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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet in Books
Jan 15, 2018
First off the title of this book is entirely fitting!! The end was a bittersweet pill to swallow... it was the perfect ending to the story and yet so frustrating to have it end so abruptly!!
The story itself took me awhile to really get in to, but it is a fascinating story. One that is not touched on much in any WWII fiction.... that of the Japanese internment camps in the US. It focuses on 2 elementary students who are supposedly on opposite sides of the war in the pacific despite being classmates & born in America.
It had all the components of hope and heartbreak, putting you in the story & making you feel like you were there. I just didn't like how slow moving the plot was but what redeemed it was the colorful characters & the fact that it was well written. Being realistic fiction it is hard to make it too fast paced & believable at the same time.
The story itself took me awhile to really get in to, but it is a fascinating story. One that is not touched on much in any WWII fiction.... that of the Japanese internment camps in the US. It focuses on 2 elementary students who are supposedly on opposite sides of the war in the pacific despite being classmates & born in America.
It had all the components of hope and heartbreak, putting you in the story & making you feel like you were there. I just didn't like how slow moving the plot was but what redeemed it was the colorful characters & the fact that it was well written. Being realistic fiction it is hard to make it too fast paced & believable at the same time.
Easy to use (2 more)
Set and forget
Does the work for you
User friendly!
I love using this app. I'm terrible with saving money but with this, I am able to set aside money without really even noticing it's not in my account. I have created several goals for myself that each have different rules regarding how money will be distributed into them. It definitely cane in handy this summer when I was off work (teacher) and needed some money. A quick transfer from my savings was all I needed! It does take a few days for money to be taken out of your bank and sent to Qapital and the other way around, but for me, that stops me from taking money from my savings for impulse buys... I need to think about it I really need what I'm moving money for.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Reason I Jump: One Boy's Voice from the Silence of Autism in Books
Aug 25, 2017
Pioneering incredible book about autism written by a young boy
This book is both controversial, yet pioneering. Pioneering because a 13-year-old boy with autism has found a way of communicating coherently through a computer. Controversial, because many claim it could be fraudulent and other so-called experts have debunked the severity of his autism. I am no expert, but I hope that it is real, because it's moving and wonderful to hear how helpless the condition can be from his perspective. And it's true that he probably shouldn't have used the royal 'We' to describe people with autism to all have the same reasons for symptoms. But he is just a young boy trying to help if that's the case. The translation from Japanese has been very much westernised using English colloquialisms, but it helps gauge western audiences. However it's incredible to hear how disconnected senses can become with autism, no sense of linear time, touch or taste, even words. Remarkable book.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Moving Pictures in Books
Aug 11, 2017
Discworld Spin on the Birth of Film
I'm a massive film geek, so I love this purely on the fact that it's about the introduction of Film and cinema - with a uniquely Discworld take of course. Like Going Postal, it's always great to read Terry Pratchett's take on a revolution or invention as it's always funny and unique. My main issue however with this book is that I think the characters may be a little weak. In most of the Discworld books, there is usually a loveable and strong main character or supporting character but Moving Pictures appears to be lacking in this area. Victor isn't a bad character, he just isn't strong or interesting enough to be the main protagonist. Gaspode and the Librarian were my favourite supporting characters although they sadly weren't around enough. Fortunately the story was good enough to carry itself, but you do notice the lack of strong characters.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Pet Sematary (2019) in Movies
Apr 9, 2019 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
Stephen King adaptation is a serviceable tale warning against meddling with the primal forces of life and death; also about the importance of correct spelling. Starts with the usual horror film trope of a nice family moving to the peaceful countryside and having horrible experiences; this time they concern an ancient burial ground out the back of the house with the power to reanimate corpses buried there - sounds great for when the family pet gets run over, but is it really such a good idea?
Benefits greatly from a strong performance from Jason Clarke as one of King's Everyman protagonists, driven into very bad choices; John Lithgow is also good value as the neighbourhood's Creepy Exposition Yokel. The pacing is a bit skewed, but the film digs profitably into ideas of grief and madness, although some may find it tough to watch in a not-very-fun way due to some of the subject matter. A competent and enjoyable piece of high-class schlock.
Benefits greatly from a strong performance from Jason Clarke as one of King's Everyman protagonists, driven into very bad choices; John Lithgow is also good value as the neighbourhood's Creepy Exposition Yokel. The pacing is a bit skewed, but the film digs profitably into ideas of grief and madness, although some may find it tough to watch in a not-very-fun way due to some of the subject matter. A competent and enjoyable piece of high-class schlock.
Stampy ;) (90 KP) rated the Nintendo Switch version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in Video Games
Apr 29, 2019
Character creation (3 more)
Huge map
Tons of quests
Reasonable priced
Gameplay Too slow (2 more)
Graphics are dark and kind of depressing
Too many glitches
Addictive but not for me!
I bought this game based on recommendations with an expectation of experiencing a more grown up Zelda type experience. I didn't get that feeling after clocking up about 24 hours worth of play. Although the gameplay is addicting and I was finding myself wanting to continue my quests I felt a lack of direction and things just seemed to be moving along far to slowly. The world that it's set in is rather dark and the lack of positivity experienced during my time playing and at times it left me feeling rather miserable. I appreciate the amount of effort that has gone into this game and its huge fanbase and that's why I have given it a 7, however I've decided that it's just not for me. I'll be sticking with Zelda
Awix (3310 KP) rated Eighth Grade (2018) in Movies
Apr 30, 2019 (Updated Apr 30, 2019)
There's something a little bit ironic, don'cha think, about someone who got his start as a first-wave YouTuber making a film basically criticising the effects of social media on young people's lives, but hey, so it goes. Bo Burnham's feature debut as director is a forensically well-observed and excruciatingly difficult-to-watch comedy-drama about a teenage girl struggling to cope with the demands of modern life.
Very, very impressive performance from Elsie Fisher, who's in virtually every scene, and a witty and thoughtful script (Burnham again). May be of interest to future anthropologists in its detailing of the way that social media exacerbate generation gaps and generally prevent people from communicating with each other; one of several ironies the film points out. Manages to be bleak to the point of depressing for most of its duration but still turns it around for a credibly warm and quite moving conclusion. Very relatable no matter what year you were born in.
Very, very impressive performance from Elsie Fisher, who's in virtually every scene, and a witty and thoughtful script (Burnham again). May be of interest to future anthropologists in its detailing of the way that social media exacerbate generation gaps and generally prevent people from communicating with each other; one of several ironies the film points out. Manages to be bleak to the point of depressing for most of its duration but still turns it around for a credibly warm and quite moving conclusion. Very relatable no matter what year you were born in.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Lion (2016) in Movies
May 14, 2019
Based-on-a-true-story drama transcends the fact it looks rather like a big long advert for Google Earth and becomes something genuinely moving. A five year old child gets on the wrong train one night in India, and finds himself in a strange city hundreds of miles away, unable to speak the local language. After various hair-raising experiences he is adopted by a nice couple from Tasmania. Many years later, and apparently settled in his new life, he finds the urge to find his home still lingers...
Definitely a film of two halves, with the second one being a bit more internal and short on actual incident - nevertheless, strong performances from the cast keep this very involving and watchable. Covers a lot of the same ground as Slumdog Millionaire, but puts its own spin on it; the climax is honestly rather affecting. Probably won't rock your world but still a well-made movie.
Definitely a film of two halves, with the second one being a bit more internal and short on actual incident - nevertheless, strong performances from the cast keep this very involving and watchable. Covers a lot of the same ground as Slumdog Millionaire, but puts its own spin on it; the climax is honestly rather affecting. Probably won't rock your world but still a well-made movie.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Booksmart (2019) in Movies
May 20, 2019 (Updated May 20, 2019)
Olivia Wilde's directorial debut is a frantic, absurd, very funny farce. Two diligent high-schoolers are appalled to discover their more-laid back peers have got into colleges just as good as theirs, and resolve to make up for years of focused hard work by having a wild night of partying before they graduate.
The relentless pace of the film and the hit-rate of its stream of gags is hugely impressive; the film manages to make jokes at the expense of many aspects of modern life without seeming cynical or negative. However, the depiction of friendship is affecting, the emotional beats of the film are genuinely moving, and it's genuinely refreshing to see a film with such an upbeat vibe to it and a cast of characters who are all likeable. Anyone who has been a teenager will be able to relate to this; one of the funniest films of the year so far.
The relentless pace of the film and the hit-rate of its stream of gags is hugely impressive; the film manages to make jokes at the expense of many aspects of modern life without seeming cynical or negative. However, the depiction of friendship is affecting, the emotional beats of the film are genuinely moving, and it's genuinely refreshing to see a film with such an upbeat vibe to it and a cast of characters who are all likeable. Anyone who has been a teenager will be able to relate to this; one of the funniest films of the year so far.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated BlacKkKlansman (2018) in Movies
May 25, 2019
Powerful
I have to be honest, I haven't seen a lot of Spike Lee's work although I loved Inside Man when that came out. So I wasnt entirely sure what to expect with this film, but I was pleasantly surprised.
This is definitely a strange film. It packs a powerful message but then is full of moments of sheer hilarity, which is definitely welcome in otherwise heavy scenes. But for the most part this doesn't detract from the true story this is telling. To be frank, some of this film is very disturbing to watch and the last 5/10 minutes that link to more recent events is harrowing and almost verging on overkill. The acting is second to none, especially Adam Driver and John David Washington, and the script and dialogue are very clever and witty. I do think this may be a little heavy handed at times and a little too long, but it's still a powerful and moving film.
This is definitely a strange film. It packs a powerful message but then is full of moments of sheer hilarity, which is definitely welcome in otherwise heavy scenes. But for the most part this doesn't detract from the true story this is telling. To be frank, some of this film is very disturbing to watch and the last 5/10 minutes that link to more recent events is harrowing and almost verging on overkill. The acting is second to none, especially Adam Driver and John David Washington, and the script and dialogue are very clever and witty. I do think this may be a little heavy handed at times and a little too long, but it's still a powerful and moving film.