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Awix (3310 KP) rated Last Christmas (2019) in Movies
Dec 3, 2019
Thunderously crass and obvious Christmas turkey, in which A Christmas Carol is involved in a head-on smash with the Richard Curtis rom-com formula: many normally reliable performers are scythed down by the shrapnel, possibly along with unfortunate audience members. The Christmas Carol personal-redemption story formula requires the lead character to be a horrible person in need of reformation; the rom-com pattern requires them to be cute and loveable from the start. Even if Emilia Clarke was as good an actress as I am always being told, she would need to be equipped with a much better script in order to square this particular circle.
This is the main problem the film has to contend with; others include the misplaced belief that quirkiness is an acceptable substitute for actual wit, and a generally pervasive sense of insincerity (it's hard to shake the notion that some key cast members were only employed to help flog this thing in Asian markets). This is before we get to the astonishing non-twist central to the story, or the glib platitudes casually dropped into the script. I imagine people will say its heart is in the right place (somewhat ironically); this is only true if you think the correct place for the heart is between the ears. I laughed once, and this was understandable, for it was at Peter Serafinowicz: unfortunately he is only in one scene.
This is the main problem the film has to contend with; others include the misplaced belief that quirkiness is an acceptable substitute for actual wit, and a generally pervasive sense of insincerity (it's hard to shake the notion that some key cast members were only employed to help flog this thing in Asian markets). This is before we get to the astonishing non-twist central to the story, or the glib platitudes casually dropped into the script. I imagine people will say its heart is in the right place (somewhat ironically); this is only true if you think the correct place for the heart is between the ears. I laughed once, and this was understandable, for it was at Peter Serafinowicz: unfortunately he is only in one scene.
Kate (493 KP) rated The Summer My Life Began in Books
Jan 6, 2020
I really enjoyed the first story, Em's Story, better than the second story.
The first book was really heartwarming. I loved how much Em grew throughout the book and how she changed as a person. I was hoping she would and she did. The twist at the end was very unexpected and helped explain the story and tie up some lose ends. It really made the story. The chapter had me hooked and the book didn't go how I thought it would but that's what grabbed my attention and kept me reading.
There were a few spelling mistakes and missed words here and there but it didn't effect the the story or the way it read.
This book was romance but also about finding yourself and growing as a person.
The whole story made me smile throughout.
I felt this book was for any age group.
The most memorable part of the book was the description of Anna Island. I really could see it in my mind's eye. Sounded idyllic.
The second book didn't grab me as much and I felt myself getting a bit bored. It was so on and off and it didn't really add to the book or keep me gripped.
I didn't really feel the character or feel for them.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
The first book was really heartwarming. I loved how much Em grew throughout the book and how she changed as a person. I was hoping she would and she did. The twist at the end was very unexpected and helped explain the story and tie up some lose ends. It really made the story. The chapter had me hooked and the book didn't go how I thought it would but that's what grabbed my attention and kept me reading.
There were a few spelling mistakes and missed words here and there but it didn't effect the the story or the way it read.
This book was romance but also about finding yourself and growing as a person.
The whole story made me smile throughout.
I felt this book was for any age group.
The most memorable part of the book was the description of Anna Island. I really could see it in my mind's eye. Sounded idyllic.
The second book didn't grab me as much and I felt myself getting a bit bored. It was so on and off and it didn't really add to the book or keep me gripped.
I didn't really feel the character or feel for them.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Twisted Fairy Tales: Little Rude Riding Hood in Books
Mar 26, 2020
Telling of Little Red Riding Hood to help children learn the importance of manners
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
I am sure you realize from the title, Twisted Fairy Tales: Little Rude Riding Hood, is a twist on Little Red Riding Hood. Author Jo Franklin and illustrator Chris Jevons are able to produce a children's book that teaches the necessity of good manners.
It is not a long book. Several reviewers noted the book felt rushed. It did feel the main character, Little Rude Riding Hood, learned her lesson quickly. It is this brevity that allows it to be perfect for storytime in schools.
Little Rude Riding Hood heads to her grandmother's house and is rude to everyone she meets along the way. It is no surprise when she learns her lesson in the end and earns the name Little Red Riding Hood. She learns to say please and thank you and stops being rude. Children will enjoy the illustrations and, hopefully, learn their manners from this story.
Twisted Fairy Tales is a series of children's books published by Arcturus Publishing. Others in the series illustrated by Chris Jevons include Twisted Fairy Tales: Snow White and the Seven Robots and Twisted Fairy Tales: The Three Little Narwhals. This is the only book in the series written by Jo Franklin.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/25/20.
I am sure you realize from the title, Twisted Fairy Tales: Little Rude Riding Hood, is a twist on Little Red Riding Hood. Author Jo Franklin and illustrator Chris Jevons are able to produce a children's book that teaches the necessity of good manners.
It is not a long book. Several reviewers noted the book felt rushed. It did feel the main character, Little Rude Riding Hood, learned her lesson quickly. It is this brevity that allows it to be perfect for storytime in schools.
Little Rude Riding Hood heads to her grandmother's house and is rude to everyone she meets along the way. It is no surprise when she learns her lesson in the end and earns the name Little Red Riding Hood. She learns to say please and thank you and stops being rude. Children will enjoy the illustrations and, hopefully, learn their manners from this story.
Twisted Fairy Tales is a series of children's books published by Arcturus Publishing. Others in the series illustrated by Chris Jevons include Twisted Fairy Tales: Snow White and the Seven Robots and Twisted Fairy Tales: The Three Little Narwhals. This is the only book in the series written by Jo Franklin.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/25/20.
Kate (493 KP) rated The Silent Patient in Books
Apr 12, 2020
Gripping read - kept me guessing
This is one of the best books I have read and I have read a lot. I was gripped from the very start and it was good going back and forward from past to present as the full story starts to come together.
I read a lot of crime books and can usually guess the perpetrator and the motive usually quite quickly but this book had me guessing. When Alicia and Theo's story merge and everything falls into place this was something I could never have guessed. It all made sense and you kind of say 'oh yeah'. When I got to this part of the book I had to finish this. I couldn't put it down all the way through. I finished it in 2 days.
I started to feel for Theo. Alicia's silence was frustrating me and I was just the reader. The things happening in his personal life were awful and I wanted to tell him what do as he was on a bad path. But it is surprising hoe your feelings for a character can change so quickly. This happened with a few characters but mainly Theo.
Anyone who reads and enjoys crime books should definitely give this book a read. It is a different type of crime book.
The book exceeded all expectations based on the blurb.
I would read other books from Alex Michaelides.
I read a lot of crime books and can usually guess the perpetrator and the motive usually quite quickly but this book had me guessing. When Alicia and Theo's story merge and everything falls into place this was something I could never have guessed. It all made sense and you kind of say 'oh yeah'. When I got to this part of the book I had to finish this. I couldn't put it down all the way through. I finished it in 2 days.
I started to feel for Theo. Alicia's silence was frustrating me and I was just the reader. The things happening in his personal life were awful and I wanted to tell him what do as he was on a bad path. But it is surprising hoe your feelings for a character can change so quickly. This happened with a few characters but mainly Theo.
Anyone who reads and enjoys crime books should definitely give this book a read. It is a different type of crime book.
The book exceeded all expectations based on the blurb.
I would read other books from Alex Michaelides.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Annie (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
The 2014 re-make of Annie, starring Jamie Foxx as Will Stacks, Quvenzhané Wallis as
Annie, Rose Byrne as Grace, Bobby Cannavale as Guy and Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan
is a musical that is fun and caused me to sing along.
The story was cute, and obviously at least somewhat predictable if you are older
than 30-ish.
Parts of it were a very tiny bit scary for my son (6), mostly centered around Annie
being swept off by 'bad guys'.
Cameron Diaz does a pretty good job as Miss Hannigan and sings fairly well. She
doesn't 'copy' Carol Burnetts role as Miss Hannigan, but rather makes it her own,
modern version.
Jamie Foxx is great as Will Stacks and has a great voice. He portrays gruff and
unapproachable very well, and I liked him in the role.
The show stealer was Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie. Her performance was great and she
sang her little heart out. I connected with her emotionally and found her to be very
believable as a kid trying to find her place in the world.
I liked the film, and feel it is a good re-make. It isn't one hundred percent like
the original, but a new, modern twist on it.
My son liked it, and my husband liked it more than he thought he would.
We would be happy to see it again in the theatre.
I would give this over 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Annie, Rose Byrne as Grace, Bobby Cannavale as Guy and Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan
is a musical that is fun and caused me to sing along.
The story was cute, and obviously at least somewhat predictable if you are older
than 30-ish.
Parts of it were a very tiny bit scary for my son (6), mostly centered around Annie
being swept off by 'bad guys'.
Cameron Diaz does a pretty good job as Miss Hannigan and sings fairly well. She
doesn't 'copy' Carol Burnetts role as Miss Hannigan, but rather makes it her own,
modern version.
Jamie Foxx is great as Will Stacks and has a great voice. He portrays gruff and
unapproachable very well, and I liked him in the role.
The show stealer was Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie. Her performance was great and she
sang her little heart out. I connected with her emotionally and found her to be very
believable as a kid trying to find her place in the world.
I liked the film, and feel it is a good re-make. It isn't one hundred percent like
the original, but a new, modern twist on it.
My son liked it, and my husband liked it more than he thought he would.
We would be happy to see it again in the theatre.
I would give this over 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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