Search

Search only in certain items:

Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Jojo Rabbit (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Drama, War
I was not expecting to love Jojo Rabbit as much as I did. I would argue that it's one of the best films of 2019!
The subject of Nazis and Hitler is a touchy one to say the least, but it's also a subject that is ripe for satire, and one of the many aspects that stands out here, is how Taika Waititi has managed to craft a film that is absolutely hilarious, but never undermines how horrible this part of history was.
I laughed (a lot) before being slapped with a reminder of how bleak war is.
The main plot revolves around Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis), a 10 year old boy who looks up to Hitler, and is part of the Nazi Youth. He finds out that his mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl, Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie) in the attic of their house. Initially hostile, they begin to form a friendship as the Nazi regime begins to crumble.
Underneath all the goofiness, this main narrative is radiating in both warmth and sadness. I legit had a bit of a cry at one point.

The cast are brilliant. Roman Griffin Davis is one of the most likable protagonists in recent memory. His innocence and blind devotion to the war is humorous, and weirdly sweet. Thomasin McKenzie is great alongside him as well.
As well as directing, Taika Waititi also plays a version of Hitler, sort of like Jojo's imaginary friend, and he's honestly just the best, and provides the majority of the films comedy.
Elsewhere, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Alfie Allen, and Stephen Merchant all make up a pretty rock solid cast.
Screw it, I even liked Rebel Wilson (she usually makes me want to play in traffic.)

Jojo Rabbit is a truly wonderful experience. It evokes a whole range of emotions effortlessly, looks incredible throughout, and deserves all the praise thrown it's way.
  
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Gail Honeyman | 2017 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
6
8.6 (80 Ratings)
Book Rating
Winner of the Costa First Novel Award, this story will appeal to any fans of Jojo Moyes or Liane Moriarty. Our eponymous central character leads a very solitary, structured life, same clothes, same food, same two bottles of vodka each weekend. Eleanor exists but has not fully grasped how to live. This tale follows her as she tackles life and gradually reveals the deeply buried reasons behind her behaviour. This book is funny yet poignant and heart breaking. Honeyman has tackled the topic of loneliness, isolation and how our social interactions help form our understanding of others. This book will be the well-thumbed fodder of many a book group in years to come.
  
Me Before You (2016)
Me Before You (2016)
2016 | Drama
Emilia Clarke (1 more)
Emilia Clarke's eyebrows
You will cry (1 more)
No seriously you will cry A LOT
In this faithful adaption of the novel by Jojo Moyes, we have your pretty standard love story. Two people (Lou and Will) from very different walks of life (one poor, one disgustingly rich) meet, find common ground, and ultimately fall in love. The problem is that Will, who was recently in an accident that made him a quadriplegic, suffers from depression and has made plans to end his life. Overall I think the story is told well, it definitely made me cry like a baby, and is definitely worth the watch for any romance fan. Emilia Clarke is adorable in her role and her eyebrows are their own character.
  
The Giver of Stars
The Giver of Stars
Jojo Moyes | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A quietly emotional story
I should know…know that when I read a Jojo Moyes book that it’s going to pack an emotional punch but with this blurb, I just didn’t see it coming. THE GIVER OF STARS had me invested quickly and feeling like a family member to the librarian sisterhood, so that when things happened, I felt devastated and scared to read on. The themes of misogyny, racism and feminism made this both emotional and empowering.

The context of reading, teaching poor and downtrodden women, children and men to read through the distrubution of books was in the background but it also powerful to observe. These women on their riding rounds also comforted the sick, grieving and took on the role of friends, confidantes and substitute mother figures.

I didn’t expect this book to be unputdownable, but it was as Moyes made the mundane work of Alice, Margery, Izzy and Beth’s lives totally readable and absorbing. Alice was the main protagonist, an English newly-wed, a little prissy but a genuinely sweet woman. The life she found in Kentucky was not at all what she expected and I tore my hair out over her and Bennett’s relationship. There were some revolting men in this book but then there were also some fantastic characters in Fred and Sven, they were the light in my reading and this book.

There was a second supporting protagonist in Margery and she really captured my heart. I loved her rebelliousness, her unconventional ways and willingness to be different. Her later storyline had me distraught, sad and prone to weeping. I just did not know where this book was going to end, there were so many possibilities.

I have come away from this read inspired. Jojo Moyes took me on a journey with this story and I am all the richer for it. This is historical women’s fiction at it’s best and I will remember this book for years, I am sure.