#reea's monthly stuff

[sublimereea]

I’m doing my review thing for April in May, because I haven’t watched any movies or read anything new this month. Shocking, I know. Work has just been crazy, my mom’s health too, so I haven’t really been in the mood for any of that. So here’s the list: 

Books I have read in April are the following:

1. Joyce Carol Oates - A Fair Maiden - I really love Oates’ books, and what I’ve read from her so far has not disappointed at all. Her writing style is direct and concise, and I enjoy that a lot. This book is about a girl who has had a rough life and decides to maybe change that. It’s about the illusion of love, and real love, about perversity and about lust. These seem to be subjects that are alsot always found in Joyce Carol Oates’ books. I recommend this book, it’s a really quick and enjoyable read.

2. Margaret Atwood - The Handmaid’s Tale - everyone must’ve read this by now, so I’ll just keep it short - I loved it. 

3. Paul Bailey - The Prince’s Boy - this is a tender love story. It wasn’t the best thing I’ve read, but I did finish it in a day, and it kept me captivated enough to finish it. It’s a sensual and tender book about first and last loves. It’s also surprising, which I liked. 

4. Daniel Keyes - Flowers For Algernon - I know you guys study this in high school, or something like that, but I heard about it now and read it, and just loved it. Such a heart warming book. You all must know about it, so I will leave it at that. 

I have watched 7 movies in total in April, and they are the following:

1. The Founder - very good movie where Michael Keaton is fucking stellar. It’s about McDonald’s and how it was founded, it’s about rivalry, revenge and peculiar people. It’s a fast paced, good movie. I really am amazed that it hasn’t gotten more publicity, to be honest. I really liked this one. 

2. 20th Century Women - this was a nostalgic, quirky film. I enjoyed it. It’s about independent, courageous women in the 70′s. Anette Benning is gorgeous and amazingly talented as always. I always like watching her, so this one was a win. 

3. Miss Julie - fucking masterpiece. I adored this movie so much. Jessica Chastain has quickly become one of my favorites after watching this movie. It was a movie adapted after a play, and it really is like being at the theater and watching an actual play. It’s a delicious plot, and the actors were all amazing. This movie is a treat. 

4. Get Out - holy shit, what a mind fuck. Another popular movie that did not disappoint at all. The subject matter, the plot, the actors - all great. This movie is different, and you have to watch it. It will really blow your mind. 

5. Rings - what a shitty movie. I wanted to watch this one, because I loved The Ring, the original horror movie, and this one was like a sequel kind of movie. But no, it’s just bad acting and a silly plot. Do yourself a favor and skip this one. 

6. Miss Sloane - like I said, Jessica Chastain rules. In this one she plays a fierce lobbyist who is capable of anything to reach her goals. I watched this movie with the viking and we both liked it a lot. This girl has got it going on, let me tell you. 

7. A Dark Song - no. Just no. If I could describe this movie in a few words it’s these - hipster horror movie. Terrible and a waste of my time. 

[sublimereea]

I am doing my March list in April, but better late than never, I guess. 

I read two books in March, and they were both pretty amazing. The first one is Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, which is a dystopian novel that I couldn’t let down once I started it. The whole action happens in a very weird and scary setting, in the future, where people are conditioned to do, think and feel certain things, and where the people that have not gone through the conditioning stages are considered “wildlings”. The thing that impressed me a lot about this book is the fact that Huxley was such a visionary - the book was written in 1930 and holy shit, it reminds me of current times and happenings. That’s scary,and fucked up, but the book is a must read in my opinion. 

The second book I read and also loved is Joyce Carol Oates’ Rape - A Love Story. This book is short and fast paced, it makes your skin crawl, and at the same time it makes you feel love for the characters. I love the way it was written - like the author was in a hurry - in a good way. The rape is described in detail, and also the aftermath of it, and the love story part, well that’s so good. It’s a revenge tale and a love story at the same time. It’s beautifully written. Just read it, I bet you’ll love it. 

I watched 11 movies in March, most I liked, a few I loved, and a couple of them I fucking hated. So here goes: 

1. Pet - this one I kind of liked? I am always into thrillers, and this one is about stalkers and their victims, so I expected something good. It wasn’t a let down, but it didn’t blow my mind either. I watched in on a Sunday, relaxing, so it didn’t really live up to its genre - it didn’t make me jump out of my seat in amazement, it wasn’t thrilling, it was just an okay movie. 

2. Catfight - this movie is amazing. It’s hilarious and absurd, and I looooved it. Anne Heche and Sandra Oh do a great job. This movie made me laugh out loud and shake my head at the same time. The hate between these two is almost palpable, it’s that well acted. The absurdity of the ensuing situations is amazing, and if you wanna watch something different, and also good, watch this one. It’s funny, weird, and delightful. 

3. United States Of Love - this polish movie is what dramas were made for. I absolutely loved it. From the cinematography, which is bleak and so vivid at the same time, to the characters, which are all so substantially problematic and inherently human, this movie was a masterpiece in my opinion. When I think about this movie, the words “quiet despair” come to mind - I think they describe it best. It’s such a heartbreaking, good movie. 

4. Jackie - I tried. It was a fucking bore. The acting of Natalie Portman was on point, as it is in most of her movies, but the movie all in all, a total bore. Look, I even made a rhyme there. But yeah, I wasn’t into it at all. 

5. Loreak - a fantastic Israeli movie, a drama that warmed my heart and made me cry. It’s slow, heartbreaking, funny, soothing, and oh so good. It’s about surprises, and about the chances we don’t take. It’s also about lots of flowers, which is the title of the movie - “loreak” means flowers - and about humans in their moments of despair and happiness. I would totally love it if you’ll watch this one. 

6. Unity - a good documentary about the world, about animals, and about peace. It has a great, optimistic message, and I do recommend it. Most of the docus I watched lately had such dark subjects and themes, this one was refreshing to watch. 

7. 

Silence - Martin Scorsese can never go wrong, and this one was a masterpiece. The acting, the cinematography, everything was gorgeous. The two Portuguese missionaries find themselves, find God, find humanity and inhumanity. The plot is perfection, and the execution is sublime. This movie is long, but it will keep you with your eyes peeled for its entirety. You want to watch Silence. Trust me. 

8. Split - I also loved this one. I never expected James McAvoy to be such a good actor, he totally surprised me, Split is about a guy with multiple personalities who one day snaps and kidnaps three girls. It all goes downhill from there. I have to be honest and say that it wasn’t a mind blowing movie, but it delivered. For a thriller it was pretty fantastic and it kept my attention the whole way through. And I have to repeat this - McAvoy is fucking good. I really liked the subject matter and the characters, I loved how all the main character’s personalities were brought to life. This is a good movie. 

9. Unbreakable - I’m sorry, it’s Bruce Willis and Sam Jackson, it’s an M. Night Shyamalan movie, but it was a bore. I mean I liked Mr. Glass and the ideas that were played with in the movie, but I just wasn’t entertained, I was bored. It was meh, it wasn’t horrible. 

10 and 11 will be piled up together because fuck these movies - they suck so bad. The Neighbor and the second one, The Institute. These movies were so bad that I had to skip through. I couldn’t finish them, so yeah, total waste of time. Maybe you’ll like them, but they didn’t do anything for me what so ever. 

These were my books and movies for March. Let me know if you watched and of these, recommend others, and please do disagree with me if you liked any of the movies I hated. 

[sublimereea]

February was a very slow month for movies, books and tv shows, what with all of the protests going on. But I did read two books, and I’m glad about that. 

So, here’s what I read in February:

1. Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita - I kind of liked it. I wasn’t crazy about it. I used to love magic realism, and stuff like that in the past, but I’ve come to learn that I am not so much into it anymore, as time passes. I guess it’s because I have no patience, and because time goes by so fast. I don’t know exactly why, but yeah, I enjoyed the book, but it didn’t blow my mind. 

2. Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar - I loved this one. It reminded me of Girl Interrupted so much, and I love that movie also. I can see why Plath is an American classic. I read it fast, and it kept my attention until the very end, and that’s always a sign that a book is good. I plan on reading her poetry next. 

In the movie department things went veeeery slow. I watched the following:

1. Me Before You - what a fucking boring movie. I tried, it was everywhere, all of the chicks I know love this movie, but I just got so fucking bored watching it. Half way in I started skipping through it, to be honest. It was that boring for me. The ending was a bit of a tearjerker, but nothing crazy. So, if you’re into chick flicks, I guess you’ll like it. I don’t know, man, I love me some chick flicks, like for example Bridesmaids - I could watch that one a million times - but this one just did not do anything for me. 

2. Goodnight Mommy - this is a good one. I really liked it. Quite suspenseful, it kept me on my toes the whole way through. You know it’s good when the movie has mystery, a bit of horror, and kids. Kids that do fucked up shit. So watch this one, I think you’ll like it. 

Oh, one of the best things I’ve discovered in February, thanks to @hopeascending, was Crazy Ex Girlfriend. Such an amazingly funny show, I absolutely love it. I watched both seasons, and now I can’t wait for the third. 

[sublimereea]

I decided that I will write down all the movies and books I watch and read every month. That way it keeps me accountable, especially for the reading part, since I don’t do enough of it, and I can also track my stuff in one place. Maybe you guys will even find something you’ll really like, which is also a bonus for me. 

So, I will start with the books for January, which, I am ashamed to admit, is just one - Don DeLillo’s Point Omega . And yes, I know it’s a book with just like a hundred and something pages, i have no excuse. 

I like DeLillo because he makes you feel like the world is about to end any second. But not in a very crazy, SciFi way, just in a very ordinary way which makes you think about your own mortality a lot. His subject matters are real, or could be very real in a near future, and his characters are human and hurting just like the rest of us. Point Omega wasn’t even close to White Noise, in my opinion, but it’s nonetheless a short, good read that will leave you kind of empty and wondering about the meaning of life. 

I watched the entire season of The OA and it was just amazing. It’s only 8 episodes which feel like movies of their own. I adored this show. I really hope that they will make a second season. Please, watch this show, you will not regret it. 

I have watched 15 movies in total. So here they are, in the order I have watched them:

1. Captain Fantastic - I have raved about this movie a million times already. It has quickly become one of my favorite movies of all times, because it just makes me very happy and warm inside. The cast is so amazingly talented, and so beautiful, it will bring you to tears multiple times. So if you want to be happy and content with life, watch this movie. 

2. Nocturnal Animals - a good thriller, but it didn’t make me go “aaahhh” or anything. I enjoyed it, the revenge story is intense and rough, but this movie isn’t the best thriller I’ve ever seen. Amy Adams is ok, considering that she was amazing in Arrival, in my opinion. Jake Gyllenhaal (I can’t believe I spelled that correctly!) is also pretty ok, even though the only movie where I found him brilliant was Donnie Darko. So, if you wanna waste some time on the weekend, you could watch this one. 

3. Loving  - this movie touched me because the subject matter is sadly, even now of actuality. In this divided world, a black woman and a white man try to love each other and make a life. No, the story line doesn’t happen now, it’s set in the 60′s, but unfortunately racism still exists. So watch this movie, because I think it’s relevant. The acting was so good too. 

4. The Lure - now this is something else. A polish horror musical. Yes, you’ve read that right. It’s fun and quirky and weird and amazing. It’s about two killer mermaids who work in a night club and feed on human hearts. It’s bananas in the best possible way. 

5. The Girl On The Train - this is a very good thriller. It kept me with my eyes peeled in the screen wondering what the fuck is going to happen next. It’s not as good as Gone Girl, but it will keep you curious and alert, and that’s what a good thriller should do. The girl on the train is a ruined woman who witnesses what she should not, she’s an abused woman who doesn’t know that she’s abused. The movie is fast paced, and it caught my attention immediately. I really liked it. 

6. Train To Busan - holy shit, this movie! I never thought a korean zombie horror movie would make me as emotional as this one did. I cried like 5 times until it was finished. It’s about a zombie outbreak on a train. And about humans that learn how to be human. You’ll get what I’m saying when you watch it. 

7. The Handmaiden - another korean amazingness. And this one is an absolute stunner. From the story to the cinematography, absolutely fascinating and beautiful. It’s set in a gothic atmosphere and it’s about lesbians. It’s pretty much amazing and crazy. The actors are divine, and the story is one that you will remember. 

8. 10 Cloverfield Lane - this one is categorized as a horror movie on imdb, but I think it’s a thriller. I did like it, it is suspenseful and a bit fucked up. It has plot twists, which are always good, and I really liked the one room setting of the movie. I think it allows you to really notice the acting. I wouldn’t watch it again, but I did enjoy it. And no, it’s nothing really scary, it’s a good thriller. 

9. Morgan - this movie was pretty much a waste of my time. I watched it with the viking and with a male friend. They picked it because it’s about a robot with a conscience that decides it wants to fuck everything up. I’m fine with AI movies and that kind of stuff, I liked the girl that portrayed Morgan the robot in the movie, but it was just weak, no substance at all for my taste. Maybe you will like it, if you’re big on SciFi movies. 

10. Hacksaw Ridge - I cried my fucking eyes out. All the way through the movie, and especially the last hour of the 2 and almost a half. I also sobbed when it ended and they showed actual interviews with Desmond T. Doss. You can’t not cry when you watch this movie, especially if you know the real story behind it. It felt good to cry so hard, cathartic and refreshing. So watch Hacksaw Ridge, it’s one of the great American heroes, and I respect everything that happens in that movie. More or less, you know I’m not big on religion, and Doss was very religious, but nonetheless, a real human being who has taught people what it actually means to be human in horrid circumstances. 

11. Mirrors - this is an ok, I guess, horror movie. I have periods of time when I am a big fan of horror, and ones when I am really not. I decided to watch this one because I’ve heard a lot of good things about it. It’s not as good as everyone made it up to be, in my opinion, but it’s watchable. I really liked the fact that the mirrors are what is evil in the movie. It could give you some chills if you watch it at night and decide to go to the bathroom and glimpse in the mirror. A decent horror movie. 

12. Moana - Disney animation. It was cute, but meh. Unlike Toy Story or Shreck, my all time modern favorites. 

13. American Pastoral - this one is a toughie. I really, really wanted to love it, because I love love love Ewan McGregor, and I really would like to read  Philip Roth’s homonymous book. But it wasn’t really that good. The characters seemed bland for the story line, and also the story line seemed kind of rushed. The subject matter of the movie is very raw and interesting, I just wish it was better acted, and just kind of better all round.  

14. Manchester By the Sea - this one is a good drama that will make you feel heavy in your seat. You know? It will pull on your heart strings and make you feel uncomfortable all at once, and I feel that makes it a very good movie. Casey Affleck portrays the main character with respect and talent, and the cinematography is very thoughtful. The movie is extremely sad, but also heartfelt, so be ready to feel all of the feels. The movie shows that sometimes it’s ok when things aren’t always ok. Some people can’t always be ok. So watch it, you will appreciate it.

15. Moonlight - well, this one was just simple and beautiful as fuck. Soft and delicate, raw and incisive. All in one. Everyone loves it, so I will not insist on it in my own words. Watch it, you will not regret it. I am pretty sure it will win a million oscars, and I really want it to. It will also get a picture in this post, just because. 

So that’s all for January. 

Sorry if this was long as hell, but I really wanted to list everything in the post, and it will be monthly, hopefully. I also really want to read more books that I can then list here.. 

Let me know if you’re into this sort of thing, if you watched or read any of the movies and books. I’ll be doing the next one in February.