Sign up
Search
Advanced search settings

Search only in certain items:

Search results
All (3982)
Content
People
Apps
Books
Orbs
Movies
Music
Podcasts
Shows
Tabletop Games
Tech
TV
Video Games
YouTube Channels
Videos
40x40

Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Late Spring (1949) in Movies

Jan 28, 2021  
Late Spring (1949)
Late Spring (1949)
1949 |
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
As elegant, patient, polite and deliberately still as a side of civilised Japanese life that existed both at the time and for decades before and after. Difficult for our modern western sensibilities to readjust to. It is just so slow and seemingly eventless. It concerns the life of 27 year old Noriko, played by Ozu’s muse Setsuko Hara, with whom he made many of his best loved films. She is constantly hassled by family members and friends to get married, but is much more concerned by her relationship with her sick father, who she is content to care for. The more she is pushed the more her polite smile becomes a rictus of hidden sadness and anxiety. Small meetings, quiet words and subtle gestures take on larger meanings, and the story becomes more tragic the more you engage with Hara’s lovely performance.

I did find it hard to relate to, and couldn’t quite find the stillness within myself to just go with it. Its pace made me jittery to do something more exciting, and it wasn’t quite as transcendingly beautiful as I’d been led to believe. Saying that, I appreciated the skill of Ozu’s camera work, in framing and capturing delicate scenes and moments. I also learned the phrase “tatami cam”, which describes the low angle he often uses to demonstrate humility and respect. A gentle tale with great resonance regarding our responsibilities to others and our own repressed desires. Most interesting in how it contrasts with western cinema of the same time.
  
40x40

Suswatibasu (1702 KP) rated The Poisonwood Bible in Books

Jul 24, 2017  
The Poisonwood Bible
The Poisonwood Bible
Barbara Kingsolver | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
10
7.9 (15 Ratings)
Book Rating
Detailed look into colonialism in Congo
Barbara Kingsolver's epic novel about missionaries and colonialism in the Congo through the eyes of the women in a Christian American family is decadent and detailed. While many will complain about the hard hitting truths of complicity of western nations in destroying the country, it is extremely important and brings to light many historically overlooked issues.

Keeping in mind that this is fictional, the various narratives​ are well researched to the point where at times it seems plausible and factual. The four main voices are completely different from one another and sometimes the anti-communist voice seemed like a mockery of that type of rhetoric. Leah's voice seemed more realistic than the others. Overall, a well written piece of literary fiction.
  
40x40

Awix (3310 KP) rated The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017) in Movies

Feb 12, 2018  
The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017)
The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017)
2017 | Action, Comedy
6
7.6 (92 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Nothing says knockabout comedy like a truck bomb
Raucous action-comedy odd-couple movie with uptight protection agent Ryan Reynolds having to get laid-back hired killer Samuel L Jackson to the court on time so he can testify against evil despot Gary Oldman (one of his 'just here for the cheque' performances).

Some good jokes and well-mounted action but you have to wonder about a movie which thinks there's nothing tonally weird about including scenes of women and children being cold-bloodedly murdered or terror attacks on western cities in what's essentially a knockabout comedy. Some genuinely funny moments and nice chemistry between the two leads, but hard to get past the fundamental moral vacancy of it all.
  
40x40

Sue (5 KP) rated Murder on a Girls' Night Out (Southern Sisters, #1) in Books

Aug 13, 2018  
MO
Murder on a Girls' Night Out (Southern Sisters, #1)
Anne George | 2001
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What do you get when you have a disciplined retired school teacher and her much-married full of surprises sister? A hilarious mystery that will keep you in stitches and wanting more.

When Patricia Ann is roped into visiting the newly purchased country western bar by her sister Mary Alice, she has no idea that they would get mixed into a wild murder mystery. When previous owner Ed is found dead in the bar, the sisters get knee deep in hilariously trying to solve the murder.

If you are looking for a cozy mystery with fun characters, lots of humor and quick wit, and a madcap who-dunnit, then this is a definite book to add to your TBR list.