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Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated Novitiate (2017) in Movies
Apr 12, 2019
Confusing scenes and imagery (4 more)
Maybe you have to be Catholic to understand it.
What the hell is happening?
What did I just watch?
Wait!? What? Did she just...?
This heathen is confused.
I am not a religious person though I find to discover about people's faith and acts of faith. This movie deals with the upheaval of after Vatican II was adopted in Catholicism in a convent where the mother superior refusing to give up the old ways while training prospective nuns under her care. The movie can be jarring at times in its violence and exploration of the novitiates and at other times is quite beautiful in showing pure live and faith, however misguided it seems to me. I'm not entirely sure what was happening in some of the scenes and even the ending was confusing. The movie, however, is well-acted. Maybe it's better understand by those of the same faith or who went to a Catholic school. This heathen was confused.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Gentlemen Broncos (2009) in Movies
Jan 19, 2018
This movie will definitely not be for everyone. It's along the same lines as Napoleon Dynamite (same director), so it's incredibly awkward at some points. Benjamin is an aspiring writer, whose mother tries to get him to make friends with Dusty (Mike White), and let's him go to a writing seminar. At this writing seminar, he meets his favorite author, Chevalier (Jemaine Clement), and turns in his story about Bronco to be judged to win a competition. Chevalier needs a story, so he takes Benjamin's story, changes some things (Bronco to Brutus), and publishes it as his own.
Benjamin, of course, isn't aware of this, and he let's his friend, Lonnie, make a completely awful movie based on the story. After the premiere of this awful movie, Benjamin picks up Chevalier's new book, and realizes he stole his story.
Bronco/Brutus is played by Sam Rockwell. Rockwell does an amazing job in both the roles of Bronco and Brutus.
The whole movie is hilariously awkward.
Benjamin, of course, isn't aware of this, and he let's his friend, Lonnie, make a completely awful movie based on the story. After the premiere of this awful movie, Benjamin picks up Chevalier's new book, and realizes he stole his story.
Bronco/Brutus is played by Sam Rockwell. Rockwell does an amazing job in both the roles of Bronco and Brutus.
The whole movie is hilariously awkward.
Beckie Shelton (40 KP) rated Heart of the Ocean in Books
Feb 8, 2018
I received an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am a lover of historical fiction and love anything paranormal so this story was one I was much anticipating so here goes.
Our heroine Eliza Robinson is sent to stay with her Aunt Mauve in the puritan community of Maybrook.
She comes to escape gossip after a refusal of marriage to her fathers business partner Mr. Thomas Beesly.
Eliza hears ghostly voices and later that night her aunt is murdered in her bed leading our Eliza on an adventure of ghosts murder romance and an old Journal belonging to Helena the deceased mother of our hero Jonathan Porter who supposedly drowned when Jon was a child.
I could say a lot more about this book but don't want to spoil it for anyone needless to say it was an excellent read and i really enjoyed it i do so love a happy ending give it a try you wont be disappointed.
I am a lover of historical fiction and love anything paranormal so this story was one I was much anticipating so here goes.
Our heroine Eliza Robinson is sent to stay with her Aunt Mauve in the puritan community of Maybrook.
She comes to escape gossip after a refusal of marriage to her fathers business partner Mr. Thomas Beesly.
Eliza hears ghostly voices and later that night her aunt is murdered in her bed leading our Eliza on an adventure of ghosts murder romance and an old Journal belonging to Helena the deceased mother of our hero Jonathan Porter who supposedly drowned when Jon was a child.
I could say a lot more about this book but don't want to spoil it for anyone needless to say it was an excellent read and i really enjoyed it i do so love a happy ending give it a try you wont be disappointed.
Bostonterrio (13 KP) rated The End of Your Life Book Club in Books
Jan 23, 2018
Inspirational reading
Contains spoilers, click to show
The premise of this book is sad and touched on some triggers for me as both my parents died as a result of cancer. I pushed past the triggers and thoroughly enjoyed this book. Who wouldn't want to be in a secret book club with someone close to them who shares their love of reading! Each book they read had depth and was thought provoking. I have read several of the books from their list and each one has added something to my knowledge base. My reading habits needed a boost and this book was the catalyst into my being more selective in my reading choices. The love of reading seemed to truly help the mother as her disease progressed. The flow of thoughts and ideas contained in their discussions was inspirational. I have suggested a grandmother/grandson book club to my book loving grandson but he was not entirely receptive. I am going to keep working on that.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Hazel Wood in Books
Mar 2, 2018
A little too over the top
I think I completely lost the plot trying to follow this fairytale within a fairytale. A modern day version of a Brothers Grimm-style folklore, the story follows Alice, who is trying to find her missing mother, and discovers that all is not what it seems.
The main thrust of the novel asks whether Alice is a character in a tale herself? And if she can escape her fate by running away from her story. And while I can appreciate the author's creativity, there's very little character development and there appears to be a fair few loose ends. The prose is heavy in metaphors to the point that the first half seemed far too long.
While many have described the book as a dark and creepy fantasy, I think it may have been a little overhyped - it's more of a weird version of Alice in Wonderland. Interesting, but not for me.
The main thrust of the novel asks whether Alice is a character in a tale herself? And if she can escape her fate by running away from her story. And while I can appreciate the author's creativity, there's very little character development and there appears to be a fair few loose ends. The prose is heavy in metaphors to the point that the first half seemed far too long.
While many have described the book as a dark and creepy fantasy, I think it may have been a little overhyped - it's more of a weird version of Alice in Wonderland. Interesting, but not for me.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Death in Four Courses (Key West Food Critic Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Key West's annual literary conference is focusing on food this year, something that excites Hayley since she is now covering food for a local magazine. However, when she finds the keynote speaker floating face down in a reflection pool, her weekend gets crowded with sleuthing as well as food.
I really did enjoy this book. The characters are great and the plot is complex enough I didn't have a clue what was happening until Hayley did. My only complaint is the relationship between Hayley and her mother, who is visiting during the book. It's realistic, but at times the way they interacted drove me crazy. I love how they grew as a result of spending the time around each other, however, so it was a great sub-plot in the end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-death-in-four-courses-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I really did enjoy this book. The characters are great and the plot is complex enough I didn't have a clue what was happening until Hayley did. My only complaint is the relationship between Hayley and her mother, who is visiting during the book. It's realistic, but at times the way they interacted drove me crazy. I love how they grew as a result of spending the time around each other, however, so it was a great sub-plot in the end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-death-in-four-courses-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated A Heart's Obsession (A Journey of the Heart, #2) in Books
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
The story continues with Sarah. She get free from her family. We meet up with a few new characters. So Sarah and Joel decide to leave and go towards Fort Laramie. Wally has other plans. Will he seceded in what he wants for Sarah or will Rachel help her. Rachel is expecting her child soon. Will this make Wally more understanding or not.
Sarah and Joel ride out with Jacob and his wife. Once she arrives in Fort Laramie, sees Rand and she meets Jessica and her mother. She finds out that Rand and Jessica are to marry. In the meantime, Ben is out to get Sarah back in his arms.
We meet two new Indian girls and children. This put Sarah to help teach the children more English. What happens next is surprising. Rand is asked to see this new fur trader. When he finds out who it is. He needs to go ask Sarah if she knew that Ben was back.
Sarah and Joel ride out with Jacob and his wife. Once she arrives in Fort Laramie, sees Rand and she meets Jessica and her mother. She finds out that Rand and Jessica are to marry. In the meantime, Ben is out to get Sarah back in his arms.
We meet two new Indian girls and children. This put Sarah to help teach the children more English. What happens next is surprising. Rand is asked to see this new fur trader. When he finds out who it is. He needs to go ask Sarah if she knew that Ben was back.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Birds of Passage, An Italian Immigrant Coming of Age Story in Books
Feb 15, 2018
Bird of Passage Bird of Passage is a story about a boy and girl finding their own way. The boys name is Leonardo. It also about a girl named Azara. Leonardo goes to America to find work. He learns a lot about himself.He runs into trouble with a job and making friends. While there he meets up with a guy named Rizzo. Though he runs into a boy named Carlos too. He tries to help out family members of the girl he loves.What will happen to Leonardo and his family back in Italy? He finds out who his real father is, once he goes back to Italy to be with his mother. There are many twists and turns in this book though out.There another boy that commits murder and tries to escape by going to America. What will happen to Carlos? There a gang that helps out and is on the estate of Mazzi.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Three Days to Forever (Mac Faraday Mystery, #9) in Books
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
The author has you guessing from beginning to end. It's action packed along with a mystery through out. Laura Carr gives you what you look for in a mystery along with a little romance.
What up with all the Navy and military doing though out the book? Mac and Archie had been dealt with getting ready for their wedding. They're a family secret and what could that be?
Somehow Mac Faraday and David and Cameron are targeted along with Archie mother. There's a killer on the loose and they want something Mac Faraday has.
The terrorists wants to claim on a few members. They attempt to kidnap a woman. There seems to have a mishap at every turn. Will Murphy and the navy be heroes? This is a book is worth reading and getting the other books in the series would be worth buying. If you enjoy mystery or crime and detective books. This may be your cup of tea.
What up with all the Navy and military doing though out the book? Mac and Archie had been dealt with getting ready for their wedding. They're a family secret and what could that be?
Somehow Mac Faraday and David and Cameron are targeted along with Archie mother. There's a killer on the loose and they want something Mac Faraday has.
The terrorists wants to claim on a few members. They attempt to kidnap a woman. There seems to have a mishap at every turn. Will Murphy and the navy be heroes? This is a book is worth reading and getting the other books in the series would be worth buying. If you enjoy mystery or crime and detective books. This may be your cup of tea.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Lady Bird (2017) in Movies
Feb 26, 2018 (Updated Feb 27, 2018)
Warm and funny coming-of-age movie written and directed by Greta Gerwig. Seventeen-year-old girl Christine (aka Lady Bird) contends with the last year of school, troublesome romances, college applications, and her fraught relationship with her mother.
You could argue that there's nothing going on here we haven't seen in a dozen other movies, but surely the point of a coming-of-age movie (which is what this obviously is) is that it deals with universal experiences. This one feels fresh and sincere, anyway, even if it isn't actually autobiographical (or so we are assured). It's a bit dismaying to realise that people are now making films which are nostalgic about the 20th century, but the period detail is well-judged, along with everything else. Great performances and some lovely scenes, and very positive in a way that feels extremely of this moment, without seeming overly angry or political. A charming movie that deserves all the success it has achieved.
You could argue that there's nothing going on here we haven't seen in a dozen other movies, but surely the point of a coming-of-age movie (which is what this obviously is) is that it deals with universal experiences. This one feels fresh and sincere, anyway, even if it isn't actually autobiographical (or so we are assured). It's a bit dismaying to realise that people are now making films which are nostalgic about the 20th century, but the period detail is well-judged, along with everything else. Great performances and some lovely scenes, and very positive in a way that feels extremely of this moment, without seeming overly angry or political. A charming movie that deserves all the success it has achieved.