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amanda_parsons
Reviews
Boy Erased (2018)
Frightening and heartbreaking
As a person who knows someone who has undergone conversion therapy, I couldn't help but ask throughout the film if the person I knew went through this as well. That's when the horror and heartbreak began. I can't imagine anyone having to endure that and I am thankful Gerrard/Jared had the courage to speak the truth.
The ensemble is fantastic and I am surprised that it did not get any nominations at the Oscars. I think it deserved an acting, directing or writing nomination.
I will say that I didn't cry as much as I had anticipated. I recently saw Christopher Robin and it had more of a punch for me. I think what may be the issue is that your mind takes a while to process what is going on and how this could be actually happening in real life and that might take away from part of the emotion. Overall, I liked it.
Outlander: Man of Worth (2019)
Comparison of the book and show
I have to agree with the other review about the comparisons. It is nice to see Murtagh, but he often mangles otherwise nice moments from the book.
It's nice they attempted to keep things somewhat on point regarding Roger and Jamie's storyline, but I prefer the book's events. Jamie arrives at the village with Ian and Claire. The women go into a separate hut where Claire discovers the meaning behind the stone and then the women just talk it out. Ian is the main man and he falls for a woman there and that's why he chooses to stay. Jamie is able to trade for Roger and Jamie leaves peacefully with Roger and Claire. There seems to be an opening for a possible run in with Ian if they ever happen to be in the same area.
Jamie does expect a quick answer from Roger and Claire does ask him to give Roger a moment. Roger is told everything and he does choose to be with Brianna. They all go to live on Fraser's Ridge where it's a bit awkward for all involved, but eventually they find a way to make it work. The show's version is more uplifting and cinematic.
Overall, I thought they did a great job.
Glass (2019)
James McAvoy offers a master class in acting
I watched this with two other individuals who had rewatched Unbreakable and Split prior to watching this one. One person bought into the hype right from the first trailer and the other was more like me in the sense they were curious to see how this would all end up. Both of these individuals thought the movie lagged in certain parts or was uneven in certain parts. I thought the film was exactly what I thought it would be. I think if you are familiar with Shamalyn's work and certain trademarks, this movie follows exactly how he would have ended.
We all felt the ending didn't require any explanation and were confused why people wrote posts or articles on such. I'm not even sure I would consider the ending to have a twist, but I would at least say it was surprising that he made that decision.
I applaud Shamalyn for financing his own work and trying to create original stories that are not reliant on special effects or a built in fanbase like the huge blockbusters we see.
James McAvoy makes Samuel L Jackson and Bruce Willis look like amateurs, which in itself is surprising as they are icons in their own right. James acting will blow you away. He is this movie.
Overall, I think if people watch it as a part three of a story and just go with it they will have a great time
Outlander: Providence (2019)
Comparison of the book and show
I think the previous reviews covered a lot of it, but I thought I would share a few more things I noticed.
The addition of Murtagh does mean a few things need to be changed. Fergus and Marsali along with the regulators are never involved. In the books, Bonnet only pretends to be chained when talking to Brianna and his people come to rescue him. During that rescue ,Lord John is stabbed and it is Bonnet who persuades Brianna to escape with him and he drags Lord John out with him. Once they are within safety, he gives her a diamond from his mouth for the baby. They did keep a lot of the dialogue between Bonnet and Brianna.
On the reserve, Roger and the Father do meet. The Mohawk do refer to Roger as Dogface. Most of what you see is true, but disneyified a bit. The two lovers do perish together, but I don't recall Roger being able to escape or returning to throw fire on the priest.
Unlike others, I don't mind that Claire and Jamie aren't in this episode as there is large parts of the book where they don't appear. I think for the most part they should be able to finish what transpired in the book by the finale. There's really one or two major points that need to be covered. Then there is a third subplot that should be easy enough to slide in. We shall see.
I did find the ending and Roger's scenes in particular really heartbreaking. I love the actor for Lord John.
Outlander: If Not For Hope (2019)
Comparison of the book and show
I'm so delighted they didn't do a completely faithful adaptation of the book. I truly wanted to punch Bree in the face for being such a brat in the book during her time at River Run. I liked how they changed it to a fellow guest with Lord John rather than a slave.
This episode captured the spirit of the book with Lord John agreeing to the engagement to hold off the suitors. They didn't even have to do it in a storm either. 😉 A calm walk open on a nice day is much better.
I like the addition of the freudian game, which isn't in the books. It was nice seeing Billy Boyd as Forbes.
It's also nice they didn't drag out the differences between Claire and Jamie and they kept Ian as the peacekeeper.
Poor Roger hasn't seen the worse yet. There is still more to come. It's interesting what they have chosen to do with Murtagh and it will be interesting to see if they keep Bonnet's scenes from the book, which are cinematic.
Overall, great adaptation.
Outlander: The Deep Heart's Core (2019)
Comparison of the book and show
I read the previous reviews before writing mine as I often do.
There seems to be a lot of hate towards Bree. She does slap her father and Ian, but at different points. Jamie does think she was lying when she gets angry. The build up is more understandable in the book.
First, it was Jamie's idea to sell Roger to the Indigenous and Ian had initially tried to shoot Roger in the head. It's Jamie talking Ian out of shooting Roger that prompts the idea of selling him. It is true that Lizzie mistakes Roger for the rapist. Bree never takes it out on Lizzie when the mistake occurs because Lizzie is a young girl that Bree has become maternal towards and also has malaria. She understands where the mistake took place.
Claire doesn't just stand there in the books either, but she is the one that reveals it was Bonnett. At this point, there is a large amount of emotional stuff that comes out. Jamie becomes aware of Claire's offer to abort the child, which he is against.
Jamie is portrayed nicer in the show than he is in the books. The reader does see him as violent and full of rage at different points and if they were true in that adaptation there would be a lot of backlash from viewers as having a white Male say many of those things.
It's for the same reason a lot of the racist language in the books towards any race that isn't white never makes it to the screen either. I think viewers need to be mindful of what happens during these adaptations.
Also, the Mohawk are nicer to Roger than what they portray in the show. Yes, he does have ropes on him but many times he's on a horse or no ropes at all. The theory being they trust him not to run away as where would he go? Roger does find an opportunity to escape and he does come across the rocks, but he's not as conflicted with going through and they resemble the ones in Scotland more. In the book, he makes note to bring Bree here and continues his search for her.
I really miss the humor of Ian's proposal that was in the books. In the book, he doesn't fancy Bree. Instead, Jamie asks him to propose to Bree because Jamie doesn't want to see Bree unwed while pregnant. This causes a whole hilarious scene with Claire, Bree and Ian.
Overall, I thought they did a good job at adapting the book.
Outlander: The Birds and The Bees (2018)
Comparison of the book and show
I really loved this episode. We got to see Bree and Jamie unite and also the mix up with Roger. We got the scene with Bree and her mom, but she doesn't keep the ring as long. She does make Claire promise not to tell Jamie. Some of the sequences are a bit out of order, but they captured the book well.
Sophie always reminds me of a British Kristen Stewart with the same amount of talent Kristen brings to Twilight. For that, none of the scenes with Bree are ever as rewarding as they are in the book. I feel like it is made up with our new scenes with Murtagh.
I cried more in this episode mainly due to how Caitriona reacts to seeing Claire's daughter in the past and the news of the rape. Overall, well done.
Outlander: Wilmington (2018)
Comparison of the book and show
This episode was bone chilling, especially at the end. It's a bit harder to write.
Breanna and Roger do meet and they do partake in the hand fast before becoming intimate. It is important that Lizzie sees Breanna struggle with Roger as in the book Breanna returns to her room after her argument with Roger and Lizzie spots blood on Bree's dress and she thinks Roger has done something to Bree.
Bree does brush past Bonnet where she catches a glimpse of Frank's ring and its inscription. Since the rings were swapped in the show, Bree sees Jamie's ring. I haven't read yet of a rape.
The performance on the table with Claire happens earlier in the book. She is wearing the same clothes and is part of a party, but it's at River Run and not as we see in the show.
Overall, I found it really breathtaking.
Outlander: Down the Rabbit Hole (2018)
Comparison of the book and show
Since I'm behind the airfares and I try to avoid social media for spoilers, I wasn't aware of the backlash of the episode.
Yes, its true Brianna doesn't magically appear in the middle of Scotland and she doesn't break her leg. Yes, she never ends up staying with Lagomire and Joanie isn't the one that takes her to Lallybroch. The time the viewers did get to spend with the half sisters was special.
I was only puzzled as in the book Brianna is wearing pants and a shirt and shows up at Lallybroch where we meet a very jilted, greedy, and screeching ex wife of Jamie's. Ian is trying to catch up his niece and she keeps saying I know. The costumes make more sense in the show and it's nice to have women portrayed differently than screaming banshees. I just couldn't understand why Bree couldn't put two and two together or at least try to wiggle her way to Lallybroch if she did figure out who she was staying with.
In the books, Fiona says she is a caller and there is no history of males going through. I thought the episode simplified it.
The events on the boat are simplified, but for the most part true. The actual details on the boat are more graphic and horrific. The story Bonnet tells Roger means more as Roger knew of the story of someone being buried in the foundations and was hoping one day he may discover more. It is a bit more impactful when he hears it from the captain.
The biggest departure would be the return of Frank as he is not mentioned in the book. I liked the adaptation and how we see how both girls (Joanie and Breanna) were raised by other men that were not their biological fathers. It was nice to see Tobias again too.
Thankfully, the show adapted an older Lizzie to take (or at least older than I envisioned from the book). Overall, I really enjoyed it.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood (2018)
Comparison of the book and show
It was interesting to see how much they kept from the book, including dialogue and actions.
The main difference is that it's supposed to be a rattle snake they find in their cabin and they toss it into the toilet. There is a humourous bit of Ian accidentally knocking William face first into the pit that is not in the show.
They removed a lot of the grisly measles description of LJG and Ian who both have it.
William never recognizes Jamie in the book (at least so far that I read) and there isn't any confrontation between the Cherokee and William over the fish.
Jamie and William go fishing and not hunting.
Jamie loves chess and it's one of the first things he makes after constructing the house.
Anything with Mutragh is made up for the show and sometimes he has Ian's dialogue.
John does not reveal that he almost had Jamie to Claire, but they do try to one up each other before making peace.
Overall, it was fun to watch the adaption.
I haven't read anything regarding Jamie and Claire's bath moments yet.
Outlander: Savages (2018)
A bittersweet episode
It took me a moment to recognize Murtagh and I wasn't sure it was him until Jamie called out his name. It's true he died in the books, so it was interesting they brought him back and made him a regulator. It seems they're setting up for some personal conflict in the future.
Poor Roger trying to find Breanna only to discover she too has gone through the stones.
I haven't gotten to the point in the book where there is a conflict between Mueller and the Cherokee. The only mention I had read is that Claire delivered the baby, went into the rain and woods and found that ghost. Then Rollo finds her. I also haven't gotten to the part where Claire's friend dies, but it makes sense why the friend death/sickness follows you and it's not your fault. That part almost made me cry.
I did like the presentation that Mueller believed it was his land and that God would save his family from the measles and give them to the Indigenous. Claire's point of view is so obvious that it's sometimes hard to remember why these transgressions took place. Overall, great episode
Outlander: Savages (2018)
A bittersweet episode
It took me a moment to recognize Murtagh and I wasn't sure it was him until Jamie called out his name. It's true he died in the books, so it was interesting they brought him back and made him a regulator. It seems they're setting up for some personal conflict in the future.
Poor Roger trying to find Breanna only to discover she too has gone through the stones.
I haven't gotten to the point in the book where there is a conflict between Mueller and the Cherokee. The only mention I had read is that Claire delivered the baby, went into the rain and woods and found that ghost. Then Rollo finds her. I also haven't gotten to the part where Claire's friend dies, but it makes sense why the friend death/sickness follows you and it's not your fault. That part almost made me cry.
I did like the presentation that Mueller believed it was his land and that God would save his family from the measles and give them to the Indigenous. Claire's point of view is so obvious that it's sometimes hard to remember why these transgressions took place. Overall, great episode
Outlander: Savages (2018)
A bittersweet episode
It took me a moment to recognize Murtagh and I wasn't sure it was him until Jamie called out his name. It's true he died in the books, so it was interesting they brought him back and made him a regulator. It seems they're setting up for some personal conflict in the future.
Poor Roger trying to find Breanna only to discover she too has gone through the stones.
I haven't gotten to the point in the book where there is a conflict between Mueller and the Cherokee. The only mention I had read is that Claire delivered the baby, went into the rain and woods and found that ghost. Then Rollo finds her. I also haven't gotten to the part where Claire's friend dies, but it makes sense why the friend death/sickness follows you and it's not your fault. That part almost made me cry.
I did like the presentation that Mueller believed it was his land and that God would save his family from the measles and give them to the Indigenous. Claire's point of view is so obvious that it's sometimes hard to remember why these transgressions took place. Overall, great episode
Outlander: Savages (2018)
A bittersweet episode
It took me a moment to recognize Murtagh and I wasn't sure it was him until Jamie called out his name. It's true he died in the books, so it was interesting they brought him back and made him a regulator. It seems they're setting up for some personal conflict in the future.
Poor Roger trying to find Breanna only to discover she too has gone through the stones.
I haven't gotten to the point in the book where there is a conflict between Mueller and the Cherokee. The only mention I had read is that Claire delivered the baby, went into the rain and woods and found that ghost. Then Rollo finds her. I also haven't gotten to the part where Claire's friend dies, but it makes sense why the friend death/sickness follows you and it's not your fault. That part almost made me cry.
I did like the presentation that Mueller believed it was his land and that God would save his family from the measles and give them to the Indigenous. Claire's point of view is so obvious that it's sometimes hard to remember why these transgressions took place. Overall, great episode
Outlander: Common Ground (2018)
Comparison of the book and show Part 1
In the book, the old lady says sickness rather than death. Overall, great episode
Outlander: Common Ground (2018)
Comparison of the book and show Part 1
In the book, the old lady says sickness rather than death. Overall, great episode
Outlander: The False Bride (2018)
Comparison of the book and show
I'm still reading Drums of Autumn, but I divided the pages by number of episodes and I'm reaching what should be the end of episode 4. So I feel like I can safely say Roger never proposes and Brianna doesn't reject him or leave the final celebration. In the book, Brianna has feelings for Roger and is driving him a 100m through traffic to get him to the festival when she endearingly and awkwardly lets Roger know how she feels and he kisses her. At the festival, Roger does sing a song and they are there at the bonfire. It is when Roger is introduced into the stage for his song that she discovers his real last name, Mackenzie, which he technically doesn't go by. When everyone is cheering for the names, he cheers for Mackenzie and she for Fraser. They don't have a fight.
In the book, there is a whole plot line of a woman dying in an abortion procedure. Jamie and Claire find her in a hidden room in a mill and this prompts an investigation into who the girl is and who operated on her. During this investigation, they run into some sergents from Jaime's past and they find the slave who did the abortion. Jocasta Jamie and Claire believe the girl will be killed so they get Myers to guide them into the woods with Ian to give her to an Indigenous tribe. At a certain point, Meyers and Ian leave Jamie and Claire to give the slave to the tribe. Then Jamie and Claire have a run in with a bear and Jamie beats the bear. This is when three aborigines approach them and I haven't read past that. But no where did I read about the skull, mineral, ghost or phantom boots.
Also, the reason Ian stays is different in the book. Rather than Ian convincing Jamie he is a man, Jamie gets two letters from his brother in law. One is meant to be read with Ian and the other is marked private. It is here that the brother in law asks Jamie to keep Ian. He is scared of troubles brewing and how Ian may be enticed by war as he will see being a soldier as an adventure. Jamie agrees to keep Ian.
I haven't gotten to the Fraser Ridge part yet. Overall I thought the adaptation was interesting.
Outlander: The False Bride (2018)
Comparison of the book and show
I'm still reading Drums of Autumn, but I divided the pages by number of episodes and I'm reaching what should be the end of episode 4. So I feel like I can safely say Roger never proposes and Brianna doesn't reject him or leave the final celebration. In the book, Brianna has feelings for Roger and is driving him a 100m through traffic to get him to the festival when she endearingly and awkwardly lets Roger know how she feels and he kisses her. At the festival, Roger does sing a song and they are there at the bonfire. It is when Roger is introduced into the stage for his song that she discovers his real last name, Mackenzie, which he technically doesn't go by. When everyone is cheering for the names, he cheers for Mackenzie and she for Fraser. They don't have a fight.
In the book, there is a whole plot line of a woman dying in an abortion procedure. Jamie and Claire find her in a hidden room in a mill and this prompts an investigation into who the girl is and who operated on her. During this investigation, they run into some sergents from Jaime's past and they find the slave who did the abortion. Jocasta Jamie and Claire believe the girl will be killed so they get Myers to guide them into the woods with Ian to give her to an Indigenous tribe. At a certain point, Meyers and Ian leave Jamie and Claire to give the slave to the tribe. Then Jamie and Claire have a run in with a bear and Jamie beats the bear. This is when three aborigines approach them and I haven't read past that. But no where did I read about the skull, mineral, ghost or phantom boots.
Also, the reason Ian stays is different in the book. Rather than Ian convincing Jamie he is a man, Jamie gets two letters from his brother in law. One is meant to be read with Ian and the other is marked private. It is here that the brother in law asks Jamie to keep Ian. He is scared of troubles brewing and how Ian may be enticed by war as he will see being a soldier as an adventure. Jamie agrees to keep Ian.
I haven't gotten to the Fraser Ridge part yet. Overall I thought the adaptation was interesting.
Outlander: The False Bride (2018)
Comparison of the book and show
I'm still reading Drums of Autumn, but I divided the pages by number of episodes and I'm reaching what should be the end of episode 4. So I feel like I can safely say Roger never proposes and Brianna doesn't reject him or leave the final celebration. In the book, Brianna has feelings for Roger and is driving him a 100m through traffic to get him to the festival when she endearingly and awkwardly lets Roger know how she feels and he kisses her. At the festival, Roger does sing a song and they are there at the bonfire. It is when Roger is introduced into the stage for his song that she discovers his real last name, Mackenzie, which he technically doesn't go by. When everyone is cheering for the names, he cheers for Mackenzie and she for Fraser. They don't have a fight.
In the book, there is a whole plot line of a woman dying in an abortion procedure. Jamie and Claire find her in a hidden room in a mill and this prompts an investigation into who the girl is and who operated on her. During this investigation, they run into some sergents from Jaime's past and they find the slave who did the abortion. Jocasta Jamie and Claire believe the girl will be killed so they get Myers to guide them into the woods with Ian to give her to an Indigenous tribe. At a certain point, Meyers and Ian leave Jamie and Claire to give the slave to the tribe. Then Jamie and Claire have a run in with a bear and Jamie beats the bear. This is when three aborigines approach them and I haven't read past that. But no where did I read about the skull, mineral, ghost or phantom boots.
Also, the reason Ian stays is different in the book. Rather than Ian convincing Jamie he is a man, Jamie gets two letters from his brother in law. One is meant to be read with Ian and the other is marked private. It is here that the brother in law asks Jamie to keep Ian. He is scared of troubles brewing and how Ian may be enticed by war as he will see being a soldier as an adventure. Jamie agrees to keep Ian.
I haven't gotten to the Fraser Ridge part yet. Overall I thought the adaptation was interesting.
Outlander: Do No Harm (2018)
Comparisons between the book and show
I just watched the second episode. I'm also reading the book as I go along with each episode. I thought the differences in how the author and showrunners treat slavery quite fascinating. In the book, Rufus is lowered from the tree and Claire asks Jamie if he would die if he was saved. He says yes and she gives Rufus the poison there in front of everyone. The entire plot about the complexities of slavery and laws relating to freeing them and the chilling ending was all created for the show. In the book, there is more description of the slave housing and the things that transpire there.
Also, in the book, it is Myers on the table as Claire performs surgery near his testicles in front of all the dinner guests at the party. Jamie is never announced heir and he never has those discussions with his aunt.
As much as I enjoy the book, the adaptation is far more cinematic in its narrative. It also challenges the viewer on what they really could have done in Claire's place in terms of trying to right the wrongs from the past and what really could have been done to try to resolve the issue.
Outlander: America the Beautiful (2018)
Comparison of the book and show
I thought the adaptions from the novel were interesting. We lost a lot of content, but I can see why some things were changed. For example, Fergus' wife is in Jamaica and pregnant while Fergus is in America. He eventually decides to leave America to be with his wife (in the book). Stephen Bonnet doesn't kill anyone in the book and he's not as charming. He steals the gold ring Claire had for 30 years and swallows Jamie's ring, which he makes her sick on a pipe and get really sick to get the ring back. Rollo is also injured in the pirate attack. Jamie is only wearing a shirt when he is attacked. There are many more changes small and big that are done in the adaptation. I have only watched up to episode 2, but they are missing a huge chunk about Brianna, Roger and Gayle that I only assume will happen later. I did like how the show continues to handle male rape. It's a topic rarely seen on screen and they are quite sensitive in their handling of it.
One Week (2008)
Beautifully done
Michael McGowan wrote and directed a beautiful story that opens with the revelation that our hero has cancer and the movie unravels with the beautiful journey he takes riding across Canada. There are many coming of age movies, but it has been a while since audiences have seen one so moving yet humorous at the same time.
One of the most touching moments is when Joshua Jackson does a dance on the side of the highway in tribute to all those coming of age movies only to discover that perhaps the side of the road is not the best place for those moments.
I can't think of a better person to play the role of Ben Taylor than the marvellous Joshua Jackson. I have followed him through his Dawson Creek years and through the movies and now on Fringe...and I must admit this is my favourite role for him.
Andrew Lockington captures the spirit of the film with his uplifting and sentimental score. Arthur E. Cooper did a splendid job capturing Canada's beauty on film and creating some beautiful shots for Joshua, Liane Balban, and the other cast members.
I applaud everyone for a job well done : )