Wow!

It’s almost to November and I haven’t got a single book done. I had a plan and it didn’t go anywhere.

This year is not turning out like how I thought it was.

Movie: Suspiria (2018)

Amazon Prime Video
Horror, Mystery, Fantasy
Released: Nov. 2, 2018
Rating: …yes…

Synopsis:

A darkness swirls at the center of a world-renowned dance company, one that will engulf the artistic director, an ambitious young dancer, and a grieving psychotherapist. Some will succumb to the nightmare. Others will finally wake up.

Review:

I have heard about the original that was released in 1977 is one of the better underrated horror movies. I have never seen the original and maybe that is one of my problems. Anywho, I was scrolling through Prime Video looking for something for Wy and I to watch. Saw Suspiria then decided to give it a chance.

We only watched an hour and four minutes of this two hour and thirty-two minutes movie. I can’t even tell you what went on during that hour and four minutes. I am so confused and disturbed all at the same time. I have no idea what this movie is really about. I don’t plan on finishing it either.

While the movie had big actresses in this who are incredible including Tilda Swinton, who played three characters, I just couldn’t get into this disturbing flick.

I’ve waited to write this review for two days trying to get my head wrapped around the little I saw. Nothing makes me want to go back and try to finish. Plus there is one scene where Dakota Johnson is apparently dancing??? But it really looks like she was auditioning for 50 Shades. She was writhing on the floor arching her back. Director spent way to much time filming her backside while everyone else was dancing around her.

I like artistic films, but not ones that have to make me think way too much to understand the concept only to get more and more confused. Maybe I missed it because I didn’t watch all the way through, but after watching Youtube reviews of people who actually watched all the way through, I don’t think I am the only one.

As for now, Suspiria is not for me.

Movie: The Secret Life of Bees

Rented off Amazon
Historical Fiction
Based off: Sue Monk Kidd’s book of the same name
Released: October 17, 2008
Rating: 2.5 stars

Synopsis:

In 1964, a teenage girl in search of the truth about her mother runs away to a small town in South Carolina and finds a family of independent women who can connect her to her past.

Review:

Of course I have read the book. Let me tell you, if I didn’t read the book this might have gotten a higher rating. Might.

The apple fell way far from the tree. The cast is an amazing group of actors but the direction given wasn’t the best.

June seemed just to be filled with hate one moment then she’s fine at the end. They don’t give her character the depth that she deserved. They don’t give even a tiny bit of detail on why she is the way she is. Also she didn’t teach music in the book. Neil was also the principal not another teacher.

August need more of the older wisdom feel which I know Queen Latifah can do if given the reins to do so.

Jennifer Hudson should have been able to bring in the depth she had in Dreamgirls to her character.

Dakota Fanning did an okay job. I just felt she made Lily too whiny and not a girl struggling to love and forgive herself.

Paul Bettany has done better. Again I think it was direction.

Zach’s character… one he had a black Ford Fairlane not a red and white one. Two he like June wasn’t given enough detail. It was like Lily just knew things about him and said these things to just let the audience know not to build up the relationship.

Oh don’t get me started on how they treated May. Kudos to Sophie Okonedo who did May the best justice she was allowed to give.

Again if I didn’t read the book, I may have found this movie likeable, but it fell flat. I believe it was the writing and direction that failed the movie. The actors did the best they were given. But this movie could have been more. It could have been given more depth.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

My edition: Kindle owned
Pages: 315
Stand alone
Genre: Classics, Historical fiction
Publish: Nov 8, 2001
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily’s fierce-hearted black “stand-in mother,” Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina–a town that holds the secret to her mother’s past. Taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about divine female power, a story women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come. 

Review:

I have been putting this book off for years. It’s a classic. Much hype comes with classics. I remember watching the movie a long time ago. But push comes to shove and one must simply fall down the rabbit hole at some point.

Standing there, I loved myself and I hated myself. That’s what the black Mary did to me, made me feel my glory and my shame at the same time.

I had thought to keep this one on the shelf until October for one of my challenge points, but in searching for a book to read I decided to go all the way to the bottom of my kindle sorted under unread recent. This gem sat there at the bottom. The oldest unread book I had on my kindle because if we looked at my bookshelf it wouldn’t even be close to the oldest.

At first this book started out great for me, but I slowly got burned out. I just stopped caring on what happened at the end. I didn’t feel much emotion when reading. I scooted along with this coming of age that kind of feels out dated. Nothing really connected with me. Maybe I’m too young to know references but then again I wasn’t fully invested.

Big hype books are hard for me because most times I tend to fall on the dislike side then the liked/loved side. The good news though is I finally get to say I read this book and finished it.