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The Stars Never Rise (The Stars Never Rise, #1)
The Stars Never Rise (The Stars Never Rise, #1)
Rachel Vincent | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
4
5.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I struggled with this book until I got about half way through and then it got a bit more exciting.

As mentioned in my previous updates, reading about anything religious isn't really my cup of tea and it was only the action scenes when Nina, Finn and co were exorcising the demons that I was pulled in. But even that wasn't enough to pull me in completely.

I dont think I'll be reading the next book in the series.
  
The Handmaid's Tale
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood | 1998 | Essays
8
8.3 (112 Ratings)
Book Rating
An interesting take on a dystopian future
I've avoided this book (and show) as I actually thought it was some sort of religious period drama which didn't really appeal. However I'm glad I finally caved in as it's nothing like I thought and actually a very interesting take on a dystopian future.

The main issue with this book is the writing and narrative style. It's different, it takes a bit of getting used to and it's a little frustrating at times. But once you get past this, the story itself is a great one. Its a disturbing tale of a future where religious ideologies rule and women are kept as slaves, and is sadly something that could well end up being true. The story reveals just enough about Offred's past and the world before the state came into being, without being confusing or saying too much. My only issue is the ending. It was very abrupt and potentially cut a little too short. There was much more that could've been said!
  
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Sonofdel (6251 KP) rated Pari (2018) in Movies

Feb 22, 2019  
Pari (2018)
Pari (2018)
2018 | Horror
3
3.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Clever Story (0 more)
Over the top acting, too much religious implications (0 more)
Not a Great Watch
Contains spoilers, click to show
I watched this with a open mind and no idea of what i was letting myself in for. Its a pakistani horror film that mixes Pet Sematary and The Omen, though to no good effect. Its too laid down with pointless scenes and monologues. I gave it a 3 rating as the idea was good and Pari (the girl of the title seemed to relish her part
  
You're Not Alone  by Andrew WK
You're Not Alone by Andrew WK
2018 | Rock
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Incessantly positive (0 more)
Pseudo spiritual (0 more)
Partying in the modern age
Andrew W K took some time out of music to become a motivational speaker and learn some new tricks.
This has a grand epic sound compared to his debut album (I Get Wet).
Still sounds like a party but has elements from 70s prog rock (without the infamous solos) and the pseudo spiritual influence is thankfully not religious.
The songs are interspersed with a few short motivational speeches which mainly serve as positive self help interludes.
  
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Erika (17788 KP) rated Apostle (2018) in Movies

Oct 13, 2018  
Apostle (2018)
Apostle (2018)
2018 | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Dan Stevens (0 more)
Slow to get going (0 more)
The first hour of this almost made me want to turn it off, I actually paused it to see how far I was into the movie... Around five minutes later, it seemed to finally start picking up. At first, you think it's a crazy, run of the mill religious cult, but then it's so much more and kind of messed up.
If the first hour had been edited down a little, I would have definitely rated it higher.
  
The Forty Thieves: Marjana's Tale
The Forty Thieves: Marjana's Tale
Christy Lenzi | 2019 | Children, Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It is a retelling of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves in Marjana's POV. and stays mostly with the original source material. This is a good kid's book for ages 9 and up. It does talk about slavery as both Marjana and her brother are slaves of Ali Baba's brother, and the Islam religion so it is slightly correct in its set/historic time period. It doesn't get in your face religious just lets you know it's there and helps set the cultural tone.
  
Trouble No More: The Bootleg Series Vol.13 / 1979-1983 by Bob Dylan
Trouble No More: The Bootleg Series Vol.13 / 1979-1983 by Bob Dylan
2017 | Folk, Live Performances

"I think when you're looking back at someone's career, it's very easy to appreciate all the different stops along the way. Dylan is one of the first people that I discovered as a teenager, who really changed my life and made me want to make music. People are only starting to love the records from Dylan's religious phase, but 'Pressing On' was a big reference for the new record because of the choir. Obviously, that's a very holy sound, and we wanted to create something similar."

Source
  
I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (1951)
I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (1951)
1951 | Biography, Drama, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Good cast. (3 more)
Good acting, even among the children.
Scenery
Not too religious.
Subservient wife role. (2 more)
Some plot holes.
Lack of character development in minor roles.
A sweet, simple feel-good movie.
This is a simple film about a new wife (from the city) who has gone to live with her preacher husband in the country around the turn on the century. It's based on the protagonist's biography. At first, she's unsure that she'll like it or will fit in but she grows into her role as a preacher's wife and grows to love those in the community.

Though the characters are religious, they are not all fire and brimstone about their faith. Instead, the characters are simple, gentle, kind, and moral. The preacher's attitude reminds me of Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird.

Susan Hayward plays the preacher's wife in a very believable way as the character journeys from a new wife to a more well-rounded person. Her character grows through hardship and shows real grit and backbone.

If you like classic movies and long for simpler times, this is a good one to watch.
  
Lord of Illusions (1995)
Lord of Illusions (1995)
1995 | Horror
the psychological espects (0 more)
The CGI (0 more)
The Illusion
Lords of Illusions- is Clive Barker's last film he directed. He only producted movies and was a writer for movied afterwards. And wow what a good movie. Im not the hugest fan of hellraiser and didnt see nightbreeds yet. So i went into this film blind. I have heard of this film and wanted to see it for couple of years now. And it turns out that i liked it.

The Plot: Private eye Harry D'Amour (Scott Bakula) travels to Los Angeles and meets with a new client, Dorothea Swann (Famke Janssen). Swann reveals that she and her husband -- famed magician Philip Swann (Kevin J. O'Connor) -- have been targeted by a religious cult experimenting with reincarnation. After Philip dies on stage in the midst of a dangerous trick, D'Amour must struggle to protect Dorothea from the ruthless cult members and their newly reanimated religious leader, Nix (Daniel Von Bargen).

Its a good psychological film cause it does mess with your mind alot and in the end it is a good horror flick. I do recordmend it to others.
  
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Erika (17788 KP) rated The Oracle Year in Books

Apr 22, 2018  
The Oracle Year
The Oracle Year
Charles Soule | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was a selection for Book of the Month this April. I chose it because Charles Soule has written some of my favorite comics.
This book is about Will Dando, who receives several predictions from one dream. He posts select predictions on 'the Site' and he is known as 'The Oracle'. The government is after him, and religious sects are calling his the devil/blasphemer. It was impulsively readable.
But, it was just good. It wasn't great. Which, was a bummer. Because though it was readable, there was nothing new about it.