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The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)
1943 | Classics, Drama
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Quintessential Englishness and the quivering heart that beats beneath the stiff upper lip. This is a most wonderful story about love and friendship, and how duty can get in the way of both. Perfect performances by Anton Walbrook and Deborah Kerr, and Roger Livesey as the colonel. When Theo, played by Walbrook, the colonel’s adversary in wartime but now his friend, announces to him that Edith (Kerr) and he are to be married, both the colonel and Edith realize that his stiff upper lip has gotten in the way of their chance at real love. The directors capture this moment so tenderly and beautifully it is impossible not to cry. Set against the backdrop of forty years of twentieth-century war, it is a very sad film that is also both exciting and hilarious. Churchill decided it was negative propaganda and banned it. Michael Powell proposed marriage to Miss Kerr in Hyde Park, opposite the entrance to the Dorchester hotel. She declined. A movie about broken hearts."

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Perfect Regret (Bad Rep, #2)
Perfect Regret (Bad Rep, #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This caught me the same way Bad Rep did. Hook, line and sinker.

After that first night together, I could tell that Garrett really liked Riley and as much as I liked her, she wasn't very nice to him, and it annoyed me. Okay, so he did tend to come across as some weed smoking, alcohol drinking, pain in the butt but because I knew he liked her, I felt sorry for him.

After a lot of up and down moments between them where most of the time they cant stand to be in the same room together, they finally reconnect, but not without a good reason for it and I'm sad that it happened.

I think Garrett is one of the nicest guys ever, when he ditches the sort of idiot persona he puts on when around people he isn't comfortable with, and I think he and Riley are great together.

Looking forward to the next book in the Bad Rep series!
  
Rule (Marked Men, #1)
Rule (Marked Men, #1)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
3.5 stars.

I liked this, though I thought it was a little too long.

Rule was cool, he's a tattooed, pierced bad boy who slept around with anyone who was up for it at the start and in a way, I didn't like it. Then we met Shaw and I liked her influence on him. They may be polar opposites but they compliment each other quite nicely.

All the main characters were pretty amazing; Nash, Rome, Jet, Ayden, Cora, Rowdy...if I missed anyone I'm sorry! They were a fun bunch and I liked their interaction, teasing and flirting with each other.

I'm kinda sad that I missed "meeting" Remy, he seemed like he was a great person; friend and brother, and I understand why he didn't tell anyone his secret, though I kinda figured it out by about half way through.

A nice start to the series and I look forward to reading Jet, Rome and Nash's stories too.
  
Blood Lust
Blood Lust
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is my second book by the author, the first being Hooking Up, which I enjoyed. This was a little more gritty.

I wasn't so sure on the style of this. I know it was two gangs going against each other and they use different terms than other people but I wasn't exactly a fan of it.

The first 25-30% was a little off-putting, reading about what her boss had her doing and did to her, but then when she met Jace it perked up a bit. I liked him almost instantly, maybe because of my like of vampires, and I was sad that he didn't get as much book-time as he could have.

Nexess annoyed me a bit, mainly because of her loyalty to her boss after everything he makes her do. When she's not near him, she realises what's happening, but as soon as he comes back, she's fawning all over him again! She drove me a little insane.

Short and gritty.
  
Her Lifeline
Her Lifeline
L.A. Casey | 2019
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I feel bad that I didn't like this but it took far too long for anything to really happen. The death at the beginning, as sad as it was for an 11 year old, I feel like I didn't know him enough to get upset myself. Then when Tommy was in a car accident, too, it was a bit like deja vu, only I knew him a little more. I can't say I cared that much, though.

As I've mentioned before I read for the romance and it took way too long for Ward to appear back in their lives and for feelings to emerge--which then seemed to appear so easily without much effort.

And then that last 15% or so... I'd have preferred a much happier ending.

This is my third book by the author, one I've loved, the others not so much. I think I'll give the author's other books a miss for a while.
  
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Alison Brie recommended Broadcast News (1987) in Movies (curated)

 
Broadcast News (1987)
Broadcast News (1987)
1987 | Comedy, Drama

"Broadcast News is next on the list. I’m a big Holly Hunter fan. I just think it’s a great movie; it’s funny, it’s sad, it’s interesting. It’s got that archetype of the ambitious news woman, you know? I like that she’s behind the scenes. It’s a character that I’ve never played in a movie. I think that I’m always waiting for that role; they all seem to go to Rachel McAdams. [laughs] You know, that inquisitive journalist who’s behind the scenes and is super feisty. We’ve done a couple episodes of Community where I got to sort of channel that energy. But it’s definitely a role I’ve always had my eye on, and Holly Hunter is such a singular actress in her style, and her voice is unique, and she’s such a petite woman; I think she carries her strength in an interesting way. She just emanates strength and confidence. She also has amazing crying scenes. It’s a great showcase of her acting."

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The Final Girls (2015)
The Final Girls (2015)
2015 | Comedy, Horror
7
6.9 (14 Ratings)
Movie Rating
There are several reasons why The Final Girls is a goddam delight.
For a start, it's an unabashed love letter to the Friday the 13th series, both playing tribute, and poking fun at its tropes. If you're a fan of summer camp slashers, then you'll find a lot to love. The comedy on display is decent and never feels too try hard, and even manages to lightly berate the horror fan community whilst managing to remain endearing.
Amongst all the silliness however, lurks a touching and often sad story about loss and coming to terms with grief. Fantastic performances from Taissa Farmiga and Malin Akerman compliment these moments, and they land pretty well. The characters are solidly balanced, and result in a movie that knows when to be funny, and when to be serious.

The Final Girls has quickly become a bit of a cult favourite since it's release in 2015, and it's easy to see why. Good stuff!
  
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper
Hallie Rubenhold | 2019 | Crime, History & Politics
9
8.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Interesting (3 more)
Historical
Well written
Smart
Lots of information (0 more)
Rewriting history
A friend recommended this and when I finally ordered it I was quite apprehensive. The genre is not my usual bag and I often struggle taking in lots of historical information.

However, the writing flows very well and feels not too dissimilar to a story. I like that there are references in the book with small links to them so you know it is truthful. So much work has gone into this and you know that Hallie Rubenhold really has a passion for this subject.

The stories are so sad, I think the author does a good job of remaining objective other than the last chapter. It really brings out the victims stories and changes the narrative of the story behind them.

At points there are a lot of characters and names to keep hold off. Sometimes the new characters are just introduced and I was left thinking "who" until a few pages later.
  
Evolved (Beyond Human #2)
Evolved (Beyond Human #2)
Michelle Schad | 2021 | LGBTQ+, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
You can't run and hide....


I thought the first book had some sad moments.......Sheesh. Evolved has picked up a while later and is just as good as the first.
    The heartbreaking events keep happening, the danger is ever present and tolerance of the evolved is low.
    Hadi is relying on drugs more heavily than before for more reasons than one. You can't help but feel for him.
    James is in a different country and has his own demons following him..... including his feelings for Hadi and the events they came through together.
    It's nice to see a closeness between different personalities how they each click in place. A mismatch type of family, just like the rest of us.

As with Hellfire, the first in the series, this is for adults. The themes of death and drug use are still there (drugs being the main one). Again my heart was smashed and the cracks are far bigger.