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Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) in Movies
Jan 28, 2021
This was another first for me. Previous to watching this silent “masterpiece” Dreyer was a name I had only read in film history essays and when anyone writing for Sight and Sound wants to look clever. As a stepping stone to what could be achieved it is of course a valuable historic document. As a film to be enjoyed almost 100 years later, it is all but unwatchable at 110 minutes. There is perhaps a half hour’s worth of story and images, merely extended and repeated to an excruciating degree. It’s not that it is silent, or has very strange religious overtones that don’t resonate now in the same way they once might – because it is very beautiful and remarkable in small sections – it is that a monotony of accusation, followed by denial, followed by crying, followed by spiritual revelation is all there is to it. And it goes on and on and on until you really could not care less.
The story of Joan of Arc is extraordinary, but this is not the story of Joan of Arc, it is her passion only, as in her trial and execution. The close ups of Maria Falconetti as the eponymous saint are all you can really take away from it in the end. Her odd beauty and commitment to the role do leave a lasting impression, but the two dimensional fire and brimstone evil of her accusers is just too much, even comic, to behold and believe in 2021. For study purposes, seeing where certain techniques and shot ideas had their Genesis, for example, it is of great interest. As a film to watch and enjoy it has sadly outlived its worth. When you consider Fritz Lang’s M was only 3 years later, it all comes into context.
The story of Joan of Arc is extraordinary, but this is not the story of Joan of Arc, it is her passion only, as in her trial and execution. The close ups of Maria Falconetti as the eponymous saint are all you can really take away from it in the end. Her odd beauty and commitment to the role do leave a lasting impression, but the two dimensional fire and brimstone evil of her accusers is just too much, even comic, to behold and believe in 2021. For study purposes, seeing where certain techniques and shot ideas had their Genesis, for example, it is of great interest. As a film to watch and enjoy it has sadly outlived its worth. When you consider Fritz Lang’s M was only 3 years later, it all comes into context.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Just One Look in Books
Dec 17, 2020
This is the tenth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!
When Grace Lawson picks up a set of photos from the store, she finds a strange photo in the envelope. It shows a group of four people she doesn't know. But one, she does: her husband, long before she knew him. When she shows him that evening, he leaves their home mysteriously. Soon a crazy series of events kicks off, and while Grace doesn't realize it, there are people who would do anything--even kill--to keep that photo from seeing the light of day.
This was my first Harlan Coben read--I have a bunch of Coben books I've collected sitting on my shelves, so it seemed like a great choice for my challenge. This was the supreme page turner. I had no idea where this book was going most of the time! It's filled with twists and turns, and it kept me guessing! There are a few real "coincidences," but they didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story at all. This was one of those plain 'ol good mysteries. I hadn't realized it was set in the mid-1990s (the development of film should have been a dead giveaway, ha), but it stood the test of time. There are creepy bad guys who fight the good guys. Sometimes you just need a tale of good versus evil with lots of twists to take your mind off of things.
Overall, an enjoyable and puzzling read. 3.5 stars. I'll definitely need to read more of the Coben books on my shelves.
When Grace Lawson picks up a set of photos from the store, she finds a strange photo in the envelope. It shows a group of four people she doesn't know. But one, she does: her husband, long before she knew him. When she shows him that evening, he leaves their home mysteriously. Soon a crazy series of events kicks off, and while Grace doesn't realize it, there are people who would do anything--even kill--to keep that photo from seeing the light of day.
This was my first Harlan Coben read--I have a bunch of Coben books I've collected sitting on my shelves, so it seemed like a great choice for my challenge. This was the supreme page turner. I had no idea where this book was going most of the time! It's filled with twists and turns, and it kept me guessing! There are a few real "coincidences," but they didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story at all. This was one of those plain 'ol good mysteries. I hadn't realized it was set in the mid-1990s (the development of film should have been a dead giveaway, ha), but it stood the test of time. There are creepy bad guys who fight the good guys. Sometimes you just need a tale of good versus evil with lots of twists to take your mind off of things.
Overall, an enjoyable and puzzling read. 3.5 stars. I'll definitely need to read more of the Coben books on my shelves.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2) in Books
Sep 29, 2019
Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.
To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?
In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.
I am enjoying the books more than the tv series. I find myself getting frustrated at Clary,Jace and Simon even without knowing some of the outcome. I love having a visual reference for the characters taken from both the TV series and the film to fit in as im reading. Highly recommend the books I find them a lot better than both film and TV. On to Book 3!

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?
In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.
I am enjoying the books more than the tv series. I find myself getting frustrated at Clary,Jace and Simon even without knowing some of the outcome. I love having a visual reference for the characters taken from both the TV series and the film to fit in as im reading. Highly recommend the books I find them a lot better than both film and TV. On to Book 3!

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Rotten Men (Rotten Love Duet #2) in Books
Aug 25, 2019
Sooo good
Contains spoilers, click to show
Envy.
Such an ugly sin.
Yet, here I am guilty of it.
See, I envy you.
You who wake up in the morning not knowing what your future will entail. A blessed uncertainty filled with hope and mystery, with the potential to make it whatever you aspire it to be.
Must be nice — to open your eyes and dream of such a promising existence.
I have no such hopeful misguided notions.
My fate has been written down on crumpled paper, made smooth and immaculate by bloody tainted hands for the outside world to behold, since the day I was conceived.
There is no happily ever after for me but I’ve come to terms with my gilded golden cage long ago.
It’s their destiny that keeps me up at night — the pieces of my soul.
They are the ones who I would defy the devil himself for and stare true evil in the eye, taunting it to do its worst.
There is nothing I wouldn’t do for them, yet I know the wheel of fortune is not in our favor.
So, yes — I envy you.
While you dream of your colorful tomorrow, I dread its grayish arrival.
You see, we were all born rotten.
And rotten girls and boys don’t deserve a fairytale ending.
Rotten Girl is the first book in the duet -A Rotten Love
<strong>Sssoooo good</strong>
I loved this duet. Felt so good to finally see Selene home with her men! There is something to love in each of her men. I think I internally cheered when butcher was taken out,I'm also glad it was by her hand with both him an Ciro . Ivy Fox has a really good writing style that keeps you gripped from start to finish.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Such an ugly sin.
Yet, here I am guilty of it.
See, I envy you.
You who wake up in the morning not knowing what your future will entail. A blessed uncertainty filled with hope and mystery, with the potential to make it whatever you aspire it to be.
Must be nice — to open your eyes and dream of such a promising existence.
I have no such hopeful misguided notions.
My fate has been written down on crumpled paper, made smooth and immaculate by bloody tainted hands for the outside world to behold, since the day I was conceived.
There is no happily ever after for me but I’ve come to terms with my gilded golden cage long ago.
It’s their destiny that keeps me up at night — the pieces of my soul.
They are the ones who I would defy the devil himself for and stare true evil in the eye, taunting it to do its worst.
There is nothing I wouldn’t do for them, yet I know the wheel of fortune is not in our favor.
So, yes — I envy you.
While you dream of your colorful tomorrow, I dread its grayish arrival.
You see, we were all born rotten.
And rotten girls and boys don’t deserve a fairytale ending.
Rotten Girl is the first book in the duet -A Rotten Love
<strong>Sssoooo good</strong>
I loved this duet. Felt so good to finally see Selene home with her men! There is something to love in each of her men. I think I internally cheered when butcher was taken out,I'm also glad it was by her hand with both him an Ciro . Ivy Fox has a really good writing style that keeps you gripped from start to finish.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

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