I should be somewhat ashamed to say that the first book I read in 2019 is The Couple Next Door by Shri Lapena. It is a plot driven page turner / thriller focusing on the unraveling of a kidnapping. Although often compare to them, it does not in the same category of quality as Gone Girl or The Girl on The Train. There is very little character development, and what there is does not seem real or particularly well crafted. Because of this, the various twists just come out of nowhere, with some being guessed at from miles a why from first principles.
Still, I read it.
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Review: The Favorite
The Favorite was the first movie I saw in 2019. I'd heard good things about it, particularly the strong performances by Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz. Plus, hearing that Colman will be portraying Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown made this a must see.
Aspects of the film remind me Hillary Mantel's depiction of Thomas Cromwell. Not the subject matter, but the idea of transposing modern language and thought onto the past. There is apparently much truth to the portrayal.
I just listened to the Slate Spoiler Special and must disagree with the Dana Stevens. I thought the movie was outstanding, and that the overly stylized directorial flourishes were both fitting and sort of the point. Plus, the dance sequence was great! I wish the spoiler special podcast had on an expert in Queen Anne and the 17th century English sexual and court politics.
The performances, the characters, the satire, and the ducks make this a highly recommended movie!
Aspects of the film remind me Hillary Mantel's depiction of Thomas Cromwell. Not the subject matter, but the idea of transposing modern language and thought onto the past. There is apparently much truth to the portrayal.
I just listened to the Slate Spoiler Special and must disagree with the Dana Stevens. I thought the movie was outstanding, and that the overly stylized directorial flourishes were both fitting and sort of the point. Plus, the dance sequence was great! I wish the spoiler special podcast had on an expert in Queen Anne and the 17th century English sexual and court politics.
The performances, the characters, the satire, and the ducks make this a highly recommended movie!
The last book I read in 2018
The last book I read in 2018 was The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell by Mark Kurlansky. It was a quick and enjoyable read, perfect for a holiday or other vacation. It especially hit my interests of history, New York City, and, of course oysters. The focus on oysters, and the surrounding ocean more generally, is a great hook into pre-20th century New York City geography and culture.
A draft genome of the Pacific Oyster was published in 2012, with analysis showing an expansion of heat shock proteins (HSP) and cytochromes.
A draft genome of the Pacific Oyster was published in 2012, with analysis showing an expansion of heat shock proteins (HSP) and cytochromes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
