Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Tigers are Not Afraid (2017) in Movies

Oct 5, 2020 (Updated Oct 5, 2020)  
Tigers are Not Afraid (2017)
Tigers are Not Afraid (2017)
2017 | Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror
I initially found this to be uncommonly touching but no sooner does it fall into the draining rhythm of the rest of these sad realism/fantasy metaphor films. Still cloying as can be but a reasonable amount of mostly unaffected emotional scenes do make it out of the wreckage with this one, and after all it's still vastly better than π˜‰π˜¦π˜’π˜΄π˜΅π˜΄ 𝘰𝘧 𝘡𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘢𝘡𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘞π˜ͺ𝘭π˜₯ and π˜—π˜’π˜―'𝘴 π˜“π˜’π˜£π˜Ίπ˜³π˜ͺ𝘯𝘡𝘩 combined because it's visually divine without being cut down to scraps via obnoxious handheld gimmick (which this still has but it's much more restrained, sort of works here, and is actually visible for once) or an eyesore color palette that resembles somebody smearing mud all over the lens like either of those two. As is usual for the genre there isn't near enough depth or fantasy parts for this to be fully successful, but the child performers are all marvelous and the horror/fantasy that is here is quite masterful - the effects and art design are just awesome. If this was interested in being its own deal rather than ripping off practically every single trope you can find in these types of movies then we'd really be in business. But as it stands, it's still far above the pack in comparison to the rest of them - as if that's even a high bar to begin with.
  
40x40

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated In Five Years in Books

Dec 17, 2020  
In Five Years
In Five Years
Rebecca Serle | 2020 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the ninth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!

Dannie Kohan is a lawyer with a five-year plan. Her life is all calculated. She's just had the job interview she's been planning for, she's engaged: everything is on track. But when she falls asleep, she's transported for one hour into a different life, the same night five years in the future (2025). In that life, she has a different ring on her finger in a different apartment--and with a different guy by her side. When she wakes up, she can't shake that it wasn't just a dream. She tries to forget that hour, until she meets that same man, four and a half years later. What does it mean?

This book is best gone into blind, but I will say that I really enjoyed this one. It's a fast read with excellent characters--I quite liked Dannie, who is nuanced and flawed, but real. The premise is interesting, as is the fact that that one hour basically changes Dannie's whole life. This novel is sad, at times, truly touching, and completely captivating. I definitely recommend it. 4 stars.
  
40x40

Darren Fisher (2465 KP) rated Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007) in Movies

Dec 17, 2020 (Updated Jan 31, 2021)  
Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007)
Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007)
2007 | Comedy, Family
8
7.6 (10 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Mr. Bean (0 more)
The tragic yet comical story about a man who suffers from acute mental health issues. After winning a camera and a trip to Cannes, socially awkward and mostly misunderstood, Bean is mistakenly accused of kidnapping a young boy. Little does Bean know that the young lad is the son of a pretentious, self-gratifying film director, who will stop at nothing to assure the safety and return of his son. Bean and boy head for Cannes on a deranged road-trip where each new incident strengthens the bond between them.
Although the films message is clear and isn't afraid to pull any punches, the interspersed comedy throughout is hilarious as it is touching (are we laughing because Bean is seemingly a fool? or are we laughing with Bean because these situations are actually funny?).
 It's sad to think that, even in todays times, that mental health is still misunderstood by many people and is upon reaction based on fear and a lack of understanding. The sons father takes on that role, whilst the son himself takes on the role of those that do not judge a person by their wellbeing alone. And, with all of Beans supposed misgivings, he does come through at the end. Thought provoking stuff to be sure...
Joking of course!
Great fun and a big improvement on the first film.
  
40x40

Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Choice in Books

Aug 29, 2020  
The Choice
The Choice
Alex Lake | 2020 | Crime, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
My exact words when I finished this book ... "Wow - that was good!"

This is sold as being "The gripping new thriller you won’t be able to put down!" and I am going to have to agree ... I wasn't able to put it down and read it way too late into the night but it was worth it. From the very first to the very last page, there is no let up and it grabs you, throws you around and doesn't let go.

I loved everything about it - the characters, the plot, the pace, the writing style - everything and it's not often I say that. The only "complaint" I have is that it is so good, I found myself reading it faster and faster because I was desperate to find out where the next twist and turn would take me so I ended up finishing it way too quickly and felt sad when it had ended.

I have read a couple of books by Alex Lake previously "Seven Days" and "Copy Cat" and this is by far the best one yet and I very much look forward to reading the next which is due out in 2021 - a sneak peak of which I found at the end of The Choice.

Thanks must go to HarperCollinsUK, HarperFiction via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
Consumed (Firefighters, #1)
Consumed (Firefighters, #1)
J.R. Ward | 2018 | Contemporary, Humor & Comedy, Romance
6
6.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
The opening chapters were great, but I'm not sure I would call home about it.
Let's start with the good: who doesn't love a firefighter romance? I mean, there's hot and then there is HOT.
Immediately, I was given stakes. There were fires and lives on the line. Decisions that would alter a life forever. Amazing characters and the kind of tension I could shatter my little heart with, It was like I was walking a tightrope --and I was hooked. This was GREAT.

But then about 50% through the book, I realized I had no clue where the story was going. There was definitely a lag for me, a slump where the plot seemed to just hover and not really move forward. The whole premise promised in the blurb of Anne hunting down a killer kinda stalls. I found myself actively looking for action, but unable to find really any movement forward. By the end, much of the plot came together. However, it was too rushed. I truly feel this could have had better pacing to it and a better Act 2 to support the story.

That aside, the book is great for anyone who doesn't mind the hiccups and lags. But for me, I'm not sure I would read this again, which is sad because I do like some of Ward's other books.