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Ross (3284 KP) rated Abducted in Plain Sight (2017) in Movies

Mar 4, 2019  
Abducted in Plain Sight (2017)
Abducted in Plain Sight (2017)
2017 | Biography, Crime, Documentary
8
7.2 (11 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Such a bizarre story, sensitively told
The story of how the Broberg family sleepwalked into their eldest daughter being abducted is truly bizarre. I think a large part of their logical progression and how they didn't react to the red flag warnings stems from their being part of the church of latter-day saints and how the community aspect of the church would give them a false sense of security. I think this was played down quite a lot, possibly being sensitive not to criticise religious beliefs, but does tend to sensationalise the story a little.
The first half of this documentary brilliantly shows how a series of truly weird decisions by the family allowed a manipulative, charismatic man to gradually isolate their daughter from them and allow him to abduct her. There are some moments when you can't help but shout "WTF" (the full version) at the TV.
The second half continues this theme but I felt like I was past the point of disbelief and stupid decision upon stupid decision had left me numb to it.
The story is sensitively told, by the family themselves (and at times by "B", the abductor in his own words). While their actions are clearly stupid and irresponsible, their thought processes are clearly explained and they admit themselves how stupid they were. The family come across as a lovely, sensitive, emotional group that went through a terrible time in the mid-70s.
Some unpleasant sections when it gets into the detail of the abduction, which serve as a real wake-up after the somewhat comedic elements leading up to the abduction.
  
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The Bandersnatch (199 KP) rated The Magicians' Guild (Black Magician Trilogy, #1) in Books

Nov 7, 2019  
The Magicians' Guild (Black Magician Trilogy, #1)
The Magicians' Guild (Black Magician Trilogy, #1)
Trudi Canavan | 2001
8
8.4 (14 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Magicians Guild is the first of the Black Magician Trilogy and was published in 2001, Followed by The Novice (2002) and The Black Magician (2003). The story starts with a young Slum Dweller named Sonea as she discovers her magical potential after throwing a stone through a magical barrier. Going in the run Sonea has to deal with both the magicians guild after her and the growing chaos that is her loosing control of her power. After being found by Lord Rothen and helped achieve control, Sonea must face a difficult trial for both entrance to the Guild and Mentorship between Rothen and the sinister looking Fergun.

Canavan stated on her website that the initial inspiration which ended up being part of the first chapter came form her watching a documentary of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona where a report about the government taking the host cities homeless and sending them to other cities/towns. Later that night she saw herself and several others being herded out of a city...by magicians hence the first chapter.

Now when I first found the book I was in a Waterstones (Well known British bookstore) mindlessly looking....wasn't even expecting to buy a book and I came across The Magicians Guild. Finding the blurb interesting I bought it and after reading it I fell in love and I ended up rushing to buy the other two books. Hearing the influence of the first chapter reminded me of the influence Susanne Collins the writer of the Hunger games series had of flicking through channels and hearing two different news posts.
  
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Sarah (7799 KP) rated Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken (2017) in Movies

Mar 23, 2020  
Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken (2017)
Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken (2017)
2017 | Documentary
7
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Interesting but possibly contradictory
I loved the first Super Size Me, it may not have put me off McDonald's for life but it really made me think and really highlighted a point with how bad fast food is for you. I was intrigued to see what Morgan Spurlock had come with up next, but I found it a little lacking.

The concept behind this documentary is Morgan opening his own fast food chicken restaurant, and shows him from the beginnings of owning his own chicken farm to the restaurants grand opening. It really opene my eyes to what does into chicken farming and production (at least in the US) and it really is a disturbing watch at times. Some of the things that chicken companies are allowed to do and label food is crazy and the way they treat their chicken farmer is awful. Spurlock doesn’t shy away from showing all of these bad bits and because of this it’s an intriguing and interesting watch, even if it’s a little difficult to stomach. My problem is that by the end, whilst I can understand why Spurlock wanted to open his own chicken restaurant to highlight the major issues with this type of food and production, it seemed a little bit lacking in direction and rather pointless - regardless of his message, it almost seemed to me like he was contributing to the problem and encouraging people to eat this chicken, even if he was showing them the truth behind it at the same time. Maybe I’m just being a biased and stuck up vegetarian, but it seemed a little contradictory to me.