Title: Django Unchained
Genre: Film
Grade: A
Notable People: Quentin Tarentino- Director, Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leo DiCaprio and a cast of many surprises
Review: It’s a Tarentino. I could say more but it would be like Blah, Blah, Blah. You like movies??? Go see it NOW……
Title: Silver Linings Playbook
Genre: Film
Grade: A-
Notable People: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert Deniro, Directed by David O. Russell
Review: Very, very nicely done movie. Touching story about two quirky, emotionally unstable people who connect in a pretty strange way. Pretty complex for the story line with really good performances by Cooper, a rejuvenated Deniro (best role in years) and an absolutely stunning turn by Lawrence (all grown up after winning The Hunger Games). This one’s a real sleeper.
Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Genre: Film
Grade: A-
Notable People: Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Paul Rudd, cameo by Joan Cusack
Review: This is the best coming of age movie I’ve seen in a very long time. A lot of people think this is film for teens only- but we were all totally moved by it. Much darker and more complex than it seems at first. I don’t know who Logan Lerman is- but this role is a tour de force. Watson is to die for. Heartbreakingly real.
Title: Hemingway’s Girl
Genre: Novel
Grade: B+
Notable People: Erika Roebuck
Review: Reviewer said “You’ll love this robust, tender story of love, grief, and survival on Key West in the 1930s…Addictive.” I agree. Hemingway seems to have been reborn recently and is everywhere; not all of which is good. This fable is one piece I’m glad to have. Very nicely written and quite moving; I cried several times.
Title: Hitchcock
Genre: Film
Grade: A-
Notable People: Anthony Hopkins, Scarlett Johansen, Jessica Beal
Review: Hopkins IS Hitchcock- incredible channeling. Movie takes place during the making of classic Psycho; great period piece, great acting and a lots of info you did not know. See Hitchcock go nuts in lobby of theater first time the movie is shown. Liked it a lot.
Title: Paradise City
Genre: Novel
Grade: A-
Notable People: Archer Mayor
Review: Everyone already knows I am biased as Archer has become a friend of mine. If you like serial murder mysteries (he publishes one a year- 22 in all to date) you can’t go wrong with this series or this one. Joe Gunther gets out of Vermont to Northampton MA in this rather convoluted but entertaining story; lots of focus of the erratically interesting Willy Kunkle character. Good late night reading.
Genre: Film
Grade: A-
Notable People: Chiwetal Ejiofor, Michael Fassbinder, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, Paul Dano, Directed by Steve McQueen
Title: Twelve Years A Slave
Review – Well- as you can see we are obviously back in the land of movies; three good ones in three days. This is one powerful movie that should make you somewhat embarrassed to be a Caucasian. Very powerful story that reflects the title; free black man living a serene life in Saratoga, NY in 1850s gets kidnapped and turned into slavery for 12 years in the deep south. Shocking does not capture it. Well acted and filmed – great support cast and a great performance by the lead actor. It dragged a bit for me, and was a tiny bit predictable- but still a must see. Witching this and “The Book Thief’ in back to back nights may not be all that recommended- you will want to see a Rambo movie after these two- in which the good guys get to kick ass. A very startling commentary on human cruelty and misery.
Title: Born to Sing, No Plan B
Genre: Album
Grade: A-
Notable People: Van Morrison
Review: nothing ground breaking here; just the great Van the Man doing his thing. If you’re a fan- go out and get it.
Title: 11/22/63
Genre: Novel
Grade: A
Notable People: Stephen King
Review: Right off the bat- I am not a big fan of the King Man’s work; his shtick is just not usually my genre. But this is an am zing book. Could not put it down. Probably more than you ever wanted to know about Lee Harvey Oswald- but an absolutely credible, detailed and riveting story about a man going back to the past to try an change the course of history. King is an exceptional writer and this is great material. A tome at almost 900 pages. If you like a long book for cold nights- this is a “don’t miss”
Title: In One Person
Genre: Novel
Grade: B
Notable People: John Irving
Review: This is Irving’s 13th novel over a period of 40+ years and probably his most unusual. Irving is an absolutely great writer- so it’s really hard to tell if this first person account of man’s life from 1955 to the present is autobiographical or just fiction from pure knowledge, research and imagination. This is the story of a boy growing up bi-sexual in rural Vermont and the many “sexual suspects” (a term first used in the early 70s in GARP) that influence him. In some ways it is a reflection on homosexuality in the last half of the American 20th century. Is this about Irving? Who knows- but it does have all the usual accoutrements: bears, wrestling, New England prep school and small town, Vienna..and is told in his inimitable style. I had some trouble with this one; maybe just did not relate to the protagonist’s struggles- maybe not written as well- I’m honesty not sure. Worth considering a read.
