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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Yesterday (2019) in Movies
May 3, 2020
Enjoyable to a point
I love Danny Boyle, he's one of my favourite directors (and he's a local lad) although I have to admit this is probably one of my least favourite films of his so far.
Richard Curtis and Danny Boyle working on the same film should be a match made in heaven. However the result is this enjoyable but sadly rather predictable romcom. Himesh Patel is a likeable lead, but I found the romance aspect with him and Lily James entirely corny and completely predictable, even for Richard Curtis. The music is good, it would be seen as it's the Beatles, however I did find it odd that in the story Himesh finds out about a number of bands and things that no longer exist (some are quite funny), yet only decides to choose the songs from the Beatles. Could they not get the rights for anything else?
There's a few laughs in this although not as many as I'd expected, and I loved the nod to Love Actually. Overall the film is enjoyable and your typical feel good Brit flick, however I don't think it's particularly memorable or exceptional.
Richard Curtis and Danny Boyle working on the same film should be a match made in heaven. However the result is this enjoyable but sadly rather predictable romcom. Himesh Patel is a likeable lead, but I found the romance aspect with him and Lily James entirely corny and completely predictable, even for Richard Curtis. The music is good, it would be seen as it's the Beatles, however I did find it odd that in the story Himesh finds out about a number of bands and things that no longer exist (some are quite funny), yet only decides to choose the songs from the Beatles. Could they not get the rights for anything else?
There's a few laughs in this although not as many as I'd expected, and I loved the nod to Love Actually. Overall the film is enjoyable and your typical feel good Brit flick, however I don't think it's particularly memorable or exceptional.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated You Can stay in Books
Sep 11, 2022
This is one of those books that you will either enjoy or not ... I thought it was quite good, not fantastic but not bad either.
There is a nod to Stephen King's Misery to this story, which is acknowledged by the author, as it's got some similar themes and has that creepy and growing sense of tension feel to it.
I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable but they are well developed and although I don't think it mattered too much whether Eilidh was 'nice' or not, I did feel it was important for Connor to have some redeemable qualities alas I didn't think he did and therefore wasn't bothered what befell him which resulted in me not investing as much into the story as I could have.
The pace started off a little slow but grew as things moved on; the ending was quite satisfying if a little quick and although you have to suspend belief as to how Connor came to be in his position in the first place, it's a pretty good read.
Many thanks to Headline, Wildfire and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of You Can Stay.
There is a nod to Stephen King's Misery to this story, which is acknowledged by the author, as it's got some similar themes and has that creepy and growing sense of tension feel to it.
I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable but they are well developed and although I don't think it mattered too much whether Eilidh was 'nice' or not, I did feel it was important for Connor to have some redeemable qualities alas I didn't think he did and therefore wasn't bothered what befell him which resulted in me not investing as much into the story as I could have.
The pace started off a little slow but grew as things moved on; the ending was quite satisfying if a little quick and although you have to suspend belief as to how Connor came to be in his position in the first place, it's a pretty good read.
Many thanks to Headline, Wildfire and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of You Can Stay.
Kevin Phillipson (10072 KP) rated Barbie (2023) in Movies
Jul 21, 2023
Margot robbie (1 more)
Ryan gosling
Barbie
Watched today in a packed cinema which doesn't happen often this year but this one definitely was full anyway the movie itself based on the well known children's doll barbie it starts off with a nod 2001 a space odyssey won't say anymore on that part plus u have helen mirren as the narrator of the movie and then the movie the really start robbies barbie getting up meeting all the barbies and there are alot as there's alot of Kens especially Ryan gosling Ken who thinks he's got a chance with barbie and for some reason they have to visit the real world and I won't say anymore u will have to watch the movie
This wouldn't normally be my type of movie but I did laugh thruout the movie it is cheesey but also fun robbie was born to play barbie I don't think no one else could same goes to gosling as Ken shout out goes to kate mckinnon who steals every scene she's in.
Overall good movie not sure if some of the scenes are okay for little ones but older ones will find it ok
This wouldn't normally be my type of movie but I did laugh thruout the movie it is cheesey but also fun robbie was born to play barbie I don't think no one else could same goes to gosling as Ken shout out goes to kate mckinnon who steals every scene she's in.
Overall good movie not sure if some of the scenes are okay for little ones but older ones will find it ok
David Tanis Market Cooking: Recipes and Revelations, Ingredient by Ingredient
Book
This book is about seeking out the best ingredient and exploring the best ways of cooking it,...
The World Before Us
Book
'A tantalising mystery...beguiling and richly suggestive' Metro Jane was fifteen when her life...
ClareR (6054 KP) rated Gingerbread in Books
Apr 17, 2021
My initial thought on finishing Gingerbread was “what have I just read?”
This is a meandering, imaginative tale with gingerbread at it’s heart. There are a lot of nods to fairytales, from the use of gingerbread, to the name of Harriet’s best friend: Gretel. The rags and riches stories: characters leaving their farm homes to move to the city and make their fortunes.
Magical realism is used throughout, from the way that Harriet and her mother leave their homeland of Druhastrana to move to London, to Perdita’s talking dolls, who are in fact part doll, part plant.
Moving houses, haunted houses, boys who run away just like the Gingerbread Man. This is not a linear, beginning, middle and end kind of story.
At points I wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but decided I didn’t care. It’s a joy to read, and I quite like a book that makes me work for the story, from time to time!
There was a nod to real life: a country cut off from any others (Brexit, anyone?), girls working for pretend/ little money and exploited, and illegal immigration.
There’s a lot to unpick in this, but to be honest, I just enjoyed the ride!
This is a meandering, imaginative tale with gingerbread at it’s heart. There are a lot of nods to fairytales, from the use of gingerbread, to the name of Harriet’s best friend: Gretel. The rags and riches stories: characters leaving their farm homes to move to the city and make their fortunes.
Magical realism is used throughout, from the way that Harriet and her mother leave their homeland of Druhastrana to move to London, to Perdita’s talking dolls, who are in fact part doll, part plant.
Moving houses, haunted houses, boys who run away just like the Gingerbread Man. This is not a linear, beginning, middle and end kind of story.
At points I wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but decided I didn’t care. It’s a joy to read, and I quite like a book that makes me work for the story, from time to time!
There was a nod to real life: a country cut off from any others (Brexit, anyone?), girls working for pretend/ little money and exploited, and illegal immigration.
There’s a lot to unpick in this, but to be honest, I just enjoyed the ride!
Ghosts of Manor House
4.0
Rate It
Book
Edmund and Mary Wilder are very much in love. But the death of their young son, Tommy, has shattered...
Snowy with a Chance of Murder
Jessica Fletcher and Barbara Early
8.0
Rate It
Book
In a nod to Rear Window, this newest entry in the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series...
John Garrett (27 KP) rated Sing Street (2016) in Movies
Jul 11, 2017
Great music (1 more)
Great acting
The new commitments
This unashamedly small but brilliant movie set in 80s Ireland was the film of 2016 for me. Due to the size and marketing of this movie it sadly didn't receive the audience in cinema it deserved. Thank God for Netflix.
This follows the tale of Connor who's struggling working class parents pull him from private school and into the harsh reality of 80s public school run by a hard nosed priest and bullys. He meets a young beauty Raphina and convinces her he has a band to try and win her over.
This movie does not try and be something it's not and almost having a small budget and unknown cast helps make everything seem real. the acting is fantastic which is something indie films usually lack performances are great especially from Brendon the older brother.
the real star of this film however is the original music used by the titular band. It is 2 parts 80s nostalgia and 1 part genius. I truly belive the song Drive it like you stole it is Oscar worthy and deserves a nod in the least.
I would recommend this film to anyone and suggest people of all ages to watch this film with lots of heart and lots of great music.
This follows the tale of Connor who's struggling working class parents pull him from private school and into the harsh reality of 80s public school run by a hard nosed priest and bullys. He meets a young beauty Raphina and convinces her he has a band to try and win her over.
This movie does not try and be something it's not and almost having a small budget and unknown cast helps make everything seem real. the acting is fantastic which is something indie films usually lack performances are great especially from Brendon the older brother.
the real star of this film however is the original music used by the titular band. It is 2 parts 80s nostalgia and 1 part genius. I truly belive the song Drive it like you stole it is Oscar worthy and deserves a nod in the least.
I would recommend this film to anyone and suggest people of all ages to watch this film with lots of heart and lots of great music.
A pleasant surprise
This was always going to be up against it, as Stephen King's book is an epic and there's no way the entire book can be put into 2 films. However as a part 1, this film actually does a pretty good job.
Yes there are things missing from the book, this isn't really a surprise. And they have changed some parts of the story too, and although I don't necessarily agree with these changes, the majority of them don't really have a detrimental effect to the story. And a lot of these changes still hint and nod to the book (e.g. Eddie's broken arm, "beep-beep Richie" etc). The kids themselves I mainly loved and they were well cast, the humour was great. Although I do think Beverly looked a little too old? I also liked some of the exposition and explanatory scenes which happened differently in the book, yet still worked in this.
Despite the old school type scares, I actually found myself quite scared and creeped out at times, which I wasn't expecting. My only issue is I didn't like Pennywise's front teeth, I found them really off putting and didn't look very good. And I think some of the CGI was a little over the top.
So all in, a surprisingly good adaptation. Actually can't wait to see the next chapter.
Yes there are things missing from the book, this isn't really a surprise. And they have changed some parts of the story too, and although I don't necessarily agree with these changes, the majority of them don't really have a detrimental effect to the story. And a lot of these changes still hint and nod to the book (e.g. Eddie's broken arm, "beep-beep Richie" etc). The kids themselves I mainly loved and they were well cast, the humour was great. Although I do think Beverly looked a little too old? I also liked some of the exposition and explanatory scenes which happened differently in the book, yet still worked in this.
Despite the old school type scares, I actually found myself quite scared and creeped out at times, which I wasn't expecting. My only issue is I didn't like Pennywise's front teeth, I found them really off putting and didn't look very good. And I think some of the CGI was a little over the top.
So all in, a surprisingly good adaptation. Actually can't wait to see the next chapter.