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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Christmas Past in Books

Dec 15, 2022 (Updated Dec 15, 2022)  
Christmas Past
Christmas Past
Brian Earl | 2022 | History & Politics
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Look at Christmas Traditions Past and Present
Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Christmas the way we do? If so, this book is for you. It takes a look at four categories: food, entertainment, sights and sounds, and society. Each category gets several chapters that focus on specific things like mince pies or candy canes, Rudolph, lights, and Christmas cards. We get a look at the origins, the rise, and sometimes the fall, of these old traditions.

This book is purely looking at the secular, pop culture celebration of Christmas, although the religious aspect does pop up occasionally, most noticeably in the chapter on “Silent Night.” A couple of chapters seem a bit vague, and the writing can be dry at times, but those are minor complaints. On the whole, this was a fascinating look at where our traditions came from, both those we still use today and those that have faded over time. I am not familiar with the author’s pod cast, but my understanding is much of this material first appeared there. As a Christmas lover, I enjoyed learning more about the holiday. If that’s you, you’ll enjoy this book as well.
  
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David McK (3562 KP) rated The Matrix Resurrections (2021) in Movies

Feb 9, 2022 (Updated Oct 1, 2023)  
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
2021 | Action, Sci-Fi
6
6.9 (12 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Unnecessary sequel
Summer of 1999.

Pre Millennium.

Just at the start of our current high-tech always-on society.

And The Matrix was released, becoming hugely influential in the process and popularising the concept of 'bullet time'.

Both the sequels (Reloaded and Revolutions) were released during 'the year of the Matrix' in 2003, doubling down on the philosophical ponderings of the first movie (in particular, during Reloaded, with the whole still-to-this-day confusing Architect scenes), with Revolutions also seemingly leaving the trilogy with nowhere to go.

Until nearly 20 years later, when one of the two Wachowski siblings decided to resurrect both Neo and Trinity in this.

I's very much a film of two halves, with the first half in particular hugely self-referential (lots of nods and winks to the audience, and even clips from the earlier films shown on TV screens within the movie), while the second half settles down more into your standard action fare.

Whilst enjoyable enough, it lacks anything to match the sheer pizzaz of the first movie, or even the Freeway chase/burly brawl/chateau fight from the second or the Neo Vs Smith showdown in the third.