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Lee (2222 KP) rated The Big Sick (2017) in Movies
Jul 25, 2017
Pretty Average
It's probably best not to take this review too seriously as I actually managed to fall asleep during this movie at two or three separate points so I'm not sure how much of it I missed!! Note to self: Do not go on a brewery tour, followed by a tasting session, just a few short hours before heading into the cinema...
That being said, I did see a fairly large chunk of the start of the movie, and towards the end, and what I saw was pretty average. The characters were average and the interaction between them all was so-so. The humour was pretty light but the story itself, particularly due to the fact that it's based on true events, was actually very good. To be honest though, I'm not sure I understand all the buzz surrounding this movie and it obviously didn't grab me enough to keep me awake either.
That being said, I did see a fairly large chunk of the start of the movie, and towards the end, and what I saw was pretty average. The characters were average and the interaction between them all was so-so. The humour was pretty light but the story itself, particularly due to the fact that it's based on true events, was actually very good. To be honest though, I'm not sure I understand all the buzz surrounding this movie and it obviously didn't grab me enough to keep me awake either.
Johana Lee Scott (4 KP) rated How to Walk Away in Books
May 25, 2018
story (2 more)
realness
genuine
I Couldn't Put It Down
Let me just start by saying I received an advanced copy of this book thru #shespeaks. I thought it was going to be an average romantic plotted read. It was so much more for me. This book hit home with the realness and struggle a person goes thru after a life changing accident. In 1984 my other was crushed in a car accident, while she was pregnant with my little brother. Her best friend died. They told my mother she would never walk again. She struggled and fought and struggled some more. This book didn't sugar coat how difficult something like this can be. I appreciated this book much more than I can ever say. You can literally go from having everything...and nothing in literally one moment. Building yourself back up is the true victory after something like that happens.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Much Ado About You (Essex Sisters, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Much Ado About You was a lovely historical romance. Eloisa James' writing has an almost lyrical lilt to it that is fresh and delightful. The story was nicely told and paced, and felt more true-to-life than others I've read in the same genre. Tess was a wonderful and likable heroine who was smart, witty and confident. I look forward to future installments and can't wait for Imogen to grow up and mature. All along the book reminded me a bit of Little Women, even though I've never read it and only seen the film version with Winona Ryder, and in the back of the book Ms. James acknowledges that she was inspired by Louisa May Alcott. My only quibble would be that Lucius could have been more fleshed out and the end seemed a bit abrupt. Other than that, I really enjoyed this quick and easy foray into Eloisa James' charming and witty world of the Essex sisters.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated All the Money in the World (2017) in Movies
Feb 17, 2019
Drawn out
It's a shame that this film will always be known as the film that deleted Kevin Spacey. And although i like Christopher Plummer, I spent the entirety of this wondering if it would've been any better if they had left Spacey in.
The main problem with this film is that it drags out a basic kidnapping across 2 hours and it is just far too long. There wasn't enough tension to hold my attention and i found myself getting a little bored. There were some good performances but they couldn't lift the drearyness from this film. I also really couldn't stand Michelle Williams, which is unusual as I used to think she was a good actress, but in this and Venom that I've seen her in recently, she's been pretty bad.
Ultimately there isn't really much in this film to recommend. If you wanted to know the true story behind this, it'd be better just to look it up.
The main problem with this film is that it drags out a basic kidnapping across 2 hours and it is just far too long. There wasn't enough tension to hold my attention and i found myself getting a little bored. There were some good performances but they couldn't lift the drearyness from this film. I also really couldn't stand Michelle Williams, which is unusual as I used to think she was a good actress, but in this and Venom that I've seen her in recently, she's been pretty bad.
Ultimately there isn't really much in this film to recommend. If you wanted to know the true story behind this, it'd be better just to look it up.
Sam (74 KP) rated Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy (Gallagher Girls, #2) in Books
Mar 27, 2019
This series is so addictive. I completely devoured this second book after finishing the first. It’s the sort of book that you can binge in one sitting which is partly why I loved it so much.
This was even better than the first book. There was somehow even more action and drama packed into this little book and it still didn’t feel like there was to much in such a short space. The action was completely gripping and still managed to keep me hooked to the point that I bought the third book while I was halfway through reading this one.
I loved Cammie even more in this one. Her wit gets me laughing in places and I felt every single emotion she was feeling in the book. For YA, the novel is so emotionally written and I loved that. You can completely tell with this series that Ally Carter had a true bond with Cammie, which really brings her story to life.
This was even better than the first book. There was somehow even more action and drama packed into this little book and it still didn’t feel like there was to much in such a short space. The action was completely gripping and still managed to keep me hooked to the point that I bought the third book while I was halfway through reading this one.
I loved Cammie even more in this one. Her wit gets me laughing in places and I felt every single emotion she was feeling in the book. For YA, the novel is so emotionally written and I loved that. You can completely tell with this series that Ally Carter had a true bond with Cammie, which really brings her story to life.
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.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Eddie The Eagle (2016) in Movies
Feb 17, 2018 (Updated Feb 17, 2018)
Rather baffling sports comedy bio-pic from the producers of the Kingsman series; shares several key personnel and obsession with reverse snobbery. Working class lad dreams of becoming Olympian, is cruelly rejected by posh sports authorities, battles adversity to come a heroic last at the Olympics.
Theoretically based on a true story, but the actual facts of Michael Edwards' life are almost entirely discarded: the most interesting character in the film is his trainer (Jackman), who isn't even a real person. The film seems more concerned with endlessly banging on about how awful the upper classes are and presenting Edwards as a loveable clown; it's not as if this actually helps the film, because it's not really very funny. Deploys various sports movie clichés reasonably effectively; the fact that the climax is presented not as 'can he win?' but 'can he avoid killing himself?' is implicitly amusing, I suppose. Potentially an interesting topic for a film; not in this version, though.
Theoretically based on a true story, but the actual facts of Michael Edwards' life are almost entirely discarded: the most interesting character in the film is his trainer (Jackman), who isn't even a real person. The film seems more concerned with endlessly banging on about how awful the upper classes are and presenting Edwards as a loveable clown; it's not as if this actually helps the film, because it's not really very funny. Deploys various sports movie clichés reasonably effectively; the fact that the climax is presented not as 'can he win?' but 'can he avoid killing himself?' is implicitly amusing, I suppose. Potentially an interesting topic for a film; not in this version, though.
Kimmic (814 KP) rated Call the Midwife (The Midwife Trilogy #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
True stories about real life in 1950's (3 more)
Compelling story
A real eye opener
A warts and all insight into pregnancy and life in the 1950's
A compelling read
This book made me laugh, cry, retch and stayed with me for some time after I finished it.
It gives you a real insight into the gruesome stories and life that the women (and men) of the 1950's endured and how nursing and midwives played a part in that.
I must admit that parts of the book will require a strong stomach to read, but I assume that if you are willing to read about childbirth in this era, then you expect some grueling details.
I did truly enjoy this book, and the authors interpretation of her past. Even if you have not experienced childbirth or pregnancy, I think that you would enjoy this book.
It gives you a real insight into the gruesome stories and life that the women (and men) of the 1950's endured and how nursing and midwives played a part in that.
I must admit that parts of the book will require a strong stomach to read, but I assume that if you are willing to read about childbirth in this era, then you expect some grueling details.
I did truly enjoy this book, and the authors interpretation of her past. Even if you have not experienced childbirth or pregnancy, I think that you would enjoy this book.
Jessica Erdas (463 KP) rated Brain on Fire (2016) in Movies
Jun 26, 2018
Based on a true story
Based on the life and book by the same name by Susannah Cahalan, this movie follows the events of a 21 year old girl who suddenly begins experiencing strange flu-like symptoms. She goes to a doctor who tells her that all of her tests came back clear and there's nothing wrong with her. As she continues to work through the strange symptoms, they become increasingly severe. She begins to have seizures, psychotic episodes of paranoia, and is diagnosed with one mental illness after another. None of which explain why Susannah was previously a perfectly healthy 21 year old girl or what brought on the strange symptoms. Her family pushes to find answers where the team of doctors believe she belongs in a psychiatric facility. The movie is a little slow paced but I believe it was necessary to really encompass the severity and impact of the situation that Susannah and her family experienced. Definitely worth a watch.