Sendero

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Sendero it took me ages to remember the name of this film. I remember it as Serado for some reason. Anyway I watched it since it was in Spanish and it was a sunny afternoon, ideal time for horror films and I fell asleep (yet again, it happened during Saw II) while watching Saw III. I decided to watch a horror film in Spanish so I can see how much I understand. Firstly Chilean Spanish is a little bit different but I understood more than I did a month a go. I wish Almodovar films are in Netflix or Blutv, now those would be great practises.

This is the second film from Chile that I watched (knowingly that is) and I like this one too. The budget obviously was very low and they have problems with the editing (now that I'm writing it maybe those were intentional, I hope so) but I liked it very much. It was gory and verbose. 

Django Unchained

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Django Unchained yes, of all the films I have not yet seen (The Lion, Silence...) I returned to this old favorite. Partly because I love watching Leonardo Di Caprio as a villain (and he is georgeous even with dirty teeth) and party because it is a fun watch in its entirety. The villains are served justly and the visuals, the script, the acting all are in harmony. This is one of my favorite Tarantino films. 

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

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Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them is a film I was not really interested in. I have a strange aversion to spin offs. And although he is a very good actor, I can't seem to summon the energy to join in the universal adoration of Mr. Eddie Redmayne. Anyway I ended up liking this film a lot more than I thought I would. 

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

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I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry there is no logical reason for me to like Adam Sandler films but I do. Life's mysteries. 

Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone (The Film)

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Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone is probably the only Harry Potter film I didn't watch twice. So I remedied that error. The screen cap looks like Harry's having fun but this one has a sad beginning and teen years in life (sad is the understement of the century maybe) well it was not as bad as I remembered it to be. 

Veronika Ölmek İstiyor

Veronika Ölmek İstiyor  Bu romanı bana bir iş arkadaşım önerdi ver okumam için ödünç verdi. Paulo Coelho'nun hiç bir romanını okumadım. Nedense hiç merak edip okumak istemedim, böyle bazı durumlarda dizlerimi döverim (mesela Happy Potter'a neden hemen başlamadım diye) ama bu durumda doğru karar vermişim galiba zira bu roman bana hiç hitap etmedi. Ne bileyim bir kişisel gelişim kitabına roman elbisesi giydirmişler gibiydi. 

The Rosie Project

The Rosie Project I have come across at the departures at Phuket airport, this novel is very well liked by all rom com lovers so I was on the look out for it. I got it right away and started reading not long after. However for some reason, this didn't appeal to me at all. I finished it (very easy read) but didn't really enjoy it. 

The Graveyard Apartment

The Graveyard Apartment turned out to be an interesting read and I enjoyed it a lot. But it was not really special. It  is not a must read or anything like it. 

The Cartel

The Cartel is very good but not as good as The Power of The Dog. The problem is that I listened to them too close and they are very similar. I'm kind of sad that I didn't like it as much as I wanted to.

One Rainy Night

One Rainy Night turned out to be great. I enjoyed the plot and the way the whole thing was explained. As usual Mr. Laymon did not dissappoint. 

Come Out Tonight

Come Out Tonight as usual with spending time on the beach, reading I suddenly felt like a Richard Laymon novel (this is a weird but lovely habit that I seem to have acquired). And there were alternatives on kindle and I picked this one up. Mr. Laymon is a great story teller with strong female characters. However he is also sleezy and violent. This doesn't disturb me and I enjoy reading his novels (taking breaks for swimming) 

And Again

And Again turned out to be a very good novel. I got it based on glowing reviews on youtube and the story seemed interesting. This is one of those science fiction novels that do not seem like science fiction (a similar, and a far superior one would be Never Let Me Go) focusing on not describing the technique and world building but the emotions of the characters and how they deal with what's happening. It worked for me.

Ruin And Rising

Ruin and Rising is the final novel of the Grisha trilogy and I'm thouroughly satisfied. I really like Ms. Bardugo's novels and hope that she'll write a new one (other than Wonder Woman in which I'm not really interested) 

Siege and Storm

Siege and Storm is the second novel of the Grisha trilogy and it is a great example of how a second novel should be. I was really caught up in the story and enjoyed reading this very much. 

Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone I wanted to read this ever since Six of Crows and it sure didn't dissapoint. I have  purchased the second and third novel of the trilogy immediately after finishing the first one. I'm very happy that the works of this novelist truly appeals to me. 

Duchess In Love

Duchess In Love did the trick. I would not call it a masterpiece of romance genre but I enjoyed it while it lasted. 

Beatriz At Dinner

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Beatriz At Dinner is yet another film I feel lucky to watch, and on a plane too (not the usual choice of entertainment I suppose). The film tells the story of a new age activitist message therapist and healer who is in mourning to attend a very upscale dinner where a bargain is celebrated and instructions are given on how to proceed to build while relockating the birds that nest at the area. Beatriz feels bad about it and maybe normally she'd just shut up, enjoy the meal and drinks and recall this later bitterly. But at this dinner (and during after drinks) she doesn't. She speaks her mind despite the condesention and mocking of the guest of honour (a very rich developer) she comes and goes between getting angrier and angrier but also she is a kind person at heart and obviously it is not easy for her to hurt someone (a trait I wish I carry instead of hurting people and suffering from remorse afterwards). I loved it to bits. Not only the cast is fantastic but also they all give great performances and Salma Hayek truly shines. Now I admire Ms. Hayek in real life (she is very smart and obviously likes acting) but I never cared for any of her performances (yes I do love Fools Rush In but I'd have still loved it if it was another actress). So far I liked her best in Tale of Tales but she is wonderful in this film. Her natural beauty accentuated with age (as it should be) is very gentle on the eye but her performance, the nuances in acting and toning (in real life she is actually a lot richer than all of the cast combined I suppose) and her wonderful back and forth with John Lithgow (another very good actor but Salma is better in this one). I LOVED it. Highly recommended. 

John Wick: Chapter 2

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John Wick: Chapter 2 does not give the same taste but it is still entertaining. I love Keanu Reeves and even though he is not much of an actor, he has such an earnestness coming through the screen that I want to give him a hug. 

Manchester By The Sea

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Manchester By The Sea caused quite a stir and now that I have watched it, rightly so I believe. However I can't understand why Casey Affleck is lauded that much. It is a great role but I think a log could be put in there and they'll give a satisfactory performance. It is that good a script. I loved it and shed a lot of tears during. 

Hell or High Water

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Hell or High Water is one of the films that quietly won the favours of reviewers and came into my radar, however I'm not that fond of Chris Pine (no fault of his, decent actor and apparently chooses his roles well) and I'm not that fond of Jeff Bridges either (no fault of his own, another very good actor).

The film however turned out to be exactly my cup of tea. I loved it to bits and highly recommend. I also loved the soundtrack (yeah I love Country songs and not only that the original music was great too). 

Baby Driver

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Baby Driver is not a film that I was interested in for a few reasons. I'm not as fond of Edgar Wright as the majority (I don't dislike him but I don't actively seek his film either). Same goes for Ansel Elgort. But a lot of the reviewers I follow on twitter sang it praises and it somehow entered my radar. And there it was, so I decided to give it a chance. I'm glad I did since I liked it very much especially because Mr. Wright somehow managed to get great performances from all the cast. Amazing even just for that. I like the active but not super fast camera, close up shots of the actors and that particular clean cinematography. Recommended. 

Jeff, Who Lives AT Home

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Jeff, Who Lives At Home is not normally a film I'd choose to watch, especially when on holiday. But it was too hot at noon and I came to the room to take a shower and after that I just lounged on the sofa munching on fruit when this started. I thought maybe I'd dose off during but for some reason I have watched the whole thing. It is nothing special but engaging and nicely told. Recommended only if you like independent USA films. 

Moon

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Moon I only read good things about this film and I thought I'd check it out since it is living its last days at Blutv. I was pleasantly surprised. Sam Rockwell did great and the story in interesting and engaging. 

The Babysitter

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The Babysitter I think I liked this film more than I should have. 

Unforgettable

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Unforgettable concluded the going to Phuket part of my holiday. I was getting sleepy by then so I didn't want to really engage with the film. I thought I would dose off even but no, I actually got into it and watched it to the end. It is very similar to a Lifetime film and perfect for a flight. Otherwise don't bother. 

Life

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Life is a film I was curious about. I like horror films, I love Jake Gyllenhaal and I like Ryan Reynolds. Anyway this turned out to be not so good. It was not horrible or anything but an unremarkable effort as far as I'm concerned. 

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

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King Arthur: Legend of the Sword I remember the first Guy Ritchie film I watched. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and I LOVED it. Laughed so much even remembering it. And it stood the test of time. Then came Snatch. I didn't like it at much as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels but it was very good (I saw it in London) and a great laugh too. Things went kind of downhill after that. Swept Away was a total miss and Revolver was not remarkable. I kind of liked Rockandrolla but the visual style of it (the faded colour palette) didn't work for me. Then came Sherlock Holmes and I loved it as much as the rest of the world. The second one was not as good though. Anyway then there was The Man From U.N.C.L.E which I was not even eager to watch then saw it on TV and really liked it. I think it was good. And now Arthur (a legend I enjoy a lot) people seemed to hate it but I enjoyed some parts of it. I like Mr. Ritchie's humour. I like Charlie Hunnam (but he is kind of an unlucky actor, a bit like Armie Hammer) and Jude Law was GREAT as the villain. Well, I wouldn't call it a good film but I liked it. 

The Circle (Film)

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The Circle the novel was decent. The film started well, doing most of the things right but the ending???  They totally changed the ending which was the whole point of the novel as far as I'm concerned. I won't recommend despite the great cast (no weak points in any of the roles) 

You, Me and Dupree

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You, Me and Dupree is the film that was available at home before my flight to Phuket. It is not that good a film but I like all three leads and it helped to pass time. 

Jab We Met

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Jab We Met I enjoyed just as much as I did the first time I saw it. That's a good Manic Pixie Girl. 

The Talisman

The Talisman I bought because I liked Naomi's Room and it didn't dissapoint. I love how English the whole thing was and I recommend. 

El Bar

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El Bar seemed a nice choice since it is a Spanish film and I'm trying learn Spanish. And I have understood some words during viewing. This is one of those humanity tested in isolated and dangerous circumstances films. I liked it a lot. 

Money Monster

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Money Monster was in my to watch list on Blutv but for some reason I didn't get to it. The film was leaving the platform though so I thought why not? Suprisingly I enjoyed it very much, I even cried. Great direction by Jodie Foster and Julia Roberts really aged well as far as I'm concerned. I never liked George Clooney (I don't think him handsome and he is a mediocre actor to my eyes) but he is not an actor that annoys me. So all in all I recommend. 

From Sand and Ash

From Sand and Ash turned out to be romance novel in the very bleak setting of Italy at World War II. I just couldn't get into the romance side of it because the horrors of war were told very effectively and the romance somehow didn't work at that setting. Also I didn't like the fact that despite everyone speaking English, the Italians spoke with an Italian English accents, the German and the French too. The accents were not bad but the decision to read like that annoyed me for some reason. Anyway I didn't hate but I didn't love it either. 

The Fifth Season

The Fifth Season turned out to be more interesting than I thought it was going to be. I got it based on the good fantasy genre reviews but for some reason didn't feel like reading it for a long time. Now that I have read it, I enjoyed it a lot on many levels. I didn't feel for the characters though. So I'm undecided whether to continue the series or not. 

The Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

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The Strong Woman Do Bong Soon was on my radar for some time since it got great ratings. The premise was interesting and I read some of the screen caps for the first episode and decided to watch it if it comes my way. And it did. And just in time too since I loved this romantic comedy and actually laughed out loud during many of the episodes. Despite the fact that the male leads look like they are going to high school (God I'm getting old) they were really cute and despite the fact that the balatant product replacement (Royce nama chocolate, I really wanted some!!!) is annoying, all in all this one was a good one and it truly entertained me. Park Bo Young is really cute and lovable. 

The Queen of South Season I

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The Queen of South I remember watching some of the pilot episode when I was in USA (in Boston? not sure) but Netflix has the first season and I watched it mainly because it complemented well to the novel I was reading (listening to) at the time (The Power of The Dog). It is a decent show but not spectacular. I liked the fact that the female leads are presented as strong and resourceful women. 

Les Misérables

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Les Misérables well I don't know whether I was in the mood or not but I have cried a lot during this. It is not very good though. Nowhere near the majesty of the novel and some of the singers are not as good as the others and I don't think Eddie Redmayne made a good Marius. Anyway I have cried a lot. 

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine was a random purchase based on uniformly good reviews.  I'm currently reading (or listening to) another audiobook and not really loving it but not bored enough to DNF it. And there was a strange urge to listen to this one and I finished it in two days on weekend. Walking in the constant rain and listening to it made me feel happy. It ended up a novel that is tailor made for me. I laughed, I cried and I loved every single word of it. Cathleen McCarron is compltely in synch with the text and made the experience so much better. I would have loved it in the book form but I'm glad that I got it in audible. Highly recommended. 

Kill Bill: Vol.2

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Kill Bill:Vol.2 yes, again. I made the mistake of coming across it while flipping channels and inevitably stuck with it. This one never gets old. Even when rewatching it really soon. 

Elizabeth

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Elizabeth ok here is the story, I had a huge dinner (half a kilo of delicious sardines that I fried, and as sides, a green salad and a big slice of multi grain bread) I was dosing off while watching Death in Paradise then I realised I was recording this film. So since I had watched it before, I thought I could just stare at it and dose off intermittenly - like you do after eating-. However right from the start I suddenly got into it and kept watching without an iota of sleep. And next thing I know it was 23:40. This film has my type of visuals, uncluttered with lots of close up shots on the actors' faces. And I love Cate Blanchett and Christopher Eccleston (who is the villain here). The only one I don't care of in the cast is Joseph Fiennes and he had that sort of a part so it didn't matter much (yeah I never liked Shakespeare in Love, probably because of Joseph Fiennes).

Line of Duty Series 4

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Line of Duty Series 4 is just as good as the first three. In fact I sort of inhaled it in two nights. It ended pretty ominuously too. 

Sully

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Sully I thought this would be a dry sort of film but I forgot how Mr. Eastwood is good with melodrama. I actually cried during parts of it. Another excellent performance by Mr. Hanks and also by Mr. Eckhart. 

American Reunion

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American Reunion this is a film I don't know why I have watched. Dvdigi was having an American Pie fest or someting (all of them were there except the original American Pie) Anyway I decided to check it out and for some reason watched the whole unentertaining mess.