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Awix (3310 KP) rated Lion (2016) in Movies
May 14, 2019
Based-on-a-true-story drama transcends the fact it looks rather like a big long advert for Google Earth and becomes something genuinely moving. A five year old child gets on the wrong train one night in India, and finds himself in a strange city hundreds of miles away, unable to speak the local language. After various hair-raising experiences he is adopted by a nice couple from Tasmania. Many years later, and apparently settled in his new life, he finds the urge to find his home still lingers...
Definitely a film of two halves, with the second one being a bit more internal and short on actual incident - nevertheless, strong performances from the cast keep this very involving and watchable. Covers a lot of the same ground as Slumdog Millionaire, but puts its own spin on it; the climax is honestly rather affecting. Probably won't rock your world but still a well-made movie.
Definitely a film of two halves, with the second one being a bit more internal and short on actual incident - nevertheless, strong performances from the cast keep this very involving and watchable. Covers a lot of the same ground as Slumdog Millionaire, but puts its own spin on it; the climax is honestly rather affecting. Probably won't rock your world but still a well-made movie.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated BlacKkKlansman (2018) in Movies
May 25, 2019
Powerful
I have to be honest, I haven't seen a lot of Spike Lee's work although I loved Inside Man when that came out. So I wasnt entirely sure what to expect with this film, but I was pleasantly surprised.
This is definitely a strange film. It packs a powerful message but then is full of moments of sheer hilarity, which is definitely welcome in otherwise heavy scenes. But for the most part this doesn't detract from the true story this is telling. To be frank, some of this film is very disturbing to watch and the last 5/10 minutes that link to more recent events is harrowing and almost verging on overkill. The acting is second to none, especially Adam Driver and John David Washington, and the script and dialogue are very clever and witty. I do think this may be a little heavy handed at times and a little too long, but it's still a powerful and moving film.
This is definitely a strange film. It packs a powerful message but then is full of moments of sheer hilarity, which is definitely welcome in otherwise heavy scenes. But for the most part this doesn't detract from the true story this is telling. To be frank, some of this film is very disturbing to watch and the last 5/10 minutes that link to more recent events is harrowing and almost verging on overkill. The acting is second to none, especially Adam Driver and John David Washington, and the script and dialogue are very clever and witty. I do think this may be a little heavy handed at times and a little too long, but it's still a powerful and moving film.
David McK (3251 KP) rated Avengers: Endgame (2019) in Movies
May 26, 2019
"We're in the Endgame now ..."
The culmination of over a decade of Marvel movies and a direct continuation of Infinity War, this is the film that wraps up what will more than likely become known as The Infinity Stones saga.
It's also quite hard ton discuss without giving anything away: while we all knew that time travel would be a part of the movie (especially given the introduction of the Time Stone in Dr Strange), that did not play out exactly as I thought it would.
Personally, I also thought it spent too long dealing with the effects of Thanos' snap: yes, wiping out half of life would have a profound impact on those left behind, but did we need to go through them all one-by-one? All that served to do, really (IMO) is make an already long film even longer!
A good film, yes, but - for me, at least - it never quite hits the height of the preceding Infinity War.
The culmination of over a decade of Marvel movies and a direct continuation of Infinity War, this is the film that wraps up what will more than likely become known as The Infinity Stones saga.
It's also quite hard ton discuss without giving anything away: while we all knew that time travel would be a part of the movie (especially given the introduction of the Time Stone in Dr Strange), that did not play out exactly as I thought it would.
Personally, I also thought it spent too long dealing with the effects of Thanos' snap: yes, wiping out half of life would have a profound impact on those left behind, but did we need to go through them all one-by-one? All that served to do, really (IMO) is make an already long film even longer!
A good film, yes, but - for me, at least - it never quite hits the height of the preceding Infinity War.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Chocolat (Chocolat #1) in Books
Jun 16, 2019
Sweet and satisfying
I need to be honest; I’ve never seen the film that is based on this book and never really been particularly interested in watching it either. However having now read the book, I could be tempted as the book is rather wonderful.
This is a rather strange novel - a character based drama set in a mysterious small French village with some very small magical undertones. It sounds weird, but it actually really works. All of the characters, from Vianne herself to the rest of the villagers are likeable or at the very least relatable with all of their various personalities. The fact that this is based around a chocolate shop makes it a charming and rather tempting setting and the story has a fair number of outcomes that you wouldn’t expect although there are still some that are rather predictable. Overall this is just a rather charming and sweet character driven story.
This is a rather strange novel - a character based drama set in a mysterious small French village with some very small magical undertones. It sounds weird, but it actually really works. All of the characters, from Vianne herself to the rest of the villagers are likeable or at the very least relatable with all of their various personalities. The fact that this is based around a chocolate shop makes it a charming and rather tempting setting and the story has a fair number of outcomes that you wouldn’t expect although there are still some that are rather predictable. Overall this is just a rather charming and sweet character driven story.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Prisoner in TV
Mar 5, 2018
Famously cryptic cult TV show still has things to offer anyone willing to enter its peculiar world. Title character (McGoohan) is whisked off to a very strange prison; subsequent episodes revolve around either his attempts to escape, or the Village masters' schemes to force him to reveal his secrets (things get progressively more outlandishly weird as the series progresses).
Visually striking; the plots represent a weird mashing together of typical ITC action-adventure tropes and something altogether more avant-garde and cerebral: typical episode contains both existential pondering of the nature of society and/or the individual self and at least one punch-up. No-one seems entirely sure what it's all supposed to mean - is it about the conflict between the individual and the collective? The divided self? Patrick McGoohan's frustration at the state of his career? Nevertheless, the show's reputation is deserved - the weaker episodes are simply peculiar, the best ones absolutely mesmerising.
Visually striking; the plots represent a weird mashing together of typical ITC action-adventure tropes and something altogether more avant-garde and cerebral: typical episode contains both existential pondering of the nature of society and/or the individual self and at least one punch-up. No-one seems entirely sure what it's all supposed to mean - is it about the conflict between the individual and the collective? The divided self? Patrick McGoohan's frustration at the state of his career? Nevertheless, the show's reputation is deserved - the weaker episodes are simply peculiar, the best ones absolutely mesmerising.
Awix (3310 KP) rated War on Everyone (2017) in Movies
Mar 6, 2018
Slightly baffling deadpan black comedy parody of American cop thrillers (probably - it's hard to be sure). A pair of incredibly corrupt New Mexico detectives discover previously unsuspected reserves of decency and honesty as they encounter a ruthless gang of thieves.
One of those movies which seems to be trying ridiculously hard to go over the top, but with an absolutely straight face: the main characters aren't just corrupt, they're absurdly corrupt, and the plot at times seems to be intentionally provocative and also absurd (the story relocates all the way to Iceland at one point, but only for about five minutes). It's so in-your-face extreme in some of its attitudes and jokes that it's quite hard to engage with as a story for much of the time. But McDonagh is too good a director to make an entirely bad movie and there are some impressive moments and sequences along the way. But still a strange and difficult-to-figure-out movie.
One of those movies which seems to be trying ridiculously hard to go over the top, but with an absolutely straight face: the main characters aren't just corrupt, they're absurdly corrupt, and the plot at times seems to be intentionally provocative and also absurd (the story relocates all the way to Iceland at one point, but only for about five minutes). It's so in-your-face extreme in some of its attitudes and jokes that it's quite hard to engage with as a story for much of the time. But McDonagh is too good a director to make an entirely bad movie and there are some impressive moments and sequences along the way. But still a strange and difficult-to-figure-out movie.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Murder at Redwood Cove in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Kelly Jackson has flown into a small town in Mendocino County to run a bed and breakfast for her boss. The previous manager fell to his death off a cliff, and Kelly quickly begins to wonder if it was murder. As strange events start happening, Kelly is certain of her conclusion. But can she prove it before something else bad happens?
The book doesn’t waste much time debating whether a murder happened or not, instead spending time on Kelly trying to prove it. There’s plenty to keep you reading to find out exactly what is going on. The characters are super strong, and I fell in love with them. The suspects were a tad weak, but that’s a minor complaint. The writing needed a bit more polish near the beginning, but again, that’s a minor complaint.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-murder-at-redwood-cove-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book doesn’t waste much time debating whether a murder happened or not, instead spending time on Kelly trying to prove it. There’s plenty to keep you reading to find out exactly what is going on. The characters are super strong, and I fell in love with them. The suspects were a tad weak, but that’s a minor complaint. The writing needed a bit more polish near the beginning, but again, that’s a minor complaint.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-murder-at-redwood-cove-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Fixing to Die (Southern Ladies Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Sisters An’gel and Dickce Ducote are only too happy to help Mary Turner Catlin, the granddaughter of their friend. It seems the family house is haunted, and she wants them to help her figure out what is causing the problem. It isn’t too long after they arrive that they begin to experience some strange things, but it’s the uninvited guests who really up the tension. What are the sisters involved in now?
I love the main characters in this book, both human and four legged, so I was glad to get a chance to visit them again. They delight as always, and the new characters are strong as well. The pacing was a little off over all, but the haunted house aspect is a nice addition to the mystery. Fans of the author will enjoy this latest book.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-fixing-to-die-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love the main characters in this book, both human and four legged, so I was glad to get a chance to visit them again. They delight as always, and the new characters are strong as well. The pacing was a little off over all, but the haunted house aspect is a nice addition to the mystery. Fans of the author will enjoy this latest book.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-fixing-to-die-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lindsay (1706 KP) rated Summer on Blossom Street (Blossom Street, #6) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
My thought were sweet. I really enjoyed this book. I love how it ends and I am really glad for what happens to some of the woman in the book. You get see how the friendship develop and Relationships are tested though out the book. How friends can help and see the understanding. You get to see how part of the adoption take place and how thing can be tested with out knowing can happen unexpected. Love can happen though strange whys. Never did I expect what would happen at the end of the book.
The Author did a wonderful job with the character and matching them up but doing in a way that would happen natural to find out how it all happen. It was nice reading about them all and not confuse me while reading it. I will want to read books 1-5 understand completely soon though. I am going to be reading 5 "Twenty Wishes now."
The Author did a wonderful job with the character and matching them up but doing in a way that would happen natural to find out how it all happen. It was nice reading about them all and not confuse me while reading it. I will want to read books 1-5 understand completely soon though. I am going to be reading 5 "Twenty Wishes now."
Chelsee R Clawson (23 KP) rated American Horror Story - Season 1 in TV
Mar 16, 2018
Twistedly beautiful
This series is very refreshing. Weird and sometimes strange but like a guilty pleasure nonetheless leaving you wanting more! With storylines and characters so twisted and peculiar it leaves you totally mind boggled. And just so you know tate Langdon is sinfully delicious (just saying!) I have progressed to series 3 so far so I have a lot to catch up on (I know! Don't give me that judging look) ? but I will say from what I've seen, if you think the first series isnt enough to keep you up all night binge watching episodes like its going out of fashion. Just you wait! each following season gets better and awesomely shocking! your brain will start to wonder "wait... Did my eyeballs just see that!?" two thumbs up and two big toe wiggles from me thoroughly recommend to anyone who revels in not being normal, well because normal people scare me of course ?