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Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Love, Simon (2018) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
One of the most important films in a generation
I don’t think anyone will have any qualms in me saying that the LGBT community is one of the most vastly underrepresented parts of society when it comes to mainstream Hollywood movies.
Sure, we’ve had indie hits like Call Me by Your Name and Moonlight that have also performed well at the Oscars, but the closest we’ve ever gotten to a mass-market crowd pleaser has been Ang Lee’s 2005 flick Brokeback Mountain and if we’re being honest, that wasn’t marketed in a way that made it particularly mainstream.
Aiming to change all that is Love, Simon. Based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, Love, Simon is the first truly mainstream rom-com that features a lead gay character. But is the film a beacon of hope for a massively underrepresented LGBT community or a movie that daren’t go too far?
Everyone deserves a great love story, but for 17-year-old Simon Spier (Nick Robinson), it’s a little more complicated. He hasn’t told his family or friends that he’s gay, and he doesn’t know the identity of the anonymous classmate that he’s fallen for online. Resolving both issues proves hilarious, terrifying and life-changing.
Love, Simon is one of the most important films in a generation. Aiming to please both everyday movie-goers and be sensitive to the issues that gay people face on a daily basis, it needs to tread a very careful line, and I’m pleased to say, it does so beautifully. From the exceptional performances of the entire cast, to the warming attempts at humour, it succeeds on almost every level.
Jurassic World’s Nick Robinson is outstanding as Simon. A 17-year-old who consistently struggles to accept who he truly is would be an incredibly difficult role for even the most seasoned actors to take on, but he really is wonderful to watch. As we journey across his troubled story, the audience feels fully immersed in his actions, even those that are, shall we say, questionable.
The supporting cast too, is excellent. Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel are a great, if slightly underused presence, as Simon’s parents and along with his sister Nora (played by Talitha Bateman), they make an entirely believable family unit and it’s lovely to see them rallying around him when the inevitable ‘outing’ occurs. One touching scene in particular featuring Garner speaking to her son is sure to turn on the waterworks for many.
Love, Simon is a film with a massive heart anchored by a beautifully raw performance by Nick Robinson
Director Greg Berlanti is a relative newcomer to the world of romantic comedy, but he leads with a confidence that makes him appear seasoned at this game. Touching scenes of emotion are nicely interspersed with sequences of genuinely funny comedy – the sign of a great rom-com.
Special mention must go to Natasha Rothwell as drama teacher Ms. Albright, who manages to garner most of the laughs throughout. All of this culminates in a sweet finale that ties together everything that’s happened over the previous 110 minutes very well indeed.
If we’re to look at some of the flaws then it’s fair to say that the story outside of it featuring a gay lead is completely unoriginal. It’s been done before, but that’s kind of its charm. Flipping the classic rom-com story on its head by allowing audiences across the world to see that being gay really isn’t easy is a really nice thing to see.
In a nutshell, Love, Simon is a film with a massive heart anchored by a beautifully raw performance by Nick Robinson. It’ll make you laugh and it’ll make you cry, but this is a touching romantic comedy that will absolutely go down in the history books of film. Like Brokeback Mountain did for the older gay man, Love, Simon can be a shining light for young men who are struggling to accept who they truly are.
Is this a turning point for Hollywood? Well, let’s hope so.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/04/07/love-simon-review-one-of-the-most-important-films-in-a-generation/
Sure, we’ve had indie hits like Call Me by Your Name and Moonlight that have also performed well at the Oscars, but the closest we’ve ever gotten to a mass-market crowd pleaser has been Ang Lee’s 2005 flick Brokeback Mountain and if we’re being honest, that wasn’t marketed in a way that made it particularly mainstream.
Aiming to change all that is Love, Simon. Based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, Love, Simon is the first truly mainstream rom-com that features a lead gay character. But is the film a beacon of hope for a massively underrepresented LGBT community or a movie that daren’t go too far?
Everyone deserves a great love story, but for 17-year-old Simon Spier (Nick Robinson), it’s a little more complicated. He hasn’t told his family or friends that he’s gay, and he doesn’t know the identity of the anonymous classmate that he’s fallen for online. Resolving both issues proves hilarious, terrifying and life-changing.
Love, Simon is one of the most important films in a generation. Aiming to please both everyday movie-goers and be sensitive to the issues that gay people face on a daily basis, it needs to tread a very careful line, and I’m pleased to say, it does so beautifully. From the exceptional performances of the entire cast, to the warming attempts at humour, it succeeds on almost every level.
Jurassic World’s Nick Robinson is outstanding as Simon. A 17-year-old who consistently struggles to accept who he truly is would be an incredibly difficult role for even the most seasoned actors to take on, but he really is wonderful to watch. As we journey across his troubled story, the audience feels fully immersed in his actions, even those that are, shall we say, questionable.
The supporting cast too, is excellent. Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel are a great, if slightly underused presence, as Simon’s parents and along with his sister Nora (played by Talitha Bateman), they make an entirely believable family unit and it’s lovely to see them rallying around him when the inevitable ‘outing’ occurs. One touching scene in particular featuring Garner speaking to her son is sure to turn on the waterworks for many.
Love, Simon is a film with a massive heart anchored by a beautifully raw performance by Nick Robinson
Director Greg Berlanti is a relative newcomer to the world of romantic comedy, but he leads with a confidence that makes him appear seasoned at this game. Touching scenes of emotion are nicely interspersed with sequences of genuinely funny comedy – the sign of a great rom-com.
Special mention must go to Natasha Rothwell as drama teacher Ms. Albright, who manages to garner most of the laughs throughout. All of this culminates in a sweet finale that ties together everything that’s happened over the previous 110 minutes very well indeed.
If we’re to look at some of the flaws then it’s fair to say that the story outside of it featuring a gay lead is completely unoriginal. It’s been done before, but that’s kind of its charm. Flipping the classic rom-com story on its head by allowing audiences across the world to see that being gay really isn’t easy is a really nice thing to see.
In a nutshell, Love, Simon is a film with a massive heart anchored by a beautifully raw performance by Nick Robinson. It’ll make you laugh and it’ll make you cry, but this is a touching romantic comedy that will absolutely go down in the history books of film. Like Brokeback Mountain did for the older gay man, Love, Simon can be a shining light for young men who are struggling to accept who they truly are.
Is this a turning point for Hollywood? Well, let’s hope so.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/04/07/love-simon-review-one-of-the-most-important-films-in-a-generation/
From Passion to Profit - Start Your Business in 6 Weeks or Less!: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Money from Your Hobby by Selling Online
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Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated A Sherlock Holmes Devotional: Uncovering the Mysteries of God in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Every once in a while I read a book that is just trying way too hard to be cool. Sadly, this is one of those books.
Sherlock Holmes was an amazing detective. The Bible is an amazing book. So why not make a Sherlock Holmes devotional? The answer is because the two are about totally different things, and when you try to make a secular thing spiritual, you end up with poison.
I requested this book with suspicion (the same publisher had a bunch of other awesome-looking books, and this was the only one I was iffy about), but I hoped it would surprise and maybe impress me. Sadly, it’s actually worse than I imagined.
For example: The first devotional is about the Case of the Cardboard Box, where a woman has a package delivered to her with two severed ears. The devotional goes on to praise Sherlock for solving the crime, and then diverts to “We can hear the voice of God. Sherlock said the ear is amazing. See how these two are connected?” And yes obviously that’s a paraphrase. But it was the point of the devotional.
In staying in this same idea, let me tell you a story and give you a practical on how it made me feel.
Did you know in the Appalachian mountains, some people put Mountain Dew in their babies bottles? It’s cheaper than milk and the kids get addicted to it young. Obviously it causes major health issues like diabetes and sever obesity, the kids end up loosing their teeth before they even break skin, and (though I haven’t researched it, I’m sure) that some have died.
In the same way, the Bible tells us that newer Christians thrive on smaller amounts of doctrine, simple statements of truth. In the new testament, a Christian not moving past that stage is considered an adult still drinking baby milk. But the milk isn’t enough, and eventually, their faith will die if they don’t move forward. So Mountain Dew is like Baby Milk. See how the two are connected?
Sorry, but this book isn’t baby food. It’s poison. I love Sherlock and I love Jesus. But I find this book offensive
Sherlock Holmes was an amazing detective. The Bible is an amazing book. So why not make a Sherlock Holmes devotional? The answer is because the two are about totally different things, and when you try to make a secular thing spiritual, you end up with poison.
I requested this book with suspicion (the same publisher had a bunch of other awesome-looking books, and this was the only one I was iffy about), but I hoped it would surprise and maybe impress me. Sadly, it’s actually worse than I imagined.
For example: The first devotional is about the Case of the Cardboard Box, where a woman has a package delivered to her with two severed ears. The devotional goes on to praise Sherlock for solving the crime, and then diverts to “We can hear the voice of God. Sherlock said the ear is amazing. See how these two are connected?” And yes obviously that’s a paraphrase. But it was the point of the devotional.
In staying in this same idea, let me tell you a story and give you a practical on how it made me feel.
Did you know in the Appalachian mountains, some people put Mountain Dew in their babies bottles? It’s cheaper than milk and the kids get addicted to it young. Obviously it causes major health issues like diabetes and sever obesity, the kids end up loosing their teeth before they even break skin, and (though I haven’t researched it, I’m sure) that some have died.
In the same way, the Bible tells us that newer Christians thrive on smaller amounts of doctrine, simple statements of truth. In the new testament, a Christian not moving past that stage is considered an adult still drinking baby milk. But the milk isn’t enough, and eventually, their faith will die if they don’t move forward. So Mountain Dew is like Baby Milk. See how the two are connected?
Sorry, but this book isn’t baby food. It’s poison. I love Sherlock and I love Jesus. But I find this book offensive
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Merissa (13690 KP) rated Spanish Siesta (Flying into Love #2) in Books
Aug 2, 2022 (Updated Aug 2, 2023)
When rugby players fall, they fall hard!
SPANISH SIESTA is the second book in the Flying Into Love series and, just as with the first book, there was a character I instantly connected with and one I didn't.
Kieran has had a long-term crush on his best mate, Matt, since forever. Matt, on the other hand, is a first-class alpha man-ho, never sticking around and sleeping his way through the female population of London. Although from the outside looking in, you might think Kieran had it tough; compared to Matt's dysfunctional family, Kieran had it incredibly easy as he at least had his mother's love.
You don't actually go too deep with any of the supporting characters, or indeed, with the main ones. Matt's sudden epiphany didn't seem that realistic, although his reaction to people finding out was the opposite.
The pacing was smooth and the writing style was easy. The story flowed, leading you to the conclusion. It was an enjoyable book with no surprises. If you like the friends-to-lovers/bi-awakening tropes, then this is one for you.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 1, 2022
Kieran has had a long-term crush on his best mate, Matt, since forever. Matt, on the other hand, is a first-class alpha man-ho, never sticking around and sleeping his way through the female population of London. Although from the outside looking in, you might think Kieran had it tough; compared to Matt's dysfunctional family, Kieran had it incredibly easy as he at least had his mother's love.
You don't actually go too deep with any of the supporting characters, or indeed, with the main ones. Matt's sudden epiphany didn't seem that realistic, although his reaction to people finding out was the opposite.
The pacing was smooth and the writing style was easy. The story flowed, leading you to the conclusion. It was an enjoyable book with no surprises. If you like the friends-to-lovers/bi-awakening tropes, then this is one for you.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 1, 2022
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Wink in Books
Apr 6, 2020
Surprisingly light hearted read
The conversation went like this: "Whats that book? it really like the cover".
"Its called Wink, a new young adult book"
"what is it about?"
"A kid who has cancer of the eye"
"Why would anyone want to read that? It sounds miserable"
"Actually it is meant to be funny".
And actually it is quite a hard sell at first, but, dear reader, this is neither tragically sad not over sentimental. It does get emotional and it does tug at your heart strings except that isn't what sells the book. Its the ease of reading, the loveable character and the huge amount of empathy the book is packed with, in places you wouldn't expect it.
Author Rob Harrell had this exceptionally rare cancer of the tear gland but, instead of writing about his experience, he used his experience and created a teenage boy called Ross and his friends and family and told his story instead. The result is a wonderful book, difficult to put down and very easy to read.
What make this so special, other than the brilliant orange cover, is how real and likeable the characters are. I grew attached to all of them and wanted to stay with them. It is an incredibly human book which is light hearted, honest and (strangely for cancer) fun journey filled with the power of music, friendship and hope.
Now can we have a separate story for Jimmy as well? I loved Jimmy. You will too. Oh and the book made me cry loads of times, in a nice way and isn't that what anyone wants? Art to resonate with you?
"Its called Wink, a new young adult book"
"what is it about?"
"A kid who has cancer of the eye"
"Why would anyone want to read that? It sounds miserable"
"Actually it is meant to be funny".
And actually it is quite a hard sell at first, but, dear reader, this is neither tragically sad not over sentimental. It does get emotional and it does tug at your heart strings except that isn't what sells the book. Its the ease of reading, the loveable character and the huge amount of empathy the book is packed with, in places you wouldn't expect it.
Author Rob Harrell had this exceptionally rare cancer of the tear gland but, instead of writing about his experience, he used his experience and created a teenage boy called Ross and his friends and family and told his story instead. The result is a wonderful book, difficult to put down and very easy to read.
What make this so special, other than the brilliant orange cover, is how real and likeable the characters are. I grew attached to all of them and wanted to stay with them. It is an incredibly human book which is light hearted, honest and (strangely for cancer) fun journey filled with the power of music, friendship and hope.
Now can we have a separate story for Jimmy as well? I loved Jimmy. You will too. Oh and the book made me cry loads of times, in a nice way and isn't that what anyone wants? Art to resonate with you?
