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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Hate u Give in Books

Jan 10, 2018

The Hate u Give

Angie Thomas | 2017 | Children

8.4

(54 Ratings)

Book Rating

powerful (0 more)

Starr Carter lives a divided life. At sixteen, she spends part of her life in her impoverished inner city neighborhood and another portion in the suburbs, attending an elite prep school, where she is one of a handful of African American students. Starr feels like she is two Starrs, and she keeps these two people very separate, with a different set of friends and personas for each world. But her careful facade is threatened when her childhood best friend, Khalil, is killed by a police officer. Starr is with Khalil when he is shot--unarmed--and her life will never be the same. In the aftermath, the media begins to call Khalil a drug dealer and a gang member. But speaking up about what she saw isn't so simple, especially when not everyone wants to hear the truth.

You've probably heard about Thomas' debut novel by now--it's been getting a lot of coverage and truly, deservedly so. This is definitely a powerful, eye-opening, and timely story. Thomas has created an excellent main character in Starr, whose voice shines clear and strong in the book. Her struggle to fit into two worlds is one many can relate to: Starr's just happens to have life and death consequences. Starr has wonderful, supportive parents and two humorous brothers who fill out the book with a realism and warmth that's hard to describe. Thomas is superb in capturing her characters' voices, and I found myself easily able to picture Starr and her family. I especially loved such snippets that made them jump off the pages--for instance, the family settling down to watch NBA basketball, complete with all their little superstitions (I've definitely been there) was perfect.

Starr's story isn't always easy to read (nor should it be), but it offered strong insight into the systemic problems facing African American communities--much of it framed by Starr's pragmatic parents. I thought some things tied up too easily, but I was still very profoundly affected by the story. I loved Starr and her tough yet vulnerable self. I loved her parents, their love, and their history. Her brothers cracked me up. At its core, this is a story about family, as well as identity and race. It's important, serious, heartbreaking, and yet sometimes really funny. It's also beautiful, powerful, and definitely worth a read.

Kudos

Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Get Hard (2015) in Movies

Jun 19, 2019

Get Hard (2015)

2015 | Comedy

6.1

(11 Ratings)

Movie Rating

For high rolling stock trader James King (Will Ferrell), life is pretty amazing. Not only does he live in a lavish house in an exclusive Los Angeles community, but he is engaged to the lovely Alissa (Allison Brie). James is oblivious to many of those around him save for his future father in law Martin (Craig T. Nelson), who has recently rewarded him with a partnership at his brokerage.

Life has not been as sunny for Darnelll (Kevin Hart), a devoted family man who runs his car detailing place and looks to find a way to get the $30,000 he needs to purchase a better home in a better neighborhood for his family.

Fate steps in when James is charged with several trading violations and is sentenced to ten years in San Quentin. For the self-absorbed and highly-sheltered James this is equivalent to a death sentence and he is eager to find a way out of his mess.

With his world in chaos, James hires Darnell to be his prison consultant, as he is convinced Darnell must have done time due to his color and station in life. Although offended, Darnell hides this and agrees to spend the next few weeks before James has to report to jail training him to survive.

Although motivated to earn the money he needs, Darnell soon gains sympathy for James and in time, begins to believe he may be innocent of the charges levied upon him. In between the crude but often very funny training segments James endures, the two bond and work with one another to overcome the challenges presented to them before time runs out.

Ferell and Hart have a very good chemistry with one another and there are some very funny moments in the film. One moment had Hart portraying various prison yard characters at the same time and his frantic way of moving between characters at the same time was something to behold.

The film does tread on some racial stereotypes often but they at least mix it up and do not focus entirely upon one race or group.

While at times slow and requiring some leaps of faith from the audience, the two leads make the film a funny and enjoyable distraction that will keep you laughing enough to make it worth your while.

http://sknr.net/2015/03/27/get-hard/

Kudos

Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) in Movies

Nov 28, 2019

When I first heard that Tom Hanks was playing Fred Rogers in a biopic, I was all on board. Who wouldn’t be? When I finally saw the film about a year and a half later, it was not the movie I was expecting. In such a fantastically good way.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood tells the story of the real life friendship between Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks) and journalist Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys, character based on real life journalist Tom Junod). Vogel is an investigative reporter for Esquire magazine in the late nineties and he is assigned a “puff” piece. The magazine was doing an issue on heroes, and Vogel was assigned Mr. Rogers, and would be a story unlike any other that he has written. After meeting and talking to Mr. Rogers for the first time, he couldn’t believe that this person was… well, perfect. Let’s be clear, Mr. Rogers is not perfect, but probably as close to perfect as many can imagine. So Vogel did what he does best. He started investigating. And during the course of his discoveries, he started to make discoveries about himself, and the relationships in his life, specifically with that of his father, Jerry Vogel (Chris Cooper).

This movie was so much more than I expected going in. I expected to tear up, I didn’t expect it to hit home the way show used to as I was growing up and watch the show well into my twenties. The cinematography was excellent. Many times it felt like I was watching the show as the movie essentially played out like an episode. The transitions were amazing, and the music was fantastic as well. They didn’t try to do anything artsy or new age with anything. All of the original themes and music was there. It was one of the most nostalgic movie going experiences I have ever had.
This is definitely a great movie to see, but do not mistake it for a children’s film, please. There are some very mature themes, language, and concepts. This is definitely meant to shine some light on the nature of human character versus the lessons taught by the legendary Mr. Rogers. That being said, go see it. It absolutely will not ruin your childhood.