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Awix (3310 KP) rated Everybody Knows (Todos Lo Saben) (2018) in Movies
Mar 12, 2019 (Updated Mar 12, 2019)
Spanish-language Euro-drama from Iranian director Asghar Farhadi is about as odd a fish as you might expect. Family wedding is going well until Penelope Cruz's daughter is kidnapped; much stressed is placed on everyone involved and their relationships, causing secrets to bubble to the surface in an unwelcome (to say the least) manner.
The thriller elements are definitely a bit of a red herring, as for much of the film the plight of the missing girl seems to get rather forgotten about while everyone sits or stands around articulating their personal baggage and unfinished emotional business. It does get a bit slow and talky (I believe I dozed off for a few moments), but the performances are meaty, involving ones with Cruz and Bardem showing every bit of their star quality and acting ability. Too well-scripted to really qualify as a melodrama, but certainly slices itself a thick slab of theatrical ham; performances make it a worthwhile watch.
The thriller elements are definitely a bit of a red herring, as for much of the film the plight of the missing girl seems to get rather forgotten about while everyone sits or stands around articulating their personal baggage and unfinished emotional business. It does get a bit slow and talky (I believe I dozed off for a few moments), but the performances are meaty, involving ones with Cruz and Bardem showing every bit of their star quality and acting ability. Too well-scripted to really qualify as a melodrama, but certainly slices itself a thick slab of theatrical ham; performances make it a worthwhile watch.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated The Dirt (2019) in Movies
Mar 25, 2019
I mean, it's not the worst thing I've ever seen....
....but it's not the best, either.
There was A LOT from the book that was left out of the movie, I assume for obvious reasons, but I kind of had a feeling that would happen. Regardless, it was a decent movie. I don't know if I really bought Daniel Webber as Vince Neil. Machine Gun Kelly played Tommy Lee as a lovable goofball for the most part, but wasn't Tommy Lee kind of an asshole? I felt like the whole thing was a bit glossed over. Don't get me wrong, they do the Nikki Sixx/heroin thing, and the Vince Neil/Razzle accident, and the death of Vince Neil's daughter, but I didn't feel like it was as....gritty as it could have, or should have, been. That being said, it was entertaining enough to hold my attention for an hour and 47 minutes, and the music is of course awesome.
There was A LOT from the book that was left out of the movie, I assume for obvious reasons, but I kind of had a feeling that would happen. Regardless, it was a decent movie. I don't know if I really bought Daniel Webber as Vince Neil. Machine Gun Kelly played Tommy Lee as a lovable goofball for the most part, but wasn't Tommy Lee kind of an asshole? I felt like the whole thing was a bit glossed over. Don't get me wrong, they do the Nikki Sixx/heroin thing, and the Vince Neil/Razzle accident, and the death of Vince Neil's daughter, but I didn't feel like it was as....gritty as it could have, or should have, been. That being said, it was entertaining enough to hold my attention for an hour and 47 minutes, and the music is of course awesome.
Ross (3284 KP) rated How It Ends (2018) in Movies
Apr 1, 2019
The end of the world is the only thing that would make me go on a road trip with my father-in-law!
This Netflix original film revolves around the story of a mysterious cataclysmic event on the East coast of America, and a husband trying to travel home to ensure his pregnant wife's safety. He travels with her father (who he does not get on with) as they try to drive across the country.
The film focuses on their relationship and how very different their backgrounds are, but they soon start to bond over their main shared love - his wife / his daughter.
There are some good action scenes which stick to the theme of the film - human civilisation going to pot and everyone out for himself; and strength versus apparent weakness.
The ending of the film seemed a little abrupt, and unsatisfying. Ironically, given the name of the film, my wife fell asleep so doesn't know "how it ends".
The film focuses on their relationship and how very different their backgrounds are, but they soon start to bond over their main shared love - his wife / his daughter.
There are some good action scenes which stick to the theme of the film - human civilisation going to pot and everyone out for himself; and strength versus apparent weakness.
The ending of the film seemed a little abrupt, and unsatisfying. Ironically, given the name of the film, my wife fell asleep so doesn't know "how it ends".
Awix (3310 KP) rated Unleashed (2005) in Movies
Apr 4, 2019
Bonkers martial arts thriller off the Luc Besson action conveyor belt. Danny (Li) has been raised as a human attack dog by senior gangster Bart (Hoskins); one day he stumbles into freedom and is befriended by a blind piano tuner (Freeman) and his daughter. But will his past catch up with him? (All this supposedly takes place in a Glasgow almost exclusively populated by Asians, Americans, and Cockneys.)
The plot is barking mad (not inappropriately for a film with the alternative title of Danny the Dog) and impossible to take seriously, but that's hardly new for a Besson film, nor necessarily a disincentive to see it. This one is lifted by genuinely good performances from Hoskins and Freeman, and extended sequences of Li beating the living daylights out of everyone in sight (at one point there's a kung fu fight in a toilet cubicle, which is surely a first). Not to be taken remotely seriously, but still highly entertaining.
The plot is barking mad (not inappropriately for a film with the alternative title of Danny the Dog) and impossible to take seriously, but that's hardly new for a Besson film, nor necessarily a disincentive to see it. This one is lifted by genuinely good performances from Hoskins and Freeman, and extended sequences of Li beating the living daylights out of everyone in sight (at one point there's a kung fu fight in a toilet cubicle, which is surely a first). Not to be taken remotely seriously, but still highly entertaining.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Pretty Baby in Books
Feb 8, 2018
Heidi lives a busy life, trying to keep up with a busy job in public service, her role as a mom to her distant 12-year-old daughter Zoe, and juggling marriage to her husband Chris, a corporate lawyer. One day on the way to work, Heidi spots a young teen holding a baby-- the two are waiting for the train in the pouring rain. Heidi is haunted by the image and when she spots them again, she reaches out and makes contact with the teen, Willow. Eventually, Heidi's life becomes embroiled with that of Willow's and the baby, Ruby.
This book certainly lives up to its psychological thriller billing. It's a page-turner, even as it gets slightly more bizarre as the plot thickens. It captivated my attention and has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. The plot is definitely a little "out there," and I'd probably rate it as 3.5 stars overall, but still a fun and intriguing read.
This book certainly lives up to its psychological thriller billing. It's a page-turner, even as it gets slightly more bizarre as the plot thickens. It captivated my attention and has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. The plot is definitely a little "out there," and I'd probably rate it as 3.5 stars overall, but still a fun and intriguing read.
Lindsay (1771 KP) rated House Broken in Books
Feb 15, 2018
House Broken There a family mystery that Geneva does not understand. Thing go from bad to worse once her mother has an accident and need to recuperate. Geneva is relaxant to do so. Her husband convenience her to bring her mother in to stay.
Geneva start to investigate about the relationship between her older sister Paris and their mother. Geneva mother Helen has dealt with since her eldest daughter turned sixteen. There mother had to do something about it to stop what was going on. That thing see had to do is something Paris and her mother could not forgive her for it.
Ella and Charlies get themselves in trouble as well. Things gets worse after their grandmother comes to stay for a little while. Things start to startle Geneva while her mother starts to put some things together. It a fun read but not for children. It deals with teenage things and adult things. My rating is a 5/5 stars.
Geneva start to investigate about the relationship between her older sister Paris and their mother. Geneva mother Helen has dealt with since her eldest daughter turned sixteen. There mother had to do something about it to stop what was going on. That thing see had to do is something Paris and her mother could not forgive her for it.
Ella and Charlies get themselves in trouble as well. Things gets worse after their grandmother comes to stay for a little while. Things start to startle Geneva while her mother starts to put some things together. It a fun read but not for children. It deals with teenage things and adult things. My rating is a 5/5 stars.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated The Tuscan Child in Books
Mar 16, 2018
Can Joanna Solve the Mystery of Her Father’s Past?
When Hugo Langley dies, his daughter Joanna finds a letter in his possession addressed to someone named Sofia in Italy. It references “our beautiful boy.” Joanna knows her father was shot down in the Tuscany region during World War II, but does this letter mean she has a half-brother? Intrigued, Joanna sets out to learn about that time in her father’s life. What will she learn?
This book switches back and forth from Hugo’s story in 1944 and Joanna’s journey in 1973. The chapters are clearly labeled, so it is never hard to follow which time period we are in. While this is not a traditional mystery by any means, we do learn what happened back then and how it plays out in the more “modern” setting. This book is just as much about Joanna’s growth, and she lead a cast of very strong characters I quickly fell in love with as I read.
This book switches back and forth from Hugo’s story in 1944 and Joanna’s journey in 1973. The chapters are clearly labeled, so it is never hard to follow which time period we are in. While this is not a traditional mystery by any means, we do learn what happened back then and how it plays out in the more “modern” setting. This book is just as much about Joanna’s growth, and she lead a cast of very strong characters I quickly fell in love with as I read.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Spider Bones (Temperance Brennan, #13) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Definitely not one of the best of the series. The science plot twist was a bit of a surprise, but the "who is this guy?" was telegraphed (for me, at least) pretty early on. I'm fairly tired of the on again, off again love thing with Ryan, but the depiction of Brennan's relationship with her young adult daughter is very accurate to this mother of a 20-year-old. Bringing in the "gangsta" angle seemed ridiculous to me, but I suppose there had to be some immediate danger somewhere to keep the publisher interested.
I still enjoy the television show <i>Bones</i> far more than the novels, which is unusual - but the show has more humor. I don't think I'd read novelizations based on the show, however, because a lot of the humor requires the chemistry between the actors as well as good scriptwriting. There are few authors who can translate that from screen to text.
I still enjoy the television show <i>Bones</i> far more than the novels, which is unusual - but the show has more humor. I don't think I'd read novelizations based on the show, however, because a lot of the humor requires the chemistry between the actors as well as good scriptwriting. There are few authors who can translate that from screen to text.
LoSchussler (3 KP) rated Sweet Thing in Books
Jun 22, 2018
Mia Kelly thinks she has it all figured out. She's an Ivy League graduate, a classically trained pianist, and the beloved daughter of a sensible mother and offbeat father. Yet Mia has been stalling since graduation, torn between putting her business degree to use and exploring music, her true love.
When her father unexpectedly dies, she decides to pick up the threads of his life while she figures out her own. Uprooting herself from Ann Arbor to New York City, Mia takes over her father's cafe, a treasured neighborhood institution that plays host to undiscovered musicians and artists. She's denied herself the thrilling and unpredictable life of a musician, but a chance encounter with Will, a sweet, gorgeous, and charming guitarist, offers her a glimpse of what could be. When Will becomes her friend and then her roommate, she does everything in her power to suppress her passions—for him, for music—but her father's legacy slowly opens her heart to the possibility of something more.
When her father unexpectedly dies, she decides to pick up the threads of his life while she figures out her own. Uprooting herself from Ann Arbor to New York City, Mia takes over her father's cafe, a treasured neighborhood institution that plays host to undiscovered musicians and artists. She's denied herself the thrilling and unpredictable life of a musician, but a chance encounter with Will, a sweet, gorgeous, and charming guitarist, offers her a glimpse of what could be. When Will becomes her friend and then her roommate, she does everything in her power to suppress her passions—for him, for music—but her father's legacy slowly opens her heart to the possibility of something more.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Courage Matters: (Ray Courage, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book has everything you could want in a mystery: an interesting detective, a fascinating crime, a bevy of information and connections to wade through, and of course, a love interest.
Lionel Stroud, stockbroker to the wealthiest of investors, suspects an employee of rather egregious charges. He hires our man Courage to help dig up some dirt on the man at the bequest of his estranged daughter, who happens to be Courage's ex-lover. *cue the intrigue*
Things seem to be going all fine and dandy for the investigation until Courage drops by the employee's house, only to find someone beat him to the punch, and with a firearm, no less. Now, there's a much deeper case to solve, and it looks like all the evidence is pointing to one man: Courage.
Who did it? How'd they do it? WHY did they do it? Grab your own copy to find out.
5 stars
This book has everything you could want in a mystery: an interesting detective, a fascinating crime, a bevy of information and connections to wade through, and of course, a love interest.
Lionel Stroud, stockbroker to the wealthiest of investors, suspects an employee of rather egregious charges. He hires our man Courage to help dig up some dirt on the man at the bequest of his estranged daughter, who happens to be Courage's ex-lover. *cue the intrigue*
Things seem to be going all fine and dandy for the investigation until Courage drops by the employee's house, only to find someone beat him to the punch, and with a firearm, no less. Now, there's a much deeper case to solve, and it looks like all the evidence is pointing to one man: Courage.
Who did it? How'd they do it? WHY did they do it? Grab your own copy to find out.
5 stars