MOVIE REVIEW: SPLIT

Rating: 4 stars

Movie Description:

When three girls are kidnapped by a man with 24 different personalities they have work out which of those personalities will help them escape and which of those personalities will try to stop them.

My Review:

Thank you to Supanova Pop Culture Expo, Universal Pictures and Event Cinemas for giving me the opportunity to view an exclusive preview screening of Split.

I’d first like to point out that this is a psychological thriller and one certainly not for the faint hearted  - I personally was curled up in what was almost the fetal position because I’m not someone who would ever watch horror movies.

Split has received a lot of mixed reviews and the main point of discussion is the film’s depiction of mental illness, in particular dissociative identity disorder (DID). I’d like to point out that I personally do not support the depiction of DID; I saw this movie for reviewing purposes and because I am a fan of James McAvoy’s acting.

The premise of Split is one quite often found in horror films, classic kidnapping of three teenage girls who try their best to escape their prison. In this film, the abductor doesn’t have a specific motive such as family/friend related matters and instead has an exaggerated case od DID – I say “exaggerated” because being a movie, it’s fiction and stories can easily be turned into something completely different.

James McAvoy has portrayed an array of characters ranging from the loveable Mr Tumnus in Narnia, the ever-charming Robbie Turner in Atonement and his more well known role as young Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men series. He takes on quite a different turn in not just portraying one character but he shows 9 out of 24 characters on-screen. McAvoy tackles the task set out for him with subtle changes in his body language and shift in facial muscles to change between characters.

Split is good enough in my opinion to overlook the badly exaggerated depiction of mental illness. I was hanging onto my seat from beginning to end, James McAvoy’s acting left me utterly speechless and completely blew my mind with an intense ending.

Think Lovely Thoughts xo

RIGHT BEHIND YOU BY LISA GARDNER

Rating: 5 stars

RELEASE DATE: 31.01.2017

Goodreads Book Description:

Is he a hero?

Eight years ago, Sharlah May Nash’s older brother beat their drunken father to death with a baseball bat in order to save both of their lives. Now thirteen years old, Sharlah has finally moved on. About to be adopted by retired FBI profiler Pierce Quincy and his partner, Rainie Conner, Sharlah loves one thing best about her new family: They are all experts on monsters.

Is he a killer?

Then the call comes in. A double murder at a local gas station, followed by reports of an armed suspect shooting his way through the wilds of Oregon. As Quincy and Rainie race to assist, they are forced to confront mounting evidence: The shooter may very well be Sharlah’s older brother, Telly Ray Nash, and it appears his killing spree has only just begun.

All she knows for sure: He’s back.

As the clock winds down on a massive hunt for Telly, Quincy and Rainie must answer two critical questions: Why after eight years has this young man started killing again? And what does this mean for Sharlah? Once upon a time, Sharlah’s big brother saved her life. Now, she has two questions of her own: Is her brother a hero or a killer? And how much will it cost her new family before they learn the final, shattering truth? Because as Sharlah knows all too well, the biggest danger is the one standing right behind you.

My Review:

Thank you to Dutton Books for sending me an arc of Right Behind You in exchange for an honest review!

I read Lisa Gardner’s book Find Her last year in January and I remember being hooked from the first page, so it’s clear to say that I had high expectations when receiving her next book.

And I was NOT let down! As a matter of fact, I was left utterly speechless and also exhausted from the happenings in this thrilling adventure.

The prologue shows one of Gardner’s classic flashback scenes that display the events leading up to the present storyline. In this case, it’s a flashback of the day that tore Telly and Sharlah apart for the next eight years.

Sharlah is the soon-to-be adopted daughter of Quincy & Rainie, and as a thirteen-year-old girl, she can be quite a handful at times. Raised by parents who dealt with drugs and alcohol until she was four, she’s been moving between numerous families in the foster system ever since.

Telly has also had his equal share of foster families and for him, life was more difficult after brutally beating his father to death at the age of nine.

In Right Behind You, readers hear from both Telly and Sharlah as they narrate their observations of the past and current investigation. I particularly enjoyed hearing Telly’s story as it shines a light on just how difficult life can be for those growing up in the system – especially if they’ve had a rather traumatic early life.

Sharlah’s story was also quite heart-wrenching as readers learn how much she wants to protect her brother, to believe that he’s changed after all those years separated. When Telly goes on the run, Sharlah sets out on her own plans with her trusty ex-police dog, Luka, by her side every step of the way. And I must applaud Sharlah’s incredible display of bravery and wisdom; particularly for a thirteen-year-old who’s brother is on a manic killing spree.

The twists and turns in this book had me grasping onto the edge of my seat in anticipation of what was to come! Gardner’s storytelling is certainly not unrealistic or far-fetched, but it’s enough to make the reader feel as though they too are among this investigation.

The secrets revealed help to unravel more of the characters, their motives/behaviours and they provide more pieces to this mysterious puzzle yet to unfold.

I highly recommend Right Behind You to those who love an intriguing, adrenaline filled, thriller frenzy that will have you stuck to your seat and gasping for air in anticipation.

Think Lovely Thoughts xo