Ross (3282 KP) rated Cats (2019) in Movies
Jun 9, 2020
5 minutes in we are bombarded with use of the word "jellicle" without any context, repeated over and over again by haunting cat-people. To amuse myself, I replaced "jellicle" with "genital" and it brightened my mood somewhat.
But by that point the damage was done, I was annoyed by the film and the whole concept. I realised I was in for nearly 2 hours of different cats being introduced through the medium of forgettable arrhythmic song.
Luckily my wife had seen the stage show once (her words - "I saw it to say I'd seen it, never want to see it again") so had a little idea of the storyline (something to do with an annual competition to win an undefined prize which turned out to be a hot air balloon ride).
The visuals are not perfect and in order to detract from how hideous the idea was, they had to be.
So many decent actors (ok just Dame Judy and Sir Ian) wasted.
I have realised what sums this film up succinctly and appropriately:
If this film was a person, it would be Louis Spence.
How Much Of These Hills is Gold
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FIRST PUBLISHED in English in 1958, Two Women is a compassionate yet forthright narrative of simple...
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In her mesmerizing new novel, the author of The Vampire Chronicles and the saga of the Mayfair...
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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Haunting of Highdown Hall (Psychic Surveys #1) in Books
Sep 16, 2021
Kindle
The Haunting of Highdown Hall ( Pyschic Surverys book 1 )
By Shai Struthers
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Based in Lewes, East Sussex, Ruby and her team of freelance psychics have been kept busy of late. Specialising in domestic cases, their solid reputation is spreading - it's not just the dead that can rest in peace but the living too. All is threatened when Ruby receives a call from the irate new owner of Highdown Hall. Film star, Cynthia Hart, is still in residence, despite having died in 1958.
Winter deepens and so does the mystery surrounding Cynthia. She insists the devil is blocking her path to the light long after Psychic Surveys have 'disproved' it. Investigating her apparently unblemished background, Ruby is pulled further and further into Cynthia's world and the darkness that now inhabits it. For the first time in her career, Ruby's deepest beliefs are challenged.
Does evil truly exist?
And if so, is it the most relentless force of all?
It wasn’t as good as I thought it may be but it wasn’t terrible either. Very middle of the road and an ok read. I like the premise and some of the stories. The ending was good and concluded the story of the spirit nicely. I will continue to book 2 as I think the series has promise.
Fragile is a haunting thriller, where two young people, Nell and Joe, run away to London from their foster home after a tragic event. An event that we’re drip fed the information of as the book progresses.
Joe and Nell become separated, so Nell decides to go and knock on the door of the last place she saw him. When Dr. Robin Wilder opens the door at Starling Villa, Nell manages to talk him into employing her as his housekeeper. But all is not as it seems. Is Nell really safe here? What happened in Wales before she ran away to London with Joe? What does Dr. Wilders wife want with Nell? And where is Joe?
Nell and Joe’s backstories about their lives in care are heartbreaking. From a young age, Nell becomes the house ‘mother’, cleaner and cook. It’s a horrible life for her and so well described. Joe’s life isn’t any better.
Actually, the writing is so descriptive: people and places are described picture perfectly, and some scenes are so emotive, whilst others are really tense. The gripping finale was heartbreaking.
Sarah Hilary is a new author to me, and one that I’ll certainly look out for in future.
Sarah (7798 KP) Jun 10, 2020