Here's What I Plan to Read and Watch This Week (3/13 - 3/19)

On Saturday, I went to SEYA—a young adult book festival in Murfreesboro, TN.  Despite the rude snow that happened in the morning, by the afternoon the ground was dry as a bone.  The weather in the Midwest is weird.

Anyway, the event was fun, even though hosting it on a large university resulted in some inconveniences:  parking was a chore, and the lots weren’t clearly marked; author panels were in buildings throughout campus, with the book signings in the student union center a couple buildings away; because of the set-up, you weren’t left with enough time to run out to your car in between book signings and the next author panel.  Regardless, I had fun and spent far too much money.

Because most of my week consisted of travel to and from Tennessee, I didn’t read or watch much.

Books

The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 1: The Faust Act by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson and Clayton Cowles: D+.  In terms of animation, this graphic novel was glossy and gorgeous.  In terms of plot, the story progresses at a glacial pace, but is still too incoherent to follow.  This was a chore to get through, and I doubt I’ll continue with the series when volume two is released.

Movies

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping:  B. My ribs hurt from laughing so hard. I love how Andy Samberg and company pulled out the most sophomoric humor from a familiar story (I’ve seen the rock/popstar comeback story played out ad nauseam).  Some of the more gross-out humor was unnecessary, but overall this was exactly the kind of comedy I needed.

This Was the XFL: C+. I’ve been a closet WWE fan since the age of 10, during the Monday Night Wars between rival WCW (I initially preferred the wrestlers in WCW, but shifted to WWE in 2000).  I was excited for ESPN’s 30 for 30 series to tackle this disastrous venture between WWE chairman Vince McMahon and NBC Sports President Dick Eberesole, when in 2001 they launched the XFL—an ill-fated (lasting only one season) alternative to the NFL.  I feel like this documentary could have covered more ground, but because it was directed by Dick Ebersole's son, the punches were pulled. Still, it's an interesting look at one of the biggest sports debacles of the century.

I’m hoping for a more productive week.  Here’s what I’m planning:

Books

The Receptionist by Janet Groth: For real this time.  I didn’t end up reading or watching any of the things I planned on last week, and just started this audiobook on Sunday night.  I’m enjoying it so far.  

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver: Surely this will be better than the movie, right?  The audiobook is available on Hoopla, so I figure it’s worth a shot.

Two audiobooks in one week?  I’ll take “things that will never happen” for $600, Alex.

Movies

American Pastoral:  This film—directed and starring Ewan McGregor—was in theaters for 15 minutes last year, and is by all accounts a mediocre effort.  Why am I still interested?  I’m not sure—but it’s available on Redbox.

Beauty and the Beast (the 2017 version):  I’m trying to go in with low expectations, in hopes that the movie will be very good.

Kong: Skull Island:  I missed this last week, so let’s try this again!