Book Review - Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Title: Little Fires Everywhere
Series: -
Author: Celeste Ng
 
Description: In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive surburb of Cleveland, everything is meticulously planned. From the layout of the winding roads, to the colors of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules.
Enter Mia Warren, an enigmatic artist and single mother, who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenage daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than just tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past, and a disregards for the rules that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.
 
Review: If you want to read something completely different from a literary thriller or a chicklit, “Little Fires Everywhere” is most likely the type of book you want to pick up.
 
The story is set in the 90s, in Shaker heights, a quiet and progressive suburb in Cleveland. Everything there is planned. You can’t just paint your house in any color, each type of house has only a few color-options you can choose from. And if you don’t keep you garden in order, you will get a fine. Elena Richardson grew up in Shaker Heights and loves everything about the ordered community. Then there is Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl, who move to Shaker Heights. Mia doesn’t live life by strict rules, is open-minded. Pearl befriends the Richardson’s children and Mia even starts working for the family. But Mia has a mysterious past, that Elena wants to find out about.
 
The book stars the Richardson family on the one hand, and Mia and her daughter Pearl on the other. Mia and Pearl rent a house from Mrs. Richardson and Pearl goes to school with the children and develops a friendship with them. The Richardson take in Pearl, as does Mia with the four children, Izzy, Lexie, Moody and Trip.
 
Mia is an art photographer and takes experimental photographs. But as any artist that hasn’t gotten fame yet, money is a struggle. For the Richardson’s money has never been an issue. Elena is a journalist for the local paper and her husband Bill is an attorney.
 
The characters, their relationships and their stories are what make “Little Fires Everywhere” a success. It’s a true character study and everyone has its secrets. The life of the Richardson’s isn’t as picture perfect as they let people believe.
 
There are several subplots and I enjoyed all of them. As with the characters, most of them are very unlikeable. Which isn’t a bad thing, because I loved reading about them, getting to know more about them and learning why they are the way they are. The fact that I’m reading about characters I don’t find sympathetic and it still keeps my attention, is proof enough of how good this book is.
 
“Small Fires Everywhere” brilliantly thematizes the question of the extent to which we can shape our life to our liking, with the question of whether the affluent have more opportunities than the poor. How far can you go to give direction to your child’s life? The book is alternately touching, absurd, sharp and exciting. It holds up a beautiful mirror to the postmodern man who thinks he knows it all and can do it all and shows what a mess we sometimes make of it.
 
Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - Last Seen Alive

Director: Brian Goodman
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Action
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Gerard Butler, Jamie Alexander, Ethan Embry, Russell Hornsby, Bruce Altman, Cindy Hogan
 
Description: Will’s (Gerard Butler) soon-to-be ex-wife Lisa (Jamie Alexander) mysteriously vanishes at a gas station. He delves into the town’s criminal underbelly while running from the authorities in a race against time to find her.

Review: Still fully in denial about his possible divorce, Will takes his wife Lisa to visit her parents. After a quick stop at a gas station, Lisa does not return to the car and disappears without a trace. When Will can’t find her anywhere, he calls the police, who come his way to help him.

Detective Paterson, who meets Will at the scene, urgently advices him to wait, when they start their search. But Will decides to go look for her himself, because he believes the authorities won’t be able to give him the help he needs.  

“Last Seen Alive” is a very standard, forgettable film. The concept of the lost wife and the desperate quest to find her is a difficult one to put a new spin on. This struggle is painfully evident in the film’s predictable plot. It is just too often reminiscent of its more successful variants “The Vanishing” or “Breakdown”, who did a way better job with this trope.

Gerard Butler is always an actor I enjoy watching, and he’s doing a solid job here. But his character makes the most unlikely decisions. After only 20 minutes of waiting for Lisa, he is already beyond all reasonableness. From the first moment he resolves conflicts with a lot of anger and violence. And he also seems to get away with all of it.

Throughout this ninety-five-minute search, there are exactly zero surprising elements. And there is an explosion in the film that looks very amateurish. With that, Jamie Alexander’s Lisa lacks warmth or humanity, so you really don’t care what happens to her, because she’s not a woman you sympathize with.

It’s an okay time at best, when you want to watch a standard film without having to think or care at all. “Last Seen Alive” is a very forgettable thriller.

Rating: 2/ 5

00s Movie Review - Monster House

Director: Gil Kenan
Genre: Comedy/ Animation/ Advenure/ Family
Runtime: 91 minutes
Year: 2006
Starring: Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Spencer Locke, Steve Buscemi, Catherine O’Hara, Fred Willard, Kevin James, Jason Lee, Kathleen Turner, Jon Heder

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 CHALLENGE
WEEK 38: A MOVIE STARRING A CHILD
 
Description: Three kids discover that their neighbor’s house is really a living, breathing, scary monster.

Review: Right across the street of young DJ’s house, is the old, run-down house of Mr. Nebbercracker. Nebbercracker is a grumpy man who always takes kids toys that end up on his lawn, never to return them to the owner. The night before Halloween, he and his friend Chowder play basketball and the ball ends up on Nebbercracker’s lawn. As usual, he takes it from them, but this time Nebbercracker collapses and ends up being taken away with an ambulance. But even without Nebbercracker being home, the house doesn’t seem empty. Or is it the house that’s alive?

“Monster House” uses the performance capture technique, just like “The Polar Express” did. There the character looked very realistic. In “Monster House” not so much. But nevertheless, it’s a very enjoyable film to watch, for the entire family during spooky season. It’s somehow a family-friendly take on the haunted house trope.

Rating: 3/ 5

Book Review - The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club by Sophie Green

Title: The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club
Series: -
Author: Sophie Green
 
Description: In 1978 the Northern Territory has begun to self-govern. Cylcone Tracy is a recent memory and telephones not yet a fixture on the cattle station dominating the rugged outback. Life is hard and people are isolated. But they find ways to connect.

Sybil is the matriarch of Fairvale Station run by her husband Joe. Their eldest son, Lachlan, was Joe’s designated successor by the has left the Territory, for good. It is up to their second son Ben to take his place. But that doesn’t stop Sybil grieving for absence of her child. With her oldest friend Rita, now living in Alice springs and working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and Ben’s English wife Kate, finding it difficult to adjust to life at Fairvale, Sybil comes up with a way to give them all companionship and purpose: they all love to read, and she forms a book club.

Mother-of-three Sallyanne is invited to join them. Sallyanne dreams of a life far removed from the dusty town of Katherine where she lives with her difficult husband Mick. Completing the group is Della, who left Texas for Australia looking for adventure and work on the land.
 
Review: The novel is set in Australia, in the late 1970s and follows five women who share a love for books. Author Sophie Green alternates between the women, so you quickly get to know them well. My favorite characters were Della and Rita, who were described most lifelike. But overall, the characters were so very similar to each other, they didn’t feel unique. Their lives weren’t similar though, each of them had their struggles and bumps in the road they had to deal with. Which made it more interesting to read about them.   
 
I always love reading books about books or book clubs. And since it is in the title, I was very excited to read this. The actual book club is only a very small part of this story. It’s more about the women’s lives and the book club is the connection between the five women. I found that very disappointing, especially since the overall story isn’t very special.
 
I did enjoy the book quite a bit, it was very easy to get through and I liked getting to know the five women. But it’s a forgettable one and I was disappointed about the book club aspect of the novel, which is not very present. I still think many people will enjoy this book, because I also did. In the end it was just okay, not bad but not great either.
 
Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Review - I Came By

Director: Babak Anvari
Genre: Thriller
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Hugh Bonneville, George McKay, Kelly MacDonald, Percelle Ascott, Varada Sethu
 
Description: Young graffiti artist Toby (George McKay) discovers a shocking secret that puts him in danger.

Review: Toby and Jay are graffiti artists, who spray the words “I came by” on the walls of rich citizen’s homes they break into. Sir Hector Blake, a former judge, is the next victim, but something more is going on in that house. Something they were never prepared for.

Hugh Bonneville is best known as the charming man of the house in “Downton Abbey” and “Paddington”. His role is slightly different in “I Came By” and I always love seeing actors stepping away from their roles and doing something completely different. And I might say, he does a formidable job.

The film is best watched without knowing too much. Don’t even watch the trailer. Because then this film will be more exciting and surprising. I basically watched this movie because Stephen King recommended it in an article I read. And when someone knows suspense and thrillers well, it’s King.

“I Came By” is an exciting and layered thriller, which offers plenty of surprises. It also manages to add some social commentary on racism, nepotism and parenting. And the way the story is told is not standard. The character you’re exploring the story with, changes along the way. Multiple times. Which makes it even more interesting.

“I Came By” is a nice surprise. I’m quite shocked that a lot of people are not as positive about the film, because I believe it’s a really good, solid and exciting thriller.

Rating: 4/ 5

What's in a Movie Year - 1989

Taking a look at the year 1989, picking my 10 favorite movies from that year in random order.
 

The Burbs
One of the best Tom Hanks movies nobody saw. At least, no one I know (besides my brother and parents of course, we watched it a lot). It’s funny, absurd and satirical. Dark humor, where Ray is spending his vacation days at home watching his new neighbors the Klopeks, who act weird and have strange noises coming from their house at night.
 

When Harry Met Sally
Harry and Sally are former college roommates but will never be friends because, according to Harry, friendship between men and women is impossible. Although the chemistry is obvious they maintain for years that nothing is wrong. Meg Ryan shines in her role as neurotic, somewhat naïve Sally. And Billy Crystal is the sarcastic and realistic Harry. One of the few romantic comedies I absolutely love.
 

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
In part 3 of Steven Spielberg’s successful series about the archeologist-adventurer, Indiana Jones once again comes into conflict with the Nazis, who believe they have discovered the location of the Holy Grail. This time his father joins him on the journey. This causes extra stress and a lot of merriment in this action/ adventure film. One of the best third-in-a-trilogy films.
 

Back to the Future II
The story of this second part of the “Back to the Future” trilogy begins seconds after part one ended. Marty McFly has to go back to the future, conjures up Doc Brown, because things seem to be going completely wrong there. To solve it, he will have to jump back and forth in time considerably. Great follow-up to one of the best time-travel movies ever made.
 

Dead Poet’s Society
Keating teaches English in 1959 at a posh boarding school for boys where iron discipline  reigns. That he wants to teach the students to think in an original and independent way, is not well-received by the staff and parents but makes him very popular with the students. A small group of boys take Keating’s lessons to heart, with tragic consequences. The message of the film is very skillfully conveyed by Robin Williams (who plays Keating), who thus showed that he could handle a serious role very well.
 

Born on the 4^th of July
Director Oliver Stone based his movie on the autobiography of Ron Kovic, who returned from combat mentally and physically broken and became active in the anti-war movement. Brave venture by Tom Cruise, who convinces as a naïve idealist who becomes deeply embittered and ends up as an energetic activist. A Tom Cruise movie that is not talked about enough.
 

Glory
During the American Civil War, the 54^th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry regiment fights the Confederates. The regiment consists of black and white volunteers, but is led by white officers. One of them, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, has his doubts about the expected discipline and employability of the black soldiers. Wonderful roles by Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington. Impressively detailed war film.
 

Field of Dreams
‘If you build it, he will come’. The level-headed farmer Ray Kinsella hears the words as a whisper. He doesn’t’ know where they come from, but he does know that he needs to build an entire baseball field on his cornfield. More mysterious developments follow. One of the many baseball films Kevin Costner has made, but also his best.
 

Do the Right Thing
Colorful, individualistic magnification of a multi-racial New York neighborhood, Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn full of explosive tension. In less than 24 hours, the residents, partly due to the summer heat, partly due to bigotry, are brought to a boiling point. The hatred is directed primarily at the Italian operators of a pizza joint. A film full of brutality, is definitely established Spike Lee’s reputation as a director without succumbing to commercial trends or easy thrills. Great piece of cinema, even if it won’t be to everyone’s taste.  
 

Uncle Buck
This movie is on her simply for sentimental and nostalgic reasons, since this has always been a family favorite. Father and mother Russell have to go away for a while and are looking in vain for a babysitter. They have no choice but to call Uncle Buck, the black sheep of the family. This corpulent, anything but conventional bachelor takes his job seriously, however, and it’s not long before he has trouble with daughter Tia and her boyfriend. John Candy manages to steal al our hearts as Uncle Buck.
 

Movie Review - Do Revenge

Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Camilla Mendes, Maya Hawke, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Austin Abrams, Rish Shah, Talia Ryder, Alisha Boe, Ava Capri, J.D., Sophie Turner
 
    
Description: Drea (Camilla Mendes) and Eleanor (Maya Hawke) agree to go after one another’s bullies.

Review: After a furtive encounter Drea and Eleanor join forces to go after each other’s tormentors. “Do Revenge” is a modern take on “Strangers on a Train”, with elements of “Mean Girls” and “Cruel Intentions”. A dark comedy with the scariest protagonists: teenage girls.

“Do Revenge” is a typical teen movie with a clear nod to modern audiences. The film has a bright and bold vibe, while being a dark comedy. I like that contrast. It’s not the most original film, but it has some fun twists.

The film is entertaining enough and has enough surprises and progression to justify the two hours. A film that is carried by Maya Hawke and Camilla Mendes, who are very talented and mostly known for their series “Stranger Things” and “Riverdale”.

Reviews are mixed, but I kinda liked it.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Review - Top Gun: Maverick

Director: Joseph Kosinski
Genre: Action/ Drama
Runtime: 130 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Val Kilmer, Ed Harris, Charles Parnell, Monica Barbaro, Glen Powell, Bashir Salahuddin, Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, Lewis Pullman
 
Description: After thirty years, Maverick (Tom Cruise) is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN’s elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.

Review: It’s been years since Pete “Maverick” Mitchell attended pilot training at TOP GUN. By now he is an old hand in the business and has often been awarded for his heroic actions, but has never risen in rank. This is in contrast to his old rival and friend Iceman, who has become and Admiral. Iceman is the one standing up for Maverick, ensuring that he can return to TOP GUN. However, this time as an instructor to train a group of graduates for a dangerous secret mission. Not being eager to do so, Maverick does return and trains the group, but uses unorthodox methods. One of the pilots in the group is Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, the son of Maverick’s deceased co-pilot Goose. Rooster resents maverick a great deal and that makes things more complicated. When the mission is suddenly brought forward, Maverick doesn’t know if the group is ready for it.

In recent years, a number of sequels have been made to classic movies from the 1980s and 1990s. Most don’t really succeed and are merely there for nostalgia reasons. I was sceptic about “Top Gun: Maverick”, I didn’t think we need this sequel. I always liked the movie, but after a recent rewatch after many years, I realized “Top Gun” doesn’t really hold up. But boy was I wrong about this sequel. “Top Gun: Maverick” is the sequel I didn’t think I needed.

The character of Maverick has grown, but he is still reckless and always seeks out the borders and ways to cross them. But here Maverick feels more raw, realistic and someone you can actually care about, what I didn’t really feel in the original. I loved seeing Val Kilmer return, in a brief role, but the rivalry they used to have turned into a beautiful friendship, which is very visible in that one scene they have. Kelly McGillis doesn’t return, there is no explanation about where her character is. But it didn’t bother me at all, because I didn’t really care about her character anyway. Jennifer Connolly is Maverick’s new love-interest, whose character is mentioned briefly in “Top Gun” is you pay close attention.

And talking about perfect casting: Miles Teller as Rooster, the son of Maverick’s deceased co-pilot Goose. It’s totally believable. His character is angry and insecure, which brings an extra obstacle to Maverick’s return to TOP GUN.

“Top Gun: Maverick” is a very successful sequel to a cheesy and enjoyable 80s movie, that easily tops its original. It’s much better. And its best they stay with only the one sequel, because this is a perfect ending to Maverick’s story. One of my favorite films of the year.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

80s Movie Review - At Close Range

Director: James Foley
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 1986
Starring: Sean Penn, Christopher Walken, Chris Penn, Mary Stuart Masterson, Kiefer Sutherland, Millie Perkins, Eileen Ryan, Tracey Walter, David Strathairn, Crispin Glover

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 37: A MOVIE RECOMMENDED BY YOUR BROTHER
 
Description: Reunited with his career criminal father (Christopher Walken), tough teen Brad (Sean Penn) thinks he’s found his ticker to an exciting life of crime, only to find out he’s wrong.

Review: Brad Whitewood is a boy from a simple background whose life is going nowhere. Occasionally he has a job but he never really keeps it up for long. Then suddenly his father returns. Brad Sr. turns out to be the leader of a local gang. Soon Brad Jr. starts working for his father. He experiences success with some simple jobs and Brad’s friends join. They too have an appetite for making quick money. However, Brad’s friends are not the most efficient thieves and soon things go wrong. The police are after them and Brad Sr. has no problem getting some witnesses out of the way. Brad wonders how far his father will go to stay out of jail and even begins to fear for his own life.

Sean Penn and Christopher Walken in one movie, that’s going to be great. This is what any movie lover would think when they see who is starring in this film. I can say it is true. Penn and Walken both have rock solid performances and carry the film. Walken in particular is stellar as the criminal and psychotic Brad Whitewood Sr. One moment you think you are dealing with a caring father while a moment later he turns into a cold-blooded killer who does everything in his power not to get caught.

Director James Foley manages to keep the tension well throughout the film, the story is loosely based on a true story. Highly recommended for people who like dramas with a touch of thriller.

Rating: 4/ 5

Five to Watch - Underrated Tom Hanks Movies

Tom Hanks is on everyone’s favorite actor list. And we all love “Forrest Gump”, Saving Private Ryan”, “Toy Story” and “Big”. And there are many, many more movies that are well-loved by people all over the world But I decided to create a list of five of his movies that hardly anybody ever talks about. Here are five underrated Tom Hanks movies.
 

That Thing You Do (1996)
Hanks has a role in it, but this is also his directorial debut. It’s a lighthearted film that tells the story of the rise and fall of a pop group in the mid-1960s. under the name Ondeders (later changed Wonders, because they always pronounce it as Oh-needers) they record their first song independently. Their song, That Thing You Do, becomes a hit and we see what it does with each band member. It’s a fast-paced story, with a fun setting and it’s a perfect feel-good film.  
 

The ‘Burbs (1989)
Ray Peterson is in need of rest and spends his vacation in his boring, decent suburban home. But then the Klopek family moves into a house nearby. The Klopeks are a bit strange and at night there are strange noises coming from their house. Along with his neighbors Mark and Art, Ray sets out to investigate. It’s such a funny, absurd dark comedy, which isn’t only underrated, but also very overlooked. I hardly know anyone who has seen it. My brother and I can actually quote from it, that’s how much we love it (and how many times we’ve watched it).
 

Road to Perdition (2002)
Tom Hanks plays gangster Michael Sullivan, handyman to mob boss John Rooney and father of two sons. One of Sullivan’s sons witnesses a murder, forcing him and his father to take the road, and his father down the path of redemption and revenge. The violence remains mostly off screen, but the film shows the effect of violence on people. I think this is Hanks’ most underrated film ever.
 

Bachelor Party (1984)
Rick announces that he is marrying girlfriend Debbie. Debbie’s father thinks that Rick is just a loser and tries to sabotage the wedding. Rick’s friends organize a wild bachelor party for him, with lots of booze and strippers. This movie was made way before Tom Hanks became a serious actor and superstar. He played a lot of these comedic roles. It might be a bit dated, but it is your typical 1980s comedy, that still is pretty funny.
 

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
In the US, Fred Rogers is an institution, because of his TV-show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”, in which he spent more than thirty years talking to children about social issues, in an extremely calm and kind manner. Fred Rogers is one of television’s most kind-natured people. So who else, than America’s sweetheart Tom Hanks to portray him. This is not your standard biopic. The film is based on an article in Esquire. A journalist who is initially skeptical of Rogers’ impeccable image but becomes increasingly impressed with him. Hanks is perfectly cast. The film is sentimental, but nuanced. It will have a bigger impact if you also grew up with Rogers’ TV show, but still a movie that I could recommend.  

Book Review - Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier

Title: Little Secrets
Series: -
Author: Jennifer Hillier
 
Description: Marin had the perfect life. Married to he college sweetheart, she owns a chain up upscale hair salons, and Derek runs his own company. They’re admired in their community and are a loving family, until their world falls apart the day their son Sebastian is taken.
A year later, Marin is a shadow of herself. The FBI search has gone cold. The publicity has faded. She and her husband rarely speak. She hires a P.I. to pick up where the police left off, but instead of finding Sebastian, Marin learns that Derek is having an affair with a younger woman. This discovery sparks Marin back to life. She lost her son, she’s not about to lose her husband too.
 
Review: Marin lives a life most people will be jealous of. She runs a successful chain of hair salons, is married to a loving husband who has his own company and together they have a sweet son Sebastian. When their son is taken, their fairy tale life collapses. A year after the kidnapping, Marin regularly wakes up contemplating suicide, her husband Derek is distant and the FBI search has gone cold. Marin hires a private investigator to continue the search for their son, but instead finds out that Derek is having an affair with a much younger woman.
 
“Little Secrets” has a strong start. Jennifer Hillier is a masterful storyteller and the way she leads the readers through Sebastian’s kidnapping and the emotional aftermath, only confirms that. But what makes this novel shine is the turn it takes at the point when you are comfortable with Marin’s devastation. Switching to a new problem reinforces everything that came before it, and Marin’s new reality takes on a different, infinitely darker proportion.
 
The biggest surprise in “Little Secrets” is the change of POV at one point in the book, making another character become a crucial one with its own voice. This helps us to understand the story from different perspectives. The final reveal isn’t as surprising though.
 
Ultimately, the way Hillier presents all of her characters and situations makes this a very human novel in which there are enough actions that readers will want to judge characters, but also enough pain and despair to make them withhold judgment. The book is suspenseful and brutal at the same time. It’s a wonderful thriller and I can’t wait to read more Jennifer Hillier books.
 
Rating: 4/ 5

Ranking the Franchise - Cloverfield

The Cloverfield franchise is a series of science-fiction/ monster movies that contains of three movies each with a different take and style. Today I will rank the three movies.
 

3. The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)
The third installment in the franchise was rather disappointing. This time, the action takes place not in New York or a mysterious bunker, but on a space station, where an international group of astronauts is conducting an important test on a particle accelerator. The film starts out as exciting, entertaining quality pulp, but gradually becomes less inventive and credible, while borrowing rom genre movies like “Alien”, “The Thing” and “Event Horizon”. “The Cloverfield Paradox” went straight to Netflix, which is understandable once you see it.
 

2. Cloverfield (2008)
During a party in New York, one of the guests decides to film everything. With his camera rolling, he captures guest, ordinary young men and women, in order to offer the party guests memories for later. Then the city is rocked by a series of explosions, and no one knows what’s going on. High expectations after a sophisticated publicity campaign were largely meet. “Cloverfield” is especially strong because the film looks like an amateur video shot in one take, creating a certain realism. The found-footage style is what makes this film unique and it stands out from other monster/ disaster movies.
 

1. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
After a serious car accident, a young woman wakes up in a bomb shelter chained to the wall. Her “captor” tells her that a devastating chemical/ nuclear weapons attack has occurred and she has been locked away for her own safety. Asking for help is pointless, because outside the four walls of their bunker, everyone is probably long dead. This movie came out of nowhere, no one knew this film was in the making. “10 Cloverfield Lane” is a suspenseful and tightly written thriller, and with that the best in the franchise.
 

80s Movie Review - Top Gun

Director: Tony Scott
Genre: Action/ Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 1986
Starring: Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, Kelly McGillis, Tom Skerritt, Val Kilmer, Michael Ironside, Tim Robbins, Meg Ryan,

Description: As students at the united States Navy’s elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot (Tom Cruise) learns a few things from a civilian instructor (Kelly McGillis) that are not taught in the classroom.

Review: Lt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell and his wingman and friend Lt. Nick ‘Goose’ Bradshaw are among the best fighter pilots in the Navy. Despite their reckless, dangerous behavior and failure to follow orders, they are sent to Top Gun: an elite school for the Navy’s best fighter pilot, who receive extra-heavy training here.

Maverick is also a great charmer, throwing all his charms into the fray the first night to get attention of an attractive lady. The next day she turns out to be the instructor Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Blackwood. Charlie is particularly interested in Maverick because he and Goose are the only ones who have been in contact with a Mig-28 in the air. But gradually, Charlie and Maverick fall in love with each other.

“Top Gun” is the epitome of a delightfully macho, cheesy eighties popcorn flick. A film that, many years later, isn’t as great as in the 80s. The film is impressive though because of two elements: the stunning flight scenes and the soundtrack.

When I first saw this movie, in the 90s probably, I was madly in love with Tom Cruise’s Maverick. Now, I realize that he is kind of a dick and that Val Kilmer’s character Iceman, who is portrayed as the antagonist, is absolutely right about Maverick. And the fact that Charlie is very clear with her statement of not dating students, she falls in love with Maverick fairly quick. They’ve only had like three conversations.

But that’s just me nitpicking. I still enjoy watching this film and this is pure 80s fun.

Rating: 3/ 5

Book Review - Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Title: Where the Crawdads Sing
Series: -
Author: Delia Owens
 
Description: For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet fishing village. Kya Clark is barefoot and wild; unfit fot polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her.
But Kya is not what they say. A bon naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life’s lessons from the land, learning the real ways of the world from the dishonest signals of fireflies. But while she has the skills to live in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn into two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world, until the unthinkable happens.  
 
Review: The story revolves around Kya. Her mother leaves her family one day and never returns. Her brothers also run away and Kya, six at the time, is left behind in the hut with her father, who is an alcoholic and also can’t keep his hands to himself and regularly beats up his children. Her father fought in the army and then became disabled and now lives on welfare. Every now and then he goes off and young Kya is left behind in their hut, all alone. At a young age, Kya manages to get by on the food she makes.
 
“Where the Crawdads Sing” is a very sad story about a young girl who is left alone and has no one to take care of her. She doesn’t go to school, but befriends a man and his wife who own a local store. They keep an eye on her.
 
Gradually Kya grows up. She becomes a woman who manages to do everything on her own. She is very smart and independent. Kya learns from her surroundings. One day, she meets Tate, a boy who visits her with his boat. And is introduced to a lot of new things, emotions, and manages to open up to him. Another boy, named Chase, also seems to be interested in Kya. But later in life, Chase is found dead and Kya is the main suspect. People judge Kya immediately, without actually knowing her.
 
“Where the Crawdads Sing” is a beautiful story, there is a reason this is such a popular book. I mostly don’t tag along that easy, but I do agree on the hype around it. I enjoyed Delia Owens’ writing and how she described the surroundings. It’s very obvious she is a wildlife writer. The story keeps your attention at all times and the suspense is kept until the end of the book. The eventual reveal of who killed Chase wasn’t very surprising to me, but didn’t ruin the experience for me.
 
There is now a movie out as well, which I will watch. I can really recommend this book, it’s very beautiful and well-written.
 
Rating: 4,5/ 5