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Barry Newman (204 KP) rated A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) in Movies
Jun 12, 2020
It's unashamedly sentimental and certainly won't be to everyone's tastes but when the news is full of horrible depressing stuff like racism and the bloody virus sometimes you just want a big warm hug of a film and this certainly delivers on that. Being British I am not familiar with Mr Rogers and the film is not really a biopic of him, more so the influence his positivity has on other people and the story concerns his relationship with a cynical journalist tasked with interviewing him whose struggling with family issues. You can see how it's all going to end up but it's a journey worth taking. Hanks is as charming and likeable as ever and the film left with me a big smile on my face and in this day and age that is always something to be thankful for.
Awix (3310 KP) rated BlacKkKlansman (2018) in Movies
Mar 12, 2019
Based-on-truth joint from Spike Lee is one part comedy, one part thriller, and one part consciousness-raising polemic. The first African-American to join the Colorado Springs PD has to deal with racism from his own colleagues even before he embarks upon the seemingly insane mission of infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan, assisted by his Jewish partner.
Not quite the absurd comedy the trailer suggests it will be, although anyone familiar with Lee's work could probably have guessed as much; the material dealing with the civil rights movement and the political realities of the time is seriously presented and clearly deeply felt. Still involving and entertaining stuff - the decision to dispense with a conventional ending in favour of a diatribe against those provoking the Charlottesville riots and their cheerleader in Washington may not be great storytelling, but it feels entirely understandable and appropriate.
Not quite the absurd comedy the trailer suggests it will be, although anyone familiar with Lee's work could probably have guessed as much; the material dealing with the civil rights movement and the political realities of the time is seriously presented and clearly deeply felt. Still involving and entertaining stuff - the decision to dispense with a conventional ending in favour of a diatribe against those provoking the Charlottesville riots and their cheerleader in Washington may not be great storytelling, but it feels entirely understandable and appropriate.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Shape of Water (2017) in Movies
Mar 12, 2018 (Updated Mar 12, 2018)
Fish porn :D - not Del Toro's finest
I'm possibly in the minority when I say I didn't particularly enjoy this film though I really appreciated the themes explored such as prejudice, otherness, and boundless love. Not to mention, highlighting disability, racism and homophobia.
However, as a big fan of @Pan's Labyrinth (2006), @The Devil's Backbone (2001) and @Cronos (1994) - this felt like it had a bit of Hollywood stardust and Guillermo Del Toro seemed to dumb down his usual style i.e. turning to good versus bad.
Although Michael Shannon acted well, he was a bit of caricature of a villain. But I did like the flipside of the Soviet scientist being the hero. And at the end of it, it did appear like a non-comedic, Rated-R version of @Splash (1984). Not my cup of tea.
However, as a big fan of @Pan's Labyrinth (2006), @The Devil's Backbone (2001) and @Cronos (1994) - this felt like it had a bit of Hollywood stardust and Guillermo Del Toro seemed to dumb down his usual style i.e. turning to good versus bad.
Although Michael Shannon acted well, he was a bit of caricature of a villain. But I did like the flipside of the Soviet scientist being the hero. And at the end of it, it did appear like a non-comedic, Rated-R version of @Splash (1984). Not my cup of tea.
Ross (3282 KP) rated Get Out (2017) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Like "Black Mirror" does "Cocoon"
This film sees Chris visiting his girlfriend's parents for the first time, on what turns out to be their annual get-together with friends and neighbours. Chris is somewhat taken aback by everyone's positive, curious reaction to his African-American heritage and becomes increasingly unnerved by the odd behaviour of the family's black servants.
I have to admit, I saw the twist coming from very early on but this didn't ruin the journey for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the creepy atmosphere building throughout the film and Chris' increasingly awkward interactions with his few fellow people of colour at the party.
This is not a normal horror film, except for the final half hour, instead it is an intense psychological thriller with the added social awkwardness around people's inherent racism and need to talk/not talk about it.
An excellent film with a brilliant cast.
I have to admit, I saw the twist coming from very early on but this didn't ruin the journey for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the creepy atmosphere building throughout the film and Chris' increasingly awkward interactions with his few fellow people of colour at the party.
This is not a normal horror film, except for the final half hour, instead it is an intense psychological thriller with the added social awkwardness around people's inherent racism and need to talk/not talk about it.
An excellent film with a brilliant cast.
MissCagey (2652 KP) rated Victoria and Abdul (2017) in Movies
Jan 25, 2019
Judi Dench is of course faultless as the acerbic Queen Victoria. This (mainly) true story is about the Queen's friendship with Abdul, an Indian muslim. I was taken aback at what would have been considered open mindedness at the time and this was refreshing to see, this redeemed her in my eyes as she appears to have been generally quite rude otherwise (I'm guessing you're allowed to be when you're queen!). This was compared to the out and out racism and disgust shown by her staff. These parts were difficult and upsetting to watch.
Their friendship was very sweet although when Abdul was found to have lied about a mutiny in India the film does not explain whether he deliberately lied or was mistaken.
This film prompted me to research the relationship further and it is general consensus that Abdul was an opportunistic and rather dislikable man!
Their friendship was very sweet although when Abdul was found to have lied about a mutiny in India the film does not explain whether he deliberately lied or was mistaken.
This film prompted me to research the relationship further and it is general consensus that Abdul was an opportunistic and rather dislikable man!
saheffernan (157 KP) rated I Am Alfonso Jones in Books
Apr 18, 2020
Would you pay more attention to police brutality, racism, and the #blacklivesmatter movement if everywhere you walked was the blood stains and plaque telling you another life that didn't have to be lost?
I loved this graphic novel, I believe it to be an incredible important read. Those comparing it to The Hate U Give is doing this novel injustice. This is just as impactful without the 400+ pages. The message gets across to the reader in the same way I know a lot of teens that would not sit and read that but may pick up a graphic novel.
The art style I really enjoyed though sometimes it did make a scene hard to understand. I also enjoyed the changing of timeline. We followed a lot of characters but the important one's stand out and don't seem to get lost in all the movement of the story.
I loved this graphic novel, I believe it to be an incredible important read. Those comparing it to The Hate U Give is doing this novel injustice. This is just as impactful without the 400+ pages. The message gets across to the reader in the same way I know a lot of teens that would not sit and read that but may pick up a graphic novel.
The art style I really enjoyed though sometimes it did make a scene hard to understand. I also enjoyed the changing of timeline. We followed a lot of characters but the important one's stand out and don't seem to get lost in all the movement of the story.
Patrisse Cullors recommended Fledgling in Books (curated)
Sophie (1688 KP) rated The Umbrella Academy - Season 2 in TV
Aug 13, 2020
Enjoyable watch
Contains spoilers, click to show
Just like the first season, season 2 is full of random jokes, questionable choices and mayhem that seems to follow these siblings. After traveling back in time to escape the apocalypse the siblings are spat out in the 1960s, each finds thier own way to adapt and makes a life, until in typical style they discover the end of the world followed them back too.
The season doesn't shy away from some of the bigger topics of the 60s and today, including racism and homophobia. They are well portrayed and addressed and fit in well with the overall storyline.
However, I did not find this season as gripping as the first, but I can't put my finger on why that is.
The season doesn't shy away from some of the bigger topics of the 60s and today, including racism and homophobia. They are well portrayed and addressed and fit in well with the overall storyline.
However, I did not find this season as gripping as the first, but I can't put my finger on why that is.
I really enjoyed this - there are some great characters who are both easy to empathise with AND easy to really dislike! I’ve seen comparisons to Sex and the City, but due to the fact that i haven’t seen a single episode, I can’t actually confirm that!
The three friends are a great mix of people who all have very different lifestyles, but still have enough in common and enough interest in each other, to be close friends.
And then there’s Isobel. An old friend of Simi’s from the time that she lived in Nigeria. I don’t think I’ve encountered a more unlikeable, manipulative character in quite a while. She knows how to get what she wants, and isn’t afraid to do it. She’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants.
It’s a fantastic read about female friendship, racism, family and class.
Another great find, and read, on The Pigeonhole!
The three friends are a great mix of people who all have very different lifestyles, but still have enough in common and enough interest in each other, to be close friends.
And then there’s Isobel. An old friend of Simi’s from the time that she lived in Nigeria. I don’t think I’ve encountered a more unlikeable, manipulative character in quite a while. She knows how to get what she wants, and isn’t afraid to do it. She’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants.
It’s a fantastic read about female friendship, racism, family and class.
Another great find, and read, on The Pigeonhole!
Ali A (78 KP) rated We Deserve Monuments in Books
Dec 8, 2022
Trigger Warnings: Generational trauma, racism, mentions of alcoholism and verbal abuse, homophobia, character death
Avery Anderson’s life is uprooted when her family moves from Washington DC to Bardell, Georgia her senior year of high school to look after her maternal grandmother, Mama Letty, who’s in her final stages of cancer. Avery only remembers one visit with her grandmother, cut short by an argument, when she was very young. Bardell is a small town with only two high schools - one public, and one private, the latter being founded by one of the town’s many racist forefathers. Avery quickly gets adopted into the friendship of two girls: Simone Cole, Mama Letty’s next door neighbor, and Jade Oliver, a descendent of one of Bardell’s oldest families.
Avery’s relationship with her grandmother is far from easy. Mama Letty isn’t easy to get to know, especially when she only answers questions in grunts and gruffs. It also doesn’t help that the tension between her mother and grandmother is so thick you can cut it with a knife, but both of them are refusing to address it.
Avery sets out on trying to mend the broken and split relationship but there are events many are refusing to talk about. It isn’t until Mama Letty begins to open up to Avery about her past, that Avery is able to piece together her family history that was shaped by the town’s racist history. As more events come out of the shadows, Avery must decide if finding out the truth is worth damaging the relationships she’s built in Bardell, or if some things are better left buried.
I absolutely loved and adored this book very much. Jas Hammonds masterfully tells this layered story of a young woman finding out about her family’s past within a novel that’s about generational trauma and racism. The amount of trauma the three generations of women must peel back is constantly met with tension. The story is hard to read at times, especially when you’re reading about Mama Letty’s past and the town’s racism, but this book wrapped its arms around me and refused to let go until the Harding family’s story is told.
Alongside Avery finding out about her family’s past, the relationship between Simone and Avery grows deeper and the way the two of them find their footing to their sexuality was well written. I wish I had grown up with a place like The Renaissance where you were accepted no matter what.
Overall, this novel is going to be one I’m going to talk about for months to come. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, hopeful, and captivating. Any readers who love reading about family and their dynamics, relationships, and hope will really enjoy this book.
*Thank you Roaring Brook Press and NetGalley for an electronic version of this book in exchange for an honest review
Avery Anderson’s life is uprooted when her family moves from Washington DC to Bardell, Georgia her senior year of high school to look after her maternal grandmother, Mama Letty, who’s in her final stages of cancer. Avery only remembers one visit with her grandmother, cut short by an argument, when she was very young. Bardell is a small town with only two high schools - one public, and one private, the latter being founded by one of the town’s many racist forefathers. Avery quickly gets adopted into the friendship of two girls: Simone Cole, Mama Letty’s next door neighbor, and Jade Oliver, a descendent of one of Bardell’s oldest families.
Avery’s relationship with her grandmother is far from easy. Mama Letty isn’t easy to get to know, especially when she only answers questions in grunts and gruffs. It also doesn’t help that the tension between her mother and grandmother is so thick you can cut it with a knife, but both of them are refusing to address it.
Avery sets out on trying to mend the broken and split relationship but there are events many are refusing to talk about. It isn’t until Mama Letty begins to open up to Avery about her past, that Avery is able to piece together her family history that was shaped by the town’s racist history. As more events come out of the shadows, Avery must decide if finding out the truth is worth damaging the relationships she’s built in Bardell, or if some things are better left buried.
I absolutely loved and adored this book very much. Jas Hammonds masterfully tells this layered story of a young woman finding out about her family’s past within a novel that’s about generational trauma and racism. The amount of trauma the three generations of women must peel back is constantly met with tension. The story is hard to read at times, especially when you’re reading about Mama Letty’s past and the town’s racism, but this book wrapped its arms around me and refused to let go until the Harding family’s story is told.
Alongside Avery finding out about her family’s past, the relationship between Simone and Avery grows deeper and the way the two of them find their footing to their sexuality was well written. I wish I had grown up with a place like The Renaissance where you were accepted no matter what.
Overall, this novel is going to be one I’m going to talk about for months to come. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, hopeful, and captivating. Any readers who love reading about family and their dynamics, relationships, and hope will really enjoy this book.
*Thank you Roaring Brook Press and NetGalley for an electronic version of this book in exchange for an honest review