Journalism
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'The blessing of an inherently interpretive medium like comics is that it hasn't allowed me to...
Park Lane
Book
London, 1914. Two young women dream of breaking free from tradition and obligation; they know that...
George Orwell: English Rebel
8.0
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An intellectual who did not like intellectuals, a socialist who did not trust the state, a writer of...
City of Nets: A Portrait of Hollywood in the 1940's
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In 1939, fifty million Americans went to the movies every week, Louis B. Mayer was the highest-paid...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2464 KP) rated The Enemy We Don’t Know in Books
Nov 18, 2020
I love learning about World War II, so it was nice to read a historical mystery set at home during the time. Betty finds plenty of motives that would only work during this time period, which I appreciated. The pacing could have been a little better, but the book kept me engaged most of the time along the way to a great climax. Betty and the main characters were well-developed. I did feel like some of the supporting players, especially Betty’s family, could use more development, but hopefully we will see that happen as the series progresses. Betty was first introduced in a short story that I need to go back and read now. There are a few references to what happened there, but nothing spoilery. If you enjoy historical mysteries, be sure to check out this book.
The Scorpion Rules (Prisoners of Peace #1)
9.0
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The world is at peace, said the Utterances. And really, if the odd princess has a hard day, is that...
Her Last Flight
10.0
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In 1947, photographer and war correspondent Janey Everett arrives at a remote surfing village on the...
The Beauty and His Beast
10.0
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Everild, known far and wide as the Beast, is a warrior of unparalleled ferocity, revered by the king...
Fairytale Retelling MM Fantasy Romance
Darren (1599 KP) rated Allied (2016) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
After a year of marriage Heslop comes to Max believing Marianna is indeed a spy, this leaves Max questioning, which side of the story to believe and what is the truth.
Thoughts on Allied
Characters – Max Vatan is Canadian intelligence working in Africa, highly skilled he can blend into his environment, but he does fall in love with his undercover wife. When he gets informed she could well be a spy, his life is turned upside down with doubts about what is the truth. Marianna is the French resistance fighter working with the Canadian Max as his fake wife, but she also falls in love with Max and returns to start a family with him. We don’t learn too much apart from that she is a loving wife and mother though.
Performances – Brad Pitt is good for the opening mission, you believe his every decision, but when he becomes the family man, he just doesn’t reach the levels you know he can. Marion Cotillard is good without being her breath-taking best in this role.
Story – The story here follows love and spies during World War II, we see how two people from different sides of the war fall in love and they must decide which side of the war they are supporting. This film doesn’t become as intense as it could be because seeing it from both sides could have heighted the experience and by the end it just doesn’t feel like it reaches the levels it should.
Action/Romance/War – The action during the film is tame with very little being used or looking overly real. The romance doesn’t feel whirlwind like you think it should be either, but the war side comes off strong as we see how the tension between the sides cause most of the issues in the lives.
Settings – The settings look authentic for the time, which does work well for the film.
Scene of the Movie – The truth.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Just fizzles out in the second half of the film.
Final Thoughts – This is a war romance film that just never reaches the levels it should do, it just seems to go on and becomes one of the average films that you forget by the end.
Overall: Average and disappointing.
https://moviesreview101.com/2019/02/01/abc-film-challenge-oscar-nomination-a-allied-2016/
Today We Die a Little: The Rise and Fall of Emil Zatopek, Olympic Legend
Book
LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD. The definitive biography of one of...