Search
Search results
Matt Dentler recommended Shadows (1959) in Movies (curated)
Awix (3310 KP) rated Hunting Monsters: Cryptozoology and the Reality Behind the Myths in Books
Mar 10, 2020
Thoughtful and generous look at the so-called science of cryptozoology and some of its most famous subjects. Unlike (for example) Abominable Science!, which largely focused on demolishing the literalist approach to cryptids, Naish's book is more interested in why people keep thinking that they're seeing monsters, identifying a number of cultural and psychological factors.
That said, the book does include a fairly comprehensive overview of the big-name cryptids (bigfoot, Nessie, sea monsters, etc), although as book is written from a scientific perspective the conclusions should come as no great surprise. Accessibly readable and notably positive; makes a coherent case that cryptozoology as a discipline has genuine scientific value even if all the best-known topics of it are bunkum.
That said, the book does include a fairly comprehensive overview of the big-name cryptids (bigfoot, Nessie, sea monsters, etc), although as book is written from a scientific perspective the conclusions should come as no great surprise. Accessibly readable and notably positive; makes a coherent case that cryptozoology as a discipline has genuine scientific value even if all the best-known topics of it are bunkum.
Emma Watson recommended The Complete Persepolis in Books (curated)
Neneh Cherry recommended Sassfrass, Cypress & Indigo in Books (curated)
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses (2015) in Movies
Oct 25, 2017 (Updated Oct 25, 2017)
How mass hysteria and inverted cultural beliefs become fatal
Once more, Netflix has showcased another harrowing documentary, this time set in New Zealand.
In the heart of Maori culture, lies the belief of Makatu, a curse or demon, that can allegedly be 'exorcised'. A poor young mother, Janet Moses, who either had mental health issues or was seemingly depressed, was confronted by her large family attempting to help her. Unfortunately their misguided deeply held beliefs included holding her down and plying water into her for days on end in a bid to rid her of a demon. And while they believed they they were assisting her, she eventually died after five days.
And of course a court case ensued about culpability. A truly terrible instance of dogmatic beliefs, cabin fever, and hysteria.
In the heart of Maori culture, lies the belief of Makatu, a curse or demon, that can allegedly be 'exorcised'. A poor young mother, Janet Moses, who either had mental health issues or was seemingly depressed, was confronted by her large family attempting to help her. Unfortunately their misguided deeply held beliefs included holding her down and plying water into her for days on end in a bid to rid her of a demon. And while they believed they they were assisting her, she eventually died after five days.
And of course a court case ensued about culpability. A truly terrible instance of dogmatic beliefs, cabin fever, and hysteria.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Headmaster's Wager in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I won this book awhile back on goodreads. I finally got around to reading it & have to say that I wasn't overly impressed. The book got off to a slow start. It got more interesting but not until I was into the second half of the novel.
The characters are very well written. I had a hard time connecting with Percival the Manu character however. The setting alternated between China & Vietnam in the time period of the Cultural Revolution & the Vietnam War. The story didn't really flow until Percival's son was arrested by the silent police for staging a "protest" in an attempt to impress his father who was headmaster of an American school in Cholon.
The book was well written, don't get me wrong! I just couldn't get into the story itself.
The characters are very well written. I had a hard time connecting with Percival the Manu character however. The setting alternated between China & Vietnam in the time period of the Cultural Revolution & the Vietnam War. The story didn't really flow until Percival's son was arrested by the silent police for staging a "protest" in an attempt to impress his father who was headmaster of an American school in Cholon.
The book was well written, don't get me wrong! I just couldn't get into the story itself.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Other Side of the Door (2016) in Movies
Sep 3, 2017
Love the South Asian-west mix of horror, but not particularly scary
An interesting concept, mixing some deep cultural traditions from India with western horror. After a mother loses her son in an accident, she brings him back by attempting to communicate with the dead. But what comes back is another being altogether. It's been done a million times, even in the form of Stephen King's Pet Sematary, but I like the Indian twist, especially for those who know that these kind of beliefs still exist. Shiva shamans, who are known to dabble in black magic, begin to stalk the family in an attempt to rid the house of spirits as well as other ghoulish entities. Great for those who understand the superstitions of India, but not for horror fans.
Jonah Hill recommended Inventing David Geffen (2012) in Movies (curated)
Nicky Wire recommended Lipstick Traces: A Secret History Of The 20th Century in Books (curated)
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated My Dad Wrote A Porno in Podcasts
Jan 5, 2018 (Updated Jan 5, 2018)
Hilariously bad
This is a bit like Sex and the City, in terms of being so terrible, it's a guilty pleasure. And the fact that it has had 90 million downloads constitutes it as a cultural phenomenon.
The podcast is self-explanatory, in which the host Jamie Morton discovers that his retired father has begun dabbling in writing erotica. Introducing Belinda Blinked, her profuse sweatiness, and those 'pomegranates'. As a result, he decides to bring his friends into the action, each week discussing a chapter and literally peeing their pants over how hilariously bad it is. Beware, listening to this in public can cause people to give you strange looks as you attempt to stifle a laugh.
It has received such acclaim that we're onto book three now. It's obviously for adults only, but it's cheeky and pretty ridiculous.
The podcast is self-explanatory, in which the host Jamie Morton discovers that his retired father has begun dabbling in writing erotica. Introducing Belinda Blinked, her profuse sweatiness, and those 'pomegranates'. As a result, he decides to bring his friends into the action, each week discussing a chapter and literally peeing their pants over how hilariously bad it is. Beware, listening to this in public can cause people to give you strange looks as you attempt to stifle a laugh.
It has received such acclaim that we're onto book three now. It's obviously for adults only, but it's cheeky and pretty ridiculous.