Search

Search only in certain items:

A Star Is Born (2018)
A Star Is Born (2018)
2018 | Drama, Romance
Story: A Star is Born starts when rock star Jackson (Cooper) looking for another drink stumbles into a drag bar, he sees working class woman Ally (Gaga) perform on stage, instantly he knows she has talent and learns more about her, bring her on stage for his latest show.

When Ally becomes an overnight success story the two-start performing together which only attractions more record labels who come calling to make Ally the next biggest star in the music world which soon sees her become more famous than Jack whose own problems could bring an end to his fame.

 

Thoughts on A Star is Born

 

Characters – Ally is a hotel worker that performers in a local drag bar after being rejected by record labels before. She meets rock star Jack who encourages to perform, first with him and soon the world wants to see her become the biggest star in the music industry. Ally must learn about the world around her, one she has never stepped foot in before or become consumed by it. Jack is the rock star who sees Ally believing she could become a star, he offers her a chance to perform which sets her on her way, Jack however has his own problems with drinks and drugs would could finish his own career just as Ally’s is about to take off. These two characters do take centre stage for the most part, we do see family that support as well as friends who see their friend get to levels of fame they never thought they could.

Performances – Bradley Cooper gives one of his best performances of his career here, not just on front of the camera, but behind it too. He manages to make us feel like his problems are real, which are problem many musicians could be facing. Lady Gaga was always going to be a wonderful choice for the singing side of the film, it was the acting side people wanted to see if she could handle, she does a good job through the film managing to show the bond the two have throughout the film. the supporting cast are good without needing to be challenged to reach the levels of the lead two actors.

Story – The story follows the rise of a musician after being discovered by an alcoholic rock star. We know this is a remake, so we know this had been modernised to tell an old story which deals with the modern problems of fame for musicians. We see how one side is taking every opportunity thrown her way and the other than has been watching his career fade away because of alcoholism and drug abuse. This is a great story of how important taking chances are and how success can ruin lives. The story does however become slightly slow paced because we just jump into a song to cover up anything that needs to be talked about more.

Music/Romance – The music in the film is good with songs that Gaga performs with ease. The romance between the two shows how they can support each other through the lives they didn’t know they would be going through.

Settings – The film uses the settings to show the journey that Ally takes from the small venue to awards ceremony showing here rise to fame.


Scene of the Movie – First song.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – The rise feels too fast.

Final Thoughts – This is a great look at how the fame can affect lives in the music industry, we get strong performances from Cooper and Gaga who both shine through the film.

 

Overall: Great Music based movie.

https://moviesreview101.com/2019/01/01/abc-film-challenge-best-of-2018-a-a-star-is-born-2018/
  
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Gail Honeyman | 2017 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.6 (80 Ratings)
Book Rating
Completely different to what I expected, witty but rather sad
I've heard that this book is a comedy because of the narrator's frank outlook on life, however this is definitely not the case.

Eleanor Oliphant is socially awkward, very blunt but well spoken and seems to have a few dysfunctional issues. The author then explores why this must be the case, especially her relationship with her past and her controlling mother. The novel is about trauma and mental health, and how depression can cause people to act out in unusual ways. It is funny at times when she has no clue about social conventions and how much emphasis is put on the mundane.

It's important for showing that one isn't 'mad' for being different, merely misguided and that by addressing problems head on and getting the right support Eleanor Oliphant is actually completely fine.
  
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
1993 | Comedy, Drama, Family
Everything. (0 more)
Nothing. (0 more)
Robin Williams- Duh!
Another classic. It's funny, heart warming, family friendly and can be loved by anyone of any age. My 5 year old nephew enjoys it!
As one of, if not the first full makeover film it sets the standard for all future films of the same thing. As a child, I thought Mrs. Doubtfire was a separate actress!
I love this film somewhat more now as an adult because it tackles real life problems. The divorced parents especially, as this seems more and more common these days. It also shows a loving father, willing to do anything to be with his children which is such a breath of fresh air after so many films with absent fathers that couldn't give a damn.
Lastly, it's Robin Williams so you know you're in for a good one, may he rest in piece.
Fully recommended!
  
Candid view on organising one of the largest protests in US history
This is both thoughtful and inspiring. Reading about one of the largest protests in US history is truly wonderful.

What makes this book so interesting is its in-depth look into the importance of intersectionality and why it has failed to be addressed for so long. The organisers of the march are open and candid about all the issues that arose while bringing this together, including permits, and lack of inclusivity - but they also speak about how they corrected these problems and learnt from it.

From anecdotes of participants from Antarctica and a one-woman protest in Singapore, to important voices of our age such as Gloria Steinem and Roxane Gay - the book itself is a memento for one of the most significant moments of our time and worth going out and purchasing it on International Women's Day.
  
The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt
The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt
Kara Cooney | 2015 | Biography, History & Politics
1
1.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fiction purporting to be non-fiction (0 more)
This was a big DNF from me. I had many problems with this book. Yes, Cooney did disclaim that a lot of this book was conjecture, but it was worse than I was expecting. This book reminded me of James Patterson's book on King Tut that claimed to be non-fiction.
I quit 1/3rd into this book. I got tired of the maybe, likely, probably, it should have just been a fiction novel.
I'm also not a fan of the feminist theory of history, which was exactly what this was. Of that whole third of the book I got through, there was zero information presented that I didn't already know.
I think I'm so irritated by this book because I've been wanting to read it since it came out in 2015. I wait three years for this?!? Woof.
  
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.2 (101 Ratings)
Book Rating
This year I have challenged myself into reading novels that are not the typical novel that I would have picked up. This was one of those novels that I just never really thought I needed to read. The characters are very developed and the main character was very realistic to me. I found myself enthralled by the characters and how it is true to high school friendships.

This book deals with some mature topics and can be a trigger for anyone who has been sexually abused. I thought that this book dealt nicely with the character's faults and his significant life problems. This was nothing like I expected. By the end of the novel I felt kind of numb and on the verge of tears.

I think this is a very powerful novel. I am glad that I gave this book a chance. I would definitely recommend this book.