#the film is still about the institute but it's a new year rom com

[teddybasmanov]

And you are omnipotent, sorcerer, And at the same time you're not. You can kindle a light in the dark And cut a mountain. Only you can't order a heart Only you can't order a heart - The human heart cannot be ordered to love.

"You can't Order a Heart" by L. Derbenev

[voicedaily]

Hey, thanks for this blog! I see you post about the japan remake recently. I don't watch it yet, is it worth watching? How about Mo Tae Gu? Kim Jae Wook set a high bar so I don't want to disappointed with his japan counterpart if I watched it..

Yo! Thanks for stopping by. Of course, I have to keep making this blog active with content [laughs]. And right after season 03 is over, we’re lucky that Japan airs the remake of season 01 just in two weeks. As for your question, I plan to write a review after the series is over. The last episode will be aired on Sep 21.

But for short, I can say it’s worth watching. Well, the remake version of Kang Kwonjoo isn’t satisfying but It has much better, better storytelling than the original has. Jdrama always has the strength of story-wise better while K-drama tends to focus on conflict and sometimes makes the story draggy, and it happened too with Voice. I still remember I did grumble of some aspects in the original haha. But before you decide to watch it, I hope you don’t have the same standard because both Jdrama and Kdrama is naturally different in values. J-drama values more in a down-to-earth/realistic approach to visualize while K-drama tends to make beautiful cinematography with a higher budget. For example, the death of Hwang Kyungil and Nam Sangtae in the remake is more realistic for forensic points to camouflage it as suicide (so I don’t feel the cops are very stupid), the murder of Madam Jang (replaced with Inspector Okihara, equivalent with Inspector Jang character) also more make sense there that you can’t imagine how the culprit in the original did it all in short time and even carried the body outside from 2nd floor to his car on park area without being noticed by anyone; but you feel more chill and horror in the original when you saw a body is burned down, a room full of blood with eyeball taken out, and a body hanging on the tree right when you open the curtain. Same with the villain’s basement; the remake makes it dark, dull and dusty as what basement is used to be while the original made it bright so we could see the red blood stained clearly everywhere. 

This “realistic” vs “beautiful” also applies to their drama characters. I can say Korean people shown on TV dramas are better-looking than Japanese ones. I believe it’s a major influence on how Mo Taegu becomes the most stunning villain in Kdrama history. The beauty shots accommodate the perfect combination of the villain’s elegance character and the actor’s handsomeness despite the brutal murders and the amazing acting ability to be a psychopath. Probably those are the 15-30 extra minutes of visualization that the remake does not have (despite the fact of J-drama always having shorter episodes). But it doesn’t mean the remake version of Mo Taegu, Hongo Shizuku, is more lacking in his character. They rewrite their own version while still keep some aspects from the original as follows:

Mo Family runs a public transport company, Hongo Family runs a construction/civil engineering holdings.

While an image of Taegu having the ability to play grand piano as he loves classical music is only mentioned in Kim Jae Wook’s interview, the remake realizes it.

Shizuku is more independent than Taegu when playing a “game”, there’s no his dad’s secretary helping him to flee after he killed Hikari’s (Kwonjoo) dad and to abduct Toru (Daeshik), it hints he takes or abducted them all by himself before killing them in his basement. He also ordered Toru, all by himself and save his contact.

Taegu collects a suitcase of the victim’s hairs still on the bloody scalp (but then, I imagine his random victims on street are women because the hairs he collects are long), Shizuku collects a glass shelf of blood-stained kettlebells. In both of their collection, the name of our hero and heroine are written as he plans to murder them later.

The remake doesn’t include the demon aesthetic that Taegu sometimes underlined his murder as the words of God by citing a bible chapter written on the victim’s blood. Taegu also used other weapons to kill Sangtae (rope and knife). And there’s also a narration that he loves mutilating a body, too (implicit said by Sangtae that Taegu killed his dad that way, explicit when it was shown Taegu keeps the old lady‘s tongue and when Kwonjoo found Madam Jang’s crime scene). However, Shizuku is more consistent in his actions, he left the body in one piece and only collects the kettlebells he just used, whoever his victim is. 

Point 4 and 5 make me conclude that the original built Taegu like the star in a slasher/cult horror movie, it was so random (I’m sure even the genius Spencer Reid from FBI Behavourial Analysis Unit in CBS Criminal Minds series would hardly find the connection LOL) while the remake designs Shizuku more like a common serial killer with specific behavior as a crime/procedural series always use to be.

Now, as Kim Jaewook set a high bar, there’s no other counterpart to play the same character who represents the coexist of beauty and madness better than Iseya Yusuke. Both of them starts their career as a fashion model in catwalk and magazine when they were studying. Their physical appearance, their lean body structure and height, and their sexiness/attractiveness are very alike. You even almost can’t differentiate Hongo Shizuku with Mo Taegu when you see them in suit from their back. Well, Iseya Yusuke is as old as Jang Hyuk (born in 1976), so he might be not as handsome as Kim Jaewook in fangirls’ taste. But for acting ability, he’s still the perfect cast balancing Kim Jaewook for these reasons:

Both of them are graduated from the University of Arts. Kim Jaewook is from Seoul Institute of Arts, major in music. Iseya Yusuke is from Tokyo Institute of Arts, major in design. Tho’, Iseya Yusuke achieves his Master’s Degree and exchange program at New York University (major in film).

With that background, both of them aren’t just an actor, but more an artist. Kim Jaewook has a rock band and also plays in theatre as a foreign musician biopic, Iseya Yusuke directed a few movies that were invited to the international film festivals. 

Both of them are hardly known popular as TV drama star despite their talents. Kim Jaewook loves indie projects and took supporting role/second lead role in some TV dramas, it took 17 years after his debut that he finally pick a lead male role in popular TV drama genre, rom-com (Her Private Life, 2019). Iseya Yusuke is known better as a movie star, he also took various roles in historical dramas in public channel, it took 19 years after his debut that he finally plays for a commercial broadcast in a TV drama (Prison Princesses, 2017) more in comedic role.

Both ever performed in Korea-Japan collaboration movie. Kim Jaewook in Butterfly Sleep (2017) with Miho Nakayama, directed by Jeong Jaeun. Iseya Yusuke in The Tenor Lirico Spinto (2012) with Yoo Jitae, directed by Kim Sangman.

Both of them ever acted to make a passionate gay kiss scene in the movie. Kim Jaewook in Antique (2008) with Andy Gillet. Iseya Yusuke in Tonde Saitama (2019) with Gackt.

Nah, Idk whether this is the script one that wrote Hongo Shizuku like this below or that’s Iseya Yusuke himself who interprets his character differently from Kim Jaewook:

Remember the scene in the basement that Taegu could hear the sound of the people he murdered? Taegu felt haunted while Shizuku enjoyed it that he even made a gesture of an orchestra conductor conducting their haunting voice. And when his mother’s voice is echoing, yelling at him to not witness that his dad killed someone in the basement; Taegu felt like the trauma strikes him while Shizuku is bothered at first, but then he smiles and waves at her.

So… I think the original shows that Taegu still has a human side and weak point (although his murder methods are the most brutal among three VOICE’s villains) while the remake is like telling us that Shizuku’s madness level is at Kaneki’s level.

[charliejrogers]

Paddington (2014)

Sometimes you watch a movie and want to be challenged. You want your head to explode. You want to get lost in a world of plot twists and double-crosses. Other times you don’t. TV more often than movies fills the role of comfort food for people looking for passive media, but let’s all take a moment to recognize the power of a good comfort movie. Sometimes your comfort movie is that dumb rom-com you’ve seen 1000 times, other times a mindless action movie of good vs. evil. Many comic book movies certainly can fall into this camp, but really any series like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings can become comfort food whenever those fans begin to think of the characters more like old friends than avatars on a screen. And never is that more true than when a childhood friends makes their way onto the big screen.

I don’t believe I have ever read (or has someone read to me) a Paddington book. In fact, after writing that sentence I had to Google whether Paddington was a series or a single book. I’m not from the U.K. so please excuse my ignorance. It’s not that people in America don’t know Paddington he’s just not as popular here as he is across the pond. Therefore when this hit theater six years ago and I heard critics rave about it, I didn’t get it. Christ, it was even nominated for the best British film at the BAFTAs in 2015. There was Paddington, a family movie about a walking, talking bear, right next a serious drama about Stephen Hawking (The Theory of Everything) and the very adult ScarJo sci-fi film Under the Skin. Plus, think also I was at an age where I was “too cool” for kid’s stuff. I was in college, so why watch a movie that could make you happy when you could watch something that could project to others how smart you thought you were. All of this is to say that, I went into this movie without the advantage of nostalgia, something I suspected might have been boosting audiences’ and critics’ scores.

Paddington from director Paul King tells the story of one unnamed Peruvian bear who is among the last of his kind. What makes this particular species of bear so special is their uniquely high intelligence. The film starts with a black-and-white film reel documenting the journeys of the explorer who was the first among men to stumble upon this particular subset of bear, sometimes back in the early 1900s. The explorer first instinct is to hunt and kill the bear to bring back to a British museum, but he is eventually won over by the sheer intelligence of the bears. They are already master builders and have developed unique, modern-looking housing structures when the explorer first finds them, but quickly he discovers they can understand English,  can even reproduce it to some extent, and are adept at new technologies. The explorer leaves them with a phonograph and a record of him talking about how to be a proper gentleperson in London.

Fast forward some hundred years, and the original two bears the explorer essentially perfected their understanding of English based off the explorer’s record. They also know quite a bit about early 20th-century etiquette and about a hundred different ways to tell fellow Londoners that it is raining outside. And though now aged and frail, they have passed much of this knowledge onto their young nephew whose character can be summed up by the following four traits: 1) undying love for his aunt and uncle who raise him 2) utmost and strict adherence to etiquette 3) deep desire to belong to a home 4) obsession with marmelaide.

All four of those things turn out to be of vital importance when disaster strikes his home in Peru and he is forced by his aunt to seek a new home in the only other place they know: London! With only his uncle’s hat and a marmelaide sandwich on his head, the bear stows away on a freighter to London. He heads to the nearest train station as he has heard stories about how during WWI, orphaned children would show up to train stations wearing certain necklaces to signify their need for a home. The bear does just that, but the world of 1914 is very much different from the world of 2014. People don’t so much as look at the bear. If they do, they assume he’s a poor beggar, vendor of cheap goods, or just a plain con-artist. They’re too busy rushing this way and that. “In the age of technology, Britain has lost its way” the film seems to suggest. Or, more cynically, it seems to make a comment (albeit) on xenophobia and Britain’s lack of openness to immigrants, especially prominent given the distinctly colonial feel of the explorer’s documentary and his attitudes towards these “primitive” creatures.

Except, of course, this is a light-hearted family film. A fantasy film at that. For example, no one is freaked the fuck out like they would in real life by a talking bear roaming around a major metropolitan area, in some cases doing serios damage (albeit accidentally) to various property throughout town. E.T. this is not, so there’s no plotline of the government trying to snatch him up for research purposes, nor does this apparently talk place in our reality where the bear would become an instant viral internet star.

Instead, as a family film, the movie mostly focuses on the idea of “family.” The bear is eventually approached by Mary Brown (Sally Hawkins), the matriarch of the Brown family who are a well-off family who live in a cozy townhouse in a quaint London neighborhood. Mary is more empathetic to the bear’s plight than her ill-tempered husband Henry (Hugh Bonneville) who is a risk analyst who sees the bear for what he is: a risk! Still, he begrudgingly agrees to let the bear, who names himself Paddington, stay with them for one night, but then he’s off to the orphanage  institution for young souls whose parents have sadly passed on.

Mr. Brown’s not wrong about Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) too. Despite his undeniably genuine nature and complete absence of my ill-will, he’s a natural klutz. His childlike innocence and curiosity finds him tinkering with things that just ought not to be tinkered leading to a movie defined by its many great misadventurous set pieces, such as when Paddington accidentally floods the Brown’s bathroom to when a pickpocket accidentally drops a wallet that he stole and Paddington begins chasing him around London in grand fashion, not understanding why the thief doesn’t want his wallet back.

More than anything, though, Mr. Brown’s hostility towards Paddington stems more from his concern for his children, specifically that his son Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) will end up being hurt either as a direct result of Paddington’s activities or will simply try more daring things inspired by Paddington’s free-wheeling and wild spirit.

What I love about the character of Mr. Brown, who truly seems to be the secondary character after the titular bear, is the way he is a true character and not a one-dimensional rule-follower. The way the film (comically) demonstrates that Henry Brown was not always Mr. Brown, but was a motorcycle-riding Wildman who was suddenly and permanently changed by fatherhood makes him an incredibly relatable character, and grounds this silly cartoon in something of a reality.

Less can be said about Mary Brown. Sally Hawkins does a wonderful job portraying her seemingly boundless kindness and love, but ultimately there’s not more to her character than just being nice and kind. Her only story arc revolves her relationship with the Browns’ daughter Judy (Madeleine Harris) who is a stereotypically moody teen who doesn’t want to introduce her boyfriend to her Mom because, as Paddington puts it, “she suffers from a terrible disease called embarrassment.”

But no one’s watching this movie to watch the Browns or learn about their characters. It’s nice that Mr.’s character is so well-established as it makes his little sacrifices and gestures to try to help Paddington so satisfying. One second he was pushing to get Paddington out of his home, the next he’s in a dress breaking into an archives to learn more about the explorer who originally visited Paddington’s aunt and uncle one hundred years prior.

This little detour to the archives relates to one of the two other sub-plots to the film. The first is how Paddington’s quest to find a new home (since Mr. Brown refuses to let him stay with his family forever) leads him to want to find the explorer (or at least the explorer’s family) since he figures they of all people would love to take in as family a bear whom their father had so loved. The second subplot (and the more hackneyed and boring plot) deals with Nicole Kidman’s Millicent, a deranged, taxidermist employee of London’s Natural History who has a nasty side hobby and collecting (and stuffing) rare animals. She hears rumors of a talking bear, she starts to hunt him. Kidman actually does a very good job leading a cartoonish seriousness to the role, but just the whole subplot feels very perfunctory, like the studio was afraid no one would want to watch a movie that didn’t have a clear bad guy. Add in a sub-plot to this sub-plot where the Browns’ sad-sack neighbor Mr. Curry (Peter Capaldi) teams up with Millicent in the hopes of being her lover, and you got my least favorite part of this movie.

Taking away the villain plot would deny the Browns the opportunity to rescue their little friend from the jaws of danger, and prevent me from seeing that tear-jerking display of love with which the film ends, so I suppose it’s worth it. With snow falling around them and love in the air, Paddington with its focus on the importance of family, is almost a Christmas movie, or at the least is a perfect movie for the holiday season.

It’s also funny for all ages. I can imagine sitting in a theater with children and hearing the little cackles of children as Paddington fights a shower head using a toilet seat lid as shield and toilet brush as sword. The film does not go for easy jokes. Its physical comedy is often elaborate, and there are plenty of jokes meant for the adults in the room that aren’t necessarily sexual in nature. For example, the Browns’ daughter is learning Chinese “for business,” which means she’s learning phrases such as “How do I get to the business center?” and “I’m being investigated for tax fraud.” But more than anything, it’s a distinctly British film in its humor, favoring throw-away lines and sight-gags over fart jokes. One of my favorites in the idea that Millicent’s office is full of taxidermied heads of exotic animals, and when she walks into her workshop on the other side of the wall, we see all the rear-ends of these same animals. Another pitch perfect moment is when a downtrodden Paddington finds himself at Buckingham Palace and having revealed the sandwich he keeps under his hat for emergencies, we find out what things the Queen’s Guard keeps under their Bearskins. It’s silly and ridiculous in a way perfect for a kid’s film.

I also love how the film gives us a view of the world through Paddington’s eyes, and I give much credit to the film’s director Paul King for translating for us through film Paddington’s essential innocence. Twice, once towards the beginning, and once at the end, the film presents us with a toy-house that is an exact replica of the Brown’s home and we can actually see the Browns walking about and interacting in this odd meta-moment as Paddington narrates their goings on and provides his interpretation of what is happening. It lends an air of frivolity to our lives. Yes, the world is sad an hard, but for those innocents, the children, it’s a world of wonder and curiosity, a dollhouse in which anything is possible.

In the end, this movie is damn near perfect comfort food. It’s family focus creates a heart-warming tale that helps tries to inspire us that, despite our splintered isolated world, the world can be a place of love and welcoming. I wish the villain weren’t such a drag, but I am happy to report that despite not having any contact with Mr. Paddington in my life previously, I fell in love with his character almost instantly and am very happy to count him among my cinematic friends and follow him on any of his next adventures.

*** 1/4 (Three and one fourth stars out of four)

[schmidtchristmasmarket]

  Winter holidays are the best part of the year to spend evenings tucked in your bed with a cozy blanket and a bunch of pillows, prepare some food and a hot drink, and watch a movie with your loved ones. Sounds amazing, isn’t it? That’s why we think it would be a great idea to make a list of best Christmas movies that will bring your family together.

You can decide will you choose between classic ones or the new ones we keep discovering every year. On our list you will find both, so let’s discover what holiday cinematography has prepared so far.  

Classic Christmas movies - stories of all generations

The list of best Christmas movies needs to have evergreen movies about holidays. These heartwarming stories are well-known among various generations. That’s why we will start with 5 classic Christmas movies that will melt your heart. 

#1 It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

Very old, but such a great movie, that is considered a masterpiece. This is a funny, heartwarming, profound, and an annual reminder of the great love family can give, and that the Christmas is about more than presents, all thanks to Jimmy Stewart's turn as George Bailey.

This is a Frank Capra movie, and this is not just about the best Christmas movie, it is about a great movie in general, with such a delicate story. The fact that It’s A Wonderful Life ranks #11 on the American Film Institute’s original list of the 100 Greatest American films of all time, says enough about the importance of this movie. 

#2 A Christmas Story ( 1983)

This heartwarming comedy is directed by Bob Clark and it is one of the most loved Christmas movies of all time, and it’s also often ranked as one of the best Christmas films of all time. 

Fun fact about this movie is that since 1997, a marathon of the film titled "24 Hours of A Christmas Story" has aired annually on TNT or TBS, including 12 consecutive airings of the movie on both Christmas eve and Christmas day each.

#3 Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

Comedians John Candy and Steve Martin team up for a classic holiday tale, known as Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. Released in 1987, this movie features these two actors at their finest: as rivals trapped in the car on their way home for the holidays.

Sit next to your Christmas tree decorated with beautiful ornaments, bring some popcorns, and enjoy this funny and exciting story with your family. 

#4 Home Alone (1990)

When it comes to the movie Home Alone, we talk about the most-watched Christmas movie, that earned $285 million at the box office. But this movie is much more than these numbers. It is a story about 8-year-old Kevin McCallister, left alone at home, plot and scheme his way out of home burglary.

This smart kid gives us such a joy every time we watch the movie, wile teach us about good deeds, humbleness, and courage to fight for things that matter.

#5 Home Alone: Lost in New York (1992)

The story about little Kevin moves to The Big Apple, where the McCallister family manages to leave the boy behind one more time. Ended up in New Your City on his own, he tries to outwit the Wet Bandits again.

The second movie about this extraordinary boy, got out two years after the first, and it also made a huge success. Nowadays, Home Alone movies are considered as well know Christmas movies that everyone must watch. 

Christmas movies on Netflix - new holiday stories on favorite platform

Netflix Original movies about Christmas made huge success all around the world. Thanks to these movies we got a chance to watch heart-melting stories in modern production. That’s why we made a list of Christmas movies on Netflix that will spread joy and holiday spirit in your home. 

#1 A Christmas Prince (2017)

This movie has become a holiday canon, and we love it in all its cheesy glory. A young journalist travels abroad to cover a royal family, and finds herself in a real-life fairytale. In 92 minutes you will see the quick proposal, the secret adoption, family drama, and a lot of timeless motives in such a movie. 

Still, this movie is just a great getaway from real world to a magical one, where everything is possible. We all need that kind of encouragement, don’t we? Also, the holiday season is great for endless imagination, so enjoy it while it lasts.

#2 The Princess Switch (2018)

Incredibly charming movie, where Vanessa Hudgens plays both the commoner, Stacy, and the duchess, Margaret. These two lookalike ladies switch places the week before Christmas. 

This plot is well known, but this time is brought by a lovely Vanessa Hudgens, who knows how to touch our soles. You will enjoy in romance brought by this great movie, that will keep you interested till the end. 

#3 Klaus (2019)

Netflix Original prepared animated Christmas movie for us. The story is about the postman Jasper, who after proving himself to be the worst postman at the academy, he goes to a frozen town in the North where he discovers Santa Claus is hiding out. The movie features a bunch of famous voices, including Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, and Joan Cusack. 

#4 Let It Snow (2019)

Who doesn’t like a good teen rom-com, and Netflix is just the best in making this kind of movie right now, so the movie Let It Snow is no exception. The movie gives us the Love, Actually vibe, with multiple storylines and romances told separately that all blend at the end of one snowy day.

  The cast includes Kiernan Shipka, Isabela Moner, and Odeya Rush, and they are incredibly charming. You will love this movie, and certainly rewatch it in years to come. So light some candles, prepare your favorite hot drink and enjoy it. 

#5 The Knight  Before Christmas (2019)

A medieval English knight is transported to present day where he falls in love with a high school science teacher who's had it with love. Vanessa Hudgens is back in Netflix Original Christmas movie, but this time she falling in love with a time-traveling knight from 1300s.

Unusual story, with a usual happy ending, will bring you joy and smile on your face which is exactly what you need for a perfect movie night with your family.

We hope that this list can help in choosing the right movie for a beautiful evening with family, in a great ambiance that you created by decorating the house. 

In case you still searching for a right decoration, you can buy it now at Schmidt Christmas Market.

[weekendwarriorblog]

Weekend Warrior Home Edition – April 3, 2020 – Slay the Dragon, Tape and More

Well, things sure have gone to hell since I last wrote this weekly column that I’ve now been doing in some form or another at one place or other for over nineteen years! For the first time in those 19 years and probably a good 80 or 90 years before that, there were no movies in theaters. In fact, there were no movie theaters. Because of this, the last two weekends have been the first in history with ZERO BOX OFFICE. It’s kind of tough to write a column about the box office and theatrical releases when there are none, n’est ce pas?

So I’m going to try to evolve for the time being, and we’ll see how that goes. I’m not too thrilled about having to watch movies as screeners, let alone writing about movies that will probably never get a theatrical release, but I’ll try to make the best of it. (Oh, and Disney’s Onward, which opened in theaters less than a month ago will be available ON DISNEY+* tomorrow.) (*corrected)

This week’s “Featured Movie” that you absolutely must see, especially if you’re reading this from one of the “red states” and feel like government just isn’t doing things the way you’d like them to do, is Barak Goodman and Chris Durrance’s political documentary SLAY THE DRAGON (Magnolia).  It covers how gerrymandering is being used in census years (like this one) to maintain a Republican majority in local and state government.  Goodman’s doc begins in Michael Moore territory of Flint, Michigan and shows how gerrymandering was used to create a Republican majority that led to the town getting water from the nearby Flint River which contaminated the pipes and leaked lead into the system.

The film does a good job explaining gerrymandering in an easy to understand way by following a few specific cases of people fighting against the policies.  Counties and voting districts in different states aren’t just a straight grid on a map. Instead, the districts are drawn up to cause an unfair advantage to a party. This was especially true of the REDMAP program instituted in 2008 by the GOP after Barack Obama was elected President to make sure Republicans could dominate Congress as well as politics on a state level.  

Much of the film deals with Katie Fahey’s group Citizens United that has decided to take on the politicians with its grassroots campaign to allow the people’s voices and votes to start counting. (One of the programs that grew out of REDMAPping was that thousands of voters were not able to vote since a few states passed a law that ID was required to vote, thereby keeping black and brown voters from the polls.)

Yes, it’s a rather complicated situation but it’s one that people in the primarily liberal states like New York, California and others really need to know about, since it’s why we have a reality TV host as our President right now as well as why we have a Republican Senate that just prevented him from being impeached. All of the bigger politics goes back to the individual state politics and how gerrymandering and REDMAP unfairly sways the vote against those who win on the state level in census years (essentially every ten years including 2020). Originally, this was going to get a theatrical release in March but now it will only be available on digital and On Demand, so you can find out how to see it on the official site.

I also want to give a little extra attention to Deborah Kampmeier’s TAPE (Full Moon Films), which skipped its theatrical release instead to do an interesting “virtual theatrical run,” playing every night On Demand via CrowdCast. It’s available every night at 7pm eastern followed by discussions with the filmmakers and then will be on Digital and VOD on April 10. Again, these are changing times, but this is a haunting and powerful thriller based on true events, starring Anarosa Mudd as a woman trying to catch a sleezy casting agent (Tarek Bishara) who is preying on actresses and one in particular, played by Isabelle Fuhrman (Orphan). Both of their performances are pretty amazing, Mudd playing a shaven-head whistleblower and Fuhrman playing an ambitious young actress who think she’s finally gotten her much-needed break, but finding out there’s a lot darker side to the business than she expected. While a lot of people have raved about The Assistant as a response to #MeToo, this is a much starker and direct look at the abuse of power to take advantage of young women. The movie is not going to be for everybody, because it takes some time before you realize what Mudd’s character (who could just as easily be Rose MacGowan) is up to, but the way how things play out in the film makes it unforgettable. It’s a fantastic new movie from Kampmeier, who famously had an underage Dakota Fanning have a rape scene in her earlier movie, Hounddog.

A movie that was released last week that I didn’t get to write about (but it’s still available On Demand and Digitally, as many movies currently are) is Lorcan Finnegan’s VIVARIUM (Saban Films), starring Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots. It’s a virtual two-hander in which they play a couple who look at a house in a suburban housing complex where every house looks the same. They soon learn that they can’t escape and things get weirder and weirder from there. I can’t say I loved the movie, because it just got weirder and weirder, almost to a fault at times.

Polish filmmaker Malgorzata Szumowska’s THE OTHER LAMB (IFC Midnight) is another movie about a religious cult, this one a group of women that live in a remote forest commune led by a man they call “Shepherd” (played by Michiel Huisman from Game of Thrones and The Haunting of Hill House). It follows a teenager named Selah (Raffey Cassidy) who begins to question her existence when she starts having nightmarish visions. This was okay, but I really have hit my limit in terms of movies about religious cults. They’ve just been overdone.

Mike Doyle’s rom-com ALMOST LOVE (Vertical) is about a group of middle-aged friends trying to navigate love and relationships with a cast that includes Scott Evans, Kate Walsh, Patricia Clarkson, Augustus Prew and more. Some of the characters are having marital issues, others are dating or getting into early feelings of possible love. It’s a nice distraction from all the serious stuff going on in the world today.

A great music doc now On Demand, digital and other formats (Blu-ray/DVD) is Brent Wilson’s STREETLIGHT HARMONIES (Gravitas), which takes a look at the early doo-wop vocal groups of the ‘50s and ‘60s that predated and formed the basis for Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues and other music genres as we know them today. It deals with acts like The Drifters, Little Antony and the Imperials, The Platters, and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. It includes interviews with some of the more recent acts influenced by it including En Vogue and N’Sync as well as Brians Wilson and McKnight. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this despite doo-wop not being my preferred music style. (For the sake of transparency, I helped out with a little bit of publicity on this film.)

Also, Olivier Meyrou’s fly-on-the-wall doc Celebration (1091) is a movie that was commissioned by Yves Saint Laurent’s former lover and business partner, Pierre Bergé, more than ten years ago but was shelved for being too revealing. It was filmed over the course of three years where Laurent was at his most frail and mostly separated from the world as we get a look inside one of the last great haute couture houses. It’s now available On Demand and digitally.

Jon Abrahams directs and co-stars in Clover (Freestyle Digital Media) opposite the great Mark Webber, playing bumbling Irish twins trying to pay off their father’s debt to local mob boss Tony Davolo, played by Chazz Palminteri. Things get more complicated when a teen girl named Clover (Nicole Elizabeth Berger) shows up and the brothers need to protect her from Tony’s “hit-women.” Looks like a fun dark comedy.

Unfortunately, Saban Films didn’t offer advance review screeners of the action sequel, Rogue Warrior: The Hunt (Saban Films), directed by Mike Gunther, but it stars Will Yun Lee.  I’m not sure if this is a sequel to 2017’s Rogue Warrior: The Hunt, but I haven’t seen that either. It involves the leader of an elite team of soldiers being captured by terrorists, so his team needs rescue him. Oh, and Stephen Lang (Avatar, Don’t Breathe) is in it, too.

STREAMING AND CABLE

This week’s Netflix offerings include the streaming network’s latest true-crime documentary series, HOW TO FIX A DRUG SCANDAL, directed by Erin Lee Carr (Dirty Money), which covers the 2013 case of Sonja Farak, a crime drug lab specialist who was arrested for tampering with evidence but also accused of using the drugs she was supposed to be testing.  (It’s on the service as of this writing.)

Stuber and Good director Michael Dowse helms the action-comedy COFFEE & KAREEM, starring Ed Helms as police officer James Coffee, who begins dating Taraji P. Henson’s Vanessa Manning while her 12-year-old son Kareem (Terrence Little Gardenhigh) plots their break-up. Kareem hires criminal fugitives to kill Coffee but instead ends up getting his whole family targeted, so the two must team up. Also starring Betty Gilpin, RonReaco Lee, Andrew Bachelor and David Alan Grier.

Also on Friday, Disney Plus will stream two Disneynature docs, Dolphin Reef and Elephant, in honor of Earth Day taking place later this month. Previously, one or both of these movies might have been released theatrically but hey, earth is going to hell right now.

Now playing on Hulu is the latest installment of Blumhouse’s “Into the Dark,” Alejandro Brugué’s Pooka Lives, which ties in with “Pooka Day” (no idea what that is) but apparently, Pooka is a fictional creature like “Slender Man” that was created on Creepypasta  by a group of friends that goes viral but then manifests into creatures that become real. It stars fan faves Felicia Day, Will Wheaton, Rachel Bloom and more.

Next week, more movies not in theaters!

By the way, if you read this week’s column and have read this far down, feel free to drop me some thoughts at Edward dot Douglas at Gmail dot Com or send me a note on Twitter. I love hearing from readers!

[ethanalter]

Bill Nighy on Lasting Appeal of 'Love Actually' — 'It's Now An Institution' — and New WWII Film 'Their Finest'

Gemma Arterton and Bill Nighy in ‘Their Finest’ (Photo: TIFF)

Bill Nighy knows his career has a very clear dividing line: Before Love Actually and After Love Actually. Richard Curtis‘s 2003 rom-com “changed everything,” says the 67-year-old Nighy, striding into his fourth decade as one of England’s most in-demand character actors. “More people saw Love Actually than had probably seen the whole of the rest of my career up until that point. It’s a very big part of what people think of when they look at me.”

And Love Actually fans will see Nighy — currently starring in the World War II drama, Their Finest, along with Gemma Arterton — back in aging rocker Billy Mack’s trousers very soon. The cast (minus Emma Thompson and the late Alan Rickman) recently reunited for a sequel that will be the centerpiece of NBC’s annual Red Nose Day charity special, airing on May 25. “Richard’s done a really good job,” Nighy promises. “It’ll give you an idea of where those characters might be now and what happened in the intervening 14 years. This reunion has already generated so much publicity and interest, it will hopefully be reflected in the amount of money people send.”

Yahoo Movies recently asked Nighy about the movies he’s most recognized for besides Love Actually, why he wouldn’t necessarily mind being typecast, and more; see our conversation below.

You were born in 1949, four years after the end of World War II. What did you learn about the war as a child? I grew up on [war] stories. My father was in the RAF [Royal Air Force] and my mother was working nights on buses. They had lots of stories during that brutal time. So I was thrilled when I read the script for Their Finest, because not only is it very funny and romantic and all of those things, but I thought it did a really good job of giving you a proper sense of what it might have been like to live through that period.

Their Finest is specifically about the way the British film industry mobilized to produce features that could both entertain the masses, but also give them the will to fight. Films were important, because it was largely all that the people at that time had. They had the radio, but they didn’t have TV, which is a big collective experience. Going to the cinema was a huge event, and movies were vastly important during that period, not only for keeping people’s spirits up, but also trying to instruct people as to how to conduct themselves during certain circumstances. And I think the big thing was that they were received collectively and that everybody got a sense of being involved in something together.

You play Ambrose Hilliard, an aging actor who has settled into a comfortable rut churning out B-grade detective movies. In your own career, you’ve been able to play a wide variety of roles. Was it interesting to embody an actor who basically does one thing? I’ve always wanted to be that kind of actor. I’ve longed for it! [Laughs] When I was younger, other actors always used to complain, “I don’t want to be typecast.” I couldn’t wait to be typecast! Because it meant you just had to do the same thing all the time and you’d be fine. Everyone would go, “Oh, that’s the thing he does. He does that thing,” and I’d love to be like that. Instead, they always come up to me now and ask, “Will you play an octopus?” Or “Will you play a vampire? Or “Will you play a zombie?” I’m kidding, because it’s fun to play different parts and I would probably hate [being typecast]. But it was good to come to a part like Ambrose. They were looking for someone to play a chronically self-absorbed and pompous actor in his declining years, and they came to me. On a good day I can process that. [Laughs]

British cinema has a proud tradition of the kinds of detective yarns that Ambrose would have made, like the Bulldog Drummond series. Do you have a soft spot for those movies? I loved all those films. I used to love the fact that, when you went to the movies, you got a double bill with a B-movie and a main attraction. I loved the B-movies. They were always on TV, those black and white movies. There’s a channel now in England that plays virtually nothing else, so those films are still around. And you got used to the fact that the romantic lead would be an American, because you had to have an American in order to get funding during the war, obviously, in order to encourage America to join the war.

Bill Nighy as Billy Mack in ‘Love Actually’ (Everett Collection)

Your career seemed to head in a more comic trajectory after Love Actually. Do you point to that film as a turning point in terms of how people perceived you? I’d already started getting comedy calls before Love Actually thanks to another film in which I played a rock and roll idiot — Still Crazy. But it’s great that Love Actually has entered the language to the degree that it has. Over the years, I’ve had people come up and tell me how that movie has cheered them up in hard times. It’s now an institution. It’s kind of like the Queen’s Speech in England. You get the Queen’s Speech at Christmas and then you get Love Actually. It’s very satisfying.

Bill Nighy in ‘Still Crazy’: Watch a trailer:

Is Billy Mack the character you’re most recognized for? If they’re from between ages nine to 90 it’s Love Actually. But for young men between 14 and 27, it’ll be Shaun of the Dead. Anyone in retirement is obviously The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. And then it’s everyone in the world for Pirates of the Caribbean. So I’ve got it covered really, because I’ve got all age groups. I like to present a moving target. [Laughs]

Speaking of Shaun of the Dead, you’re one of the few actors to appear in all three entries in Edgar Wright‘s Cornetto Trilogy, which also includes Hot Fuzz and The World’s End. I am! I think there are only four actors apart from Simon [Pegg] and Nick [Frost] who are in all three. I love the fact that it’s known as the Cornetto Trilogy. I remember in Shaun of the Dead that a large part of the gig for me was bleeding to death from the neck in the back of a Jaguar car. I remember having a blood sac and having to press it with my foot. So I was sitting in a pool of fake blood on a very hot day in a very hot leather car!

Read More from Yahoo Movies:

‘Love Actually’ Sequel��s First Photos Show Hugh Grant Is Still a Dashing Prime Minister

Bill Nighy Previews ‘Love Actually’ Reunion: ‘I Can Still Get Into the Same Trousers!’

‘Walking Dead’ Star Andrew Lincoln Admits His ‘Love Actually’ Character ‘Is a Stalker’

[ladystylestores]

Review: Palm Springs is a fresh, slyly self-aware addition to time loop trope

Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti relive the same day over and over in Palm Springs, now streaming on Hulu.

Last year gave us two innovative multiverse twists on the well-worn time-loop trope: the Netflix comedy series Russian Doll, and the horror/comedy Happy Death Day 2 U (a sequel to 2018’s Happy Death Day). One would think there wouldn’t be many new veins to mine in this subgenre, but Palm Springs rises to the challenge, delivering a slyly subversive, charmingly self-aware time loop tale that toys with audience expectations in subtly surprising ways.

(Some spoilers below, but no major reveals.)

Screenwriter Andy Siara (Lodge 49) wrote a draft of the script while still a student at the American Film Institute, although there were no science-fiction-y time loop elements in that version. He has said he was inspired more by Leaving Las Vegas than Groundhog Day. Eventually he reworked the script with the help of Director Max Barbakow (Palm Springs is Barbakow’s directorial debut), and Saturday Night Live alum Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) signed on to star in the film. The film premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival (pre-coronavirus), and sparked a bidding war for distribution rights. Neon and Hulu ultimately shelled out a purported $17.5 million for those rights—the biggest deal yet in Sundance’s history.

Per the official premise: “When carefree Nyles (Samberg) and reluctant maid of honor Sarah (Cristin Milioti, How I Met Your Mother, Fargo) have a chance encounter at a Palm Springs wedding, things get complicated when they find themselves unable to escape the venue, themselves, or each other.”  It’s Saturday, November 9, of an unspecified year (although that date fell on a Saturday last year). Nyles is attending the wedding of Abe (Tyler Hoechlin, 7th Heaven) and Tala (Camila Mendes, Riverdale) with his younger girlfriend Misty (Meredith Hagner, Search Party), who is one of the bridesmaids.

Meanwhile, Tala’s sister Sarah, as the black sheep of her family, mostly deals with the nuptials by drinking heavily. (“It’s not good wine,” Daisy the barkeep warns her at the reception. “I don’t care,” Sarah responds.)  She also forgot to prepare the traditional maid of honor’s speech. That’s when Nyles steps in, delivering a note-perfect toast to divert attention from the drunken Sarah. Over the course of the evening, that initial spark of attraction strengthens, and when Nyles reveals that Misty is cheating on him with Trevor (Chris Pang, Crazy Rich Asians), Sarah agrees to sneak off with him for a hookup.

That’s when things get weird. Just as Nyles is stripping down, a crazy guy named Roy (J.K. Simmons, Counterpart) shoots him with several arrows. A badly wounded Nyles flees into a nearby cave, urging a horrified Sarah not to follow him. But she does, and finds herself sucked into a glowing orange vortex—before waking up in the same bed as before. It’s Saturday, November 9 again. When she confronts Nyles, he confesses that they are stuck in “one of those infinite time loop situations that you may have heard about,” reminding her that he warned her not to follow him into the cave.

Palm Springs sets itself apart from the outset, because when we first meet Nyles, he has already been “looping” for an indefinite, but clearly long, period of time—long enough that he has become cynically resigned to his fate of reliving the same day (and wedding) over and over and over. It also takes a page from Russian Doll, in that there is more than one person caught in the loop.

Sarah (Cristin Milioti) wakes up on the morning of her sister’s wedding.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

The groom, Abe (Tyler Hoechlin), and the bride, Tala (Camila Mendes).

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

Peter Gallagher has a cameo as father of the bride Howard, with Jacqueline Obradors as step-mom Pia.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

Nyles (Andy Samberg) horns in to give a speech at the reception.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

Sarah is amused and drawn to Nyles.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

He warned her not to follow him into the orange-glowing cave.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

Nyles finds he is no longer alone in his time loop situation.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

Sarah doesn’t take the news well at first.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

Another wedding guest, Roy (J.K. Simmons), also finds himself stuck in the time loop.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

Two crazy dudes snorting coke in a bathtub.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

Sarah and Niles decide to revel in the absurdity of their situation.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

A little target practice.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

If you’re going to hijack a small plane, it might help if you know how to fly.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

Putting on a show at the reception.

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

Sarah throws a party for Nyles at the local drive bar

YouTube/Hulu/Neon

The strength of this approach is that we get to experience the same looping day from different perspectives—and Nyles gets to watch Sarah work through all the various stages of processing her situation that he did, offering his jaded “been there, done that” commentary along the way. Think committing suicide will close the loop? “I’ve done a lot of suicides, so many,” Nyles said, advising that she make it as quick as possible if she’s going to try it. “We can’t die but the pain is very real. There’s nothing worse than dying slowly in the ICU.” When she drives back to her home in Austin, TX, she still wakes up back in Palm Springs. “One time I smoked a bunch of crystal and made it all the way to equatorial Guinea,” Nyles confesses. “It was a huge waste of time.”

Eventually, she comes around to his philosophy that nothing matters and they might as well have some fun to pass the endless days. And as with Groundhog Day, Nyles soon realizes he loves Sarah, the person who made his infinite time loop existence tolerable. But Palm Springs isn’t your typical rom-com morality tale about becoming a better person to win the girl. Both Nyles and Sarah were damaged and unhappy before they got caught in the loop, and the second half of the film takes on a more earnest, bittersweet tenor, as their facade of pretending not to care starts to crumble. This is evident when Nyles chastises Sarah for a particularly cruel act against another character, which she excuses because the day will just reboot anyway. “The pain is real,” he reminds her. And that means “what we do to other people matters.”

When it comes to fictional time loop science, less is always more.

Can you really know somebody if you nothing about their past? What if every day you wake up, you are reminded anew of the pain you caused someone you love? Or, perhaps worse, what if you had a pretty good life, and now will never get to see how it all unfolds? The film explores all of these questions, to varying degrees, and takes us to some unexpected emotional places in the process.

As for what caused the time loop in the first place, it has something to do with an earthquake during the wedding that reveals the mysterious cave with the glowing orange light. Eventually Sarah takes advantage of the infinite loop to learn some physics. She hypothesizes that the cave is home to a so-called “Cauchy horizon”: a theoretical point inside a black hole (beyond the event horizon) where determinism breaks down, and the past no longer determines the future.

It’s not a well-fleshed out (or scientifically accurate) explanation for a time loop, but that’s okay. Milioti told Vulture that in the initial cut of Palm Springs, Sarah gives a three-minute speech explaining the physics behind what she and Nyles are experiencing, but it was cut in the final edit. “It was just so long,” she said. “And while it completely explained everything, they had all these screenings for friends and family and they were all like, ‘The speech is great, you don’t need it.’” When it comes to fictional time loop science, less is always more. (The physics-experiment-gone-awry explanation in Happy Death Day 2 U  was the weakest element in an otherwise entertaining film.) Just set up the rules of the game, and let the cause or origin of the loop remain a mystery.

I’m not a hardcore Samberg fan, but he gives a sweetly acerbic performance as Nyles, and his strong chemistry with Milioti is ultimately what makes Palm Springs work. You’ll be drawn in by the sharp, smartly irreverent humor, but you’ll be won over in the end by the film’s considerable heart.

Palm Springs is currently streaming on Hulu.

  Listing image by YouTube/Hulu

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from World Wide News https://ift.tt/3iTsfy0

[elizabethcariasa]

Senators propose moving Secret Service back to Treasury

The shift would highlight the protective agency's more investigative activities. Plus, a look at the Secret Service's evolution and movies featuring its agents to help you pass time in coronavirus self-isolation.

Secret Service agent Allen Taylor following former First Lady Michelle Obama in a less formal setting. Obama discusses her protective coverage in Netflix's now-streaming "Becoming" documentary. (Photo: Netflix)

The Secret Service could be heading home.

The federal law enforcement agency known mostly for its agents who protect the president, the White House occupant's family and other U.S. elected leaders and visiting foreign dignitaries is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Sounds logical, right? That was the thought when the Secret Service was moved in 2003 to DHS, the cabinet department was created in response to 9/11.

The Secret Service, however, was founded in 1865 as part of the Treasury Department with its agents focusing on catching currency counterfeiters in the wake of the Civil War. It took on its more widely-recognized protective mission in 1901 after the assassination of President William McKinley.

Now, say Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), it's time to put Treasury back in charge of the U.S. Secret Service. The move, according to the Senators who have introduced a bill to do just that, will improve accountability and bolster national investigative priorities.

Executive Branch support: The Trump Administration in February recommended returning the Secret Service to Treasury in its 2021 budget. That proposal's overall $15.7 billion for Treasury's domestic programs marked $2.4 billion for the Secret Service under that department.

When the budget was released, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin cited the proposed return of the Secret Service to Treasury, saying it would "better equip the nation to fight the crimes of tomorrow."

While the Executive branch is for the move, the actual transfer requires Congressional action.

Feinstein and Graham started that process with the introduction May 6 of S. 3636, The U.S. Secret Service Mission Improvement and Realignment Act of 2020. Mnuchin is pleased.

Thank you to @LindseyGrahamSC and @SenFeinstein for introducing legislation to bring the @SecretService back to its original home @USTreasury. https://t.co/Q3cBZXFDUy

— Steven Mnuchin (@stevenmnuchin1) May 6, 2020

Many investigative areas: In announcing their bill, Feinstein and Graham noted that in addition to its protective duties, the Secret Service performs key financial, counterfeit currency and cybercrime investigations into criminal activities targeting U.S. financial payment systems.

The realignment/return would naturally serve the Treasury's goal of maintaining a stable and secure national economy, said the Senators, and allows the Secret Service to reprioritize its investigative mission.

The agency notes that with the convergence of advanced technology and the internet, both the quantity and sophistication of cybercrimes targeting U.S. financial institutions and critical infrastructure have increased. To fight these attacks, the Secret Service multipronged approach includes its:

Criminal Investigative Division (CID), headquartered in Washington, D.C., and which supports strategic investigations into attacks on the country's financial infrastructure. Its cyber workforce has contributed to the apprehension of transnational cyber criminals responsible for large-scale data breaches, online criminal hosting services and the trafficking of stolen financial data.

Electronic Crimes Task Force (ECTF) Program, an established network of partnerships to combat cybercrime through coordinated investigations, training and technical expertise and information sharing. Its 40 ECTFs are allied with more than 4,000 private sector partners; 2,500 international, federal, state and local law enforcement partners; and 350 academic partners. Since its inception, the ECTFs have prevented over $13 billion in potential losses to victims and arrested approximately 10,000 individuals. State and local law enforcement ECTF partners are trained by the U.S. Secret Service National Computer Forensics Institute.

As for the money needed to accomplish these investigations, Feinstein pointed to the bill's requirement that the Secret Service report its expenditures, including payments to private entities.

Hollywood and the Secret Service: The Secret Service's activities are far ranging and varied, but the entertainment industry tends to focus, like most of us, on the protective component.

Part of the Netflix documentary on Michelle Obama, highlighted at the top of this post, offers a real-life take of one instance of Secret Service protection.

In movies, however, Hollywood tends to go for excitement. Secret Service agents on the big screen, or streaming to our TVs or devices in more cases nowadays, are big budget productions where top-dollar stars beat the bad guys threatening the president. After two-plus hours and innumerable explosions, the American way is saved.

If something along those lines appeals to you as you search for something new to watch during COVID-19 self-isolation, below, in no particular order, are 12 Secret Service themed movie suggestions.

Vantage Point (2008) — Dennis Quaid is the Secret Service agent in this thriller told through multiple points of view in an assassination attempt.

Guarding Tess (1994) — Nicolas Cage is the agent who suffers through guarding a widowed and rebellious First Lady played by Shirley MacLaine.

The Sentinel (2006) — Michael Douglas is an agent framed for murder and blackmailed over an affair with the First Lady. Backing up Douglas are Kiefer Sutherland and Eva Longoria. Of course all ends as it should; Jack Bauer is on the job!

First Kid (1996) — Sinbad as a Secret Service agent. 'Nuff said.

Murder at 1600 (1997) — Diane Lane as a Secret Service agent working with a D.C. police detective played by Wesley Snipes to solve the film's title.

First Daughter (2004) — This rom-com has Marc Blucas as an agent who goes undercover to shadow the president's daughter, played by Katie Holmes. Spoiler alert: They fall in love and live happily ever.

The Bodyguard (1993) — Yes, the film's hit theme "I Will Always Love You" got better reviews (and more plays) than the movie, but many still enjoy watching the late Whitney Houston being protected by former Kevin Costner's former Secret Service agent.

Dave (1993) — Kevin Kline has a dual role in this comedy about a presidential look-alike hired by the Secret Service to stand in as the incapacitated president, who had a stroke during a tryst.

To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) — William L. Petersen in his pre-CSI television days is a Secret Service an agent tracking the counterfeiter who killed his partner.

In the Line of Fire (1993) — Clint Eastwood is stereotypical Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan, who's haunted by the fact that he was on duty in Dallas when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. As his career winds down, he must stop another assassin, played with evil relish by John Malkovich.

Olympus Has Fallen (2013) — Gerard Butler is Secret Service agent Mike Banning, who's trapped inside the White House in the wake of a terrorist attack and works with national security to rescue the President from his kidnappers. Admit it. When you saw the poster you thought Morgan Freeman, not Aaron Eckhart, was playing the president.

Angel Has Fallen (2019) — Butler's Banning is back in this "Fallen" sequel. This time he's framed for the attempted assassination of the president and must evade his own agency and the FBI as he tries to uncover the real threat.

Enjoy the movies, if not the coronavirus lock-down time.

You also might find these items of interest:

IRS effort leads to Al Capone tax evasion conviction on Oct. 17, 1931

IRS CI helps nab NE duo charged with fraudulently seeking coronavirus relief loans

IRS criminal investigators tout 2019 successes, look to year 101's tax crime challenges

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[wellesleyunderground]

Four Weddings and a Funeral reviewed by Lakshmi Gandhi (@LakshmiGandhi) & Asha Sundararaman ‘04 (@mixedtck)

This review first appeared on Lakshmi and Asha’s weekly newsletter - sign up here!

We love a good rom com and screenwriter Richard Curtis's 1994 "Four Weddings and a Funeral" has always been a favorite of the genre. (Who could forget Hugh Grant at his most bumbly and floppy-haired as he courts the elusive Andie McDowell?)

That was one of the reasons we were both surprised and intrigued when it was announced that Mindy Kaling would be making a Hulu series based on the classic film. This is also one of the reasons it pains us so much to reveal that the resulting series is NOT GOOD. In fact, it's pretty actively bad and is strange and painful to watch.

Fortunately, we watched (most of!) the available episodes so that you, dear readers, don't have to.

(Editor's note: As usual, we're going to spoil everything, but we can't imagine anyone voluntarily spending their time with these characters, so it's ok!)

Lakshmi: Asha, I hadn't read anything about this series going in for once, so while I knew the reviews were iffy I simply wasn't prepared for the extent of the badness. All of the scripts felt like first drafts? None of the romantic relationships made sense?! The New York Times review was brutal:

The show, which has almost nothing in common with the film except for a London setting, comes from the creators Mindy Kaling and Matt Warburton, but without any of the clever sparks they brought to “The Mindy Project.” Though it is set in England, the four main characters are American. They are allegedly best friends, but no one has anything in common nor do any of them have any chemistry, platonic or romantic. The inevitable couple seems like a bad match, and no two characters seem like they’re on the same show. Do not go to the chapel; do not get married.

Asha: I hadn't read much about it either. (Also, full disclosure, I actually haven't watched the original movie.)

Lakshmi: What?! We need to get that fixed immediately. But (as you’ve probably guessed) the basic premise is that Hugh Grant goes to four weddings and a funeral (of course) and all of the characters grow and change as a result of those five events.

Asha: Right, makes sense. (Also, I promise that I will watch the original film soon.)

Lakshmi: But in addition to the original being super white and super upper crust English (which is different from this adaptation in perhaps a bad way) the film had a lot of depth. This series has all American main characters and is just strange because so many aspects are nonsensical.

First, what are the odds that all of your good friends from your college experience in the US will land cushy jobs in London?!

Asha: Right?! I went to grad school in London, so I kept wondering how all of them had work visas! Banking, I could see, but starting a design business? Working as a teacher? None of it makes sense!

Lakshmi: And none of them even have English parents or seemed to go to grad school there (two other routes to getting visas). Also, since none of them are actually married when the series begins, they don’t qualify for spousal visas either.

Asha: Exactly.

Lakshmi: So there was a definite "what about Brexit? How did any of you get visas?" feeling throughout my viewing experience.

Asha: Mine too, especially having lived there.

Lakshmi: Yes! And you can definitely speak more one this (I've never lived in the United Kingdom) but my impression has always been that it is REALLY hard to get a UK work visa. And Brexit of course makes it clear that the political climate is not friendly to non-UK born people or immigrants of any kind.

Asha: it's definitely not easy. I know people who've done it post-grad school, mostly working for multinational corporations. But moving to London after college on a whim? Nah.

Lakshmi: Right. The only people I know who moved to London on a whim did so without documentation (meaning they worked off the books in restaurants while they had their quarter life crisis or whatever).

So Brandon Mychal Smith's character's job is the only one that sounds legit (he works for a giant financial institution.)

Plus,  these people would never be friends in real life. Additionally, no one is likeable and no one has anything in common. There is no thread that unites them at all (and the same goes for all of their partners)

But let's back up a little and talk about the plot.

The pilot episode starts with Maya (Nathalie Emmanuel from ‘Game of Thrones’) arriving in Heathrow for one of the weddings in the show's title. Her bag goes missing and she throws a fit (she's extremely unlikeable in those scenes!) and an airline manager, the middle aged British Pakistani Haroon Khan (who is played by the Indian actor Harish Patel) asks his son Kash to help her.

That is the big meet cute of the first episode. The twist of course is that Maya soon discovers that Kash is engaged to her friend Ainsley and in fact their wedding is the one Maya flew to London to attend. I have no idea what Kash and Ainsley saw in each other and the subsequent scenes never give us any clues either!

Asha: Well, to be fair, I think that was the point. They liked the facade of each other, rather than who they actually were.

Lakshmi: But they never talked about anything? Ainsley is definitely part of the one percent (her parents fund her entire business AND rent a London townhouse for her.) Kash lives with his widower father and little brother in a working class neighborhood.

Plus they were going to have a Church of England wedding and no one talks about how they are of different faiths (the dad mentions it as an aside only after things go south). And the dad makes a joke about not drinking alcohol yet Ainsley gifts Kash with whiskey glasses (I get that Kash obviously drinks alcohol, but it's still strange that they ever made a "oh we're not supposed to be doing this" joke or anything.

Asha: Well, it is pointed out in episode 2 that the whiskey glasses were a bad gift...

Lakshmi: But not because of the religious tradition thing! But because of because of the impersonal nature of whiskey glasses as a gift.

And it's strange (especially in England of all places) to have a relationship like that and never talk about money or standing or whatnot.  It was one of the many reasons I wished this show had been transported to New York or Boston or LA or somewhere else in the United States.

Asha: But once again, that was kind of the point, they didn't talk about anything!

Lakshmi: So why were they getting married in the first place? And all of the couples had the same problem! They were all terrible communicators.

Asha: Yes, that's true.

Lakshmi: Why were Zara and Craig together?

Asha: I have no idea.

Lakshmi: Craig was the Brandon Mychal Smith character who worked at the huge bank. Zara herself spent a lot of her time exotifying him too.

I also need to point out (and this continues Mindy's terrible record with regard to writing Black characters)  all of Craig’s storylines were AWFUL and I feel comfortable calling them othering and borderline racist.

For example, there is a joke in which Craig says six girls asked him to prom and the punchline is that "one of them was my Spanish teacher." (And readers know me well enough by now to know that was a huge cringe and a big no for me.)

And then! He gets a message out of the blue from a girl he hooked up with six years ago and it turns out.. dun dun dun... he has a secret baby! Gross and also... why didn't they give one of their upper crust white British male characters that storyline? Choosing to give your only Black character a secret baby is a weird decision! It just seemed unnecessary and his partner was so disconnected from him and the realities of his life.

Basically, I cannot believe that money and class weren't more of an issue in all of these relationships with British people. Mindy must have read Austen at some point? (or any other British novel, hahaha)

Asha: One would think! But they actually do bring up class issues a bit in episode three with their British friend Gemma. She's "new money" which means she ends up being the butt of the joke in her British social circles.

Lakshmi: Yes, that was interesting! But by episode three the series had been so frustrating to me that I couldn't appreciate the good parts as much as I should have. For example, episode one was BAD but episode two was JUST MEDIOCRE and episode three was JUST OK but the badness of the pilot made my tolerance for the rest go down a bunch.

Asha: I want to say that the show does have some good parts! I enjoyed the relationship between Kash and his family.

Lakshmi: Yes, I loved that as well. The dad was a well written character. And they watch a British game show that is a lot like Jeopardy! every night, which felt like something most South Asian families would do Plus there were little asides where they did talk about religion and those also felt real.

Asha: I actually feel like the dynamic between Kash, Kash's dad and his brother was the best part of the show. All three were the standout characters of the series.

Lakshmi: I wish they had made Kash the central character, rather than Maya.

Asha: Agreed.

Lakshmi: And the child who played the little brother Asif was also very good.

Asha: Definitely

Lakshmi: I liked this thread by the author Rachel Hawkins on the show:

Nathalie Emmanuel deserves better than Four Weddings and a Funeral, OOF. I ADORE Mindy Kaling, but this is so bad I kind of can't believe it exists.

Asha: The entire show was just so underwritten.

Lakshmi: And I know I keep sounding like a broken record but we never really see why these characters are friends.

Asha: Well, they might be that group of college friends who are best friends because they were best friends in college and would have grown apart if it weren't for the fact that they all moved abroad

Lakshmi: Perhaps... but usually those tight bonds don't last even if you do end up being in the same place. I mean, why live in England (or set your show in England) if the characters hang out with and act like Americans all day.

Asha: Hahaha, that was the one realistic thing to me actually

Lakshmi: I don’t know...this would have been a great show to set in Boston or another upper crust New England town. I show featuring characters that went to boarding school and their working class New England friends would have been so good. (and that concept hasn't been explored in a modern day show in a while.) Plus, Mindy is from Massachusetts! She missed the boat there!

Asha: Well...she did go to private school, and to Dartmouth....

Lakshmi: So it's her world! She should have done it!

Asha: Her world was minus the working class New Englanders!

Lakshmi: She could have gotten other writers for those scenes. I feel like a lot of the parts that especially annoyed us would have been eliminated had this been an American show..

Asha: That's probably true.

Lakshmi: You've seen “Love Actually,” right?

Asha: Yes.

Lakshmi:  So a lot of the scenes here were like “Love Actually” fanfiction (another thing reviewers pointed out.) There's a novelist who flirts with a woman who speaks English as a second language. There's a weird choir that pops up during one of the weddings.

Those scenes with the French teacher did illustrate how fragile male writers are!

Asha: Hahahahaha

Lakshmi: Seriously though! Anyway, the character Duffy gives her a draft of his novel to read. It's a 1200 page book (and everyone knows about my strong belief that nothing needs to be above 350 pages!) and he asks her for honest feedback.

But when he receives honest feedback he goes nuts and acts like a baby (which is totally unsurprising.) He’s even so upset that he asks her to leave his home.

Asha: he does make amends later on, once he realizes that none of his friends who praised his book had actually read it.

For the record, her feedback was that there were 20 pages of that 1200 that were great! Plus, those pages she liked were at the end, so he should be appreciative that she engaged with the work! His was so gross and so thin-skinned.

Asha: it really means that you're too attached to your work and that you see it as a reflection of who you are as a person. It also means you're not ready to be a professional writer.

Lakshmi: I strongly feel that the way people respond to edits reflects who they are as a person. This has nothing to do with the show at all really, but I maintain there is one way to know everything you need to know about a person, and that’s by FACT CHECKING THEIR WORK.

The person who blows up when you ask "oh,where did you get that stat from?” is insecure in all aspects of their life. Also, "Remember to spell check" is never a personal attack, but you'd be surprised at how many people act as if it is! So I think that's why I had such a personal reaction to that scene (and kept wondering at why Mindy and the other writer put it in.)

Asha: Hmm...I don't agree that it reflects who they are as a person. But i do think it means they're probably insecure, ha.

Lakshmi: So you do agree it reflects SOME aspects of their personality. I don’t know, as a fact checker, I just want to make sure we're accurate and don’t get sued! But I'm kind of used to people blowing up when I ask questions like "can you send me the link to this study?" (which should be a neutral question but rarely is).

ANYWAY, another annoying thing was how Maya randomly decides to stay in England after going through her own breakup and then starts interviewing with Members of Parliament essentially right away. Again, my brain went to the place of "what about Brexit?!”

Asha: Same.

Lakshmi: Even the most liberal Labour Party member probably doesn't want to deal with the optics of hiring an American on a whim? There are people in England who would kill for those jobs...

But it was interesting to see Maya process the aftermath of her affair. She had been working for a New York Senator and had an affair with him. She then realizes that she never knows why these other politicians are granting her interviews. Are they hoping for an affair as well?

(Maya is VERY talented but she feels like people are overlooking her skills because of her personal life.) I actually thought those scenes were some of the most realistic of the series.

Asha: Well, other than the fact that she was an American interviewing for British political positions, which as we’ve noted wasn’t at all realistic.

Lakshmi: Of course. But that internal conflict was very real.

Lakshmi: OK, we went well over our usual time! (We always have strong feelings about Mindy's work!) My final thought was that I just couldn’t believe this novelist dude thought his friends had read his work.

I feel like writers would be a lot happier if they realized their nearest and dearest probably aren't going to read their stuff (and oftentimes won't even buy their stuff!) and that sometimes that is all for the best.

Asha: Agreed.

Lakshmi: Also if you ask for honest critique and then blow up when you receive it 1) you aren't a good person 2) you shouldn't write publicly, because Goodreads reviewers aren't going to be as kind as a woman invited to your house as a guest. (She was really sweet about delivering the feedback; everyone should be that kind and deliberate when giving honest reactions.)

[typhoonprecious-blog]

Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more

Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more

Here we are in the dog days of summer. There are just a few weeks left for relaxing beach vacations, lazy pool days, and summer Fridays spent frolicking in the sun. If you haven't checked nearly enough things off your summer bucket list, now's the time to get on it. Or, if you'd rather just chill out in the air conditioning, you could always work on tackling your summer reading list. The books coming out this week are a great place to start.

This is a big week, because there are 19-yes, 19-books coming out this week that I highly recommend. In keeping with the theme of “summer's almost over, but there's still time,” there's a second wind of beach reads and summer romance novels on this list. So if you thought you'd read the best books that chick lit had to offer this summer, there's a whole crop of new titles to dive into. Or, if you're already looking to fall and craving a more atmospheric read, this is a big week for historical fiction, too.

Here are 19 books coming out this week that you don't want to miss.

1. The Third Hotel by Laura van den Berg, out August 7th

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

available at Amazon | $20

Shop Now

Clare, recently widowed and still grieving the loss of her husband, decides to attend a film festival in Havana that they bought tickets to. But once there, she spots him in front of museum, plain as day. Clare follows her husband around Havana, reflecting on their marriage, thinking about her childhood, and searching for answers. The more you read, the less you'll know what's real and what isn't.

2. Finding Yvonne by Brandy Colbert, out August 7th

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

available at Amazon | $17.99

Shop Now

Remember when you were a senior in high school and everyone kept asking, So, what do you want to do with your life? As if you were supposed to have all the answers at age 18? That's where Yvonne is. She's about to graduate from high school and she's questioning whether or not she's talented enough to pursue a career as a violist. Then, when she unexpectedly gets pregnant, her future becomes even less clear. Finding Yvonne is a moving read for anyone who's ever been unsure about what comes next. (So, all of us.)

3. The Bucket List by Georgia Clark, out August 7th

Atria/Emily Bestler Books

available at Amazon | $23.40

Shop Now

When Lacey is diagnosed with the BCRA1 gene mutation (a.k.a. the breast cancer gene), she makes a bucket list for her boobs. Yep, she writes down everything she wants to do with and for her boobs before the possibility of a preventative double mastectomy comes. The Bucket List is the sweet, sexy, and sex positive women's fiction book you need to read before summer is over.

4. The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis, out August 7th

Dutton

available at Amazon | $20.80

Shop Now

In 1928, Clara is a teacher at the Grand Central School of Art, a glamorous institution inside of Grand Central Terminal in New York City. In 1974, Virginia works in the once-glamorous terminal's information booth. When Virginia uncovers the lost art school from decades prior, she becomes determined to restore the building to the beauty it once was. The Masterpiece is a must-read for historians, art lovers, and New Yorkers alike.

5. Maeve in America: Essays by a Girl from Somewhere by Maeve Higgins, out August 7th

Penguin Books

available at Amazon | $16

Shop Now

Warning: Do not read Maeve Higgins' new collection of essays in public. You will laugh yourself silly and look like a complete lunatic. From the frustrating process of getting a visa to her hilariously less-than-perfect shopping trip to Rent the Runway, Maeve insightfully reflects on the experiences that have helped her find her place in America. This is Aesop's Fables for millennials.

6. Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon, out August 7th

Scribner

available at Scribner | $25.91

Shop Now

Florence and Elsie have been best friends since they were kids. Now, in their eighties, they live in the Cherry Tree home for the elderly. Florence often struggles with her memory, but Elsie always helps her remember. When a man shows up who looks like someone from her past-someone who died 60 years ago-Florence really starts digging. What a wonderful and entertaining feel good story. Read this one with your BFF.

7. Our House by Louise Candlish, out August 7th

Berkley Books

available at Amazon | $20.80

Shop Now

There's still time to get your fill of summer thrillers, and we suggest starting with Our House. When Fiona comes home to see strangers moving into her house, she assumes it's a mistake. But then, she realizes her estranged husband Bram and their sons aren't anywhere to be found. Needless to say, as Fiona tries to regain control of the situation, you're in for a roller coaster ride of twisted ups and downs.

8. Goodbye, Paris by Anstey Harris, out August 7th

Touchstone

available at Amazon | $24.99

Shop Now

Goodbye, Paris is a quirky, charming read about friendship and perseverance. After Grace, the owner of an instrument repair shop, is forced to end her long-distance love affair with David, she retreats into isolation and bows out of a cello-making competition. But with the help of a customer and her shop assistant, she puts the pieces back together and finds happiness again.

9. Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel, out August 7th

Inkshares

available at Amazon | $15.99

Shop Now

When Maxine's husband leaves her for his 22-year-old secretary, she decides to claim a new title: She's going to compete in the Mrs. American Pie pageant. But there's just one problem: She needs a family in order to win. Mr. & Mrs. American Pie is nonstop fun from start to finish. Oh, and Laura Dern is already adapting the book for TV. So yeah, you're going to want to read it now.

10. If They Come for Us by Fatimah Asghar, out August 7th

One World

available at Amazon | $16.00

Shop Now

Don't miss Fatimah Asghar's collection of poems about race, identity, family, and loss. It's a beautiful addition to any bookshelf.

11. Smothered by Autumn Chiklis, out August 7th

Wednesday Books

available at Amazon | $16.99

Shop Now

Lou had big plans for her post-grad life. After graduating from Columbia summa cum laude, she thought she'd be settling into a new job, apartment, and lifestyle. But instead, with no job and no prospects, she's moving back in with her parents. Through journal entries, texts, and emails-and even job applications and prescriptions-Lou takes readers along for the ride as she tries to figure out her next step (and figure out how to get her controlling mom from watching her every move). It's a quick, fun read that'll make you laugh out loud.

12. Hope Never Dies: An Obama/Biden Mystery by Andrew Shaffer, out August 7th

Quirk Books

available at Amazon | $9.44

Shop Now

Oh yes. This book is exactly what it looks like: a fictional mystery starring President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as they try to take action against America's opioid epidemic. If you miss 44 and his trusty sidekick, Hope Never Dies is the fanfiction you didn't know you needed. Honestly? I'd read a whole series about this bromance.

13. The Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting, out August 7th

Forever

available at Amazon | $14.19

Shop Now

Hello, hockey-themed romance novels. You are the genre I didn't know existed but now suddenly cannot live without. In The Good Luck Charm, Lilah's ex Ethan (who dumped her to focus on his budding hockey career) returns to try to win her back. When she realizes why he's keeping her so close, the hurt comes rushing back all over again. If you love rom-coms, don't miss this second chance romance novel.

14. If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim, out August 7th

William Morrow

available at Amazon | $22.76

Shop Now

Haemi and her family flee to a refugee camp during the Korean War when she's just 16 years old. Every night she escapes the camp for a few hours with her friend Kyunghwan. As the two grow close, Kyungwhan's wealthy cousin, Jisoo, makes plans to marry Haemi. As the story progresses, Haemi reflects on the choice she made to marry Jisoo, considering the life she has and the life that could have been. Don't miss this complex, heartbreaking tale of how one decision can change everything.

15. No Mistakes: A Perfect Workbook for Imperfect Artists by Keiko Agena, out August 7th

TarcherPerigee

available at Amazon | $17.00

Shop Now

This is not your average journal. It's a workbook filled with writing prompts, activities, and exercises ranging from “Draw what change feels like” to “Describe the perfect funeral for a project you loved that ended.” If you're feeling stuck, uninspired, or in your head about your creative pursuits, Keiko Agena can help you rediscover your inner artist.

16. Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson, out August 7th

Flatiron Books

available at Amazon | $19.19

Shop Now

Professor Anders Larsen is a museum curator in Denmark. Tina Hopgod is the wife of a farmer in England over 700 miles away. When Tina writes a letter to her former professor who has since passed, Anders responds on his behalf. And thus begins their correspondence via snail mail. This sweet novel, which unfolds through a series of letters, is a short but spellbinding story of life and friendship.

17. The Drama Teacher by Koren Zailckas, out August 7th

Crown Publishing Group

available at Amazon | $27.00

Shop Now

I love a good unreliable narrator, which is exactly what Gracie is in The Drama Teacher. She's hiding a lot about who she is and where she's from. When she fibs her way into a job as a high school drama teacher to save her family's house from foreclosure, Gracie's lying ways get a bit out of hand. Koren Zailckas will keep you on your toes until the very last page.

18. Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins, out August 7th

Berkley Books

available at Amazon | $12.78

Shop Now

Emerson, Georgia, and Marley are best friends who met at a weight-loss camp when they were teens. When Emerson passes away, she leaves behind a final wish for her besties: face the fears they carried from their teen years into adulthood. Don't miss this emotional read about love, friendship, and self-acceptance.

19. The Reservoir Tapes by Jon McGregor, out August 7th

Catapult

available at Amazon | $22.00

Shop Now

When a teenager named Becky goes missing, everyone joins in on the search. The Reservoir Tapes is a collection of stories from those in her community about life before she disappeared, as told to an interviewer. If you read Jon McGregor's companion novel Reservoir 13, this will leave you with even more questions about Becky's disappearance.

Happy reading!

The post Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more appeared first on HelloGiggles.

[inkundu1]

Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more

Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more

Here we are in the dog days of summer. There are just a few weeks left for relaxing beach vacations, lazy pool days, and summer Fridays spent frolicking in the sun. If you haven't checked nearly enough things off your summer bucket list, now's the time to get on it. Or, if you'd rather just chill out in the air conditioning, you could always work on tackling your summer reading list. The books coming out this week are a great place to start.

This is a big week, because there are 19-yes, 19-books coming out this week that I highly recommend. In keeping with the theme of “summer's almost over, but there's still time,” there's a second wind of beach reads and summer romance novels on this list. So if you thought you'd read the best books that chick lit had to offer this summer, there's a whole crop of new titles to dive into. Or, if you're already looking to fall and craving a more atmospheric read, this is a big week for historical fiction, too.

Here are 19 books coming out this week that you don't want to miss.

1. The Third Hotel by Laura van den Berg, out August 7th

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

available at Amazon | $20

Shop Now

Clare, recently widowed and still grieving the loss of her husband, decides to attend a film festival in Havana that they bought tickets to. But once there, she spots him in front of museum, plain as day. Clare follows her husband around Havana, reflecting on their marriage, thinking about her childhood, and searching for answers. The more you read, the less you'll know what's real and what isn't.

2. Finding Yvonne by Brandy Colbert, out August 7th

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

available at Amazon | $17.99

Shop Now

Remember when you were a senior in high school and everyone kept asking, So, what do you want to do with your life? As if you were supposed to have all the answers at age 18? That's where Yvonne is. She's about to graduate from high school and she's questioning whether or not she's talented enough to pursue a career as a violist. Then, when she unexpectedly gets pregnant, her future becomes even less clear. Finding Yvonne is a moving read for anyone who's ever been unsure about what comes next. (So, all of us.)

3. The Bucket List by Georgia Clark, out August 7th

Atria/Emily Bestler Books

available at Amazon | $23.40

Shop Now

When Lacey is diagnosed with the BCRA1 gene mutation (a.k.a. the breast cancer gene), she makes a bucket list for her boobs. Yep, she writes down everything she wants to do with and for her boobs before the possibility of a preventative double mastectomy comes. The Bucket List is the sweet, sexy, and sex positive women's fiction book you need to read before summer is over.

4. The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis, out August 7th

Dutton

available at Amazon | $20.80

Shop Now

In 1928, Clara is a teacher at the Grand Central School of Art, a glamorous institution inside of Grand Central Terminal in New York City. In 1974, Virginia works in the once-glamorous terminal's information booth. When Virginia uncovers the lost art school from decades prior, she becomes determined to restore the building to the beauty it once was. The Masterpiece is a must-read for historians, art lovers, and New Yorkers alike.

5. Maeve in America: Essays by a Girl from Somewhere by Maeve Higgins, out August 7th

Penguin Books

available at Amazon | $16

Shop Now

Warning: Do not read Maeve Higgins' new collection of essays in public. You will laugh yourself silly and look like a complete lunatic. From the frustrating process of getting a visa to her hilariously less-than-perfect shopping trip to Rent the Runway, Maeve insightfully reflects on the experiences that have helped her find her place in America. This is Aesop's Fables for millennials.

6. Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon, out August 7th

Scribner

available at Scribner | $25.91

Shop Now

Florence and Elsie have been best friends since they were kids. Now, in their eighties, they live in the Cherry Tree home for the elderly. Florence often struggles with her memory, but Elsie always helps her remember. When a man shows up who looks like someone from her past-someone who died 60 years ago-Florence really starts digging. What a wonderful and entertaining feel good story. Read this one with your BFF.

7. Our House by Louise Candlish, out August 7th

Berkley Books

available at Amazon | $20.80

Shop Now

There's still time to get your fill of summer thrillers, and we suggest starting with Our House. When Fiona comes home to see strangers moving into her house, she assumes it's a mistake. But then, she realizes her estranged husband Bram and their sons aren't anywhere to be found. Needless to say, as Fiona tries to regain control of the situation, you're in for a roller coaster ride of twisted ups and downs.

8. Goodbye, Paris by Anstey Harris, out August 7th

Touchstone

available at Amazon | $24.99

Shop Now

Goodbye, Paris is a quirky, charming read about friendship and perseverance. After Grace, the owner of an instrument repair shop, is forced to end her long-distance love affair with David, she retreats into isolation and bows out of a cello-making competition. But with the help of a customer and her shop assistant, she puts the pieces back together and finds happiness again.

9. Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel, out August 7th

Inkshares

available at Amazon | $15.99

Shop Now

When Maxine's husband leaves her for his 22-year-old secretary, she decides to claim a new title: She's going to compete in the Mrs. American Pie pageant. But there's just one problem: She needs a family in order to win. Mr. & Mrs. American Pie is nonstop fun from start to finish. Oh, and Laura Dern is already adapting the book for TV. So yeah, you're going to want to read it now.

10. If They Come for Us by Fatimah Asghar, out August 7th

One World

available at Amazon | $16.00

Shop Now

Don't miss Fatimah Asghar's collection of poems about race, identity, family, and loss. It's a beautiful addition to any bookshelf.

11. Smothered by Autumn Chiklis, out August 7th

Wednesday Books

available at Amazon | $16.99

Shop Now

Lou had big plans for her post-grad life. After graduating from Columbia summa cum laude, she thought she'd be settling into a new job, apartment, and lifestyle. But instead, with no job and no prospects, she's moving back in with her parents. Through journal entries, texts, and emails-and even job applications and prescriptions-Lou takes readers along for the ride as she tries to figure out her next step (and figure out how to get her controlling mom from watching her every move). It's a quick, fun read that'll make you laugh out loud.

12. Hope Never Dies: An Obama/Biden Mystery by Andrew Shaffer, out August 7th

Quirk Books

available at Amazon | $9.44

Shop Now

Oh yes. This book is exactly what it looks like: a fictional mystery starring President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as they try to take action against America's opioid epidemic. If you miss 44 and his trusty sidekick, Hope Never Dies is the fanfiction you didn't know you needed. Honestly? I'd read a whole series about this bromance.

13. The Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting, out August 7th

Forever

available at Amazon | $14.19

Shop Now

Hello, hockey-themed romance novels. You are the genre I didn't know existed but now suddenly cannot live without. In The Good Luck Charm, Lilah's ex Ethan (who dumped her to focus on his budding hockey career) returns to try to win her back. When she realizes why he's keeping her so close, the hurt comes rushing back all over again. If you love rom-coms, don't miss this second chance romance novel.

14. If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim, out August 7th

William Morrow

available at Amazon | $22.76

Shop Now

Haemi and her family flee to a refugee camp during the Korean War when she's just 16 years old. Every night she escapes the camp for a few hours with her friend Kyunghwan. As the two grow close, Kyungwhan's wealthy cousin, Jisoo, makes plans to marry Haemi. As the story progresses, Haemi reflects on the choice she made to marry Jisoo, considering the life she has and the life that could have been. Don't miss this complex, heartbreaking tale of how one decision can change everything.

15. No Mistakes: A Perfect Workbook for Imperfect Artists by Keiko Agena, out August 7th

TarcherPerigee

available at Amazon | $17.00

Shop Now

This is not your average journal. It's a workbook filled with writing prompts, activities, and exercises ranging from “Draw what change feels like” to “Describe the perfect funeral for a project you loved that ended.” If you're feeling stuck, uninspired, or in your head about your creative pursuits, Keiko Agena can help you rediscover your inner artist.

16. Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson, out August 7th

Flatiron Books

available at Amazon | $19.19

Shop Now

Professor Anders Larsen is a museum curator in Denmark. Tina Hopgod is the wife of a farmer in England over 700 miles away. When Tina writes a letter to her former professor who has since passed, Anders responds on his behalf. And thus begins their correspondence via snail mail. This sweet novel, which unfolds through a series of letters, is a short but spellbinding story of life and friendship.

17. The Drama Teacher by Koren Zailckas, out August 7th

Crown Publishing Group

available at Amazon | $27.00

Shop Now

I love a good unreliable narrator, which is exactly what Gracie is in The Drama Teacher. She's hiding a lot about who she is and where she's from. When she fibs her way into a job as a high school drama teacher to save her family's house from foreclosure, Gracie's lying ways get a bit out of hand. Koren Zailckas will keep you on your toes until the very last page.

18. Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins, out August 7th

Berkley Books

available at Amazon | $12.78

Shop Now

Emerson, Georgia, and Marley are best friends who met at a weight-loss camp when they were teens. When Emerson passes away, she leaves behind a final wish for her besties: face the fears they carried from their teen years into adulthood. Don't miss this emotional read about love, friendship, and self-acceptance.

19. The Reservoir Tapes by Jon McGregor, out August 7th

Catapult

available at Amazon | $22.00

Shop Now

When a teenager named Becky goes missing, everyone joins in on the search. The Reservoir Tapes is a collection of stories from those in her community about life before she disappeared, as told to an interviewer. If you read Jon McGregor's companion novel Reservoir 13, this will leave you with even more questions about Becky's disappearance.

Happy reading!

The post Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more appeared first on HelloGiggles.

[cowgirluli-blog]

Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more

Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more

Here we are in the dog days of summer. There are just a few weeks left for relaxing beach vacations, lazy pool days, and summer Fridays spent frolicking in the sun. If you haven't checked nearly enough things off your summer bucket list, now's the time to get on it. Or, if you'd rather just chill out in the air conditioning, you could always work on tackling your summer reading list. The books coming out this week are a great place to start.

This is a big week, because there are 19-yes, 19-books coming out this week that I highly recommend. In keeping with the theme of “summer's almost over, but there's still time,” there's a second wind of beach reads and summer romance novels on this list. So if you thought you'd read the best books that chick lit had to offer this summer, there's a whole crop of new titles to dive into. Or, if you're already looking to fall and craving a more atmospheric read, this is a big week for historical fiction, too.

Here are 19 books coming out this week that you don't want to miss.

1. The Third Hotel by Laura van den Berg, out August 7th

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

available at Amazon | $20

Shop Now

Clare, recently widowed and still grieving the loss of her husband, decides to attend a film festival in Havana that they bought tickets to. But once there, she spots him in front of museum, plain as day. Clare follows her husband around Havana, reflecting on their marriage, thinking about her childhood, and searching for answers. The more you read, the less you'll know what's real and what isn't.

2. Finding Yvonne by Brandy Colbert, out August 7th

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

available at Amazon | $17.99

Shop Now

Remember when you were a senior in high school and everyone kept asking, So, what do you want to do with your life? As if you were supposed to have all the answers at age 18? That's where Yvonne is. She's about to graduate from high school and she's questioning whether or not she's talented enough to pursue a career as a violist. Then, when she unexpectedly gets pregnant, her future becomes even less clear. Finding Yvonne is a moving read for anyone who's ever been unsure about what comes next. (So, all of us.)

3. The Bucket List by Georgia Clark, out August 7th

Atria/Emily Bestler Books

available at Amazon | $23.40

Shop Now

When Lacey is diagnosed with the BCRA1 gene mutation (a.k.a. the breast cancer gene), she makes a bucket list for her boobs. Yep, she writes down everything she wants to do with and for her boobs before the possibility of a preventative double mastectomy comes. The Bucket List is the sweet, sexy, and sex positive women's fiction book you need to read before summer is over.

4. The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis, out August 7th

Dutton

available at Amazon | $20.80

Shop Now

In 1928, Clara is a teacher at the Grand Central School of Art, a glamorous institution inside of Grand Central Terminal in New York City. In 1974, Virginia works in the once-glamorous terminal's information booth. When Virginia uncovers the lost art school from decades prior, she becomes determined to restore the building to the beauty it once was. The Masterpiece is a must-read for historians, art lovers, and New Yorkers alike.

5. Maeve in America: Essays by a Girl from Somewhere by Maeve Higgins, out August 7th

Penguin Books

available at Amazon | $16

Shop Now

Warning: Do not read Maeve Higgins' new collection of essays in public. You will laugh yourself silly and look like a complete lunatic. From the frustrating process of getting a visa to her hilariously less-than-perfect shopping trip to Rent the Runway, Maeve insightfully reflects on the experiences that have helped her find her place in America. This is Aesop's Fables for millennials.

6. Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon, out August 7th

Scribner

available at Scribner | $25.91

Shop Now

Florence and Elsie have been best friends since they were kids. Now, in their eighties, they live in the Cherry Tree home for the elderly. Florence often struggles with her memory, but Elsie always helps her remember. When a man shows up who looks like someone from her past-someone who died 60 years ago-Florence really starts digging. What a wonderful and entertaining feel good story. Read this one with your BFF.

7. Our House by Louise Candlish, out August 7th

Berkley Books

available at Amazon | $20.80

Shop Now

There's still time to get your fill of summer thrillers, and we suggest starting with Our House. When Fiona comes home to see strangers moving into her house, she assumes it's a mistake. But then, she realizes her estranged husband Bram and their sons aren't anywhere to be found. Needless to say, as Fiona tries to regain control of the situation, you're in for a roller coaster ride of twisted ups and downs.

8. Goodbye, Paris by Anstey Harris, out August 7th

Touchstone

available at Amazon | $24.99

Shop Now

Goodbye, Paris is a quirky, charming read about friendship and perseverance. After Grace, the owner of an instrument repair shop, is forced to end her long-distance love affair with David, she retreats into isolation and bows out of a cello-making competition. But with the help of a customer and her shop assistant, she puts the pieces back together and finds happiness again.

9. Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel, out August 7th

Inkshares

available at Amazon | $15.99

Shop Now

When Maxine's husband leaves her for his 22-year-old secretary, she decides to claim a new title: She's going to compete in the Mrs. American Pie pageant. But there's just one problem: She needs a family in order to win. Mr. & Mrs. American Pie is nonstop fun from start to finish. Oh, and Laura Dern is already adapting the book for TV. So yeah, you're going to want to read it now.

10. If They Come for Us by Fatimah Asghar, out August 7th

One World

available at Amazon | $16.00

Shop Now

Don't miss Fatimah Asghar's collection of poems about race, identity, family, and loss. It's a beautiful addition to any bookshelf.

11. Smothered by Autumn Chiklis, out August 7th

Wednesday Books

available at Amazon | $16.99

Shop Now

Lou had big plans for her post-grad life. After graduating from Columbia summa cum laude, she thought she'd be settling into a new job, apartment, and lifestyle. But instead, with no job and no prospects, she's moving back in with her parents. Through journal entries, texts, and emails-and even job applications and prescriptions-Lou takes readers along for the ride as she tries to figure out her next step (and figure out how to get her controlling mom from watching her every move). It's a quick, fun read that'll make you laugh out loud.

12. Hope Never Dies: An Obama/Biden Mystery by Andrew Shaffer, out August 7th

Quirk Books

available at Amazon | $9.44

Shop Now

Oh yes. This book is exactly what it looks like: a fictional mystery starring President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as they try to take action against America's opioid epidemic. If you miss 44 and his trusty sidekick, Hope Never Dies is the fanfiction you didn't know you needed. Honestly? I'd read a whole series about this bromance.

13. The Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting, out August 7th

Forever

available at Amazon | $14.19

Shop Now

Hello, hockey-themed romance novels. You are the genre I didn't know existed but now suddenly cannot live without. In The Good Luck Charm, Lilah's ex Ethan (who dumped her to focus on his budding hockey career) returns to try to win her back. When she realizes why he's keeping her so close, the hurt comes rushing back all over again. If you love rom-coms, don't miss this second chance romance novel.

14. If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim, out August 7th

William Morrow

available at Amazon | $22.76

Shop Now

Haemi and her family flee to a refugee camp during the Korean War when she's just 16 years old. Every night she escapes the camp for a few hours with her friend Kyunghwan. As the two grow close, Kyungwhan's wealthy cousin, Jisoo, makes plans to marry Haemi. As the story progresses, Haemi reflects on the choice she made to marry Jisoo, considering the life she has and the life that could have been. Don't miss this complex, heartbreaking tale of how one decision can change everything.

15. No Mistakes: A Perfect Workbook for Imperfect Artists by Keiko Agena, out August 7th

TarcherPerigee

available at Amazon | $17.00

Shop Now

This is not your average journal. It's a workbook filled with writing prompts, activities, and exercises ranging from “Draw what change feels like” to “Describe the perfect funeral for a project you loved that ended.” If you're feeling stuck, uninspired, or in your head about your creative pursuits, Keiko Agena can help you rediscover your inner artist.

16. Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson, out August 7th

Flatiron Books

available at Amazon | $19.19

Shop Now

Professor Anders Larsen is a museum curator in Denmark. Tina Hopgod is the wife of a farmer in England over 700 miles away. When Tina writes a letter to her former professor who has since passed, Anders responds on his behalf. And thus begins their correspondence via snail mail. This sweet novel, which unfolds through a series of letters, is a short but spellbinding story of life and friendship.

17. The Drama Teacher by Koren Zailckas, out August 7th

Crown Publishing Group

available at Amazon | $27.00

Shop Now

I love a good unreliable narrator, which is exactly what Gracie is in The Drama Teacher. She's hiding a lot about who she is and where she's from. When she fibs her way into a job as a high school drama teacher to save her family's house from foreclosure, Gracie's lying ways get a bit out of hand. Koren Zailckas will keep you on your toes until the very last page.

18. Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins, out August 7th

Berkley Books

available at Amazon | $12.78

Shop Now

Emerson, Georgia, and Marley are best friends who met at a weight-loss camp when they were teens. When Emerson passes away, she leaves behind a final wish for her besties: face the fears they carried from their teen years into adulthood. Don't miss this emotional read about love, friendship, and self-acceptance.

19. The Reservoir Tapes by Jon McGregor, out August 7th

Catapult

available at Amazon | $22.00

Shop Now

When a teenager named Becky goes missing, everyone joins in on the search. The Reservoir Tapes is a collection of stories from those in her community about life before she disappeared, as told to an interviewer. If you read Jon McGregor's companion novel Reservoir 13, this will leave you with even more questions about Becky's disappearance.

Happy reading!

The post Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more appeared first on HelloGiggles.

[ungracefulswan-blog]

Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more

Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more

Here we are in the dog days of summer. There are just a few weeks left for relaxing beach vacations, lazy pool days, and summer Fridays spent frolicking in the sun. If you haven't checked nearly enough things off your summer bucket list, now's the time to get on it. Or, if you'd rather just chill out in the air conditioning, you could always work on tackling your summer reading list. The books coming out this week are a great place to start.

This is a big week, because there are 19-yes, 19-books coming out this week that I highly recommend. In keeping with the theme of “summer's almost over, but there's still time,” there's a second wind of beach reads and summer romance novels on this list. So if you thought you'd read the best books that chick lit had to offer this summer, there's a whole crop of new titles to dive into. Or, if you're already looking to fall and craving a more atmospheric read, this is a big week for historical fiction, too.

Here are 19 books coming out this week that you don't want to miss.

1. The Third Hotel by Laura van den Berg, out August 7th

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

available at Amazon | $20

Shop Now

Clare, recently widowed and still grieving the loss of her husband, decides to attend a film festival in Havana that they bought tickets to. But once there, she spots him in front of museum, plain as day. Clare follows her husband around Havana, reflecting on their marriage, thinking about her childhood, and searching for answers. The more you read, the less you'll know what's real and what isn't.

2. Finding Yvonne by Brandy Colbert, out August 7th

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

available at Amazon | $17.99

Shop Now

Remember when you were a senior in high school and everyone kept asking, So, what do you want to do with your life? As if you were supposed to have all the answers at age 18? That's where Yvonne is. She's about to graduate from high school and she's questioning whether or not she's talented enough to pursue a career as a violist. Then, when she unexpectedly gets pregnant, her future becomes even less clear. Finding Yvonne is a moving read for anyone who's ever been unsure about what comes next. (So, all of us.)

3. The Bucket List by Georgia Clark, out August 7th

Atria/Emily Bestler Books

available at Amazon | $23.40

Shop Now

When Lacey is diagnosed with the BCRA1 gene mutation (a.k.a. the breast cancer gene), she makes a bucket list for her boobs. Yep, she writes down everything she wants to do with and for her boobs before the possibility of a preventative double mastectomy comes. The Bucket List is the sweet, sexy, and sex positive women's fiction book you need to read before summer is over.

4. The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis, out August 7th

Dutton

available at Amazon | $20.80

Shop Now

In 1928, Clara is a teacher at the Grand Central School of Art, a glamorous institution inside of Grand Central Terminal in New York City. In 1974, Virginia works in the once-glamorous terminal's information booth. When Virginia uncovers the lost art school from decades prior, she becomes determined to restore the building to the beauty it once was. The Masterpiece is a must-read for historians, art lovers, and New Yorkers alike.

5. Maeve in America: Essays by a Girl from Somewhere by Maeve Higgins, out August 7th

Penguin Books

available at Amazon | $16

Shop Now

Warning: Do not read Maeve Higgins' new collection of essays in public. You will laugh yourself silly and look like a complete lunatic. From the frustrating process of getting a visa to her hilariously less-than-perfect shopping trip to Rent the Runway, Maeve insightfully reflects on the experiences that have helped her find her place in America. This is Aesop's Fables for millennials.

6. Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon, out August 7th

Scribner

available at Scribner | $25.91

Shop Now

Florence and Elsie have been best friends since they were kids. Now, in their eighties, they live in the Cherry Tree home for the elderly. Florence often struggles with her memory, but Elsie always helps her remember. When a man shows up who looks like someone from her past-someone who died 60 years ago-Florence really starts digging. What a wonderful and entertaining feel good story. Read this one with your BFF.

7. Our House by Louise Candlish, out August 7th

Berkley Books

available at Amazon | $20.80

Shop Now

There's still time to get your fill of summer thrillers, and we suggest starting with Our House. When Fiona comes home to see strangers moving into her house, she assumes it's a mistake. But then, she realizes her estranged husband Bram and their sons aren't anywhere to be found. Needless to say, as Fiona tries to regain control of the situation, you're in for a roller coaster ride of twisted ups and downs.

8. Goodbye, Paris by Anstey Harris, out August 7th

Touchstone

available at Amazon | $24.99

Shop Now

Goodbye, Paris is a quirky, charming read about friendship and perseverance. After Grace, the owner of an instrument repair shop, is forced to end her long-distance love affair with David, she retreats into isolation and bows out of a cello-making competition. But with the help of a customer and her shop assistant, she puts the pieces back together and finds happiness again.

9. Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel, out August 7th

Inkshares

available at Amazon | $15.99

Shop Now

When Maxine's husband leaves her for his 22-year-old secretary, she decides to claim a new title: She's going to compete in the Mrs. American Pie pageant. But there's just one problem: She needs a family in order to win. Mr. & Mrs. American Pie is nonstop fun from start to finish. Oh, and Laura Dern is already adapting the book for TV. So yeah, you're going to want to read it now.

10. If They Come for Us by Fatimah Asghar, out August 7th

One World

available at Amazon | $16.00

Shop Now

Don't miss Fatimah Asghar's collection of poems about race, identity, family, and loss. It's a beautiful addition to any bookshelf.

11. Smothered by Autumn Chiklis, out August 7th

Wednesday Books

available at Amazon | $16.99

Shop Now

Lou had big plans for her post-grad life. After graduating from Columbia summa cum laude, she thought she'd be settling into a new job, apartment, and lifestyle. But instead, with no job and no prospects, she's moving back in with her parents. Through journal entries, texts, and emails-and even job applications and prescriptions-Lou takes readers along for the ride as she tries to figure out her next step (and figure out how to get her controlling mom from watching her every move). It's a quick, fun read that'll make you laugh out loud.

12. Hope Never Dies: An Obama/Biden Mystery by Andrew Shaffer, out August 7th

Quirk Books

available at Amazon | $9.44

Shop Now

Oh yes. This book is exactly what it looks like: a fictional mystery starring President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as they try to take action against America's opioid epidemic. If you miss 44 and his trusty sidekick, Hope Never Dies is the fanfiction you didn't know you needed. Honestly? I'd read a whole series about this bromance.

13. The Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting, out August 7th

Forever

available at Amazon | $14.19

Shop Now

Hello, hockey-themed romance novels. You are the genre I didn't know existed but now suddenly cannot live without. In The Good Luck Charm, Lilah's ex Ethan (who dumped her to focus on his budding hockey career) returns to try to win her back. When she realizes why he's keeping her so close, the hurt comes rushing back all over again. If you love rom-coms, don't miss this second chance romance novel.

14. If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim, out August 7th

William Morrow

available at Amazon | $22.76

Shop Now

Haemi and her family flee to a refugee camp during the Korean War when she's just 16 years old. Every night she escapes the camp for a few hours with her friend Kyunghwan. As the two grow close, Kyungwhan's wealthy cousin, Jisoo, makes plans to marry Haemi. As the story progresses, Haemi reflects on the choice she made to marry Jisoo, considering the life she has and the life that could have been. Don't miss this complex, heartbreaking tale of how one decision can change everything.

15. No Mistakes: A Perfect Workbook for Imperfect Artists by Keiko Agena, out August 7th

TarcherPerigee

available at Amazon | $17.00

Shop Now

This is not your average journal. It's a workbook filled with writing prompts, activities, and exercises ranging from “Draw what change feels like” to “Describe the perfect funeral for a project you loved that ended.” If you're feeling stuck, uninspired, or in your head about your creative pursuits, Keiko Agena can help you rediscover your inner artist.

16. Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson, out August 7th

Flatiron Books

available at Amazon | $19.19

Shop Now

Professor Anders Larsen is a museum curator in Denmark. Tina Hopgod is the wife of a farmer in England over 700 miles away. When Tina writes a letter to her former professor who has since passed, Anders responds on his behalf. And thus begins their correspondence via snail mail. This sweet novel, which unfolds through a series of letters, is a short but spellbinding story of life and friendship.

17. The Drama Teacher by Koren Zailckas, out August 7th

Crown Publishing Group

available at Amazon | $27.00

Shop Now

I love a good unreliable narrator, which is exactly what Gracie is in The Drama Teacher. She's hiding a lot about who she is and where she's from. When she fibs her way into a job as a high school drama teacher to save her family's house from foreclosure, Gracie's lying ways get a bit out of hand. Koren Zailckas will keep you on your toes until the very last page.

18. Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins, out August 7th

Berkley Books

available at Amazon | $12.78

Shop Now

Emerson, Georgia, and Marley are best friends who met at a weight-loss camp when they were teens. When Emerson passes away, she leaves behind a final wish for her besties: face the fears they carried from their teen years into adulthood. Don't miss this emotional read about love, friendship, and self-acceptance.

19. The Reservoir Tapes by Jon McGregor, out August 7th

Catapult

available at Amazon | $22.00

Shop Now

When a teenager named Becky goes missing, everyone joins in on the search. The Reservoir Tapes is a collection of stories from those in her community about life before she disappeared, as told to an interviewer. If you read Jon McGregor's companion novel Reservoir 13, this will leave you with even more questions about Becky's disappearance.

Happy reading!

The post Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more appeared first on HelloGiggles.

[gayyogurt-blog]

Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more

Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more

The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more" src="https://images.hellogiggles.com/uploads/2018/08/06161318/picture-of-books-coming-out-this-week-the-third-hotel-finding-yvonne-books-photo.jpg" width="1024" height="626"/>

Here we are in the dog days of summer. There are just a few weeks left for relaxing beach vacations, lazy pool days, and summer Fridays spent frolicking in the sun. If you haven't checked nearly enough things off your summer bucket list, now's the time to get on it. Or, if you'd rather just chill out in the air conditioning, you could always work on tackling your summer reading list. The books coming out this week are a great place to start.

This is a big week, because there are 19-yes, 19-books coming out this week that I highly recommend. In keeping with the theme of “summer's almost over, but there's still time,” there's a second wind of beach reads and summer romance novels on this list. So if you thought you'd read the best books that chick lit had to offer this summer, there's a whole crop of new titles to dive into. Or, if you're already looking to fall and craving a more atmospheric read, this is a big week for historical fiction, too.

Here are 19 books coming out this week that you don't want to miss.

1. The Third Hotel by Laura van den Berg, out August 7th

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

available at Amazon | $20

Shop Now

Clare, recently widowed and still grieving the loss of her husband, decides to attend a film festival in Havana that they bought tickets to. But once there, she spots him in front of museum, plain as day. Clare follows her husband around Havana, reflecting on their marriage, thinking about her childhood, and searching for answers. The more you read, the less you'll know what's real and what isn't.

2. Finding Yvonne by Brandy Colbert, out August 7th

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

available at Amazon | $17.99

Shop Now

Remember when you were a senior in high school and everyone kept asking, So, what do you want to do with your life? As if you were supposed to have all the answers at age 18? That's where Yvonne is. She's about to graduate from high school and she's questioning whether or not she's talented enough to pursue a career as a violist. Then, when she unexpectedly gets pregnant, her future becomes even less clear. Finding Yvonne is a moving read for anyone who's ever been unsure about what comes next. (So, all of us.)

3. The Bucket List by Georgia Clark, out August 7th

Atria/Emily Bestler Books

available at Amazon | $23.40

Shop Now

When Lacey is diagnosed with the BCRA1 gene mutation (a.k.a. the breast cancer gene), she makes a bucket list for her boobs. Yep, she writes down everything she wants to do with and for her boobs before the possibility of a preventative double mastectomy comes. The Bucket List is the sweet, sexy, and sex positive women's fiction book you need to read before summer is over.

4. The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis, out August 7th

Dutton

available at Amazon | $20.80

Shop Now

In 1928, Clara is a teacher at the Grand Central School of Art, a glamorous institution inside of Grand Central Terminal in New York City. In 1974, Virginia works in the once-glamorous terminal's information booth. When Virginia uncovers the lost art school from decades prior, she becomes determined to restore the building to the beauty it once was. The Masterpiece is a must-read for historians, art lovers, and New Yorkers alike.

5. Maeve in America: Essays by a Girl from Somewhere by Maeve Higgins, out August 7th

Penguin Books

available at Amazon | $16

Shop Now

Warning: Do not read Maeve Higgins' new collection of essays in public. You will laugh yourself silly and look like a complete lunatic. From the frustrating process of getting a visa to her hilariously less-than-perfect shopping trip to Rent the Runway, Maeve insightfully reflects on the experiences that have helped her find her place in America. This is Aesop's Fables for millennials.

6. Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon, out August 7th

Scribner

available at Scribner | $25.91

Shop Now

Florence and Elsie have been best friends since they were kids. Now, in their eighties, they live in the Cherry Tree home for the elderly. Florence often struggles with her memory, but Elsie always helps her remember. When a man shows up who looks like someone from her past-someone who died 60 years ago-Florence really starts digging. What a wonderful and entertaining feel good story. Read this one with your BFF.

7. Our House by Louise Candlish, out August 7th

Berkley Books

available at Amazon | $20.80

Shop Now

There's still time to get your fill of summer thrillers, and we suggest starting with Our House. When Fiona comes home to see strangers moving into her house, she assumes it's a mistake. But then, she realizes her estranged husband Bram and their sons aren't anywhere to be found. Needless to say, as Fiona tries to regain control of the situation, you're in for a roller coaster ride of twisted ups and downs.

8. Goodbye, Paris by Anstey Harris, out August 7th

Touchstone

available at Amazon | $24.99

Shop Now

Goodbye, Paris is a quirky, charming read about friendship and perseverance. After Grace, the owner of an instrument repair shop, is forced to end her long-distance love affair with David, she retreats into isolation and bows out of a cello-making competition. But with the help of a customer and her shop assistant, she puts the pieces back together and finds happiness again.

9. Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel, out August 7th

Inkshares

available at Amazon | $15.99

Shop Now

When Maxine's husband leaves her for his 22-year-old secretary, she decides to claim a new title: She's going to compete in the Mrs. American Pie pageant. But there's just one problem: She needs a family in order to win. Mr. & Mrs. American Pie is nonstop fun from start to finish. Oh, and Laura Dern is already adapting the book for TV. So yeah, you're going to want to read it now.

10. If They Come for Us by Fatimah Asghar, out August 7th

One World

available at Amazon | $16.00

Shop Now

Don't miss Fatimah Asghar's collection of poems about race, identity, family, and loss. It's a beautiful addition to any bookshelf.

11. Smothered by Autumn Chiklis, out August 7th

Wednesday Books

available at Amazon | $16.99

Shop Now

Lou had big plans for her post-grad life. After graduating from Columbia summa cum laude, she thought she'd be settling into a new job, apartment, and lifestyle. But instead, with no job and no prospects, she's moving back in with her parents. Through journal entries, texts, and emails-and even job applications and prescriptions-Lou takes readers along for the ride as she tries to figure out her next step (and figure out how to get her controlling mom from watching her every move). It's a quick, fun read that'll make you laugh out loud.

12. Hope Never Dies: An Obama/Biden Mystery by Andrew Shaffer, out August 7th

Quirk Books

available at Amazon | $9.44

Shop Now

Oh yes. This book is exactly what it looks like: a fictional mystery starring President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as they try to take action against America's opioid epidemic. If you miss 44 and his trusty sidekick, Hope Never Dies is the fanfiction you didn't know you needed. Honestly? I'd read a whole series about this bromance.

13. The Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting, out August 7th

Forever

available at Amazon | $14.19

Shop Now

Hello, hockey-themed romance novels. You are the genre I didn't know existed but now suddenly cannot live without. In The Good Luck Charm, Lilah's ex Ethan (who dumped her to focus on his budding hockey career) returns to try to win her back. When she realizes why he's keeping her so close, the hurt comes rushing back all over again. If you love rom-coms, don't miss this second chance romance novel.

14. If You Leave Me by Crystal Hana Kim, out August 7th

William Morrow

available at Amazon | $22.76

Shop Now

Haemi and her family flee to a refugee camp during the Korean War when she's just 16 years old. Every night she escapes the camp for a few hours with her friend Kyunghwan. As the two grow close, Kyungwhan's wealthy cousin, Jisoo, makes plans to marry Haemi. As the story progresses, Haemi reflects on the choice she made to marry Jisoo, considering the life she has and the life that could have been. Don't miss this complex, heartbreaking tale of how one decision can change everything.

15. No Mistakes: A Perfect Workbook for Imperfect Artists by Keiko Agena, out August 7th

TarcherPerigee

available at Amazon | $17.00

Shop Now

This is not your average journal. It's a workbook filled with writing prompts, activities, and exercises ranging from “Draw what change feels like” to “Describe the perfect funeral for a project you loved that ended.” If you're feeling stuck, uninspired, or in your head about your creative pursuits, Keiko Agena can help you rediscover your inner artist.

16. Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson, out August 7th

Flatiron Books

available at Amazon | $19.19

Shop Now

Professor Anders Larsen is a museum curator in Denmark. Tina Hopgod is the wife of a farmer in England over 700 miles away. When Tina writes a letter to her former professor who has since passed, Anders responds on his behalf. And thus begins their correspondence via snail mail. This sweet novel, which unfolds through a series of letters, is a short but spellbinding story of life and friendship.

17. The Drama Teacher by Koren Zailckas, out August 7th

Crown Publishing Group

available at Amazon | $27.00

Shop Now

I love a good unreliable narrator, which is exactly what Gracie is in The Drama Teacher. She's hiding a lot about who she is and where she's from. When she fibs her way into a job as a high school drama teacher to save her family's house from foreclosure, Gracie's lying ways get a bit out of hand. Koren Zailckas will keep you on your toes until the very last page.

18. Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins, out August 7th

Berkley Books

available at Amazon | $12.78

Shop Now

Emerson, Georgia, and Marley are best friends who met at a weight-loss camp when they were teens. When Emerson passes away, she leaves behind a final wish for her besties: face the fears they carried from their teen years into adulthood. Don't miss this emotional read about love, friendship, and self-acceptance.

19. The Reservoir Tapes by Jon McGregor, out August 7th

Catapult

available at Amazon | $22.00

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When a teenager named Becky goes missing, everyone joins in on the search. The Reservoir Tapes is a collection of stories from those in her community about life before she disappeared, as told to an interviewer. If you read Jon McGregor's companion novel Reservoir 13, this will leave you with even more questions about Becky's disappearance.

Happy reading!

The post Books coming out this week: The Third Hotel, Finding Yvonne, and more appeared first on HelloGiggles.

[ethanalter]

The Breakout Stars of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Part of the fun of attending the Sundance Film Festival each year isn’t just discovering great movies — it’s also becoming acquainted with terrific new actors. And the festival’s 2017 edition offered a wealth of emerging talent, from young performers making their cinematic debuts (Ashleigh Murray and Chanté Adams) to TV stars crossing over into features (Jessica Williams and Kumail Nanjiani) to a veteran character actress (Lois Smith) proving that you’re never too old to be a Sundance superstar. Here are the 10 breakout Sundance performances you can expect to hear about all year.

Chante Adams, ‘Roxanne Roxanne’

At the Sundance premiere of her biopic, hip-hop pioneer Roxanne Shanté said it was “a sign” that the ingénue Adams not only bares a striking resemblance to Shanté but also shares her name. The first-time film star doesn’t disappoint the cosmos: Adams exudes both relatability and braggadocio, and nails the rapper’s old-school cadence. (Photo: Sundance Institute)

Source: Yahoo Movies

Timothée Chalamet, ‘Call Me By Your Name’

The young ‘Interstellar’ actor earned some of the fest’s biggest notice as a 17-year-old who falls for an older guest (Armie Hammer) at his parents’ Italian Riviera mansion in the highly acclaimed romance from Luca Guadagnino. Timothée Chalamet could even be a name we’re hearing called next awards season.(Photo: Sundance Institute)

Source: Yahoo Movies

Menashe Lustig, ‘Menashe’

As a member of New York’s ultra-strict Hasidic community, Lustig had never acted in a movie — or even seen one in a theater — before agreeing to star in this lightly fictionalized account of his own life as a widower whose son is being raised by relatives. Fortunately, his natural exuberance and good humor (which can also be glimpsed in the viral videos he has made over the years) makes him an ideal guide to a closed-off culture. (Photo: Sundance Institute)

Source: Yahoo Movies

Danielle Macdonald, ‘Patti Cake$’

You’ve seen triumph of the underdog movies like ‘Patti Cake$’ before — think ‘Rocky’ by way of ‘8 Mile’ — but you haven’t seen them with an underdog like Danielle Macdonald. As the eponymous would-be rap queen, coming at ya from Dirty Jersey, the Australian actress spits mad flow and hits dramatic highs that inspires much fist-pumping from the crowd. ‘PB&J’ will be your favorite summer jam, guaranteed. (Photo: Sundance Institute)

Source: Yahoo Movies

Kyle Mooney, ‘Brigsby Bear’

Already one of the breakout current cast members on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ Mooney brings the full force of his eccentric comedy stylings to bear in the debut feature from comedy troupe Good Neighbor, whose ranks include ‘Brigsby’ director Dave McCary and co-star Beck Bennett. Playing a childhood kidnapping victim recently re-released into the world as an adult, Mooney finds both the heart and humor in his character’s strange psychosis. (Photo: Sundance Institute)

Source: Yahoo Movies

Ashleigh Murray, ‘Deidra & Laney Rob a Train’

The same week that she made her debut as the new Josie — of Josie and the Pussycats fame — on The CW’s ‘Archie’ revamp, ‘Riverdale,’ Murray took Sundance by storm in Sydney Freeland’s rambunctious high school comedy about a pair of sisters who turn to crime to settle their mounting bills. Her spunky, but not saccharine, presence is reminiscent of classic ’70s kid heroines like Tatum O’Neal and Kim Richards. (Photo: Sundance Institute)

Source: Yahoo Movies

Kumail Nanjiani, ‘The Big Sick’

Just as ‘Trainwreck’ helped launch Amy Schumer into the cinematic stratosphere, the same should happen for the comic/’Silicon Valley’ star with this rom-com he co-wrote with wife Emily V. Gordon. It’s a sharply funny yet touching story of an interracial/interfaith relationship, and Nanjiani is its heart and soul. (Photo: Sundance Institute)

Source: Yahoo Movies

Lois Smith, ‘Marjorie Prime’

With a career that stretches back to the days of live television and includes celebrated collaborations with directors like Elia Kazan and Bob Rafelson, Smith is no overnight superstar. But the 86-year-old actress still stunned in her first Sundance star turn, reprising a role she originated onstage as an elderly woman living with the holographic reflection of her late husband. (Photo: Sundance Institute)

Source: Yahoo Movies

Keith Stanfield, ‘Crown Heights’

The ‘Atlanta’ costar makes the most of his first starring film role, bringing authenticity, gravitas, and a convincing Trinidadian drawl to Colin Warner, the real-life Brooklyn who spent 20 years in prison after being wrongfully accused of murder. ‘Crown Heights’ won Sundance’s Audience Award. (Photo: Sundance Institute)

Source: Yahoo Movies

Jessica Williams, ‘The Incredible Jessica James’

Williams left her regular gig as a ‘Daily Show’ correspondent for this indie — and it’s doubtful she has any regrets after the reaction at Sundance. The comedian drew raves for her crackling, hilarious performance as a heartbroken playwright on the rebound. Consider The Incredible Jessica Williams a movie star now. (Photo: Sundance Institute)

Source: Yahoo Movies

[vilinkdesign]

17 Netflix Original Movies Perfect For Your Next Date Night

With all the articles out there about exciting, unusual, and unconventional date ideas, the idea of sitting on a couch and watching a movie might seem... quaint. Yet what might feel dull and overdone is not to be ignored; after all, Netflix and chill nights are classics for a reason. Sometimes you just want to close out the rest of the world and spend a quiet night in with the one you love, and enjoy sone on-screen entertainment together. And if that's the case for you, you're in luck, because, here are 17 movies on Netflix perfect for your next date night.

This list includes plenty of romance, romantic comedies, romantic thrillers, and romantic dramas — after all, why not take advantage of the human brain's hardwiring for mimicry and use movies scenes as excellent examples for your and your boo to follow? There's also a smattering of the various types of love beyond romantic — the bromance and buddying up of Pee-Wee's Big Holiday, the love of a girl for her pet and bestie that pushes her to get her back at all costs in Okja, and a dad trying to win back the affection of his daughter with his newly-acquired super powers in Psychokinesis. As these films show, love is indeed a many-splendored thing.

1'Tramps'

Netflix on YouTube

A screw-up during a shady deal (who thought there'd be two green bags?!) leads to a tense two-day meet-cute as hustler Danny and driver Ellie weave through New York City trying to fix their mistake.

2'Our Souls At Night'

Netflix on YouTube

Superstars Robert Redford and Jane Fonda reunite in this charming tale of late love, a rare film acknowledging the loneliness of older age (and if you're into this, check out The African Queen for an earlier, similar superstar pairing of Bogie and Hepburn).

3'Okja'

Netflix on YouTube

A different sort of love shines through this gonzo action thriller as a young girl goes through hell, high water, and a well-meaning guerilla animal rights squad to get back her beloved, genetically engineered superpig.

4'Catching Feelings'

LRM Online on YouTube

A film grappling with tough issues like institutional racism, infidelity, oppression, and what happens when two people have different visions of the future sounds like a grim watch for a cozy night in, but the film's levied with humor, warm relationships, and interesting discussion that balance it out for a great watch.

5'The Discovery'

Netflix on YouTube

A doctor discovers definitive proof of an afterlife; millions commit suicide to "get there" faster. But where exactly are they headed, and how does it differ from life on Earth? A man and woman try to figure it out while coming to terms with their own trauma in this high-concept mystery that'll appeal to Black Mirror fans.

6'Blockbuster'

Trailers FR on YouTube

When a video he made to cheer his sick dad mocking his superhero obsessed girlfriend goes viral, Jeremy hatches a plan to get her back... also by making a video, about superheroes.

7'Pee-Wee's Big Holiday'

Netflix on YouTube

Fraternal love is just as important, and the oddball delight of Pee-Wee's Big Holidayembraces it fully. Be weird, be yourself, and make some friends along the way, especially if they're hunky Joe Manganiello.

8'I Am Not An Easy Man'

Netflix on YouTube

An unabashed chauvinist wakes up in a gender-flipped world, where men have always been oppressed and women aren't moving that fast to change things. He meets his match in a famous author (ah, fantasy films) who's also a chauvinist, but the sparks are real.

9'Psychokinesis'

K4W on YouTube

When a doofus dad suddenly finds himself with telekinetic superpowers, everything he wants is within reach, but his estranged daughter still remains distant. Hoping to use his newfound powers to win her back and help her life, he might end up causing more trouble than good.

10'Two Lovers And A Bear'

Movieclips Trailers on YouTube

Two broken people find love in one of the harshest, remotest regions in the world, but their small happiness breaks up when Lucy's past comes back to haunt her. The magical realism of this story increases as it goes, as Roman communicates with nature to try and hold on to what they have.

11'Set It Up'

Netflix on YouTube

Two lowly assistants being driven insane by their bosses' demands hatch a plan — get them to fall in love, or at least have enough sex that the two of them can get a moment's rest.

12'Lust Stories'

Netflix on YouTube

Four internationally acclaimed directors share tales of realistic romance and love bound by everyday woes in this earnest anthology.

13'To Each Her Own'

Simone's life is difficult enough trying to tell her conservative Jewish family she's a lesbian, and that's before falling for a Sengalese chef, a guy, she meets at a party.

14'Happy Anniversary'

Netflix on YouTube

If there's a Big Conversation you've been hoping to have (or avoid), this might be the film for you (or not). Trying to figure out whether they should break up or salvage their three-year relationship, a couple looks back on what brought them together.

15'Ali's Wedding'

Madman Films on YouTube

"A lie begins in the soul, then travels the world," says the protagonist of this Muslim rom-com. Promised to a girl at his father's mosque and expected to be a great doctor, Ali lies about his grades to avoid disappointing his dad, and things spiral out of control from there.

16'Ibiza'

Netflix on YouTube

A work trip turns into a raging bender when an overly responsible corporate employee brings along her two freelance friends to the drunken orgy of Ibiza.

17'When We First Met'

Netflix on YouTube

A classic rom-com premise of a guy asking "what if" about the One Who Got Away, but this time a) she's happily engaged (not that that's ever stopped a rom-com before) and b) there's a magic time-traveling photo booth involved to actually test the waters.

That's 17 (wildly) different ways to say I Love You, each perfect for an easy hang with the one you care about.