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Scott Morse recommended Kwaidan (1964) in Movies (curated)
Atom Egoyan recommended Elevator to the Gallows (1958) in Movies (curated)
Psychedelic 60s (2 more)
Wacky and surreal
Innovative
Wacky, "failed experiment" in Gonzo Journalism
This is one of my all-time favourite books, written by one of my all-time favourite people and authors. It is a surreal and somewhat insane story based on the real life adventures of Hunter S. Thompson, on his journey to Las Vegas in search of the "American Dream." It is a wacky, drug-fuelled, stream-of-consciousness narrative that is among one of the innovative titles in a form of New Journalism called Gonzo Journalism, accredited to Thompson. It is quite a surreal read, strange and weird but completely thrilling!
Thompson regarded it as a "failed experiment"' in Gonzo Journalism due to the fact it was edited several times before publication. Typically, a Gonzo work would be written by and about the author in the present, sent away without being edited, resulting in a stream-of-consciousness narrative and more personality. Gonzo works are far more revealing, fiction-like and personal than typical works of journalism. Despite the fact it was edited, however, I feel F&L still emulates everything Thompson wanted in a true Gonzo way. He holds nothing back, reveals everything and created a story than could be fiction. It is a drug-fuelled look at the failure of the American Dream, an astute analysis of Thompson's society and a weird book that will stay with you forever.
Thompson regarded it as a "failed experiment"' in Gonzo Journalism due to the fact it was edited several times before publication. Typically, a Gonzo work would be written by and about the author in the present, sent away without being edited, resulting in a stream-of-consciousness narrative and more personality. Gonzo works are far more revealing, fiction-like and personal than typical works of journalism. Despite the fact it was edited, however, I feel F&L still emulates everything Thompson wanted in a true Gonzo way. He holds nothing back, reveals everything and created a story than could be fiction. It is a drug-fuelled look at the failure of the American Dream, an astute analysis of Thompson's society and a weird book that will stay with you forever.
Don Hertzfeldt recommended Lonesome (1928) in Movies (curated)
David Markey recommended 3 Women (1977) in Movies (curated)
LucyB (47 KP) rated Nights at the Circus in Books
Jul 23, 2017
So creative - a totally unique writer
Fabulous!
I'd been expecting good things from this book, as everyone always tells me how wonderful Angela Carter is, and it certainly delivered!
It's a surreal, earthy kind of book, divided into three distinct parts, which largely focus on the introduction of Fevvers (the fabulous cockney winged woman), the days at the circus, and the wilds of Siberia. Hey, I did warn you it was surreal!
In this book, the reader encounters intelligent pigs (I LOVED Sybil!), brothel madams who like dressing up as Nelson, depressed clowns and more. It's a weird, wonderful world that Carter conjures up, but a joy to immerse yourself in!
It's also great to read an author who is simultaneously so elegant with her language, and so brutally down-to-earth. This echoes the main character in a way, who has the potential to soar to the sea or crash to the ground.
Definitely a must-read...I've no doubt I'll be revisiting this book in the future!
I'd been expecting good things from this book, as everyone always tells me how wonderful Angela Carter is, and it certainly delivered!
It's a surreal, earthy kind of book, divided into three distinct parts, which largely focus on the introduction of Fevvers (the fabulous cockney winged woman), the days at the circus, and the wilds of Siberia. Hey, I did warn you it was surreal!
In this book, the reader encounters intelligent pigs (I LOVED Sybil!), brothel madams who like dressing up as Nelson, depressed clowns and more. It's a weird, wonderful world that Carter conjures up, but a joy to immerse yourself in!
It's also great to read an author who is simultaneously so elegant with her language, and so brutally down-to-earth. This echoes the main character in a way, who has the potential to soar to the sea or crash to the ground.
Definitely a must-read...I've no doubt I'll be revisiting this book in the future!
Paige (428 KP) rated The Lobster (2015) in Movies
Jul 28, 2017
Pretty funny, at times (1 more)
An interesting premise
Dragged a bit (1 more)
A little too heavy for a comedy
Dark surreal dystopian comedies need more humor
Good, not quite as darkly funny as I expected, seemed more concerned with the politics and "rules of the universe" than entirely necessary which kind of messed with the pacing dragged the humor a little bit. Other people were having a hard time understanding the world as built, anyway, so it seems a bit of wasted effort.
Dean (6921 KP) rated Sucker Punch (2011) in Movies
Apr 11, 2018
A good all out OTT comic book action blaster. The visual style and SFX are incredibly good, during the surreal "dances". By creating a fantasy world to set out the aims of their objectives to break out of a brutal orphanage, a group of girls become a deadly team taking on anyone and everyone to complete their goal. While the main story might be fairly plain, the action scenes and fantasy dream world are very entertaining. Well worth checking out!
Andrew Sinclair (25 KP) rated The Good Place in TV
Nov 23, 2019
The Good Place is a fun, silly and surreal sit-com about redemption. It is set in an after life where only good people go. But the main character is not a particularly good person and realises she doesn't belong there. This realisation takes her on a journey of self-improvement so can stay in The Good Place. However there is a mind-blowing twist at the end of season one that changes everything. It's a rare thing to have a thought provoking sitcom.
