WeView

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) I don't require a lot from a Ghostbusters movie, but this one delivered what I wanted, so it gets a thumbs up from me! It's exciting and silly, and I laughed out loud multiple times. An enjoyable way to spend a Saturday evening!

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Magdalene) I finally watched this! This show is absolutely gorgeous, and although I don't remember the book super clearly anymore, I thought it adapted it in really interesting ways. The performances were incredible.

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This is a weeeeird movie from the 80s, and predictably, while it didn't perform super well in it's time, it's psychedelic nature has kinda made it a cult classic today. It's very trippy, and Merlin is a huge weirdo, and it opens with a pretty intense sex scene for an 80s movie... Actually, to add to the weirdness, the woman in the scene is the daughter of the director. Can't imagine what that conversation looked like. Also can't imagine being the actor having pretend sex with a woman while her dad stands a few feet away... Anyways, I don't actually usually like weird, psychedelic, cult-classic movies. I've been trying to fall in love with Arthurian Legend, but this movie was a roadblock in that. The writing is awful, the action is cheesy, the plot is pretty convoluted, the acting is at times bizarre and over dramatic (looking at you, Patrick Stewart). It's a movie of massive scale, but it's pretty clear tha...

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This is YET ANOTHER history of the Middle Ages, which I know is a lot, but hey, I don't control what comes off hold at the library. Still, of all the histories of medieval (mostly) Europe, I feel pretty confident that this is my favorite. If I could recommend a starting point, I think this would be it. It reminded me a bit of Guns, Germs and Steel where it was huge, overarching, and yet super accessible, entertaining, and superbly interesting. I think the thing that sets this one apart is that Dan Jones is an actual writer rather than a History academic. Usually I try to stick with people who are respected in their historical fields (and it seems like historians like him just fine), but it is hard to deny that Jones just makes this more interesting for the reader. It's not that he writes with a ton of flair, or inserts interesting commentary, but rather it's simply that he seems to have a gift for knowing what casual readers want to k...

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This is the book by (former) Raptors coach Nick Nurse about his coaching journey that led him overseas, coaching in all these minor and European leagues before getting his shot in the NBA. It's an interesting story because coaches usually just come from the NBA as former players, nepo kids, or someone with strong connections to a coaching legend. As Nurse points out, he's not from any legendary coaching tree or NBA legacy, he's just a small-town country boy who had to work his way up. Who doesn't love an underdog story!!! But the other thing about Nick Nurse is that he's kinda annoying and self-important. I'm a big believer in coaches not really mattering, so I didn't really want to read a book that says, if you just put in the hours, you can have coaching success at every level! Alright Nick, maybe it was Kawhi that won, not you... But I think it's clear that he influenced some level of success, having won a lot a...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) When I watched a trailer for this movie, I thought it would be some hammy warning about political divide in the US, what right vs left can lead to. I thought the movie was very much not that, and it was much better for it. I thought the movie went to great lengths to be politically neutral (the rebels are a Texas and California alliance?? In what universe??), and rather a story about the horrors of war, using the backdrop of America to bring it home. You don't really know why the war is happening, but just see it through the lens of journalists covering it. I thought all of this worked great. It was pretty horrifying. You get your happy camp of journalists, but see the effects of war on them too as they grow cold and dispassionate. This felt like war realism on another degree. Obviously I have no idea, but I imagine this is what it's like - bleak, but people trying to normalize their experiences, and also a lot of numbing it with drugs an...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This was a totally random game that I'd never heard of, but my friend recommended because it was like $2 on sale. I didn't have much for expectations, but I thought that this game was fantastic. It's a mashup of some games that I love. I think a lot of people would compare it to Hollow Knight because it's a metroidvania and has similar aesthetics, but the combat and platforming feels more like Ori, and then there are rougelike elements that made me think Hades. That's a lot of good games! It's only 15 hours or so, which was nice after 200 hours of Witcher, and the whole thing is action-packed. You are constantly moving, upgrading, fighting, discovering, and then facing pretty sweet bosses. There's always a great sense of progress. You get to upgrade a ton after dying, so while it can be frustrating to die far out in the map, sometimes I was looking forward to it because you get this awesome sense of how many things you...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Tim) The best Sanderson in years! This felt like a classic Sanderson read to me - you are introduced to an interesting world with a precise magic system and a specific planetary environment. In this case the magic is familiar (which makes it exciting in its own way), and the environment is kind of a spin on Stormlight's. I read the book in basically a week, and I thought it had a satisfying conclusion that got me excited for my next one. I forgot that's how these used to make me feel! I am sick of every Sanderson protagonist being so introspective. Everyone talks in therapy language, and everyone has trauma they are working through. Heck, trauma is a super power in these books! I think its super lame, but this book is in the Cosmere and directly tied to Stormlight, so its more a continuation of all that. It doesn't help that each book the protagonist has an invisible companion that they can talk to, framing their internal dialog as a ...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) This was one of my favourite of the series, and also my final Witcher read, so this might become a review of the series. This is the longest book, which was great in some ways and bad in others, and aside from basically a month long break in the middle I thought it was one of the most engaging. It helps that I read the first half on vacation, sailing through chapters and eager to read the next ones. The shifting perspectives and chapter framing is excellent when read in short periods of time, and I was completely engrossed. Ciri going through a lot, same with Geralt, that's all I ever wanted. Then there is this epic battle chapter that took me a month to read. It has some great perspectives, mainly the surgeons, but I will say it again, I have no idea who anyone is or why anyone is fighting or what side they are on. I know who the big bads are, but again, give me a map! If I had geographical anchors I would be so much more invested in every...

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) This is a classic, but honestly I was kind of bored. It's a satire of what was going on in positions of power during the Cold War, and I think being so removed from that time makes it less effective. Its black and white, and there are 3 completely distinct characters that I didn't realize are played by the same actor (!?) the whole time. I appreciate the craft and the humour was pretty good, but it dragged a bit, taking place in 3 main settings that lost their luster quickly. This is a Kubrick movie, and I didn't really notice any connection to his other works that I love. On second thought I think this is only my third movie of his I have seen, so what do I know. It did have a breezy runtime, and an excellent ending made me think about it differently. It's clear why its a classic, and it has some pretty relevant things to say (especially in the year after Oppenheimer), it just didn't really do it for me.

⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by Tim) Again, basically a perfect season of TV. My only complaint is how sad the two best characters are! Jan is completely ruining Michael, and that arc where he has to work two jobs while she drives a Porsche feels so cruel. He's an idiot and a goof, but he just wants to be loved so bad, and her taking advantage of him is brutal. But then there is also the episode later where Michael goes on the blind date with Pam's friend and he is so so rude to her. Just some moments like this where the show borders on funny/cringe to straight up mean. The same goes for Dwight, who is basically depressed with the state of his relationship with Angela. It makes the pranks Jim plays on him less funny when he's clearly in so much pain. Regardless, wonderful finale with Holly showing up and Michael being so into her. They way she acts around Kevin is so funny. I never thought the night out with Ryan in New York was funny, but him working at corporate and ...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) This was intense!! So many close ups of following small bands of soldiers absolutely obliterating people and making their way across America through the lens of journalists. Really cool angle that worked really well. Kirsten Dunst was unreal and I loved this angle of older, grisly, weathered veteran with her apprentice; but with women! Don’t see that very often. The full cast was awesome and so tight and had me white knuckled and on the edge of my seat the whole time. I think this movie lacked a lot of context but I think it was done well. A lot of questions unanswered but I don’t think that was the point. This movie for sure doesn’t glamorize war and violence, in fact I’d say it very much shows the horrors to help us see how terrible it really is. Like Tim said, this movie felt less consequential outside of the theatre. I walked out and it was a gorgeous day with the sun on my face and I believed in magic and life was great. Shoutout to Joel that...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) I am trying to think of any type of unique thought for this season, but I have nothing. It's very solid every episode. I kinda feel like these might be the prime seasons, but who knows! I'm not huge on this attempt to have a touching ending, but it's not usually overdone. I would still say my favorites are Cam, Manny, Phil, and I've also come to like some lesser characters like Dylan... (he's actually the only minor character). I kinda feel like Phil is having his Hal-arc where's he's a good character to begin, but becomes funnier and more central later on. I would also say this has become our comfort show during a hectic time. It is so incredibly consistent in delivering laughs at the exact same cadence in every episode. It's nice to watch a show where you know exactly what to expect every time, but still manages to be unique and have fresh jokes every time. But they need to chill with that miscommunication trope....

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) This one was intense. Alex Garland makes sci-fi, so I was kind of expecting a supernatural twist or something, but this is a full on war movie. The sound design is very good, or maybe it was just the theatre I was in, but I felt every gunshot in my soul. The movie I was thinking most about while watching this was Apocalypse Now, where a group sets off on a journey with a clear destination, with lots of crazy stops and detours on the way. Like that movie every stop is violent and disturbing, and when they reach the end it is not really satisfying. I should back up - this is about journalists and photographers documenting a civil war in the states, trekking from New York to DC to get to the president. I thought it was really interesting how this movie doesn't give you any set up. You don't know what sparked this, you don't even really know what side correlates to liberal/conservative (although there are some hints, those words are never us...

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Jess Dyck) Resurrecting my weview as I do when I watch something that really moves me to the point where I’m telling everyone in my life to watch this show. so here goes! This show is precisely what it sounds like. It’s on Crave, and it’s 9-10 30 minute episodes per season, where couples therapist Orna works with 4/5 couples over the course of a year. Tim really pushed back on the show because televised therapy didn’t feel authentic to him, but I just don’t understand how you can watch an entire season (which he didn’t so please just give it a chance) and doubt the sincere healing, authenticity and struggle that a partnership holds. I just finished season 2 and I am so moved by the reality of human trauma, and the resiliency of overcoming the past and choosing to invest in partnership that makes life worth living. It’s seriously just a beautiful show, very thought-provoking, and I’m so invested in these couples. Best show I’ve seen in a long time. Not a...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) This is a revenge action movie starring the heart throb Dev Patel who also happened to direct it! Love seeing him do well in the world cause I think he deserves it. This movie is wild. Somehow it’s rated 14+ but should for sure be R. You see him bite someone’s nose off at one point - it’s amazing. This very much felt like a Bollywood film with some western direction. I can see people compare them to John Wick but this was marginally better. I loved the setting, loved the different characters and sets. And I thought the music was pretty good! During action scenes and training montages it had good pump up music. Two things I kind of wanted to talk about regarding this movie is how Patel is an English Indian often playing Indian roles set in India. I think it’s dumb to say he’s appropriating Indian culture cause he is one, and yet I know he didn’t experience the Indian lifestyle growing up in Harrow, UK. I don’t know exactly how I feel about it, and ...

⭐ 8.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This is a movie I liked a lot, but could not recommend to most. It's a movie where Dev Patel wants to kill a bunch of people, similar to something like John Wick, but unlike a lot of those bloodless action movies, this one shows every death in excruciating detail. I love blood, but I was covering my eyes for half of this movie. It's bruuuutal. Honestly it might be the most graphically violent movie I've ever seen. I thought I was getting Jackie Chan, so I was horrified. Unlike John Wick or similar movies, the story is pretty good. Dev Patel is a good guy, and the only way that works is if the bad guys are super evil. I complain often about villains with no depth, and these certainly are just pure, irredeemably evil dudes, but they do a good enough job of building them up and making you as angry as Dev Patel is. I loved how dark and gritty this movie was too. Having spent a tiny bit of time in India, I felt this movie captured that atm...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) This book is subtitled The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made. It's by Jason Schrier who I have followed for a while. I love his podcast, and he is basically the Woj of video games, breaking all the news and having all the connections. He's a great follow but man! An even better writer. So this book is ten chapters, each one discussing how a different game was made. It helped that I had played some of them including Uncharted 4, Shovel Knight, Stardew, and my latest, The Witcher 3. It's a bunch of stories about the insane hours and wild effort that these teams had to commit. The author basically says that it's a miracle that any game is ever made, let alone good. It's a new medium, and combines everything, from character and world design, voice acting, motion capture, music, and writing. Not only that, but it includes coding and programming with ever evolving technology. It's all new, but utilzes...

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Okay, I have finally found the words for everything I like about fantasy. I like Arthurian fantasy. I like the Medieval European setting but with mystical elements or enchanted relics. I have always known that Tolkien took massive inspiration from Arthurian legend and Medieval folklore, but I have never actually read anything myself. That all changes now! So I found this one in the library, and it's basically a children's book that covers, very briefly, all the major stories. Excalibur, Merlin, Gawain and the Green Knight, the search for the Holy Grail. It was so wonderful hearing all there stories in one place. Immediately something clicked in me, and I fell in love. But I haven't even mentioned the best part! This particular audiobook was narrated by Sean Bean, who needless to say is the perfect voice for this type of story. This one also has some great instrumental accompaniments that strangely added a lot. So yeah, this book is g...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) What an unexpected hit! I’m not too familiar with the Koen brothers but I loved this. It was funny, unexpected and so zany! WOW George Clooney is a heartthrob. Just so charming and funny yet great at acting. The music was stellar, the story took some great twists and turns, I really fell in love with this.

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Joseph) I think I have come to terms with that fact that I don't actually like the fantasy genre. I don't like contemporary fantasy, and I really only like things set in a sword and sorcery, medieval European setting (LOTR, Witcher, GoT). I read this book in part to see if it could change my mind. Initially, I was mostly on board. I didn't love it, but I liked it more than most. The lead character was kinda spunky, and the world building was a little clearer, not being over ambitious, and basing it off real life Asia (basing fantasy on real world history is always preferable to me). But I kinda petered out, and then went back months later using audiobook. And I'm glad I did! The book completely changes, going from a so-so Harry Potter knock off to a super bleak and bloody war chronicle. And that's good with me because I like that genre, and she writes is pretty effectively. I binged the second half of this book, not necessarily becaus...

⭐ 9.0/10 (Originally written by Beans) I randomly started this show after seeing some cool and interesting clips online and was so hooked. I binged the first 7 episodes then took my time with the last two. It’s basically a reality competition show that takes 100 of Korea’s best athletes and has them compete in a series of challenges, both individually and as a team. 100 people are a lot to route for but there are for sure immediate favourites and stars. They had everything: wrestlers, boxers, swimmers, track and field, Crossfitters, body builders; you name it! The winner of these gruelling challenges gets to what equals around $230,000. Im not sure why I was so engrossed with this show. It gets very repetitive, especially in the beginning, where you have to see the same thing play out so many times. And then the team matches where it’s the same thing till the winner is announced. But ya, it was fun to wonder how I would compete and it was great to watch beautiful fit Korean people on m...

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) Peak TV right here. Every episode is a great, and I love the introduction of some fresh blood. Andy in particular, who makes Michael seem chill with his puppy dog spunk. The balance between the characters really takes off, and it feels like every episode has a classic moment. I did find this season I kept wondering how in the world Michael still has a job, how Jan could possible humour him, how the whole office wouldn't just walk out. He is so insensitive and mean sometimes, but you always come back and root for him. Amazing performance. The premiere is Oscar coming out, which is such a sensitive topic that Michael botches in the worst way a million times, but its still so funny. We get Prison Mike here, which is funny. There were several episodes that kind of snuck up on me, like the Diwali one, or where Michael threatens to jump off the roof, that I barely remembered had me laughing for the first time. The hardest I laughed was this rand...

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Tim) This movie was getting lots of hate online, and I think people need to relax. Its a kids movie. I wouldn't say its among my favourites at all, but it had 2 catchy songs, Chris Pine was fun as a voice actor, and the animation was kind of interesting. It was doing this thing where the backgrounds were almost classic paintings, and then the modern animation playing in front of it, even the way it was lit made it look a bit like a stage or something. This is also a movie meant to celebrate 100 years of Disney, so it made me think of the hand animation with a still background, which is cool. There are a bunch of neat little easter eggs around this history of Disney, which get less hidden and more obvious by the end, but it is still a nice little nostalgia hint. Jess was sleuthing out things she recognized, which added a fun layer. Ariana DeBose should play Michael Scott in the reboot since she is my current queen of cringe (although what makes i...

⭐ 7.0/10 (Originally written by Joseph) Nobody on this app enjoys stupid monster movies more than me. The problem with this movie, however, is that I'm a Godzilla fan, and this is a King Kong movie! Where is my sweet king Godzilla!! This movie got a lot of the formula right. The series started off with a serious movie and they have slowly been getting dumber and dumber. I like serious and dark, and I love dumb, but I hate when it's in between. This one still had plenty of earnest moments that were a hard watch, but I also feel like it's the first to outright embrace dumb. There were two moments with cartoon sound effects during fight scenes, so we're getting closer. Kong uses a smaller monkey as a nunchuck. Godzilla curls up in the Coliseum like a cat. Progress! But this one also had plenty of issues. I think the thing we love most about these are the scale. Godzilla towering over buildings and hitting them over with his tail. But this one mostly takes place in "ho...

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by Beans) New Godzilla Kong movie on Easter weekend? You guessed it: WE ARE SO BACK I know very little about the lore of these misunderstood monsters, so had no idea why they were enemies or why they discovered a new planet called hollow earth but let me say I am on board with any creative decisions these geniuses decide to make! Genuinely funny movie watching these titans just beat the shit out of each other using multiple items and other apes. When Mothra that diva showed up I knew it was over for the baddies. But for real, this movie was a ton of fun. The one product placement was actually unbeatable. Got tacos and iced cream with friends after. What more could I want?!