I forgot to update yesterday because my mind was blown by the Oscar
drama (stay tuned).
I was sick for the majority of the week, so I didn’t get a chance to
read or watch much. To put things in
perspective, I finally started to feel less miserable on Thursday, when I
finally went to the theaters.
Here’s what I read and watched last week.
Books
Dirty Pretty Things by
Michael Faudet: C-. I’m just going to pair that with…
Bitter Sweet Love by Michael
Faudet: B-. Both collections by Michael Faudet are filled
with poetry, short stories, and relevant quotations that help set the
tone. What is the subject of these
books? Both of these books contain
hardcore descriptions of sex between the author and various women. These books would make E.L. James blush. I wish I knew this when I was browsing a
Barnes and Noble a week ago and these caught my eye! Dirty
Pretty Thing, which precedes Bitter
Sweet Love, is more chaotic and less coherent; the sequel contains better
poetry and short stories, and my enjoyment level was much higher than with the
original. I will say that in both books,
I wish the collection were organized better.
There doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason to the structure.
Movies
Get Out: B+. I saw the trailer a couple times and I was set to give it a
hard pass, but even before the great reviews, I thought I'd give it a chance
because it was Jordan Peele's directorial debut. From the opening scene, this
movie set the kind of uneasy tone that had me squirming in the seat. This is a
jarring, unsettling film. I can't wait to see it again!
I Don't Feel at Home in This
World Anymore: C+. Funny first
two acts; ultimately falls apart in that erratic conclusion. I’m so tired of
comedies that devolve into crime dramas, because it never feels like an organic
conclusion and the humor gets spottier.
Despite my annoyances, however, luckily Melanie Lynskey is a delight
throughout as the main character.
The Salesman: A-. Asgar Farhadi continues to be
peerless when it comes to morality tales. Excellently structured and paced to
ensure maximum impact.
In addition, here’s what I’m planning to read and watch this week.
Books
Winter’s Bone by Daniel
Woodrell: This audiobook expires early
this week, so I really need to get to it.
The Talking Horse and the Sad
Girl and the Village under the Sea by Mark Haddon: What a title!
I’ve been on a poetry kick this month.
I haven’t read anything by Mark Haddon since Curious Incident.
Movies
Moonlight: I first saw it in October and thoroughly
loved it. After its surprising Best
Picture win, I feel inclined to re-watch it…especially since it’s being
released on DVD today!
Kong: Skull Island: Advance screenings ftw!
Table 19: I literally just looked at local theaters and
saw this independent comedy playing in St. Louis this weekend. I’m already going to be in the area on Sunday
for a Beatles tribute show, so I might catch this beforehand. I like the cast (Anna Kendrick, Lisa Kudrow,
et. al) and it’s a comedy, so why not?
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