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A Monster Calls (2016)
A Monster Calls (2016)
2016 | Drama, Fantasy
The acting (2 more)
The CGI
The tree was like a giant Groot
No closer with Dad and bully (0 more)
Imaginative, fun and emotional
This was a fantastic film. I did not know much going into this movie other then there being a giant tree monster. This movie took my breath away. From the acting to the CGI. The animation sequences made to look like water colors was just brilliant.

You just never new what to expect out of the movie which is always a good thing. You don't know if the tree is good or if it is evil. Something you think the tree is just a big jerk trying to pull one over on Conner. I like how they made it seem that the monster was growing inside of Conner, showing that Conner was the monster, even though I never thought that during the movie. I thought he was just a kid in trouble. Bully's at school, dad not there, mom sick and a Grandma that treated him like a baby. Eventually you new he was just going to act out. When he did there was no punishment. They just told him why bother. I thought this was either because he could learn from his mistakes or that everyone felt sorry that his mom was dying. I think he just wanted to be punished for acting out. But no punishment did seem like his punishment.


The water color stories in the movie were done really well, it felt like you were falling into the story. It showed there is many ways to take life or how to interpret life experiences. What you do is what matters most. In the end Conner just had to learn the truth.


There is a monster tree lurking in all of us, we just have to listen for it. See the movie and you will know why.
  
This Little Piggy
This Little Piggy
Bea Davenport | 2014 | Crime, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is another book that has been on my "to be read" pile since 2015!! I really have no excuse!

Set in the North East of England in 1984 at the height of the miners' strike, this is a story that captivated me from the start.

A baby is dead under suspicious circumstances and Clare is tasked with reporting the story but as she does so, she becomes embroiled in the life of a young girl (Amy) who seems to have seen what happened but can what she is saying be trusted or is she just making things up? Clare has her own baggage both in her personal and working life and this is well depicted and explored making her believable but some of her choices questionable. The development of the relationship between Clare and Amy felt authentic for the time the book was set it ... I don't think you would have got away with this had this been set in a later time period.

The book is told from Clare's perspective and this was a refreshing change as it gave a different insight into a murder "investigation" from someone other than a Police Officer. The backdrop of the miners' strike and the run-down estate created additional tension and unease throughout. The pace of the book was good if a little slow in places and I did work out quite early on who the murderer was but found it interesting to see how the story developed and was surprised how long it took for others to work it out!

Overall, a pretty good read and I want to thank Legend Press and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review but also apologise to them for taking so long to get round to it.
  
Going into this book I was not sure what to expect, as I do not often read books where the main character is in middle grades. It is the first book in a series about Ginny West and the adventures she goes on while growing up (think Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn, only geared toward a younger audience. So, the book is filled with real-life examples, valuable lessons, and interesting dialogue between Ginny and her crew of characters. This book deals with Ginny figuring out how to get a new mom and making a packed with her best friend Tilly over how to accomplish this goal. It was cute and a good lesson in second chances, dealing with your emotions and growing up.

I enjoyed this story, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series to learn more about Ginny’s adventures. 4 out of 5 stars for the creative storyline, fun characters, and applicable life lessons.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
I, Tonya (2017)
I, Tonya (2017)
2017 | Biography, Drama, Sport
I didn’t realise that this would be as funny and as serious (at the same time!) as it was. What a life Tonya Harding has had. I remember hearing about the attack on Nancy Kerrigan and thinking how awful it was (I must have been about 19 - this film also made me feel ‘mature’). It was good to see the story behind that attack. It’s quite sad really, and I think that came across really well.
I thought the actors were really well chosen - Margot Robbie really was a surprise. Isn’t only ever seen her as Harley Quinn, and Tonya Harding is really NOT Harley Quinn!
This is worth a watch. Very entertaining.