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Freakdog (Red Mist) (2009)
Freakdog (Red Mist) (2009)
2009 | International, Drama, Horror
4
3.5 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
This could have been so much better. Nice idea but on a tight budget, and thin plot lines it doesn't live up to potential. I thought Arielle Kebbel being in this might be a good sign, but it's not up to the usual quality of films she is in.
I also have to add I really don't understand why they try to Americanise this film? It was obvious to me this was made in the UK, Northern Ireland, so why not set it there? Why try to make out it's a small town in America? Only for those who don't mind low budget horrors.
  
It's Not Yet Dark (2016)
It's Not Yet Dark (2016)
2016 | Documentary
Emotional and compelling
I was moved to tears by this Netflix documentary about filmmaker Simon Fitzmaurice. He is a man with ALS (MND) in Ireland who still pursued his dreams despite losing so much in his personal life including his ability to walk, talk and basically live off of a machine and the assistance of others to survive.

Watching a film like this puts your own petty problems into perspective and makes you not only want to be a better person, but count every blessing you have and every day you continue to awaken each morning.

Everyone should check this film out.

  
The Lodgers (2017)
The Lodgers (2017)
2017 | Horror
This movie was on Netflix. It's about twin siblings cursed by an incestual family curse. The sister is trying to break it and get free of it and their old house. It's an Irish tale(at least, it takes place in Ireland). The acting was good and the imagery was pretty creepy. Overall it was a decent "creepy" movie. It's listed as horror but it's not really scary. It's kind of slow moving, but keeps the interest. Between the subject content and the little bit of nudity I'd say it's not for kids. It's worth a watch if you're bored and/or into these kind of creepy, "old style" movies.
  
Leap Year (2010)
Leap Year (2010)
2010 | Comedy, Romance
4
3.8 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
This movie... This whole plot... I don't even know what to say or where to begin. It's just bad. I like Matthew Goode, I've seen him in other things that are great and Amy Adams obviously is incredible, their chemistry was great. It's just... bad! The entire storyline of Anna going to Ireland to propose to Jeremy and falling for Declan along the way - it's just played out. Some of the characters and the journey itself were just tiresome and overplayed. I think it's a fine movie to watch to pass time, but not one that will ever be praised for being anything but a miss.
  
I really enjoyed this book! But I would Highly suggest buying an actual copy of it!

I love all things travel and knew when this book popped up that I had to read it. For someone who has always wanted to go to Ireland but has yet to have the opportunity this book was a dream! It made my imaginations come alive with the descriptions from the authors. The only thing I wish was that there were pictures in the book.

Highly recommend for anyone who likes travel.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed with in are my own.
  
The Rules of Revelation
The Rules of Revelation
Lisa McInerney | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really enjoyed The Rules of Revelation - although I started reading it fully prepared to be confused. I wasn’t. This is the third and final part of a trilogy - I do own the first two books, but in true Clare style, I haven’t read them. I like that this stands alone, although I’m sure that I will have missed out on some important parts of the plot - never fear! I’ll just go back and read the first two!

I really like stories set around bands or singers - and this does have something extra to that storyline. The side character really made this novel interesting. I loved Maureen, the mother of the local big drug baron. She really doesn’t care what anyone feels or thinks about her, and isn’t frightened by her son one bit - unlike most of Cork.

Georgie is an ex sex-worker who wants what she thinks is fair - and that’s to make sure that Ryan Cusak’s band, Lord Urchin, get what they deserve. Nothing. I can’t help but think that a lot of her problems come from the fact that she is so easily taken advantage of: in her past as well as by the journalist in her present.

And then there’s the love story of Ryan and Karine. How much more complicated could they make it for one another? On top of that, is Ryan’s battle to make his art accessible to others, to sell an album or play to an audience, but his past is constantly putting a spanner in the works. He wants to improve his life from his poor, deprived upbringing, and put his drug-dealing past firmly behind him.

And all of this set in a time of great change in Ireland. Maureen should see some positives in the new Ireland. She talks about Cork being a city for men, but Ireland has just passed laws for marriage equality and abortion rights.

There’s a lot going on in this novel, I’d never get through all of it here, and I wouldn’t want to. You should just read it. I loved it, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
  
Petrus (Fueled By Lust #12)
Petrus (Fueled By Lust #12)
Celeste Prater | 2018 | Erotica, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Petrus is the twelfth book in the Fueled by Lust series, and I would certainly recommend you read them in order. Not only will that give you a better understanding of the overall story arc, but you will get to meet the characters in greater detail, helping you to know them more.

Petrus was one of the unfortunate Insedi who had a faulty necklace. This meant that when he kissed Ireland for the first time, nothing happened, much to his distress. Ireland, of course, knows nothing about the Insedi or necklaces, so she wondered what the hell was going on. To try and protect her, Petrus was cruel to be kind, which then backfired when he found out about the faulty necklaces. So now he has to try and coax her back to him.

I love this series, I really do. I have loved each and every one of the Insedi warriors, and this book is no different in that regard. What I didn't love as much were the other men in this. I can sort of understand Ludo, especially once you learn of the near-miss between him and Ireland, although I much preferred Makar and Baruch because they were already a 'couple' (so to speak). It was Damon who didn't do it for me though. I loved how it was written with a human being included into a triad but I would have loved more from him during the book. He was there at the beginning, bam, I love you's to Ireland, but then he disappears until near the end. One evening (or so it seemed) and he's into the triad, now quadrat! And then throw in the BDSM elements that Petrus and Ludo are happy for him to take the lead on... I don't know. It just didn't feel right to me, and I pains me to write that!

There were no errors in this book that disrupted my reading, and I found myself to be just as lost within the Insedi world as ever. It just didn't move in the same way as the previous books have. And Cato is still hands-down my favourite!!!

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! Because it is part of an amazing world full of interesting and intriguing characters. It isn't just the warriors who will delight you, but their partners too. Trust me, the women are just as badass in their own ways, and Makenna and Ireland's quips and witticisms to each other were fantastic to read. So yes, I recommend it. Just start from the beginning and you will love the Insedi just as much as I do!

* 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!
  
Pony Up
Pony Up
Sandy Dengler | 2020 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Settling into Married Life with Danger
This book opens at Joe Rodriguez’s wedding reception over in Ireland, but it isn’t too long before he and his young wife, Bridgid, are back in Phoenix and settling into wedded bliss. Well, they would be if it weren’t for Charlie Stegener. He is still trying to cause trouble for Joe in particular and the entire Phoenix police in general despite the fact that his wife has dropped out of the mayor’s race. Meanwhile, someone has followed Joe and Bridgid back from Ireland intent on ruining their lives. Can Joe stay one step ahead of both of these problems?

This book follows the previous book in the series very closely. In fact, some of the storylines I thought were wrapped up come back into play. The result feels more like a TV show than a novel, however, with the dueling plots. The characters are wonderful, and fans of the series will be excited to see what happens next to them. Well, mostly. There are a couple of scenes that were excessive, and I have to wonder what one character did to the author to get the treatment they got here. The ending, while wrapping up the plot, did seem a bit abrupt. I did enjoy the book because I like the characters and got caught up in the events, but I’ve enjoyed other books from this author more.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Pixie (2020) in Movies

Oct 25, 2020  
Pixie (2020)
Pixie (2020)
2020 | Comedy, Thriller
6
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Knockabout comedy-thriller set in Northern Ireland. 'What do men see in irritating free spirits?' wondered Julia Roberts in a Tom Hanks movie a few years ago, and the question is still a live one: Olivia Cooke plays Pixie, who is not quite Holly Golightly recast as a feminist criminal mastermind, but getting there. Nearly everyone is entranced by her, including apparently the director, cameraman, and cinematographer, despite the fact she seems to be almost completely amoral: ripping off drug dealers, swindling her friends, and cold-blooded murder all seem to be part of her repertoire. Nevertheless she and her latest enamoured stooges zip about Ireland to a jangly western-style soundtrack while Alec Baldwin phones in a cameo as a gun-toting gangster-priest.

Surely people have got to get over this obsession with making Tarantino pastiches sooner or later? This one has the odd funny moment, but a lot of the jokes don't land and the plot constantly seems to be on the verge of unravelling. Olivia Cooke carries the film with predictable grace, but I felt almost commanded to like her without good enough reason: the film also suggests there's a thin line between idealising a character and objectifying them, as a rather lubricious tone occasionally threatens to manifest. Passably watchable in the end, but has no connection to reality: feels like a script somebody wrote in 1995 and then spent twenty-odd years finding the funding for. Cooke in particular deserves better.
  
Brooklyn (2015)
Brooklyn (2015)
2015 | Drama
A heartwarming coming of age story
Brooklyn’s plot is fairly uncomplicated and straight forward, but it’s the execution that makes this film worth watching. It’s such a beautiful and heart warming tale of an Irish immigrant in America, filled with drama, sadness and even a bit of comedy. Saiorse Ronan is brilliant, and she’s the main reason why this film is worth watching. Emory Cohen too is simply adorable as Eilis’s American love interest and this relationship is so heart warming to watch.

My only criticism about this film is that Eilis’s return to Ireland seemed a little rushed and whilst the ending itself was fairly sweet and satisfying, I feel like they could’ve done much more with it.