unkindnessofsails
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They/them | 24 | Half Asian Half WhiteThis blog is just where I'll put my musings and thoughts of the media (books/TV/movies) that I consume each month. NOT SPOILER FREE
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Oct 2020 Books and Plays Roundup
Books I read and Plays I watched in Oct 2020:
Play:
HEY VIOLA by Tracey Power and Krystal Dos Santos
Books:
Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Issues in Canada by Chelsea Vowel
All Things Consoled: A Daughter’s Memoir by Elizabeth Hay
Luna: New Moon by Ian McDonald
The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie
My thoughts below (contains spoilers):
HEY VIOLA
A play told mostly through songs and performed by one person, with an accompanying band. Tells the story of Viola Desmond, the black woman on the Canadian $10 bill. A story that’s important to remember in our time, and for the production I watched, the actress did a really good job and had an amazing singing voice.
Favourite Character: n/a
Indigenous Writes
Non fiction book about Indigenous issues in Canada. Has some informative stuff in it, though is a bit dry.
Favourite Character: n/a
All Things Consoled
A memoir of a daughters views of her parents, not particularly interesting to me.
Favourite Character: n/a
Luna: New Moon
A sci-fi book that was hard to get into due to the many changing characters pov, but once I got into it, found myself really enjoying the family dramas playing out. Intrigued enough to read the second book of the series - I really hope this is not the end of the Corta family as they were pretty badly defeated by the end of the book.
Favourite Character: Lucas Corta - the real schemer who I hope has a plan of attack after nearly being killed and forced to flee.
The Raven Tower
Fantasy book that kind of didn’t really have much of a plot in the grand scheme of things. Like nothing happened. It honestly felt like a person telling the history of the land while stuff was slowly happening in the present. idk and the ending was kind of stupid.
Favourite Character: Eolo I guess, there wasn’t really anyone who caught my interest, and at least he’s trans.
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Oct 2020 Movie Roundup
Movies I watched in Oct 2020:
Beans
The Hidden Life of Trees
In the Name of the Land
Lapsis
Mogul Mowgli
My Salinger Year
Super-Frenchie
Thoughts below (contains spoilers):
In the Name of the Land
Based on a true story, this french film is quite depressing. You keep waiting for things to make an upswing... and it never does with the movie ending in a suicide. I wouldn’t watch it if you are depressed as it really reminds you how fucking awful capitalistic life is right now.
Favourite Character: As this is based off real people I will refrain from ranking them.
Beans
A look at the Okra protests from a fictionalized young girl’s pov. Poignant reminder of how far we have not come in our treatment of Indigenous people in Canada. A really well done story that interweaves the news broadcasts and footage of the time with this coming of age story. Would recommend.
Favourite Character: Beans - this is her story after all and the actress did a good job playing her.
The Hidden Life of Trees
A documentary about the book and the author who wrote the book. Can see why the book is so popular as it really gets you to think about trees as an important part of our environment and have feelings. Would recommend.
Favourite Character: n/a
Lapsis
A sci-fi story that was really well thought out in terms of storytelling. The characters were all engaging and it was tense at the right moments and mysterious at other times, though the key to stopping the robots was pretty easy to figure out. That ending scene with the three characters in the motel room laughing and joking really made me feel joy. I don’t really know why, but I was like yes, I like all of these characters very much and though they aren’t in a great place at the end, they are not in a bad place either. I would totally watch a television series with these characters, and this world totally has the stamina to be a long form story. Would highly recommend.
Favourite Character: Anna - a bit mysterious, chill, and smart.
Mogul Mowgli
Riz Ahmed’s film. Beautiful story about culture dysphoria and struggling with internal illness. He did a really good job. Would recommend.
Favourite Character: Zed played by Riz. This was his story, and as I said, it was portrayed beautifully.
My Salinger Year
A cute film about an aspiring writer who ends up an assistant for a literary agent who represents JD Salinger. I’ve never read anything by JD Salinger, so that aspect was sort of lost on me, but it was well done. Would recommend.
Favourite Character: I believe this is based off true events, so again I’ll refrain from ranking them.
Super-Frenchie
Documentary about a guy who does ski jumping and other extreme sports. Was really not impressed, especially with the fact that he knows he’ll most likely die one day doing this and will leave behind a son and wife, just because he needs to do more difficult stunts because the previous ones are no longer thrilling. Would not recommend.
Favourite Character: n/a
#beans#my salinger year#super-frenchie#mogul mowgli#lapsis#the hidden life of trees#in the name of the land#movies#oct 2017
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Oct 2020 TV Show Roundup
TV Shows I watched in Oct 2020:
Star Trek Lower Decks (S1e9-10)
Star Trek Discovery (S3e1-3)
Supernatural (various episodes from s8-14 and S15e15-17)
Fargo (S4 e1-3)
My thoughts below (contains spoilers):
Star Trek Lower Decks
Finished up the last two episodes of the season, and can I say I absolutely love this show. It is such a joy and I can’t wait for S2, though I do wonder how they’re going to get Boimler back on the Ceretos now that he’s off with Riker. One wish I have for s2 is for them to bring back a ds9 character. I believe they’re going to bring someone from Voyager on the show, but please give ds9 some love!!!
Favourite Character: Beckett Mariner - no surprise there. She continues to be this amazing complex character that I can’t wait to lean more about. Also, the fact that the creators confirmed she’s bi and will likely explore that more in s2 is such a bonus!!! She’s just the fucking best.
Star Trek Discovery
EEEEEE!!!! Holy shit, this season has started out with a real bang and I’m loving it. Like ahhhhh!!! I’ve teared up each week so far and the story is sooooo good. I can’t even! Like it’s a million times better than last season (honestly just the fact that Pike isn’t in it makes it already better by a long shot, but it’s leaps and bounds better) Michael Burnham actually got the time to just live and breath without starfleet’s responsibilities hanging over her and now her having to learn to reintegrate into the crew??? Like yes!!! Her and Book? Their friendship is so cute already after two episodes. (yes I still miss Ash, but I recognize that I have to let him go) Also, all the crew dynamics this season - it’s like they finally heard us about what we want to see. Give us the found family, rather than stupid nonsense about AI trying to destroy the universe. Finally, this is what Star Trek is about.
Favourite Character: Michael Burnham - literally an angel and I love her so much and she’s finally getting the respect that she deserves. Words cannot express my love for this character <3
Supernatural
Well, I have fallen down this rabbit hole, and I’ve decided to embrace it. The varoius episodes I’ve gone back to see have mostly been Castiel centric or destiel centric as yes that is why I’ve fallen back into this nonsense. Won’t say much, just that there’s three episodes left and I’m curious as to how this will all play out.
Favourite Character: Castiel obviously.
Fargo
I’m watching this for Ben Whishaw and I’m fully admitting that. The story for s4 is alright, not the most engaging, but it has it’s interesting moments. Side eyeing the show for casting a non-Indigenous person in an Indigenous role. Also, if Oreatta manages to hurt Ethelrida in any way I will be super pissed. All the other characters motivations for killing or hurting others makes sense, even if it’s awful and not right, but Oreatta going out of her way to try and hurt Ethelrida and her family for no reason is just plain evil.
Favourite Character: Rabbi played by Ben Whishaw, obviously, I mean I’m watching it for him. And he’s playing a very sympathetic character despite being a member of a mob gang so... but seriously, it’s literally a Pietre situation where the child had no choice in his life and had to deal with lot he’s given. And he’s taking care of the son and teaching him and protecting him and doesn’t just blindly follow orders!!! He was a bit racist in the last episode though so he better redeem himself...
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Sept 2020 Book Roundup
Books I read in the month of Sept 2020
Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and the Hard Truths in a Northern City by Tanya Talaga
Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present by Robyn Maynard
From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle
Peerless (play) by Jiehae Park
Waiting for Godot (play) by Samuel Beckett
Thoughts below (not spoiler free):
Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and the Hard Truths in a Northern City by Tanya Talaga
A non-fiction story that relays the events surrounding the deaths of Indigenous children in Northern Ontario, many of whom were found in the river. It’s a hard read and it does not have a positive outlook at the end seeing as the situation the children were in when they died has not changed much for the next group of children growing up and going to school there. A stark look at the very real and present day to day impacts colonialism has on Indigenous lives.
Favourite Character: n/a
Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present by Robyn Maynard
A book that lays out the history of anti-blackness in Canada. For me, it was a hard read in the sense that it was very scholarly material and I had trouble concentrating. It has a wealth of very important information, but for everyday people it’s not an accessible read.
Favourite Character: n/a
From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle
An autobiography that was hard to read, but in a different sense from the previous book. Thistle’s life events were rough and at times tragic and it’s frankly amazing how he got out of the life he spiraled into. There is a lot of explicit descriptions of addiction, homelessness, and bodily injuries that may be triggers for some people. Unlike the other two books however, this one ended on a positive note.
Favourite Character: n/a
Peerless (play) by Jiehae Park
A shortish play that features messed up teens desperate to be accepted into ‘The College’ and they’re banking on their diversity status to get in, which leads them to do horrible stuff. Honestly, there are probably deeper meanings to the play, but when the first scene has the r slur spoken multiple times it made the story seem sensationalist and uncomfortable but not in a good way. Also, I get that it’s supposed to be over the top, but I mean they kill a fellow student and kind of got away with it. It was just too much of a reality stretch for me to handle. And honestly, would not be interested in seeing a staged version due to the afore mentioned albeism and also the fatphobia present throughout.
Favourite Character: If I had to pick I guess D just because he didn’t deserve to die, but that’s the only reason.
Waiting for Godot (play) by Samuel Beckett
Oh the play that goes no where. Now this play I would be interested in seeing staged. Yes, the whole Pozzo and Lucky part is disturbing, but our two protagonists being dumb and clueless feels like a good metaphor to what’s going on in our world right now.
Favourite Character: Vladimir because he seems to have a bit more awareness to him, and yet... is the one ensuring the two maintain the status quo - says something doesn’t it? Also, he’s more overt with his love towards Estragon than the other way around.
#seven fallen feathers#policing black lives#from the ashes#peerless#waiting for godot#books#sept 2020
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Sept 2020 TV Show Roundup
One Day At A Time (S2)
Star Trek Lower Decks (S1 e4-8)
Sex Education (S1 e1)
Supernatural (S13 e1-6)
My thoughts below (not spoiler free):
One Day At A Time (S2)
Okay, I did love this season and it was a step up from last season. All the characters are gelling and coming into there own and there were some real heartfelt moments - especially the season finale. However, I probably will stop watching the show here. I can’t really say what’s making me stop watching, but I don’t have an interest in continuing, so I’ll stop here where my good view of the show can remain as is. I feel like it should be noted that I do this a lot for television shows. I just don’t have the lasting power to continue watching a lot of the time.
Favourite Character: Schneider. Yep. The white man. Mostly because I find him to be the funniest, and what am I doing watching a comedy if I’m not laughing?
Star Trek Lower Decks (S1 e4-8)
This show has really grown on me. I look forward to it every week and just find so much joy in it that I did not expect to. It’s ridiculous and silly, but is also heartwarming and such a cozy blanket. I just love love love how this show makes me feel and I haven’t felt this way about a show for a long time. I’ve heard that it’s only 10 episodes though so I only have a couple more weeks of it :(
Favourite Character: BECKETT MARINER!!!!! Ughhhh!!!! Everything about her is just so amazing and they’ve really rounded out her character and made her this complex person that I just!!! I don’t understand how she’s not everyone’s fav because I love her to bits.
Sex Education (S1 e1)
Will not be watching further unless I’m with other people who really want to watch it. Like it was cute, but I’m not at a place where I want to watch another teenage drama that over-sexualizes teens. Also, I have no interest watching the protagonist be a straight white teen boy exploring his sexuality.
Favourite Character: Do not remember any of their names and did not get to know anyone enough to form any sort of attachment.
Supernatural (S13 e1-6)
Lolll can’t believe I fell down this rabbit hole again. I’ve not watched this show in over five years and I only watched the first five seasons before stopping. This is what happens when you listen to a podcast that gets you interested in seeing what’s going on. I’ll likely not watch the entirety of this show from this point, but I may jump around here and there. I might even watch the last few episodes that comes out in Oct...
Favourite Character: Castiel which is stupid as he wasn’t even in the first 5 episodes of the season, but yeah I don’t really care about the brothers’ stupid drama. Jack or whatever the boy’s name is adorable too and why I started watching at S13.
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Sept 2020 Movie Roundup
Movies I watched in the month of Sept 2020:
Disclosure
Megamind
A Life Turned Upside Down: My Dad’s an Alcoholic
John Ware Reclaimed
Monkey Beach
Beauty Water
My Mexican Bretzel
The Inconvenient Indian
DNF: MILF
My thoughts below (is not spoiler free):
Disclosure
The documentary featuring trans actors about trans representation in media. Very good, and had some stuff I didn’t know, especially in terms of older media and how they represented trans people. Would highly recommend.
Favourite Character: n/a
Megamind
Honestly, thought it would be better. It’s a cute movie, but wasn’t as groundbreaking or amazing as Tumblr made it seem it would be. I wouldn’t even say it did the whole switch of hero becoming villain and villain becoming hero because the hero turned villain was never a hero in the first place. If it had been the first hero then it would have been interesting, but yeah that wasn’t how it went. Also, I thought the romance would have been better, but it was just creepy. Also the only reason he turned good was because of her, which is so fucking annoying. We need healthier representation of relationships in media!!!!
Favourite Character: The fish creature because he was just trying to do his best.
A Life Turned Upside Down: My Dad’s an Alcoholic
A Japanese movie that starts off attempting at comedy and then turning into a tragedy, but you knew it was going to be a tragedy all along. Wasn’t too keen on the ending which kind of had the daughter think she was the monster for not taking better care of her dad just because he wrote I’m sorry on the wall. Like... there may have been something lost in translation, but that could have been worded wayyyyy better. No girl, you are not the monster because your dad couldn’t stop drinking. That was not your fault at all. It was a good movie overall though if you can handle the subject matter.
Favourite Character: Saki - now that your dad is dead you can actually start your life and find happiness. Don’t let his memory bring you down!!! Also got wlw vibes from her friend so... my mom even agreed and she never sees queer subtext.
John Ware Reclaimed
A documentary of a Black Canadian Cowboy in Alberta. Interesting and informative; it’s a shortish doc that I would recommend.
Favourite Character: n/a
Monkey Beach
A beautiful movie about an Indigenous story of spirits and ghosts. Great visuals and it plays with time which is something I’m always a sucker for. Like time travel... not so much, but if the story weaves time in different ways to hit you emotionally at different times - that’s the good shit, and this story did that. Also, the ending hits you in the gut, but it’s not a sad ending persay. Anyways, would highly recommend.
Favourite Character: Ma-ma-Oo. Everyone needs someone like her in our lives who can guide us but also takes no shit. Shout out to Lisa though as the protagonist, she was great too and the actress playing her is beautiful.
Beaty Water
This movie is transphobic. I would not recommend at all. I don’t care if it’s supposed to be a critque of beauty culture in South Korea, there is no excuse to use trans people as a horror gotcha element. It’s sort of like Silence of the Lambs if you want a transphobic comparison. I was deeply upset and offended by this movie and I’m pissed that it was chosen in the film festival where I’m watching all these movies.
Favourite Character: Nope.
My Mexican Bretzel
A boring movie. I suppose there’s an element of uniqueness as it seems to be shot through old camera footage and it’s all silent except for a few background sounds coming from the camera. The story’s told in subtitles through the words of this person’s diary. It’s a story of two real people’s lives I believe and I thought that it was actually real footage, but no it was just actors which made the film seem pointless. Do not recommend.
Favourite Character: It’s based on real people... I think, so I’m going to stay away from this. Also, neither of the people in the movie were interesting.
The Inconvenient Indian
Inspired by the book The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King. The movie isn’t about the book, but more of a modern day look at how Indigenous people are represented. It was pretty good though doesn’t have that lasting emotional impact that stays with you.
Favourite Character: n/a
DNF: MILF - A stupid french film that I could only watch the first ten minutes or so before I peaced out. Zero artistic merit from what I could see.
#disclosure#megamind#a life turned upside down: my dad's an alcoholic#monkey beach#beauty water#my mexican bretzel#the inconvenient indian#milf#movies#sept 2020
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August 2020 TV Roundup
TV shows I watched this month:
Utopia (S1&2)
The Hour (S1&2)
One Day At A Time (S1)
Electric Dreams (S1 e1-3)
Mr Robot (S1 e1-3)
Star Trek: Lower Decks (S1 e1-3)
Lovecraft Country (S1 e1-2)
My thoughts below (contains SPOILERS)
Utopia (S1&2)
Wow, okay so just cancel the show right there like that... okay :/ ANYWAYS! This show definitely had some big think points and amazing characters, but what I LOVED the most was the soundtrack!!! Cristobal Tapia De Veer hit it out of the park with this soundtrack and I know it’s going to be music I go back to listen to continuously. Also the visuals of this show were very bright and fun which contrasted nicely with the dark material. And this show did get dark - there is a lot of killing and this show isn’t afraid of killing kids point blank either. One thing I didn’t like about the show was the romance between Becky and Ian. At times Ian came off as stockerish and they tried to play it off as romantic which no.
Favourite Character: S1 - Wilson Wilson - His arc throughout the show is probably the most complex and tragic and while I don’t agree with the decisions he makes, I can understand them and all in all he’s a unique character that should have got more focus. He loses the spot of fav character in s2 because I can’t forgive him for killing Ian’s brother and he wasn’t as central to the plot. If there was a season three I have no doubt that would have been his time to shine :(
S2 - Pietre... yes I’m cringing at myself. HE KILLED SO MANY PEOPLE IN S1 WHAT ARE YOU DOING? It’s because they showed baby Pietre isn’t it? and then next you see him being all happy with a family and ugh. Also, he’s like a one man army, and in my defense, S2 really wanted you to like him or else when his dad tries to kill him it would have had no emotional impact. Also the show ends with Pietre waking up and that’s it. Everyone’s been taken away by the Network and he wakes up and.... WHERE IS S3??? (side note it seems some people really like Lee, which??? idgi. Wilson 100% deserved to shoot him in the head and I fully support him for that)
The Hour (S1&2)
Another show that just cancelled after two seasons for no reason other than to piss off fans. Why????? What I loved about this show was the character dynamics!!! Ugh the pining!!! It was also snappy, fast paced and fun. S1 was the better season in my opinion and had a tighter story. S2 while still good, had some clunky bits and I didn’t like how they handled issues on race and homosexuality. For once I agree with the BBC heads in the episode that you shouldn’t air facists!! They can’t be reasoned with and even if they are ridiculed on air, their views are still be spread. Also fuck Freddie for putting Sey in a position like that without warning. And when the whole homosexuality political thing came up it got completely pushed aside with Hector attacking Laurence for hitting women, which yes is a big issue, but as Freddie pointed out, Hector backed away in the end. That coupled with how Isaac kept on being homophobic throughout the show annoyed me. I also really disliked Hector. All of his stupid problems annoyed me and I have no idea what Bel saw in him in S1.
Favourite Character: S1 - Freddie Lyon - the pining, hardworking, brilliant journalist. It’s impossible not to fall in love with him. S1 very much centres around Freddie with the s1 climax being when he is on camera and addresses the nation before being shut down. It’s a beautiful arc for him and I absolutely love it. Also, in S2 when the elevator opens and we see his back I squealed even though I knew it was going to be him, but that whole shot of him returning was just soooo goood! He gets dropped down in s2 because frankly a lot of what he does in that season annoys me - like the above mentioned airing of fascists, how he treats his wife, and just the fact that he got married after only knowing her for like a couple of months :/ Also him not caring when Rosa died and being rude to Bel for caring pissed me off.
S2 - Bel Rowley - while s1 centered around Freddie, s2 centered around Bel and she really shined this season. Unlike last season she’s not head over heels for Hector (thank god) and is standing on her own two feet... while being ridiculously head over heels in love with Freddie lol. I like how she didn’t let that stop her and had a short thing with that enemy producer, even if he did turn out to be an absolute asshole. Also thank you Bel for caring when Rosa died. Rosa deserved so much better. Anyways Bel deserves all the career success and happiness in her personal life. (Perhaps it’s a good thing there was no s3 since if it went according to pattern it would be Hector’s time in the limelight and NO THANK YOU. Also Marnie deserves so much better as well and she should get the opportunity to find love with another woman)
One Day At A Time (S1)
The first season is fun and lighthearted with at times being too on the nose, but most sitcoms are so can’t really fault it for that. The later half of the first season got more emotional and I liked how they handled Elena’s coming out. The pro-military stuff is overbearing and I wish it wasn’t included. Like when Penelope had that ‘emotional’ speech to get a chiropractor for her shoulder I was just like I can’t sympathize with you right now because you were part of a system that purposely ruined other people’s lives in other countries.
All in all though, it’s a show that’s nice to binge watch and doesn’t require brain power which sometimes you need a show like that.
Favourite Character: Penelope Alvarez - aside from her pro-military stuff she’s a well-rounded character who has realistic struggles with faults that are relatable.
Electric Dreams (S1 e1-3)
All the episodes are stand alones, but since they are all stupid I’m not going to waste time giving my thoughts on each one. I’m also not going to watch the rest of the episodes given how much I disliked the first three. What is the point of these? IDK - it’s like Black Mirror, but stupider. Also, from the ones I watched, for sci-fi settings it was way too white. In addition, having a white woman take on the avatar of a black man is not a good look. Also in the robot one, having the only unhuman robot be a black woman with the rest of the robots acting like humans being white is not a good look either. And the third episode is such a piece of boring shit that it doesn’t deserve my time.
Favourite Character: Whoever Janelle Monáe played. She was the only good part despite the shitty role they gave her.
Mr Robot (S1 e1-3)
The first three episodes felt like set up so I’m not sure where it’s heading. Despite it being on for years I don’t really know much about the show except for there’s hacking involved. We shall see if I will stick with it.
Favourite Character: At this point Frankie Shaw... I have a feeling she won’t be around for long though. She feels like the Jenna from Suits character. I don’t even like her with Elliot. Elliot’s cool too, but he should have somehow let Portia know what an asshole her boyfriend is and maybe then she wouldn’t have had her bank account hacked. Be a better friend Elliot!!!
Star Trek: Lower Decks (S1 e1-3)
Cute and better than I thought it was going to be which is nice. It is very heteronormative though. Like every episode they have to remind you that these characters like people of the opposite sex. It’s a quick watch though and I’m looking forward to seeing what other shenanigans this crew get up to.
Favourite Character: Beckett Mariner! Easily the best part of the show. She’s a badass who cares for her crewmates and doesn’t care for the rules and I am really looking forward to seeing how she develops.
Lovecraft Country (S1 e1-2)
Not going to lie, I was very confused watching this show so far. Especially episode two as the whole magic group thing seemed to come out of no where and I don’t understand how they have powers. Also it almost all takes place at night and the lighting of the show is so dark that I can’t see what’s going on half the time :( Will have to wait and see with this show.
Favourite Character: Letitia Lewis - ngtl part of it is because she’s gorgeous, but I do think her character is going to have an interesting journey and Jurnee Smollett really brings the character to life.
#utopia tv#the hour#odaat#electric dreams#mr robot#star trek lower decks#lovecraft country#tv shows#august 2020
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August 2020 Book Roundup
Books I read:
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
Writing Down Your Soul: How to Actiate and Listen to the Extraordinary Voice Within by Janet Conner
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
It’s Not Like It’s a Secret by Misa Sugiura
The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole
My thoughts under the cut (not spoiler free):
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters:
Enjoyed the first half much more than the second half. The first half has a lot of the similar beats to its movie adaption ‘The Handmaiden’ which I watched and loved a couple of years ago. The second half is quite different though and some of the twists revealed felt contrived. Also SPOILERS for the ending tbh I didn’t buy that Sue would be in love with Maud, especially with her being put into the asylum and being so pissed throughout most of the second half due to this. Maud’s affection seemed more realistic, but it was Sue who went after Maud in the end so idk, the ending felt too nicely wrapped up considering everything that happened throughout the story.
Favourite Character: I liked both Maud and Sue and can’t really choose between the two. I just don’t think these versions of the characters should have ended up together.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn by Taylor Jenkins Reid:
This was a very quick read, which was good, because it sucks you in and is enjoyable to consume... but looking back on it, it’s a meh sort of book. Aside from Evelyn, most of the characters in her world are pretty one note and Evelyn’s relationship with Celia felt at times toxic. Like seriously Evelyn is an actor!!! getting jealous/upset over her acting out a sex scene in a movie is kind of stupid especially considering you yourself are also an actor.
Favourite Character: Evelyn I guess, she’s the only person the author developed fully.
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman:
Ughhhhh. Nope. The teenage drama felt over the top and the storytelling was clunky with nothing really happening till the end then everything happened all at once and feeling unrealistic and undeserving at that.
Favourite Character: None. They all annoyed me.
Writing Down Your Soul by Janet Conner
Got this as a gift a lonnnng time ago, so decided to just give it a read. Had some interesting ideas, but some of her examples were very embedded in the patriarchal system. I do think writing down your thoughts to let loose steam is a useful practice though.
Favourite Character: n/a
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
This book has clear parallels with atla, which is cool, but doesn’t always work. The first half is good, I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the world and then... it just all fell apart. The biggest problem is Iman who is supposed to be the Zuko character, but his ‘redemption’ just doesn’t work and the romance is cringy and unrealistic as fuck. It just took me out of the book and all of the things that happened after the romance was introduced was just frustrating. The moral and societal issues brought up in this book that are a reflection of our society are very important, but the character development needs a lot of work. Don’t know if I’ll read the second book as by the end of the book I didn’t care for any of the characters.
Favourite Character: Zélie... up till halfway through and then I couldn’t stand anyone. I loved how she’s cocky and brave and at times selfish and can get annoyed easily, but she just doesn’t back down. She needs better taste in men though.
It’s Not Like It’s a Secret by Misa Sugiura
A teen romance book that actually doesn’t focus so much on the teen romance. The main character’s problems that she finds herself in are actually relatable which I found nice - like her procrastinating talking to someone because it’s a difficult conversation to have (legit what I do all the time and it’s bad...). Also, though clunky at times the author does bring up important discussions about race. I do think the whole resolution about the father cheating storyline was a bit hand wavey, but I can see why the author resolved it that way.
Favourite Character: Jamie Ramirez - she did not deserve the distaste she got from Sana’s friends and imo didn’t do anything wrong. Also, Sana can be so oblivious and racially insensitive at times which Jamie has to put up with along with everything else. If I was Jamie I wouldn’t have taken Sana back, but I suppose with it being high school and slim pickings and all...
The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole
100% recommend, especially for Canadians. So often Canadians, especially white Canadians like to say Canada is so much better than America when it comes to race issues, but this book clearly shows why this isn’t the case. It’s a picture of the issues Black Canadians face within the last decade (though the focus of the story is the year 2017). Given the racial climate we are living in now, this book is as relevant as ever.
Favourite Character: n/a
#fingersmith#the seven husbands of evelyn hugo#radio silence#writing down your soul#children of blood and bone#it's not like it's a secret#the skin we're in#books#august 2020
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August 2020 Movie Roundup
Films I watched:
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Selah and The Spades
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Juno
My thoughts below (NOT Spoiler free)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
A beautiful film. There are long pauses and it’s slow - especially in the beginning, but it’s a very lovely film about two women who fall in love. I love the fact that it takes place on an island and it feels so detached from the rest of the world where there only seems to be women on the island. That fire scene with the singing was definitely my favourite part.
Favourite Character: Marianne - Héloïse is amazing as well, but I had to give a slight edge to Marianne as we saw the movie through her eyes.
Selah and the Spades
Teenage drama with interesting characters! The relationship between Selah and Paloma is the focal point of the movie and it does get fucked up, but seeing Selah’s journey through her struggles and accomplishments is so fascinating and Lovie Simone does an AMAZING job! And I love how Tayarisha Poe (the writer and director) describes the two girls’ relationship and their sexuality:
I think Selah is asexual, but she doesn’t have the words for it, which happens. For Paloma, she can fall in love with anybody and loves love, and she wants to be loved, which is why she does all of these things for Selah. This is a story about power and unrequited love. And Selah knows how desperate Paloma is to be loved by her. Selah will never love her the way she wants her to, but she will use Paloma’s love to get what she wants, every single time.
You can see Paloma fall quickly for Selah and the growth of their friendship makes for some sweet moments. But as Paloma starts learning more about her friend and gets sucked in by the rumors by the rest of the student body their relationship shifts and starts falling apart in a way which is captivating, especially since it’s seen mostly through the viewpoint of Selah. Yes Selah is manipulative and at times ruthless, but it makes her softer moments that much more interesting and seeing her struggles makes her that much more realistic.
Favourite Character: Selah Summers - obviously, need I say more?
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Watched this for research reasons. Would have not watched this movie otherwise. Teenage love triangle drama with no real substance.
Favourite Character: Norah I guess
Juno
Watched this in high school and again am only watching it now for research reasons. This movie at least had something interesting to say and is a much better 2000s teen movie then Nick and Norah. For a story about a teen’s pregnancy though it kind of felt like it glossed over the whole teen pregnancy aspect (like how she would be treated at school and such) and put more focus on the couple who she’s giving the baby too, which watching it for a second time around put a damper on the movie. Also this movie is fatphobic which sucks.
Favourite Character: Juno MacGuff - Ellen Page did a really good job with this character.
#portrait of a lady on fire#selah and the spades#nick and norah's infinite playlist#juno#movies#august 2020
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