A Rope Of Vines
Book
A Rope of Vines - Journal from a Greek Island is a beautiful and personal account of the time spent...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated The Final Deduction (Nero Wolfe, #35) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
I'm not super familiar with this series, something I should definitely change. I found Nero a little egotistical at times, but it certainly helps that we are spending time away from him thanks to Archie's narration and trips outside Nero's home. The plot is fast paced with plenty of twists to keep me engaged. The suspects are a bit weak, but that is a minor issue overall. There are some dated references since this book was written in the 1960's, so keep that in mind as you read.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-final-deduction-by-rex-stout.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Spider Baby (1967)
9.2
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Movie Watch
This highly influential cult classic from writer-director Jack Hill (Switchblade Sisters, Foxy...
cult 1960's
The Batman Game (1966)
4.0
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Tabletop Game
Based on the hit 1960's television series. From the box: During the game, a player moves his...
Boardgames BatMan Superheroes RetroGames
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Crime Travel in Books
Dec 9, 2019
This is a very strong collection of stories. While a couple weren’t quite to my taste, I can see how others would love them and it was a very minor point. I laughed at a few of the stories, another couple made me cry, in a good way. Most importantly, I had fun. There are so many great stories in this collection, you’ll be glad you picked it up. And if you don’t get it now, you just might have to come back in time and yell at yourself for putting it off and depriving yourself of the joys of reading these stories right away.
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated The Umbrella Academy - Season 2 in TV
Aug 11, 2020
As the family struggle to find one another the are faced with the reality of the 1960's, conspiracy, racism/segregation and homophobia.
As with the first season music plays a big part, both with the sound track and the story.
One of the good thing that seems to have come from services like Netflix producing/ordering series is that they don't have to follow the normal 13 episode format that standard television uses, this means that there are less 'filler' episodes which helps the story flow.
Season one had to spend some time introducing the main characters and in season season two we get to find out more about some of the characters, including the handler and Sir Reginald Hargreeves, although, where Reginald is involved I don't think you take anything at face value.
Season two does have similar themes to the the first including drug and Alcohol use which are character appropriate.
The Black Notebook
Patrick Modiano and Mark Polizzotti
10.0
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Book
A writer discovers a set of notes in his notebook and sets off on a journey through the Paris of his...
The Divided Self
Book
The Divided Self, R.D. Laing's groundbreaking exploration of the nature of madness, illuminated the...
Bouts of Mania: Ali, Frazier and Foreman and an America on the Ropes
Book
' Bouts of Mania is gripping and intelligent, perhaps the best book about boxing since David...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Green Book (2018) in Movies
Dec 14, 2018
Yes, it's that good.
"Based on a true story", GREEN BOOK stars Viggo Mortenson (Aragon in the LOTR films) as "Tony Lip" a bouncer at the Copacabana in the early 1960's who is tapped by African American concert pianist Dr. Don Shirley (Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali) to be his driver/escort/security on a tour of a very prejudicial Southern part of the United States in the early 1960's. Both Tony and Dr. Don look down their noses at the other one, but during the course of this film, the two develop mutual respect and a friendship that lasted until the both passed away in 2013.
That is, in essence, the entire plot of this film. But it is not the destination, but rather, the journey that is the core of this film - and what a journey it is.
We, the audience, probably spend 70% of the film in a car with the 2 stars of this film, so they better be interesting to look at and listen to (for nothing much else happens) and both characters - and both actors- are up to the task.
Ali won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his brief turn in Barry Jenkins MOONLIGHT - and he is even better here as Dr. Don Shirley, an elitist virtuoso piano player, with strong pride and hidden secrets of his own. Ali brings a humanity and vulnerability to this character that acts as a softening of the hard shell of this character that allows us, the audience, a glimpse into this character's heart. This person could easily have been a one-note caricature, but in Ali's hands, it is much, much more.
The biggest surprise to me is two-time Oscar Nominee Mortenson as "Tony Lip". While the character starts as a typical early 1960's Italian-mob type, Mortenson brings humor, humanity and (yes) heart to a matter-of-fact character and continues to evolve the rough edges of Tony as Tony, himself, develops throughout the course of the film. I have always "liked but not loved" Mortenson, but, I LOVE HIM in this film and will be rooting for him come Oscars time.
The other big surprise of this film is the strong, subtle and human way that Director Peter Farrelly brings events to the screen. Prior to this, Farrelly (along with his brother Bobby) Directed such over-the-top comedies as THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY and KINGPIN, so I was a bit concerned that the Direction would be over-the-top. But...it wasn't...and I wouldn't be surprised if Farelly's name is called when Oscar nominations are announced.
I was charmed and moved by these characters - and this story - and was glad to spend 2 hours with them.
Letter Grade: A
9 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)