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Li Hughes (285 KP) rated Six Four in Books

Sep 3, 2017  
Six Four
Six Four
Hideo Yokoyama, Jonathan Lloyd-Davies | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A dense, rich plot (1 more)
Tons of interesting cultural glimpses
That dense, rich plot can be slow going (0 more)
I loved this book. Translated works can sometimes be clunky, with little nuances lost along the way, but this one was so smooth and evocative that it didn't really feel translated at all. Kudos to Jonathon Lloyd-Davies.

The basic plot involves 2 missing girls: the 1989 kidnap and murder of a 7 year old and the more recent disappearance of Press Director Mikami's teenage daughter. With the anniversary of the original crime coming up, Mikami is charged with organizing a PR visit by the police commissioner to the family of the murdered 7 year old and discovers a previously unseen clue in the case files along the way. The insight into the minutiae of Japanese daily life is fascinating: the sense of failure Mikami feels from having been transferred to criminal investigations to press director, cops stopping to purchase a visiting gift of rice crackers before stopping at the victim's home, Mikami's knowledge from the glimpse of a home shrine that a key witness has passed away.


While this can be a slow read, I suggest sticking with it. Take it in small doses. It's worth it.
  
FT
Full Tilt (Full #2)
5
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
2.5 stars.

There were a few things that I just didn't particularly like about this: Max was good at EVERYTHING, and I do mean everything; hand to hand combat, survival skills, hacking, attacking alligators, knowing how to disarm bombs etc. Just all seemed so OTT. As did Deedee? and Beenie. They were so annoying in their cliché-ness. Gay best friend of pampered, spoilt rich girl. Ugh. And then Jamie's reaction to every dangerous thing they encountered; to squeal like a banshee and tell Max to move away from the threat while staying by his side the whole time??

That being said, I am a little intrigued as to what might happen next with these two and own the next book but I might give it a while before I jump in.
  
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Logan Eccles (135 KP) rated Late Night (2019) in Movies

Oct 1, 2020 (Updated Oct 2, 2020)  
Late Night (2019)
Late Night (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Drama
A smart comedy about comedy
I wasn't overly excited about this film or anxiously waiting for its arrival but to say I wasn't fully watching every second of this charming movie and thoroughly enjoying would be a hideous lie. The cast & crew really made something special here through the emotional story or the great cohesiveness and chemistry of the cast. I have never been a die-hard fan of Mendy like most but if she keeps appearing in films like this she might turn me around yet. I mean she wasn't great in this movie, but this movie was great. From start to finish this story was smart, charming, funny, modern, and relatable. If you enjoy rich true comedy at its finest, you will enjoy this little film as much as I did.