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Jason Williamson recommended Modus Operandi by Photek in Music (curated)

 
Modus Operandi by Photek
Modus Operandi by Photek
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"Photek is moody, it really got me. The title track 'Modus Operandi' was fucking good, the tension, then the first four tracks are really good. It reminded me of CCTV, it caught the atmosphere of this emerging new world coming out the ashes, this refined capitalism, the greed of Britpop at the end of the 90s when things were becoming more intense. Very claustrophobic. They kind of merge, this album and Red Snapper. I used to like getting absolutely walloped after a gig and putting it on, fucking yeah. I was in a sort of Terry Callier type act at the time. He's fucking brilliant - he died about four years ago. That stuff doesn't make the list because it didn't influence the structure of Sleafords really, the kind of music I wanted for it or the vocal. At that time, I only really listened to jungle or drum and bass at home. I was never into those nights, fuck that, no way, I wasn't interested. By that time bar culture had come along and I liked to sit around doing lots of sniff, you know. Sit around, soaking it all in, looking like a tit, you know."

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Sean Lennon recommended Shakara/London Scene by Fela Kuti in Music (curated)

 
Shakara/London Scene by Fela Kuti
Shakara/London Scene by Fela Kuti
2000 | World
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"The thing that blows my mind about Fela's records is that he can just write two 15 minute songs, and they don't feel at all indulgent. It's all in one key but it never bores you. The tension is like slow, tantric sex, it just builds and builds. He knows how to capture a vibe and hold it tight so the intensity keeps building before it explodes. I don't know why 'Lady' is my favourite track, but personally it hits me really hard. I listen to it all the time, and I find the lyrics really entertaining too. It's his version of a feminist album I guess, he's talking about how 'the woman eats the meat before the man…' I guess that's a symbol of liberation. Meanwhile he has his nine wives singing the backing vocals. He's more than a musician, he's a superman. He almost took over Nigeria and his compound was a separate city, he had his own laws, it's amazing that music can be that powerful. I'm a huge fan of his, He's an example of how music can almost start a revolution."

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Jack Reynor recommended The Vanishing (1993) in Movies (curated)

 
The Vanishing (1993)
The Vanishing (1993)
1993 | Mystery
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"The thing that makes The Vanishing so chilling is its unorthodox structure. It starts with a girl being kidnapped at a service station while her boyfriend waits in the car. Then the story picks up three years later with the boyfriend still searching for her while her killer monitors his movements. From very early on we know who the killer is, and we’re fairly sure that the girl is long dead. What makes the film special is that it retains its tension despite giving so much away so early on. There’s an incredible balance of likability and abject coldness in Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu’s performance as the villain; the character is a seemingly respectable family man who, unbeknownst to his wife and children, is in fact a textbook sociopath. Watching him as he patiently plans out the crime makes us feel like we are watching a car crash in slow motion. We know there’s nothing we can do to stop what’s going to happen; in fact it’s already happened. Stanley Kubrick cited this as the most terrifying film he had ever seen. And I can see why."

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The House of a Hundred Whispers
The House of a Hundred Whispers
Graham Masterton | 2020 | Horror, Mystery
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Creepy and atmospheric
I have been a fan of Mr Masterton's books for more years than I care to remember but I have to admit though that I do find his books can be hit or miss with me but this one was definitely a hit.

This is a creepy, atmospheric story that starts off quite slowly but soon develops into a fast paced spine-tingling read with ghosts, demons, witches, wizards and a secret priest hole that isn't all as it seems. The characters are well developed and the setting is absolutely perfect and this adds to the mystery and tension that runs throughout.

This is a horror book but not an all out blood-and-guts horror book - there are a couple of gruesome scenes but they are definitely in the minority and I would recommend to those who like a bit of a scare but who are not into gratuitous violence or a lot of gore unless of course you live in a creepy, old house in which case I would leave it!

Thank you to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
  
Parasite (2019)
Parasite (2019)
2019 | Drama
There's not a huge amount I can say about Parasite that hasn't been said already - it's pretty damn good.

Bong Joon Ho's tragicomedy is sometimes sad, sometimes hilarious, and bursting with tension when it needs to be.
The cast are excellent, especially Woo-sik Choi and So-dam Park.

The plot beats about class discrimination are the heart of Parasite, and provides the bulk of the film's entertainment, whilst still being hard hitting and grounded in unfortunate reality.
This is aided by some truly inspired cinematography, full of nice touches. An example that springs to mind is the wealthy Park family residence, sitting up high. The Kim family resides practically underground. In one scene, the Kim family descend through the city level by level during a violent storm to get back home, a motif for how the poor constantly live in the shadows of those better off. It's a shot that has stuck with me since viewing.
The screenplay is full of wit and strong character development leading to a genuinely thrilling climax that had me on the edge of my seat.

Parasite is absolutely worth your time, easily one of my top films of 2019.
  
Internship with the Devil (Shut up and Kiss me #1)
Internship with the Devil (Shut up and Kiss me #1)
Jaqueline Snowe | 2020 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Internship with the Devil is the first book in the Shut Up and Kiss Me series and we meet Brock and Grace. Their relationship is tumultuous at times but with a solid grounding in friendship first. This is a slow-burner that will keep you hanging on, just waiting for that first kiss!

I loved how the tension was there all the way through but both of them were completely professional. I'm not saying I didn't want something to happen, just that I can appreciate it not happening! Although Brock holds his cards close to his chest, Grace has the ability to wriggle beneath his guard and gets him to loosen up. She is a hard worker and isn't prepared to dramatise things for no reason.

There is a brilliant supporting cast of characters and I hope that some, if not all, of them have their own stories in the future.

A wonderful read that I highly recommend.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
    Rurik: Dawn of Kiev

    Rurik: Dawn of Kiev

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    Tabletop Game

    Rurik: Dawn of Kiev is a euro-style realm building game set in an 11th century Eastern European...