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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Two Popes (2019) in Movies
Dec 6, 2019 (Updated Dec 6, 2019)
'And it's in nomine patris from me...' '...et in spiritus sancti from him.' Slightly oddball true-life drama doesn't go quite as far as that, but is still much funnier and lighter than it sounds from the capsule synopsis - any film which sees the college of cardinals going into conclave while Dancing Queen plays on the soundtrack, and droll enough to show the two pontiffs watching the World Cup final together (Germany-Argentina, of course) obviously has something to say for itself.
The question is what that is. No doubt the decision to make the film a comedy-drama was partly inspired by concerns it could be offputtingly talky, but the talk works when it's delivered by two actors like Pryce and Hopkins, working with a very good script. The film is arguably biased in favour of Jorge Bergoglio, who is presented as warm, human, and compassionate; his life story is explored in much more detail than that of Joseph Ratzinger - but then again you could say the film does Ratzinger a big favour by largely ignoring the elephant in the room and his role in covering it up. Most of the film is very plausible, and it's only near the end that you begin to suspect how much of it is complete fiction. Still, it's engaging and plausible fiction, and - some distracting hand-held camerawork aside - mostly very well played and filmed.
The question is what that is. No doubt the decision to make the film a comedy-drama was partly inspired by concerns it could be offputtingly talky, but the talk works when it's delivered by two actors like Pryce and Hopkins, working with a very good script. The film is arguably biased in favour of Jorge Bergoglio, who is presented as warm, human, and compassionate; his life story is explored in much more detail than that of Joseph Ratzinger - but then again you could say the film does Ratzinger a big favour by largely ignoring the elephant in the room and his role in covering it up. Most of the film is very plausible, and it's only near the end that you begin to suspect how much of it is complete fiction. Still, it's engaging and plausible fiction, and - some distracting hand-held camerawork aside - mostly very well played and filmed.
The Real Deal: The Autobiography of Britain's Most Controversial Media Mogul
Book
From the age of five, when he helped his deaf father negotiate advertising contracts, Richard...
The Real Deal: The Autobiography of Britain's Most Controversial Media Mogul
8.0
Rate It
Book
From the age of five, when he helped his deaf father negotiate advertising contracts, Richard...
Merissa (12969 KP) rated Lantern (Danubian #1) in Books
Aug 16, 2023
LANTERN is the first book in the Danubian series, and we head to the future where we have gone back to the Dark Ages.
Wren has always known he would leave the Monastery and his lovers behind at some point, but when that time comes, he finds it harder than expected. Not only that, but the solitude of being high in the mountains with only a dog for company, is more than he can bear. Luckily for him, Uli comes along and it's a healthy dose of insta-love for both of them.
There is a lot of world-building and explanations of the spiritual side in this book, as you would expect from the first book in a series. I was enthralled by the descriptions of how life was, but would have liked more about Wren interacting with the villagers and trying to adjust to his new way of life, rather than his constant lamentations about being lonely. I would also have liked more descriptions of Ev and Soren and their relationship with Uli.
On the whole, though, this was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait to read the next in the series. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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!
Aug 16, 2023
Wren has always known he would leave the Monastery and his lovers behind at some point, but when that time comes, he finds it harder than expected. Not only that, but the solitude of being high in the mountains with only a dog for company, is more than he can bear. Luckily for him, Uli comes along and it's a healthy dose of insta-love for both of them.
There is a lot of world-building and explanations of the spiritual side in this book, as you would expect from the first book in a series. I was enthralled by the descriptions of how life was, but would have liked more about Wren interacting with the villagers and trying to adjust to his new way of life, rather than his constant lamentations about being lonely. I would also have liked more descriptions of Ev and Soren and their relationship with Uli.
On the whole, though, this was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait to read the next in the series. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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!
Aug 16, 2023
Merissa (12969 KP) rated Lust (Seven Princes of Sin #1) in Books
Apr 1, 2022
LUST is the first book in the Seven Princes of Sin series and boy, is this going to be a good one!
Now, before I go any further, please take note of the Trigger Warnings. This is a dark story with some graphic descriptions.
This is Donna and Adam's story. She is sent in to kill him, being as he and his brothers pose a threat to The Saints. However, Adam feels something for her from the beginning, even if he doesn't know what it is. He also recognises her from the surveillance photos he has. He lets her into his life, just to see what her plan is. What he didn't plan on was falling for her though.
I love all of these brothers! Strong, protective, and they value women -- the exact opposite of what Donna has lived with up until now. Each brother is different, which means I can't wait for their stories now!
I love how even though our boys are sons of hell, the real evil comes in the form of humans or those who are supposed to be 'good'.
There were a couple of editing errors that have slipped through the net, but nothing too bad and easy enough to ignore.
If you can deal with dark stories then I suggest you give this one a go. A fantastic start to the series that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending. Just be careful with those trigger warnings.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Now, before I go any further, please take note of the Trigger Warnings. This is a dark story with some graphic descriptions.
This is Donna and Adam's story. She is sent in to kill him, being as he and his brothers pose a threat to The Saints. However, Adam feels something for her from the beginning, even if he doesn't know what it is. He also recognises her from the surveillance photos he has. He lets her into his life, just to see what her plan is. What he didn't plan on was falling for her though.
I love all of these brothers! Strong, protective, and they value women -- the exact opposite of what Donna has lived with up until now. Each brother is different, which means I can't wait for their stories now!
I love how even though our boys are sons of hell, the real evil comes in the form of humans or those who are supposed to be 'good'.
There were a couple of editing errors that have slipped through the net, but nothing too bad and easy enough to ignore.
If you can deal with dark stories then I suggest you give this one a go. A fantastic start to the series that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending. Just be careful with those trigger warnings.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Popstar Never Stop Never Stopping (2016) in Movies
Mar 7, 2018
Donkey Roll All Day
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is a mockumentary following the life and times of hit maker Connor4Real (Andy Samberg). If you can manage to give in to its absolute absurdity, you are in for a major treat. Despite its short lull where a couple punchlines fall flat, Popstar has quickly risen to become one of my favorite comedies.
Not only is it funny, it's consistently funny. One minute you're laughing at something then something else ridiculously stupid happens and you're cracking up all over again. The hilarity ensues from the jump as you learn Connor4Real's history and the breakup of his former group The Style Boyz. Two words: Limo Scene. Just plain classic.
The cameos are countless and absurdly funny. The music is classic, the kind that gets stuck in your head, but in a good way. Saying too much else will ruin the experience. Just watch it. I give it a solid 98.
Not only is it funny, it's consistently funny. One minute you're laughing at something then something else ridiculously stupid happens and you're cracking up all over again. The hilarity ensues from the jump as you learn Connor4Real's history and the breakup of his former group The Style Boyz. Two words: Limo Scene. Just plain classic.
The cameos are countless and absurdly funny. The music is classic, the kind that gets stuck in your head, but in a good way. Saying too much else will ruin the experience. Just watch it. I give it a solid 98.
Gail (4 KP) rated Life's Gateway to Happiness (Show Me, #2) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Life’s Gateway To Happiness by Anne Stone
Four Stars
This story was super adorable. The characters personalities were well throughout and they fit their roles perfectly. The story had a really nice flow to it. I enjoyed that the characters weren’t rushed. There was no instant relationship. It was a nice build up. Alec was dedicated and super sweet. Kelly was a little naïve in the beginning but I feel she grew throughout the story. I don’t like when previous characters take over the book. I like when they're put into scenes and we learn how their life has been. In this case she moves in with her sister so those characters have no choice but to be there. I just feel that the moments that the script turns to other characters we lose time on what the main characters are doing. Overall it was a good read and I would like to continue reading more of this authors books.
Four Stars
This story was super adorable. The characters personalities were well throughout and they fit their roles perfectly. The story had a really nice flow to it. I enjoyed that the characters weren’t rushed. There was no instant relationship. It was a nice build up. Alec was dedicated and super sweet. Kelly was a little naïve in the beginning but I feel she grew throughout the story. I don’t like when previous characters take over the book. I like when they're put into scenes and we learn how their life has been. In this case she moves in with her sister so those characters have no choice but to be there. I just feel that the moments that the script turns to other characters we lose time on what the main characters are doing. Overall it was a good read and I would like to continue reading more of this authors books.
Deborah (162 KP) rated The Third Plantagenet: George, Duke of Clarence, Richard III's Brother in Books
Dec 21, 2018
John Ashdown-Hill really has the ability to write clearly and compellingly. This latest offering takes a look at the middle of the brothers of York, George, Duke of Clarence.
Much less well known than his more famous brothers, Edward IV and Richard III, nonetheless, Clarence and his life and death were am important part of the story of this period. His supposed death by drowning in a butt of Malmsey wine is one of those well known 'facts' that might be a mythology all of its own, but Ashdown-Hill provides evidence to suggest that drowning was used as a method of execution in this period and considered kinder than hanging or beheading!
It's not a long book and a good proportion is given over to a study of the Clarence vault at Tewksbury abbey and the remains therein. If you are interested in the period, this is certainly worth a read. I look forward to the forthcoming companion volume, The Dublin King.
Much less well known than his more famous brothers, Edward IV and Richard III, nonetheless, Clarence and his life and death were am important part of the story of this period. His supposed death by drowning in a butt of Malmsey wine is one of those well known 'facts' that might be a mythology all of its own, but Ashdown-Hill provides evidence to suggest that drowning was used as a method of execution in this period and considered kinder than hanging or beheading!
It's not a long book and a good proportion is given over to a study of the Clarence vault at Tewksbury abbey and the remains therein. If you are interested in the period, this is certainly worth a read. I look forward to the forthcoming companion volume, The Dublin King.
Tommo: Too Busy to Die
Book
Derek Thompson has been synonymous with horseracing on television for over three decades. Hugely...
A Terrible State
Book
'...The glaring fact, that this my country, by its careless consideration with regards to...