S Booker – Google

Excessively Long and Overhyped: I really wanted to like this book enough to rate it higher than a 2. I had heard really good things about it and decided I wanted to experience it for myself. Nevertheless, I left with the feeling of being underwhelmed and bored and felt I fell into a sinkhole of having higher expectations just to be let down. Now, in all fairness, I do want to mention that I listened to this novel via audiobook. The novel was the unabridged version read by Kathleen Early and with the short story 'Blonde Hair, Blue Eyes' included, the novel clocks in around approximately 20 hours. Perhaps the book version flows better as the audiobook really just dragged on for me. It just felt like the story never quite moved forward at an exciting pace. If I had the book version, I probably would've skipped a lot of the repetitive dialogue and mundane happenings. There was a lot of the same rumination of mindset throughout the entire book. It was very difficult to sit there and listen to it chapter after chapter. The plot twist was pretty predictable, but what made it even worse was that it was revealed pretty early on in the novel leaving the reader to have to sit through the brutal details of kidnappings and murder for the rest of the book as if to say "Hey, murder is bad and here's how bad it can get. Why don't you waddle in this for a while dear reader?" Honestly, I feel like a third of this novel could have been left out altogether not so much due to content, but more so due to lack of elevation in what should have supported a thriller/suspense genre. There were times when I felt like the dialogue was a little too "preachy" (If I can use that as word here) and also at times it was telling the reader how to feel instead of allowing the reader to determine how they feel on their own by just telling the story. Concerning the characters, all of the characters became increasingly annoying very early on. I had high hopes for the sister Lydia when she was introduced, but as it turned out she just ended up being the most annoying character for me the more I listened to her dialogue. I was expecting her to have an "in your face" reveal or dynamic arc in the story, but she just kind of landed flat. Also, I have to mention the number of times someone called Claire's name was overdone almost as if there was a word quota that had to be met. It is possible that if this novel is ever adapted into a movie that it may play out better on screen in which much of the dialogue can be left out. A movie may also switch up the plot twist better in order to make it a more suspenseful whodunit. Tip: If you do decide to listen to the audiobook, I would personally recommend listening to the short story ''Blonde Hair, Blue Eyes' first, and then back track to the beginning of the novel as the short story will help with the timeline of the novel.

Geez, I really wanted to like this one a bit more than I actually did. I'm always intrigued to come across stories that are teased to be about the mysteries of life in the beyond of space and the interactions between aliens and humankind. So, when I came across "Vast of Night" (VON)on Amazon Prime and read some of the reviews and ratings, I had high hopes. After viewing the film, I must admit I was a touch disappointed. "Vast of Night" takes some inspiration from films such as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (CEOTTK) and "Fire in the Sky" (FITS), both films on which I grew up on in my childhood and teen years respectively. However, VON, didn't carry nearly as much of a punch or intensity as either film CEOTTK or FITS. VON had some chilling scenes at times, it just doesn't take you there all the way as some of its obvious predecessors. I did enjoy the fact that VON does live up to its film title in that the entire film is hidden behind the landscape of darkness and haze making it difficult to see at times, but that's to be expected, of course hinting at the title. I can live with that cinematic measure. I also enjoyed the storytelling by the mystery voice of "Billy" and the wonderful storytelling of "Mabel Blanche" played by Gail Cronauer. Mabel's storytelling draws you in to want to know more in its own mysterious and chilling way in that it's clear and concise in a cool, chronological fashion not going off of the beaten path leaving the viewer to wonder what happened versus what the character sees factually happening. I've always admired great storytellers like the old lady in "Titanic" that can tell a story in chronological order and keep it interesting and factual at the same time. It did bother me a bit, though, some of the explanations from Mabel or her thoughts that the aliens were responsible for creating human conflicts and troubles with alcoholism and so forth. This theory leaves no accountability for mankind to take responsibility for its own part in human issues and choices. I didn't care for that theory so outside of Mabel saying it, I have to disregard her theory and stick to there really isn't a clear reason presented as to why the aliens are sticking around other than "They just like it here." I thought the two main characters Fay and Everett (Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz, respectively) were strong performances. Sierra really portrayed a young, but curious teen and I think many can relate to that level of curiosity at that age. In a nutshell, I would say "The Vast of Night" is a watchable movie, but maybe go in not expecting too much in that you may have more questions after the film than answers.

I usually enjoy films with John Cena. Both the first and second"Vacation Friends" were funny and heartwarming in my opinion. But I felt a little let down with "Ricky Stanicky". None of the characters had any chemistry. Not the buddy friendships and definitely none of the couples. Zero chemistry all around. The saving element, for me, was William H. Macy! It's always good to see his light-hearted side.

Quinta Brunson brought me here. I had never heard of this film before, but she mentioned it on Trevor Noah's "What Now?" podcast the other week. Naturally I was intrigued to check this film out without researching anything about it first. After viewing it, it's definitely one of those films I can put into the category of saw it once, but don't really need to see it again. I get the facetious humor around serious subject matter and the acting faired well overall. I think the problem, for me, is the missing chemistry between the female relationships both platonic and non-platonic. The best part was the dynamic between PJ and Josie played by Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri respectively. And, of course, it's always good seeing Marshawn Lynch.

Devastatingly brilliant! Yes, this was a satire, but the comedic spin on a highly somber message made accepting the reality of the situation much easier to swallow even if we don't necessarily deserve that. And to be quite honest, if such the situation were to actually arise in real life, real time I am certain human action, inaction, and reaction would play out very closely as it did in the film. This is scary and sobering to think about. I loved the mirror being put up in our faces. Well done! Also, stay tuned after the credits end.