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⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) I’d say this movie is about a class war. A low caste young man who’s fate seems to be sealed as a poor tea maker convinces his granny to let him get his license so he can drive for rich people to make more money to send home to his family. Our main character is super loveable and hardworking so he obviously gets hired and that’s when realization dawns on him about how poor he is and how rich other people are and do nothing to help people. This movie was awesome. It was compelling, emotional, funny, but also philosophical. It especially struck a chord with me because I have been to many of these places and seen a lot of what was shown in the movie. It was heartbreaking to see the both the cycle of poverty enacted in this movie and the cycle of corruption from riches. Indian life is so incredibly complex and I think they did a great job showing that.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Will) I suppose this might technically go in the fantasy genre because it includes some fantastical creatures, but other than that it doesn't really have anything in common with any other fantasy I've read. Linus Baker is a lonely middle-aged case worker with the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. When he's assigned to asses an island orphanage that's home to six potentially dangerous magical youth, he finds a connection that's difficult to reconcile with his position as an impartial government employee. As a whole the book is just delightful and filled with warmth throughout, being almost entirely centered around a people and their relationships, rather than being super plot driven. This book has just the right kind of feel-good vibes for a winter pandemic.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Will) A sports drama centering around Jack (Ben Affleck), who's become an alcoholic as he attempts to deal with past trauma. It's a bit similar to other basketball dramas like Glory Road and Coach Carter, except the good parts of this movie are all the ones off the basketball court. The drama portion is especially distressing if you're a parent, and is definitely heavier than I expected - but it was well done and Ben Affleck does a great job portraying a realistic descent into and recovery from addiction.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Anita) A wonderful love story that was so needed after some pretty heavy reads. The cover says "The new Jojo Moyes" and this is absolutely accurate. I loved this romance and these characters on the same level as "Me Before You". I couldn't put this book down! I absolutely also loved the emphasis on emotional health and actually learned some things! And therapy was used and portrayed positively! Yay!

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This is the second time I've seen this movie and it really is not a great rewatch. The whole movie depends on the intrigue and mystery of the island, so when that is removed the movie has a lot less to offer. It was kinda cool watching it again within the context of having the mystery solved, but also it kinda made it even more confusing? Like knowing what I know, the characters acting the way they do doesn't make much sense. Anyways, despite all this, I don't want to give this movie a low score because it's not it's fault I've seen it before. This movie is genuinely awesome with some great suspense, an awesome mystery and a great payoff in the end. I'm pretty fond of dark movies like this, and this one has some incredibly bleak scenes and stomach churning images. The implications for mental illness are pretty problematic, but the movie also takes place in the 50s and I think that changes things.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by kaelwilton) This is one of my favourite movies of all time. I definitely did not understand it the first time I watched it, but that did not take away from how powerful this film is. You can’t talk about this movie without first talking about Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance. I would consider it to be my favourite acting performance of all time. The way that Day-Lewis portrays such a complicated, conflicted and greedy man is beyond incredible. The movie is worth a watch just for this performance alone. Paul Dano also delivers an incredible performance, he truly is one of the most underrated actors out there right now. This is a complicated movie. At times it may feel slow, but the way that the film builds tension and keeps the viewer invested regardless is insane. Lots of this comes from Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction, there are so many cool visuals it’s insane. This movie deals with many different themes as well. It deals with themes of greed, family, re...

⭐ 6.5/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) I'm not a huge fan of rom-coms, and like most, this one was just okay for me, despite it being a "classic rom-com." It's about a super famous actress and a very normal British bookstore owner. She visits his bookstore, he's a bumbling dork, and for some reason they start seeing each other. I guess my main complaint is that I didn't really understand why they liked each other, which is honestly usually my complaint about rom-coms. But it was a cute movie, and it's set in London (Notting Hill to be precise!), so I did like that. And it was exciting to see the famous "I'm just a girl in front of a boy asking him to love her" scene and finally knowing the context. Not a bad choice if you're in the mood for a simple 90s movie.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) Usually I stay far away from horror, so maybe it's just because of the times we're living in, but I was in the mood for monsters and a constant threat of death. In Seoul, people are starting to turn into monsters and they don't know why, and the whole city is on fire and dead people are everywhere. So this show did help me to think that our pandemic didn't seem too bad anymore, since at least ours doesn't make people turn into monsters and start killing everyone! Of course it's a compelling story, since there's danger everywhere and a bunch of almost strangers are stuck in a building trying to help each other survive. There's character growth and relationship bonds growing, and people worth rooting for. But also lots of death and blood and sad things. I liked a lot about it, but I really wanted more background about the virus (or whatever it was - still not sure!) and how it worked.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) Alright buckle up because this album is the GOAT. Before I review I want you all to know some of the context of this album. It was released in 1998 (I know I’m really late to the party), when hip hop, rap, and R&B was super misogynistic and sexist. The songs in that genre during that time were mostly about seeing woman as objects. Then comes Ms. Lauryn. She released this solo album and the whole world nearly lost their mind because it’s so incredible. She shows off her pure talent in her songwriting, her lyrics, the way she raps and her voice that is smooth as honey. The album narrative is kind of told through the perspective of a teacher asking his kids what love means. Throughout the track there is dialogue about what the kids believe love to be. She ties it into the album with other questions like her own sexuality, her love for God and God’s love for us, and her love for her son Zion! Incredible concept. It’s also the first hip hop album ...

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) Oh man, what a show! I had heard so many good things about this that I decided to give it a try. After the first two episodes I wasn’t totally convinced but it really falls into a rhythm after that. Essentially this is a sports show - Jason Sudeikus plays Ted Lasso: a college football coach from the south that gets sent to England to be a football (soccer) coach. Chaos ensues. Ted is just so loveable because he’s so optimistic and has all these stupid southern American sayings. I actually see myself in him a lot, and he’s definitely a 7. But he’s not the only great character. There are like 5 different people you become highly invested in. Slowly all these toxic relationships are transformed and it’s so cool to see. Had an emotional punch as well, because all the characters are going through significant life changes, but the show deals with it so well. Staying lighthearted and funny but getting you in the feels too. The show was 10 episodes long ...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by hoodie_logi) To my horror, I woke up this morning to see that one of Weezer's new albums dropped today. True to my word, I listened it through despite still having all of their other music rattling around in my head. And I have to say, this new album is spectacular and everything that they needed. For a band that has struggled with experimentation and deviating from the norm, this album should serve as a masterclass on how to do these exact things well. It features no electric guitar, instead utilizing a 38 string orchestra. Rivers Cuomo's vocals glide over ethereal sounding instrumentals, with some of his best lyricism to date. Though I doubt this album will reach any commercial success, I think it will go down as one of their best projects.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) I don't think I've ever watched a competition show in my life, and was completely shocked by how much I enjoyed this. I did not expect to be invested in this at all, but found myself watching episodes after episode and even literally dreaming about this show. The food though! Oh man, everything looked so delicious and was so absolutely stunning. I actually don't even enjoy baking for the most part but this show was so inspiring. All I can think about is cakes, pies, pastries, and bread lately. I have to say that once I saw that they switched hosts in season 3 and Dan Levy was gone, I stopped watching for a while because I was so disappointed. But I eventually watched it and still enjoyed it (though still miss Dan). A great show to have playing in the background since you can miss parts and it'll be fine.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) I really love the Inspector Gamache series but had taken a break from it for some time. Returning to it again reminded me how poetic she is as a writer (especially for murder mysteries) and also why I needed a break: the fact that SO many crimes and murders can occur in or near this tiny Quebec town is so unrealistic and becoming laughable. I love the town and its residents as much as the next reader, but when I read about another crime occuring here I have to roll my eyes. I'm also getting a little tired of the same description and habits of the characters after so many books. Having said that, this book kept me guessing and interested the entire time once again. She also continued with the larger, on-going story of corruption in the Surete du Quebec, which helps tie the books together. I'll continue to read/listen to this series but if there's ONE more murder in Three Pines...

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by hoodie_logi) I don't think I will exactly to be able to do this book justice in my review, but it may end up being not only the best book I've ever read, but also one of the most influential pieces of literature I will ever read. I feel changed after reading this book. The book details of the events of the mythical and mystical town of Mocando, located in a secluded marsh in Colombia. The book focuses on the exploits and lives of the Buendia family, it covers 6 generations and around a century, though the timeline is fuzzy and unimportant in a lot of ways. Marquez does not utilize time in the we Westerners have come to understand narrative. The generations of families are understood to work in a cyclical working of time, many characters feature variations of the same names, and they often end up repeating the mistakes of those who came before them. Many events are told from past, present and future reflections all at one time. It's all as co...

⭐ 5.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) From the trailer this show looked like a good heist show with mysterious characters and it’s set in Paris and it’s French so I was hyped. Kind of had a French Sherlock Holmes vibe. The first two episodes were pretty interesting but it quickly fell off the rails after that. Just so unrealistic. I can suspend a few beliefs in shows but this one took it too far. Very little character development and the dialogue was pretty cheesy (although that may have been a translation issue). I watched this online with a friend and by the end it was more fun to make fun of than to actually watch. They ended with a super cliche cliffhanger and I will not be continuing to watch it.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) This film was really good but make me really sad and also made my head hurt so it loses two stars. Psychological thriller where you can't trust anyone and you know something's not right but none of your guesses are right and by the end you're still not sure what to trust. So if you like being sad and psychological films, this is the movie for you. I did really like it, though, despite all that, and I thought the score and the dream sequences and exposition were all really well done. Incredible performance by my friend Leo as well.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Anita) While looking for a kobo read, this was in the recommended section and the blurb sounded interesting but I was not prepared for the intense "Call the Midwives" vibes! It's the story of a young nurse "i n an Ireland doubly ravaged by war and disease". We follow her throughout her days caring for mothers in labour that have that year's more dangerous strain of the flu. It was really strange reading it during our own pandemic and seeing the government propaganda parallels. In all, it was beautiful and heart-breaking and still lovely.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Okay yeah I'm stupid, I should have read the title. I thought this was his memoir, but was indeed his guide for recovery and his take on the 12 steps. With that said, and with the acknowledgement that this book was certainly not aimed at me, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I knew little about Brand besides that he has a cool accent and is in some funny movies. But man, his writing style speaks to me. He is incredibly poetic and incredibly profane, and something about that combo hit my sweet spot. He's a comedian and his ability to get really philosophical and then make you laugh is distinct and endearing. From my brief time working in recovery centres, I can certainly tell you that there are no people more in touch with themselves than people in recovery. Brand is certainly no exception, and his spiritual maturity is inspiring. I feel like this is the best Christian book I've read recently, and it's not a Christian book. I felt compelled...

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) I was pretty invested in this Korean horror series right off the bat, mostly for the premise--it takes place almost entirely within a single grody old apartment complex, where some of the residents are turning into monsters for unknown reasons, while the same thing is happening all over the country (or world??) and everyone is barricaded inside to protect themselves from monsters outside, but also have to face the ones in the building. It's a large, ensemble cast, which I also like, and I found the first half of the season really compelling, but after that things started getting increasingly convoluted and more and more characters started dying. I have a low tolerance for characters death, especially when it comes to characters that I like, so my rating started dropping by the end. And there wasn't much resolution, with none of the problems really getting solved and more cropping up for what can only be a second season. I think it was a ...

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This is the follow up to Ori and the Blind Forest which I loved, but ultimately failed to be a game I thought about much after the fact and failed to leave any type of lasting impression. I think that will be different after Will of the Wisps because I think this series came into its own with this entry and will be remembered among platforming classics. This game has a ton of great elements. I played this on Xbox Series S and it looked and felt astonishingly great at 60 fps. The music was great in the first, and this one was even better with a few more diverse tracks. The final levels felt especially haunting and at times pretty epic. The art style in this series is classic, and again this game stepped it up with some great background design. There is this one bug-themed level that's unique and creepy and amazing. Like Tim pointed out, the platforming is the real highlight. This is the smoothest, most satisfying platforming I've played. T...

⭐ 6.5/10 (Originally written by kaelwilton) Let me start this review by saying that I do not enjoy the Ice Age movies. I do not find them very funny, so I did not have high expectations going into this one. But let me say, this movie had me rolling on the floor laughing (literally)! I have not laughed this hard at a movie in so so long. Maybe it was just because I was really tired, or maybe it's because I was watching with a group of friends, but all I know is that this movie killed me! I must admit, many of the parts that I was laughing at were probably unintentionally funny, as the writing was incredibly weak and the story made no sense at times, but nonetheless I was having a blast! However, this movie does suffer from a few fatal flaws. The movie is dragged down by way too many undeveloped new characters, too many confusing side plots, as well as an unfocused main narrative, but that doesn't stop this movie from providing countless laughs! I am finding this movie incredibly...

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by hoodie_logi) Well folks I did it. Over the past 72 hours I listened through Weezer's entire discography in order. I did not listen to one album more than once, so these will not be in depth reviews. Merely passing observations. Don't ask me why I did it, but here is my comprehensive review of the band weezer. Weezer (blue album) [1994] 8.0 - Weezer starts out their career in amazing fashion. Influences of metal and grunge are rampant throughout the album (and their career), but with cheeky lyrics in what can only be described as a nerdy delivery. It's a weird combination, but one that works. Best Track: Buddy Holly Pinkerton [1996] 9.0 - This album rocks, and was my favourite of all their works. It's heavier musically than blue album and feels a lot more raw. The storytelling is what drives this album though. It features a fun cast of characters like El Scorcho, or tells the story of a man professing his love to his crush, only to find ou...

⭐ 6.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) I think @Will hit the nail on the head with this one. Anticipation is always very high for these books, and this one just didn't make as much progress as I think a 1200 page book should. That said there are some great moments, and the last 200 pages simmer like I would expect a book from Sanderson to. But oh my goodness I am so sick of 2 of the main characters. The idea that the broken people in this world are the ones who get powers is compelling, but it is frustrating that every time they level up they first have to backslide into their old issues. I have done some reading online, and the internet seems mostly happy with Sanderson's writing of depression and addiction and other disorders, but we are 4 books deep and I am sick of it. One thing I loved about this book, and lots of Sanderson in general, is tying his magic systems into the science of his worlds. This book goes really deep on that, which I always enjoyed, and the character that...

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) I'm a fan of Kristen Wiig and always find her very funny, and that's the main reason why I watched this. She plays an Oprah-loving woman with borderline personality disorder, so when she wins the lottery she goes off her meds and pays a huge amount of money to a struggling TV channel to create her own talk show, where she just... talks about herself and does whatever she wants. The show is a hot mess, and so is she. The movie is indeed very funny, and has some very laugh-out-loud and memorable scenes. But also sometimes so uncomfortable it hurts. I did enjoy it, but didn't feel completely satisfied at the end, because I couldn't figure out what exactly it was saying about mental illness. Except you probably shouldn't go off your meds. (Heads up for some nudity if you watch this)

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) Written by a woman with cerebral palsy, this book looks at disability and specifically how it's portrayed in fairy tales, both in the original versions and in the more modern ones. She includes a lot of her own story, growing up loving Disney princesses but knowing her feet would never fit in glass slippers. She talks a lot about representation and disability rights, and how society sees disability as something to overcome and the ultimate dream is for the disability to go away, instead of for society to change and become more accepting and accessible for people with disabilities. I've read a few books on the topic of disability rights now, and my favourite book about that aspect of disability was Rebecca Taussig's Sitting Pretty. But I did like the focus of this one on fairy tales and the history of them, and how they've shaped our culture. And, of course, how the importance of fairy tales in our culture and portrayal of disab...

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) Declan left his last boyfriend at the altar, and since then he's felt incapable of doing "real relationships". But he's thinking about trying again, and when he meets Sidney, a genderqueer YouTuber, they suggest doing a series together, setting him up on dates and giving him advice. Except the only person Declan feels drawn to is Sidney, but they are both very awkward and so it won't go very smoothly. This is a romance novel, but it wasn't a standard romance in more ways than just how queer it is. My favourite part of this book is how realistically it portrays the beginning of a relationship, because there are so many awkward conversations that need to happen. And typically in romance novels the beginning of the relationship is just all attraction and excitement, so I appreciated that. And Declan has a lot to work through about his guilt for running out on his wedding even after six years, which also felt realistic. ...

⭐ 2.0/10 (Originally written by kaelwilton) Here we have the debut novel from ex-rapper Logic (or Bobby Hall), Supermarket. This novel borrows HEAVILY from other pieces of media, such as Fight Club (sometimes it feels like it has been copied and pasted from Fight Club). This means that there is almost no original ideas within this novel, which makes it a boring read. He relies on music references and lots of cursing to make up for a lack of an original plot and zero likeable characters. This book is not well written, and is not as clever as you can tell he thought it was, and it was honestly a struggle to get through at times. Not to mention, the accompanying "soundtrack" is one of the worst pieces of music I have ever heard in my entire life. Like its bad. Once again, let me reiterate that there are NO original ideas in this book, and it fails at being thrilling or entertaining. The only positive of reading this book is that sometimes you get to laugh at how awful it truly ...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by kaelwilton) This is legitimately one of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen. From the use of natural light, to the incredibly well done long shots, this movie is so gorgeous to look at. On top of the amazing visuals, this film has incredible performances from Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Hardy, and a very interesting story. There are times where the film felt like it was moving slowly, but the visuals make up for it. Overall, a very good watch, and I would recommend this movie

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by hoodie_logi) Ya'll I seriously have not enjoyed a show as much as I loved this one in a long time. From one of the producers of the office (Justin Spitzer), it follows much of the same formula as the office, just without the mockumentary style. It showcases just how ridiculous retail customers and staff can be, with many of its funniest moments coming in the form of customers being stupid in cutscenes. At times it's often very simple in its delivery, but I seriously was entertained every single episode. The show does a great job of developing its characters (many of whom feel very one dimensional early on) and an exceptional job of staying up on current issues. From the #metoo movement, to focusing heavily on BLM in their last season, and actually setting their final season in the Covid pandemic, this is one of the strengths of the show. The cast is stellar, with familiar names such as America Ferrara and Mark McKinney, and lots of newcomers who ...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Anita) This was a really incredibly tough movie to watch. It focused on the relationship between a driver and his wealthy employers who are sort of progressive for their family and I thought it captured this relationship without any fanfare and it was just so raw. I felt so incredibly uncomfortable watching what the driver went through as he was figuring out his place in the world. It is absolutely graphic sometimes but in a way where I felt guilty for looking away because I have the privilege to do so. It's a lot.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Anita) Wow what a book. I had a general idea of what was going to happen and it still absolutely wrecked me. There was just so incredibly much to think about here. The author portrayed such a full spectrum of human pain in so many relationships that I was just hooked and empathized with everyone and feel drained. It goes deep into how toxic masculinity and hockey culture can affect so much and it was a tough look into the nature of loyalty, friendship, parenthood, so much.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) This was a real treat. It is a bit of a Hunger Games setup, with a tiered society that holds a brutal competition to crown the best of the best. However, this competition is only for the top-tier people, and our protagonist is lowest of the low. After some depressing events he undergoes a transformation in order to infiltrate the upper classes in an attempt to destroy the structure from the inside. So there are a couple layers of well-trod plot stuff here. Reminded me a lot of the movie Elysium combined with Mistborn combined with Hunger Games. It was a gritty and exciting read that had really great pace. It is probably because I have been reading Sanderson at the same time ( review incoming), but it was quite refreshing how minimal this book felt. Fight scenes takes paragraphs, if not sentences, instead of chapters. Because it is all from the same perspective the whole time we are able to movie quickly - this book covers about as much as 3 of Sande...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) This movie feels like it must have inspired so many modern movies. A normal guy gets mistaken for a secret agent, and he is forced to run for his life and try to clear his name. For a movie that came out in the late 50s the effects are very impressive, and several set pieces are pretty unforgettable. Not to mention that I have a bit of a crush on Cary Grant. The whole time I just couldn't get over how modern the movie felt, from the way the actors looked and talked to the plot and actions scenes. I am not saying anything new, this movie and Hitchcock are incredibly well-respected, I just found it all very impressive. The only downside here is that it is maybe 15 minutes too long, and even with a longer runtime the ending is confusingly abrupt. There is nothing to compare the ending to, you kind of just have to see it, but the credits rolling is a shock in a non-cliffhanger way. If you like action-packed thrillers with jokes and a handsome l...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) As with most Tarantino movies, I'm a bit conflicted with the review. On the one hand, you can see the artistry on full display here. The dialogue is the real standout with long, uncut, realistic conversations all over the place that grow these characters who you'd otherwise not be able to relate to. The writing is truly great. There are also some other fantastic, tense scenes as well as some interesting and even powerful themes that you think about after the credits roll. I think that's a pretty impressive feat considering how this movie plays out like a mindless, violent romp. And on the other hand, this movie is kinda a violent romp. Y'all know that killing and blood are my favorites, but boy can this movie be extreme. I know that's the point, and the violence can be so over the top that it ends up being funny, but other times it is borderline distributing. I'm glad I watched it, but this is not something I can necessari...

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) I think it’s safe to say that Morgan Wallen is the future of country music. He plays modern country, getting away from that bro country that people seem to be sick of (think Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan). He is charismatic, charming, great stage presence and really talented; he was on the voice and made it pretty far. All that to say is this album is too damn long! You know you’re getting a double album but there are 30 tracks here! Hello?! A friend pointed out that Taylor released two 17 track albums a few months apart and I didn’t complain about that length. While that is true because I’m super biased, they felt like two separate entities I didn’t have to listen through all the way at the same time. Anyway, there are some really good tunes on this album, and I’ve added those to other playlists, but I just can’t listen to a 30 track album. I did it a few times all the way through and it’s just too much. I’d say cover me up, more than my ho...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) This movie is about a fictional meeting between Sam Cooke, Jim Brown, Malcolm X, and Muhammad Ali, following Muhammad Ali’s historic win in 1964. They meet in a hotel room where most of the movie stays, where they have a conversation about black life in America. A really powerful film. They talk a lot about brotherhood, racism, black power, and how influential black people are using that power. All four of them were incredibly popular people, and it was really cool to hear a conversation between them. They touched on a lot of other topics as well, such as religion. They kind of made Malcolm X seem insufferable and really militant, but I don’t know how accurate that is. The movie did a great job with the dialogue and conversation they had. It was a very compelling movie that I will think about a lot. And directed by Regina King!

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) This show was incredible and exactly what I needed right now. Produced by Nathan Fielder, and it really gives off some Nathan For You vibes, just without the whole fake business proposal framework. It is essential a documentarian showing the clips he records around New York City and the crazy interactions he has along the way, with every episode built around "how to" do something. How to make small talk, how to split the check, how to improve your memory, etc. This is how episodes start anyways, but it is really just a vehicle for him to meet people in his pursuit. I thought the first and last episodes were the masterpieces here, with the first being a distillation of what I love about Nathan For You. An awkward guy just trying to learn how to communicate, and somehow magically gets people that seem ridiculous to open up in very honest and sobering ways. It is truly magical, and had me really missing normal face-to-face interactions....

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Will) Based on a best-selling novel, this is a story of desperate ambition set in India, centered around a lower-caste Indian attempting to escape the cycle of poverty. If you're looking for a nice, comfortable rags-to-riches story, this isn't it - instead it's powerful in an uncomfortable sort of way, and even hard to watch at times, but never not interesting. I think I read that someone called this the "anti-Slumdog Millionaire" which seems pretty accurate, and there's even a reference to it in this movie that points out how completely unrealistic Slumdog was. This is streaming on Netflix, with Priyanka Chopra playing a role and producing as well.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) As both Will and Anita wrote, this is such a valuable read. It's still unbelievable that families have and are living through this kind of violence, instability, and trauma. Reading about the move from Syria to Canada was beautifully exciting but also heartbreaking. I often forget about all of the loss that comes with immigration, even if it is to escape terrible circumstances.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Jess Dyck) Quite honestly I don’t think I gave this show a fair chance. I told Tim I wasn’t interested in watching it, and during the first episode I didn’t really pay attention and thought I didn’t really like it. I was wrong. This show is kind of magical. It’s a 6 episode series where an awkward, dorky documentarian takes simple “how to” tasks, overlays them with footage of real people in the wild (real Humans of New York vibes) and turns each episode into something actually quite meaningful and poignant. It made for some truly funny, shocking and heart-warming watches. Humans are so strange. SO strange. This show made me really really miss the silly little interactions we used to have with people on the day to day, and I finished the season in tears. The humour isn’t always my cup of tea, but man this is beautifully done. Warning: Episode 4 have some truly X-rated (like XXX) (like surprise full frontal action) content, and there are occasional surpris...

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Jess Dyck) This show. SO GOOD. The characters are all horrible people and yet I can’t stop rooting for them. SUCH a good story—genuine drama, genuine laughs, genuine twists! Truly amazing television. I can’t wait to see what this group of trash humans does next 🥳

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Jess Dyck) I enjoyed watching this. Honestly I waited too long to review this and I don’t remember specific highlights. The story was cute and the animation was beautiful and I really did have a nice time watching this—it felt like a unique experience for our night in. I think it’s a bit telling that it didn’t leave much of an impact two weeks late, but it was good!

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) Another movie I watched on a whim to have on in the background. Very Hunger Games-esque, as in a bunch of people trapped in a series of games designed to kill them and only leave one survivor. It wasn't exactly new or innovative in any way, and I'm not a fan of stories where more people die than survive, but I do love puzzles AND admittedly I do love "oh-god-we're-all-trapped-here-and-need-to-escape" plots. I feel like they really could have done more with character backgrounds and what made them specially equipped to survive, but oh well. It was enjoyable, insomuch as it was very stressful and gripping.

⭐ 6.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) After Tim's recent review, I told Jess that all anime is bad and she insisted on convincing me otherwise. I actually thought this one was pretty good. We watched the dubbed version which made quite a difference for me and if something has a decent dub I'll probably watch it that way in the future. Anyways, this movie is beautiful, the music is wonderful and the world is super creative. I really do think this movie is good, but I'll also say I could just not get invested in this movie at all. It reminded me a lot of Atlantis where the last half is super dramatic, super forgettable action that doesn't really seem to have much to do with the main characters or doesn't seem to follow any type of natural progression. I felt lost in all these moving parts and stopped caring after that fifth or sixth climatic event. Anyways, I didn't hate this movie, and it didn't have much of that anime BS that I hate so much, so that's ...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) I thought the start of this season was great, and if it weren't for a couple stinker later episodes it would have been on the same level as the early seasons. I may have just been excited for this show to be good again after season 4 though. It certainly suffers from losing Troy and Pearce, though a welcome return for John Oliver and the introduction of Mike from Breaking Bad certainly helped it along. This show is great, and I regret having not watched it earlier. I'm a little sad realizing I only have a dozen or so of these left.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Tim) This show is amazing. This is my second time watching it, and I just think everything about it is expertly done. The humour is dark and sharp and fast. The settings are beautiful, putting on full display the money HBO can throw at shows, with tons of filming in downtown Manhattan but also in beautiful castles and other exotic locations. The characters are all completely hate-able, but for some reason I love watching them all fight against each other. And the theme song has been stuck in my head for 2 years straight. This show is for sure not for everyone. It follows a mega-rich family, where the children are fighting to claim power once their aging father retires from his media company. We are talking the richest of the rich here, Bezos/Musk level of influence and power. So the show is full of displays of all this wealth, which I would normally hate, but these people are clearly not meant to be idolized. They are all absolutely terrible, but...

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) This book was 100% my jam, as a former linguistics student and a current Internet user. It's about how we communicate on the Internet, how that's changed, and why we do what we do. It's got chapters on memes, emojis, Internet-specific punctuation, why millenials use and type on the Internet differently from our parents... so much fascinating stuff. It was everything I wanted it to be. As someone who has studied linguistics there was still so much to learn, since we definitely never learned this stuff in university. But I think anyone with even a passing interest in language or Internet culture would love it, and it's so easy to read and understand. It has so much interesting information without being stuffy or academic-sounding at all. Highly recommend for fellow nerds.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Jess) It's got our boy JONATHAN GROFF. Enough said. So this takes place in the 60s-70s, around there. It follows two FBI agents who start working in behavioural science and interview serial killers to find out the why. It gets really dark at times of course, but it is so good. Also, the serial killers in the show are based on actual serial killers.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Jess) This series is amazing. Book number one didn't really hook me until the end, and since then I haven't been able to stop. The main character is a strong female. I can't really say too much more without giving it away. It is YA so there's some enemy to lover story arcs that I love. I can't stop stressing how amazing this series is.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Jess) I haven't quite finished the whole series yet, and I'm working backwards for some reason. I LOVE THIS SHOW. I love basically everyone, and it really inspires me to try new bakes. Unfortunately I looked up the application rules and I can't apply because I am not a UK citizen. RIP. Be warned. In Seasons 1-7, they have a different judge and hosts due to a networking change. I was not ready and I want you to be.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Jess) I was instantly hooked from the first episode. I needed something light and funny to occupy my time and well, I finished the first season in 24 hours. I love all the characters.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) Mostly enjoyed this book. Addie sells her soul to the Darkness in exchange for freedom and a chance to really live, but as a result, no one remembers her the minute they are separated or they fall asleep. Add this to the fact that she's now immortal, it obviously leads to a very lonely life. It was rather heartbreaking and really makes you reflect on the value of relationships. However, she also uses her life to travel, try new experiences, learn new things, and eat amazing food. This is the part that makes me jealous. To have unlimited time to do all of these things! Beautifully written, but it felt like it dragged on a bit, especially her encounters with the Darkness. Also felt like the relationship between her and the Darkness was a bit creepy.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Mathew) I went in with no knowledge or expectations which is definitely the right way to go into this game. I don't normally care too much for space and aliens but holy moley did this game click for me. Not quite open world but lots of exploration. The combat was well implemented and didn't get tiring, and there are often different ways to achieve your goals. Most importantly, it isn't often that the choices in games actually feel like they have an impact on your experience but I often had to stop and think about the decisions I had to make because they WERE going to have an impact on what happened in the rest of the story. It's easy to see why this game was nominated for/won awards for its storytelling. Can't give it a perfect score because I spent way too much time in the hacking screen.

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) This is a 5 track pop EP. Not a ton going on here but I love the sound. It’s very poppy but walks the line of indie-pop. Like I said, a short, easy listen but so good. I love pop music and this EP has all the makings for good sounding pop. There are also some great features and duets. I’d say the song supercuts is the standout track!

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Benjamin) Loved the sound throughout this entire album! With the female lead vocalist they have kind of a Walk off the Earth/Of Monsters and Men vibes. Easy-going and really thoughtful and pleasant sound. Listening to their music i usually get sort 'spiritual' take aways as their lyrics gently remind me to soul search and reflect.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by hoodie_logi) The sequel to Frank Herbert's masterpiece debut, Dune , Messiah could not have been farther from what his fans expected. Though set in a sci-fi universe, the book merely uses this setting as a backdrop to explore three core themes: Unchecked political power, unchecked religious influence and the negative effects of overconsumption of the environment and the effect that has on individuals. Living in the midst of the Vietnam war in America, Herbert translated the reality he was living in to the universe that he created. Paul Atreides political and religious power are one and the same. Messiah takes place 12 years after the conclusion of its predecessor. At the end of Dune , Paul manages to establish himself both as Emporer of the known universe, and the Messiah of the Fremen people (the natives of the planet Arrakis). Though we don't get documented account of it, in the aftermath of his becoming Emperor, Paul leads the Fremen on a Jih...

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Benjamin) 5 songs from this album have a 'like' on my music app. 'Basement noise', 'favourite place', 'safe', 'some kind of disaster', and 'clumsy'. Although i can't see this album as being a 'buy' for me i liked their sound and energy! All Time Low also released a single with Demi Lovato and Blackbear called, "Monsters" last year and i kind of thought it was a perfect song, 10/10. I loved the combination of styles in music, the attitude and stance of the sound. I think i'm hearing Demi use her voice as a sort guitar solo build up near the end. Fantastic!

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) This movie stars Paul Rudd as a caregiver to a teen who has muscle dystrophy. Paul is going through a rough time in his life with loss and divorce, and the boy he takes care of, Trevor, has barely ever left his house. They meet, create a routine, and get to know each other: enter montage. They go on a road trip to go see stuff in the US and meet a few interesting people along the way. I thought some parts were actually really funny. The dialogue was hilarious, although there were quite a few F-bombs. This movie just seemed like it was trying too hard to be deep and sentimental. It definitely had emotion but I think they took themselves too seriously. Also, the character with the disability isn’t actually disabled which I know can be problematic.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) Over the past few months I've been watching all of the Bill & Ted movies with a group of friends online, and honestly I have no idea how good these movies are without 5 other people talking over it at the same time, but I had a blast watching them. One of my friends is a huuuge fan and it's impossible not to like a movie when you watch it with someone who loves it that much. But in any case I liked that they were unapologetically dumb and ridiculous and wholesome, and that the cast obviously loved making them. Just good old-fashioned fun.

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) So I've replaced my unhealthy habit of scrolling through social media with the unhealthy habit of watching episodes here and there to distract myself, and chose this show 100% based on the fact that it's set in Paris. Since I can't travel right now I'm living vicariously through shows and movies. It has a pretty simple and stereotypical plot (American goes to Paris to work, has a hard time adapting to the French ways, meets tons of hot French men, etc) but honestly, I didn't care. I was just there for the scenery and it delivered. I've spent like 10 days in Paris in my life and I was surprised by how familiar everything looked and felt. I really loved Paris and this show made me desperate to go back (or to any European city, really). Oh man, what I wouldn't give for some fresh French pastries, a baguette, and a crepe!

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) This is a Netflix show that follows an Egyptian Israeli known as Eli Cohen who infiltrated the Syrian government to get and retrieve information and military secrets to give back to Israel! This show was crazy in the fact that it’s all based on true events. Sacha Baron Cohen plays the main character (not related to the real person Eli Cohen), and he does a fantastic job. Do not let Borat keep you from this show. Its just wild to me how far he moved in the ranks before *spolers!* it eventually came to an end. I feel like the events would’ve been monumental for the time and I’m sure has lasting implications for today. They did a good job too of teasing some of the big names within the narrative like Bin Laden and Hussein. It actually made me do a double take of how little I know about these people besides the fact that they were leaders of terrorists groups, I’m always impressed and terrified of how well American propaganda works. This one is defin...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) Like Maggie said, this movie featured strong accents and no subtitles, so I could only understand half of what was said, but even so I found it very moving and emotional. Dealt with how people cope (or don't cope) with grief, and how it can make you blind to the people around you. I loved all the characters, and I loved how real it all felt, despite how quirky the premise was at times. I felt on the verge of tears a lot of the time, but it also made me laugh.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This is the Peter Jackson WWI documentary that got quite a bit of praise for his ability to restore century old video footage and compliment it with color and sound. It truly is an impressive feat and really brought it to life. I think this one did an amazing job of putting you right there in the trenches, experiencing the grotesque nature of what went down, and experience the anxiety that the soldiers felt. I myself feel I might have some PTSD after only watching. I really have no true complaints. This documentary was incredible. The only minor nitpicks I have are that this movie is too short, and doesn't really give the full picture. The Netflix version is only 1.5 hours, and you really don't learn much in terms of history but rather you just learn about the soldiers' experience. Further, you only learn about the British experience. I get that this documentary is only focused on that, but it just seemed so out of touch to me. This w...

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Anita) What an incredible story. It's a story told by a Refugee from Iraq/Syria and written by his teacher in Canada. I can't believe what a good job it does portraying the beautiful, the evil, the mundane, and the wonder of life in such difficult circumstances. It's such a quick read and just so invaluable to read as a Canadian.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) I'm a sucker for media with characters similar to myself, and this movie fits that description - a woman who's almost thirty and is less than gainfully employed. But Anna is also living in her mother's shed and grieving her twin brother, and can't seem to move on or even want to. Enter a weird kid who's also grieving and won't leave her alone. It's a mix of very funny and very sad. Anna is really strange but easy to sympathize with, and is another example of a character who could really use some therapy. I really enjoyed it, but I sure do wish I would've been able to understand more of what they said! All the characters had strong Yorkshire accents and no subtitles were available.

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) Really not much to add to this one as most have seen it. I watched it in addition to the book I just finished and wow, the movie gets me every time. I think they did a great adaption. It’s so emotionally charged, and apart from the main character really shining, I thought the dad and the “attorney” lady were amazing. Getting to know more African Americans at my school has also shifted my perspective on the issue. They were sharing with me how many of their friends are either dead or in a gang, and it’s just normal life. Crazy to think about. Anyway, I think this movie is easily in my top 10 and I’ll be coming back to it a lot.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This is considered by some the greatest game within the most famous gaming series. I thought it was good, but I had a bit of a tough time falling in love with it. The controls and all were terrific again, and the level design was again great. I really can't imagine the brain power it takes to make all those gravity mechanics, and make them work so well. That this was done over a decade ago is incredibly impressive. While I acknowledge that Galaxy is better than Sunshine and fixed many of the issues that annoyed me from that game, I also felt it didn't have the charm and timelessness of Sunshine. I really wish they kept the concept of the huge levels with lots of stars to get because you really feel a sense of mastering those levels. There were so many forgettable levels in Galaxy I think. Anyways, this one was still great. I think I shouldn't have played so many Mario games straight because they wore me out, and I also played handheld...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) Had a great time watching this again, singing my heart out along with all of the songs. I may have ruined it for John and Samuel but it was worth it. I can't even say whether the story is good because I remember ever part of it from childhood so can't watch it objectively. Pretty dark but luckily Samuel isn't sensitive about that kind of thing. Will be singing these songs for months.

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) Well, there's not much to add after so many people here have watched and reviewed this show. It certainly delivered, even to someone who literally knows nothing about chess (blush). I really felt for Beth and could hardly handle all the trauma she experienced. That girl really could have used some intense therapy (my solution for almost all TV characters). Really loved the relationship between Beth and Jolene.

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) An animated movie from Hayao Miyazaki, and my favourite from what I have seen. I have never really connected with his movies story-wise, since they are usually pretty fantastical and out there. This one is a bit more true to life, which is maybe why I connect a bit more, but I didn't love it as much as the first time I watched it. I love the way it follows a character over many years, as he dreams of making airplanes as a child and grows up to be an engineer on planes. The animation is mesmerizing to look at, and the love story is cute, but I didn't find it super moving. There is probably a bunch of metaphor in here for the creator's life or what needs to be sacrificed in following your dreams, and I think the unspoken idea that airplane innovation is driven by war is the most compelling part of the story. Highly recommend if you are into Studio Ghibli movies, and would be curious if anyone has recommendations on other movies from th...

⭐ 4.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) Well, they saved the worst season for the end. It is only 7 episodes, and I was hoping it would pack more of an emotional wallop. There was one touching scene, but I thought they kind of botched some of the final moments, and instead of me being like, hah, classic new girl, I was like, oh, they are all still just stupid. I guess that is kind of classic new girl. This season also features something I can't stand, which is a very young child actor who they try to make funny. Kids don't aren't as witty as comedies like these make them, and it always makes me cringe. I did appreciate the time jump the show makes, but again I didn't think they used it very well as no one seemed to change in that time. Not sad to say farewell to this show.

⭐ 5.5/10 (Originally written by Tim) Some funny moments, but with the story moving towards its end and people moving out of the apartment you can tell you are running out of ideas. It's nice seeing them grown up, but its even more annoying because they are all still so dumb. None of these episodes were memorable for me, and I was sad to see that this wasn't the final season...

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) What a unique viewing experience this was. I really can't think of a movie quite like this one. I watched it probably fifteen years or more ago and thought i didn't know anything about it, but I was certainly wrong. I think that's a part of the timelessness of this one, because although it's been so long, I remembered him going to Vietnam, playing football, running across the country, etc. It felt like an epic adventure which is a pretty cool concept because Forrest is obviously not your typical Odysseus. What I did NOT remember is how this movie makes you feel. My goodness this one had me sobbing by the end. The ups and downs this movie takes you through is one thing. However, it's mostly that Forrest is so darn likeable, and you can't help but feel strong things when it comes to his relationship with Bubba, his ability to break through to Lieutenant Dan, and then of course his unceasing love for a woman that is so unlova...

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) This is the prequel to The Hate U Give. It’s takes place 17 years before the events of that book and focuses on Maverick Carter, the dad of the story. 17 year old Mav is a product of growing up in the hood: his father is in jail, his mother is working two jobs to make ends meet, and he just started selling drugs to try to bring in some big money. Then he finds out the girl he slept with is pregnant. This story was awesome. Shows the life of black boyhood and everything that comes along with that. It was also incredibly touching. He wants to be a good dad so much but he’s only 17 and doesn’t really know what to do. All the while experiencing loss from gangbanging, being influenced by the many different people in his life trying to help him, and trying to graduate from high school. I think it’s safe to say that Angie Thomas is one of the best story tellers of our generation. Her characters are complex and very real, and she portrays what seems like ...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This is less a video game and more an interactive story. You play as Edith Finch as she explores her old family home that is thought to be cursed, investigating the stories that make up the Finch family mythos. I'm not totally sure how I feel about this game honestly. On the one hand, this game took Jess and I months to get through despite being 3 hours long. It didn't hook us in obviously, and it's neither passive enough to just sit back and enjoy till it's done, nor is it exciting enough to anticipate your next opportunity to play. Yet when we did play, I always loved it. From the art style to the music to the writing, this game is hauntingly beautiful. The story is compelling, dark and mysterious, and especially towards the end it is smart and thought provoking. I know Maggie didn't love the ending, but I thought the ambiguity was pretty central to the theme of this one, and I appreciated leaving some questions unanswered. ...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Benjamin) Part B from 'An Absolutely Remarkable Thing'. Fun story to read, and actually kinda stressful too! A fiction very intertwined with our reality. We finally get to meet Carl and there are a few kick-ass fight scenes.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) I really like this show. It was intense and smart and the accents and costumes are amazing. I don't think it's a perfect show, and I think it tries a little hard to be like The Godfather or something, but it was a solid first season. I think the villain is great, and that's important. The romance certainly seemed problematic to me, but you know, the heart wants what it wants or whatever. I was invested anyways, and I'm looking forward to season two.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This is a completely random war romance that Jess discovered on Netflix that I've never heard of. Not bad! As a period piece/ WWII movie, I thought it was really interesting to show this different perspective. It's about the people back home putting together war propaganda to get men to enlist and women to work in factories. It perhaps didn't have the nuance I was expecting, but I kinda appreciated that. Not everything needs to be social commentary, and sometimes it's just cool to see the history. The romance was a little weaker I think. It was pretty wholesome I suppose, which is nice, but also pretty predictable.

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Anita) This book is freaking long. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the storyline, the characters, the world, he just went WAY OVERBOARD with details during the battle scenes. I was so surprised by how believable everything was - he put a LOT of effort into researching and making all the space travel very realistic which is so cool and should absolutely be commended. The ending was beautifully satisfying and lovely which is an absolute must after that much of a time commitment. 😂

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) This book is written by a leading scholar/pastor/ethicist who is calling for full inclusion of LGBTQ+ Christians in the church. He’s a white straight dude but I think it’s more powerful coming from him because he can and will reach more people who need to hear stuff like this. It’s a big claim and one I have struggled with for a long time. Anytime I have ever really talked to people about it, both sides seem to be majorly lacking in their reasoning. People who are allies couldn’t get past the tricky scripture that seems to condemn it and their theology around it seemed shallow, while people who condemn that lifestyle couldn’t say that it’s ok to actively hate these people and oppress them when the bible calls us to love above all else. Gushee outlines how he came to this inclusive theology and goes through scripture and experience arguing why we need to be inclusive. He starts with the tricky verses in scripture that seem to condemn it, although ...

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) I haven't read a lot of books like this (narrative non-fiction that focuses on one real event), so I can't really judge how well the author did in this genre, but I loved this book. It's one of the most feel-good stories that has happened in the past few years, where 12 young boys and their soccer coach got stuck in a flooded cave for over two weeks while so many people worked to get them out. And all thirteen survived! Even knowing how this story would end, and that all of the kids would survive, I was glued to the book as soon as I started, because it's clear how much the odds are stacked against them. This book was technically written for middle grade kids, but the author did a great job making it understandable for them while not talking down at all, and including all necessary details. The book is filled with pictures and diagrams to help the reader understand how impossible this rescue should have been, plus lots of extr...

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) I'm a huge fan of survival stories, and back in 2018 I was giving Maggie updates every few hours on the progress at that Thai cave where the boys soccer team was trapped. So I was eager to read this book when Maggie snagged it at the library. Even though I felt like I knew pretty much what happened, I was GRIPPED. I was on the edge of my seat with anxiety, even though I knew for a fact all the boys made it out alive. It was such an interesting story, and there were so many things I didn't know and that weren't in the news. I love the spotlight on lesser-known players in the whole thing, and the way the storytelling was vibrant without feeling exaggerated in any way. I was telling Maggie that two things really stood out to me in this story: the incredible human desire to help people, and the amazing ingenuity shown by humanity. I teared up SEVERAL times. Sometimes people are so good!!

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by The Original Susanne) So I was forewarned about this show but decided to watch it anyway because, well, the costumes. I'm glad I didn't go into it thinking it would be another lovely, innocent period piece where the most racy thing that happens is a couple brushing up against each other. It was as steamy as described. I read someone call it 'Bonkerton' online somewhere and it's still making me laugh. It felt kind of like a mash-up of a period piece with a modern drama. Interesting that they decided to include a more racially diverse cast, which I've never seen in a period piece because, well, unfortunately it isn't historically accurate. The scenery and sets are A+, and the costumes and dancing are A++. The storyline is like B-. Would be at least a B+ if it wasn't so focussed on the sex.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) I've watched this movie once before years ago but wanted to watch it again because it's awesome and I loved it, but also so I could scratch it off my poster in earnest. This movie really feels like a top 100 movie. I love the Coen Brothers because they make movies that are smart but not too artsy. You can appreciate watching what feels like true craft while still like, knowing what's going on. In particular I love the way they write dialogue and this movie really shows off those chops. It seems like every sentence is thought out and memorable, and perhaps it's just good acting but the delivery also always seems impactful. How they find so many random actors with amazing Southern accents has always been beyond me. This movie is a bit of a cat and mouse chase, which it's super thrilling and suspenseful and features one of the most terrifying villains in cinema history. But the movie also goes beyond the main plot and introduces ...

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Oh baby I loved this game. In the opening scene you find yourself working in this massive spaceship graveyard, hiding out in this grand set piece with classic star wars music playing. I knew from the start this was the game for me. This game is a little bit of everything, which it is been criticised for because it doesn't invent anything nor perfect any of it's many elements. I disagree with that assessment as I felt I had never seen so many awesome gameplay elements in one spot. It's a metroidvania, a 3d platformer, a souls-like combat game and a puzzle game. Yet all of these things are enhanced with an awesome narrative and these mind blowing action set pieces. My best comparison would be Hollow Knight meets Uncharted, and those are some of my favorite games. I really can't say enough about how much I love this, especially as a Star Wars fan. They get the ethos of Star Wars perfectly in my opinion, and is probably my favorite p...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) Watched this because it was described to me as "National Treasure without the American nationalism," and on that count it was everything I expected! I love plots about following clues and uncovering mysteries, though I prefer they don't take themselves seriously. Still, it's a movie everyone might as well watch at least once, and it was fun to go into ready to poke fun at it. Really made me want to travel to Europe though 😭 Also I understand why Catholics hate it, but since I'm not Catholic I had a good time. As a lover of National Treasure I couldn't in good faith give this a lower score for being absurd and convoluted. It would have benefited from being more lighthearted and self-aware though.

⭐ 5.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This was a movie I was really only watching because of my poster, yet for a movie on the all-time 100 list, I've never even heard of it or know anyone who enjoys it. Yet upon writing this review I find out our own @Rebecca has seen it?? Anyways, I didn't really like it. It is a dark comedy, and while it's sure dark, I didn't think it was a very good comedy. Everyone is bad so there isn't really anyone to cheer for. There is a lot of tension, but it's mostly just hoping you don't have to watch people get tortured. It reminded me a lot of the half of Uncut Gems I watched. If that's your kind of movie, then first of all shame on you for liking such a filthy movie, but second you'd probably like this one. It was just a little much for me.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Rebecca) Watched this movie because I heard the food looked amazing and it totally paid off on that front. Made me miss traveling and eating cool food and being in New Orleans real bad though. What I wouldn't give for a fresh beignet.... But yeah the themes were a little heavy-handed and I felt like I didn't really agree with his choices at the very end. It was an enjoyable watch but only memorable for the food!

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) I really enjoyed this book! It's about Juliet, a 19-year-old Latina lesbian who has just come out to her family and then left the Bronx for the first time to do an internship with a white feminist hippie author. She finds herself in Portland, surrounded by vegans and nudists and people who ask for her preferred pronouns. It's also only 2002, and this is all very confusing for her, because she's having to think about how feminism also intersects with LGBTQ rights and racism for the first time, and everyone keeps using these terms she doesn't know! It was VERY interesting to see this world through the eyes of a queer woman of colour who is really quite ignorant about all of these things, even though she's living it. Her mind is just getting blown left and right. It's in the first person, and Juliet has a very strong voice that I really enjoyed and seemed really authentic to me. I especially appreciated the complexity of h...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) This is a movie about a chef who makes a fool of himself on Twitter and YouTube when he has a public freak-out, so he buys a food truck and goes on a road trip with his son and friend. This movie was mostly light and fun, and was not ideal to watch during a pandemic because it made me want to eat food and go places so badly. Other than that, it's a movie about a man reconnecting with his passion for food as well as with his son. It's a feel-good movie that will make you hungry!

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) Everything that I now read by Rachel Held Evans is now bittersweet, and this was especially hard, because the audiobook I listened to was read by her sister and husband after her death. Anyway, in this book Rachel takes a year to follow the Bible as literally as possible, focusing on one aspect per month. She follows some of the kookier Old Testament rules, and the more general advice given in the Bible to women. She talks about the different things she had to do, but along the way she tells stories of some of the women of the Bible, and gives extra context to some of the familiar stories. She visits and talks to people who interpret the Bible differently, including Jews, the Amish, a polygamist, etc. This was written in 2012, and I could tell that this was some of her earlier work. It felt a bit less progressive and she seemed not to have hit the height of her questioning period yet. So while I did enjoy this, I didn't like it as much as ...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) This MG fantasy read was delightful. Clementine is the daughter of the Dark Lord, and she spends her days roaming a dark and quiet castle while her dad plans Dastardly Deeds. But the Whittle Witch is whittling him away, and the castle is falling apart while the Dark Lord has locked himself away, and Clementine doesn't know what to do. There's also a young boy who really wants to be a knight but has never held a sword, a scarred huntress, a boy who was turned into a sheep and really doesn't mind it, and a Lady of the Lake who's a terrible singer. This book is silly and clever and entertaining. It's wonderful seeing Clementine making friends for the first time, and all of our main characters struggle between right and wrong. I think this would be a great book for helping kids understand the elusive grey area between good and bad. Clementine has been raised from birth to be the next Dark Lord, but she's still questioning t...