Book Review - Rabbits by Terry Miles

Title: Rabbits
Author: Terry Miles
Genre: Science Fiction/ Thriller/ Mystery
Published: 2021
 
Description: It’s an average work day. You’ve been wrapped up in a task, and you check the clock when you come up for air – 4:44 pm. You go to check your email, and 44 unread messages have built up. With a shock, you realize it is April 4^th – 4/ 4. And when you get in your car to drive home, your odometer reads 44,444. Coincidence? Or have you just seen the edge of a rabbit hole?
 
Rabbits is a mysterious alternate reality game so vast it uses our global reality as its canvas. Since the game first started in 1959, the  iterations have appeared and nine winners have been declared. Their identities unknown. So is their reward, which is whispered to be NSA or CIA recruitment, vast wealth, immortality, or perhaps even the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe itself. But the deeper you get, the more deadly the game becomes. Players have died in the past, and the body count is rising.
 
And now the eleventh round is about to begin. Enter K – a Rabbit obsessive who has been trying to find a way into the game for years. The path opens when K is approached by billionare Alan Scarpio, the alleged winner of the sixth iteration. Scarpio says that something has gone wrong with the game and that K needs to fix it before Eleven starts or the whole world will pay the price. Five days later, Scarpio is declared missing. Two weeks after that, K blows the deadline and Eleven begins. And suddenly the fate of the entire universe is at stake.
 
Review: I expected a book that would be full of references to videogames, technology and pop culture. The first two I would probably not get. Instead I got a mysterious, amazing trip, that still raised more questions then answers, but that sucked me in from the start. At the end I was left confused, especially about what this games was actually all about. But it was a great adventure. Lots of alternate dimensions, missing time, weird dreams and even weirder clues. At the end it still is difficult to fully explain what is going on. But I think that’s the charm of the book.
 
Rabbits is a game that no one is supposed to talk about. Everything is secretive, but people still know about its existence. What it really contains is unknown, but it’s all about finding clues, contradictions and coincidences and following the lead to the conclusion of the game. K has been obsessed since the someone called The Magician. Then K meets Alan Scarpio, the alleged winner of the sixth Rabbits game. He tells K to fix the game, before bad stuff happens. But later, right before the eleventh game begins, Scarpio goes missing and K has to play the game.  
 
“Rabbits” is one of the strangest books I’ve ever read, because it’s still really difficult to explain what I actually read about. You really have to focus and pay attention at all times to keep up and you still won’t fully understand it. And I believe author Terry Miles meant to do that. It gets you thinking and talking. This is part of the charm of the book. I really enjoyed the mysterious adventure K went on.
 
The book confused me many times and I kept adding questions to my list. And at the end, not a lot get an answer. Which might leave you a bit unsatisfied. And I wanted an ending that was more scientific, instead of magical realism. It didn’t feel right to me. It’s also not really clear if K is a man or a woman. K read like a man, but because I listened to the audiobook narrated by a woman, it was confusing.
 
“Rabbits” is an intriguing read, full of mystery and a great adventure to go on if you want to dive into science fiction a little more.  
 
Rating: 3, 5/ 5

20s Movie Review - She Said

Director: Maria Schrader
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan, Patricia Clarkson, Andre Braugher

Description: Jodi Kantor (Zoey Kazan) and Megan Twohey’s (Carey Mulligan) quest to break the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 32: A FILM FROM 2022
 
Review: In 2017, the New York Times wrote an article that ultimately contributed greatly to the #MeToo movement. “She Said” follows the story of journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor on their search for the truth behind the scandalous behavior of film producer Harvey Weinstein. A good script and even better performances contribute to a gripping film that captures the seriousness of these crimes ironclad.

With film adaptations of true stories, the questions soon arises: why isnt’this a documentary? After all, the facts are most important. The answer to this is usually drama. It is not just about the events, but how they were experiences. By combining the facts with drama, it is easier to show exactly what the victims went through and how these women dealt with these traumatic experiences.

Another strong aspect is the heavy emphasis on journalism. “She Said” does not simply go from victim to victim to a sudden article. It shows the difficult process of finding people willing to talk and what this requires of them emotionally. Other interesting aspects of journalism are also covered, such as competition, secrecy and Harvey Weinstein nipping you heels. They provide tension and realism.

Although emotions run high, the film falls somewhat short dramatically. For example, it fails to deepen the two main characters with snippits from their private lives. My only nitpick.

“She Said” carefully and powerfully exposes the painful nature of this serious social issue. The rock-solid acting, by Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan, Patricia Clarkson and Andre Braugher specifically, proves the emotional impact. The film’s purpose is never compromised and speaks pliantly about the woes that went on behind the scenes. I seem to be drawn to films about investigative journalism and this is yet another gem that a lot of people might even know about. WATCH IT!!!

Rating: 4,5/ 5

TV Show Review - A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (Season 1)

Season: 1
Genre: Drama/ Mystery
Number of episodes: 6
Year: 2024
Starring: Emma Myers, Asha Banks, Zain Iqbal, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Yali Topal Margalith, Raiko Gohara, Jude Morgan-Collie, Yasmin Al-Kudhairi, Mathew Baynton, Gary Beadle, Henry Ashton, Jackson Bews, Kamari Loyd, Carla Woodcock, India Lillie Davies, Rahul Pattni

Description: Pip Fitz-Amobi (Emma Myers) is unsure whether schoolgirl Andie bell was killed by her boyfriend Sal Singh five years ago. How far will they go to protect Pip from learning the truth if Sal turns out not to be the murderer?

Review: As a fan of the book (its entire series) it’s extra exciting to see all the characters come to life and see the story played out on the screen. But it’s also a bit scary, because you want it to be good. And even though I really like what they did, it does have its flaws.

When I read this series, I immediately fell in love with Pip. She is one of my favorite female leads in a book series ever. Emma Myers had big shoes to fill. And I think she did a great job. Pip looked different then I pictured her while reading, but Myers understood the task and delivered a great performance. She is a good choice for Pip.

For the most part, the series stays true to the book, but there are a lot of things very different. And this is always the case with book to film/ series adaptations. You can’t simply use everything.

I loved the town. Little Kilton looked amazing and I really enjoyed the setting. It had the same feels as the book. And, like stated before, Emma Myers was a good choice. Her friend group doesn’t get that much attention though. Aside from Cara, we don’t really get to know them. Ravi, played by Zain Iqbal, was also a good choice. Love his portrayal of Ravi. And he worked well together with Myers. I also think the choice of Henry Ashton to play Max Hastings was perfect. Although, I don’t like how they executed this storyline. It was much more satisfying in the book.

One plot point that wasn’t in the book, involving Pip’s stepdad, didn’t really need to be in the series either. It was unnecessary and didn’t fit. They could have left that part out. And the biggest change, that I did not like, was part of the ending. And I need to get into spoilers, to further explain this.

WARNING!!! SPOILERS COMING UP!!!

When Pip thinks Elliot Ward is hiding Andie in his old house, she finds another girl that Elliot has been holding captive. Elliot has an affair with Andie and when he pushed her, Andie hits her head. She walks away injured, but wasn’t killed by Elliot. This is both in the book and the show. But here is where it’s different. In the book, Elliot goes looking for her and he finds a girl wandering the street. It’s not Andie but Elliot convinces himself it is and he keeps her locked up in the attic. The girl also eventually believes her name is Andie. In the series, Elliot knows it’s not Andie and so does the girl. Which makes it strange.

END OF SPOILERS!!!

I did enjoy the series, with some minor issues here and there I liked the viewing experience. And I do hope the will make more seasons, including the other books (also the prequel please) in the series. If you haven’t read the books and aren’t attached to the story and characters yet, it’s a super enjoyable murder mystery set in a small town, just the way I like it.

Movie Review - Deadpool & Wolverine

Director: Shawn Levy
Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Science Fiction/ Adventure
Runtime: 128 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfadyen, Morena Baccarin
 
Description: Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) is offered a place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by the Time Variance Authority, but instead recruits a variant of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) to save his universe from extinction.

Review: The previous two “Deadpool” movies were not only refreshing because they had their own sense of humor and took down the fourth wall, but also because they were just another superhero movie with small-scale goals that could be achieved without taking down entire cities. The third film has a grander plot, but it was everything I could ever wish for.

Ever since the first “Deadpool”, Ryan Reynolds didn’t exactly hide the fact that his original portrayal of the title sucked. Therefore, they simply pretended that “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” never happened. That successful method is exploited in part three for a dignified farewell to 20^th Century Fox’s remaining superheroes.

So count on a lot of familiar faces. Hugh Jackman alone as Wolverine is a big gain, since he indicated he would not reprise his role after “Logan”. But it’s understandable that the script convinced him to make one more appearance.

This all is done entirely in Deadpool-style. You would expect that meta-trick to get boring by now, but it’s not. And you would think you’d know the typical humor by now, but the jokes are still strong and  original enough to make you laugh out loud. Even after the credit role, there is an extremely effective joke that you don’t see coming. And the soundtrack again is very well chosen.

You can’t just go see “Deadpool & Wolverine” without having any knowledge of the previous films and you do need to be familiar with the Marvel films in general. Even outside the MCU, because there is a lot of pop culture reference and many characters from the Marvel universe pass by. It’s not as enjoyable if you have no clue who they are.

“Deadpool & Wolverine” is such a joy. It’s clever, entertaining, hilarious, action-packed, bloody, raunchy and just a whole bunch of fun. Porn for the real Marvel fans.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Book Review - The Women by Kristin Hannah

Title: The Woman
Author: Kristin Hannah
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: 2024
 
Description: “Women can be heroes”. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.
 
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnamn to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets – and becomes one of – the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.
 
But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.
 
Review: Kristin Hannah had the idea for “The Women” back in the late 90s, but she didn’t think she was ready to write about such an important subject then. Fortunately for us, she did eventually write it and I loved this novel.
 
Hannah is a very popular author, known for her historical fiction novels. I had never read from her, but after “The Women” I feel like I need to read more of her backlist.
 
Everyone has read about the Vietnam war at some point in their lives. Read stories, articles, seen movies and documentaries. Talking about the men that fought for their country. But no one ever talks about the women that were there. Because there were no women in Vietnam, they didn’t see combat. Hannah wrote the story, from the perspective of combat nurse Frankie McGrath, for the whole world to know about all the brave women that have saved many of these soldiers. They made sure many of these men got to return home.
 
After two tours in Vietnam, Frankie returns home, not knowing that her own war is just beginning. Where she thinks all the Vietnam veterans will be welcomed back with open arms, as heroes, she comes home to a divided America.
 
Hannah managed to portray Frankie respectfully. Starting out as a naïve girl, thinking she can be a hero and change the world, coming back broken, damaged and lost. I loved reading from Frankie’s perspective, I liked her as a character, felt empathy for her and understood her.
 
“The Woman” is a big book, the only reason I could not give it a perfect score. It felt a tad too long for me. 

If you like reading historical fiction, “The Women” is a wonderful pick. I’m definitely going to make my mom read this, she will love this.  
 
Rating: 4,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - The Hate U Give

Director: George Tillman Jr.
Genre: Drama/ Drama
Runtime: 133 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, Anthony Mackie, Common, Issa Rae, Algee Smith, Sabrina Carpenter, K.J. Apa, Dominique Fishback, Megan Lawless, Lamar Johnson, TJ Wright

Description: Starr (Amandla Stenberg) witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Now, facing pressure from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and stand up for what’s right.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 31: A FILM WITH A COMING-OF-AGE STORY
 
Review: The Hate U Give forms the first half of the acronym “Thug Life, which was tattooed on rapper Tupac Shakur’s belly in the 1990s. In full, the acronym stands for “The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody. In short, all the woes in society that underprivileged youths face at an early age will later pay off in only more hate. With the late rapper’s thoughts as the main motif, it should be clear that author Angie Thomas’ wildly successful debut novel is a lote more deeply politically engaged than the average teen novel. The film adaptation, let by and outstanging Amandla Stenberg, also manages to do that.

In the opening scene we see Starr and her family sitting at the table. Father Maverick gives them the talk about serious matter. How should they act when they come into contact with the police as black Americans? Overly protective perhaps, but the long list of incidents in which unarmed African-American men were killed by a police bullet in recent years alone shows that Maverick’s concern are by no means unfounded.

When Starr is 16, she has to use these lessons in practice, when she and her childhood friend Khalil are being pulled over by a cop. When Khalil is killed by this cop, Starr has to try and deal with this traumatic and it presents her with a diabolical dilemma. Will she fight for justice by acting as a key witness? Or is she better off staying far away from all the media hysteria and the inevitable hate reactions that come with it? And how will it affect her own reputation at her largely white school when she is suddenly associated in the news with a boy portrayed in the media as a dangerous drug dealer?

Amandla Stenberg, who plays Starr, is absolutely amazing. The young actress shows she has a lot of emotion and she can easily carry this story. I loved the supporting roles by Regina Hall and Russell Hornsby as well. The creators could have done a bit more with Issa Rae and Anthony Mackie’s characters though.

The film has a strong message, is emotional, powerful. I absolutely loved this movie, a different kind of coming-of-age story, but one that I will remember for a very long time.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Book Review - Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

Title: Middle of the Night
Author: Riley Sager
Genre: Mystery/ Thriller
Published: 2024
 
Description: The worst thing to ever happen on Hemlock Circle occurred in Ethan Marsh’s backyard. One July night, ten-year-old Ethan and his best friend and neighbor, Billy, fell asleep in a tent set up on a lawn in a quiet, quaint New Jersey cul de sac. In the morning, Ethan woke up alone. During the night, someone had slices the tent open with a knife and taken Billy. He was never seen again.
 
Thirty years later, Ethan has reluctantly returned to his childhood home. Plagues by bad dreams and insomnia, he begins to notice strange things happening in the middle of the night. Someone seems to be roaming the cul de sac at odd hours, and signs of Billy’s presence keep appearing in Ethan’s backyard. Is someone playin a cruel prank? Or has Billy, long thought to be dead, somehow returned to Hemlock Circle?
 
The mysterious occurrences prompt Ethan to investigate what really happened that night, a quest that reunites him with former friends and neighbors and leads him into the woods that surround Hemlock Circle. Woods where Billy claimed monsters roamed and where a mysterious institute does clandestine research on a crumbling estate.
 
The closer Ethan gets to the truth, the more he realizes that no place – be it quiet forest or suburban street – is completely safe. And that the past has a way of haunting the present.
 
Review: I’m totally up-to-date with Riley Sager’s novels, so whenever a new book comes out, I’m ready for it. Last year, his new release “The Only One Left” had me stunned. It was the last book I read in 2023 and ended up being my number one book of that year. Telling you I was excited about “Middle of the Night” was an understatement. But this book will not end up on my favorites list at the end of the year.
 
The book starts of with a young Ethan and his friend Billy, camping out in Ethan’s backyard. In the morning, there is a slash in the tent and Billy is gone, never to be found. Thirty years later, Ethan returns to his family home, being confronted with this memory. When strange things start to happen, Ethan is determined to find out what really happened that night.
 
The start of the book is strong, I was sucked it. But that didn’t last long. The book, overall, is pretty dull. Not a lot happens. And then when something exciting does happen, it only lasts a moment. And there are often these fake scares, that we also know from horror movies. When the main character hears a strange noise, thinking someone’s in the house and it turns out to be cat. Similar situations happen a lot in “Middle of the Night”.
 
WARNING!!! THE FOLLOWING MIGHT HAVE SPOILERS!!!
 
There are these “Stranger Things” vibes in the book. The childhood friendships, the 90s nostalgia (80s in the TV-show) and a mysterious institute nobody is allowed to enter or talk about. I liked that. But when we finally get a glimpse of this institute, which made me excited and felt it finally gave me what I wanted, it goes nowhere. Sager could and should have done more with this. It felt like a diversion now and the institute really only functioned as this. I really wanted to dig into this more, I wanted this to be focus of the book.
 
As for the end, it felt uninspiring and lackluster. Riley Sager can do much better and I was really disappointed. We never got that crazy twist or reveal, that I often love from him. His only book I'd rated under a 3-star was “The Final Girls”, which was a 2,5, but “Middle of the Night” is now officially my least favorite book by him. It just felt to generic and not exciting at all. I’m so sad.
 
Rating: 2/ 5