Movie Monday - 2/28/2022

It’s been a busy dash. I did, however, watch a couple of the movies nominated for Oscars. I have five left to see.

I have never read any of the books, and I understand there are several but when I started watching Dune (starring Timothée Chalamet), I figured I’d be fine. I was wrong. First, the sound quality wasn’t good, because when they were speaking low (on purpose) and saying things pertinent to the plot, they were near impossible to hear. Where was the sound engineer? Secondly, I spent a good part of the film confused. Finally, I had a hard time finding any of the characters endearing. I know I’m probably not the target audience, but a Best Picture nomination???

The Tinder Swindler is a documentary about a guy who has defrauded women all over the world and how three of the ladies got him back. It was good, but one thing could have made it better. I’ll let you watch and then come back and tell me what you think that is.

Bradley Cooper, Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Mary Steenburgen and many others starring Nightmare Alley made it a great ride. The film opens ominously, watching Stan Carlisle (Cooper) dumping a heavy, longish bag into the floorboards of a dilapidated house and then setting it all on fire. From there, we watch him take steps that, to him, seem like they are leading him to success but they are really leading to his descent. It was good.

MK out.

Book Chat -2/25/2022

Let’s dive right in: 

The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton 

Someone is planning a major cyberattack on the US and the President has to work behind the scenes to try to figure out how to stop it. There’s also a leak coming from a very high level of the government. This attack would cripple the water and power supplies, transportation and communication systems, all manner of financial institutions, the internet, and any device that connects to it. It would plunge the US into The Dark Ages. Sadly, Russia poses a similar threat to the US and other countries.  I was entertained and a little freaked out by the book.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Benny and Byron’s mother has died. The estranged siblings are left with a black cake to eat “when the time is right” and a video message their mother left to share many things she didn’t have time to before she died. It was good.

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

Lillian’s friend Madison, whom she hasn’t seen since Lillian had to leave their boarding school suddenly, calls her with the promise of a job offer. Lillian learns that the job is to care for Madison’s stepchildren. Since they tend to spontaneously combust, Lillian must keep them safe and out of the public eye while their father is being vetted for a high ranking government position. I liked it.

MK out. 

Book Chat - 2/10/2022

Last time, I forgot to mention that I read 43 books in 2021 - 19 more books than my goal. I really am grateful for being able to pick up a book and travel to another place for a little while. 

The Hotel in the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

The story goes back and forth in time between the 1940s and 1980s. Two young lovers, one Chinese and one Japanese, are separated by the Internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. Will they ever see each other again? It was good.

Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding

A former stage actress in the throes of alcohol addiction must choose between the bottle and her young son. I didn’t really care for the writing style, but it was tense, interesting and ultimately

a good read.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 2/8/2022

I did not post about movies yesterday because I figured I’d wait to see what movies were nominated for the Oscars this morning. I have seven more to see. I usually have way more, but several of the movies garnered multiple nominations this year.

In Last Night in Soho, Thomason McKenzie plays a young girl who was accepted to the London College of Fashion, following in the footsteps of her fashion designer, but deceased mother. She quickly finds herself needing different accommodations and decides to move into a bedsit. Soon it appears the place is a bit haunted. The film is a little out there, but it’s gripping and visually interesting. My favorite part is the 1960s glamour fashion. Anya Taylor-Joy and Diana Rigg also star. I liked it.

CODA, which was nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Best Picture, is about a 17-year-old girl who is the only member of her family of four who can hear. She helps the family a lot; so, they weren’t too happy when she tried out for the high school choir and was in contention to win a music school scholarship. So much pressure on someone so young! Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur (who got the nomination) star in this film. It was good!

Recently binged:

And Just Like That (HBOMax)

MK out.