Search

Search only in certain items:

"It's a film that my parents introduced me to when I was younger that's by a director called Pasolini. It's a black and white film about the life and times of Jesus Christ. The only words on screen are words from the Bible. So it's a quite direct representation of that particular gospel story, according to Matthew, but it's a really inventive film. The director may have taken the story direct from the Bible, but what he does with the music and editing, as well as the use of non-actors in the film, it's just a really original and moving film. It features scenes where at points you're hearing a gospel song by Odetta, and she's singing a song called, 'Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child' which is this amazing gospel tune. She's singing that to accompany scenes of the children being killed by Herod. The music in the film is very raw. It'll use a song that's going to spell something out literally. I don't know how Pasolini chose all these songs for the film or who was in charge of the music selection. You've got Blind Willie Johnson - the old blues artist - accompanying some of the miracle scenes where people are getting their sight back. It's an exercise in juxtaposing very disparate elements that actually really enhance each other. You have to second guess it though, because of the way it's edited, a scene will suddenly just be chopped really harshly, and the film will move on to something else. All of these things are very powerful - and unusual - devices in film-making. In a way, if it's not too pretentious to say it, some of that harsh editing and juxtaposing with disparate elements on screen with music is something that I feel inspired by in terms of making a record. Things don't always have to fit together neatly, or as you'd expect them to. If you think about it in terms of the Alex Chilton record I mentioned earlier, that album is kind of a guide through rock & roll, country and soul music or Americana if you like, and this one is a guide to raw, blues and gospel as well as a classical take on the gospel. It's a very eclectic soundtrack with music that definitely enhances what's going on on the screen. It's very powerful music in its own right."

Source
  
Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering by Lisa Engelbrecht
Genre: Calligraphy and craft
ISBN: 9781592536443
Published: September 1st 2010 by Quarry Books
Rating: 5

This book was absolutely amazing. I have loved calligraphy since I was eleven.

This book had everything: information on supplies and tools and instructions on how to build your own tools. There are chapters on different calligraphy styles, like classic calligraphy, vintage styled alphabets, raw dry-brush techniques, funky fun letters, calligraphy on fabric, urban-styled graffiti, flourishes, gothic, and mixed media pieces. Every chapter is exciting and inspiring, and each chapter will speak to a different person and hit on their personal style. I have to say the fabric section really made me want to dance and get out my sewing machine. There were example pieces, full alphabets, photographs, stroke-by-stroke instructions on certain alphabets, and ideas beyond belief. This book is enough to keep me busy for at least the next two decades…

I recommend this book to anyone interested in calligraphy, collage, mixed media, or anyone who loves hand-writing pieces of art (Yes there are still some of us who love hand-writing letters and love poems and posters. We're awesome.).
  
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
1994 | Drama
Everything. Thoroughly enjoyed this film. (0 more)
Not a huge fan on what happens to Andy with regards to the "Sisters". But that's just me! (0 more)
One of the Best
Contains spoilers, click to show
My husband made me watch this one evening when we were first moved in together and usually the films he has made me watch haven't gone well!
I saw how old the film was and as I am a classic film lover I gave it a try and it has become one of my favourite films of all time!
The acting is superb, just raw talent and real passion.
I definitely think this film deserves it's high rating on rotten tomatoes and IMdb, it had everything in it that makes a good film and more. It has me laughing, crying, cringing, angry, sad and rooting for Andy and Red!
In the 'Bad' section I have only included one issue I have but that is because of how much you start to like the character of Andy. To see him go through what he did in the film genuinely breaks my heart every time I watch it.
If you haven't seen this film, Please get watching, I'm certain you won't regret it!
  
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Heather Morris | 2018 | Biography, History & Politics, Religion
7
8.7 (74 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's compelling at times (2 more)
The chapters are short
It's all to the point and not fluffy
Not compelling most of the time (2 more)
Writing can become very bland
It didn't feel real at times
I wouldn't say 'unputdownable'
This book is good, not great but alright.
You follow Lale a Slovakian Jew and in 1942 each family is required to gove over a worker for Labour camps. In hopes to keep his family safe Lale goes to Prague where he's put in a cattle car and shipped to birkaneau.
The story is sad and hopeful and shows the raw need for survival but also that in times like that we can all pull together.

While the story was good and lovely to read about the writing was bland and off-putting at times. I struggled to get through the entire book and put it down for ages at a time because I just wasn't enamoured by the writing as others were.


If you can't look past bad writing and appreciate the story this book is ok for you, but there are better accounts of that period of history waiting to be read.
  
Show all 5 comments.
40x40

Amy Christmas (170 KP) Jan 15, 2019

@Cumberland no problem, hope she enjoys it!

40x40

Kat Carroll (0 KP) Jan 2, 2020

An amazing can't put down read

Girl Walks Out of a Bar: A Memoir
Girl Walks Out of a Bar: A Memoir
Lisa F. Smith | 2016 | Education
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Character (2 more)
Rawness emotion
Taboo Topic Insight
Everyone Should Read This Book
Girl Walks Out of a Bar is an amazing book that I recommend to everyone. The raw emotion and insight to a taboo topic are absolutely stunning. I found it impossible to put the book down. As I read Lisa Smith's story I was captivated by her addiction. I felt sadness and sorrow with every negative event and joy with each success. I couldn't help but cheer her on through her road to sobriety.

For someone who has not dealt firsthand with such an addiction, this book was a real eye-opener. It is not often we have the opportunity to peek into the head of an addict and understand what day to day life is like for them. Girl Walk Out of a Bar really helped me gain a better understanding of life for an addict and in return open my eyes to others situations.

I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to read this book and recommend it to every adult who would like to better understand those around us.
  
U(
Undeniable ( Fated #4)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Undeniable by A.S. Roberts

Four stars

This story had me in tears and ready to throw my phone. How one person can endure so much pain and suffering. Lily is this out of touch young girl who is finally getting some freedom. She wasn’t looking for love but it found her in the form of Jack. Who is a smart guy but is truly a bad boy. I enjoyed this story because it was so raw. The emotions you feel from hearing Lily's pain and all her despair. You don’t just get a happy ever after you get a story full of ups and downs. You get to see the pain and joy that we all experience in everyday life. The author did an amazing job bringing these characters alive. They were given so much depth that this could be based on a true story. I couldn’t get enough of Jack and his bad boy ways that hide his intelligence. I felt really bad for Lily and how she was raised and how little she knew of the outside world. This is a must read the story will have you ready to beat someone for all the injustice.
  
TI
The Impossible Art of Falling
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wow! The raw emotions that are written in this book is incredible. I felt Jena's pain through the pages. I didn’t grow up with a dad but her lose made me feel what I had missed. The betrayal she felt was unbelievably sad. How any one can just leave a child no matter their age is incomprehensible to me. Luke was amazing he was strong and caring. The pain he hides behind those blue eyes is just heart breaking. To blame yourself for every wrong step.
These two met each other at the right moment. To find your pain in someone else’s eyes and want to protect them. I was with the author at every word and every moment. There wasn’t a time when I didn’t feel something. Bravo! This is the second book I have read and it has made me cry.
Finding your way in a sea of ever changing emotions is so hard. To live everyday knowing you can’t bring them back or that you couldn’t save them. I felt their pain and then their happiness.
THIS IS A MUST READ!!!!
  
A Star Is Born (2018)
A Star Is Born (2018)
2018 | Drama, Romance
Pretty good!
Ok so I loved how this film captured the raw romantic start to the film, a big star bringing a women he just met to his big show making her sing, it was oh so magical.

I well and truly got lost in this emotional rollercoaster, the film opens with lady gaga In her very average job, she finishes her shift and goes to perform in a drag act/gay bar, here is where she sings her heart out and it just so happens a very drunk Bradley cooper is in there listening after he had just performed his own concert, it all stems from there you see how they get close and he brings her to all his gigs where she sings her songs on stage and she finally gets noticed and becomes a big star herself, but it's not all glamour and fame you see the ups and downs in a stars world with her husband on a downwards spiral abusing drugs and alcohol you see the struggle and see the love between them Both. Amazing story with a very unpredictable sad ending. Definitely worth the watch!