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ayearofpike · 6 years

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The Midnight Club

Pocket Books, 1994 211 pages, 9 chapters + epilogue ISBN 0-671-87263-X LOC: PZ7.P626 Mi 1994 OCLC: 28710742 Released February 1, 1994 (per B&N)

Orphaned, riddled with tumors, and unresponsive to treatment, Ilonka Pawluk has no place to go but a hospice run by a wealthy philanthropist. She refuses to give up hope, though, and in that vein she, along with a few others, found a late-night storytelling society. It helps (or maybe it just hurts more) that she is attracted to one of the other members, by a sensation that she has known him before and for longer than either could think possible. And he feels it too. WIth him, even as they race toward death, Ilonka gains new appreciation and understanding for life.

That sounded so corny, I know. But this one is not like anything else Pike has ever written. Well, there’s the connection to Eastern mysticism through a wise elder and the concept of reincarnation. But: no monsters, no villains, no aliens, no time traveling, and no murderers (unless you count cancer or suppressed immune systems). In fact, there’s not a lot of plot going on at all. It’s just a slice-of-life narrative, even as it comes at the end of one.

I have to wonder whether Pike wrote this out of obligation to somebody he knew or met. He’s mentioned being inspired by a Pike book club in a terminal ward, but I feel like it goes deeper than that. After all, the book is dedicated to “Ilonka,” and the story kind of goes out of its way to make sure we know she’s Polish by birth, even though Ilonka moved to the US as a baby and is wholly Americanized. Unless I’m misremembering, this is only the second character Pike has written who isn’t born in America or England, and he hasn’t even gone outside the country for a new person since 1988. Why all of a sudden does origin matter so much, if he’s not making a direct nod to someone he knew? Since Pike started answering questions on Facebook, he’s talked a lot about his process, but whenever this book comes up he says it’s a longer story that needs its own post. Which I have not yet seen. So I just have to speculate.

There’s nothing really wrong with the book itself. It maybe doesn’t devote enough time to thinking about mortality, but it’s also kind of more about exploring reincarnation and what lies beyond where we are and what we know. Still, if you jumped into this expecting space vampires or murderous vengeance, you might be disappointed. It certainly isn’t anything we’ve come to expect from this dude. Basically, five characters with terminal illnesses sit around a table and tell stories until nobody is left. In order of disappearance, we’ve got:

Anya Zimmerman, who battles bone cancer and has already lost a leg to it. She tells one story here, about a girl who makes a deal with the devil to split her into two bodies so that one can drink and party and bone and be irresponsible while the other stays in school. Of course, it doesn’t work out the way she hoped — in fact, both halves spiral down and out of control — and the only way out is to kill her selves.

Sandra Cross, who has Hodgkin’s disease but otherwise doesn’t belong. Ilonka says that the others were already friends, and they let Sandra “come along for the ride” (28) when they started meeting separately. It’s revealed that she has never told a story at The Midnight Club, and she still doesn’t until one night they get drunk and her entire story is about boning a dude she just met in a park.

Kevin, the object of Ilonka’s affection, dying of leukemia. Hey, I forgot to put his last name in there — but that’s because Pike never mentions it. Another shameless self-insert? Certainly another reason for me to suspect that he’s writing a more personal story. Kevin’s ongoing story is about an angel muse who is confined to the Louvre, but leaves it and gives up his immortality when he falls in love with a human woman. Of course they don’t know how to be with each other, and they fall apart, but fate brings them back together at the end of her life, where they remember the love that they shared.

Spencer Haywood, who tells everyone he has a brain tumor. Spence’s stories are a lot more rage-against-the-machiney, with one about a disfigured war vet who snipes civilians off the Eiffel Tower and one about a young magician manipulated into murdering his school by locking the gym during a big basketball game and setting it on fire.

And finally, Ilonka, whose cancer is never specified but it’s somewhere in her abdomen. She doesn’t make up stories, she says; instead, she tells tales of her past lives. One is about a woman in Egypt whose best friend’s daughter is murdered and how they comfort each other, and the other is a girl in caste-heavy India who insists upon marrying below her grade and endures ostracism for true love. Both times, she has a strong feeling that Kevin represents the partner of her personage, but she doesn’t tell him that.

Ilonka’s story at the first session includes a bit about one character packing the dead girl’s overnight bag, which gives the other hope that her spirit came back for her things. This gets them thinking about whether there is anything after death. They make a pact that the first one who goes will try to send the others a sign, though they’re not going to specify what just in case someone pulls a trick. Ilonka actually feels a little guilty, because she’s feeling better. She’s avoiding medication and focusing on natural remedies and thinks that she’s healing, enough that she asks the hospice director to schedule an MRI. It’s kind of against the hospice rules to seek treatment beyond just pain management, but he plays along.

Her conviction that she’s not dying isn’t enough to try to get Kevin’s girlfriend to leave him alone. She basically scares the girl off with talk of his death, and then confides in Anya that she’s worried about her motives. Anya, in turn, tells Ilonka about the only time she was in love, and the stupid mistake she made in cheating on the dude, upon which he broke a statue she was sculpting for him and walked out forever. Anya still has the statue, and she shows it to Ilonka. Spookily, the only thing that he broke was the girl’s leg — the one Anya is now missing.

The story session that night is the one with the wine, and Ilonka doesn’t enjoy drinking at all. In fact, she barely makes it back to her room before blacking out, and when she wakes Anya is dead in her bed. There are a lot of signs that she planned to die, but no way that she or the hospice director can determine she might have done it. So Ilonka goes to pack up Anya’s bathroom stuff — but it’s already gone, just like the girl in Ilonka’s story.

Ilonka doesn’t have a lot of time to worry about this, because all of a sudden this rumor starts flying around that someone was misdiagnosed and is not terminal. Since she’s the only one who’s seen a doctor recently, she knows who the lucky person has to be. She goes to tell Kevin, and then Sandra — only Sandra is packing a suitcase and singing. I told you she didn’t belong here. In fact, Ilonka’s tumors have gotten bigger and spread to other organs. So she freaks out and has to be sedated, and wakes up in her room around midnight.

And Kevin is there. He finishes telling her his story, and she confesses her love to him. And I guess part of him knows, as he’s always felt at home and relatable when Ilonka tells her stories, like it’s stirring some deep-seated memory. He says he loves her back and that they should make love right there and then. Of course neither one of them is in actual physical shape to do the dirty deed, but there’s lots of kissing and holding and sleeping (mostly implied) and then they wake up in each other’s arms and then Kevin dies.

Nothing to do now but get worse. So she does, and Spence does, and he wants to see her one more time. Which is where he confesses that he’s gay and is actually dying of AIDS and not a tumor. He talks about his lover, who has already died of the disease, which ... how old is Spence? I’m running into Pike’s timeline inconsistencies again. If he and Carl met when Spence was 15, but Carl is already dead and Spence needs a fake ID to buy wine, then this shit progressed quickly. Given the sequence of events, I’m not sure Spence should blame himself for Carl’s death, but he does — and it’s that blood on his hands that allowed him to smother Anya when she asked him to. He flat-out denies taking Anya’s stuff, though, and figures it must have been Kevin, because he’s pretty sure that Kevin saw the parallels in Ilonka’s stories before she said anything. So, not a sign, just a dude doing what he thought was right because of a literary allegory.

But then Anya’s ex shows up. Ilonka directs him to the packed box of her things, and the first thing he pulls out is the statue. Which is suddenly and mysteriously whole, like it was never broken in the first place. That’s got to be the sign, only Ilonka’s the only one alive and conscious to think so. (Spence has fallen into a coma and dies within a day.) In fact, she’s the only one Anya ever told about this guy and her regrets. Would anyone actually believe her anyway? We never find out, because Ilonka shortly follows her friends into that world beyond life.

Our epilogue shows a young space traveler named Eisokna and her new husband Karlen, off to colonize a planet in the Sirius system. She confides in him that though she loves Earth, she feels that everything is good with her and the planet and she is ready to leave. Does she know about the past lives? Who gives a shit?

I’m not sure how deeply or fully The Midnight Club really gets into the end of life actually being a rebirth. It feels like there wants to be a little bit more, only there was no way the publisher was going to let sexy-lizard-teens guy stretch out on existential metaphysics. If this really was a personal story, I can only imagine how hard Pike must have pushed to get it out, considering how different it is from everything else. Maybe he’ll actually talk more specifically about it in the not-too-distant future, like he’s been promising for six years.

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robertshugartca · 5 years

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As always, the Brits pulled it out the bag for the BAFTA red...

As always, the Brits pulled it out the bag for the BAFTA red carpet this year, with standout looks that include Cate Blanchett’s custom Christopher Kane creation, Letitia Wright’s white Stella McCartney tuxedo and, of course, Kate Middleton’s flowing white Alexander McQueen gown. But in true London style, it was the BAFTA after-party looks that stole the limelight last night.

Whether it was the Vogue x Tiffany event or Netflix’s formal affair, A-listers gathered at a number of shindigs across the capital, clad in their finest dance floor–ready looks. Alexa Chung (who else?) led the best-dressed lineup in an on-trend ankle-length green gown, which she paired with Sophie Bille Brahe earrings and a hair bow . Other highlights include Liv Little’s Ganni yellow silken showstopper and Anya Taylor-Joy’s Vampire’s Wife mini. Scroll down to see the 11 looks we can’t get enough of.

Style Notes: Alexa packs plenty of new-season action into this look via her green frock, hair bow, and pearl earrings. Style Notes: Liv Little gives us goosebumps in this silken Ganni gown, which she styles with a Ganni drawstring bag. Yes, please. Style Notes: Molly Goddard champions her namesake brand in a black, smock-style zip-up dress and perfectly undone hair. Style Notes: This Emilia Wickstead number stands out from the crowd thanks to its clean-lined simplicity and traffic light red hue. Style Notes: Cressida Bonas proves that a trouser suit can have just as much impact as a dress. This Zimmerman two-piece looks fab with her half-up hairdo. Style Notes: We love the minimalistic silhouette and contrasting straps of Zawe Ashton's fuchsia gown. Style Notes: A Vampire’s Wife mini is never a bad idea when it comes to party dressing. Anya Taylor-Joy expertly pairs hers with black tights and statement earrings. Style Notes: Jenna Coleman, can we please swap wardrobes? The collar and peplum detailing on this midi dress is perfection. Style Notes: Kate Moss opts for classic monochromatic hues with a black mini, coat, and black tights. As always, she makes it look so easy. Style Notes: Gala Gordon is the epitome of an English rose in this blush-pink AlexaChung dress. Also, kudos for the quirky box-bag accessory. Up Next: Every Single BAFTAs Red Carpet Look You Need to See

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.

source https://gothify1.tumblr.com/post/182743893375

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teartra · 2 years

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The Midnight Club spoilers

When you thought “Anya” episode was about Anya miraculously surviving her illness but it’s actually about her accepting her death

#that episode was poetic cinema #as soon as I read the title i was like… this is another ‘the altar of the dead’#poetic cinema #anya zimmerman #the midnight club anya #the midnight club #the midnight club spoilers #mike flanagan

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gothify1 · 5 years

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As always, the Brits pulled it out the bag for the BAFTA red carpet this year, with standout looks that include Cate Blanchett's custom Christopher Kane creation, Letitia Wright's white Stella McCartney tuxedo and, of course, Kate Middleton's flowing white Alexander McQueen gown. But in true London style, it was the BAFTA after-party looks that stole the limelight last night. Whether it was the Vogue x Tiffany event or Netflix's formal affair, A-listers gathered at a number of shindigs across the capital, clad in their finest dance floor–ready looks. Alexa Chung (who else?) led the best-dressed lineup in an on-trend ankle-length green gown, which she paired with Sophie Bille Brahe earrings and a hair bow . Other highlights include Liv Little's Ganni yellow silken showstopper and Anya Taylor-Joy's Vampire's Wife mini. Scroll down to see the 11 looks we can't get enough of. Style Notes: Alexa packs plenty of new-season action into this look via her green frock, hair bow, and pearl earrings. Style Notes: Liv Little gives us goosebumps in this silken Ganni gown, which she styles with a Ganni drawstring bag. Yes, please. Style Notes: Molly Goddard champions her namesake brand in a black, smock-style zip-up dress and perfectly undone hair. Style Notes: This Emilia Wickstead number stands out from the crowd thanks to its clean-lined simplicity and traffic light red hue. Style Notes: Cressida Bonas proves that a trouser suit can have just as much impact as a dress. This Zimmerman two-piece looks fab with her half-up hairdo. Style Notes: We love the minimalistic silhouette and contrasting straps of Zawe Ashton's fuchsia gown. Style Notes: A Vampire's Wife mini is never a bad idea when it comes to party dressing. Anya Taylor-Joy expertly pairs hers with black tights and statement earrings. Style Notes: Jenna Coleman, can we please swap wardrobes? The collar and peplum detailing on this midi dress is perfection. Style Notes: Kate Moss opts for classic monochromatic hues with a black mini, coat, and black tights. As always, she makes it look so easy. Style Notes: Gala Gordon is the epitome of an English rose in this blush-pink AlexaChung dress. Also, kudos for the quirky box-bag accessory. Up Next: Every Single BAFTAs Red Carpet Look You Need to See This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.

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tayjcullinane · 7 years

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Top 25 Films of 2016

25. Blue Jay

Directed by Alex Lehmann; Written by Mark Duplass

Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson play old high school sweethearts who meet by a chance encounter two decades later in this darling of an indie film. The two actors give charming and heart-wrenching performances in a film that depicts the old kindlings of a past relationship. With a beautiful story that delves into the melancholy, Blue Jay genuinely conveys the regrets and regressed love between ex lovers.

24. Swiss Army Man

Written and Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Sheinert (known as The Daniels)

Arguably the most original and authentic film to come out in 2016, Swiss Army Man gained momentum and noteriety through its peculiar, yet comedic, storyline. A man (Paul Dano) who had been stranded on an island for a presumably long time was about to end his own life until he comes across a flatulent dead corpse (Daniel Radcliffe) washed up on the beach. Starting out as a survival drama, it quickly evolved into a quirky buddy comedy as the man discovers the dead corpse’s many powers. Disturbing at times, it completely embraces its lunacy and whimsical humor, and it emphasizes the importance of imagination, which it boldly excels at.

23. 13th

Directed by Ava Duvernay; Written by Spencer Averick and Ava Duvernay

With its controversial subject matter, this documentary couldn’t have been released at a more convenient and ironic time. In the span of The Black Lives Matter movement; to the hearing of Trayvon Martin’s shooter, George Zimmerman; and the 2016 presidential election, 13TH shook up viewers with its analysis on the thirteenth amendment and its correlation with America’s issue of mass incarceration of African-Americans. The film goes full depth into the history and business of the privately-owned prison industry and its ties in government. As alarming and concerning as these issues are, 13TH not only effictively tells the history of this dilemma, it commands one’s attention in efforts to act upon it.

22. Jackie

Directed by Pablo Larrain; Written by Noah Oppenheim

Playing the role of Jacqueline Kennedy after the assissination of her husband, Natalie Portman adds a revelatory performance to her illustrious career. Marvellously shot by cinematagrapher, Stephane Fontaine, with the eerie score from Mica Levi, the film commits its attention on the widowed first lady allowing Portman to guide the audience through the absurd and turbulent events during a time in history where paranoia and confusion were set in the hearts and minds of many Americans.

21. Silence

Directed by Martin Scorcese; Adapted Screenplay by Jay Cocks and Martin Scorcese

After twenty years of anticipation, auteur Martin Scorcese crafts a film that portrays theology in an alternative light in which it seperates itself from other films that center around religion. Based on the story from Japanese novelist, Shusaki Endo, Andrew Garfield plays Sebastiao Rodrigues, a Jesuit preist who decides whether to apostatize while searching for his mentor (Liam Neeson) who was captured in a Japanese village in the 17th century. Its long run time and slow pace can pose as a challenge, but its striking cinematography from Rodrigo Prieto is mesmerizing, and its unique perspective on religion emphasizes important moral questions in relation to conflicting ideologies from different cultures.

20. Paterson

Written and Directed by Jim Jarmusch

Jim Jarmusch returns with a bang with this meditative, heart-warming drama starring lead man, Adam Driver, who plays a busdriver named Paterson who lives in Paterson, New Jersey and has a profound love for writing poetry. The film delves into the heart and mind of Paterson as he encounters the many people and places while on the job and at home. It takes one on a journey through an artist’s creative process in this case Paterson’s poetry as he gathers inspiration and tranforms the subtle beauty around him into words on a page. It’s quiet, easy-going, and thoughtful, and Paterson leaves you with an appreciation for the simple things in life.

19. Kubo and the Two Strings

Directed by Travis Wright; Story by Shannon Tindle and Marc Haimes; Screenplay by Marc Haimes and Chris Butler

With a hearfelt story and its eye-dropping visuals from stop animation studio, Laika, Kubo and the Two Strings impresses on many levels. Beyond the incredible images is the story of a rebellious young Japanese boy who must make a decision that will effect his family’s legacy forever. Armed with his masterful abilities to play a two string sitar-like instrument called a shamisen and to tell stories through oragami, Kubo embarks on a journey of self-discovery that is both enchanting and enlightening -- a joy from start to finish.

18. The Salesman

Written and Directed by Asghar Farhadi

This acclaimed dramatic thriller from the director of “A Seperation” is a little gem that sublimely blends mystery and comedy in a story where a couple experiences a traumatic event that could unravel their relationship. Being an unmarried and childless couple in Tehren, Rana and Emad are both actors and members of a theater company that is in the middle of production of Arthur Miller’s, “Death of a Salesman.” After abandoning their apartment that was about to collapse from poor infrastructure, they move into a new flat only to encounter the horrors from the previous tenant who was a prostitute. Shahab Hosseini and Taraneh Alidoosti are magnificent as the two protaganists, and the film is well-deserving of its Oscar win for Best Foreign Film.

17. Split

Written and Directed by M. Night Shyamalan

It’s a slippery slope when depicting a character who has dissociative identity disorder, or more commonly known as multiple personality syndrome. The argument in which the disorder is accurately portrayed remains, but as a whole, Split is a return to form for the largely polarized director, M. Night Shyamalan. Undoubtedly, the film owes its success to the audaciousness and dexterity of James McAvoy, who plays a troubled, ominous figure who struggles with DID and kidnaps three girls. The protagonist is one of the estranged girls played by Anya Taylor Joy, who is equally superb with a compelling background story. As per typical Shyamalan films, there is a reveal within the film that may pleasantly surprise his fans, but all in all, the film is entertaining with an ingenious plot and regains positive momentum for the director leading up to his future projects.

16. American Honey

Written and Directed by Andrea Arnold

Messy, beautiful, bewildering, and vibrant. British director, Andrea Arnold’s docudrama follows an abused, poor, and inquisitive female teenager who runs away from her despairing household with a crew of young and reckless kids who travel around the U.S. selling magazine subscriptions for “supposed” fundraisers. Sasha Lane and Shia Leboeuf command the helm with their graceless charm and palpable chemistry, seamlessly weaving their ways through their uncarved path to adulthood. Because it embraces a non-structural narrative format, the film strays away from common stereotypes, inviting complexities and contradictions within the characters and story. It’s a fresh take on an adventure/coming-of-age story that excludes any moral stance or agenda, refraining judgement away from the characters. It simply breathes and lives from one moment to the next.

15. Lion

Directed by Garth Davis; Screenplay by Luke Davies

Lion is an incredibly emotional film that especially tugs on the heart strings of parents. Based on the non-fiction book, “A Long Way Home” by Saroo Brierley, the film is about a young boy named Saroo (Sunny Pawar) who accidently gets lost in India and struggles to survive on his own. After going through the foster care system and growing up with foster parents in Australia, the film flashes forward couple decades where Saroo, now played by Dev Patel, discovers how to track down his biological family using Google Earth. Nominated for a three Oscars, Lion effectively hits all the right notes even if the film is a giant Google product placement.

14. Hidden Figures

Directed by Theodore Melfi; Screenplay by Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi; Based on the Book by Margot Lee Shetterly

Hidden Figures tells the story of three influential women who were monumental in the development of NASA in the early sixties. Very much a David versus Goliath story, three of these women had to fight their way against gender and racial discrimination in order to excel in NASA and pave the way for America’s goal to win the space race. Although it focuses on the three characters, the film’s main protagonist centers around Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) who calculated the launch coordinates and trajectory for the Atlas rocket. Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae star in an ensemble cast in this powerful biopic that exudes positivity and inspiration.

13. Captain Fantastic

Written and Directed by Matt Ross

Probably portraying the most eccentric and ultra-progressive family in the history of film, Captain Fantastic is a stunningly ethereal adventure/fantasy drama about a radically idealistic father (Viggo Mortensen) and his six children who live an isolated life in the woods and must travel into civilization after a family tragedy had occurred. The father is an extremely well-disciplined man who rigorously teaches his kids through physical training and intense education. Because of his socialist ideals and political beliefs, he has successfully made his family into survivalists, which has lead them to a comfortable and blossoming life in the woods. His ideals are challenged when he faces the real world during their adventure into society. With a charming young cast and a phenomenal performace from Mortensen, Captain Fantastic is a remarkable, feel-good story with a philosophical outlook.

12. Nocturnal Animals

Directed by Tom Ford; Screenplay by Tom Ford; Based on the Novel, “Tony and Susan,” by Austin Wright

Drawing inspiration from Austin Wright’s 1993 novel, “Tony and Susan,” Nocturnal Animals mends elegance and style into its bloody, brutal story which revolves around the themes of betrayal, heartbreak, and revenge. Although Amy Adams is arguably underused in this role, it’s the supporting cast -- Jake Gyllenhaal, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Michael Shannon, and Karl Glusman -- who carry the film exceptionally well. From the Gucci maestro and director of A Single Man, Tom Ford combines his unique and authetic storytelling with expertly-crafted cinematography engaging the viewer into a world of sheer beauty and peril. It’s vivid and vicious, and even in its peculiar moments, the film shines exponentially.

11. Hell or High Water

Directed by David Mackenzie; Written by Taylor Sheridan

The middle of the year was hit with a bang when this wild and rambunctious thriller was released, making Hell or High Water the highest grossing indie film of the year. From the writer of “Sicario,” Taylor Sheridan composes a skillfully crafted heist story that rather than it completely embracing the Western genre, it portrays more of a humbling family drama. Chris Pine and Ben Foster play Toby and Tanner, two brothers who rob banks in West Texas in order to pay off the local banks before Toby’s farmland is seized. Jeff Bridges is remarkable as the Texas Ranger who takes on the challenge to put them into custody. This neo-Western is masterfully shot with envigorating action scenes and does not disappoint with an exceptional cast.

10. Manchester by the Sea

Written and Directed by Kenneth Lonergan

It takes a special film that can effectively mix humor with densly serious subject matter without being offensive or mean-spirited. Manchester By the Sea is a film that does not shy away from the irony and sarcasm that occurs when the protagonist, Lee (Casey Affleck) is chosen to become the guardian of his late brother’s teenage son (Lucas Hedges). Through a series of flashbacks interspersed throughout the film, the reason becomes clear why Lee has become a damaged man, and since he is no stranger to tragedy, he helps serve as a guide to his nephew as he comes to terms with his father’s death. A powerful yet interesting account on grief, Manchester By the Sea definitely brings the tears but also with a subtle quirkiness that softens the pain.

9. The Lobster

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos; Written by Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthymis Filipou

Brilliantly dystopic and hilariously cynical, Colin Farrel stars as David, a lonely introvert living in the futuristic world called The City where he is enrolled into The Hotel and must find a romantic partner in forty-five days or he will be turned into an animal. The film is essentially a critique of the social norms of love in modern society. It highlights the absurdities and ridiculous behaviors within The Hotel with its dark humor and hyperbolic metaphors. With subtle acting; wonderfully crafted and complex characters along with an ingeniuous story, The Lobster impresses on many levels and provokes further thought after the first viewing.

8. La La Land

Written and Directed by Damian Chazelle

It’s an ode to old Holloywood musicals, but it’s fresh in its approach, and it simply bounces off the big screen with its sharp contrasts and hues. It is no surprise that La La Land has recieved critical acclaim and overwhelming attention since its release. It is officially tied with “All About Eve” and “Titanic” with the most Oscar nominations -- fourteen. At the heart of it is an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) and a traditionalist jazz musician (Ryan Gosling) who fall in love in Los Angeles all the while attempting to reach new heights in their artistic endeavors. It’s a classic tale about love and ambition with incredible fervor and choreographic prowess, and it adds another superb film to the list of the young phenom-director, Damian Chazelle.

7. The Handmaiden

Directed by Chan-wook Park; Screenplay by Seo-Kyeong Jeong and Chan-wook Park; Based on the Novel, “Fingersmith,” by Sarah Waters

Being one of the longest films on this list, The Handmaiden masterfully grasps your attention in every scene, and it does not do so in predictable and obvious ways. From the director of “Stoker” and “Oldboy,” Chan-wook Park returns with a story filled with mystery, betrayal, and deception. Originally written as a novel titled, “Fingersmith,” by Sarah Waters, a handmaiden is hired to care after a Japenese hieress, but inconspicuously, the handmaiden has been hired to beguile her. Because of the story’s many twists and turns, it is one of the most entertaining films to watch and includes one of the most rewarding endings in a film this year.

6. Fences

Directed by Denzel Washington; Screenplay by August Wilson; Based on the Play, “Fences,” by August Wilson

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis give a riveting performance in August Wilson’s film adaptation, Fences. Washington plays Troy Maxson, a rough-around-the-edges, loquatious working class man who must come to terms with the events in his life while raising his family in the fifties. From poverty to the Jim Crow laws and time in prison, Troy’s troubled past shapes his worldview, so much so that it escalates tension between him and his son, Cory (Jovan Adepo), who wants to play on a college football team. Although Troy commands the story, his wife (Viola Davis) is his crux and the chassis that holds the family together. This is arguably Davis’ and Washington’s best performances of their career, and because of its intense and personal moments, Fences is a humbling masterpiece.

5. Loving

Written and Directed by Jeff Nichols

Loving tells the powerful, true story of Mildred and Richard Loving, an interracial couple who were arrested in Virginia in 1958 due to anti-micegenation laws. Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga provide a powerful performance, and their on-screen chemistry is palpable, but much of the credit goes to director, Jeff Nichols. Loving could have easily been an over-reaching Oscar bait film, badgering the viewer with maudlin, overtly sentimental material, but it is the complete contrary. Its quietness and steadfast calmness emphasize the love and passion between these two characters, which makes it an absolute treasure.

4. 20th Century Women

Written and Directed by Mike Mills

1970′s. Second-wave feminism. The Talking Heads. There were some important cultural changes occuring when a young teen named Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann) was being raised by his mother (Annette Bening) and two other women (Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig) in Santa Barbara, California. 20th Century Women is indeed a dysfunctional family drama, but its layered political and societal themes bring a rugged texture and complexity that emphatically ring true through its characters. The film highlights Jamie’s struggle for identity as he searches for the many forms of masculinity portrayed in pop culture all the while his mother wishes to understand his desires and protect him from self-destruction. With a mesmerizing cast and a distinct tone, 20th Century Women beautifully depicts a group of people who are striken by the uncertainty of their futures and yet manage to navigate their lives while remaining together.

3. A Monster Calls

Directed by J.A. Bayona; Screenplay by Patrick Ness; Based on the Novel by Patrick Ness

Easily one of the most beautifully shot and animated films of the year, A Monster Calls will most certainly elicit a good cry. Interestingly enough, this film appeared to be catered for young audiences, but its dark and mature subject matter seem anything but suitable for its target audience. Suprisingly, the film holds its own for its unique direction and grounded tone when dealing with a story centering around grief and isolation. While his mother (Felicity Jones) is striken by a terminal illness, a boy (Lewis MacDougall) discovers a tree monster that could help him cope with the traumatic events that have occured in his life. The film is daring in regards to showcasing the dark and somber moments from the tragedies of this young boy’s life, and it successfully entices due to its strong visual and emotional magnetism. A brilliant and poignant achievement.

2. Arrival

Directed by Denis Villeneuve; Screenplay by Eric Heisserer; Based on the Story, “Story of Your Life,” by Ted Chiang

Denis Villenueve is one of the great filmmakers of this generation, and he surely does not disappoint with his latest sci-fi drama, Arrival. Like most of Villeneuve’s work, he brings gravitas to each scene by incorporating underlying tension between characters and evoking a subtle dread and unease, which has been a signature within his filmography. Arrival embodies that gravitas except with a remarkable story and new genre in which Villeneuve has yet to explore until now -- science fiction. Amy Adams is spectacular as linguistics professor, Louise Banks, who is delt an overwhelming assignment from the federal government to deconstruct the language of alien inhabitants who have landed on Earth via twelve elliptical spacecrafts. Gorgeously shot by upcoming cinematographer, Bradford Young, it is dauntingly visceral with its high contrast and greyish midtones, but it’s the story that shines and creates a breath-taking reveal that will be relished for quite some time. Villeneuve is a master of character study, and Arrival is yet another marvelous addition to his arsenal of acclaimed work.

1. Moonlight

Directed by Barry Jenkins; Screenplay by Barry Jenkins; Story by Tarell Alvin McCraney

It’s difficult for a film to justify the hype it has recieved, and in a lot of ways, too much hype could do so much to even discredit it. There are many reasons why some art is deemed “great art,” but how “great art” moves past all the expectations is by embodying an element in which it trancends beyond its labels. A great film is a great piece of art. It acts as a vessel that propels beyond the screen and into our lives. Moonlight is that film, and it is a cinematic triumph. In its entirity, it’s seamlessly executed aesthetically, technically, and emotionally. It tells the story of Chiron who grows up gay, poor, and black in an impoverished neighborhood in Miami. The story is told in three parts: Chiron as a young child, a high-school teenager, and a man in his mid-twenties. Tragedy has followed Chiron his whole life due to his sexuality, which is harshly rejected in an area pervaded by violence and poverty. His survival is dependent upon his ability to conform all the while his mother struggles with drug abuse. Moonlight is a timeless story about love that is universal and was released in a year where the marginalized needed a voice. Well, Moonlight is that voice, and it speaks volumes over the hype.

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news4usonline · 5 years

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Dancer Ronnie Bowman Jr. finds his 'Anastasia' connection

Dancer Ronnie Bowman Jr. finds his ‘Anastasia’ connection

The Broadway musical Anastasia makes a pre-holiday visit to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, beginning with the show press opening tonight (Nov. 5) and concludes its two-week run Nov. 17.

With a backdrop that will take audiences through the withering Russian Empire and the romantic escape of Paris, Anastasiafocuses on the travels of a young woman seeking to make a connection to her mysterious…

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#Anastasia #Broadway #Segerstrom Center for the Arts

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jewsome · 5 years

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Books posted in September 2019

Here is the list of the 53 books that I posted on this site, JewishBookWorld.org in September 2019. The image above contains some of the covers. The bold links take you to the book’s page on Amazon; the “on this site” links to the book’s page on this site.

A.D.D Diaries of A Mad Curly Mixed Jew: funny stories and poems to live by by Emma Estrada (on this site)

And the Bride Closed the Door by Ronit Matalon (on this site)

Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack (on this site)

Braided: A Journey of A Thousand Challahs by Beth Ricanati (on this site)

Buttons in my soup by Moshe Ziv (on this site)

The Challah That Took Over the House by Melissa Berg (on this site)

Chelm for the Holidays by Valerie Estelle Frankel (on this site)

The Chosen Wars: How Judaism Became an American Religion by Steven R. Weisman (on this site)

The Cut Out Girl: A Story of War and Family, Lost and Found by Bart van Es (on this site)

Faith After the Holocaust by Eliezer Berkovits (on this site)

The Fifth Column by Andrew Gross (on this site)

Finding Hagar: God’s Pursuit of a Runaway by Michael F Kuhn (on this site)

From Mesopotamia To Modernity: Ten Introductions To Jewish History And Literature by Burton Visotzky, David Fishman (on this site)

From the Cincinnati Reds to the Moscow Reds: The Memoirs of Irwin Weil by Irwin Weil (on this site)

Fun at Grandma Sadie’s: A Story for Rosh Hashanah by Sarah Mazor (on this site)

Gertrude Stein Has Arrived: The Homecoming of a Literary Legend by Roy Morris Jr. (on this site)

The Girl in the Haystack by Bryon MacWilliams (on this site)

Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life–in Judaism by Sarah Hurwitz (on this site)

How Could She by Lauren Mechling (on this site)

How The Rosh Hashanah Challah Became Round by Sylvia B. Epstein (on this site)

How to Fight Anti-Semitism by Bari Weiss (on this site)

Hungarian Jewish Architects by Tibor Gottdank (on this site)

Invisible As Air by Zoe Fishman (on this site)

Jackie and Jesse and Joni and Jae by Chris Barash (on this site)

The Jewish Cookbook by Leah Koenig (on this site)

Jewish High Holidays Activity Book (Full-Color Edition): Including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah by Alex Man (on this site)

The Jews Should Keep Quiet: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, and the Holocaust by Rafael Medoff (on this site)

Joseph and the Way of Forgiveness by Stephen Mitchell (on this site)

Judaism Reclaimed: Philosophy and Theology in the Torah by Shmuel Phillips (on this site)

King of The Fruits – Children Story For Rosh Hashanah by Rachel Mintz (on this site)

The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton (on this site)

Maimonides on Teshuvah: The Way of Repentance by Henry Abramson (on this site)

Maimonides’ Grand Epistle to the Scholars of Lunel: Ideology and Rhetoric by Charles H. Sheer (on this site)

The Mitzvah Gang and the Extraordinary Sukkah by Sarah Mazor (on this site)

My Mother’s Spice Cupboard: A Journey from Baghdad to Bombay to Bondi by Elana Benjamin (on this site)

A New Approach to Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur: Based On The Teachings of HaRav Yitzchak Berkovits Shlita by Moshe Kormornick, Zvi Gefen (on this site)

On Division by Goldie Goldbloom (on this site)

Philo’s Heirs: Moses Maimonides and Thomas Aquinas by Luis Cortest (on this site)

Rabbi Joseph Dov Soloveitchik on the Experience of Prayer by Dov Schwartz (on this site)

Rereading The Rabbis: A Woman’s Voice by Judith Hauptman (on this site)

Romance Behind Judaica: Celebrating the Richness of the Jewish Calendar by Faydra Shapiro (on this site)

Rosh Hashana / Yom Kippur Guess Who? by Ariella Stern (on this site)

Schindler’s Listed: The Search for My Father’s Lost Gold by Mark Biederman with Randi Biederman (on this site)

Shanah Tovah, Grover! by Joni Kibort Sussman (on this site)

The Shofar – Adventure Story For Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year Holiday Story For Children by Rachel Mintz (on this site)

The Song of Songs: A Biography by Ilana Pardes (on this site)

The Song of the Jade Lily by Kirsty Manning (on this site)

Stavans Unbound: The Critic Between Two Canons by Bridget Kevane (on this site)

The Third Daughter by Talia Carner (on this site)

Tishrei’s Holidays-Activity Book for kids.: Coloring Pages. Mazes. The four species. Hidden words game and more by Ronit Tal Shaltiel (on this site)

To Destroy Jerusalem by Howard Kaplan (on this site)

Yitz Greenberg and Modern Orthodoxy: The Road Not Taken by Adam Ferziger, Miri Freud-Kandel, and Steven Bayme (on this site)

Yom Kippur Children’s Machzor by Noam Zimmerman (on this site)

The post Books posted in September 2019 appeared first on Jewish Book World.

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mingot-studios · 6 years

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Gravity Falls x Steven Universe Diamond Courts

White Diamond's Court:

White Diamond (Lord Saionji) Ruler of Homeworld, Head of the Great Diamond Authority

Grey Diamond (Rika Saionji): Heiress To Homeworld

White Pearl (Tomie Zimmerman): White Diamond’s Pearl

Red Diamond's Court:

Red Diamond (Celestial Redglare): Second Highest Ranking Member of The Great Diamond Authority, Ruler of Homeworld

Burgundy Diamond (Mingot Johnson): Heir to Red Diamond’s Throne, Currently on Mission to Unravel the mystery of the mysterious planet of Crystal Falls by going undercover as a Pyrope

Red Pearl (Carousel Mcafree): Red Diamond’s Pearl

Ocean Pearl (Kyoske Enoshima): Burgundy Diamond’s Pearl: Currently accompanying Diamond on Mission to Unravel the mystery of the mysterious planet of Crystal Falls by going undercover as a Pearl with no owner

Other Known Members of Red Diamond’s Court

Black Sapphire (Anya Blunderhoff) High Ranking Member of Red Diamond’s Court

Turquoise (Aurora Winarkie): Member of Red Diamond’s Court, Historian

Citrine (Audri Matthews): Member of Red Diamond’s Court, Scientist

Skinny Cherry Quartz (Sakura Odayaka) Member of Red Diamond’s Court, Terraformer

Prasiolite (Gim Wikadashi) Member of Red Diamond’s Court

Overcooked Amber (Camie Shinimotto) Member of Red Diamond’s Court

Lapis Lazuli ( Seryu Enoshima) Member of Red Diamond’s Court (Former, Shattered) Terraformer

Blue Diamond's Court:

Blue Diamond (Amygdala) Second Highest Ranking Member of The Great Diamond Authority, Ruler of Homeworld

Saxon Diamond (Cerebellum): Heir to Blue Diamond’s Throne, Ran away with Pearl, current whereabouts unknown

Navy Pearl ( Roland): Blue Diamond’s Pearl

Rose Pearl ( Rocksie Calverasi): Saxon Diamond’s Pearl, Ran away from Homeworld with Diamond, current whereabouts unknown

Other Known Members of Blue Diamond’s Court:

Hypersthene (Dakaru Calverasi) High ranking member of Blue Diamond’s Court, went to find Saxon Diamond & her Pearl, Current whereabouts unkown

Celestite (Yunoka Yunoke): Member of Purple Diamond’s Court, technician

Overcooked Olive Cat’s Eye (Lucido Pintac): Member of Purple Diamond’s Court

Skinny Purple Agate (Juno Firurry): Member of Purple Diamond’s Court, Spy

Emerald (Masa Okisin): Member of Purple Diamond’s Court, Caretaker of The Underground Kindergarten

Angelite (Netuna Skylarch): High ranking Member of Blue Diamond’s Court

Pink Opal (Ranka Memyuoire): High Ranking Member of Blue Diamond’s Court

Bloodstone (Rem Sangra): Member of Purple Diamond’s Court, Runaway from shattering, current whereabouts unknown

Howlite (Tei Kuruno): Member of Purple Diamond’s Court, Technician

Purple Diamond's Court:

Purple Diamond (Kyurin Diamond): Third Highest ranking member of The Great Diamond Authority, Ruler of Homeworld

Purple Pearl (Cocyabine Asters): Purple Diamond’s Pearl

Lavender Diamond (Nabi Diamond): Heir to Purple Diamond’s Throne

Midnight Pearl (Mikassa Owens): Lavender Diamond’s Pearl

Other Known Members of Purple Diamond’s Court:

Skinny Kuzunite (Kuzunite Diamond)

Violet Diamond (Carrion Diamond): Former Leader of Purple Diamond’s Court

Iris Diamond (Lillith “The Widowmaker” Diamond) Former Leader of Purple Diamond’s Court

Tourmaline (Amu Diamond) Member of Purple Diamond’s Court

Watermelon Tourmaline (Derek Diamond) Member of Purple Diamond’s Court

Yellow Diamond Court: (Leader Shattered, Disbanded)

Yellow Diamond (Bill Cipher): Head of The Great Diamond Authority (Former, Shattered)

Mother of Pearl (Blanc Code): Yellow Diamond’s Pearl (Diamond Shattered, current whereabouts unknown)

Other Know Members of YD Court:

Amazonite (Kryptos): Member of Yellow Diamond’s Court (Former) Transferred to Blue Diamond’s Court

Amythest (Zanthar): Member of Yellow Diamond’s Court (Former) Transferred to Purple Diamond’s Court

Rainbow Quartz (Amorphous Shape): Member of Yellow Diamond’s Court (Former) Transferred to Red Diamond’s Court

Fire Opal (Paci-Fire): Member of Yellow Diamond Court (Former) Transferred to Purple Diamond’s Court

Nepherite (8-Ball): Member of Yellow Diamond’s Court (Former) Transferred to Red Diamond’s Court

Sugalite (Pyronica): Member of Yellow Diamond’s Court (Former) Transferred to Purple Diamond’s Court

Triplite (Hectorgon): Member of Yellow Diamond’s Court (Former) Transferred to Red Diamond’s Court

Holly Blue Agate (Keyhole): Member of Yellow Diamond’s Court (Former) Transferred to Blue Diamond’s Court

Morganite (Teeth): Member of Yellow Diamond’s Court (Former) Transferred to Red Diamond’s Court

Deformed Scolecite (The Horrifying Sweaty One-Armed Monstrosity): Member of Yellow Diamond’s Court (Former) Shattered

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