Movie Monday - 3/30/2020

Rosemund Pike and David Oyelowo star in the biographical drama, A United Kingdom. Future king of what later becomes Botswana, Seretse Khama marries white, Englishwoman Ruth and it sets off big divisions. His uncle, the Regent isn't happy. Her parents aren't happy. The English country isn't happy because of their relationship with South Africa. The people within his country aren't happy. It's a great story. 

In Widows, four thieves die in a police shootout during a robbery. Their widows attempt to steal five million dollars to pay a crime boss back two million. Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Molly Kunz, Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell and others starred. It was alright.

Quiet Heroes is a documentary about Kristen Ries, MD and Maggie Snyder, the PA who worked with her. They were the only providers for HIV/AIDS patients in Utah in the 1980s. It was very good and very thought provoking. 

Wonder Woman is a DC Comic come to life. It tells her backstory and the circumstances that lead to her joining the League. Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright and Danny Huston starred. This genre isn't really my jam, but I was entertained.

Steve Coogan and Jon C. Reilly star in Stan & Ollie. The biopic tells the story about the grueling tour of performances in Britain as part of a campaign to get a film made, despite Hardy's failing health. The acting was superb. It was really good.

Stay home and stay safe everyone!

MK out.

Book Chat - 3/12/2020

I keep a list of books I want to read. I think the count is up to a bazillion. This year, I am challenging myself to read fifty of them. I'm trying not to add too many any to the list.

I have been reading though:

The Obituary Society by Jessica L. Randall

Lila Moore inherits her grandfather's house and returns to the small town where it is located to settle the affairs. Lila is charmed by the town's inhabitants and their quirky ways, but the longer she stays, weirder and weirder things start happening. It was cute.

Wild Game by Andrienne Brodeur 

Based on true events, a young teen's life is altered when her mother shares about her extramarital affair. It was interesting.

Monsoon Mansion by Cinelle Barnes

An autobiography, Barnes tells of her dysfunctional upbringing in the 1980-2000s Philippines. From wealth to poverty, back to financial security, Barnes' story is ultimately a hopeful one, despite the hardships that she faced in a modern world. It was good.

Olive Kitterage and Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout

Each chapter in the book tells the story of a different inhabitant of a small New England town, who are all, in some way, connected to Olive. In the first book, we meet quirky Olive and learn more about her through each character's perception. The second book comprises the rest of the story. Both were very good.

Need to Know by Karen Cleveland

What would you do if you are a counterintelligence analyst and you find out that your husband is a Russian spy? Read this gripping book to find out what Vivian did. It was good.

Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

This book is the best I've read since Where the Crawdads Sing. Morgan Christopher is serving time for a crime she didn't commit. One day, she is offered the job of restoring an old post office mural in exchange for her freedom. Although Morgan had been working on an art degree prior to her incarceration, she knows nothing about art restoration, but she gives it a go. I loved this book from start to finish. It was so good.

That's it for now.

MK out.

Movies 3/10/2020

Now that the movie-watching-before-the-Oscars frenzy is over, I've been trying to go back and watch some other movies I've been wanting to see.

Boy Erased

The film is based on the memoir by Garrad Conley with the same name. Joel Eggerton wrote the screenplay, directed and acted in this film about a young man who is forced to undergo gay conversion therapy by his devoutly religious parents. Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe and Lucas Hedges also star in this film. It was good.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

The same actors (Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Skellan Starsgård, Lily James, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Andy Garcia, Cher and others) comprise the ensemble cast. Donna (Streep's character) has died, and her daughter Sophia is trying to fulfill her mother's dream of turning that ramshackle house into a hotel. Meanwhile, we get to see more backstory of how Donna met Sophie's three possible fathers. It was cute and ABBA music!

Dumplin'

When your momma (Jennifer Anniston) is a still trim, former beauty queen celebrity and still judging beauty pageants in your small Texas town and you are an overweight teen, drastic measures may be required to get her attention. Danielle Macdonald, Kathy Najimy, Odeya Rush and Maddie Baillio also star on this film. It was light and fun.

Besides movies, I've started watching The Crown, Sanditon, When Calls the Heart, When Hope Calls and A Place to Call Home.  

MK out.

Knit Talk - 3/6/2020

I don't have anything finished to show, but I thought I would share a picture showing the progress on my current project.

I am about 4-5 inches away from being finished with the body of the sweater and then I will be heading off to the island...

...you know, Sleeve Island.

MK out.