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Journey in Satchidananda by Alice Coltrane
Journey in Satchidananda by Alice Coltrane
1971 | Rock
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"Again, her whole catalogue is amazing. I love her music back to front. This is her hit record, as it were, not that it was a proper hit unfortunately. It's been with me for a while and I love it so much. We brought a few pieces of music to listen to while my wife was giving birth to our daughter and this was one of them. That gives an indication of how embedded in my life it is. The tone and mood it sets... She was deep into that sense of spiritual connectedness and universal love. I understand how people who aren't necessarily spiritual might see it as a foolish hippy diversion, but for me, this unlocks the potential of what music can do. At the time it was married to a political agenda, same for all these spiritual free jazz records, and I feel that it's a really unfortunate thing that people don't seem to be able to articulate that so well in the contemporary music world. This is an analysis and that's not why I love it, that's because when I put it on it's my favourite thing to be listening to. But it also stands up to analysis - there's so many reasons to love this music."

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The Serial Killer's Wife
The Serial Killer's Wife
Alice Hunter | 2021 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This isn't your usual 'serial killer' story; there isn't the plethora of bodies or frightening scenes of murder and mayhem but what it is is a surprisingly enthralling story that builds in tension and ends in an extremely, but strangely, satisfying way.

Alice Hunter has created a story that focusses on the wife of the suspected killer and I quickly became engrossed in her inner turmoil as to whether her husband was innocent or guilty, how she coped with the press intrusion, the fingers of suspicion pointing at her (surely she should have known or suspected something?) all whilst trying to look after her young daughter, Poppy, and run a business.

The short chapters helped the story to move quickly along and you soon find yourself passing a few hours before you know it. The setting of a small village added to the claustrophobic feel to Beth's situation. There are twists along the way and although I guessed most of them, I enjoyed watching how it played out and developed.

All in all, a pretty good book and an author I will look out for in the future.

Thank you must go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
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Allison Anders recommended The Red Shoes (1948) in Movies (curated)

 
The Red Shoes (1948)
The Red Shoes (1948)
1948 | Classics, Drama, Musical
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"It was my daughter Tiffany who made me see the beauty of this film—she loved it so much as a child, and I think in many ways it spoke to her on the difficult choice for women artists between art and love, a calling of career and the calling of the heart. The Technicolor restoration of the film is stunning. This was one of the early titles in the Criterion Collection, and it’s just gorgeous. The DVD production was helped along with the loving hands (certainly one of my favorite pair of hands on earth) of film editor Thelma Schoonmaker, Michael Powell’s widow.There’s fantastic commentary with cinematographer Jack Cardiff and Ian Christie, as well as Martin Scorsese, a close, dear friend of Powell’s. And actress Moira Shearer gives such a wonderful account of the feelings of awe and fear of the dancers around working with living ballet legend Leonide Massine . . . and how in spite of this, she and Massine came to get on like a house on fire. He would fill her with the most amazing tales of his life in the last true golden age of ballet with the great dance impresario Sergei Diaghilev—I cannot even imagine what a thrill these hours of conversation must have been!"

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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
2003 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
"Captain Jack Sparrow. You are, without a doubt, the worst Pirate I have ever heard of" / "Ah, but you have heard of me ..."
The first Pirates of the Caribbean film (based on a Disney theme ride!), this is far less bloated and self referential than any of the later sequels, with Johnny Depp's portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow a breath of fresh air (at the time) in a genre that had become increasingly stale: indeed, I can't even remember there being any other pirate films in my lifetime other than 1995s Cutthroat Island.

The plot, here, makes much use of the superstition and folklore of the Caribbean - "You better start believing in Ghost stories again, Miss: you're in one!" (to paraphrase a certain other character - with the crew of the Black Pearl all cursed to an everlasting life by an ancient Aztec curse unless they can restore all the stolen coins.

And this is where Will Turner comes in, as the son of 'Bootstrap' Bill, a colleague of Captain Jack Sparrows before his crew mutinied, stole the treasure, and were cursed. When the governors daughter Elizabet Swann is kidnapped, Turner sets off to rescue here in the company of Sparrow and a crew of n'er do wells, in a very entertaining slice of Pirate action!
  
The House (2017)
The House (2017)
2017 | Comedy
It was a beautiful day in June as I strolled through the streaming sunshine... to go and sit in the cinema. I know, I know, I should have been enjoying the mysterious yellow thing in the sky. As it turns out though, I prefer sitting in the dark with a raspberry slushie. I skipped seeing The House on Friday because of the hoards of people at the cinema, so that was today's selection.

Scott and Kate have been looking forward to sending their daughter to college with a local scholarship, but when it is frittered away by an official they are faced with finding the money to replace it. With their down on his luck neighbour, the trio start their own underground casino and are soon seeing another side of their community, and themselves...

While I wouldn't actively seek out a film that has Will Ferrell in it, I have to say that this one was a good laugh. Was it groundbreaking film? No. But it did everything you want from a comedy. The cast were great, and I really enjoyed watching Lennon Parham and Andrea Savage.

One thing I noticed from the movie I didn't realise that axes were that effective.
  
Rebel Jewel (Jewel Chronicles #3)
Rebel Jewel (Jewel Chronicles #3)
Natalina Reis | 2019 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Rebel Jewel is the culmination of the Jewel Chronicles, and we reunite with Milenda and Jaali as they return to Ntale, determined to rid the people from the Elders' rule, and free all the indents. This is the third book in the series, and they DO follow on, so you will need to have read the first two to get the fullest enjoyment from this one.

They have only been together for three years, but so much has happened to both Milenda and Jaali during that time. Jaali was a contestant for Milenda's hand. Milenda moved to Jaali's homeland, and undertook all that entailed. They had a daughter. And now they are returning home, to right the wrong, and to set Milenda back into succession for the throne.

As with the previous two books, there is a richness of character to the story, a depth that will entice you in. There is plenty of action to keep you turning the pages, with an intricate storyline that will keep your attention. A great finish to the story.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Gavin & Stacey
Gavin & Stacey
2007 | Comedy
8
8.0 (30 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Down to earth. (1 more)
Funny, witty and clever.
Only had 3 seasons :( (0 more)
A classic
Okay before I added my rating it was at 6.7 💣... I'm actually quite surprised at this as I have found it to be an all rounder. It has everything a sitcom should have. The writing is fantastic (Thank you Ruth Jones and James Corden) the acting is excellently done (you can get the odd hero that over acts in a lovely simple sitcom like this - luckily this isn't the case with G&S), the casting is fantastic and I love the locations etc.. That sounds random but the homes they are in feel like the characters homes, the hometowns suit the actors that have been cast as well. In some sitcoms you can think of another actor or actress that could have played the part better etc.. but in this, the parts were perfectly cast.
There's nothing unrealistic about it, it feels real, something that could be happening to someone down the road from you. The meeting over the phone rings true with me as I met my husband through a mutual friend on xbox!!! (We have now been together 7 years and have a beautiful daughter)
So yeah, I'd recommend if you like a classic, British heartwarming comedy.
  
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Lee (2222 KP) Aug 21, 2019

Big favourite in our household - probably an 8 or 9 out of 10. Can't wait for the Christmas special this year!

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Elli H Burton (1288 KP) Aug 21, 2019

Oh yeah it's not Christmas without a Gavin and Stacey special, so happy it's a new one though!!!

    BLW Slow Cook Recipes

    BLW Slow Cook Recipes

    Lifestyle and Book

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    Hi, I'm Natalie, owner of Baby-Led Weaning Cookbook! Over the past 12 months I have developed over...