Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Re-post: movie review "Collective" documentary Romania 2020

 https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/collective-movie-review-1087089/


 

Big excerpt:
 
"It’s like a scene out of a nightmare: A singer is howling onstage as his band thrashes behind him. When the number is done, he notices something is on fire. That’s not part of the show, he says. The camera whips around, as if the person holding it is trying to see what the man is talking about. You can make out an odd, glowing light emanating from behind a pillar. Then, in a matter of seconds, the entire ceiling of the nightclub seems to go up in flames. The crowd suddenly runs en masse toward the back exits, instantly creating a bottleneck. The image begins to jostle. Screams fill the soundtrack. We are witnessing a disaster in real time.
This blaze, which happened on October 30th, 2015, in a rock club in Bucharest named Colectiv, killed 27 people and injured another 180. Collective, the outstanding documentary from Romanian filmmaker Alexander Nanau (now in theaters and on demand via Amazon), begins by describing the incident and its aftermath in an opening disclaimer; when he decides to show you actual footage of the fire taken by a witness in the club, it’s a full-on gut-punch. This is only the first tragedy of many, however. Some four months after the inferno, 37 more concertgoers — many of whom had severe but not necessarily life-threatening burns — die while being treated at local hospitals. The public is outraged, as are the media. One journalist in particular smells a gigantic, burrowing rat.
That is Catalin Tolontan, the editor-in-chief of Bucharest’s daily newspaper Sports Gazette, and the closest thing to a shining white knight that Nanau’s movie offers up. Despite the newspaper’s seeming focus on football scores, the man and his team (including a chain-smoking, take-no-shit female reporter named Mirela Neag) have serious investigative chops. Listening to parents mourn the loss of children, he begins to snoop around. Sources tell him that most of the patients were killed by bacterial infections, which leads Tolontan to a warehouse owned by Hexi Pharma. They’re responsible for the disinfectants used in the local burn wards. These same disinfectants, he finds out, have not only been forced on hospitals but have also been diluted down to the point that they’re practically useless — hence the rampant infections and fatalities. An article is published in the Gazette, which sends shock waves through Romania’s temporary government and its healthcare system. A scandal is exposed, which turns out to be merely the tip of a skyscraper-sized iceberg.
That story alone — of how a crack team of muckrakers managed to uncover a major story that their more “serious” media counterparts missed (or were steered away from) — would have been enough to give viewers a compelling shoe-leather-vérité procedural. And indeed, Collective‘s first half or so plays like a docu-version of something like All the President’s Men and Spotlight, where tense conversations around conference tables, writers huddled over computers, and editors issuing orders from behind desks makes for compelling drama. But Nanau keeps pushing forward, following his protagonists and watching them pull an errant thread until, suddenly, the whole sweater is unraveling. The deceit doesn’t stop at doctors who erase “infections” on records, or, as one nauseating piece of footage shows us, allow maggots to infest a festering wound. (Nanau’s father is a physician, and you can practically feel the outrage emanating from behind the camera in these sequences.) It doesn’t stop at a few bad corporate apples, either.
Rather, the malfeasance on display here is a top-down situation, and you soon realize that this isn’t a look at one horrific incident so much as a portrait of metastasizing social rot. A major suspect in the case against Hexi is found dead — possibly a suicide, probably murder. Once you see that a hospital manager, who’s recorded berating his staff, could pass for an extra on The Sopranos, you wonder how, exactly, he got this job. The tendrils of organized crime, which seem to be wrapped around any number of Romanian institutions, appear to have a vested interest in this investigation not going much further. (“Mobsters don’t care about context,” Tolontan says. “They’re mobsters.”) The government’s health minister resigns in disgrace, and is replaced by Vlad Voiculescu, an idealistic young politician who used to be a patients-rights activist. Nanau is there in the halls of power, capturing this newbie coming up against a bureaucracy fueled by bribery and backroom deals and failing to make much of a dent. You keep waiting for someone to say to him, “Forget it, Jake, it’s Bucharest.”
And even then, Collective keeps going, patiently and methodically, digging even deeper through the morass of power, corruption, and lies. For those of us who’ve been following the Romanian New Wave since it started cresting in the mid-aughts, it’s hard to watch Nanau’s doc and not think of the movement’s Rosetta stone: Cristi Puiu’s The Death of Mr. Lazarsecu (2005), an abyss-black satire about an elderly man who becomes our Virgil in a tour of the hell that was the country’s post-Ceaușescu healthcare system. It shares that landmark work’s obsession with a medical industry broken beyond repair, and certainly acts as a nonfiction complement to the New Wave’s rigorously formal storytelling, slow-burn pacing, and obsessiveness over language and institutions. But unlike Lazarsecu, this extraordinary dissection of across-the-board immorality hasn’t quite given up on the country’s citizens just yet. It lauds the effort to root out all systematic evil and risk one’s life in the process. Nanau could have ended on any number of larger victories scored here. Instead, he circles back to a father we see weeping over his son near the film’s beginning, letting us see that he’s taken a few steps toward healing. It goes out not with a bang, but with the same muted, earth-scorching — and dare we say, hopeful — whimper that characterizes the movie as a whole.
Watching Collective when it premiered on the fall festival circuit last year, it was easy to see that it should be considered a flat-out masterpiece regardless of timing. Yet to watch it, or rewatch it, now is to experience something even deeper. It’s a story of a nation’s inability to take care of its citizens that comes to us in the middle of a pandemic that’s crippling America’s economy and killing its citizens. It’s a tale of a government more concerned with lining its own pockets and holding onto power right as the single most corrupt administration in our country’s history attempts to discredit a democratic election. It’s a story of a fourth estate that is lauded — Tolontan is deemed something of a national hero — rather than designated an enemy of the people. The film takes its name from the nightclub now associated with a tragedy, but by the end of it, the notion of “collective” has taken on a whole new meaning. “Indifference kills” chants a crowd protesting outside a hospital, and it is the act of coming together and actually caring about the society you want to live in that can signal a potential sea change. This only works we’re in this together, the film reminds us. There is indeed strength in numbers."--Rolling Stone (review of new doc "Collective")

review of The Lost Shrine series 3: By Blood Betrayed by Amberlyn Holland

 


                            https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40776913-by-blood-betrayed

 

This book continues a series set in a well-realized fantasy universe that is reminiscent of ancient Eire. Each storyline follows a 'power couple' brought together by the Goddess to counter forces of evil let loose by blood magick. Holland has imbued each meeting tale with gripping adventure and relatable personalities who have successfully blended their special abilities with a matrix of loving humanity and greater service to their world.

Those who prefer a veil of sacred euphemism to remain between them and the physical aspects of romance will be pleased by this series, which makes it safe for young adults. Descriptions never stray beyond kissing and cuddling in this third installment.

The three shape-shifting Hound brothers have divided the hunt for dark sorcery between them, with the youngest, Phelan, assigning himself to the dangerous borderlands of Marnak, under the very nose of the evil warlord Trask. As a spying bard he insinuates himself into the rebel underground in search of a lost power place that has been nearly drained by the evil blood magick along the border with his birthplace, the land of the Thousand Tribes. What he finds is a close-knit clan of refugees led by flame haired twins who fled from a monstrous fate.

Selena and her brother were closer to the evil Phelan hunts than they would like to admit, and it still seeks them. She knows her healing magic should be for the land and not for conquest, that family should be aligned with love and not coercion. She's given up on personal dreams of happiness, beyond keeping her brother and their self-made family safe. Is the ballad-singing stranger putting them in danger, or will he help root out a hidden enemy in their midst? Can they muster allies enough to stop the poisoning of their waters? She discovers that she has supernatural allies greater than the darkness, but will they last beyond this hour of peril?

This book stands alone quite well, but you will be craving happy endings for all the heroes.

review of The Lost Shrines 4: By Love Reclaimed by Amberlyn Holland

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40777267-by-love-reclaimed

 

 

This book continues a series set in a well-realized fantasy universe that is reminiscent of ancient Eire. Each storyline follows a 'power couple' brought together by the Goddess to counter forces of evil let loose by blood magick. Holland has imbued each meeting tale with gripping adventure and relatable personalities who have successfully blended their special abilities with a matrix of loving humanity and greater service to their world.

Those who prefer a veil of sacred euphemism to remain between them and the physical aspects of romance will be pleased by this series, which makes it safe for young adults. Descriptions never stray beyond kissing and cuddling in this installment.
This book stands alone quite well, but you will be craving happy endings for all the heroes.


The three shape-shifting Hound brothers have divided the hunt for dark sorcery between them, and Ranulf surprised them by opting to return to the Milesan Isle of Tirnan, where once his heart was broken. Somewhere is a rumored goddess cave, fully separated from the renowned sacred Sword shrine, and dark forces could infiltrate there and put all their lands at risk. Tara's father scorned Ranulf as an adopted and inferior Milesan then; this legacy persists due to the family secrets Tara and her brother and sister still conceal.

Tara, a Defender of Hearth and Home, is struggling to keep their isle whole despite the worsening onslaughts of darkness that plague her and her sister of Harvest and brother of Storm. How can a Harbinger of Death like Ran possibly aid full Milesan Powers like them? Why was their love judged so wrong when it felt so right in their youth? It will take the truth, and the powers of both their feuding lineages, to defeat the insidious plots the blood sorcerer laid in the course of generations.

Only then will Ran and Tara allow themselves to love again. If it succeeds, and they are not separated by the Death he senses around her.

Though this is the purported end of the series I sense that there are other pairings possible and not yet explored by Amberlyn. 
 
 

review of The Lost Shrine series 2: By Destiny Bound by Amberlyn Holland

 

                     https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40776865-by-destiny-bound

This book continues a series set in a well-realized fantasy universe that is reminiscent of ancient Eire. Each storyline follows a 'power couple' brought together by the Goddess to counter forces of evil let loose by blood magick. Holland has imbued each meeting tale with gripping adventure and relatable personalities who have successfully blended their special abilities with a matrix of loving humanity and greater service to their world.

Those who prefer a veil of sacred euphemism to remain between them and the physical aspects of romance will be pleased by this series, which makes it safe for young adults. Descriptions never stray beyond kissing and cuddling in this second installment, where the bonding appears accidental.

The three shape-shifting Hound brothers have divided the hunt for dark sorcery between them, with the eldest, Maddyn, assigned to the city-state of Galwei. The magical source endangered has been so well hidden by the holy order of Kelan for centuries that locating it seems the hardest problem to solve. But when he encounters a certain unconventional novice called Yve, secrets fall into view in the nick of time as the head of the Order is ambushed by a murderous blood mage.

Yve joined the Kelan Order hoping for a life more in line with heroic legend than her present contemplative existence has been until now. The other novices and courtiers react to the Hound Harbinger of Death with fear; she can't overcome her magnetic draw to him and must resign the outcome to the will of the Goddess. It lands her in a role of influence she could barely imagine but must master swiftly, for the good of her land.

Neither of them expected this; neither of them want it to end, though they think it must. This book stands alone quite well, but you will be wanting more happy endings for our other heroes.

review of The Lost Shrine series 1: By Vengeance Guided by Amberlyn Holland

 

 


 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40776828-by-vengeance-guided

This book begins a series set in a well-realized fantasy universe that is reminiscent of ancient Eire. Each storyline follows a 'power couple' brought together by the Goddess to counter forces of evil let loose by blood magick. Holland has imbued each meeting tale with gripping adventure and relatable personalities who have successfully blended their special abilities with a matrix of loving humanity and greater service to their world.

Those who prefer a veil of sacred euphemism to remain between them and the physical aspects of romance will be pleased by this series, which makes it safe for young adults. Descriptions never stray beyond kissing and cuddling, even in this first installment, where a fertility rite is crucial to the plot.

Caerwyn of the Isles is of the Milesan race, who are each born to embody a godlike power of their universe, which overshadows their human personality when invoked properly. His is the spirit of Vengance, and has kept him roaming the lands of this world to redress the killing of his parents in defense of an ancestral Cauldron of power. He is aided in this by his foster brothers the Hounds, with shape-shifting abilities of the Thousand Tribes race but also Milesan ones, granted by the healing Cauldron. They have been summoned by Daen, prince of Galwei, because he suspects he has been bewitched. The culprit? His betrothed, Lady Liadan of Hara Dale.

Liadan herself knows that this betrothal is all sorts of wrong. The match would badly upset the balance between her tiny principality and its neighbors; besides, she was not supposed to be the true heir, but rather her sister, and eventually, her three year old niece. Now Gui, her sister's husband, is attempting to manipulate her the way her sister once allowed herself to be used. Ancestral secrets of the land are in grave danger. What does the stranger who calls himself 'Wyn' have against her family? Is he friend or foe?

What he and the Hounds uncover will not only seal the fate of Hara Dale but all of the human kingdoms.

This book stands alone quite well, but you will be wanting more happy endings for our other heroes.

Sunday, October 18, 2020

reviw of Tiny and Fierce: Her Alien Crew bk 1, by Margo Bond Collins & Eli Constant

This is a very erotic book, nearly from the first few pages.  Stranded by a rogue wormhole in an unknown quadrant of space,  far from other humans,  Tommelise and her ship's intelligence, Blue are carrying on with salvage work in an effort to get home again.  To manage it they need a local crew.   Then they run into a trio of three different species-- one of who looks tremendously like an extra handsome human--  running a scam in a bar.  Tommi follows her instincts and recruits them.  The wisest of them accepts, moments before the station authorities sound the alert.  

I really enjoyed learning about the three different males and their contrasting species back-stories.  I further enjoyed how Tommi decides to give in to the pheromones of the situation and physically bond with the crew member who requires it most urgently. Each of her new crew proves their worth in turn as they all put their intelligences to the task of staying alive in the  daunting custody of the Bufo Empress.  

There's a lot of unusual secretions and mind-boggling fight scenes including them.  The cover portrait of our heroine shows her hair stiff with a gray material when she's described initially as strawberry blond, and you might not want to know exactly why.  But it suits her, and shows how far she's willing to go to make this extraordinary crew function at optimum levels.  

If you like your sex truly mind-blowing, this is the series for you.

Thank you, Booksprout. 

 

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3602022950

 

 



Thursday, September 24, 2020

Review: Beneath: Running from the Devil 1, by J E Taylor and Katie Salidas

 

 


 

 

The book begins with long-time torturer of Hell Phenex taking a chance upon a rogue portal and ending up stranded in New York City with very realistic culture shock. Fate has assigned her exactly one ally, a being equally between realms as she is, and a redemption contract that she'd best fulfill or else.

The ally, Smoke, prefers living as a stray tomcat to either Hell or Heaven. Phenex, or as she renames herself, Phoebe,
discovers a long-buried joy in aiding animals serves her well. Her task is to stop a rogue Djinn from gorging on too many human lottery winners with the help of a Night Hag she met Down Below... all before she figures out how to learn to read.

The only hiccup I encountered in believing this unfolding tale was how quickly our heroine figures out the telling of time. Otherwise I was very easily entranced by this spin on the supernatural realms, and look forward to finding out what's making the portals, why Lucifer is MIA Down There, and whether Phoebe and Smoke can do all seven of her Redemption Tasks while also becoming a full-fledged Veterinarian's assistant. That is, if she quits nearly dying prematurely. Fine start to a series.

 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3564604987

 https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Running-Devil-Book-1-ebook/dp/B07XDC8LVF/

 

Although it is not marketed as a YA,  I am designating it as one because it is not at all romantic or even sexual in content, and it has plenty of puppies.

Friday, August 7, 2020

Review: Sol's Solstice by Leona Windwalker

 

 

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23933243-sol-s-solstice 

 

 This romance has a plot so timely and detail so harrowing that I thanked my stars to be alive for its very plausible and satisfying conclusion.

My first Leona Windwalker book was not very well written and I set it down after just a few pages. This one is Leona doing everything right, to our great good fortune as readers. There is a cohort of MM romance writers of my own generation who dedicate ourselves to proving through fiction that love is indeed the solution to what the world needs. Leona's story of Sol, short for Absalom, and his twin brother who survived a terrible childhood and nearly became casualties of it, touches us in all the important ways. 

Sex does happen but is de-emphasized in favor of life challenges the characters face.

Friday, July 31, 2020

Summer Breeze Book Fair -- free reads, including mine

WELCOME to the Summer Breeze Book Fair. This fair is for August and features all genres
















Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Review: YA romance and regime change; Cats and Wolves by Amberlyn Holland

I believe the universe created by Ms Holland is absolutely perfect for a YA romance audience. They have strong plots and stand on their own while detailing a new generation of shifters who are ousting a corrupt establishment, incidentally discovering the bonds of friendship and non-explicit romance. They are a dose of hope greatly needed in all our lives, acceptable for any audience.

Cats and Wolves is no exception. Carrying out a mission together brings Caitlyn into a position where she can overcome her prejudices about wolves, reclaim her family legacy, and let it go for the greater good. Doane, the wolf assisting her, gets to lay to rest some of the scars of his own troubled past and align the result with the greater good. When they both realize that they deserve happiness it's soooooo good.

The tie-ins to other episodes of the historic unfolding of regime change through love are there, but not annoying or incongruous.





Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Heidi Wasabi and other FREE paranormal titles!



 The Incredible Heidi Wasabi is FREE in TWO group giveaways this month.   Whee...



Wicked Delights: An Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, and Paranormal Romance Giveaway 




Summer Magic - Fantasy GG 

Check them out, and KEEP BUSY with love    

 

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Heidi Wasabi is in this ebook Giveaway!






Speculative fiction is a broad category encompassing genres with fantastical elements that don't exist in the real world, often in the context of supernatural, futuristic or other imaginative themes. Join us this month to find new romance reads in: science fiction, fantasy, horror, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, and supernatural fiction!

Brought to you by Samantha Lau - Author of gay romance. Join her mailing list to find out about future releases and giveaways: http://samanthalau.net/mailinglist



 Shakti or succubus? Faithful spouse or figment of the imagination? Whatever she is, Rufus and Steen wouldn't have made a grand success in their chosen profession, as stars of the heavy metal band Virgen Steel, without Heidi. And they probably never would have gotten married—to each other, anyway. This is her incredible story... 


Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Review: Don't bother going Out in the Bright Bright Light by D W Watson



This is a series of short 'episode' style chapters based upon a set of characters working for a paranormal security service organization, much like 'Men in Black' but set in Britain. Because of this format, the author feels they can skip on plot and character development; all is extremely shallow and played for laughs. The tales are further hampered by the incorrect vocabulary and incomplete sentence structure. What could have been classic British snark is instead incoherence.

Let's just say that when the main characters are suddenly tossed into a mighty cliff-hanger on the final page, I was glad to see them go.

This is my true take on a copy I received through StoryOrigin. It is not a romance or even much of an adventure. 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43689450-out-in-the-bright-bright-light