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Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Mean Season (1985) in Movies
Feb 10, 2021
The Killer Calls
The Mean Season- is a great suspense thiller.
The plot: After reporting on the murder of a teenage girl, journalist Malcolm Anderson (Kurt Russell) is contacted by the killer (Richard Jordan) known as the "Numbers Murderer," who offers exclusive information about the deaths. With the cooperation of the police, who tape the killer's phone calls, Malcolm agrees and soon becomes famous. Jealous of the attention the journalist is receiving for his coverage, the Numbers Murderer kidnaps Malcolm's girlfriend, Christine (Mariel Hemingway).
The film was named after the term of the same name that refers to a pattern of weather that occurs in Florida during the late summer months. In order to achieve accuracy for the scenes that take place in the busy newsroom, the filmmakers used Miami Herald reporters as on-set consultants and extras and shot in the actual newsroom as opposed to recreating it on a soundstage.
Its a great crime thriller.
The plot: After reporting on the murder of a teenage girl, journalist Malcolm Anderson (Kurt Russell) is contacted by the killer (Richard Jordan) known as the "Numbers Murderer," who offers exclusive information about the deaths. With the cooperation of the police, who tape the killer's phone calls, Malcolm agrees and soon becomes famous. Jealous of the attention the journalist is receiving for his coverage, the Numbers Murderer kidnaps Malcolm's girlfriend, Christine (Mariel Hemingway).
The film was named after the term of the same name that refers to a pattern of weather that occurs in Florida during the late summer months. In order to achieve accuracy for the scenes that take place in the busy newsroom, the filmmakers used Miami Herald reporters as on-set consultants and extras and shot in the actual newsroom as opposed to recreating it on a soundstage.
Its a great crime thriller.
Better than most thrillers
As a debut book it is a confident stride into novels
Having a journalist AND a girl in a coma as protagonists was a brave move that paid off.
A whodunit that mostly avoids treading the same paths as its peers while not being formulaic - made a refreshing change and reignited my interest in this genre.
Having a journalist AND a girl in a coma as protagonists was a brave move that paid off.
A whodunit that mostly avoids treading the same paths as its peers while not being formulaic - made a refreshing change and reignited my interest in this genre.
Pedro Costa recommended Late Spring (1949) in Movies (curated)
Shelle Perry (66 KP) rated The Question Is Murder in Books
Aug 19, 2021
Should a journalist be impartial or should they do the right thing, even if it means compromising their source?
Should a journalist be impartial and just tell the story, or should they do the right thing, even if it means compromising their source? This is the question posed by columnist/ college lecturer Sam Turner when he receives an email that could lead to murder.
When a young woman is being stalked by an untouchable powerful man, she considers that killing him may be her only way out. However when he turns up dead, it may be that she is not the only person who wanted him gone. This is a wonderfully suspenseful mystery told from the perspectives of three different main characters that offer interesting insight into mindset of murder. It is set against a political backdrop that is pulled from the headlines but not at all cliche.
Though the murder needs solving, and Sam Turner, an ethics advice columnist and throw back to traditional journalist, does a fantastic job of chasing down the story and the facts, it is simply the vehicle to get inside Sam’s life which is where the true meat of the story lies. His struggle with ethics of his decisions and the changing circumstances of both his career and personal life made for great reading. I would very much enjoy seeing more books about Sam and people he is close to.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When a young woman is being stalked by an untouchable powerful man, she considers that killing him may be her only way out. However when he turns up dead, it may be that she is not the only person who wanted him gone. This is a wonderfully suspenseful mystery told from the perspectives of three different main characters that offer interesting insight into mindset of murder. It is set against a political backdrop that is pulled from the headlines but not at all cliche.
Though the murder needs solving, and Sam Turner, an ethics advice columnist and throw back to traditional journalist, does a fantastic job of chasing down the story and the facts, it is simply the vehicle to get inside Sam’s life which is where the true meat of the story lies. His struggle with ethics of his decisions and the changing circumstances of both his career and personal life made for great reading. I would very much enjoy seeing more books about Sam and people he is close to.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Free Rainer (Reclaim Your Brain) (2007) in Movies
Aug 9, 2017
An intelligent film about how the media is a propaganda machine
As a journalist, this German movie is a dream. It's all about quality programming, stopping mindless TV sucking out the life of viewers and finally watching some quality and meaningful television. Obviously there are conspiracy theories throughout the film, in which the TV personality hijacks the broadcasting schedule to stop politicians dumbing down the populace. But what film doesn't have a bit of action and adventure?
Jeremy King (346 KP) rated The Rum Diary in Books
May 13, 2019
I found this book at on a bench at a park and could not put it down.
The Rum Diary is an early novel by Hunter S. Thompson. It was written in the early 1960s but was not published until 1998.
In this tale you will read about drinking rum, eating burgers, some journalism, rum, the twisted minds of people, rum and more rum while following a American journalist working at a paper in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Rum Diary is an early novel by Hunter S. Thompson. It was written in the early 1960s but was not published until 1998.
In this tale you will read about drinking rum, eating burgers, some journalism, rum, the twisted minds of people, rum and more rum while following a American journalist working at a paper in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Mary Ellen Mark recommended La Dolce Vita (1960) in Movies (curated)
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Unspeakable in Books
Oct 22, 2017 (Updated Oct 22, 2017)
A biting outlook on American politics by a veteran journalist
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges and Salon founder David Talbot have a frank conversation about political taboos in this new series of books on 'forbidden' topics.
Hedges writes about politics with a principled fury and an eye to pointing out injustice, even at the cost of his own career as an acclaimed war correspondent. The book is a long-running commentary on the many issues Hedges confronts in his writing, including war, Occupy Wall Street, and the New York Times's relationship to organs of state power.
At times, he sounds like a bitter preacher, at other times, he is focused and forms excellent arguments against the establishment. His views on the pornification of society are liberating, finally addressing the underlying issues of economics invading the private space.
His observation that the today's ruling elites are out of touch with the country they govern and has borne out in the 2016 election cycle, shows that even the most stridently expressed views aren't necessarily wrong.
Hedges writes about politics with a principled fury and an eye to pointing out injustice, even at the cost of his own career as an acclaimed war correspondent. The book is a long-running commentary on the many issues Hedges confronts in his writing, including war, Occupy Wall Street, and the New York Times's relationship to organs of state power.
At times, he sounds like a bitter preacher, at other times, he is focused and forms excellent arguments against the establishment. His views on the pornification of society are liberating, finally addressing the underlying issues of economics invading the private space.
His observation that the today's ruling elites are out of touch with the country they govern and has borne out in the 2016 election cycle, shows that even the most stridently expressed views aren't necessarily wrong.
Awix (3310 KP) rated A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) in Movies
Feb 3, 2020
Inarguable indicator of cultural hegemony (movie built around an entirely US-centric cultural figure manages to get an international release) also turns out to be an impressive and moving drama. Cynical and misanthropic journalist is assigned to interview beloved children's TV host and font of decent folksy wisdom. Can the power of niceness conquer all?
Movie inevitably loses a lot of its resonance for a viewer who only became aware of Fred Rogers and his TV show a short while ago, but this is still a charming and imaginative film. Just how much of it is actually true is probably one of those questions best not asked, but Hanks gives a brilliant performance, somehow managing not to come across as incredibly cheesy, while - in a less showy role - Matthew Rhys is also extremely good as the journalist. If you take away the slightly surreal Fred Rogers elements this is basically just another drama about someone working out his issues with his father, but it's a highly impressive one.
Movie inevitably loses a lot of its resonance for a viewer who only became aware of Fred Rogers and his TV show a short while ago, but this is still a charming and imaginative film. Just how much of it is actually true is probably one of those questions best not asked, but Hanks gives a brilliant performance, somehow managing not to come across as incredibly cheesy, while - in a less showy role - Matthew Rhys is also extremely good as the journalist. If you take away the slightly surreal Fred Rogers elements this is basically just another drama about someone working out his issues with his father, but it's a highly impressive one.
ClareR (5577 KP) rated The Cutting Place (Maeve Kerrigan #9) in Books
Mar 31, 2023
I’m becoming addicted to these Maeve Kerrigan books. Ok, I’ve only read Cruel Acts before this, but I’ve now bought all the others, and I’m writing this having read the book that comes AFTER The Cutting Place. So.
The characters of Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent are, I’ll be honest, my main motivation for reading these books. The chemistry between them is quite something!
The cases are fascinating too. A mud lark on the Thames finds a human hand. DNA results say it belongs to a missing journalist, and so Maeve is pulled into what the journalist was last investigating: The Chiron Club. A private members club for rich, privileged men.
It’s not all about the case, and that’s what I like most about these books - the mix. Maeve’s new boyfriend Seth, isn’t as he at first seems, and a secret that Maeve has been keeping from Josh is revealed in the worst possible way.
These are just fantastic books, and I will be reading the backlist. That should keep me occupied 😳
The characters of Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent are, I’ll be honest, my main motivation for reading these books. The chemistry between them is quite something!
The cases are fascinating too. A mud lark on the Thames finds a human hand. DNA results say it belongs to a missing journalist, and so Maeve is pulled into what the journalist was last investigating: The Chiron Club. A private members club for rich, privileged men.
It’s not all about the case, and that’s what I like most about these books - the mix. Maeve’s new boyfriend Seth, isn’t as he at first seems, and a secret that Maeve has been keeping from Josh is revealed in the worst possible way.
These are just fantastic books, and I will be reading the backlist. That should keep me occupied 😳