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Kim Pook (101 KP) rated American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020) in Movies
Oct 14, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
This documentary is told through video clips and police footage regarding a missing mother and her children. Shannan is shown in a montage of social media videos talking about her happy family and everything appears normal, they are a family of husband, wife, 2 children and a dog.
After a friend is unable to contact Shannan, the police are called as well as Chris - Shannans husband-who come out to her house and find no trace of anybody in the house, it's like the family vanished into thin air, even a neighbour has no footage of them on his surveillance camera to show of anything suspicious. That neighbour does suggest, however, that something seems off with Chris but it is brushed off.
As the documentary continues, it becomes evident that the neighbour had every reason to be suspicious.
It's certainly a different way to tell a story, as usually it's told through interviews given to the camera or interviewer, so I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. It turned out I found it just as interesting as a regular documentary if not more, because of watching everything unfold in reality. It was an interesting watch that's for sure, but the outcome is very sad.
After a friend is unable to contact Shannan, the police are called as well as Chris - Shannans husband-who come out to her house and find no trace of anybody in the house, it's like the family vanished into thin air, even a neighbour has no footage of them on his surveillance camera to show of anything suspicious. That neighbour does suggest, however, that something seems off with Chris but it is brushed off.
As the documentary continues, it becomes evident that the neighbour had every reason to be suspicious.
It's certainly a different way to tell a story, as usually it's told through interviews given to the camera or interviewer, so I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. It turned out I found it just as interesting as a regular documentary if not more, because of watching everything unfold in reality. It was an interesting watch that's for sure, but the outcome is very sad.
ClareR (5890 KP) rated The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida in Books
Oct 21, 2020
Miwako Sumida has hanged herself, and her friends are in a state of disbelief. She had disappeared to a village in the mountains in the preceding few months, and had stayed in touch by letter with her friend Ryusei. He loved her, had told her as much, and she had repeatedly put off his advances. So after finding out about her death, Ryusei convinces another of Miwako’s friends, Chie, to go with him to the clinic in the mountains where she had been volunteering.
Whilst they are away, Ryusei’s sister, Fumi, has an unexpected visitor who asks to stay with her for a while. Fumi is clearly in a vulnerable position after the death of Miwako (who had worked for her), because she says yes.
This was such an unexpected pleasure to read. It’s a very sad story, gently told: these are all grieving, vulnerable people. When it slips in to magical realism, it didn’t seem out of place or odd, in fact these parts really helped to explain what had happened to Miwako and developed the character of Fumi. I can’t believe that I haven’t heard of Clarissa Goenawan before, and I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for more of her books.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this book.
Whilst they are away, Ryusei’s sister, Fumi, has an unexpected visitor who asks to stay with her for a while. Fumi is clearly in a vulnerable position after the death of Miwako (who had worked for her), because she says yes.
This was such an unexpected pleasure to read. It’s a very sad story, gently told: these are all grieving, vulnerable people. When it slips in to magical realism, it didn’t seem out of place or odd, in fact these parts really helped to explain what had happened to Miwako and developed the character of Fumi. I can’t believe that I haven’t heard of Clarissa Goenawan before, and I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for more of her books.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this book.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Summoned to Thirteenth Grave (Charley Davidson, #13) in Books
Jan 12, 2021
So this continues where book 12, The Trouble with Twelfth Grave, left off. Charley has been banned from Earth for bringing someone back from the dead after their soul had already left the body. It's been over 100 years and she's sad that she's missed the passing of all of her friends and family. She lands in the middle of the desert and within seconds can feel Reyes seductive heat surrounding her. Turns out that, on Earth, she's only been gone for ten days and she has to help destroy the hell dimension that they accidentally opened when Reyes broke the God glass a few books ago.
Hmm... I did enjoy this but I do feel like the series has not been fully completed. There's still the whole Beep facing Lucifer thing and where did Osh disappear to?
Nevertheless, this was once again full of Charley craziness and I do love her and her gang of friends. There were several mysteries thrown in to the mix for her to solve including one to do with her birth, secrets came out of the woodwork and a few little shocks thrown in too.
I can't say I'm disappointed with how the author finished this series... I just feel it hasn't been fully ended as mentioned above.
Hmm... I did enjoy this but I do feel like the series has not been fully completed. There's still the whole Beep facing Lucifer thing and where did Osh disappear to?
Nevertheless, this was once again full of Charley craziness and I do love her and her gang of friends. There were several mysteries thrown in to the mix for her to solve including one to do with her birth, secrets came out of the woodwork and a few little shocks thrown in too.
I can't say I'm disappointed with how the author finished this series... I just feel it hasn't been fully ended as mentioned above.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Julie & Julia (2009) in Movies
Jan 15, 2021
Heartwarming and Inspiring
This is one of those films that makes you feel euphoric. That inspires you to go after something you've secretly always wanted, but never committed to for whatever reason. I think those are really special movies. To be able to move you in such a way, to inspire you, to make your smallest dreams feel so big and achievable.
As much as I love Meryl Streep and I truly think she is an amazing actress and deserves every bit of credit she is given, I think the true star of this film was Amy Adams. I think that she is magnificent in her complexity, in her humanity, in her portrayal of such a happenstance. Julie Powell decided to do something on a whim and she ended up with this and Amy Adams plays that very well. I think that she makes it easy to feel inspired and moved. You go through the stages of elation and grief and exhaustion with her and you almost wish you could be there to comfort her. But Eric says everything you never could.
I think this is a really special film. I'm sad it took me this long to watch it.
As much as I love Meryl Streep and I truly think she is an amazing actress and deserves every bit of credit she is given, I think the true star of this film was Amy Adams. I think that she is magnificent in her complexity, in her humanity, in her portrayal of such a happenstance. Julie Powell decided to do something on a whim and she ended up with this and Amy Adams plays that very well. I think that she makes it easy to feel inspired and moved. You go through the stages of elation and grief and exhaustion with her and you almost wish you could be there to comfort her. But Eric says everything you never could.
I think this is a really special film. I'm sad it took me this long to watch it.
ClareR (5890 KP) rated Platform Seven in Books
Sep 1, 2019 (Updated Sep 2, 2019)
A beautiful, sad story.
If I could give more than 10/10 for Platform Seven, I would. The main character, and I’m giving nothing away here, is a ghost. She doesn’t know her name or why she’s there, but she knows that she’s dead, and she knows that she can’t leave the confines of Peterborough train station. However, two things trigger the return of her memories: a suicide on Platform Seven, and the appearance of a (living) young man in the station. We then learn her name, and the sequence of events that resulted in her death and afterlife at Peterborough train station.
This was a beautifully told story, and I’ll warn you now that you’ll need to read it with tissues at hand. I cried, and I cried quite a lot! This isn’t an action packed thriller. It’s thoughtful, emotional, and at times it’s frustrating. It’s easy to read a story and say to yourself that you won’t make the same mistakes as the lead character, that that character should have made different choices, but this book explains so well a manipulative, emotionally abusive relationship.
I would recommend this story - it really is well worth reading.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this outstanding book.
This was a beautifully told story, and I’ll warn you now that you’ll need to read it with tissues at hand. I cried, and I cried quite a lot! This isn’t an action packed thriller. It’s thoughtful, emotional, and at times it’s frustrating. It’s easy to read a story and say to yourself that you won’t make the same mistakes as the lead character, that that character should have made different choices, but this book explains so well a manipulative, emotionally abusive relationship.
I would recommend this story - it really is well worth reading.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this outstanding book.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated White Trash Beautiful (White Trash Trilogy, #1) in Books
Sep 6, 2019
I really enjoyed this (as you may have gathered by the amount of time its taken me to read it) and couldnt help but urge Cass to leave her abusive boyfriend and to run away with Tucker. A slightly crazy move when shed only known him a few days, but for me, if I can become emotionally involved, then its a good book. And I was so emotionally involved in this.
Tucker was a charmer and I think I seriously fell for him in those first few pages. Then when he sticks up for her, considering he doesnt really know her, when her boyfriend comes in I went all *sigh* swooning.
Cass on the other hand has never believed she was worthy of more than she had and that was kinda hard to read. To believe you being hit and pushed around is all you deserve simply because youre hiding a bit of money away in the hopes of a better life is quite sad and I really felt for her.
But then Tucker appeared and showed her she could have more and again *sigh*
As you may have gathered I quite liked this book and Im looking forward to reading more from Cass and Tucker :)
Tucker was a charmer and I think I seriously fell for him in those first few pages. Then when he sticks up for her, considering he doesnt really know her, when her boyfriend comes in I went all *sigh* swooning.
Cass on the other hand has never believed she was worthy of more than she had and that was kinda hard to read. To believe you being hit and pushed around is all you deserve simply because youre hiding a bit of money away in the hopes of a better life is quite sad and I really felt for her.
But then Tucker appeared and showed her she could have more and again *sigh*
As you may have gathered I quite liked this book and Im looking forward to reading more from Cass and Tucker :)
Merissa (12950 KP) rated Forged Redemption (Tribal Spirits #5) in Books
Oct 1, 2019
Forged Redemption is the fifth and final book in the Tribal Spirits series, and we finally get Drew's story. Drew and Ally were a couple way back when, before they even really knew about mates. As such, they were together, they broke up, rinse and repeat. These two somehow find the time to sew their relationship back together, through distrust and mortal peril! As well as that, the ultimate battle is drawing to a close, and no one knows who will live to see the outcome.
As with all of Katherine McIntyre books, this was an absolute winner! The writing is tight with no unnecessary parts. Everything is there for a reason! The relationship between Ally and Drew is sensitively written considering their pasts. There are steamy moments that add to the story, definitely not distracting from the arc storyline.
I am sad to see this series come to an end, but at the same time, I am excited to see what Ms. McIntyre will bring next. I highly recommend both this finale and the whole series!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
As with all of Katherine McIntyre books, this was an absolute winner! The writing is tight with no unnecessary parts. Everything is there for a reason! The relationship between Ally and Drew is sensitively written considering their pasts. There are steamy moments that add to the story, definitely not distracting from the arc storyline.
I am sad to see this series come to an end, but at the same time, I am excited to see what Ms. McIntyre will bring next. I highly recommend both this finale and the whole series!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
natmac (13 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies
Oct 14, 2019 (Updated Oct 14, 2019)
Phoenix's performance is what holds the movie up, it feels realistic, desperate and sad. (2 more)
The cinematography is amazing and Gotham has never been seedier.
The third act of the film is really enjoyable and tense because of how low the stakes are and how well defined the characters are.
It straight up rips off both Taxi Driver and King of Comedy. (2 more)
It spells out the story even though I thought it was pretty obvious what was happening anyway.
Subtlety is absent from the film.
Joker is very original if you're a fan of superhero movies, but a rehash if you've seen the essential scorcesse flicks.
Contains spoilers, click to show
It would have been interesting if they took the story in a different direction and steered away from the King of Comedy Route. They should never have told you that some of the stuff that happens are hallucinations. The flashbacks were not needed at all to spell it out, I found them kinda annoying. To be honest, I don't know how I feel about the Joker's first kills being out of self defense. I like that this joker is quite different to previous interpretations, but what I love about the character is how he defies any sort of morals or logic.
ClareR (5890 KP) rated How Much Of These Hills is Gold in Books
Jun 12, 2020
This is not your typical Western, although it set in the old Wild West. Lucy and Sam, two Chinese-American children, set off on their own to bury their father and to find the life that their mother wanted for them. Their father had gold fever and gambled their money away, their mother wanted an education and choices for her children - as well as somewhere safe to live. The fact that this story is based on two children alone is enough of an indicator that their parents wishes weren’t successful.
There are flashbacks to the life that they had prior to the death of their parents, and these really showed what a hard life gold prospecting and coal mining was - particularly if you weren’t seen as true Americans.
I loved this book - the descriptions of the landscape were stunning, the story of the difficult, uncertain lives the main characters experienced was at times heart-rending. I liked that we weren’t involved in the thought processes of their persecutors - we see everything from Lucy, Sam and their parents perspectives. We get a glimpse into the world of an immigrant family and of how little it seems to have changed with regards to attitudes.
I’d really recommend this book - it was a rewarding, if sad, read.
There are flashbacks to the life that they had prior to the death of their parents, and these really showed what a hard life gold prospecting and coal mining was - particularly if you weren’t seen as true Americans.
I loved this book - the descriptions of the landscape were stunning, the story of the difficult, uncertain lives the main characters experienced was at times heart-rending. I liked that we weren’t involved in the thought processes of their persecutors - we see everything from Lucy, Sam and their parents perspectives. We get a glimpse into the world of an immigrant family and of how little it seems to have changed with regards to attitudes.
I’d really recommend this book - it was a rewarding, if sad, read.
Kim Pook (101 KP) rated Five Feet Apart (2019) in Movies
May 31, 2020
A different kind of love story
Contains spoilers, click to show
Is it possible to have a relationship with someone if neither of you are allowed to kiss or be near each other? Well that's exactly the kind of relationship that will and Stella have. Having cystic fibrosis means that will and Stella are are not allowed within 6 feet of each other (yes, 6 feet not 5 as the title suggests) incase they catch each others bacteria, as if they do the consequences could be dire. It's not a typical kind of relationship but they make it work.
The movie has many highs but also many lows, including a death of a character. I won't say who it is to avoid spoilers but I will say it's a death I predicted would happen, what I wasn't prepared for was how sad it would be and as I was watching it with my husband in the same room I had to fight ugly crying so bad! In fact there are a number of emotional scenes so definitely have plenty of tissues to end.
The ending feels like a kick in the teeth though because........... You know what? You'll have to watch it and see for yourself.
The movie has many highs but also many lows, including a death of a character. I won't say who it is to avoid spoilers but I will say it's a death I predicted would happen, what I wasn't prepared for was how sad it would be and as I was watching it with my husband in the same room I had to fight ugly crying so bad! In fact there are a number of emotional scenes so definitely have plenty of tissues to end.
The ending feels like a kick in the teeth though because........... You know what? You'll have to watch it and see for yourself.