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Mat (5 KP) rated Hereditary (2018) in Movies
Jun 18, 2018
Genuine scares (1 more)
Tension builds throughout film
Let down by the ending
This started as a really interesting look at a dysfunctional family dealing with grief, with the story driven by the characters, rather than by the scares. Unfortunately the last 10 minutes completely changes things, by going into WTF territory. It felt like the writers couldn’t come up with an ending to do the rest of the film justice, so decided to “shock” and confuse the audience instead. This was a shame, as the rest of the film was rather good.
AJaneClark (3962 KP) rated The Perks of Being a Wallflower in Books
Oct 28, 2020
Dysfunctional and heart-warming
Read this before I made the decision to watch the movie, and I certainly enjoyed the book more (although the movie was not a bad one). The more I read the book, the more I was hooked, (possibly because it was quite a heavy read, and I wanted to finish it, again not because I dislike it). Many of the characters are likeable, and the material was well written.
A coming of age story of a young man beginning high school with the emotional and mental baggage of his traumatic childhood. Charlie was an unusual main lead, appearing quite odd at times and very emotional. He made friends with Sam and Patrick, and the relationship was heart warming if not a little dysfunctional.
My rating of the book, did not quite give it the max rating, as I felt after I had finished reading, I was left a little confused, and with a number of unanswered questions. At times throughout the novel, I kept thinking the next chapter will be the big reveal, but that chapter never came.
I can see why it has the following it has, went mainstream and has remained popular, but not a book I aim to reread anytime soon.
A coming of age story of a young man beginning high school with the emotional and mental baggage of his traumatic childhood. Charlie was an unusual main lead, appearing quite odd at times and very emotional. He made friends with Sam and Patrick, and the relationship was heart warming if not a little dysfunctional.
My rating of the book, did not quite give it the max rating, as I felt after I had finished reading, I was left a little confused, and with a number of unanswered questions. At times throughout the novel, I kept thinking the next chapter will be the big reveal, but that chapter never came.
I can see why it has the following it has, went mainstream and has remained popular, but not a book I aim to reread anytime soon.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated What Lies Between Us in Books
Jan 20, 2021
Over the past 12 months, John Marrs has shot towards the top of my favorite authors' list, and 'What Lies Between Us' does not fail to deliver.
Featuring the most messed up of family dynamics, the gasp moments keep on coming as we try to decide who is most dysfunctional; daughter Nina or mother Maggie. They both put a big claim to the title.
The writing is so gripping that once you start you just want to keep on going, so despite the disturbing content I didn't want a break.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the copy
Featuring the most messed up of family dynamics, the gasp moments keep on coming as we try to decide who is most dysfunctional; daughter Nina or mother Maggie. They both put a big claim to the title.
The writing is so gripping that once you start you just want to keep on going, so despite the disturbing content I didn't want a break.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the copy
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2072 KP) rated Revenge of the Spellmans (The Spellmans, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Izzy Spellman is enjoying her time off from the family PI business. But then she gets a client who thinks his wife is cheating on him. That's not the case, but the wife does have some secret. Meanwhile, little sister Rae is accused to cheating on her PSAT's and Izzy moves into her brother's basement. Yep, it's more wacky fun with my favorite dysfunctional family. I did feel things were feeling a little too familiar at this point, but it was still lots of fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-revenge-of-spellmans-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-revenge-of-spellmans-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Our Little Cruelties in Books
May 10, 2020
Less of a thriller to me, more of a family drama and a very well written one.
Focusing on the lives of 3 brothers we jump from one to the other backward and forwards in time in what could easily be a jarring experience but instead, Nugent cleverly keeps things clear and interesting. We know one brother is dead by the end but the whole family's story and circumstances are a really dysfunctional ride.
Hard to like any of the brothers but impossible not to want to know what they end up getting themselves into with their complex family dynamics. Would recommend.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC, review is my own opinion
Focusing on the lives of 3 brothers we jump from one to the other backward and forwards in time in what could easily be a jarring experience but instead, Nugent cleverly keeps things clear and interesting. We know one brother is dead by the end but the whole family's story and circumstances are a really dysfunctional ride.
Hard to like any of the brothers but impossible not to want to know what they end up getting themselves into with their complex family dynamics. Would recommend.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC, review is my own opinion
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Killing Gunther (2017) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
A dysfunctional team of young assassins set out to make a name for themselves by killing the most notorious hitman of all time, Gunther (Arnold Schwarzenegger) in Killing Gunther. Hiring a documentary crew at gunpoint to record their every step, including the undeniable proof of the execution itself, they attempt to discover Gunther’s true identity and whereabouts. But before the team can even cock their guns, things go from bad to the most horrible ever; Gunther is onto them and gleefully plots some deadly punishment of his own. The infamous killer torments the team, turning them against each other, as he remains seven moves ahead. It doesn’t take long for the hunters to become the hunted in this non-stop, cat-and-mouse dark comedy.
SummerLGrant (185 KP) rated Patti Cake$ (2017) in Movies
Sep 10, 2017
A film that tries to be a little quirky but doesn't manage it, still does a good job of following the story of Patti Dombrowski (Patti Cake$) as she tries everything she can to claw her way out of her ordinary town and dead end job while juggling the dysfunctional relationship with her mother, the illness of her grandmother and the constant mockery she faces for her aspirations.
The soundtrack is addictively good, none better than PBNJ and Tuff Love and there's definitely a lot of talent within the cast. The only part of the film that gets particularly touching is towards the end when they're performing the last song but otherwise the emotion is pretty absent, which is a shame because it's a film that does try to drum a lot of it up.
The soundtrack is addictively good, none better than PBNJ and Tuff Love and there's definitely a lot of talent within the cast. The only part of the film that gets particularly touching is towards the end when they're performing the last song but otherwise the emotion is pretty absent, which is a shame because it's a film that does try to drum a lot of it up.
KarenRC (6 KP) rated The Death of Mrs Westaway in Books
Jul 23, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! It is a creepy, atmospheric tale of a dysfunctional family full of secrets. Its a bit of a slow burn, but I think that adds to the tension. The characters are all very well written, but especially Hal. Despite knowing that what she is doing is wrong, you can't help but root for her to just get that little break she is hoping for to help get her out of the mess she has found herself in after her Mothers untimely death. Trepassen is the perfect setting for this story, complete with creepy housekeeper and was a character within itself due to the descriptive writing.
Overall, a really good read with twists and turns to keep you guessing and a few surprises along the way.
Overall, a really good read with twists and turns to keep you guessing and a few surprises along the way.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine in Books
Sep 19, 2017
Completely different to what I expected, witty but rather sad
I've heard that this book is a comedy because of the narrator's frank outlook on life, however this is definitely not the case.
Eleanor Oliphant is socially awkward, very blunt but well spoken and seems to have a few dysfunctional issues. The author then explores why this must be the case, especially her relationship with her past and her controlling mother. The novel is about trauma and mental health, and how depression can cause people to act out in unusual ways. It is funny at times when she has no clue about social conventions and how much emphasis is put on the mundane.
It's important for showing that one isn't 'mad' for being different, merely misguided and that by addressing problems head on and getting the right support Eleanor Oliphant is actually completely fine.
Eleanor Oliphant is socially awkward, very blunt but well spoken and seems to have a few dysfunctional issues. The author then explores why this must be the case, especially her relationship with her past and her controlling mother. The novel is about trauma and mental health, and how depression can cause people to act out in unusual ways. It is funny at times when she has no clue about social conventions and how much emphasis is put on the mundane.
It's important for showing that one isn't 'mad' for being different, merely misguided and that by addressing problems head on and getting the right support Eleanor Oliphant is actually completely fine.