Join Ronald McGillvray & yours truly as we wrap up 2023 with an all-new author spotlight, a bunch of talk about books, movies, TV, games, music, and so much more!
Allegories of the End of Capitalism: Six Films on the Revolutions of Our Times
In Allegories of the End of Capitalism , Milo Sweedler examines how filmmakers from six different countries, across four continents, give narrative and audio-visual form to the frustration and anger that burst into public view in 2011, the ongoing class war between the super-rich and the rest of the world's population, and the insurrection that it yet to come.
This is an excellent film. For an American production, they weren't afraid to depict the "evilness" or extremism of the Western world. It's a nod to the sins of the West during the Colonial era, which unfortunately continues to this very day.
No one country, no one regional power, should be given this much might and sway for it will eventually make them dictators and tyrants disguised as democracy, freedom, and human rights. Exactly what is happening in our world today.
The ones who pay are not the 1% or the politicians or the high ranking military officials. It is the 99% who suffer. They justify their actions as "peace" and "for the future of humanity" when in reality, they only created more reasons for hatred and wars.
Sure, this was about AI. Yes, it is fiction. However, we cannot deny the underlying message of the film. Anyone who denies it is lying to themselves or living in their own fantasy.
Again, a superb film. It is rare to see productions from the West with such a profound message behind it. Western productions are often about entertainment these days, and making tons of money. Not this one. It's all about the message.
Okay, that was as fun as I remember it. Eddie Murphy is an amazing ball of energy in Beverly Hills Cop and had me cracking up. It's on Showtime and I highly recommend a rewatch! #movies#films@movies
"What is it about to have the whole world around you shrink... Maybe that turns you into something of a self important pedantic bore with a vengeful streak"
(Sounds like a lot of anonymous and not-so-anonymous reviewers I've come across...)
--Stephen Metcalf on Paul Giamatti's character in the latest Alexander Payne film The Holdovers, from the Culture Gabfest @slate
Book 52, 2023: Our Lady of the Highway by Hal Hartley. I loved this novel. Renegade anarchist nuns hole up in a Brooklyn convent! Lola joins them to try to curb her violent mystical powers. They make hallucinogenic beer! The cops try to close them down!There's a pitbull named Desmond!
New arrival. Only recently found out one of my favourite film directors, Hal Hartley, has written a novel. Can’t wait to read it. #books#reading#films#movies@bookstadon
The Science of Sci-Fi Cinema
Essays on the Art and Principles of Ten Films
This volume of essays examines 10 films, with a focus on discerning the possible, the unlikely, and the purely science fictional. With essays by scientists in relevant fields, chapters provide analyses of the movies themselves, along with examination of the actual science (or lack thereof) in each film.
SF: The Japanese Science Fiction Film Encyclopedia
Informed by its disaster-prone history, Japan's science fiction cinema is distinctive. SF covers a wide variety of these films across six decades; from the aftermath of Hiroshima to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When you can hear Taylor Swift singing in the auditorium next to the one you're watching KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in..
Like Martin Scorsese intended.
I watched The Burial last night on Amazon Prime and it was delightful. Jame Foxx must have loved the role as the scene chewing lawyer, because he chewed some scenery! And Tommy Lee Jones was great as the old patriarch. But Jurnee Smollett and Mamoudou Athie were new to me and they were incredible. Ms. Smollett was the hotshot opposing attorney and Athie was the young lawyer helping out. Not sure how factual it was, but it sure tugged at the heart. Well worth your time. #films#movies@movies
13 Ghosts
1408
A Tale of Two Sisters
The Amityville Horror
Burnt Offerings
The Changeling
The Conjuring
Crimson Peak
Deadstream
The Deep House
The Devil's Backbone
Final Prayer aka Borderlands
A Ghost Story
Ghost Story
Ghostwatch
Hausu
The Haunting
The Haunting of Hill House
House
Hell House LLC
His House
House on Haunted Hill
Housebound
I Am A Ghost
I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House
The Innkeepers
The Innocents
Insidious
Last Shift
The Night House
The Orphanage
The Others
Paranormal Activities
Poltergeist
Pulse
Session 9
The Shining
Skinamarink
Sinister
Terrified
The Woman in Black
The Uninvited
Friday night is usually a movie night for me, but I had a hard time deciding what to watch. I finally settled on the 2018 Soderbergh psychological thriller, Unsane, starring Claire Foy. She was, not surprisingly, amazing as the involuntarily committed patient who brings her phobias in with her. It had some weird tonal shifts I didn't like but was still a good watch. If you have Kanopy / Hoopla, it's worth checking out I think. @movies#movies#films
Book 40, 2023: The Beauty of Living Twice - Sharon Stone
Interesting autobiography. I had no idea about her tough upbringing. She’s been through a lot, including a bleed on the brain and a couple of strokes. #Autobiography#films#movies#SharonStone@bookstodon
Many years ago William Boyd (the author) was told by a friend of his (a scriptwriter), that the difference between writing a novel & a screenplay was like the difference between swimming in the sea & swimming in a swimming pool.
I wonder how many other areas of creativity also might be described by this metaphorical distinction?