Dani Bowers

Watched “Great Unknown” with high hopes and noise-canceling headphones—just in case. Timothée Chalamet delivers a fantastic performance as always. He broods, he stares into the distance meaningfully, he acts with a capital A. Now, let’s talk about the singing. Or rather, let’s not. I skipped every musical number he sang because listening to Bob Dylan sing is like someone slow-dancing with a lawnmower on a chalkboard. I get that it’s “iconic,” but so is the sound of a fax machine—and we don’t make movies about that. Hate me if you want, Bob Dylan may have been a good story teller but he doesn’t have a good singing voice. Or Had—- I don’t even know if Bob Dylan is still alive 😂 That said, the film itself was solid. Visually striking, well-paced, and emotionally rich. Just next time, maybe let Chalamet hum gently or play the kazoo instead. Would recommend earplugs or a fast-forward button.

I got a hold of a copy of the book- no way in hell I would give this family a cent of my hard earned money! I listened to the book on 2.5x on speechify to get thru it fast. Listening to Melania’s BUUUK was like walking through a museum where every exhibit was labeled “Me” but offered little insight beyond the surface. The book promises to dive deep into the life of one of the most private First Ladies, but instead, we get a glossy, shallow portrait filled with vague reflections and carefully curated anecdotes. Melania tells us about her upbringing in Slovenia, her modeling career, and her time in the White House, but with a tone that feels distant and robotic. For instance, she shares moments like, “Growing up, I always knew I was destined for something more,” but never elaborates beyond that. Much of the book reads like an extended Instagram caption, full of inspirational platitudes but devoid of actual substance. At one point, she writes, “I believe in hard work and being true to yourself,” which could have been a powerful statement if it weren’t one of the many generic declarations that pepper the entire book. These sentiments feel recycled, as if she’s trying to remind us she’s her own person without offering any real glimpse of who that person is. I don’t know if anyone has run this thru a plagiarism checker but with her poor English ability I don’t see how she could have written this BUUUK. The “BUUUK” also spends an inordinate amount of time on her fashion choices and public appearances, rather than offering any real reflection on her time in the White House or her personal values. One chapter is dedicated to her Be Best initiative, but the details are sparse, and we’re left wondering what it actually accomplished, beyond the perfectly staged photo ops. If you’re looking for an honest, revealing memoir, you won’t find it here. Melania feels more like a carefully managed PR campaign than an actual autobiography. If you want to know more about the life of a First Lady who’s mastered the art of saying a lot without saying anything at all, this book is for you. But for those seeking depth, substance, or even a bit of emotion, you’ll find it about as elusive as a genuine smile in one of her public appearances.