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Sing, Unburied, Sing
Sing, Unburied, Sing
Jesmyn Ward | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.5 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Toni Morrison novel updated for modern times
This is no doubt a modern day version of reading a Toni Morrison novel. From the magical realism aspect to social issues affecting African Americans, this novel is both haunting and almost poetic.

The story follows a family on their way to a prison, in which the children's white father is due to be released. The teenage boy and his three year old sister are mostly dependent on one another as well as their grandparents Pop and Mam. The mother Leonie is absent, and rather aloof in their upbringing, forcing her son, Jojo to bring up his kid sister. In between are disturbing stories featured in flashbacks and ghostly apparitions, The novel explores interracial relationships, police brutality and even post traumatic stress disorder to a degree.

While it can seem haphazard, going back and forth in time, and random narratives appearing throughout, it leaves the reader with a sense of unease and despair at the violent nature of society. A truly intriguing read.
  
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Clare Parrott (294 KP) rated Savage Secrets (Titan, #4) in Books

Nov 21, 2017 (Updated Nov 21, 2017)  
Savage Secrets (Titan, #4)
Savage Secrets (Titan, #4)
Cristin Harber | 2017 | Erotica
10
9.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Must Read, Wow.

This has to be the BEST book in the series so far. Absolutely fantastic military romance. This book is set in London, Virginia, and Spain and as the title suggests Rocco Savage has a secret but then so does Mi6 interrogator Caterina Cruz. The chemistry between the pair of them is super hot and I love the way Cat gets Rocco going by talking Spanish to him and the way she handles a weapon whether it be a gun or a super large knife held between her teeth. If big hot guys with big guns who pull out all the stops to save the girl is your cup of tea then this is defiantly for you.


**WARNING** This story has a violent sexual scene and Cristin Harber has done a great job of portraying the horror of the attack without making it overly graphic and I would also join Cristin in saying that..."Rape is a crime. Talking about it isn't. There are many resources out there, Including After Silence to help in the healing process"
  
Detroit (2017)
Detroit (2017)
2017 | Drama, History, Thriller
Fantastic Performances (1 more)
Extremely Well Crafted
A Dark Stain On American History
Detroit is a movie that is hard to watch, but should be seen by everyone. It tells the heart breaking story of a violent raid on a hotel by an overly aggressive and racist group of police officers. The movie pulls no punches in telling this unfortunately true story of how a group of evil bigots got away with murder.
The cast are brilliant at bringing this harrowing tale to life and the technical aspects of the movie are spot on as well. The direction is great, the lighting and sound are phenomenal and the believability of the whole thing, makes it feel all too real.
This movie is shocking and difficult to stomach, but it does what it is designed to do - to show us how much outright discrimination the police force and other officials could get away with during this time in history.
This movie deserves to be seen by all and it will leave you thinking about the events that it portrays for days afterwards.
  
TD
The Devouring (The Devouring, #1)
Simon Holt | 2008
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
For a book classified as young adult horror, THE DEVOURING defies the usual so-called teen horror and actually does feel horrific. I wouldn't say it's in the same league as some of the best adult horror books out there, but it holds its own and the author does a terrific job creating a tense and creepy atmosphere. I've never been one who has ever scared easily, but if I had read this at a younger age I just might have become a little paranoid. The narrative is swift, engaging and simply told (I simply 'devoured' it. Oh har har har. Okay I'll shut-up now. ;P). Reggie is relatable and strong, while Vour Henry if effectively disturbing, and Eben is enigmatic. The other characters are fine for their purpose, although I do wonder at the twins, and I have a feeling they might feature more in the sequel, which I look forward to reading. A warning for the queasy: disturbing and violent imagery is used quite a bit, so some people might want to pass on this book.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Raid 2 (2014) in Movies

Feb 19, 2019 (Updated Jul 29, 2019)  
The Raid 2 (2014)
The Raid 2 (2014)
2014 | Action, Adventure
Astoundingly violent sequel to The Raid (hope that doesn't constitute a spoiler). Hapless but extremely handy cop Rama is obliged to go undercover in the Malaysian underworld and infiltrate one of the major crime families. The plot is complex and coherent, surprisingly so for a martial arts action movie, but it's all really just a pretext for jaw-droppingly lavish, inventive and brutal fight sequences. Film doesn't shy away from the consequences of violence - at one point the first time I watched this, someone pulled a claw hammer out of their bag and I found myself instinctively cringing down in my seat in anticipation of the crunching gore to come.

Nevertheless, the film is lifted not just by the director's grasp of pacing and camerawork, but by some surprisingly strong performances. I imagine many people will not be able to take the intensity and violence of this film, but that doesn't lessen its achievement. Not the greatest gangster movie ever, nor the greatest martial arts film, but almost certainly the most accomplished fusion of the two genres.
  
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Andy K (10821 KP) Jul 29, 2019

One of the best action films ever made!

The Highwaymen (2019)
The Highwaymen (2019)
2019 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Excellent acting (1 more)
Period cars and outfits (love it ?)
More slow and thoughtful than your 'stock standard' Crime movie (0 more)
A Different Side to Bonnie and Clyde
I really enjoyed this. It was complex and interesting, and the characterisations were fantastic. I will admit it was a little slow to start and there were parts I thought needed more explaination (but then it happens a little later and it fleshes the characters out more). I often find the story of Bonnie and Clyde to be romanticised (which to an extent I suppose it's true) but those versions never really show how truly violent and senseless their crime spree was. This however, shows how callous and truly intelligent they were as a team, it's refreshing to see that, because it truly was the truth of the situation. I've always been a fan of Woody (Zombieland is still one of my favourite movies) and this movie shows a different side of his abilities as an actor so that was pretty cool. Overall, it's a thoughtful and interesting film I enjoyed immensely.
  
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Chrissy (8 KP) rated Keeper in Books

Jan 25, 2018  
Keeper
Keeper
Kim Chance | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
How would you react if you went from being a normal high school kid with a plan for your future to seeing ghosts, finding out the paranormal is real, and everything you thought you knew about your family was wrong? These are the challenges Lainey faces in this book.

Lainey is almost 17. She is a straight A student, with a plan for her life. Then she starts seeing a ghost, which sets events into motion. With her best friend, and a cute guy she just met to help her figure out what's going on. Then the help of her Uncle and his girlfriend Lainey tackles struggles bigger than any high schooler should have to handle.

This book was amazing. It had me on the edge of my seat, grinning from ear to ear and crying at times. I would highly recommend it. With a few minor kissing scenes and a couple of violent scenes I would say it is still appropriate for kids over the age of 13.
  
The Departed (2006)
The Departed (2006)
2006 | Action, Drama, Mystery
Leonardo Dicaprio (4 more)
Matt Damon
Jack Nicholson
The direction is superb
Dialog is gritty and great.
A great 2 sided coin spinning on the edge of a 3rd story window...
This shouldn't be the first oscar Scorsese wins, but tragedies happen every day I guess... That said this is deserving of the honor, more so than most oscar winners. The Cat and Rat runaround is interesting to watch unfold. plus lines like "I'm the guy who does his job, you must be the other guy." make this a great watch.


A little bit of trivia:Martin Scorsese did not realize this was a remake of a Hong Kong movie until after he had agreed to direct it. It's the only remake of a foreign film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. Martin Scorsese said that he was surprised the film had won, because the film is such a tough, nasty, and violent film, he never thought about the idea of awards while he was filming it.

Here's some great alternate movie posters to enjoy as well.