merissa (11950 KP) rated Regret (Under My Skin #1) in Books
Apr 30, 2018
Regret (Under My Skin #1) by Christina Lee
Regret is the first book in the Under My Skin series, and is a fantastic second-chance romance. Brin fell hard for Nick when he was younger, but due to Nick's 'cowardice' they broke up before things could really get started. Fast forward and Brin finds out that Nick is the roommate of his friend, where he will also be staying whilst his condo is put back together after a flood. Brin finds out he still holds a lot of resentment towards Nick, and feelings too. He is confused over what he feels, and gives Nick hell, who just seems to accept everything Brin throws at him. Brin becomes intrigued and is determined to find out more, as Nick continues to worm his way past Brin's defences and into his heart.
This story is a second chance story, with a hint of enemies to lovers, and also an openly gay vs. closeted in the mix too. There is something here for everyone, and it is exceedingly well told. Although Brin can hold onto a grudge, he is also prepared to accept people have changed. It may take him a while, but he isn't completely closed off to the notion. As for Nick, boy, that man really needs to have some therapy. I can completely understand the guilt he feels, but to hold onto it for so long, so strongly, well, it made my heart break.
With no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, this was a story that pulled me in and wouldn't let go until I'd finished. Absolutely brilliant, and definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This story is a second chance story, with a hint of enemies to lovers, and also an openly gay vs. closeted in the mix too. There is something here for everyone, and it is exceedingly well told. Although Brin can hold onto a grudge, he is also prepared to accept people have changed. It may take him a while, but he isn't completely closed off to the notion. As for Nick, boy, that man really needs to have some therapy. I can completely understand the guilt he feels, but to hold onto it for so long, so strongly, well, it made my heart break.
With no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, this was a story that pulled me in and wouldn't let go until I'd finished. Absolutely brilliant, and definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Bird Box (2018) in Movies
Jan 5, 2019
There are worse ways to spend two hours I guess...
Please no one say the book is better!
Sandra Bullock was the highlight of this movie I felt compelled to watch because of all the recent hype.
Some unexplained phenomena causes people throughout the world to lose it and begin committing suicide and the carnage begins. Soon there are not many people left and they have a hard time deciding who to trust and how to resolve their situation.
Others have said the movies was too long and I would agree. A twenty minute trim job would have done this movie well. The first act was the best part of the film as I felt the 2nd half lacked a lot of action and was slow moving.
I am probably one of those people who love vague or unexplained ending way more than most people do; however, this one was a disappointment.
I would say watch A Quiet Place, The Mist or Under the Skin instead.
Sandra Bullock was the highlight of this movie I felt compelled to watch because of all the recent hype.
Some unexplained phenomena causes people throughout the world to lose it and begin committing suicide and the carnage begins. Soon there are not many people left and they have a hard time deciding who to trust and how to resolve their situation.
Others have said the movies was too long and I would agree. A twenty minute trim job would have done this movie well. The first act was the best part of the film as I felt the 2nd half lacked a lot of action and was slow moving.
I am probably one of those people who love vague or unexplained ending way more than most people do; however, this one was a disappointment.
I would say watch A Quiet Place, The Mist or Under the Skin instead.
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Ultimate Sins (The Callahans, #4)
5.5
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A FORBIDDEN LOVE Ex-Marine Crowe Callahan has only had one obsession in life: Amelia Sorenson. She...
School's Out—Forever (Maximum Ride, #2)
9.6
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If you've already experienced MAXIMUM RIDE: THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT, stop right here - just turn the...
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Birth (2004) in Movies
Feb 10, 2019
Interesting but disappointing
The director of Under the Skin shows us an interesting dynamic play out when a ten year old boy enters the scene while a wealthy man is engaged to a woman who had lost her husband 10 years earlier.
The young boy claims to be her dead husband come back to life in this small body. The young man wants to reenter the woman's life and wants her not to marry her current beau. The woman starts to struggle with her feelings, especially the ones she thought she had put behind her and she has to make some difficult choices.
The film is interesting and well acted by Nicole Kidman, but I feel the payoff was not that fulfilling and some scenes were sort of scrapped together with no real point.
There were a few awkward scenes between Nicole Kidman and the young boy which made me cringe in my seat a little which were kind of hard to watch.
A little disappointed.
The young boy claims to be her dead husband come back to life in this small body. The young man wants to reenter the woman's life and wants her not to marry her current beau. The woman starts to struggle with her feelings, especially the ones she thought she had put behind her and she has to make some difficult choices.
The film is interesting and well acted by Nicole Kidman, but I feel the payoff was not that fulfilling and some scenes were sort of scrapped together with no real point.
There were a few awkward scenes between Nicole Kidman and the young boy which made me cringe in my seat a little which were kind of hard to watch.
A little disappointed.
Andy K (10821 KP) Feb 9, 2018