Search

Search only in certain items:

The Lamplighters
The Lamplighters
Emma Stonex | 2021 | Contemporary, Horror, Thriller
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARe-copy in exchange for this honest review. You can also read my review at my blog - roamingthroughbooks@wordpress.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://roamingthroughbooks@wordpress.com
This atmospheric mystery is beautifully written incorporating evocative imagery, quiet menacing tension and spare poetic prose.
The novel examines themes of isolation, male mental health, identity and truth with a profundity that stay with you long after you have finished reading.
The imagery of the sea representing the men's emotions contrasting with the domestic metaphors of the women effectively contrast the two different worlds they occupy and how divided their relationships became.
The mystery outcome of this book was satisfying for any lover of thrillers but the real beauty of this book comes from the poetry, the emotion and the tragedy of life lived with regret.
  
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Mitch Albom | 2004 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.4 (30 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was completely not what I expected, but in a good way. I assumed the five people you would meet would be grandma, an uncle, a long lost friend, etc etc but it wasn't so. Eddie dies an old veteran who has worked his whole life (after the war) at a carnival by the sea. At his death you journey with him through heaven while meeting five different people that have had an effect on his life whether he knew it or not. I wonder how many times this happens in our own lives and if we will one day find out about it. This book was written wonderfully and had so many profound thoughts I've decided to share a few from the book:
"There are no random acts. That we are all connected. That you can no more seperate one life from another than you can seperate a breeze from the wind" Page 48
"Ruby stepped toward him. "Edward," she said softly. It was the first time she had called him by name. "Learn this from me. Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from the inside. We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves." Page 141
  
Waves (2019)
Waves (2019)
2019 | Drama
Like the waters in the ocean, life comes at us in waves. There's the anxiety and excitement of running into it at first, so refreshing. Then, when you aren't looking, they'll be a wave that crashes and wipes you out and it's all you can do to keep your head above water and breath. Now, caught up in the tides, a crucial choice is made. You must dig down deep and find the willpower to swim back to shore and plant your feet back in the sand or float out to sea.

I cannot remember the last movie, if any, had me as anxious as the first act of Waves. And if you're lucky enough to have tge opportunity to do so, after the emotional final act you will find yourself giving your closest loved ones a long hug.
  
40x40

Pawel Pawlikowski recommended 8 1/2 (1963) in Movies (curated)

 
8 1/2 (1963)
8 1/2 (1963)
1963 | International, Comedy, Drama
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"And of course there’s Fellini, who has been with me most of my life. I remember seeing La dolce vita in the sixties as a kid. I couldn’t follow all of it and dropped off a few times, but some scenes stayed with me forever. Like the sea monster with the staring eye at the end of the film and the young girl shouting something to Marcello, who can’t hear her. Later I fell in love with Amarcord and 8½. The latter has become one of these comfort films I go back to watch every now and again, to reassure myself about the point of it all. It’s about being an artist and an impostor, and the endlessly complicated relations between men and women. There’s a freedom and honesty about these films, and each one has a form all its own."

Source
  
40x40

Pawel Pawlikowski recommended Amarcord (1973) in Movies (curated)

 
Amarcord (1973)
Amarcord (1973)
1973 | Comedy, Drama
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"And of course there’s Fellini, who has been with me most of my life. I remember seeing La dolce vita in the sixties as a kid. I couldn’t follow all of it and dropped off a few times, but some scenes stayed with me forever. Like the sea monster with the staring eye at the end of the film and the young girl shouting something to Marcello, who can’t hear her. Later I fell in love with Amarcord and 8½. The latter has become one of these comfort films I go back to watch every now and again, to reassure myself about the point of it all. It’s about being an artist and an impostor, and the endlessly complicated relations between men and women. There’s a freedom and honesty about these films, and each one has a form all its own."

Source
  
La Dolce Vita  (1960)
La Dolce Vita (1960)
1960 | Comedy, Drama

"And of course there’s Fellini, who has been with me most of my life. I remember seeing La dolce vita in the sixties as a kid. I couldn’t follow all of it and dropped off a few times, but some scenes stayed with me forever. Like the sea monster with the staring eye at the end of the film and the young girl shouting something to Marcello, who can’t hear her. Later I fell in love with Amarcord and 8½. The latter has become one of these comfort films I go back to watch every now and again, to reassure myself about the point of it all. It’s about being an artist and an impostor, and the endlessly complicated relations between men and women. There’s a freedom and honesty about these films, and each one has a form all its own."

Source
  
Owned by the Sea
Owned by the Sea
L.M. Somerton | 2018 | Erotica, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
really REALLY good
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

A year ago, Jonty's world imploded at the loss of his parents and his sister in a storm at sea. In an effort to get out more, and begin to try to get on with his life, Jonty decides a charity auction to raise funds for the lifeboat station that saved him would be a good idea. Jed was on that lifeboat, indeed, was that one to pull Jonty from the stormy sea and he knew, he KNEW that day, that one day, Jonty would be his. The charity auction is a great way to spend time with Jonty, to get Jonty into his life, and into his bed.

I liked this one, a lot, a LOT!

It focuses on Jonty coming out of himself, pushing his own boundaries. On Jed's 'no rush' approach to getting Jonty into his bed. On the fact that neither of these two men see this...whatever it is...as a quick fling. And on Jonty's art auction, that pulls the whole village together to raise money for the lifeboat station.

It's well told, from both men's point of view, so we get Jonty's escape from the sea, and his effort to pull himself out of his painting funk. We get Jed and all the naughty thoughts he has about Jonty, and his infinite patience.

There is no break up/make up, no nutty ex to spoil anything between them and their growing love. It's a really great easy read and I mean this in a very VERY good way!

Jed in a Dominant that calls to Jonty's submissive side, but it's only in the bedroom and nothing too heavy. I've NOT filed it on the BDSM shelf, because of that fact. I actually found it not overly explicit for a MM book, and I really liked that it wasn't too heavy on the sexy time. It's not needed for THIS book.

OH!!!

Be warned! There is a third in this relationship, a Newfoundland dog called Marmite. He really steals the show, that is, right up until Jed gives Jonty his gift right near the end. Some proper giggle out loud moments!

A great story, well written, that was the perfect way to spend a lazy, wet, holiday afternoon.

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Mermaid Mysteries
Mermaid Mysteries
Diane Vallere | 2019 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Go Under the Sea for this Novella Collection
This collection contains three mystery novellas that take the reader under the sea for stories starring three mermaid sisters, the daughter of the leader of their community of Sirenia. Up first, Zoe finds a mystery after she rescues a diver at a shipwreck she loves to explore. Next, Kyra discovers something strange happening at the vault of cultural treasures. Finally, Ava must step into leadership earlier than expected when someone kidnaps Mother.

Each of the three novella is only 90 pages each, so they are easy reads, but they are delightful. They are part coming of age tales, and watching the sisters grow is remarkable. We get to see the other characters from three sets of eyes, so it is fun to see how the different sisters view those around them. The undersea world is brought to life with a delightful attention to detail; there are many elements that made me smile, and I’d love to dive in for a visit if I could only breath underwater. The mysteries themselves are good and compelling. One ended a bit abruptly, but that was a minor complaint. If you want to try something different with your mysteries, this collection is for you.

NOTE: The novellas were originally released individually as ebooks before being combined into this electronic and print collection. Make sure you aren’t buying the same content a second time, but by all means, buy it once.
  
Coconut Island - Single by Meresha
Coconut Island - Single by Meresha
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Meresha is a Florida-based electro-pop singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Not too long ago, she released a lyric video for her “Coconut Island” single.

“So we crossed the sea again looking to find a land where we could thrive, you and I. Then a storm came suddenly, shook us up so violently, and we lost all track of time. The warm sand beneath my cold body, I rose with the sun when you found me.” – lyrics

‘Coconut Island’ tells a dreamy tale of a young woman who enjoys a sweet-like-candy-life on a tropical island with her significant other in the summertime.

Apparently, the breezy and warm air is fresh and pure, and the deep blue sea entices them to take a swim. Later, they savor the yummy juice from coconuts while the gentle waves crash the shore.
‘Coconut Island’ contains a fun storyline, pleasing vocals, and harmonious instrumentation flavored with a tropical-pop aroma.

Also, the likable tune sends an evergreen message which states that coco is good for your soul and nature is the remedy.

Meresha considers herself an #AlienPop innovator with a wide-ranging soulful voice and quirky sonic vision.

Her last single, “Jungle Potion”, went viral, hitting a million streams within a few weeks. Also, it was included on Ariana Grande‘s official personal playlist.

Meresha has landed on the Billboard charts 7 times, including peaking at #3 on Billboard’s Next Big Chart globally.
  
2-Headed Shark Attack (2012)
2-Headed Shark Attack (2012)
2012 | Action, Horror
6
3.8 (4 Ratings)
Movie Rating
You know full well I'll be watching all the movies in the -Headed Shark Attack series!

When a boatful of students is attacked at sea they must get to the safety of a nearby atoll while crew remain on board to make repairs. As they explore their new surroundings the danger becomes even more real when the shark starts to pick them off one by one.

In my shark appreciation post (on my website) I listed off a lot of plus points to amusingly entertaining shark films and this has a lot of them. Science, geography, everything you learnt at school is wrong... if you use this film as a reference.

We start with the inexplicable "semester at sea" storyline...

"We could have them doing a day trip out to study marine life, a science field trip."
"That's not long enough, make it a whole semester at sea."
"Okay, but we don't have the budget for technically accurate sets with equipment for people studying the ocean to that level."
"They just need a boat."
"I mean, I've never studied the ocean but I imagine they'd have sonar and lots of diving gear..."
"Just give them a boat!
"Okay, I'll get the writers to give the boat an experienced crew and..."
"No, no, no! Why would they need that?"
"Because they're going to sea on an expedition..."
"Give them minimal crew, no common sense and make the most useful members of the crew not speak the same language as the majority of the others."
*blank stare*

See what I mean? Shark film gold! There are so many ridiculous things that I lost count.

From the completely logical inclusion of a scene where Carmen Electra sunbathes in a bikini in the middle of a crisis to some obligatory boobs, the human section of the cast are all playing their stereotypes well. The acting is fairly good for this sort of film, it's surprisingly convincing... occasionally.

The shark contingent has mystical control over the world around it. You know when you're driving and you inhale to get through tight gaps? I believe the shark harnesses that same magic to get into the shallow water.

2-Headed Shark Attack does everything I love in a shark film and it has that star quality that's needed (someone you know and someone who looks familiar and you have to IMDb them), I would happily watch it again, probably in a marathon with 3-, 5- and 6-Headed Shark Attack... but every time I write that down I worry about where 4- went.

Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2020/08/2-headed-shark-attack-movie-review.html