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Suswatibasu (1702 KP) rated Tenth of December in Books
Nov 21, 2017
Dark, disturbing and satirical
This collection of short stories cannot be pigeon-holed. In this oddly disjointed, surreal collection, the underlying issues in modern American culture are loudly explored. George Saunders' breathless writing style floods over terrible realities and hard truths, leaving the reader gasping in its wake.
Tenth of December handles its running themes in a poignant, individual and certainly irreverent way. Narcissistic ideas of charity stems from trivial competition, while sheer denial is shown in the face of true poverty. Generations breed generations, passing on corrupted ideals and traumatic examples. Paedophilia, racism, poverty: nothing is safe from these chastising, powerful stories.
Saunders leaves an expunged, brutally telling view of the American dream. In his futuristic imaginings, he exaggerates the failings of Western consumerism, yet ultimately his message is clear: When one tries to have it all, they're left with nothing.
Tenth of December handles its running themes in a poignant, individual and certainly irreverent way. Narcissistic ideas of charity stems from trivial competition, while sheer denial is shown in the face of true poverty. Generations breed generations, passing on corrupted ideals and traumatic examples. Paedophilia, racism, poverty: nothing is safe from these chastising, powerful stories.
Saunders leaves an expunged, brutally telling view of the American dream. In his futuristic imaginings, he exaggerates the failings of Western consumerism, yet ultimately his message is clear: When one tries to have it all, they're left with nothing.
Suswatibasu (1702 KP) rated Things Fall Apart in Books
Sep 10, 2017
How cultures are misconstrued and misunderstood
This book is intriguing for the fact that there is massive emphasis on pre-colonial times rather than post-colonisation in Nigeria. In this way you're able to gauge how much of a culture clash and cultural misinterpretation there is on the part of the white settlers. It is also written by someone who is of Nigerian descent which makes it all the more interesting as many of the books were written from a western perspective during this time.
It is a book about change and tradition in which protagonist Okonkwo befalls many trials and tribulations in order to appease both his heritage and live side by side with the new ideals of Christianity. Alone, he was unable to withstand the forces of transformation. An important book for people to understand pre-missionary Nigeria.
It is a book about change and tradition in which protagonist Okonkwo befalls many trials and tribulations in order to appease both his heritage and live side by side with the new ideals of Christianity. Alone, he was unable to withstand the forces of transformation. An important book for people to understand pre-missionary Nigeria.
Suswatibasu (1702 KP) rated Home Fire in Books
Aug 7, 2017
Not quite Antigone, interesting take on modern Islamophobia
There are two very distinctive opinions on this book about how British Muslims are treated in a western society, split between being seen as subservient and loyal as well as dangerous and dogmatic. It is absolutely relevant to the current political climate hence it is an intriguing read. At times it borders on satirical because some of the elements appear very far fetched. From a Romeo and Juliet style love story played out in the media, to the extreme Islamophobic views of a Muslim politician. While there are definite elements of truths planted in this book, the extreme nature of the funeral scene just bordered on slightly ridiculous especially when there are real examples in the public eye. It is a gripping and engaging read with something lacking.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Sisters Brothers (2018) in Movies
Apr 7, 2019 (Updated Apr 7, 2019)
Unorthodox black comedy western. Quarrelsome but proficient hired killers the Sisters brothers (Reilly and Phoenix) are sent to assist in the capture of a mild-mannered chemist with valuable knowledge (Ahmed), but everyone involved finds their priorities starting to shift...
Another one of them there revisionist westerns, probably, which basically means that no-one wears a white hat and everyone probably smells quite bad. This benefits a lot from some really good performances and a good script, for the first three quarters at least. The end is the kind of thing that proper critics tend to enjoy but audiences don't, which may be why this has not done well at the box office. Not sure about the start of the journey or the destination, but there is a lot of fun to be had along the way.
Another one of them there revisionist westerns, probably, which basically means that no-one wears a white hat and everyone probably smells quite bad. This benefits a lot from some really good performances and a good script, for the first three quarters at least. The end is the kind of thing that proper critics tend to enjoy but audiences don't, which may be why this has not done well at the box office. Not sure about the start of the journey or the destination, but there is a lot of fun to be had along the way.
Suswatibasu (1702 KP) rated A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind in Books
Jan 21, 2018
Sweet read but not for everyone
A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind is literally a cleaning manual for those who follow spirituality as part of their general course. Shoukei Matsumoto, a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk, has created a simple guide for those who want to be mindful about their daily chores and why monks themselves do each task with such vigour and importance.
While the book itself is sweet, with lovely picture representations, I did feel that some of it may not apply to a secular western household as they speak of how to repair an altar. And when you live by yourself, sharing chores is not really an option. With that in mind, the book is geared for a certain audience, many of which may have to read this as just a pleasant handbook.
While the book itself is sweet, with lovely picture representations, I did feel that some of it may not apply to a secular western household as they speak of how to repair an altar. And when you live by yourself, sharing chores is not really an option. With that in mind, the book is geared for a certain audience, many of which may have to read this as just a pleasant handbook.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2273 KP) rated Grilling the Subject (Cookbook Nook Mystery, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Crystal Cove is celebrating all things western, and Jenna and the Cookbook Nook are joining in by promoting BBQ. However, things take a tragic turn when one of Jenna’s father’s neighbors turns up dead in a bonfire. With her father a prime suspect, Jenna must find a way to clear his name.
I truly love the different themes we get in this series, each one adds a unique flavor to the story. The characters are fabulous as well, and they definitely feel like old friends here. Toss in a plots with plenty of suspects and twists and you’ve got the recipe for another winner.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-grilling-subject-by-daryl.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I truly love the different themes we get in this series, each one adds a unique flavor to the story. The characters are fabulous as well, and they definitely feel like old friends here. Toss in a plots with plenty of suspects and twists and you’ve got the recipe for another winner.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-grilling-subject-by-daryl.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mike Carlson (115 KP) rated Django (1966) in Movies
Mar 15, 2018
Spaghetti Western
I love spaghetti westerns. The atmosphere is grittier than the mostly sanitized American ones. The blood looks like bright, thick Kool-Aid. Every hero has a casually disgruntled attitude without making an effort. Machismo with style. Violent and bloody, these films just feel more wild than your typical wild west film.
This one is no exception. Our man Django walks into town dragging a coffin behind him. His motives for antagonizing the villainous Major Jackson becomes more clear when the Mexican revolutionaries arrive. It all plays out with everyone adopting what are now stereotypical attitudes for each role. The climax is brief yet memorable.
Casual viewers may avoid this, but film buffs should see it simply for the inspiration it provided to other filmmakers.
This one is no exception. Our man Django walks into town dragging a coffin behind him. His motives for antagonizing the villainous Major Jackson becomes more clear when the Mexican revolutionaries arrive. It all plays out with everyone adopting what are now stereotypical attitudes for each role. The climax is brief yet memorable.
Casual viewers may avoid this, but film buffs should see it simply for the inspiration it provided to other filmmakers.
Peter G. (247 KP) rated The Magnificent Seven (2016) in Movies
Oct 30, 2019
Having seen most of the original and seminal Seven Samurai I can attest that the remakes are very good movies and carry the essence of the original very well without surpassing it.
It maintains the feel of the original western well and allows just about enough of an introduction to each character to become invested, although for others it's all left to the imagination.
If you have seen the original then you already know where the story is going and move on to guessing who survives at the finale.
All in all a good movie from the consistent Antoine Fuqua and an enjoyable watch, although I feel as though this remake didn't have to be remade at all, but Hollywood seems to insist on it these days with its unwillingness to indulge and invest in originality.
It maintains the feel of the original western well and allows just about enough of an introduction to each character to become invested, although for others it's all left to the imagination.
If you have seen the original then you already know where the story is going and move on to guessing who survives at the finale.
All in all a good movie from the consistent Antoine Fuqua and an enjoyable watch, although I feel as though this remake didn't have to be remade at all, but Hollywood seems to insist on it these days with its unwillingness to indulge and invest in originality.
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Near Dark (1987) in Movies
Feb 1, 2020
A relatively simple tale of a recently turned vampire and his initiation into a sadistic group of other vampires (we assume that’s what they are as the V word isn’t said once in the film) is an atmospheric and compelling watch that stylistically is more like a western than anything else. Kathryn Bigelow’s use of a fair chunk of future husband James Cameron’s ‘Aliens’ cast is largely successful (apart from some quite hammy overacting from Bill Paxton) and they make for thoroughly nasty adversaries (that bar scene being particularly brutal). I also liked the haunting Tangerine Dream score which adds nicely to the atmosphere but didn’t really buy the fact that vampirism could seemingly be so easily cured by a simple blood transfusion. That was a minor quibble though and overall I thought the film worked well.
Skidoo: A Journey Through the Ghost Towns of the American West
Book
In the company of bank robbers and grave diggers, desperados and cunning Indians, brewers and...