In the wake of his mother's death and his father's remarriage, a headstrong boy ventures into a dreamlike world shared by the living and the dead in search of his missing stepmother.
I'm not going to lie. The animation, especially that fire scene was FIYAH! To be a Studio Ghibli artist....
But. But the storyline. This plot. I-
This isn't my favorite Miyazaki film. And I'm such a nerd. Such a FAN of his work that I'm thinking maybe it's me... maybe I need to re-watch in Japanese. Even though I had the subtitles on since it automatically was on the English speaking when it started. I suspect I will watch it again before returning to the library but the story, so many threads, it felt all over the place, not really closing out but having something of an ending? Maybe it's not complete because that new world is still being built, because Miyazaki, as I've come to understand that this is semi-autobiographical, is still with us and has not passed the baton on.
But when I think back to this film, the interaction of Mahito with the Noble Pelican, I felt in that little exchange, that here was the story...
I'm likely to rewatch this before I put this post up so if I do, there'll be an update below this...
Fred Rogers: "From the time you were very little, you've had people who have smiled you into smiling, people who have talked you into talking, sung you into singing, loved you into loving... They've always cared about you beyond measure and have encouraged you to be true to the best within you. Let's just take a moment of silence to think about those people now."
Thoughts:
Even rewatching that trailer tears me up. And this quote at the end. Yep, another water works showing but in my recent self-studies I am again reminded of what I've been reading, especially with the development of children and this inner connective tissue we share. Unconditional love, if you believe all that you consume of the world via the media, seems to be rare. In fact, I felt myself even falling to this with some recent family events but then I remembered there's a lot of hurt happening. And hurt people hurt people. As I type this, I even remember Pharrell Williams documentary (that had me reaching to pick up 'Won't You Be My Neighbor") had talked about what he came to realize about his song "Happy". There are a lot of battles people have going on, both seen and unseen. Though there was some controversary and I have my own thoughts, I recommend checking this out if only to remind yourself that there is kindness out there. We are all doing our best and our best will vary from day to day but each morning you wake up, every deep conscious breath you take is a moment to reset.
After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island's animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.
Longneck: "...Sometimes hearts have their own conversation."
Thoughts:
Watching this was not on my movie bingo card. I had no intentions of seeing, didn't care to see it, only picked it up for someone else to watch and never even got around to letting them see it before I took it back to the library.
That said, as much as I thought I was going to turn this one off, something about it kept me glued. I hadn't even realized the actress who voiced Roz was until I went through the extras because yes, I indeed peeped out the extras for this film because there was something beautiful about the art and story and true to form, I did cry a bit. I have to say I am curious about the book having seen some of the stills from the extras with the dvd. But one of the funnier lines was when Roz was like "mothering isn't included in my programming" or something to that effect, lol. There was cute/funny moments in the form Catherine O'Hara's character, Pinktail, as well as with Fink voiced by Pedro Pascal.
It's a family movie but like with most kid's movies, there's stuff baked in for adults too.
A young woman working at a boys' corrections facility becomes mesmerized by the new female psychologist, but their budding relationship soon takes a sinister turn.
Rebecca: "...some families are so sick, so twisted..."
Thoughts:
The trailer very effectively tells you a story and you'll think you know it, have seen it before, until you watch the movie and come to see you've watched an unraveling of sorts. That it's a character study in one woman's isolation and her desire. Worth the watch.
And in reading "The Body Keeps the Score", well, it demonstrates the prevalence of cycles, even though it's not the focal point, it makes me think of the book and say "... but it should be."
c.Thoughts:I got a bunch of books from the library revolving around religion and
mastery of self.. this has been one of them that I hadn’t finished reading
before needing to return it.It’s a
small book but a slow read, slow in that pursuit of being mindful as I
evaluated/self-evaluated/listened/re-listened/read/re-read to allow things to
marinate; it’s not a shallow read and was apt timing.
2.Into the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah
a.Format: Hardcover
b.Series: Noperz
c.Thoughts:Short cute read, I especially liked the two snails handling of things.
3.Powerful by Lauren Roberts
a.Format:Audiobook
b.Series: Yes, Powerless series, novella is 1.5
c.Thoughts:As one reviewer put it, you have to be a masochist to go into reading
this book if you’ve read book 1 but you can also be a wishful, hopeful,
personality as well thinking that some twist will be offered up.If you are the former or the latter and if
you might have felt a wee bit of emotion toward the scene at the end of
the book 1, be warned, be prepared, have the Kleenex on deck and be
gutted.I very nearly rated this on GR
thinking how choked up I got because the author doubled down because I don’t think
I felt as nearly as much I originally did when reading Powerless.Though this series, especially the first
book, has been compared and held in the same breath as the ‘Red Queen’, this
story, following Adena and Mak, actually reminded me of another series (a
series that was also mentioned in the same breath when speaking of Book 1, ‘The
Hunger Games’); when I first read Mockingjay and when this particular character
is killed I thought ‘all of this had been for one thing…’.And though Paedyn had not nominated herself
as tribute or anything of the sort there was something in the nature of those
scene, in the middle of the arena, and to read it from Adena’s POV that made me
thinking of Mockingjay.That said, this
will likely not make sense unless you’ve read these books but to be sure, while
it took me some time to get to this book, considering it's a novella, it was
the ticking clock of the impending return to the library that made me sit my
fanny down and consume it.To which I
entered a crying fit, fixed my face, only to have cry again, fix my face, and
even after finishing, think about that scene again to feel the emotion swell
once more.Very effective.The last book in the series is set to be
released later this year.
4.The Answer Is…: Reflections On My Life by Alex
Trebek
a.Format:Audiobook
b.Series: n/a
c.Thoughts:I found myself jotting down little notes while reading this, mostly in
the beginning and maybe a couple things later on that caught my attention or
resonated.Though this is not a full
autobiography of delving deep into things, more like skimming the surfaces and
hitting some spots, it felt nice to read.A majority of the book is read by Ken Jennings and there was something
about the audio in places that made me think it might’ve been recorded by Alex
from home or some other place besides a studio.It didn’t take away from the experience, in fact, it just cemented that
sadness.I feel we all have our Jeopardy
stories and when you have that type of person, that iconic voice being invited
into your home regularly, there is sure to be a note of connection.Reading this then following up with Black
Privilege felt synchronistic.Even
reading about Alex’s father just deciding at random to change course.I did enjoy this read and it’s one I want to
add to my shelf as an old friend to come back to.Also, tears were had with this read.This book came out short of Alex’s bday and
later on that year he passed.
5.Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who
Create It by Charlamagne Tha God
a.Format:Audiobook
b.Series: n/a
c.Thoughts:This book is broken down by eight principles while being an
autobiography of Charlamagne’s path from the streets to the authentic radio
personality he is today.His ‘tell as I
see it’ approach when being on-air is reflected throughout his trials and there
was a term he used when talking about the roundabout ways life can lead you in
a different direction but how it all is ultimately apart of your path
(misdirection).This too feels like
another book friend worth having on the shelf.There’s humor and truth but other thoughts that strike you while
reading.The ‘no weapon formed against
me shall prosper’ mental, which is funny because part of the reason Alex Trebek
ultimately decided on doing a memoir was to tell it in his own words, from
sharing his diagnosis to the actual memoir.In short, this book points out that infamous rap battle of Eminem in
8-mile, if you know you know, but it’s of the I’m about to rob you of the artillery
you think you’ve amassed and do one better…Worth rereading for sure.
“The Body Keeps the Score” was one of the books I had
intended as a February read.I’m still reading
through this and grappling with some of thoughts I’ve had while reading in parallel
to observations I’ve made.
Books on deck for March include-
1.The Rivaled Crown by Holly Renee
2.Caste: The Origins Of Our Discontents by Isabel
Wilkerson
My official March reads are Sunrise on the Reaping by
Suzanne Collins and Skin by Ibi Zoboi.
I’ve also been thinking about books I’d like to
revisit/reread, My Sister, The Serial Killer being one… Not sure when though.
Pharrell: "To me, the most common threads in a different world is a feeling. And trust me, people just want to feel good."
Thoughts:
I was very surprised by this. So much so that I KNEW this was a documentary executed in LEGO but when I saw all the artist that emerged having all been around each other in Virginia Beach, it's like I thought it and then the interviews were confirming there's something in the water. I'd had no idea that these artist knew each other before getting big and man, there was something special in having a tribe of like-minded musicians to vibe with, that Pharrell pointed out toward the end of the documentary want to see you win...
Aside from my needing to google upon seeing the stars in the beginning, there was this insta-connection for me with this story and felt like well spent time on a Sunday. The music, the memories, the lessons endured along the path and the vulnerability / reckoning Pharrell had when trying to make it as well as the power with 'Happy' and what he came to realize with that song. This film was well worth the watch and had that added power of creative energy by being done in Lego, it made it just that much richer.
Studio Ghibli for mine ^_^
Some other notable interviews with PW worth checking out:
I was telling a friend of mine that this reminded me of Mark Wahlberg in 'Fear'. Josh Harnett' is creepy as the close-up camera shots help to invoke it.
The trailer is exactly as it is, you are watching and wondering if Cooper will get out of the trap set for him, if so, what will it look like. There was also this vibe/feel that made me think about the world of M, Night Shyamalan's interconnected films- Unbreakable/Split/Glass and how this could fit as part of them. There is a slight twist at the end, I feel, when it comes to the trap, a sort of double entendre.
It's a Shyamalan film and if you're a fan of him it's worth the watch for the eventual epic film he'll make one day with easter eggs galore showcasing his cinematography and storytelling.
At 11:30pm on October 11th, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. Find out what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live (1975).
Lorne Michaels: "Did anyone ask Edison what a lightbulb was before he harnessed electricity?"
Thoughts:
I loved this.
I very much want to watch it again. I want to watch the old SNL shows.
Then I want to watch it again alongside someone who has a love for comedy and love for SNL.
I love, love. loved this.
Recently, I watched a Dave Chappelle stand up and wrote something along the lines of A good comedian sees the line and delivers an objective humorous take while a great comedian obliterates it.
It being the 'line'. I feel this movie encapsulates a bit of why I enjoy SNL... from Michael O'Donoghue hot take on Jesus to quoting Hitler to Tebet on the elevator ride with Lorne, Morris's song about whitey, George Carlin hosting that first episode, and that frantic seat of your pants/high stakes energy. It is live. It is breathing. It is present. It is in the moment and the film does a good job with the stream of flow to make you feel part of it. SNL will celebrate 50 years later this year.
I had had thoughts about what it might be like to be part of the SNL writer's room. Dreamt about it. Have made sketches for some of the cast (I still have this one in mind involving Keenan Thomas and Chris Redd, though Redd is no longer a cast member) and an extended skit/novella of it. Watching this movie gave me that feel of being part of that chaotic energy and thought 'yeah I'm cool on that' but then afterwards was like 'well... ...'
I started to make a post about this back in January but held back. Even though it's not been a month, I should have just went ahead and finished my reaction, even though it was likely an insta one with initial thoughts.
That said, there is something interesting in that mental that I felt was captured. The negotiation, the compromise and ultimate decisions we'll make, chances we'll take toward something we deem valuable.
From the first episode's 'choice' offered to the homeless population in the park to the vote option within the game. The 'just one more' compromise in the hopes of increasing the amount of money that will line the 'survivor's' pocket and those that die. To the 'going in with the best of intentions' of the MC (Gi-Hun, I believe) to the weighting of lives as in the sacrifices of one (or several) for the hope to save more in the long run. The latter of which being an age-old conundrum. Many might not see it as that asking when you think of the greater good / the idea of saving more lives in the long run but those of us that understand the black and white, as well as the grey, know it presents a slippery slope pending on the lens.
Having binged this second season short of MLK day I say again the power is with the people. But when you have the people distracted, setting their gazes on one another then it presents an obstacle of that rise. You have hopeful individuals, ones that want to do right, but there are flaws, things present in the design to keep you in a place. And I felt season 2 of Squid Game captured that.
Season 3 is due out later this year, June, last I checked.
c.Thoughts:
I enjoyed the first book but there was something about it that I
couldn’t put my finger on that seemed to hit with book 2. Not sure if it’s a pacing thing, multi-POV
execution, the world building, characters, the logic behind character motives,
me, or perhaps a bit of everything and then some; could be that it’s YA and
there’s something about reading YA now that if it doesn’t hit right, I don’t
give as many ‘gimmie points’ that I have in the past. Regardless I feel dissecting these things
will help me as both a reader and writer.
While I have ordered the last book in the series (have the ebook but
looking at doing a physical copy) I’m still debating finishing the series. Not sure if it’s a lack of interest for the
characters but there is an interest for how everything lands.
2.Pioneer Women by Margart E. Tabor
a.Format: Hardcover
b.Series: Yes, Book 3 of Series (Different Women
with each Volume)
c.Thoughts:
I picked this up with the sole interest of reading about Gertrude Bell
but learned about a few other women along the way. This book was a very old, worn copy and I
loved the feel of the paper, the plain binding, and the content because as I
read about each woman and what they did, I felt a bit of me spark. The short portraits of these women, while
hailing from wealth that allowed them to travel and live certain lifestyles,
was good to partake.
3.Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter &
Organize to Make More Room for Happiness by Gretchen Rubin
a.Format:
Audiobook
b.Series: N/A but the other does have other books
centered around this theme
c.Thoughts:
Nice quick read and great at delving at some quick tips that I suspect
might be elaborated upon more in her other books. However, I felt motivated from this short
read and was able to do some quick work as well as reinforce other habits I’ve
been doing to declutter. With this being
less than 3 hours it’s a nice motivational boost or shot.
4.Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
a.Format:
Hardcover
b.Series: Yes, Book 1
c.Thoughts:
This may be another case of it being me and also this being YA… I picked
up this book because I’d seen it mentioned elsewhere (I read “Powerless” late
last year and it struck me as being similar to THG and how ‘Red Queen’ was
suggested reading). I now understand the
similarities and seeing as RQ came first I was hesitant with reading as this
series. I’d for sure seen it before but
the DMJ spidey sense would read the summary and be like ‘mmm, maybe not’. Well, turns out that was accurate but I went
along and did become invested so I thought, ok, maybe it was just the beginning
but then I realized ‘nann, spidey sense was accurate’. Debating on continuing this series as
well. I picked up the series last week
from the library along with a ton of other books -_-
5.Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout
a.Format:
Audiobook
b.Series: yes, Book 1
c.Thoughts:
TMM. Considering I whipped
through this book in a weekend not realizing it was a series, though I should
have known/suspected, I will be picking up the next book. This isn’t my first JLA book, but considering
how I tapped out of the FBAA series and didn’t pick up the spin off for it,
well, I’m proceeding with caution. It’s
easy to make the comparison that Lis/Calista (FoFaW) being similar/recycled
goods of Poppy (FBAA) and so on and so forth but as the saying goes in Thailand
‘same same, but different’. Because
Thorn may supposedly be the Casteel equivalent, it’s not quite. If anything, I’d conceive Claude being
Castille in the deception department, especially if my theory regarding Claude
not being who he says he is pans out (none of this likely makes sense unless
you’ve read the first book of FBAA). And
alas, it’s a romance/fantasy, there is a word for this but mai pen rai, and
it’s JLA so there is spice and other elements of the narrative that may have
you being like, “…and this is where I tap out.”
Oye, the word I was thinking of romance/fantasy = romantasy.
6.Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
a.Format:
Audiobook
b.Series: Yes, Book 3 of The Empyrean Series
c.Thoughts:
TMM. How I wish I would have let
this book/series remain unknown to me.
Like I remember how it kept popping as a recommendation and I kept
thinking of this other series/mixing it up for it and being like ‘stop popping
up’. Until one day last year I picked it
up on a whim. I seriously don’t recall
why- maybe in a reading slump, maybe because a friend had read/reviewed it
recently and oozing delight from it, maybe it was instantly available on the
book shelf at the library (I do know at the time I’d been seeing copies of Iron
Flame in the new books section), perhaps a combination of these things aligned
but whatever the case may be, I picked it up and I’ve come to recognize a
couple things after reading this third book – 1) I will get the feels. 2)
Some type of loss will queue the eye sweats/tears and warbled snot
factory. This book picks up where Iron
Flame left off and just like Iron Flame, ends on a cliffhanger. There is some hilarious banter/comic relief
in this book courtesy of RIddoc and gawds am I lover of found families/being
with people who love and get you. There
is something about being seen/finding one’s tribe that I enjoy and the dynamics
that surround it. And while there were
some things I suspected that came to fruition like a certain person’s
involvement with the villainous side, there were things I didn’t. As a reader and writer, this book furthers
that conviction of seeing a series through before releasing, for me.
7.The Sevon Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor
Jenkins Reid
a.Format:
Paperback & Audiobook
b.Series: Sort of, Part of the Reidverse
c.Thoughts:
I now understand the hype. I
teared up 3x times with this book and nearly ugly-cried from my cube but fought
against it since I was at work. Evelyn
Hugo, well, let me start by saying this is the third TJR book I’ve read and
there is something in her writing that elicits something of a joy when it comes
to characters. My first book I read by
her was Carrie Soto is Back and I remember in those early pages of
reading it, I predicted something would happen, knew it would happen in fact,
mentally prepared myself and STILL felt some sort of way when it happened/cried
and such. Same thing here with this
book. Suspected something and for me, it’s
almost like watching a horror movie. You
know something is coming, the music will change, things will grow quieter, an
anticipation for what’s lurking around the corner then BOOM! I suspected something would give me the feels
with reading this story while also being worried that I might not like this
book since there was so much hype around it but alas I got to the end of the
book and it felt like the first time I read The Night Circus, in that by
the time I got to the end, I found myself wanting to begin again with the book
knowing what I knew. As a reader Evelyn
Hugo is unforgettable and her story overpowers.
Even though it’s up to Monique, the journalist, to capture Evelyn’s
story and as a reader you’re wondering about what it is Evelyn has done or why
she wants Monique specifically, it’s just a backdrop. Yes, there is that angle to the story but for
me there is the question of being the MC of your own story or just a side character. Monique feels like a side character. And Evelyn feels like a mentor embarking some
sage advice through the lessons of her life and what she has done, on her own
terms, within this life. A woman that
has made her decisions and weathered the consequences.
I have two other books that will likely be finished as part
of this weekend reads/February list such as:
1.Metropolitan Life by Fran Lebowitz
2.Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh
My official February read is The Body Keeps the Score
and in talking with a friend last night found out that there’s a workbook that
accompanies it. There are a few other
books on deck for February, working through my pile of library books diligently
and making time to write.
