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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Kingdom of Us (2017) in Movies
Oct 22, 2017 (Updated Oct 22, 2017)
Poignant, heartbreaking and complex
Another superb documentary film on Netflix exploring the complexities of bereavement, in this case, a family of seven children and their father who took his own life.
The filmmaker follows the journey of the Shanks children, now teenagers and young adults, who six years later are still trying to make sense of their loss. Issues include mental health problems, and dealing with trauma especially with four of the teens suffering from autism. Each person deals with it differently, ranging from creating music, becoming philosophical, to having a full-blown nervous breakdown.
Mother Vikie is incredibly stoic, attempting to keep order despite the horrendous upheaval from the death. There's some disturbing scenes in which the children discuss finding a note in which their father had originally planned to kill them before committing suicide. It is heartbreaking to watch how it has both scarred and shaped the family, but they courageously attempt to pull together as one unit. A must-watch documentary.
The filmmaker follows the journey of the Shanks children, now teenagers and young adults, who six years later are still trying to make sense of their loss. Issues include mental health problems, and dealing with trauma especially with four of the teens suffering from autism. Each person deals with it differently, ranging from creating music, becoming philosophical, to having a full-blown nervous breakdown.
Mother Vikie is incredibly stoic, attempting to keep order despite the horrendous upheaval from the death. There's some disturbing scenes in which the children discuss finding a note in which their father had originally planned to kill them before committing suicide. It is heartbreaking to watch how it has both scarred and shaped the family, but they courageously attempt to pull together as one unit. A must-watch documentary.
MisterK (8 KP) rated Overwatch Origins Edition in Video Games
Nov 25, 2017 (Updated Nov 25, 2017)
Very Solid Controls (2 more)
Distinctive Characters
Balance is Good Between Characters
The Dawn of the Hero Shooter
Overwatch is the gold standard of hero shooters. There may have been a couple before it (Battleborn) and many to come after it (Paladins and the hilarious Chinese knockoffs) but this game takes the idea pioneered by games like Team Fortress and takes it to new heights. The characters are vivid and lively, the arenas are interesting and varied, and the gameplay is top-notch. Controls are responsive and abilities are snappy, characters fire off dialog at one-another to keep the player entertained. And most of all, despite the large roster there are only one or two snags in balance. The dev team is constantly moving to change these problems when a new hero is involved and are very involved with the community as well, up to and including adding skins and dialog to follow trends in their fandom.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood in Books
Jan 3, 2018
An insider's view of Apartheid
It seems unlikely that comedian Trevor Noah would have ever made it out of the prison of colonialism, apartheid, poverty and violence, yet now he's regarded as one of South Africa's biggest export. His memoir is brutal and harrowing, describing how because of the illegal interracial relationship between his Xhosa mother and his Swiss-German, his birth was actually a crime.
It's hard to imagine that this legal segregation only ended 26 years ago, yet Noah then faced the turbulent legacy of post-apartheid. Being mixed race posed its own problems, as Noah describes never fitting in anywhere, but being accepted to a certain degree because of his 'whiteness' and his chameleon-like ability to adapt to his surroundings.
There are moments which are truly disturbing, as Noah speaks about his violent stepfather and going hungry. In this way, his life can be seen as a story of personal survival, through intelligence and humour, which millions have come to love.
It's hard to imagine that this legal segregation only ended 26 years ago, yet Noah then faced the turbulent legacy of post-apartheid. Being mixed race posed its own problems, as Noah describes never fitting in anywhere, but being accepted to a certain degree because of his 'whiteness' and his chameleon-like ability to adapt to his surroundings.
There are moments which are truly disturbing, as Noah speaks about his violent stepfather and going hungry. In this way, his life can be seen as a story of personal survival, through intelligence and humour, which millions have come to love.
Frecklesxoxo (6 KP) rated Saven Deception (Saven #1) in Books
Feb 27, 2019
Wow, I love this book! The uniqueness of the storyline keeps you on your toes and really wanting more. I love how Siobhan raises the very real overpopulation crisis and the drastic actions people will go too.
I love the concept of living under the Sea and I did not expect the ending!
Its great to have such a strong heroine, Sadie has obstacles she needs to face and takes it in her stride, never letting the situation get the better of her and working out solutions for the problems she faces, using her initiative and showing great strength and strong will throughout. The only niggle I had was the slight repetition of her friends keeping secrets and not confiding in her throughout the book. But that's it.
I really loved the storyline,the relationships and really look forward to reading number 2 as I need to know what happens
I Received this book via netgalley for an open and honest review
I love the concept of living under the Sea and I did not expect the ending!
Its great to have such a strong heroine, Sadie has obstacles she needs to face and takes it in her stride, never letting the situation get the better of her and working out solutions for the problems she faces, using her initiative and showing great strength and strong will throughout. The only niggle I had was the slight repetition of her friends keeping secrets and not confiding in her throughout the book. But that's it.
I really loved the storyline,the relationships and really look forward to reading number 2 as I need to know what happens
I Received this book via netgalley for an open and honest review
Marie (1 KP) rated The Incredibles 2 (2018) in Movies
Apr 5, 2019
The animation (2 more)
The plot
Character development
Contains spoilers, click to show
I really enjoyed this sequel that I had been waiting years for. The animation in the original is good but somehow they got even better for the sequel.
The plot was interesting and it was nice to see how the Parrs dealt with life after the events of the first movie. And seeing the kids actually saving the day and taking lead, rather than only helping.
I liked getting to see Helen take a bigger superhero role while getting to see Robert connect with the kids, who had their own normal kid problems not related to powers, mostly (for Violet and Dash at least). And Jack-Jacks powers and interactions with Edna were a delight.
I did not like the bright flashing lights that got the movie the seizure warnings. Just looking at them was painful, causing a headache, and that's without having issues with seizures.
But overall, I really enjoyed this movie.
The plot was interesting and it was nice to see how the Parrs dealt with life after the events of the first movie. And seeing the kids actually saving the day and taking lead, rather than only helping.
I liked getting to see Helen take a bigger superhero role while getting to see Robert connect with the kids, who had their own normal kid problems not related to powers, mostly (for Violet and Dash at least). And Jack-Jacks powers and interactions with Edna were a delight.
I did not like the bright flashing lights that got the movie the seizure warnings. Just looking at them was painful, causing a headache, and that's without having issues with seizures.
But overall, I really enjoyed this movie.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated A Letter from Lancaster County in Books
Apr 9, 2019
A Letter for Lancaster County is a good sweet story. It seems about a redemption and learning to deal with death and grief. What a lovely plot. Katie Lloyd does a good job with it. We get the perspective of the main characters named Rose and Angelina.
They get a letter from their aunt Sylvia. Both girls is dealing with their own problems and grief of their mother. Will they learn that letting go and have faith? There a budding romance going on as well. What could that be and can Glenn and Rose being a match? You will need to find out by reading.
Can Angelina figure out what going on at home and her husband and family? To find that out, you will need to read to determine that. They find out that their Aunt Sylvia is sick, Will Rose decide to stay or will she go back to her home in Washington? This is a lovely and sweet story of love, friendship, and redemptions.
They get a letter from their aunt Sylvia. Both girls is dealing with their own problems and grief of their mother. Will they learn that letting go and have faith? There a budding romance going on as well. What could that be and can Glenn and Rose being a match? You will need to find out by reading.
Can Angelina figure out what going on at home and her husband and family? To find that out, you will need to read to determine that. They find out that their Aunt Sylvia is sick, Will Rose decide to stay or will she go back to her home in Washington? This is a lovely and sweet story of love, friendship, and redemptions.
ClareR (5884 KP) rated Daisy Jones & the Six in Books
Apr 19, 2019
A true (fictional) history of a rock band!
I loved everything about this book. I’ve wanted to be in a Rock band since I was a small child. There were only two small problems with this: 1. Only I think I can sing; and 2. My mum would only let me learn to play the clarinet, not the guitar. Life is so unfair... Instead I live vicariously through my favourite bands and books like this!
Told through interviews with the various band members, we hear the story of the rise to fame of The Six, and their chance meeting with Daisy Jones. We hear the fascinating story of their relationships, particularly that between Billy the lead singer, and Daisy the OTHER lead singer.
It’s all very Fleetwood Mac - the love affairs, the break ups - I loved it! And yes, I did listen to Rumours once or twice whilst I was reading. How could I not?
Told through interviews with the various band members, we hear the story of the rise to fame of The Six, and their chance meeting with Daisy Jones. We hear the fascinating story of their relationships, particularly that between Billy the lead singer, and Daisy the OTHER lead singer.
It’s all very Fleetwood Mac - the love affairs, the break ups - I loved it! And yes, I did listen to Rumours once or twice whilst I was reading. How could I not?
Ruth Angharad (2 KP) rated Instagram in Apps
May 24, 2019
When its good, its very good but when its bad, its horrid.
I have been using instagram for about 7 years now and when it first came out I wasn't too sure if I liked the idea of it ... its basically facebook but with photos which is fine. I use instagram now as one of my most used apps and I enjoy watching peoples stories, connecting with people easily and I can watch the search page for hours sometimes.
However when there are problems with instagram they can be horrendous! It can log you out, freeze your phone completely and there are areas of instagram that are so dark and mentally quite disturbing that it could cause real distress. This would be something I would watch and manage carefully especially with children but it is overall an amazing platform.
However when there are problems with instagram they can be horrendous! It can log you out, freeze your phone completely and there are areas of instagram that are so dark and mentally quite disturbing that it could cause real distress. This would be something I would watch and manage carefully especially with children but it is overall an amazing platform.
Audrey Bloom is excited when the reality TV show Fix My Wedding is coming to town, especially when she gets to design the bridal bouquet. Okay, so the bride is a bit bell obsessed, but she can make it work. Unfortunately, that becomes the least of her problems when one of the hosts of the show is killed and the police begin to suspect Audrey’s former boyfriend, a production assistant on the show.
This series is already on my favorites list after just two books. The characters are wonderful and the so real. This applies to the series regulars and the suspects in this book. The plot is intriguing and kept the surprises coming until the end. Add in a dash of humor, and you’ve got another winner.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-for-whom-bluebell-tolls-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series is already on my favorites list after just two books. The characters are wonderful and the so real. This applies to the series regulars and the suspects in this book. The plot is intriguing and kept the surprises coming until the end. Add in a dash of humor, and you’ve got another winner.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-for-whom-bluebell-tolls-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Botticelli's Bastard in Books
Feb 15, 2018
Botticelli's Bastard + Giveway This my first in this kind of book dealing with art and history. It a good book and interesting. It deals with Germany and take over of Europe in the 1940's. I liked the idea of the painting talking and telling detail about his owners. That what is been so neat about it. I love the fact that Giovanni started with a discovery of stolen art.
Giovanni has some family problems that it so funny in a way that he find a discovery to lift his spirit. The author was good and i enjoyed the book. I rate this book at 4 1/2 stars. Those the painting stories about himself is so funny that you want to laugh. It makes you want to find out more of they mystery of the painting. If you want you can enter the giveaway try and win a copy.
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giovanni has some family problems that it so funny in a way that he find a discovery to lift his spirit. The author was good and i enjoyed the book. I rate this book at 4 1/2 stars. Those the painting stories about himself is so funny that you want to laugh. It makes you want to find out more of they mystery of the painting. If you want you can enter the giveaway try and win a copy.
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway