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Jeff Nichols recommended Hud (1963) in Movies (curated)

 
Hud (1963)
Hud (1963)
1963 | Drama, Western
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"This one — they’re just kissing cousins, really — but the last Paul Newman film I’ll talk about is Hud — just the greatest introduction to a character maybe ever on screen. You’ve got this goofy kid walking around town and he walks past the bar, and there’s glass on the sidewalk and the bar owner’s sweeping it up. And the kid goes, “Did you have trouble in here last night?” “I had Hud in here last night.” Such an awesome way to introduce the main character of this film. When you first meet him, he’s walking out of this married woman’s house putting his boots on and the husband pulls up, and he immediately blames his nephew. It’s this really incredible thing. I was lucky enough to work on a college professor’s documentary called The Rough South of Larry Brown. Which is about the writer Larry Brown out of Oxford, Mississippi. In that documentary Larry Brown talks about his writing, he says, “Yeah, you read my stuff and you read a little bit and you might think it’s pretty funny. And then you read a little bit more and you realize, it’s not funny worth a damn.” And that’s Hud. You start it off and you’re like, “Gosh, look at this rapscallion, this character,” and then you realize, “Wow, that’s not funny; there is some deep stuff inside that man that is hurt and angry, but is manifesting itself in very evil ways.” The complexity of that — it’s different than Newman’s character in The Hustler. In The Hustler, he’s doing pride, but there’s something deep going on in Hud that’s darker. It’s more about family and legacy and things that I think, because it’s attached to the family, I relate to very much. I had to deal with familial relationships that are complex."

Source
  
The Wife Who Got A Life
The Wife Who Got A Life
Tracy Bloom | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved this book. I’ll be honest and say that I thought I’d made a mistake when I first started reading it, but the further I read, the more I laughed (and cried), and the more I loved it!

Cathy the main character, is a 48 year old version of Adrian Mole. I’m sorry, but I had to go there! There are a lot of similarities: the humour, the long-suffering diary writer, the clueless and self-absorbed family. But this is most definitely written by a 48 year old woman.

Cathy is very relatable in an exaggerated way - but hey! This is fiction, not a memoir! She’s dealing with older teenagers, a husband that works away from home in the week and is utterly clueless as to what’s going on in his family’s lives, ageing parents, one sister who thinks she’s hard done by and should have everyone running around after her, and another who is detached from her parents and siblings and doesn’t understand what’s going on with them! Communication is a key skill in any family, and sadly lacking in this one.

When Cathy decides to put herself first for a change, I practically cheered out loud, and her cooking solution was genius!

I think I laughed through most of this book, had a good cry a couple of times, and by the end I was sure that Cathy Collins should have another book. I’m not sure though - I like where this ended. But I’d still read it (I’m beginning to sound like Cathy). It was a perfect balance of humour, sadness and the ridiculous - how can anyone not want more of that?!

Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for helping me out with my NetGalley reading (again!), Tracy Bloom for reading along, and Harper Collins for my e-arc through NetGalley.
  
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BookInspector (124 KP) rated Twisted in Books

Sep 24, 2020  
Twisted
Twisted
Steve Cavanagh | 2019 | Thriller
10
9.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is a first stand-alone novel, written by Steve Cavanagh, following Maria, Paul, and Daryl in finding out who is the true LeBeau, a mysterious author, who writes amazing thrillers, but nobody ever saw him, and no one knows who that man really is. The book is told from multiple perspectives, and I really enjoyed the ability to read all the character’s thoughts. The characters chosen for this book were not very likeable and quite flawed as well, but the author manipulated them perfectly.

The plot of this book was absolutely insane. (In a good way!) It did not allow my mind to settle even for a moment. When I thought I knew what was going on, the author threw in gigantic twists, which changed EVERYTHING! This book was the twistiest book I ever read! The plot changes constantly and I really didn’t know what to believe anymore! 😀 I really liked, that the writer writes about a writer’s life. It is interesting to see, how much of the reality goes into the books. 🙂

Steve Cavanagh proved multiple times that he is amazing at what he does, and his writing style is absolutely absorbing. The chapters have a very decent length and didn’t leave me bored whatsoever. The book is set in a very peaceful environment, but it is not peaceful at all. The ending was an absolute jaw-dropper and I loved it!

To conclude, it is hard to review it without spoilers because this novel is a mirage, incredibly twisted, suspenseful, and you can not believe a single word you read. 😀 I absolutely loved this book, it left me shook and book hungover for at least a few days! Just get it and read it, I am pretty sure you won’t regret it.
  
Scanners (1981)
Scanners (1981)
1981 | Horror, Sci-Fi
I'm Gonna Suck Your Brain Dry
Scanners- is anethor excellent film directed by Cronenberg. I love his style which is sci-fi mixed with horror. With disturbing, gory effects.

The plot: Scanners are men and women born with incredible telepathic and telekinetic powers. There are many who exercise the benefits of their special gifts in a safe and judicious manner. However, there is a group of renegade scanners who plan to create a race that will rule the world.

In the film, "scanners" are people with unusual telepathic and telekinetic powers. ConSec, a purveyor of weaponry and security systems, searches out scanners to use them for its own purposes. The film's plot concerns the attempt by Darryl Revok (Ironside), a renegade scanner, to wage a war against ConSec. Another scanner, Cameron Vale (Lack), is dispatched by ConSec to stop Revok.

Writer and director David Cronenberg has called Scanners one of his most difficult films to make, citing an incomplete script when the shooting schedule commenced, as well as a lack of constructed sets.

The iconic head explosion scene was the product of trial and error, eventually settling on a plaster skull and a gelatin exterior packed with "latex scraps, some wax, and just bits and bobs and a lot of stringy stuff that we figured would fly through the air a little better" as well as "leftover burgers." When other explosive techniques failed to give the desired effect, special effects supervisor Gary Zeller told the crew to roll cameras and get inside the trucks with doors and windows closed; he then lay down behind the dummy and shot it in the back of the head with a shotgun.

Michael Ironside is a excellent job as the villian.

Its a excellent sci-fi body horror film.
  
Batgirl, Vol. 3: Death of the Family
Batgirl, Vol. 3: Death of the Family
Gail Simone | 2013 | Comics & Graphic Novels
4
6.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Man, I have no idea WTF happened here, but I am the minority, as I just wasn't feeling it here!

Gail Simone is a favorite writer of mine, as well as a sizable number of comic readers. I don't pick up everything she writes, i.e. Dynamite's RED SONJA series, but I do try to keep a lookout when a new series, or new writing assignment from her, is out. And, generally, she is all aces, except here!

This was a re-read for me, as I was reading BATMAN: DEATH OF THE FAMILY (which was AWESOME, btw!), and I wanted to get the whole story. I don't know what happened, but it just started to get on m nerves! I really, truly wanted to enjoy the second time, but just felt like bland potato salad!

Daniel Sampere's art, on the other hand, was flawless. All the characters, as well as the backgrounds, looked hella tight! I found myself more into the art that the actual story!

I am not 100% sure why I didn't like it. Mostly, I felt some of the characterizations were off, leaving to not give a fart about any of them! That right there is what makes a book, regardless of whether a comic or an actual prose work, the characters have to stand out and make you actually interested in them! Without factor, you have a book that will fail to attract attention, and ultimately, will fail, falling quite flat!

Ok, this is my closing part. This is where I give my final grade, as well as recommending, or trashing, the book being reviewed. Not gonna do it this time round! I want to say that you, yourself, should read this trade, seeing if you like it as much as the others seemed to, k'?
  
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Kate (493 KP) rated Until We Collide in Books

Jul 27, 2020 (Updated Jul 27, 2020)  
Until We Collide
Until We Collide
Charlotte Fallowfield | 2016 | Contemporary, Humor & Comedy, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Feel good book (0 more)
Some paragraphs not put in (0 more)
I really enjoyed this book and was just what I needed. I wanted a feel good book and this was definitely one of these. It made me smile, chuckle and get frustrated at the bad timing. I was frustrated but in a good way.
I read a lot of crime so love reading a heart warming book every now and again.
I got straight into the book and was hooked. I couldn't put this down.
There was one thing about the book that I didn't like and I realised this happens in other books by this author. The writer doesn't put a space into a new paragraph in some sections. For example: Alec and Paige are eating a meal and having a conversation. The meal has just arrived. She asks him if he is staying at the hotel and I realised after a few lines that they had finished eating and were back at the hotel but this wasn't clear as there was no break. There was just a new line but it looked like they were still talking. This happened a few times and did make it confusing when you realised it was at a different time or day.
As previously mentioned the story was so heart warming but both frustrating. Paige is hilarious and you cannot imagine someone having such bad luck. I felt embarrassed for her like a friend would.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good romance book with a bit on comedy. This gives it a really feel and relatable aspect to the book.
Despite the writing style, no clear paragraphs when the time has moved, I would purchase other books by this author.
  
One in a Bear-llion (Polar Heat #3)
One in a Bear-llion (Polar Heat #3)
Terry Bolryder | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
142 of 200
Kindle
One in a bear-llion ( Polar heat book 3)
Terry Bolryder

The match-making papa bear is at it again!

Scott Weston is tired of his father’s attempts to set up his bear shifter sons. As the workaholic manager of a premiere resort, Scott would rather focus on business than showing a date around the island. But when he shows up to meet the latest match his father has tricked into flying out to the island, he’s surprised to meet Mara, a beautiful, curvaceous artist who he just can’t leave alone. Especially when he finds out she’s in danger and needs his help.

When Mara Frost accepted a free Caribbean vacation, all she wanted was a two-week break from her lonely life in New York and the stalker who is trying to make her life hell. She isn’t sure what to make of Scott Weston, the sexy businessman assigned as her guide. She just knows that with him, she feels safe for the first time in a long time. But she also knows that for Scott, work always comes first.

But as the relationship grows, Scott is realizing there is more to life than hiding in your work, and Mara is realizing that sometimes you have to take a risk and trust someone if you want them to help. But can the two work out their differences before Mara’s stalker catches up?

Working out their issues certainly takes care of the stalker! This maybe could have been a bit more involved than it was.


This was my favourite so far! I like that we have learnt more about these brothers has the books progress! Again you know you are ready a Bolryder book from page 1. Great writer for shifter fans!
  
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Andrew Thomas (363 KP) rated The Purge (2013) in Movies

Aug 12, 2020 (Updated Aug 19, 2020)  
The Purge (2013)
The Purge (2013)
2013 | Mystery, Sci-Fi
An extremely interesting story with bloody violence and disturbing social implications. (0 more)
Not a whole lot of explanation about the world of the movie. (0 more)
My first exposure to smart horror.
Contains spoilers, click to show
With the exception of SAW, I didn't have a high regard for modern horror films for a longtime...until I saw The Purge.

For starters, we have quality actors like Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey that portray two seemingly unsympathetic and unrelatable rich yuppies. But eventually they prove themselves to be resourceful and in possession of some morals...unlike the crazies outside who actively celebrate The Purge.

While the very notion of The Purge is outlandish and unrealistic in our own society, the writer/director does an amazing job grounding it in reality and making it appear to be possible. It also forces you to ruminate about yourself and what you would be capable of doing if you could behave however you wish without consequences. It also makes you take a closer glance at your friends and neighbors, forcing you to ruminate about how they might act during The Purge.

The only complaint I have is that the film throws alot of lore at you without any explanation. For example, the emergency broadcast alert that announces the commencement of The Purge includes the quote "blessed be our New Founding Fathers and America, a nation reborn" First time I saw this part I said "I don't like the sound of that" Who were these New Founding Fathers? What the hell has happened to America where The Purge is now the new normal?

In conclusion, The Purge restored my enthusiasm for modern horror and captured my imagination. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in ultra violent crime thrillers or dystopian future stories.