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Collateral Beauty (2016)
Collateral Beauty (2016)
2016 | Drama
Tackles a difficult subject fairly well
A film about grief and the death of a child is never going to be a pleasant watch, but I felt like Collateral Beauty manages fairly well.

The premise is interesting (although obviously not something you can imagine happening in real life) and it has a fantastic cast. Will Smith does okay although I'm not sure if he was quite as good as id expected. Whenever he isn't on screen, the film almost takes on a lighthearted feel which is good as otherwise it'd be too overwhelmingly depressing. I found the ending a little odd though and I'm not sure the reveal had quite the impact that was intended. I'm also not too keen on the phrase "collateral beauty" - it doesn't quite roll off your tongue and because of this when it's featured in the film itself, to me it didn't come across as meaningful as intended.
  
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Sarah (7800 KP) rated How to Stop Time in Books

Jun 16, 2018  
How to Stop Time
How to Stop Time
Matt Haig | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
7
8.0 (21 Ratings)
Book Rating
Good but could've been so much more
Although the plots are nowhere near identical (long life vs reborn) this book really reminds me of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August. But sadly more of a poorer cousin.

Don't get me wrong, it's a great idea for a story and it's done fairly well. Tom is a loveable main character (even if the surname of Hazard is just silly) and the book keeps you interested and reading throughout. The problem is that despite trying hard, there isn't enough threat or intrigue or real danger to really hook you completely. It tries, but its more of a weak effort and the ending comes rather abruptly without warning and without any real satisfaction. Its a shame as the rest of the story is very good, and it hasn't put me off reading any of Matt Haig's other books, as he is a promising author.
  
Wildling (2018)
Wildling (2018)
2018 | Fantasy, Horror
A child who has been protected from the Wildlings by her Daddy finds out that her life isn't what she thought it was.



Not quite as horror as I was expecting, the fantasy nature of this one made it much more enjoyable.

A good story with a nice progression to it. It was nice to see Liv Tyler in something after what seems like such a long time. I was also pleased to see Brad Dourif, he's the face you always see in things, and he's always just a little creepy.

The audio effects were good in this one, the extra little grumbles and noises as she's becoming less human, and the enhanced hearing. Each bit comes together to add something to the scenes. I didn't feel like the visual effects quite met up to their standards though.

Still though, this was an enjoyable watch, and although there were some predictable bits everything was genuinely entertaining.
  
Angel 6.0: Concubine (Angel 6.0 #1)
Angel 6.0: Concubine (Angel 6.0 #1)
Travis Luedke | 2015 | Erotica, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a fast-paced sci-fi erotica novella, the main character of which is an "experiment". She isn't human, she wasn't born but created, and yet she thinks and feels. 'Angel' is kept aboard Nugene station and is the secret of D'Anton - her "father" - and Carver - her "lover".

Her life is good until the day The Gran board the station, earlier than expected, and sees her. They decide that they will have her and the story takes off very quickly. Above all, Angel is a survivor and she will do whatever it takes to make sure that she does. Facing sorrow, loss and fear, she comes out fighting.

The first instalment of this sci-fi erotica series starts with a bang and is brilliant reading from start to finish. Definitely recommended for a short, hot read.

* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 25, 2016
  
The Man in the High Castle  - Season 1
The Man in the High Castle - Season 1
2015 | Sci-Fi
All the thrills and twists and turns of a good spy story (1 more)
Lots of Awesome Easter eggs and references for history Buffs
The pacing can be a little slow (0 more)
The man in the High Castle is a beautifully crafted story of an alternate 1960s timeline where the axis won worldWar 2 now America has been split in the middle by the Germans and Japanese incorporating their culture and beliefs into everyday life the story follows a few different individuals who's lives are changed forever when they come across and watch propaganda films that show a very different outcome of World War 2 these films inspire hope and are quickly becoming the strongest weapon in the resistance Arsenal
  
The Busconductor Hines
The Busconductor Hines
James Kelman | 1992 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I like the normality of this book. (0 more)
Slow (0 more)
Fairly good read
As realism goes, this book is spot on. Kelman's portrayal of Glasgow in the 1980's is accurate. The book is written in 5 chapters, each detailing the unsatisfactory life of Hines who is caught up in a job he feels desperately unhappy in, a struggling marriage and early signs of depression. Whilst Kelman's use of realism sucks the reader into 'place' the novel itself is frustrating in the sense that their is no real plot and nothing really exciting happens. I struggled to finish the book and was disappointed at the end. I can however, commend the author on his realist technique.
  
I am Jonas (2018)
I am Jonas (2018)
2018 | International, Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
French with subtitles (0 more)
Not a bad film
I enjoy a gay romantic film from time to time. Although this one wasn't all new experience and happy endings it's quite a sad one but I still enjoyed it.

Good film about a young man (Jonas) that becomes good friends with a new guy at school (Nathan) they share a few kisses and a small romance starts. The film jumps from the main character as a 15 year old boy to an adult showing both parts of his life and how he wasn't on the best path and it explains why as the film goes on. These two young boys head off for a date night at the cinema Jonas is the innocent one and wants to go home after but Nathan the adventurous one wants to try and sneak into a gay bar unable to get in they take an offer from a man to take them to another bar, one thing leads to another and Jonas is left deserted and Nathan gone. Good film for a late night watch and if you don't mind reading subtitles.