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Baz Luhrmann recommended Medium Cool (1969) in Movies (curated)
ClareR (5603 KP) rated Love After Love in Books
Apr 17, 2020
I absolutely loved Love After Love, but I will start this review with a warning. The first chapter goes in to graphic detail about the domestic abuse that one of the main characters, Betty Ramin, suffers at the hands of her husband. It does set the scene well, and explains not only why she is such a strong character and her motivations, but also the cultural attitudes behind domestic abuse.
I really liked the characters in this novel (other than Betty’s husband, of course), particularly Betty and Mr Chetan. Mr Chetan is the glue joining Betty and her son Solo together for a time, until Solo learns a terrible secret about his mother. After this, Solo goes to live with his paternal uncle in New York. I expected to not like his uncle, but he turned out to be another lovely character, who treated Solo like his own son. Solo becomes increasingly lonely, and struggles with his mental health.
The end of this book broke my heart completely. It was so sad and unjust and again, highlighted cultural attitudes.
I loved the way this was written, and became immersed in the Trinidadian turns of phrase, made all the more immersive by the author recording themselves reading the first chapter so that we on The Pigeonhole app could hear them.
It’s a beautiful book, and I would recommend it wholeheartedly.
I really liked the characters in this novel (other than Betty’s husband, of course), particularly Betty and Mr Chetan. Mr Chetan is the glue joining Betty and her son Solo together for a time, until Solo learns a terrible secret about his mother. After this, Solo goes to live with his paternal uncle in New York. I expected to not like his uncle, but he turned out to be another lovely character, who treated Solo like his own son. Solo becomes increasingly lonely, and struggles with his mental health.
The end of this book broke my heart completely. It was so sad and unjust and again, highlighted cultural attitudes.
I loved the way this was written, and became immersed in the Trinidadian turns of phrase, made all the more immersive by the author recording themselves reading the first chapter so that we on The Pigeonhole app could hear them.
It’s a beautiful book, and I would recommend it wholeheartedly.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Swing Time in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Soul-moving realism
This is probably my favourite Zadie Smith novel, deeply touching with characters bursting to life out of the pages. Hitting on themes of racial identity and pop culture, it is a brilliant contemporary take on what young adults are currently experiencing. From cultural appropriation to the effects of globalisation all summed up in the relationship of one young woman and her peers.
Her relationship with her mother is one of generational divide while with her friend Tracy is one of class divide. The protagonist's character is the epitome of confusion and attempting to find a place in the world. Well worth the praise.
Her relationship with her mother is one of generational divide while with her friend Tracy is one of class divide. The protagonist's character is the epitome of confusion and attempting to find a place in the world. Well worth the praise.
The Craggus (360 KP) rated The Day After Tomorrow (2004) in Movies
Jun 5, 2019 (Updated Jun 5, 2019)
Fifteen years ago today, or two days from now, The Day After Tomorrow (2004) was released, which made scheduling this anniversary review somewhat tricky.
Until, at least, “2012” came out, “The Day After Tomorrow” was the undisputed holder of the critical-existential-threat-to-all-life-on-Earth-trivialised-by-hysterical-pseudo-science movie championship (the trophy is enormous) and while it may have added fossil fuel to the fires of ignorance over the conceptual dissonance of global warming and climate change, it also managed to tap into not just environmental fears, but touched older cultural nerves like ruined harvests and nuclear winters...
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusTDAT
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusTDAT
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated The Joy Luck Club in Books
Jul 10, 2018
I read this book for my book club and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by it. The characters are unique and a reader will be able to relate to at least one of the characters.
I feel like just about anyone will find something in this book. With so many generations it will appeal to traditionalists, baby boomers, millennials and everyone inbetween. I really appreciated how the character's stories opened up and became more. Everything flowed very well.
Ultimately, I liked this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a coming of age story with a unique cultural blend to it.
I feel like just about anyone will find something in this book. With so many generations it will appeal to traditionalists, baby boomers, millennials and everyone inbetween. I really appreciated how the character's stories opened up and became more. Everything flowed very well.
Ultimately, I liked this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a coming of age story with a unique cultural blend to it.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Year's Work at the Zombie Research Center in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I had to read this book for my zombie film course at UCI and I can honestly say it was incredibly interesting. I loved seeing all these ideas about how deep the zombie narrative is because it made me think in ways I would not have otherwise.
There are essays on race, post feminism, the health care system, and so many more.
I loved how it related to both zombie films from the 1930s as well as the more prevalent films known about today. These essays took into consideration the history of zombies and the actual cultural significance of these monsters instead of ignoring it. Many of these essays made references to the Haitian culture surrounding zombies which was awesome.
I enjoyed seeing the different cultural and gender perspectives on all of these issues. Instead of only seeing the viewpoint of some middle aged white male, we get to see women and men of color all engaging in this scholarship and being able to keep it entertaining enough to keep the readers engaged.
If you like reading essays on popular culture connecting to both social and political issues of the time period, then definitely pick this book up, it is worth the read. Honestly, even if you don't like reading those types of books, pick it up because it could give you a different perspective on something you feel like you already know.
There are essays on race, post feminism, the health care system, and so many more.
I loved how it related to both zombie films from the 1930s as well as the more prevalent films known about today. These essays took into consideration the history of zombies and the actual cultural significance of these monsters instead of ignoring it. Many of these essays made references to the Haitian culture surrounding zombies which was awesome.
I enjoyed seeing the different cultural and gender perspectives on all of these issues. Instead of only seeing the viewpoint of some middle aged white male, we get to see women and men of color all engaging in this scholarship and being able to keep it entertaining enough to keep the readers engaged.
If you like reading essays on popular culture connecting to both social and political issues of the time period, then definitely pick this book up, it is worth the read. Honestly, even if you don't like reading those types of books, pick it up because it could give you a different perspective on something you feel like you already know.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Super Mario Sunshine in Video Games
Jun 11, 2018
Mario and his Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device (F.L.U.D.D.)
EVERYONE who owned a Game Cube owned Super Mario Sunshine. It was a cultural phenomenon.
Mario could hover, bounce, shoot water and chase around his shadow self all while exploring many fun and interesting areas within this great Nintendo platformer which basically introduced the world to Game Cube.
While Mario 64 was the first step for Nintendo into the world of 3D graphics, Sunshine expanded on those ideas and created a truly immersive game experience few games have reached.
The replayability is amazing as we recently found out when we rediscovered this title in our now retro game library.
So much FUN!!
Mario could hover, bounce, shoot water and chase around his shadow self all while exploring many fun and interesting areas within this great Nintendo platformer which basically introduced the world to Game Cube.
While Mario 64 was the first step for Nintendo into the world of 3D graphics, Sunshine expanded on those ideas and created a truly immersive game experience few games have reached.
The replayability is amazing as we recently found out when we rediscovered this title in our now retro game library.
So much FUN!!
Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated Akata Witch (Akata Witch, #1) in Books
Oct 1, 2018
Loved it! Not sure why I didn't pick it up sooner, it's absolutely wonderful! I really enjoyed the cultural details and mythology of Nigeria as well as how the author used physical abnormalities and learning disorders such as albinoism, scoliosis, and dyslexia as an indicator of strong magical abilities. I also thought the characters were well developed and relatable. My only issue was with the climax. There was such a strong buildup for an ultimately underwhelming ending. Overall, I found it to be a wonderful story that fans of Harry Potter will likely enjoy. I can't wait to read Akata Warrior to see what happens next!
*Thanks to First to Read for the arc!*
*Thanks to First to Read for the arc!*
Franjpan (10 KP) rated Periodic tales in Books
Nov 26, 2018
The curious lives of elements
Periodic takes is a very interesting book about one man's take on the periodic table of elements. 'The great rift Valley, the field of the cloth of gold, Newton's prism, the Mona Lisa; all impossible without the elements'. This book contains many different stories about the different elements, grounding them into everyday life. It requires little to no scientific knowledge and also includes lots of historical, geographical and cultural context. Personally, I found this book a great read as someone who is about to go to university to study chemistry but I also know of others who have read it and enjoyed it just as much as me.
