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It's Not Rocket Science: 4 Simple Strategies for Mastering the Art of Execution
Book
Stop chasing hot trends and start driving real growth It's Not Rocket Science blasts through the...
Effective Written Advocacy: A Guide for Practitioners
Book
Is it possible to win your case before arriving at court? The author, a practising barrister for...
Journey into the Past
Anthea Bell, Stefan Zweig and David Pearson
Book
Stefan's Zweig's posthumously-published Journey into the Past (Widerstand der Wirklichkeit) is a...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Minari (2020) in Movies
Apr 4, 2021
Pleasant Enough
With it’s 6 Oscar nominations (including nominations for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor), the drama MINARI has become a touchstone of films with Asian (or Asian-American) roots.
And…it is worthy of these accolades - and this place in history - for MINARI is a warm-hearted, loving look at a Korean-American family trying to make it’s way in the world in 1980’s Arkansas.
Written and Directed in Oscar Nominated fashion (for both categories), Lee Isaac Chung presents a realistic American family looking to forge a new living while still remaining true to their cultural roots.
Steve Yeun (THE WALKING DEAD) is Oscar nominated for his lead role of Jacob, who moves his family to Arkansas in the hopes to start a farm that specializes in Korean food. Yeun’s performance is earnest and sincere and I am happy for him that this performance is nominated. The rest of the family unit is strong - with the stand out being Yuh-Jung Youn as the Grandmother. She brings the most interesting and nuanced character to the screen and I wouldn’t be surprised if she pulls the upset and wins the Oscar for Supporting Actress. Finally, veteran character Actor Will Patton is a spark of energy as a local who helps Jacob on the farm.
And…that, ultimately, is the problem with this film. Writer/Director Chung spends most of his time creating the atmosphere and the characters, He fails to realize that there really is no compelling event to drive the plot forward. It’s a “fine” slice-of-life film and one that is enjoyable to watch with a strong, charismatic cast, but nothing really happens and that, finally, is a problem.
This is most certainly a deserving Oscar nominated film - especially in these pandemic times - with big budget Blockbuster films pushed to the sidelines, this type of quiet film is thrust to the forefront - and good for them and I’m glad that the spotlight is shining on this film. I just wish there was more plot and a more compelling reason to watch this film.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take this to the Bank(ofMarquis)
And…it is worthy of these accolades - and this place in history - for MINARI is a warm-hearted, loving look at a Korean-American family trying to make it’s way in the world in 1980’s Arkansas.
Written and Directed in Oscar Nominated fashion (for both categories), Lee Isaac Chung presents a realistic American family looking to forge a new living while still remaining true to their cultural roots.
Steve Yeun (THE WALKING DEAD) is Oscar nominated for his lead role of Jacob, who moves his family to Arkansas in the hopes to start a farm that specializes in Korean food. Yeun’s performance is earnest and sincere and I am happy for him that this performance is nominated. The rest of the family unit is strong - with the stand out being Yuh-Jung Youn as the Grandmother. She brings the most interesting and nuanced character to the screen and I wouldn’t be surprised if she pulls the upset and wins the Oscar for Supporting Actress. Finally, veteran character Actor Will Patton is a spark of energy as a local who helps Jacob on the farm.
And…that, ultimately, is the problem with this film. Writer/Director Chung spends most of his time creating the atmosphere and the characters, He fails to realize that there really is no compelling event to drive the plot forward. It’s a “fine” slice-of-life film and one that is enjoyable to watch with a strong, charismatic cast, but nothing really happens and that, finally, is a problem.
This is most certainly a deserving Oscar nominated film - especially in these pandemic times - with big budget Blockbuster films pushed to the sidelines, this type of quiet film is thrust to the forefront - and good for them and I’m glad that the spotlight is shining on this film. I just wish there was more plot and a more compelling reason to watch this film.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take this to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Band Of Brothers in TV
Dec 31, 2017
Ensemble cast (2 more)
Interviews
Right tone
I remember when I read they were making a mini-series called Band of Brothers about "Easy Company" I thought there would be no way to do it justice and it was too closely released and trying to capitalize on the success of Saving Private Ryan.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
I was enthralled from the first frame when I began watching the DVDs and didn't stop until I was complete. The characters represented in this harrowing true story are some of the most compelling I have ever seen. You believe every moment of their emotional, unending, unimaginable journey and feel like you are right with them along for the ride.
The interwoven interviews give context and real-life coupling to the story you are watching and makes the story all the more poignant.
The all-star cast is brilliant and every one of them carried their weight as part of the ensemble. I have rewatched several times since and it keeps getting better with every viewing.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
I was enthralled from the first frame when I began watching the DVDs and didn't stop until I was complete. The characters represented in this harrowing true story are some of the most compelling I have ever seen. You believe every moment of their emotional, unending, unimaginable journey and feel like you are right with them along for the ride.
The interwoven interviews give context and real-life coupling to the story you are watching and makes the story all the more poignant.
The all-star cast is brilliant and every one of them carried their weight as part of the ensemble. I have rewatched several times since and it keeps getting better with every viewing.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated A Cupboard Full of Coats in Books
May 10, 2018
2.5 starts
A single mother living alone raising her teen-aged daughter. Then she meets this man who she falls in love with almost immediately. Four months later, the mother is dead and the boyfriend is in jail.
This story starts 14 years later, the boyfriend has just gotten out of jail and his best friend is standing on the doorstep ready to explain to the daughter how her death was all his fault.
Jinx(the daughter) and Lemon(the best friend) spend the weekend going over the past. What happened in those four short months and what has happened to them since. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions and growth.
I enjoyed this book as the story was very compelling, but the writing style was such that you didn't know whether you were in the past, or the present, the transitions were not always so smooth. Plus without reading the book description you didn't even know the name of the main character until chapter 2 or later.
A single mother living alone raising her teen-aged daughter. Then she meets this man who she falls in love with almost immediately. Four months later, the mother is dead and the boyfriend is in jail.
This story starts 14 years later, the boyfriend has just gotten out of jail and his best friend is standing on the doorstep ready to explain to the daughter how her death was all his fault.
Jinx(the daughter) and Lemon(the best friend) spend the weekend going over the past. What happened in those four short months and what has happened to them since. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions and growth.
I enjoyed this book as the story was very compelling, but the writing style was such that you didn't know whether you were in the past, or the present, the transitions were not always so smooth. Plus without reading the book description you didn't even know the name of the main character until chapter 2 or later.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) in Movies
Feb 28, 2019
Technically highly proficient adaptation of the Capote novella, as kooky free spirit/irritating self-absorbed freeloader Holly Golightly (Hepburn) wins the heart of George Peppard's young novelist. Probably looked old-fashioned even in 1961; absurdly romanticised depiction of New York (even the drug barons are charming old gentlemen) is effectively done and rather compelling.
Perhaps the problem is that the presentation of the emotional havoc Holly leaves in her wake is a bit too effective: I couldn't help feeling sorry for Doc (Buddy Ebsen), and wasn't inclined to let Hepburn's charm and good looks sway me (having met people like Holly Golightly for real may have prejudiced me a bit). I must be in the minority - for most people, the film clearly manages the trick of having its cake and eating it, by presenting Hepburn's character as trouble but making the audience fall in love with her anyway. Speaking of minorities, the grotesque racial caricature of Mickey Rooney's character is appalling - but hey, the theme song is nice.
Perhaps the problem is that the presentation of the emotional havoc Holly leaves in her wake is a bit too effective: I couldn't help feeling sorry for Doc (Buddy Ebsen), and wasn't inclined to let Hepburn's charm and good looks sway me (having met people like Holly Golightly for real may have prejudiced me a bit). I must be in the minority - for most people, the film clearly manages the trick of having its cake and eating it, by presenting Hepburn's character as trouble but making the audience fall in love with her anyway. Speaking of minorities, the grotesque racial caricature of Mickey Rooney's character is appalling - but hey, the theme song is nice.
Ashley Wold (5 KP) rated A Court of Mist and Fury in Books
Jan 31, 2018
World Building (4 more)
Character development
Complex, compelling plot
Strong female characters
THE FEELS
ACoMaF is my favourite book of the three in this series! There is so much more action, making the pacing faster. I liked ACoTaR well enough (though I felt there was much to be desired), but this second book blew me away.
I wasn't very fond of Feyre in the first book, but she grew on me in this one. I didn't really like Tamlin, and I was delighted to find my instincts were right. I also was intrigued by Rhysand in the first book, and he quickly became one of my favourites. I really liked the new characters Maas introduced in this one. I found them to be memorable.
If you got through ACoTaR but didn't particularly like it, I urge you to peek into this book and see if it piques your interest. I know a lot of people who felt lukewarm about the first book, but ended up being HUGE fans of this series because of this second book!
I wasn't very fond of Feyre in the first book, but she grew on me in this one. I didn't really like Tamlin, and I was delighted to find my instincts were right. I also was intrigued by Rhysand in the first book, and he quickly became one of my favourites. I really liked the new characters Maas introduced in this one. I found them to be memorable.
If you got through ACoTaR but didn't particularly like it, I urge you to peek into this book and see if it piques your interest. I know a lot of people who felt lukewarm about the first book, but ended up being HUGE fans of this series because of this second book!
LA homicide detective Harry Bosch is facing a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the Dollmaker case. Four years ago, this serial killer was terrorizing Los Angeles until Bosch killed him. But just as the case comes to trial, Harry gets a new note that appears to come from the killer. And it leads them to a fresh body. Did Bosch kill the right person? How might this affect his trial?
This is quite obviously not one of the cozies I normally read, and it got into some details I didn’t care for. However, the case was very compelling, and it kept me engrossed the entire time. This was half police procedural and half legal thriller, something this author has turned back to for the Mickey Haller series. We also got to see so true growth in Bosch in this book, and I can’t wait to see where that growth takes the character next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-concrete-blonde-by-michael.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is quite obviously not one of the cozies I normally read, and it got into some details I didn’t care for. However, the case was very compelling, and it kept me engrossed the entire time. This was half police procedural and half legal thriller, something this author has turned back to for the Mickey Haller series. We also got to see so true growth in Bosch in this book, and I can’t wait to see where that growth takes the character next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-concrete-blonde-by-michael.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Shunned and Dangerous (An Amish Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
While exploring a corn maze, Claire Weatherly stumbles upon the body of Harley Zook. This Amish man was very kind; in fact, he was one of the few who has stood up for detective Jakob Fisher after Jakob left the Amish community to become a detective, which lead to Jakob being shunned. With the evidence pointing to Jakob’s father, Claire will have to once again act as an intermediary to find the killer.
As I’ve come to expect with this series, the characters are strong and so compelling that they really pull you into the story. The plot is good with some nice twists before the end. I am growing a little tired of Claire and how upset she is by how Jakob is treating. While I agree with her that it isn’t right, it is who they are, and getting mad and raising her voice to people isn’t going to change anything. Still, I am enjoying this series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-shunned-and-dangerous-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As I’ve come to expect with this series, the characters are strong and so compelling that they really pull you into the story. The plot is good with some nice twists before the end. I am growing a little tired of Claire and how upset she is by how Jakob is treating. While I agree with her that it isn’t right, it is who they are, and getting mad and raising her voice to people isn’t going to change anything. Still, I am enjoying this series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-shunned-and-dangerous-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.