Search
Search results
Awix (3310 KP) rated Aladdin (2019) in Movies
Jun 12, 2019
Eye-searingly garish, largely redundant auto-cash-in on the 1992 cartoon (which, full disclosure, I've never seen) - if you don't know the plot, well, what's wrong with your parents, did they never take you to a pantomime when you were young? Cave, lamp, genie, princess - I note that Widow Twankey has been ruthlessly scythed from the story.
After a slow start it does generate some energy and entertainment value, mainly because of Will Smith's turn as the genie (Will Smith in good movie role choice shocker!), and for anyone looking for something of substance to contemplate, there is an interesting subtext about the nature of power in traditional hierarchical societies. In the end, though, it manages to take panto plotting, Broadway show tunes, MOR power-ballads, blockbuster CGI, and Bollywood dancing and produce something which still feels essentially lifeless and calculated.
After a slow start it does generate some energy and entertainment value, mainly because of Will Smith's turn as the genie (Will Smith in good movie role choice shocker!), and for anyone looking for something of substance to contemplate, there is an interesting subtext about the nature of power in traditional hierarchical societies. In the end, though, it manages to take panto plotting, Broadway show tunes, MOR power-ballads, blockbuster CGI, and Bollywood dancing and produce something which still feels essentially lifeless and calculated.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Unravelling Oliver in Books
Mar 9, 2018
An incredibly creepy look at sociopaths
This psychological thriller is unlike most others because there isn't a big reveal as such but it is based on the behaviour of the criminal mind.
In this case, we look at Oliver, who is a sociopath, and feels very little remorse for the terrible crimes he has committed but instead feels aggrieved at his lack of entitlement.
While half of the book is written from his perspective looking back at his past, the rest is written by people around him who believe they could sense his immoral behaviour. Hence it is a case of whether it is nature of nurture that has forced him to behave in such way, and if society truly did think that he was a monster. Interesting concept, but as expected, you'll hate the main character.
In this case, we look at Oliver, who is a sociopath, and feels very little remorse for the terrible crimes he has committed but instead feels aggrieved at his lack of entitlement.
While half of the book is written from his perspective looking back at his past, the rest is written by people around him who believe they could sense his immoral behaviour. Hence it is a case of whether it is nature of nurture that has forced him to behave in such way, and if society truly did think that he was a monster. Interesting concept, but as expected, you'll hate the main character.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Animal Atlas (An Animal Planet Book) in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Animal Planet Animal Atlas by Animal Atlas is a wonderful book for children of all ages. I especially liked how the book was categorized by continents and biomes. The pictures were colorful and really enhance the information. While the story does not go in detail about the animals it does provide a lot of facts that are interesting.
The book highlights Human and Roar. Human shows readers similarities between humans and animal behaviors. Roar shows conservation and endangered species facts that helps bring awareness. As the book is read, you feel like you are traveling throughout the world learning neat facts. It is a book that is perfect for kindergarteners and older. A great book for any child that enjoys nature, animals, and facts.
I received this advanced readers copy from Time Inc. Books and Liberty Street via NetGalley.
The book highlights Human and Roar. Human shows readers similarities between humans and animal behaviors. Roar shows conservation and endangered species facts that helps bring awareness. As the book is read, you feel like you are traveling throughout the world learning neat facts. It is a book that is perfect for kindergarteners and older. A great book for any child that enjoys nature, animals, and facts.
I received this advanced readers copy from Time Inc. Books and Liberty Street via NetGalley.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Herbie's Big Adventure in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
Herbie's Big Adventure by Jennie Poh is a cute illustrated book. Herbie, a hedgehog, is content with staying at home but his mom says he needs to go on his first adventure, forging. Naturally, Herbie is worried about being out on his own. He finds himself liking the world outside of his home. As he continues his adventure, Herbie travels farther and farther from home.
This is a cute story about a little hedgehog. The book teaches about the different seasons, going out in nature, and the bond between mother and child. The illustrations are amazing. The pictures have bright colors and make you feel that you are part of Herbie's forging.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Capstone Young Readers via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Herbie's Big Adventure by Jennie Poh is a cute illustrated book. Herbie, a hedgehog, is content with staying at home but his mom says he needs to go on his first adventure, forging. Naturally, Herbie is worried about being out on his own. He finds himself liking the world outside of his home. As he continues his adventure, Herbie travels farther and farther from home.
This is a cute story about a little hedgehog. The book teaches about the different seasons, going out in nature, and the bond between mother and child. The illustrations are amazing. The pictures have bright colors and make you feel that you are part of Herbie's forging.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Capstone Young Readers via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Dare to Be Kind: How Extraordinary Compassion Can Transform Our World in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Dare to Be Kind by Lizzie Velasquez is an inspirational story. Lizzie has a rare skin condition that has subjected her to bullying and being mistreated. this book is about treating others with compassion and how it can transform your heart into a better person which can lead to a better world for us.
Velasquez encourages bravery, hope, kindness, personal resilience, faith in a higher power, and a healthy self-image when confronting one's bullies. She also highlights the need to serve as a good example for one's family, understand a bully's desire to cover their own pain with more pain, finding love and support, and addresses the cruelty of human nature when it encounters situations that it doesn't understand or have empathy toward.
I received this book from Hachette Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Velasquez encourages bravery, hope, kindness, personal resilience, faith in a higher power, and a healthy self-image when confronting one's bullies. She also highlights the need to serve as a good example for one's family, understand a bully's desire to cover their own pain with more pain, finding love and support, and addresses the cruelty of human nature when it encounters situations that it doesn't understand or have empathy toward.
I received this book from Hachette Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Solve for i in Books
May 30, 2018
This is a coming out and figuring out who you are book. I kinda wish I had read the two previous books before this one(so not like me to do that) because the characters are amazing. You could tell that some of the characters had a back story that if you read the first two books you'd understand but like an idiot I veered from my norm and read book 3 first.
That rant over. The book was really good. I liked the geeky nature of Gemma and her own self doubt mirrored my own. I kinda hated how pushy Sarah was and how much she did not pay attention. My favorite character was Mikey and I hope to see more of her in new books. Now I must got get books 1 and 2 and read them.
That rant over. The book was really good. I liked the geeky nature of Gemma and her own self doubt mirrored my own. I kinda hated how pushy Sarah was and how much she did not pay attention. My favorite character was Mikey and I hope to see more of her in new books. Now I must got get books 1 and 2 and read them.
Aasiyah Sidat (34 KP) rated In Cold Blood: A True Account of a Multiple Murder and Its Consequences in Books
Jul 5, 2018
In cold blood is a true crime story about a family murdered in Kansas. The book shows us through the eyes of both the investigators on the case and their struggle for justice but also the criminals who justify the crime and their actions.
In cold blood opens you up to the reality of human nature. For these criminals to commit the murders of 4 people and not show any remorse is shocking. Towards the end of the book, there is a strong debate about how these criminals should be punished, life imprisonment or capital punishment which in this case was hanging. It brings up the question of morality and responsibility, of whether as humans we can play God and take a life?
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2017/02/read-harder-5000-miles.html
In cold blood opens you up to the reality of human nature. For these criminals to commit the murders of 4 people and not show any remorse is shocking. Towards the end of the book, there is a strong debate about how these criminals should be punished, life imprisonment or capital punishment which in this case was hanging. It brings up the question of morality and responsibility, of whether as humans we can play God and take a life?
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2017/02/read-harder-5000-miles.html
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018) in Movies
Mar 7, 2020
Terry Gilliam emerges victorious from his epic battle to the death with Miguel Cervantes' famous novel. Not quite the movie he famously never finished making with Johnny Depp, nearly twenty years ago, but a subtly different tale of a film director finding himself entangled in different versions of the Quixote story and, perhaps, looking for redemption.
After a slow and rambling start the film eventually becomes a charming, funny, and occasionally thrilling and moving adaptation (sort of) of the book - if it's picaresque and episodic, that's the nature of Quixote. The knowing wit and intelligence of the novel survive too. Strong performances, visually very impressive - the fact the film exists at all is remarkable, let alone that it's this good. Very reminiscent of Gilliam's movies from the 1980s: hugely imaginative, narratively chaotic, very individual, and equally easy to like.
After a slow and rambling start the film eventually becomes a charming, funny, and occasionally thrilling and moving adaptation (sort of) of the book - if it's picaresque and episodic, that's the nature of Quixote. The knowing wit and intelligence of the novel survive too. Strong performances, visually very impressive - the fact the film exists at all is remarkable, let alone that it's this good. Very reminiscent of Gilliam's movies from the 1980s: hugely imaginative, narratively chaotic, very individual, and equally easy to like.
Picking Up the Flute: A Memoir with Music
Book
Picking Up the Flute sets to music a former professors musings on retirement, marriage, literature,...
Tales from the Dead-House: A Collection of Macabre True Crimes
9.0
Rate It
Book
Macabre crimes have long fascinated us as people, and our murky past ensures that we have no...