Search
Search results
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The True Adventures of Wolfboy (2021) in Movies
Mar 1, 2021
Nice but lacking in magic
The Adventures of Wolfboy, also known as The True Adventures of Wolfboy, is a 2021 coming of age style drama and the feature film debut from Czech director Martin Krejcí. It follows Paul, a teenager with a life changing physical condition called congenital hypertrichosis that causes an abnormal and excessive amount of hair growth across his entire body, as he journeys to meet his estranged mother.
Paul (Jaeden Martell) lives an isolated life with his father in New York, where he hides away from everyone and only ventures out under the cover of a woolly balaclava, despite his father’s (Chris Messina) attempts to coax him into accepting his condition and revealing himself to the world. After a failed trip out to the local carnival for his 13th birthday, Paul returns home to find a mysterious gift from his mother (Chloë Sevigny), who he’s never known as she left when he was a child. Following a confrontation with his father over his proposal to send him to a special school, Paul runs away from home in search of his estranged mother. Along the way, he meets a number of colourful characters including carnival owner Mr. Silk (John Turturro), complicated and friendly Aristiana (Sophie Giannamore) and the daring and roguish Rose (Eve Hewson).
The Adventures of Wolfboy is undoubtedly a film for young adults or teenagers, meant as a coming of age, ‘accepting yourself’ type of road movie and in this it succeeds, although its message is rather more subtle than you’d expect. It expertly deals with the theme of loving yourself and others just as you are in a very low key manner, to the point where you almost miss the subtle hints at a character’s backstory (which is definitely true for Aristiana). For some this might be a problem, but a lot of films go out of their way to be heavy handed, virtually shoving a message down your throat so for me, I enjoyed the subtleties on display here. They’re helped by an unassuming performance from Jaeden Martell and charismatic turns from both Eve Hewson and Sophie Giannamore, who altogether with a story that doesn’t play out quite as predictably as first thought, make this an entertaining and heartwarming watch.
That said, despite the well meaning and heartwarming intentions, this film does falter. The title itself and the fairytale storyboard chapter titles throughout the film give this a magical sense of fantasy that just doesn’t quite materialise. I feel like it’s meant to be whimsical and adventurous, but the actual finished article falls short. It isn’t helped by John Turturro’s Mr Silk, who despite being the villain just comes across as weird rather than sinister, and what becomes of his character is a little lacklustre too. Generally if feels like it’s missing some ‘oomph’, a magical whimsical boost to turn this into something more than an average coming of age movie.
The Adventures of Wolfboy is a nice heartwarming film, and it’s refreshing to see a subtle take on a subject that has been done many times before. I just wished they’d have taken the magical and whimsical angle further, as this would have made it more than just average.
Paul (Jaeden Martell) lives an isolated life with his father in New York, where he hides away from everyone and only ventures out under the cover of a woolly balaclava, despite his father’s (Chris Messina) attempts to coax him into accepting his condition and revealing himself to the world. After a failed trip out to the local carnival for his 13th birthday, Paul returns home to find a mysterious gift from his mother (Chloë Sevigny), who he’s never known as she left when he was a child. Following a confrontation with his father over his proposal to send him to a special school, Paul runs away from home in search of his estranged mother. Along the way, he meets a number of colourful characters including carnival owner Mr. Silk (John Turturro), complicated and friendly Aristiana (Sophie Giannamore) and the daring and roguish Rose (Eve Hewson).
The Adventures of Wolfboy is undoubtedly a film for young adults or teenagers, meant as a coming of age, ‘accepting yourself’ type of road movie and in this it succeeds, although its message is rather more subtle than you’d expect. It expertly deals with the theme of loving yourself and others just as you are in a very low key manner, to the point where you almost miss the subtle hints at a character’s backstory (which is definitely true for Aristiana). For some this might be a problem, but a lot of films go out of their way to be heavy handed, virtually shoving a message down your throat so for me, I enjoyed the subtleties on display here. They’re helped by an unassuming performance from Jaeden Martell and charismatic turns from both Eve Hewson and Sophie Giannamore, who altogether with a story that doesn’t play out quite as predictably as first thought, make this an entertaining and heartwarming watch.
That said, despite the well meaning and heartwarming intentions, this film does falter. The title itself and the fairytale storyboard chapter titles throughout the film give this a magical sense of fantasy that just doesn’t quite materialise. I feel like it’s meant to be whimsical and adventurous, but the actual finished article falls short. It isn’t helped by John Turturro’s Mr Silk, who despite being the villain just comes across as weird rather than sinister, and what becomes of his character is a little lacklustre too. Generally if feels like it’s missing some ‘oomph’, a magical whimsical boost to turn this into something more than an average coming of age movie.
The Adventures of Wolfboy is a nice heartwarming film, and it’s refreshing to see a subtle take on a subject that has been done many times before. I just wished they’d have taken the magical and whimsical angle further, as this would have made it more than just average.
Amy Christmas (171 KP) rated The Perfect Victim in Books
Nov 17, 2017
Twists that you don't expect (3 more)
Great writing
There are multiple story threads
Easy to connect to the characters and care about the events of the story
A small amount of cliché plot devices (1 more)
Can get bland in some areas
Keeps you hanging
I bloody loved this book. I usually hate these kinds of mystery thrillers and only like the very best the genre has to offer, and this definitely impressed.
You read from Sophie Kent's point of view, a journalist on the job, and there has been a murder. It isn't long before people start to point fingers at people one of them being Charlie Swift, Sophies co-worker. As evidence keeps turning to him further bolsters by his disappearance Sophie struggles to accept that Charlie could murder a woman.
Sophie does her job and investigates, stating one step ahead of the police's investigation and uncovers a broken childhood, a religious cult, burning bodies, and several murders.
What makes this book so good in my opinion is that it isn't solely focused on the murder and the characters have their own story arcs, their own problems.
Sophie had a younger brother Tommy who supposedly died of drug use, a fractured relationship with her father and DCI Durand keeps coming to her rescue but out of personal gain or affection is the question. There are struggles within the police force and the more important characters have lives.
I would recommend this book to no end, and that's coming from someone who usually dislikes these kinds of books.
You read from Sophie Kent's point of view, a journalist on the job, and there has been a murder. It isn't long before people start to point fingers at people one of them being Charlie Swift, Sophies co-worker. As evidence keeps turning to him further bolsters by his disappearance Sophie struggles to accept that Charlie could murder a woman.
Sophie does her job and investigates, stating one step ahead of the police's investigation and uncovers a broken childhood, a religious cult, burning bodies, and several murders.
What makes this book so good in my opinion is that it isn't solely focused on the murder and the characters have their own story arcs, their own problems.
Sophie had a younger brother Tommy who supposedly died of drug use, a fractured relationship with her father and DCI Durand keeps coming to her rescue but out of personal gain or affection is the question. There are struggles within the police force and the more important characters have lives.
I would recommend this book to no end, and that's coming from someone who usually dislikes these kinds of books.
Debbiereadsbook (1705 KP) rated His Temptation (Unexpected Love #1) in Books
Apr 11, 2020
good, but not one for me!
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.
*insert sigh*
I can't decide whether I actually liked this book, or not, and it's annoying me cos I can't figure out WHY!
The plot isn't a particularly original one, and you can see what's gonna happen coming at you like a freaking train wreck and you can't stop it. But I actually liked that, that I could see it all coming at me, for the most part, anyway.
Both guys have a say, in the first person. Each voice is very different, and clear, given their ages and upbringings. I liked that, again, for the most part. First person isn't my first choice of narrative though. However, I did feel more of a connection to Ryan, who is Cason's best friend and Emery's son, than to the two main characters!
It's hot and steamy in places, and sweet and funny and emotional in others. Everything comes across nicely, and is well written.
It just . . didn't float my boat! As to why? I can't pinpoint that fact and you all know how much that stresses me so, not being about to voice my book feelings!
Its GOOD, don't get me wrong, because it kept me engaged enough to finish, and trust me when I say, I would've dumped it if it hadn't. Just not one for me, I'm afraid.
3 good, but not brilliant, stars.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
*insert sigh*
I can't decide whether I actually liked this book, or not, and it's annoying me cos I can't figure out WHY!
The plot isn't a particularly original one, and you can see what's gonna happen coming at you like a freaking train wreck and you can't stop it. But I actually liked that, that I could see it all coming at me, for the most part, anyway.
Both guys have a say, in the first person. Each voice is very different, and clear, given their ages and upbringings. I liked that, again, for the most part. First person isn't my first choice of narrative though. However, I did feel more of a connection to Ryan, who is Cason's best friend and Emery's son, than to the two main characters!
It's hot and steamy in places, and sweet and funny and emotional in others. Everything comes across nicely, and is well written.
It just . . didn't float my boat! As to why? I can't pinpoint that fact and you all know how much that stresses me so, not being about to voice my book feelings!
Its GOOD, don't get me wrong, because it kept me engaged enough to finish, and trust me when I say, I would've dumped it if it hadn't. Just not one for me, I'm afraid.
3 good, but not brilliant, stars.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Lake Season (Bluebell Inn Romance, #1) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
This book was a classic feel good, and make you warm inside type of a book. From the first chapter little by little Denise Hunter drew me in, she fed me little nuggets of information about the characters, arousing my curiosity about how the book would end. It was great getting to meet a famous author and a new innkeeper and her family. Plus, Denise Hunter threw in a bit of a mystery with an ending I totally didn’t see coming. All the characters (not just the main ones, as this book is the first in a series) were developed in such a way that I felt personally invested in their lives. By the end of the book I felt like I genuinely knew the characters and their struggles, which doesn’t always happen in books. It was also interesting to see how Denise Hunter weaved in a dual plot-line; I really loved the glimpses into the past. I think I am already looking forward to learning about the rest of the family in Bluebell, NC.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for the hint of mystery, the end I totally did not see coming, and for leaving me in want of the next book in the series. Personally, I think that the best books are about what really happens in life and the ways that God can use anything for His good. In Lake Season, Denise Hunter put this into perspective for her characters and for anyone who reads Lake Season.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for the hint of mystery, the end I totally did not see coming, and for leaving me in want of the next book in the series. Personally, I think that the best books are about what really happens in life and the ways that God can use anything for His good. In Lake Season, Denise Hunter put this into perspective for her characters and for anyone who reads Lake Season.
Debbiereadsbook (1705 KP) rated King of the Mountain (Love at Lake Clyde #1) in Books
Oct 13, 2023
quite the betrayal I saw coming.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I liked this, I liked it a lot.
Clifford is racing in his final Tour de France, he needs total focus on winning. Meeting the lost student in Paris throws him, but Gabe pushes buttons he didn't know needed pushing, at least, not for a long LONG time. Can they see it through, for Clifford to win his final tour and then be with Gabe?
I found this quite an easy read, but I needed that right now. It flows and ebbs, as does the relationship between Clifford and Gabe. The big gap in the time line was necessary, I think, for them to fully recover from France, and be open to moving on.
That things were conspiring against them was obvious, but just how far that conspiracy and plan went was quite the betrayal. I liked that I saw that coming, to be honest. Something was said, and I had alarm bells ringing, much as Clifford did but I put the pieces together faster than he did.
I liked how things sorted themselves out, in the end.
It was, like I said, an easy read. Some steam and smexy times, some drama and some emotional times.
If I reading things correctly, this is the author's first book under this name. I'd like to follow them as they hone their craft.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I liked this, I liked it a lot.
Clifford is racing in his final Tour de France, he needs total focus on winning. Meeting the lost student in Paris throws him, but Gabe pushes buttons he didn't know needed pushing, at least, not for a long LONG time. Can they see it through, for Clifford to win his final tour and then be with Gabe?
I found this quite an easy read, but I needed that right now. It flows and ebbs, as does the relationship between Clifford and Gabe. The big gap in the time line was necessary, I think, for them to fully recover from France, and be open to moving on.
That things were conspiring against them was obvious, but just how far that conspiracy and plan went was quite the betrayal. I liked that I saw that coming, to be honest. Something was said, and I had alarm bells ringing, much as Clifford did but I put the pieces together faster than he did.
I liked how things sorted themselves out, in the end.
It was, like I said, an easy read. Some steam and smexy times, some drama and some emotional times.
If I reading things correctly, this is the author's first book under this name. I'd like to follow them as they hone their craft.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Lindsay (1807 KP) rated The Tea Planter's Wife in Books
Dec 7, 2017
The Tea Planter's wife is a mysterious sweet, loving story. It starts out with Gwen coming to Ceylon to be with her husband.
You go allow with Gwen with her struggles and learning curves of being a mother and wife to her twins and what is going on with Ceylon culture.
When one of her children is colored she does not know if it was her husband or someone else's child. She fights with herself when she gives her daughter to a village. That is when she gives birth to her twins. She has a household servant named Naveena.
Gwen had to deal with not only decision to what she made but also her sister in law. She dealt with that and her raising her son. You are lean so much history and culture of Ceylon at that time as well. You meet Tamil and Sinhalese worker that were part of Tea Plantation.
You go allow with Gwen with her struggles and learning curves of being a mother and wife to her twins and what is going on with Ceylon culture.
When one of her children is colored she does not know if it was her husband or someone else's child. She fights with herself when she gives her daughter to a village. That is when she gives birth to her twins. She has a household servant named Naveena.
Gwen had to deal with not only decision to what she made but also her sister in law. She dealt with that and her raising her son. You are lean so much history and culture of Ceylon at that time as well. You meet Tamil and Sinhalese worker that were part of Tea Plantation.
Rose (201 KP) rated Game Of Thrones - Season 4 in TV
Jul 18, 2017
Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martell (3 more)
More Cersei
Sansa at the Eyrie
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson as the Mountain
Fly through the Moon Door
I've got to say that I really enjoyed this season, mainly in part due to Pedro Pascal playing Oberyn Martell. He stole every scene he was in, even ones with Cersei, who usually draws my eye wherever she's sauntering about. And, though I knew it was coming, the squish was all together horrifying and sad.
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson did a great job as Gregor Clegane, a mountain among men.
Though not quite following the book, I had a great time with the events at the Eyrie and loved watching Sansa grow farther away from the naive little girl she used to be.
There are a great many things that happened in this season, good and bad, but these actors/events stood out to me the most at the time of writing this.
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson did a great job as Gregor Clegane, a mountain among men.
Though not quite following the book, I had a great time with the events at the Eyrie and loved watching Sansa grow farther away from the naive little girl she used to be.
There are a great many things that happened in this season, good and bad, but these actors/events stood out to me the most at the time of writing this.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated After the End (After the End, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[After The End] by [Amy Plum] has a deceptive tile because it leads you to think it is an dystopian novel. Although I love those books this was a welcomed surprise. It turned into more of an action/adventure with a little coming of age thrown in for good measure.
[Plum] did an excellent job of developing a creative, fearless, intelligent character in Juneau. Although she is naive do to lack of exposure she know how to survive. Her loyalty to family even though they hurt her is endearing.
Miles, on the other hand, is a spoiled rotten brat who has had the easy life. He starts out for his own gain but what he really gains is a new insight about life and love.
This story has some supernatural aspects but over all is more of an exciting journey of discovery for two young people who have a lot to learn from each other.
[Plum] did an excellent job of developing a creative, fearless, intelligent character in Juneau. Although she is naive do to lack of exposure she know how to survive. Her loyalty to family even though they hurt her is endearing.
Miles, on the other hand, is a spoiled rotten brat who has had the easy life. He starts out for his own gain but what he really gains is a new insight about life and love.
This story has some supernatural aspects but over all is more of an exciting journey of discovery for two young people who have a lot to learn from each other.
Domonique (0 KP) rated The Maze Runner in Books
May 12, 2018
I absolutely loved this book! I first heard about it via the movie of course and then once I was able to get a copy from the library, I started it immediately. And I was hooked! I love to read books told from the perspective of teenagers because it always amaze s me how perceptive and curious they can be. Even though I knew Thomas was supposed to be the hero and save everyone, there were still a few things I didn't see coming: the truth about the maze for one thing, where the kids came from and how they ended up in the maze to begin with and just the lengths people were willing to go to save humanity. It really makes me think about what would happen if the world as we know it suddenly was hit by a natural disaster that killed millions and created disease. How would we survive? It certainly makes you think and find out what happens next!