Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Jonathan Higgs recommended Nevermind by Nirvana in Music (curated)

 
Nevermind by Nirvana
Nevermind by Nirvana
1991 | Alternative, Rock

"I can remember being introduced to this album at a very specific moment. I went round to my friend's house, and I think my sister had the CD and put it on, and I heard the introduction to 'Lithium' and those drums and I just thought: ""What the hell is this?"" It was the most exciting thing I'd ever heard. It was like that for a lot of people of course, I was no different. But it was very shortly after we heard that that my friend got a drum kit and my brother got a guitar, and my brother had a bass, and I knew that all I had to do was pick up that bass and we had a band. Nirvana were a three-piece and there were three of us. You didn't have to play very well, and you could play the same thing quietly and then play it loudly and that was kind of a revelation for a little kid. That was all Nirvana ever did and created the most amazing feelings with it. It was a very powerful thing to put into the hands of a little teenager. It's really easy to get together. You just all need to play the same thing on these three instruments and it will work, and you will sound like a band and that's so empowering. In terms of my musical style, Cobain has a really good way with melody and he doesn't really sing very obvious things. He always comes down on the major or minor third of a chord, and it really colours the music both positively and negatively in a way that not a lot of melodies do. The aggression in it and the fact that it can be tender in one moment and then the opposite the next is something which happens in my music. The emotional intensity of Nirvana is something which I definitely think my band is probably guilty of, in terms of high emotional stuff happening. They are really interesting, just in terms of the fact that there's so much depth in it, despite it being very simple, and the lyrics don't actually mean anything, and yet you can get so affected by Nirvana in such a strange way - not necessarily just because of Kurt's story, but because there is something in the music and it's very difficult to describe."

Source
  
Queen & Slim (2019)
Queen & Slim (2019)
2019 | Drama, Romance
Extremely Entertaining
In the first ten minutes, you have a good idea of how Queen & Slim is going to end. Two black people on a first date end up killing a cop during a traffic stop. In spite the dread of knowing where things are heading, the movie is so powerfully done that it gave me a bit of a chill as the credits were rolling.

Acting: 10
Daniel Kaluuya puts on yet another powerful performance, this time playing the role of the male love interest Slim. I love the way he chose to play this role as a man that doesn’t have it all together trying to figure things out on the fly. His counterpart Jodi Turner-Smith playing Queen is so on point as well carrying the strong emotional defensiveness of the lawyer that she is. Their chemistry drives this movie to heights I wasn’t expecting.

Beginning: 10

Characters: 10

Cinematography/Visuals: 10
The movie is beautifully shot with a number of strong sequences and setpieces that keep things interesting. Director Melina Matsoukas is a master of capturing emotional moments with well-timed closeups and long pauses. She pushes the emotions out of the viewers with tender scenes and scenes that get your blood boiling.

Conflict: 10

Entertainment Value: 10

Memorability: 9
This movie sticks, it sticks with you. It’s hard to walk away from it and not feel some way or the other. It will challenge you emotionally and mentally. It’s not perfect as it does stick to a pretty linear script, but it’s extremely memorable nonethless.

Pace: 10
Because of the constant danger the two main characters are under, the movie moves quick even when they’re just sitting around awaiting their next piece of the plan. It’s heartpounding like knowing a car crash is coming, but you’re forced to watch it anyway. There is no standing still. They’re always on the run so the pace remains uptempo.

Plot: 8

Resolution: 10

Overall: 97
Yes Queen & Slim is pretty linear, but it works for the building of the relationship within the story. And yes you see the ending coming but there’s a true power that comes from it that makes it worth it. The conflict is great, but the dialogue solidifies it for me as a classic. See this movie.
  
40x40

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Flatshare in Books

Sep 13, 2019  
The Flatshare
The Flatshare
Beth O'Leary | 2019 | Contemporary, Romance
9
8.7 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's been two months since I finished this book, but I still remember it fondly. This was such a funny, sexy, and sweet read, but balanced out by its serious themes, too. I was a little wary at first, because Tiffy seemed completely obsessed with Justin, her ex, and utterly lacking in self-esteem, and I wasn't sure I'd care for her. But it quickly becomes apparent that there is/was more to Tiffy and Justin's relationship than meets the eye, and that our heroine is battling a lot.

And then there's Leon, our quiet nurse, who I liked nearly immediately. I'm sure it had nothing to do with that the fact that he doesn't like to talk to people. I didn't recognize a kindred spirit or anything. Leon, too, has a lot on his plate, with a brother in jail whom he feels was wrongly convicted.

With Tiffy and Leon having never met, we receive their communication via notes they leave in the flat, which is actually way more charming and witty that it might sound. We also get dialogue from each, told in their own style, which made them both very much seem their own person from the start. Tiffy quickly became funny and enjoyable--she just had a million miles of personality, and it was hard not to love her. And, Leon, of course, was incredibly lovable in a way that's hard to describe. (He's a nurse who took care of the elderly and kids in such a kind and tender way, okay?!)

So, O'Leary gives a wonderful surface layer of funny, quirky, and sweet. I mean, we know what we are getting, right? These two flatmates are going to fall in love via notes or something. But there's such a deeper, serious layer underneath due to Tiffy and Leon's own troubles. It brings such a nice addition to the usual formula and just gave the story so much more. Sure, a few coincidences abound, but it doesn't diminish the fun and enjoyment in reading Tiffy and Leon's tale at all.

Overall, this book made me smile. It's endearing and fun. I loved both Tiffy and Leon and their supporting cast--Leon's brother; most of Tiffy's friends; and the gang where Leon worked. The format was different and unique and easy to read. A real winner here. 4.5 stars.
  
    Lil Pics - Photo Editor

    Lil Pics - Photo Editor

    Photo & Video and Lifestyle

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    COLORFUL IS POWERFUL "The best app for pregnant and new Mummies": bright juicy ARTWORKS with...

    Square Point of Sale (POS)

    Square Point of Sale (POS)

    Business and Finance

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    Square Point of Sale (formerly Register) is the free point-of-sale app that gives you everything you...

    FDR

    FDR

    Jean Edward Smith

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    Book

    One of today's premier biographers has written a modern, comprehensive, indeed ultimate book on the...

The Kraken's Queen (Grym Hollow #3)
The Kraken's Queen (Grym Hollow #3)
Tati B. Alvarez | 2025 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE KRAKEN'S QUEEN is the third full-length novel in the Grym Hollow series and I loved every word!

Erin has been through hell at the hands of someone who claimed they loved her, leaving her half dead - literally. Allarick has his queen but will she be able to cope?

You know what? I adored Allarick! He never doubted Erin personally and was in awe of her strength, even when she thought she had none. He supported and encouraged her from day one, respecting her boundaries and letting her set the pace. And Erin herself? She broke my heart! I was egging her on every step of the way, her small steps being celebrated by me just as much as Allarick! When she finally broke free of the chains of her past, it was amazing to see, as well as being spicy! 😁 The safety she found in Allarick and his tentacles was so well-written. After all, it wasn't tentacles that had hurt her!!!

You would think after seeing his two fellow kings and their brides, Allarick would have realised that trying to keep his new bride safe and protected just wasn't going to work. I mean, come on, dude! BUT it was for the right reasons, so I'll let him off!

As with every book by this author, it was well-written, well-paced, with amazing world- and character-building. Hot and spicy, tender and caring, it's all here. I know once I pick up a book by this author, I'm going nowhere until I've finished it! And what an ending! Did I have a satisfied smile on my face when I read the epilogue and found out what happened to James? Why, yes I did! And bring on the next book!!! I can't wait.

In case you haven't realised yet, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and the series! It would be better to read them in order but you could read them as standalone IF you wanted to miss out on the fabulousness of the others.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 13, 2025