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Janice21383
Vancouver Public Library
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The World of Charles and Ray Eames, Book

Book - 2016
Janice21383's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Jul 13, 2019

Die Hard, DVD

DVD - 2007
Janice21383's rating:
3.5 out of 5 stars
Added Jul 05, 2019

Comment:

Die Hard has gained near-legendary status, but one upon a time, it was a new film, which I saw in the theatre. I remember thinking "that was fun, but ridiculous." At that time, people were used to more realistic cop/action movies, along the lines of The French Connection. Films like Rambo and Die Hard promoted the first-person shooter style and indestructible hero*, long before they existed in video games. I also remember disliking Bruce Willis's "cowboy" John McLane (whom we're supposed to love), but in no way is he as unpleasant as he is in the next film in the series. And he's more than balanced by Alan Rickman's sublime villain Hans Gruber -- apparently he wrote most of his own part. And the film has other things going for it: a tight "bottle" story, exciting action, and quotable dialogue. Overall, I recommend it, and only wish the following films were as good. *Yes, I know he cut his feet. They didn't bother him long, or in any important way. See attached video.

Video: Die Quickly

Sure, Die Hard is entertaining, but unconnected to reality. A doctor analyzes the action and the toll it would take on a real life John McLane.

Pacific Rim, DVDUprising

DVD - 2018
Janice21383's rating:
2 out of 5 stars
Added Jun 27, 2019

Comment:

Warning: this is NOT the original Pacific Rim, but a sequel -- and creators Travis Beacham and Guillermo del Toro had little or no involvement in it. Some of the characters from the first film reappear, and it's not exactly a bad film, just generic and predictable. Comparing Pacific Rim to Uprising would be an interesting film student exercise in examining the difference between an exciting first film and a disappointing sequel.

Neurotribes, BookThe Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity

by Silberman, Steve
Book - 2015
Janice21383's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Jun 07, 2019

Comment:

An engaging series of stories about autism: what it is, how it was treated in the past and at present, and its possible futures. To me, the best -- or at least the one that I needed to read the most -- is the story of Leo and his concerned parents, who are slowly lead down the path of gluten elimination, anti-vaccination, mommy blogging and mega vitamins, to the point they scrimped on measures that could actually help their son (speech and physical therapy) to pay their many medical quacks. They only draw back from chelation therapy when their own intelligence and advice from a concerned doctor grandfather kick in. It is easy to caricature such parents, but Steve Silberman writes with wisdom and compassion.

Trigger Warning, Large Print

by Johnstone, William W.
Large Print - 2018
Janice21383's rating:
1.5 out of 5 stars
Added May 26, 2019

Comment:

Unintentionally hilarious story of terrorism and manly manhood on campus, probably written by someone who is very old and who may not have gone to college. Trigger Warning is only available in a Large Print version at VPL, a fact I find telling. Drink! at Audie Murphy references.

Video: TW: political correctness won't save you!

Jenny Nicholson breaks down the William W. Johnstone's action story with a message. Can the filmed version, produced by Pureflix, be far behind?

Talking to Heaven, DVDA True Story

DVD - 2006
Janice21383's rating:
1.5 out of 5 stars
Added May 14, 2019

Comment:

The only reason this movie gets any stars at all is because of the number of down-on-their-luck celebrities taking roles in it. If Talking to Heaven is indeed "based on a true story" about James van Praagh, instead of the usual entertainment ghost nonsense, here is his own true story. Van Praagh is a cold reader who relies on guesses and film editing to promote the idea that he is a psychic. (Scroll down to item 2, to see him embarrass himself on live TV. https://www.cracked.com/article_20566_the-6-most-humiliating-public-failures-by-celebrity-psychics.html) If anyone is interested in the real man, shorn of stars, Hollywood glamour, and credibility, I have attached a video with a longer example of his skills.

Video: James Van Praage in action

Will he pass this skeptic's test? Short answer: no.

Oscar and Lucinda, DVD

DVD - 2004
Janice21383's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added May 11, 2019

Comment:

An adaptation of Australian author Peter Carey's award-winning novel. If you liked the book, you'll like the movie. If you haven't read the book, it's a comedy/drama with a fantasy spin, NOT a straight-faced period piece. Stellar character work from Cate Blanchett, Tom Wilkinson, and Ralph Fiennes (in an unusual humourous role), and direction from Gillian Armstrong, of a scattered and uneven story.

Video: Oscar & Lucinda trailer

This trailer is a fair representation of what the movie is like, although it does take a serious turn towards the end.

Inside the Atheist Mind, BookUnmasking the Religion of Those Who Say There Is No God

by DeStefano, Anthony
Book - 2018
Janice21383's rating:
1 out of 5 stars
Added May 09, 2019

Comment:

To a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and I suppose to devoutly religious people, everything looks like a religion, or perhaps some anti-religious or satanic version of religion. Even lack of belief must come from some authority. That's the only explanation I have for books like this, that "crush" atheists only in their authors' minds. Luckily, it is available at your library, so you don't have to pay to be misinformed. But it would be easier to simply look up the answers to any questions you have on an atheist website, for example: https://www.atheists.org/activism/resources/about-atheism/ Or you could ask atheists, now somewhere between 5% and 11% of the North American population. You may know one. ETA: the reviewer above from Publisher's Weekly (really?!) could also stand to read an atheist website, or read a book written by one. Phew!

The Sisters Brothers, DVD

DVD - 2019
Janice21383's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 30, 2019

Comment:

An unconventional Western with two (or four) dubious heroes, and a tone that veers from comedy to tragedy and back again in the same scene or even in the same sentence. What's not to love? Seldom have I cared as much for characters in a movie, which is partly because of the story (from Sidney's own Patrick deWitt), and partly because of the four principal actors. They are so human and real, I just wanted to hug the varmints. Gorgeous cinematography and score, too. If you're looking for something different -- here you go, something different.

Unplanned, BookThe Dramatic True Story of A Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-opening Journey Across the Life Line

by Johnson, Abby
Book - 2010
Janice21383's rating:
1 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 21, 2019

Comment:

What a fair and neutral view of both sides of the fence Unplanned is. On one side, wholesome, tolerant protesters, who wouldn't dream of screaming "murderer" at women trying to get healthcare, or shooting an abortion doctor through the head. And they certainly didn't lose $107 million in a suit filed by Planned Parenthood, for among other things, publishing pictures of abortion workers who had been murdered on their website, with X-es over the faces, or publishing "Wanted" posters, complete with home addresses and $5,000 bounty, for people willing to "stop" still-living workers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Coalition_of_Life_Activists On the other side is Dr. Cruella de Ville and her minions, a team of health professionals seemingly trained at Texas Chainsaw Massacre Memorial Hospital. Strangely, Planned Parenthood was cold, even a bit tetchy at the way they were depicted in Abby Johnson's book, and also for the distortion of the real reasons why Ms. Johnson was fired. They sued again, and though the case was thrown out, it may be refiled against the recent film of Unplanned, which apparently is every bit as factual as the book.

Fantastic Beasts, DVDThe Crimes of Grindelwald

DVD - 2019
Janice21383's rating:
2 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 21, 2019

Comment:

If you saw the first Fantastic Beasts movie in the theatre, you might remember groans of dismay from the audience when Grindelwald turned into Johnny Depp. Imagine that groan extended over a 133 minute movie, and there you have FB: TCOG. It is well-acted and looks good, if you like a grey and smoky atmosphere, and the beasts are well-designed and charming (you're not going to see much of them, though.) Otherwise, it has little to offer either fans or general viewers, not even consistency with the previous film. Characters are changed and parts of the story are erased without ceremony. Attached is a video by Jenny Nicholson, who explains other problems with the film. So I'll only add that there at least three more in this series to go, and it looks like they're going to tackle WW II and the Holocaust. No, that's not a joke.

Video: Crimes of J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter fan Jenny Nicholson does not like Crimes of Grindelwald. A lot.

Mary, Queen of Scots, DVD

DVD - 2019
Janice21383's rating:
1.5 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 19, 2019

Comment:

Mary Queen of Scots: the woman, the myth, the martyr. If you think of Mary as a heroine tragically prevented from ruling, you'll like this movie. If you think of her as a tone-deaf political player who lost, there are better films. Saoirse Ronan is a fine actress, but too young to be persuasive -- and Mary needs all the persuasion she can get to convince us she was/would have been a good queen.

The Favourite, DVD

DVD - 2019
Janice21383's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 17, 2019

Comment:

The Favourite is a love it or hate it film (see below). Not including "ew, it's gross", there are two main criticisms: 1) the ending is disappointing, and 2) the story is not historical. Re. #1: whether or not you think the physical relationships were as depicted, the ending is close to what actually happened. Re. #2: that sound is my eyes rolling back in my head. After many years of painfully inaccurate films, THIS is the one people choose to complain about?! I could go on and on, but let's say there is a difference between history rewritten by lazy people to fit audience prejudices (see the recent Mary Queen of Scots biopic), and history rewritten by smart people to make interesting points. If you have a noble, pretty princess view of the past, you will not like The Favourite. If you can think of it as All About Eve in long skirts and breeches, starring three fascinating women, you will enjoy it. (Attached is a video that discusses the history in detail.)

Video: The Favourite: historically accurate?

Jessica Kellgren-Fozard discusses the history behind Yorgos Lanthimos's film. There are big SPOILERS, but the story is based on fact, so c'mon, really?

Hereditary, DVD

DVD - 2018
Janice21383's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 11, 2019

Comment:

Family is hell; am I right? But I bet you'll be glad the family in Hereditary is not yours. The film is slow, atmospheric, creepy, and good news -- no stupid jump scares! But there's always something lurking in the shadows, or at the corner of the frame. Don't go in expecting a conventional horror film, or a conventional film period. Heredity is also a family drama, and even has touches of humour. The dislocation is emphasized by slight distortions in the sets. At times, you will not be sure if you're looking at a full-sized house or a model. There will be explanations*, but Hereditary can be watched multiple times, from multiple perspectives (see videos). I gave it less than five stars is because of the ending, partly because it's conventional compared to what went before, and partly because it IS an ending. In this world, the horror would go on and on. *Because some test audiences did not understand the end of the movie, a brief voiceover explanation was added. IMO, it wasn't necessary, but it's there now. So if you still don't understand what happened, after a little thought, what can I say? Were you looking at your phone during the film? Do you get out much?

Video: Nyx Fears: Heredity

BIG SPOILERS. This is one interpretation of the film, and Ryan Hollinger has another. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JHXWUongeM They are equally valid, and there are other interesting takes online. What do you think?

Mandy, DVD

DVD - 2018
Janice21383's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 10, 2019

Comment:

Don't watch Mandy if you can't handle gore, or if you're boring. ETA: okay, that was too curt. It's frustrating, though, to hear people say "I want something different", and when something different comes along, "why can't it be like X, Y, and Z?" Well, it is like a hybrid of Stephen King and Clive Barker, and they're popular. Eh, I've given up guessing what's going to be a hit. Most people would say that the pace is too slow; some duplicated scenes could be cut, and most of the last hour could be called slow-motion bad-*ssery, which gets monotonous. But the atmosphere is amazing, the acting is way out there, and the music (or sound, some would call it) is best of all.

You Belong to Me, DAISYAnd Other True Cases

by Rule, Ann
DAISY - 2013
Janice21383's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Apr 06, 2019

Comment:

Generally insightful and enjoyable, but not up to Ann Rule's usual standard. This may be because of the first story, about murderous patrolman Tim Harris. It is overlong, and Harris never comes alive as a character. Was Rule more cautious than usual, because the killer was a fellow policeman? I would have liked to have heard some discussion of his department's tolerance of his on the job sexism and harassment of female drivers, and their lax attitude to his stalking and violence against his wife.

The Shock of the New, DVDVolume 1, The Mechanical Paradise ; Volume 2, The Powers That Be

DVD - 2001?
Janice21383's rating:
5 out of 5 stars
Added Mar 26, 2019

Comment:

I don't know much about art, but I know that I like Robert Hughes's vivid tour of the world of modern painting, sculpture and architecture. Whether you're a beginner, a student, a connoisseur, an artist, or even if you just enjoy good stories and new ideas, this series is for you.

Lion, DVD

DVD - 2017
Janice21383's rating:
3.5 out of 5 stars
Added Mar 26, 2019

Comment:

Sometimes the best thing a film can do is stay out of its story's way, and this is what Lion mostly does for the experiences of Saroo Brierly. Inevitably perhaps, the experiences of lost children in India have been softened down in the first half, and some artificial character arcs and stilted dialog have been added to the second half (see breemu's comments, December 2017. The only incorrect correction is that Saroo's brother WAS very troubled, though he's on a better path now.) Still, Lion is mostly true in fact and highly true in spirit of one little boy's seemingly impossible survival and search for his family. One to watch with your older children, or someone else you love, because you will want to hug somebody by the end.

Shoplifters, DVD

DVD - 2019 | Japanese
Janice21383's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Mar 26, 2019

Comment:

Small-time thieves and scammers rescue an abused little girl. So far so sentimental, right? Well, Shoplifters is one of the best films of 2018, running neck-and-neck with Climax and I'd even give it a slight edge over Roma and The Favourite. You might expect a good script and fine acting, and it has all that, but this movie is surprisingly technically accomplished. For instance, how did they shoot in that tiny house set without a dull moment? There's a chase sequence near the end that would not be out of place in a pure action movie. If you're not bothered by subtitles and like unconventional family dramas, check it out.

Logan Lucky, DVD

DVD - 2017
Janice21383's rating:
3.5 out of 5 stars
Added Mar 26, 2019

Comment:

If it's a Steven Soderburgh film, it's going to be too long and probably not the most subtle treatment -- Logan Lucky strives to be quirky. But if you have a weakness for an elaborate heist and a happy ending (or is it?) Logan Lucky is the ticket. There are clever twists, deadpan comedy from Adam Driver, Daniel Craig and Channing Tatum, plus a sympathetic view of the modern South rarely seen in Hollywood films.

Burning, DVD

DVD - 2019 | Korean
Janice21383's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Mar 24, 2019

Comment:

I highly recommend Burning, but it's not for everyone. Subtitles aside, it's not a straightforward murder mystery. Oh, there's murder, almost all off screen, and when one is shown at the end of the movie it is shocking. But Burning is more a psychological drama, and needs complete attention to understand the story. If you like films like Gone Girl, Michael Haneke's Caché, or the books of Barbara Vine, you'll enjoy.

A Most Mysterious Murder, DVD

DVD - 2005
Janice21383's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Mar 19, 2019

Comment:

Real-life murders reconstructed. Better writing, and MUCH better acting than is usual for this type of program, and Julian Fellowes delivers the class-based shade. His conclusions sometimes skew the content -- they're not always unbiased presentations of the facts, and Fellowes is no Agatha Christie. Still, if you like a little history in your mystery, this is one to watch.

BlacKkKlansman, DVD

DVD - 2018
Janice21383's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Mar 16, 2019

Comment:

Congratulations to BlacKkKlansman for best adapted screenplay Oscar, but it's easy to spot which might be Spike Lee's contributions versus the other authors'. It's understood Mr. Lee makes films to send a message, not to tell a mere story. But he tends to drop the message on the audience's head, like a brick from a high building. This is a shame, because much of the script is witty and pointed, and might be better served with a more conventional approach. Whatever you think of the direction, BlacKkKlansman is well acted by lead John David Washington (Denzel's son), an unrecognizable Topher Grace as David Duke, and MVP Adam Driver, who can get a laugh out of the dullest line. It would be interesting to compare this entertaining but HIGHLY factually embroidered movie to Ron Stallworth's, the real Black Klansman's, book. https://vpl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/6156239038

The Big Lie, BookExposing the Nazi Roots of the American Left

by D'Souza, Dinesh
Book - 2017
Janice21383's rating:
0.5 out of 5 stars
Added Mar 12, 2019

Comment:

Cruising by to point out that FDR-is-like-Hitler comparing, Medicare-is-a-death-camp discussing, George-Soros-was-a-Nazi-collaborator-at-14 theorizing, Democrats-are-like-Nazis-and-communists-AND-the-KKK contending, convicted felon author Dinesh D'Souza has 11 works at the Vancouver Public Library. This is one more than Herodotus, and only four less than Edward Gibbon. And only if several editions of Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire are counted as separate books. Because who DOESN'T need more books likening Donald Trump to Abraham Lincoln?

The guilty, DVD

DVD - 2019 | Danish
Janice21383's rating:
3.5 out of 5 stars
Added Mar 09, 2019

Comment:

A police dispatcher copes with a crime in progress. The Guilty is a tad predictable: a disgraced cop, a chance at redemption, a superior who tells him to stick to his job. And colleagues who are lazy incompetents, or frankly, there would be no story. However, it is made up for by realistic writing with the minimum of cliches, and first-rate acting, especially by lead Jakob Cedergren. What is it about little Denmark that makes so many good actors?
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