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LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Changeland (2019) in Movies
Sep 19, 2020
An outright blast - a revitalizing, unfiltered tonic through-and-through. Would pair perfectly with ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ๐ค๐ณ๐ฆ๐ต ๐๐ช๐ง๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ ๐๐ช๐ต๐ต๐บ (2013) in elite-tier escapism pieces that so vividly believe in the curative power of getting away and living in the moment. Definitely one of the most depressing movies to watch during the COVID-19 pandemic in that it features some of the most beautiful location cinematography I've ever seen, a fucking *smashing* soundtrack + Patrick Stump score, and an absolutely infectious sense of healing and bliss delivered through an affable cast who fit spotlessly together. Reminded me a lot of something like ๐๐ณ๐ช๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ ๐๐ท๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ค๐ฉ๐ฆ in the best way. Just people coming together and having a good time, impossible not to fall in love with - one of the ultimate hangout movies there ever was. Huge props to Seth Green, who this was an obvious passion project for. I can't lie and say that the story here is super compelling, it isn't really - it isn't bad by any means either, but it's effectively ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐๐ต๐ข๐ต๐ฆ for people who don't hate themselves (minus the towering quirk). But it's clear he feels for this material so deeply that it shows through bigtime in the final product. What could have been some cheapoid DTV shrug instead comes across as a full-bodied experience because of the chemistry onscreen and belief in the picture. And of course I'm just a sucker for late-career Macaulay Culkin, who in this gets blind drunk into a Thai boxing ring wearing a pair of his signature bunny ears. Oh and also Randy Orton gives an inspirational speech. I loved this film deeply.
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated The Draughtsman's Contract (1982) in Movies
Jan 28, 2021
Quite often more interesting in theory than practice, the films of Peter Greenaway can be inaccessible, oppressive and pretentious in the worst way. He himself would say his work is half film, half art, without apologising for it, and why should he? Looking at his CV, I can say there have been some I have enjoyed, or at least marvelled at: The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover being the obvious one. Drowning by Numbers being another โ ambitious and ingenious constructions that are startlingly effective if in the mood for such conceits. Whereas things like Prosperoโs Books and The Pillow Book cross the line of pomposity and pretentiousness just too far. So it was with trepidation I approached this one, expecting that the wigs and costumes would far outshine the content of the story. I was quite wrong.
The Draughtsmanโs Contract is still difficult to engage with, especially on first viewing, as the plot is dense and often hidden within the trivialities, as it unfolds, however, it becomes an ingenious murder mystery with all the clues hidden in plain sight under the artifice of surface detail. The things that are happening are not the story, the story is underneath, much as the real humanity of these people is hidden under ostentatious wigs and skirts. Familiar British actors of the time such as Anthony Higgins, Janet Suzman and Hugh Fraser serve Greenaway as consummate storytellers in a borderline theatre style throughout. It shouldnโt work or be half as compelling as it is, but there is magic at work here of some kind. Unique and marvelous if not always easy. But that is Greenaway!
The Draughtsmanโs Contract is still difficult to engage with, especially on first viewing, as the plot is dense and often hidden within the trivialities, as it unfolds, however, it becomes an ingenious murder mystery with all the clues hidden in plain sight under the artifice of surface detail. The things that are happening are not the story, the story is underneath, much as the real humanity of these people is hidden under ostentatious wigs and skirts. Familiar British actors of the time such as Anthony Higgins, Janet Suzman and Hugh Fraser serve Greenaway as consummate storytellers in a borderline theatre style throughout. It shouldnโt work or be half as compelling as it is, but there is magic at work here of some kind. Unique and marvelous if not always easy. But that is Greenaway!
Energy and Global Climate Change: Bridging the Sustainable Development Divide
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Energy and Global Climate Change: Bridging the Sustainable Development Divide focuses attention on...
How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-Extinction
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Could extinct species, like mammoths and passenger pigeons, be brought back to life? The science...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2526 KP) rated Sprinkles of Suspicion in Books
Jun 4, 2020
Emory Finds Herself Caught up in a Murder
When Emory discovers that her husband, Philip, is having an affair with her best friend, Tori, Emory naturally gets very angry and gets into a very public fight with Tori. That creates a problem, however, when Emory finds Toriโs very dead body just a few hours later. Naturally, the police consider Emory their best suspect, so Emory sets out to give them other suspects. As she tries to clear her name, is she prepared for the secrets she will uncover?
Between the Orange County, California, setting and the culinary cozy hook, I couldnโt pass this book up. As always, I enjoyed seeing the action taking place in areas I recognized even if I donโt know them super well. This book works in many ways like a TV pilot, readjusting Emoryโs life as well as giving us a murder to solve. The murder got overshadowed a bit at times, but I always found the book compelling to read. There are several good surprises and twists to the mystery. The ending was a little weak, but it does answer all of our questions. I certainly sympathized with Emory since she comes across as very trusting, something that creates problems when your life becomes a mystery. I did feel her family was a little too self-absorbed. Iโm sure it was supposed to be funny, but I found it more annoying. The 11 recipes at the end include some Western themed dishes as well as a couple of delicious sounding cupcakes. All told, this is a fun series debut that will leave you wondering just where cupcakes and murder will take Emory next.
Between the Orange County, California, setting and the culinary cozy hook, I couldnโt pass this book up. As always, I enjoyed seeing the action taking place in areas I recognized even if I donโt know them super well. This book works in many ways like a TV pilot, readjusting Emoryโs life as well as giving us a murder to solve. The murder got overshadowed a bit at times, but I always found the book compelling to read. There are several good surprises and twists to the mystery. The ending was a little weak, but it does answer all of our questions. I certainly sympathized with Emory since she comes across as very trusting, something that creates problems when your life becomes a mystery. I did feel her family was a little too self-absorbed. Iโm sure it was supposed to be funny, but I found it more annoying. The 11 recipes at the end include some Western themed dishes as well as a couple of delicious sounding cupcakes. All told, this is a fun series debut that will leave you wondering just where cupcakes and murder will take Emory next.
A Disappearance in Damascus
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In the midst of an unfolding international crisis, renowned journalist Deborah Campbell finds...
Biography memoir social issues politics
Global Inequality: A New Approach for the Age of Globalisation
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One of the worldโs leading economists of inequality, Branko Milanovic presents a bold new account...
Politics economics
Thieves of State: Why Corruption Threatens Global Security
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"I canโt imagine a more important book for our time." โSebastian Junger The world is blowing...
Politics
Why Are We Waiting?: The Logic, Urgency, and Promise of Tackling Climate Change
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The risks of climate change are potentially immense. The benefits of taking action are also clear:...
Politics environment
Wicked Weeds: A Novel
Pedro Cabiya and Jessica Powell
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A Caribbean zombie, smart, gentlemanly, financially independent and a top executive in an important...
Science fiction