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Lenard (726 KP) rated Late Night (2019) in Movies
Aug 26, 2019
Late Night is a well-written comedy about a non-white female hired to add diversity to the writing staff of a late night talk show. Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson showing the comic skills developed during her university days as Hugh Laurie's girlfriend) is a older sophisticated woman who hosts a show whose audience is dying off, literally in some cases and figuratively. If things do not improve, she will no longer be host of her eponymous talk show. So, in an unexpected but obvious hiring decision, Molly Patel is hired to join the writing staff. At first, seen as an interloper with little comedy or writing experience, Molly uses her Mindy Kaling charm to win over her co-workers and her boss. As Katherine starts to see a way to take advantage of her uniqueness and the youth of Molly, she challenges the status quo of late night.
The movie is charming. The characters are developed and not cardboard cutouts of caricatures thanks to the writing, Max Casella, Reid Scott, Denis O'Hare, Hugh Dancy, Amy Ryan, and John Lithgow have backstories and motivations. However, the movie never really goes after the boys' club landscape that late night television inhabits nor does it go after the concept of diversity hires. It simply turns Molly into some sprite who sprinkles enthusiasm into the mundane lives of the people she encounters. Late Night also begins the campaign for John Lithgow as this year's Best Supporting Actor, Not for this role as the mentor for Molly's transformation to strong woman and devoted husband of Katherine who learns the meaning of karma, but for his role later this year as Roger Ailes.
The movie is charming. The characters are developed and not cardboard cutouts of caricatures thanks to the writing, Max Casella, Reid Scott, Denis O'Hare, Hugh Dancy, Amy Ryan, and John Lithgow have backstories and motivations. However, the movie never really goes after the boys' club landscape that late night television inhabits nor does it go after the concept of diversity hires. It simply turns Molly into some sprite who sprinkles enthusiasm into the mundane lives of the people she encounters. Late Night also begins the campaign for John Lithgow as this year's Best Supporting Actor, Not for this role as the mentor for Molly's transformation to strong woman and devoted husband of Katherine who learns the meaning of karma, but for his role later this year as Roger Ailes.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Shape of Water (2017) in Movies
Feb 19, 2018 (Updated Feb 19, 2018)
Guillermo del Toro's stunning fantasy film is either a radical reimagining of Creature from the Black Lagoon, or a grand amour as written by H.P. Lovecraft (or maybe both). Lonely cleaner discovers fish-man creature being mistreated in the installation where she works, bond develops between them.
Manages to work both as a 60s-set genre movie and more topical comment on issues of tolerance and diversity (just for a change). Quite charming and beautiful on the whole, though the strength of the sex and violence might be an issue for some people. The downtrodden-minorities-stick-it-to-The-Man subtext is a bit on the nose, perhaps, and I'm not sure the third act musical number really works, but on the whole this is a brilliant movie.
Manages to work both as a 60s-set genre movie and more topical comment on issues of tolerance and diversity (just for a change). Quite charming and beautiful on the whole, though the strength of the sex and violence might be an issue for some people. The downtrodden-minorities-stick-it-to-The-Man subtext is a bit on the nose, perhaps, and I'm not sure the third act musical number really works, but on the whole this is a brilliant movie.
Claire (89 KP) rated The Greatest Showman (2017) in Movies
Oct 13, 2018
Celebrates diversity (2 more)
HUGh Jackman
THE soundtrack
This is a complete must see for every single one of you!
I was late on the band wagon; only watching for the first time last night. I just wish I had watched it sooner! We sat as a family (me, hubby & 2 boys aged 10 & 7) and watched it from start to finish, twice! The story is fantastic. The cast are superb. The soundtrack is powerful and it is a real feel good movie. If you haven’t seen it yet, even if you’re not sure it’s for you, give it a go. My hubby wasn’t sure he would be interested but he loved it!
I am currently snuggled up with my youngest son (7) watching it again as we love it so so much ?
I am currently snuggled up with my youngest son (7) watching it again as we love it so so much ?
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Anger Is a Gift in Books
Apr 7, 2018
This book has left me speechless, in awe, and in tears. The timeliness of it with the #MarchFor OurLives can not be understated. It reminds us that minorities have been faced with violence for too long and often at the hands of those who are supposed to serve and protect. The diversity of the characters is truely a quilt of the underrepresented within this country. The care and compassion that Oshiro uses to create such deep characters makes a true impact on the reader. As a middle and elementary school teacher I don't think I could use this book to teach but I can recommend it. I think this book needs to be in every high school library in the country though and possibly used in the curriculum . It is a discussion that needs to be opened.
Jared Harper (8 KP) rated Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in Video Games
Mar 14, 2019
I've been playing super smash since the very first one on the Nintendo 64. This game is amazing. Competitively, the game is constantly adapting to new metas and players are constantly grinding and dedicating themselves to this game to find new techniques to help them get ahead.
Non competitively the game is just a blast for all your friends to play. Throw on items and go have fun as complete chaos takes over! Pick on character from a screen of 74ish unique characters and have fun!
I have almost nothing bad to say about this game, it truly is ultimate.
Non competitively the game is just a blast for all your friends to play. Throw on items and go have fun as complete chaos takes over! Pick on character from a screen of 74ish unique characters and have fun!
I have almost nothing bad to say about this game, it truly is ultimate.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Ranger Rick: National Parks! in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
Ranger Rick's Travels: National Parks! by Stacy Tornio is a book that is colorful which will help children appreciate the beauty and diversity of the United States. The book is categorized within the different regions of the country and then showcases National Parks within that area. Every National Park is mentioned. The pictures and facts about the parks are a great way to teach children about America. The book catches the attention of children and adults. I would love to include this book in my classroom for when teaching American History. For example, if I am talking about California I could show the students a park from that region or if we are discussing about New England I could do the same. This book is a great resource whether teaching 1st grade or 8th grade.
Ranger Rick's Travels: National Parks! by Stacy Tornio is a book that is colorful which will help children appreciate the beauty and diversity of the United States. The book is categorized within the different regions of the country and then showcases National Parks within that area. Every National Park is mentioned. The pictures and facts about the parks are a great way to teach children about America. The book catches the attention of children and adults. I would love to include this book in my classroom for when teaching American History. For example, if I am talking about California I could show the students a park from that region or if we are discussing about New England I could do the same. This book is a great resource whether teaching 1st grade or 8th grade.
Mothergamer (1514 KP) rated Verdant Skies in Video Games
Feb 23, 2020
Great And Relaxing Game
In Verdant Skies you are playing as a colonist on another planet. You have to plant crops, forage, fish, and help build a colony. Think Stardew Valley in space. If you like games like Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon you will enjoy this game. There is a lot of exploration, building, and of course building friendships and romances with your fellow colonists. You can take your time with the game. There's a very relaxed vibe and you can do tasks for others, farm, clone animals like space cows, and help to build and grow your colony. There is wonderful diversity and representation among the characters and it is easy to see how much love, thought, and care went into this game. It is a lot of fun to play and there is a lot to do in it as well.
This book was so fun :)
I loved all the unique stories and the imaginary British accents in my head (Sigh..). The stories are a mix of mystery, laughter, intrigue, and faith. I truly enjoyed reading this mix of stories; plus I found some new to me authors to read! The characters in each story were engaging and I really didn't want to say goodbye to them. I loved the lessons that the characters learned and thought that they were well thought out and grew as the story progressed.
I definitely recommend reading this book (or books as its 9 different stories) at the next opportunity. I give them a 4 out of 5 stars for the diversity, the creative characters, and for giving me some truly happy smiles.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
I loved all the unique stories and the imaginary British accents in my head (Sigh..). The stories are a mix of mystery, laughter, intrigue, and faith. I truly enjoyed reading this mix of stories; plus I found some new to me authors to read! The characters in each story were engaging and I really didn't want to say goodbye to them. I loved the lessons that the characters learned and thought that they were well thought out and grew as the story progressed.
I definitely recommend reading this book (or books as its 9 different stories) at the next opportunity. I give them a 4 out of 5 stars for the diversity, the creative characters, and for giving me some truly happy smiles.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Aeronauts (2019) in Movies
Nov 9, 2019 (Updated Nov 9, 2019)
Not-really-based-on-fact balloon-centric drama turns out to be predictably lightweight. A meteorologist (historical character) and a female balloon pilot (fictitious) embark on an expedition into the sky to see if the weather can predicted.
Two people get into a balloon; they go up, they come back down again. There is a bit of jeopardy along the way, and moments which may give people with a fear of heights a funny turn, but it all feels oddly low-octane and polite. The film is given extra ballast by extended flashbacks to what led them up to this point, but this is quite ordinary bonnet opera stuff. You do wonder what kind of film this is meant to be: not enough depth for a genuine drama, not enough action for an adventure. Works hard to tick all the diversity boxes, naturally. Looks great and the score is impressive, but I came out wondering what the point of it was.
Two people get into a balloon; they go up, they come back down again. There is a bit of jeopardy along the way, and moments which may give people with a fear of heights a funny turn, but it all feels oddly low-octane and polite. The film is given extra ballast by extended flashbacks to what led them up to this point, but this is quite ordinary bonnet opera stuff. You do wonder what kind of film this is meant to be: not enough depth for a genuine drama, not enough action for an adventure. Works hard to tick all the diversity boxes, naturally. Looks great and the score is impressive, but I came out wondering what the point of it was.
Chloe (778 KP) rated Killer Instinct in Books
Jul 4, 2020
Fast-paced (2 more)
Good characters
Interesting
Fast-paced neat easy read
Contains spoilers, click to show
Will they be able to foil the terrorist plot against them?
I haven't read the prequel to this so maybe some of points will have been different if I had.
When I first started understanding the full story, I was very surprised at how short the book was. I was wondering how you could unpiece such a large scale operation in such a short book.
The story is fast-paced and the short chapters only add to this. I read it very quickly and enjoyed the pulse racing action.
I like the diversity of characters and the insight into CIA/MI6 operations. Its also a very current story.
I felt the hidden past mentioned on the cover was a little underwhelming. Overall the story was very neat, in every tense moment there is someone or something to save the day.
I haven't read the prequel to this so maybe some of points will have been different if I had.
When I first started understanding the full story, I was very surprised at how short the book was. I was wondering how you could unpiece such a large scale operation in such a short book.
The story is fast-paced and the short chapters only add to this. I read it very quickly and enjoyed the pulse racing action.
I like the diversity of characters and the insight into CIA/MI6 operations. Its also a very current story.
I felt the hidden past mentioned on the cover was a little underwhelming. Overall the story was very neat, in every tense moment there is someone or something to save the day.