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Red at the Bone
Book
Poignant. Beautiful. Graceful. An unforgettable story about the tethers of family, the ebb and flow...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Alpha Rogue #2 in Books
Sep 21, 2021
154 of 250
Kindle
Alpha Rouge part 2!!!
By Terry Bolryder
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Also see pic 2 for synopsis!
I loved the second instalment it’s hitting up and tempers are flaring! Bolryder has this way of getting so much story into such a small book. I love this style it’s fast paced and hot!
Kindle
Alpha Rouge part 2!!!
By Terry Bolryder
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Also see pic 2 for synopsis!
I loved the second instalment it’s hitting up and tempers are flaring! Bolryder has this way of getting so much story into such a small book. I love this style it’s fast paced and hot!
Dean (6927 KP) rated The creator (2023) in Movies
Oct 15, 2023
Interesting if not a epic Sci-Fi
The trailers for this make it look potentially like a ground breaking Sci-Fi film that could be up with the genre greats. Sadly despite the impressive visuals and SFX the story is predictable and the film is resolved far too simply. One for fans will love but ultimately not much new to offer.
Stay with Me
8.0
Rate It
Book
'There are things even love can't do ...If the burden is too much and stays too long, even...
Trains and Lovers: The Heart's Journey
8.0
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Book
Imagine you're on a train. Think about all the other people on the train with you, what their lives...
Kristina (502 KP) rated Between the Realms (War of the Fae, #6) in Books
Dec 7, 2020
I love all these characters, their humor is just awesome. But I'm starting to get extremely irritated. When the series began, I immediately decided I didn't want Jayne and Tony to end up falling in love - that's just too cliche. Then they met Spike. Even then, I felt like it was too easy, so I held out for another love interest. When Jayne suddenly started paying attention to Chase, I was all for it, even though I felt like she would end up falling for Ben (I'm a huge sucker for a hate-turned-to-love story). Now, Ben's being a douche and there's no doubt in my mind he's evil, even if his intentions aren't. And, honestly, I'm getting upset with all the potential love interests going around. I still want her to end up with Chase or Ben, but it looks like she'll be with Spike, at least until she ends up in the Overworld. I suppose I'll just have to wait until the very end, I guess.
Love and War in the Apennines
Book
Hailed as Newby's 'masterpiece', 'Love and War in the Apennines' is the gripping real-life story of...
Bent (Destinations #1)
8.0
Rate It
Book
Alex Bradley has the life of a self-made playboy. He owns one of the hottest clubs, with his two...
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Words (2012) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
On paper, The Words is a film that is better suited as a literary novella. In print, we, as readers, are often granted insight to our characters thoughts and motivation that is frequently lost on film or delivered in a lackluster voiceover that most critics deem as lazy film making. Furthermore, the story within a story, within a story approach in film often leaves the audience with uninteresting shells of characters and can make a story forgettable at best.
Given these reasons, it is easy to see why many would choose to undertake a less ambitious story for their directorial debut. That group does not include co-writer-directors Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal. This duo is actually successful at tackling this dangerous story-within-a-story film device by keeping it simple. Focusing on the main characters of each story and their motivation, while tying each together with some common themes like love, what it means to write something great, and how far the need for success will drive the characters.
The movie begins with highly successful author Clay Hammond (Dennis Quaid) conducting a reading of his latest novel The Words. Among his audience is literary grad student and adoring fan, Daniella (Olivia Wilde), who has aspirations of picking the brain of the man that authored her favorite stories and perhaps getting involved romantically. As Hammond begins to read his story we are introduced to the tale of starving writer Rory Jensen (Bradley Cooper) and his wife Dora (Zoe Saldana). The two are a young couple in love, trying to get on their feet while Rory struggles with multiple rejections of his novels, until he is finally forced to come to grips with his own limitations as an artist and a writer.
As he settles into life and a job as a mail clerk at a publishing firm, he finds a lost manuscript in a vintage leather briefcase that Dora had purchased for him during their honeymoon in Paris. That story turns out to be something that moves him to tears. It is the final thing in his realization that he will never be the great writer that he thought he was, the great writer that wrote this anonymous story. In an effort to feel and try to understand what it is like to create something great, Rory decides to retype the novel word for word on his laptop if only to admire the beautiful story that he had instantly fallen in love with. When Dora mistakenly reads the novel, she encourages him to submit it to a publisher. Before he can tell her the truth, his world is transformed into the life he had always imagined he would have for himself and Dora as the novel gains him both great literary and commercial success. And finally, now that his star has risen he can get his own novel published.
Enter Jeremy Irons as the old man who reveals himself to Rory as the true author of his story. The old man feels compelled to explain to Rory the tragic origin of the story that has become the young author’s success. Irons steals every second he is on screen as his delivery of the old man oozes with the intellectual style that has been his trademark over the years. Like Rory, we are helpless to do nothing but listen and get lost in the words of his story as if he was sitting next to us and telling the story in real life.
The old man reveals that the novel is the result of great love and pain that his younger self (Ben Barnes) and the love of his life Celia (Nora Arnezeder) endured. While I am not familiar with Barnes’ and Arnezeder’s work, their performance as the younger couple in Irons’ story had a genuine connection. And while this love story does not seem to be anything new when it comes to film, it served its purpose by strengthening the other stories, showing how a great story can be mused from someplace unexpected, even if only once.
With Rory now confronted with his deceitful success, he struggles to decide how to make things right and live with himself as a fraud. It’s at this point the film subtly suggest that Hammond’s story of Rory may actually be a disguised autobiography.
As Rory, Bradley Cooper gives perhaps his best performance to date. I feel that despite his poor and deceitful decision, at no point does he lose the audience. With the help of a strong and emotionally charged performance by Zoe Saldana, we experience Cooper’s honest plight and can understand the events that unfold around him. He is effective as a man who genuinely believes he does not deserve the success that he stole. Without a doubt, this will be a surprising role for those fans who only know Cooper from the humorous characters he plays in The Hangover and most recently Hit and Run. I hope this is the beginning of growth in his craft beyond the charming, confident character we have seen in Limitless and perhaps into a deeper emotional actor.
The weakest part of this film is the story of Clay Hammond and Daniella. Dennis Quaid is quite unlikable as Hammond. He is monotone in his readings and the prose of his story is mediocre at best. While the film drops hints that Hammond’s story of Rory is autobiographical it makes sense that Quaid’s character is played this way. He succeeds in helping create the notion that Hammond is unworthy of the success his character has enjoyed. But something about his performance is so unlikable that even when his character has a redeeming moment, it is lost on an audience that may not care enough about him for it to work.
To add to this dislike of Quaid, Olivia Wilde seems out of place as the character Daniella. It is not that her performance is bad, it is just that every time they showed her as the starry-eyed fan who is love struck for Hammond, she just seemed out of place. Additionally there did not seem to be any connection between Daniella and Hammond in the way the other characters’ connections helped strengthen their performances.
In the end, I enjoyed this movie more than I expected. Visually the Montreal backdrop does an excellent job as both New York and Paris. And the continual piano score helps blend the stories. The simple focus on the main characters helped maintain the three different stories and keep the overall pacing of the movie in order. In addition, the solid to exceptional performances also helped to keep the film focused and avoided the empty shell of characters that most movies of this nature create. That being said, this movie is not for everyone, but those looking for a change of pace from the summer blockbusters season should consider this film.
Given these reasons, it is easy to see why many would choose to undertake a less ambitious story for their directorial debut. That group does not include co-writer-directors Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal. This duo is actually successful at tackling this dangerous story-within-a-story film device by keeping it simple. Focusing on the main characters of each story and their motivation, while tying each together with some common themes like love, what it means to write something great, and how far the need for success will drive the characters.
The movie begins with highly successful author Clay Hammond (Dennis Quaid) conducting a reading of his latest novel The Words. Among his audience is literary grad student and adoring fan, Daniella (Olivia Wilde), who has aspirations of picking the brain of the man that authored her favorite stories and perhaps getting involved romantically. As Hammond begins to read his story we are introduced to the tale of starving writer Rory Jensen (Bradley Cooper) and his wife Dora (Zoe Saldana). The two are a young couple in love, trying to get on their feet while Rory struggles with multiple rejections of his novels, until he is finally forced to come to grips with his own limitations as an artist and a writer.
As he settles into life and a job as a mail clerk at a publishing firm, he finds a lost manuscript in a vintage leather briefcase that Dora had purchased for him during their honeymoon in Paris. That story turns out to be something that moves him to tears. It is the final thing in his realization that he will never be the great writer that he thought he was, the great writer that wrote this anonymous story. In an effort to feel and try to understand what it is like to create something great, Rory decides to retype the novel word for word on his laptop if only to admire the beautiful story that he had instantly fallen in love with. When Dora mistakenly reads the novel, she encourages him to submit it to a publisher. Before he can tell her the truth, his world is transformed into the life he had always imagined he would have for himself and Dora as the novel gains him both great literary and commercial success. And finally, now that his star has risen he can get his own novel published.
Enter Jeremy Irons as the old man who reveals himself to Rory as the true author of his story. The old man feels compelled to explain to Rory the tragic origin of the story that has become the young author’s success. Irons steals every second he is on screen as his delivery of the old man oozes with the intellectual style that has been his trademark over the years. Like Rory, we are helpless to do nothing but listen and get lost in the words of his story as if he was sitting next to us and telling the story in real life.
The old man reveals that the novel is the result of great love and pain that his younger self (Ben Barnes) and the love of his life Celia (Nora Arnezeder) endured. While I am not familiar with Barnes’ and Arnezeder’s work, their performance as the younger couple in Irons’ story had a genuine connection. And while this love story does not seem to be anything new when it comes to film, it served its purpose by strengthening the other stories, showing how a great story can be mused from someplace unexpected, even if only once.
With Rory now confronted with his deceitful success, he struggles to decide how to make things right and live with himself as a fraud. It’s at this point the film subtly suggest that Hammond’s story of Rory may actually be a disguised autobiography.
As Rory, Bradley Cooper gives perhaps his best performance to date. I feel that despite his poor and deceitful decision, at no point does he lose the audience. With the help of a strong and emotionally charged performance by Zoe Saldana, we experience Cooper’s honest plight and can understand the events that unfold around him. He is effective as a man who genuinely believes he does not deserve the success that he stole. Without a doubt, this will be a surprising role for those fans who only know Cooper from the humorous characters he plays in The Hangover and most recently Hit and Run. I hope this is the beginning of growth in his craft beyond the charming, confident character we have seen in Limitless and perhaps into a deeper emotional actor.
The weakest part of this film is the story of Clay Hammond and Daniella. Dennis Quaid is quite unlikable as Hammond. He is monotone in his readings and the prose of his story is mediocre at best. While the film drops hints that Hammond’s story of Rory is autobiographical it makes sense that Quaid’s character is played this way. He succeeds in helping create the notion that Hammond is unworthy of the success his character has enjoyed. But something about his performance is so unlikable that even when his character has a redeeming moment, it is lost on an audience that may not care enough about him for it to work.
To add to this dislike of Quaid, Olivia Wilde seems out of place as the character Daniella. It is not that her performance is bad, it is just that every time they showed her as the starry-eyed fan who is love struck for Hammond, she just seemed out of place. Additionally there did not seem to be any connection between Daniella and Hammond in the way the other characters’ connections helped strengthen their performances.
In the end, I enjoyed this movie more than I expected. Visually the Montreal backdrop does an excellent job as both New York and Paris. And the continual piano score helps blend the stories. The simple focus on the main characters helped maintain the three different stories and keep the overall pacing of the movie in order. In addition, the solid to exceptional performances also helped to keep the film focused and avoided the empty shell of characters that most movies of this nature create. That being said, this movie is not for everyone, but those looking for a change of pace from the summer blockbusters season should consider this film.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Newton and Polly: A Novel of Amazing Grace in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Can I give this 10 stars??? Seriously though, probably my favorite book I have read all year. Newton & Polly is such a powerful and beautiful story of love and redemption. Of God's forgiveness and his grace. No matter what we have done, no matter where we go, the decisions we make, God's grace is enough. His love is enough. His forgiveness is enough. All of us are sinners. All of us are in need of God's grace. All of us fall short of perfection. We can not earn his love or forgiveness. He gives it freely. All we have to do is open our heart to it and receive it. We are human though, and we will continue to make mistakes, but it is important that we keep our eyes focused on the Lord, on his goodness and grace.
Newton and Polly's story is one that I was unfamiliar with. I knew John had lived quite the life prior to converting, but I had no idea the impact that Polly had on him. True to Jody's fashion, most of the events in this novel are based on fact. Of course there is a bit of creative liberties, but it is fiction. Overall I feel that she portrayed their story of romance and redemption magnificently. She portrays John's deep adoration and love in a way that is breathtakingly beautiful and precious. Newton's story brings a whole new meaning to the words of his song...He was a wretch...BUT GOD...God's grace led him home.
I was moved to tears multiple times while reading this book, and again while creating the graphics, and again when I watched a video of the song, and again while writing this review. The presence of God is all over this book. I could go on for hours about the incredible story within the covers of this book...But I urge you to read it for yourself. If you can't purchase it, request it from your public library. Borrow it from a friend that owns it...Get this book in your hands! If you only read one book this year...Let it be Newton & Polly. You will not regret it. And I pray that as you read Newton and Polly's story you let God's love surround you and let his grace move through you and cleanse your soul.
I received a free copy of Newton & Polly from Waterbrook & Multnomah Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Newton and Polly's story is one that I was unfamiliar with. I knew John had lived quite the life prior to converting, but I had no idea the impact that Polly had on him. True to Jody's fashion, most of the events in this novel are based on fact. Of course there is a bit of creative liberties, but it is fiction. Overall I feel that she portrayed their story of romance and redemption magnificently. She portrays John's deep adoration and love in a way that is breathtakingly beautiful and precious. Newton's story brings a whole new meaning to the words of his song...He was a wretch...BUT GOD...God's grace led him home.
I was moved to tears multiple times while reading this book, and again while creating the graphics, and again when I watched a video of the song, and again while writing this review. The presence of God is all over this book. I could go on for hours about the incredible story within the covers of this book...But I urge you to read it for yourself. If you can't purchase it, request it from your public library. Borrow it from a friend that owns it...Get this book in your hands! If you only read one book this year...Let it be Newton & Polly. You will not regret it. And I pray that as you read Newton and Polly's story you let God's love surround you and let his grace move through you and cleanse your soul.
I received a free copy of Newton & Polly from Waterbrook & Multnomah Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.