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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Secret Daughter in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This novel tells the story of two families who become intertwined despite living half a world apart and without really knowing or ever even meeting each other. One is a poor family struggling to survive in rural India. The other is a pair of medical school students who meet and fall in love, one being from India.
The American couple end up having fertility issues, while the destitute couple in India are exactly the opposite. Not wanting to know her husband has disposed of another unwanted girl, the Indian mother smuggles her baby daughter to an orphanage in Mumbai. And it is there, where the American couple end up adopting her.
The story moves through the life of the girl in parallel with the lives of her adoptive and biological parents. In the end it is a tear jerker, but has a great message about who your real family is.
The American couple end up having fertility issues, while the destitute couple in India are exactly the opposite. Not wanting to know her husband has disposed of another unwanted girl, the Indian mother smuggles her baby daughter to an orphanage in Mumbai. And it is there, where the American couple end up adopting her.
The story moves through the life of the girl in parallel with the lives of her adoptive and biological parents. In the end it is a tear jerker, but has a great message about who your real family is.
Rightlywriting (10 KP) rated The Breakfast Club (1985) in Movies
Aug 19, 2017
Dramatic vintage teen flick
Contains spoilers, click to show
They did a good job at portraying all of the types and attitudes of highschoolers during the 80s. As an 80s teen myself, I enjoyed this movie back then as I could identify with the kids portrayed - the rich girl who thought she was above everyone, the smoker, the geek, the jock, and the introvert (I was a geeky introvrrt). Too bad kids in real life from different backgrounds can't figure out how much alike they really are behind their facades the way they do by the end of the movie. My teen daughter in 2009 enjoyed this movie too so I guess today's teens aren't much different. Would be a good movie to show teens in school to show how they can be friends and get along if they put their differences and prejudices aside.
Lindsay (1774 KP) rated Child of Promise (Brides of Culdee Creek, #4) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
This is so heartbreaking that it hard to believe it the final book in the series. Beth has her heart set on the priest in Grand View Though she try to be not heartbroken by it. Beth goes to medical school. She hold a heartfelt past as well.
Noah is having struggles with his faith and calling once his wife dies and his daughter has disability from her birth. Noah grandmother help with letting Beth stay with them when she has some trouble with finding a place to stay.
Can things go the way they intend or do Noah and Beth find the love and the god they need and for Noah does he stay and learn that god is there for him and he is doing what god wanted him to do. Come read this series if you enjoy it. The first is emotional though the last.
Noah is having struggles with his faith and calling once his wife dies and his daughter has disability from her birth. Noah grandmother help with letting Beth stay with them when she has some trouble with finding a place to stay.
Can things go the way they intend or do Noah and Beth find the love and the god they need and for Noah does he stay and learn that god is there for him and he is doing what god wanted him to do. Come read this series if you enjoy it. The first is emotional though the last.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Left Behind (2014) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018 (Updated Feb 12, 2018)
Rapture with a capital C
Relatively lavish faith-based disaster movie which has somehow managed to land the services of a few people you may actually have heard of. Panic and chaos ensue when millions of people vanish in the blink of an eye; Nicolas Cage is stuck flying a plane looking for a place to land, on the ground his daughter runs around trying to work out what's happening. The final revelation (sorry) is telegraphed very early on by endless discussions of sin and religion.
Like most faith-based movies this is crippled by its own earnestness and didacticism; some ultra-low-budget action does not help much, and is strikingly poorly directed given Vic Armstrong is (in his own words) 'the world's greatest stuntman'. Unlikely to convince the undecided of either the essential truth of Christianity or the long-term prospects of Nicolas Cage's acting career.
Like most faith-based movies this is crippled by its own earnestness and didacticism; some ultra-low-budget action does not help much, and is strikingly poorly directed given Vic Armstrong is (in his own words) 'the world's greatest stuntman'. Unlikely to convince the undecided of either the essential truth of Christianity or the long-term prospects of Nicolas Cage's acting career.
Awix (3310 KP) rated All the Money in the World (2017) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018 (Updated Feb 12, 2018)
Ear today, gone tomorrow
Classy true-crime drama formerly starring Kevin Spacey. Grandchild of insanely wealthy oil tycoon is kidnapped and held to ransom; tycoon refuses to pay up on principle (said principle being 'I never give money away if I don't have to'); everything gets a bit stressful between tycoon and his ex-daughter-in-law. Body parts end up being put in the post.
Ridley Scott does a very good job of bringing an outlandishly grotesque true story to the screen, although the usual liberties are taken with the chronology of what actually happened. Fine performances from Christopher Plummer and Michelle Williams, amusingly unflattering depiction of Italy in the 70s; laudable general message of how having money can really screw you up and you're better off without it (Scott has an estimated net worth of $140 million, in case you were wondering). A solidly entertaining movie.
Ridley Scott does a very good job of bringing an outlandishly grotesque true story to the screen, although the usual liberties are taken with the chronology of what actually happened. Fine performances from Christopher Plummer and Michelle Williams, amusingly unflattering depiction of Italy in the 70s; laudable general message of how having money can really screw you up and you're better off without it (Scott has an estimated net worth of $140 million, in case you were wondering). A solidly entertaining movie.
Sarah (126 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
Jul 14, 2018
I'm In Love
I just wasn't expecting much from this film at all. We put it on for my little girl because she loves superheroes, and I honestly thought "here we go, some strong woman feminist statement, how cliched". Oh how wrong I was.
I was absolutely enthralled. The "wide-eyed innocence" of Gal Godot when she ventured out into the wider world could have been so overdone, but I thought she played it perfectly. Her character was one you could sympathise with and care for - so much so, I may have even shed a tear or two for her, which was something I certainly didn't expect (I kind of wanted to hate her because I expected the film to be so rubbish!).
It's definitely a film I'd happily watch again. I think I enjoyed it more than my daughter or husband!!
I was absolutely enthralled. The "wide-eyed innocence" of Gal Godot when she ventured out into the wider world could have been so overdone, but I thought she played it perfectly. Her character was one you could sympathise with and care for - so much so, I may have even shed a tear or two for her, which was something I certainly didn't expect (I kind of wanted to hate her because I expected the film to be so rubbish!).
It's definitely a film I'd happily watch again. I think I enjoyed it more than my daughter or husband!!
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in Books
Jul 5, 2018
You know what, re-reading this with 8year old was eye opening, she was so excited and loved every second and her figuring out what was going on was just a joy to experience, we've now started book 2 together - but upped my rating to 4 instead of 3 because ... experiencing it into someone elses eyes was great
Whooops I forgot to update I read this - it was alright - I had seen the movie though and think that influenced me a bit.. wish I had read the book first - I think the next books will be better - only watched movie #2 once a long while ago and then I don't think I continued with them. It wasn't bad though and daughter now asked to listen to them since I have it on audible that's what we do during supper time - perhaps that's a bad habit - ah well..............
Whooops I forgot to update I read this - it was alright - I had seen the movie though and think that influenced me a bit.. wish I had read the book first - I think the next books will be better - only watched movie #2 once a long while ago and then I don't think I continued with them. It wasn't bad though and daughter now asked to listen to them since I have it on audible that's what we do during supper time - perhaps that's a bad habit - ah well..............
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Merchant’s Daughter in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Set in the Medieval Era, Annabel and Lord Ranulf will steal your heart in this unique story that mirrors the story of Beauty and the Beast. From a nasty "Gaston" to a sweet young boy, and a caring housekeeper...The heart of the story reminds us that it is not our appearance or circumstances that define us...But our heart.
If you have read some (or all) of these books, you know that each novel can stand alone. But ultimately, they all intertwine. You can see the Family Tree on Melanie's website. I highly recommend this story and hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
I purchased a print copy of The Merchant's Daughter. This review is based on the audio version which I borrowed from my local library. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
If you have read some (or all) of these books, you know that each novel can stand alone. But ultimately, they all intertwine. You can see the Family Tree on Melanie's website. I highly recommend this story and hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
I purchased a print copy of The Merchant's Daughter. This review is based on the audio version which I borrowed from my local library. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Maleficent (2014) in Movies
Nov 8, 2019
Fairy Tale: True Loves Kiss
Maleficent- is a movie that people are mix about. Some people hate it, some people love it. For me i like it. Its a different take on the oringal source materal but with the same elements.
The plot: As a beautiful young woman of pure heart, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life in a forest kingdom. When an invading army threatens the land, Maleficent rises up to become its fiercest protector. However, a terrible betrayal hardens her heart and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. She engages in an epic battle with the invading king's successor, then curses his newborn daughter, Aurora -- realizing only later that the child holds the key to peace in the kingdom.
Angelina Jolie is really good as Maleficent and Elle Fanning is really good as Aurora.
It is a underrated movie and should be watched.
The plot: As a beautiful young woman of pure heart, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life in a forest kingdom. When an invading army threatens the land, Maleficent rises up to become its fiercest protector. However, a terrible betrayal hardens her heart and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. She engages in an epic battle with the invading king's successor, then curses his newborn daughter, Aurora -- realizing only later that the child holds the key to peace in the kingdom.
Angelina Jolie is really good as Maleficent and Elle Fanning is really good as Aurora.
It is a underrated movie and should be watched.
Vegas (725 KP) rated Ten Days in the Valley in TV
Feb 5, 2020
Kyra Sedgwick (1 more)
Twists to the plot
Better than the critics would have you believe
Kyra Sedgwick plays a workaholic mum who is working the night her daughter goes missing. Her performance is one of the high spots as her life unravels around her and she doesn't know who to trust reminds me a bit of Claire Danes performance in the first season of Homeland.
There are some plot holes but not enough to ruin the series and the twists and turns in the story keep you wanting to watch the next episode.
Who can she trust, who is helping her and who is against her are all things that crop up in this series where every episode is a different day with some parts told in flashback.
Recommended, even if the critics didn't particularly like it
There are some plot holes but not enough to ruin the series and the twists and turns in the story keep you wanting to watch the next episode.
Who can she trust, who is helping her and who is against her are all things that crop up in this series where every episode is a different day with some parts told in flashback.
Recommended, even if the critics didn't particularly like it