Clueless

Had someone told me my favorite nineties movie was based on the Jane Austen novel Emma, I wouldn’t believe it. How can a humorous novel about regency society translate to a high school comedy? Then I rewatched Clueless, and realized just how many similarities there were. Cher helps the bashful new girl find a guy after successfully setting up her teachers. The guy she sets up her friend with is actually interested in Cher, and makes the moves on her while they're driving home. Her friend is heartbroken, then becomes interested in Cher’s ex-stepbrother. Cher realizes that she herself is in love with him. Her friend gets with the guy she was initially interested in. Everyone lives happily ever after. That is basically the plot of Emma. There are minor subplots that parallel as well. A guy lightly flirts with Cher/ Emma to hide the fact that he has a secret fiance/ is gay. Cher/ Emma doesn’t want to go to a party held by people of a lower class, but does because the rest of her social group attends. Her friend becomes suddenly popular after being held up by bandits/ being hung over a balcony.  The attitude of the story is kept, as well. Emma was portrayed as naive and well meaning, but self absorbed. Nothing she does is intended to be mean, and she learns from her mistakes and grows. That is one of the most important parts of the story. Every action is done with the best intent. Overall, the movie is funny without being mean. Both my parents and I find it funny. That’s rare. It’s a sweet movie, and it is timeless. Almost twenty years later, this movie is still relevant, funny, and meaningful, even if some of the fashion is questionable. I really love this movie. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to watch a cute comedy that has a gay character but doesn’t turn him into a punch line, black people without the stereotype, and the rich blonde girl that may be spoiled, but is very kind hearted. Cher is goals, honestly. The way she talks is so charming, and her care for her father is so positive. I love their relationship. He’s abrasive, but still deeply cares about Cher and even his ex-stepson. Clueless is just so amazing. Please watch this movie.

Neko Atsume

Neko Atsume, better known as “that one cat game” is a japanese game that inspires patience as you wait for stray cats to visit your yard and play with the toys left out. When they’re done playing the cats leave fish behind to be used as currency to buy food, toys, and upgrades. While not everyone appreciates the simplicity and lack of involvement, Many enjoy the cute cat animations and the way the cats interact with toys in odd ways. Certain toys even attract rare cats like Mr. Meowgi and Chairman Meow. There’s something calming about the game, waiting for cats to come after you refill the food bowls, watching them chill, and that excitement when you finally get the memento from that one hard to please cat is so relieving. It’s a truly relaxing- if occasionally frustrating- game.

Poisonwood Bible Thoughts

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver is an interesting novel about a Baptist family that moves to the Congo just before its struggle for independence. I’m not sure if I really liked the book or not, but I’ll get to that later.

The book was made up of seven parts, each named after a part of the bible. Each of these parts begins with a chapter narrated by the mother in “present day”, then goes back in time to be narrated by the four daughters. When reading, I felt the effect of this style was beneficial in a couple ways. It allowed for foreshadowing- obviously they must survive the Congo, even if we’re told one of the daughters dies. It also allows for explanations of what was going on politically. Even though  the family was in the middle of the struggle, they had no idea what was going on at the time. I liked it because it gave us an understanding of the mother that was never translated by the daughters. She was smart, independent, and unforgiving. Another format that only made sense when I finished the last page, everything was first person. Typically, in books from multiple perspectives, there is either all perspectives written in third person, one main character is first person but the others third person, or there’s an omniscient narrator. Since Orleanna, the mother, was presented as the main character I expected the daughters to be third person. They weren’t, though. Even the daughter that died was first person. This confused me because typically when books are third person, it’s supposed to appear as a sort of diary, like they’re recounting the story or want to get a message across. How can a dead girl tell a story? Well, the last chapter -while initially appearing to be from the perspective of an omniscient narrator- is actually first person. It’s from the perspective of the dead daughter, fifty years later and just as matured as the rest of her sisters despite the fact that she died when she was five. This through me for a loop. I’m not really a fan of these kinds of twists.

The story of the Congo was so detailed, I wasn’t really surprised that the author lived there in a similar manner as her characters as a child. I feel she did the Congo justice in representing both the good and bad of the culture, but I don’t know much about the Congo so I can’t say if it’s truly accurate. I do want to learn more about the Congo’s fight for independence. I don’t know enough about how colonialism still affects modern day Africa, and should find a way to brush up on it.

There are two things I don’t like about the story. Rachel’s character, and the way racism was handled. Rachel was the pretty older sister. She was entitled and racist before going to the Congo, and she remained that way until the end. I  wish her character had evolved, and that her racism wasn’t so tied to her femininity. From the start, she was described as a natural bleach blonde that took pride in her looks and was the typical materialistic girl with internalized sexism and racism. She was growing so much after getting to the Congo but it seemed like as soon as she was in South Africa, she was back to her old self. That seems like poor character development. She had been getting along with the neighbors that didn’t obsess over her hair. Rachel had some really interesting insights, and making her the dumb blonde diminished their value. Having her not know some basic (if long)vocabulary also seemed really insulting. I think I knew what morse code was when I was five, and it was outdated by then. I’m especially annoyed because the character closest to being Rachel’s foil, Leah, is supposed to grow up to be the least racist of the bunch, staying in the Congo and marrying Anatole, and Congo teacher and activist. Leah was racist. She wasn’t blatant about it, but every chapter from her perspective after leaving Kalinga mentioned how much it sucked to be white (and how it wouldn’t stop her from being with Anatole). She talked about how awful it was to have people assume she was racist, how knowledgeable of the culture she is (comparing herself to a native). This seems just as entitled as Rachel. I feel that all three surviving sisters are stereotypes that don’t grow enough, though at least Adah admits she was a pretentious child. They had possibility but didn’t move past their original character. Leah seems the most likely character to be a self-insert, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, in this case I found her to be uninteresting and held back by this fact.

The way racism was handled also didn’t feel complete. Again, Rachel’s racism seemed tied to her femininity, and Leah’s wasn’t even meant to be there. But she wound up making some unintentionally racist comments anyway, so I will continue to see her as self-centered and still ignorant after all that time she had to learn. I liked Ruth May’s chapters because they gave some insight into what growing up in the segregated south will do to you and your values. But after that, segregation was never mentioned. The girls history in a famously racist state is only really mentioned once and only when in relation to a church. The white supremacy and systematic racism would have still had its effects even after Congo’s independence from Belgium, but it wasn’t really mentioned. Well, America’s hypocrisy and Racism was talked about, and that was really interesting.

I want to learn more about the Congo, and the other African Countries that dealt with colonialism, revolution, apartheid, and occupation. My curiosity is peaked, and because of this book I want to learn more about everything.

What Is Hamilton Really About

All day today, I have had one song stuck in my head. It is a beautiful song sung by a wonderful woman named Phillipa Soo. It has so much depth and meaning, and while it is about a founding father’s scandal, it still feels relatable and applicable to today. The song is called “Burn” and it is from the Broadway musical Hamilton. If you have already heard of Hamilton, you’ll know that it is a hip-hop interpretation of Alexander Hamilton with a diverse and talented cast. One thing missing in this explanation, however, is the amount of depth in the show. The recurring phrases, the climax, the resolution, the entire meaning of the production. Sure, Lin Manuel Miranda thought Hamilton had an entertaining life, but there’s more. Songs like History Has Its Eyes on You, Dear Theodosia, and Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story say what I think the message is the clearest. Hamilton mentions this in his final moments as well. Legacy, what we leave behind and how it is perceived. This is probably one of the hardest things anyone has to deal with, not knowing what happens next. Not knowing if what you did will leave lasting impressions. Not knowing if anyone will remember you in a hundred years time. Hamilton claimed to always be anticipating death, but when it came he was still scared. Had he done enough? Will America keep fighting, never resting, like the French revolution? And when Hamilton died, that worry moved on to Eliza, to keep Alexander Hamilton’s legacy alive. In just one song, she did so much. She created something so positive. She funded an orphanage for kids like Hamilton, alone in the world. She got to watch these children who reminded her of her husband and son grow up. She outlived the majority of the people in the musical, and she created a legacy that was stronger and longer lasting than before Hamilton died.

              This got long winded, but to summarize, I think Hamilton is popular because it shows everyone's fears about death using relatable characters and music. It speaks to everyone who watches it, and puts into words what I, at least, worry about. “And when my time is up/ have I done enough/ will they tell my story?” The idea of disappearing when you die is a startling one. And this is a musical centered on it.

Scream Queens Finale

I finally finished Scream Queens, and it was great. I loved the plot twists, the way the morals of murdering people worked, and the humor was on point. The gore was perfect, just enough to startle, but not an unnecessary amount. I loved all the crazy set ups displaying the bodies, and Chanel is perfect. Her reactions to the murders is great, and her attempt at killing Munsch was so funny. The email she sent afterward to call out the Chanels for messing up the plan was great. The cinematography was perfect. The shots where Zayday and Claire walked into the house with the silhouettes of the Chanels projected onto the wall above them was so cool, and the scenes leading up to Earl Grey getting murdered by the pool was awesome. I also loved the fashion in the show. The pastels and color coordination were so cute, and Zayday’s whole wardrobe was amazing. I want it. The last episode was so cool. Libby was so funny. All her scenes in that episode were great, and I loved hating her parents. I felt really bad for Sadie, though. Her rapid belief that she had a split personality disorder was really sad. She is such a great character and I can’t wait to watch her grow. Her hair buns after she was imprisoned was super cute, and I loved the reference to Billie Lourd’s mom, Princess Leia (a.k.a. Carrie Fisher). One part about the finale I was unsure about, is whether or not it left enough room for a second season. Hester seems done with murder. Her brother and foster mother were dead. Why would the Red Devil return?  I suppose Zayday and Claire could still believe Hester was the killer, like they did before the Chanels arrest. But where would that lead? The last scene in the finale showed the Red Devil standing over a sleeping Chanel. Is that scene going to be finished in season 2? Will the Red Devil terrorize the girls at the asylum? Is there a new Red Devil killer? Or is Hester still seeking revenge? I can’t wait to find out, and only wish I didn’t have to wait until the next school year. I would definitely recommend it for its humor, visual appeal, interesting plot, social commentary, and the murders. Those were pretty awesome. Since the second season in confirmed to take place mostly in a mental institution, my only reservation is that mental illness won’t be treated with respect. I wouldn’t mind jokes as long as they continue the way they have been. Obviously satire and obviously making fun of people that are favored by society.

Holes

This was a movie that, when it was on, I couldn't not watch. I recently watched it again, and I fell in love with the movie all over again. I love all the curses and legends interwoven into the story. The fortune teller's curse on the Yelnats, Sam's curse on the lake, and Kissin’ Kate Barlow’s curse on the Warden’s family. I love these subplots that at first seem irrelevant only to play a key role throughout the course of the story. I love the story of Sam and Kate, even if it is heartbreaking. When I was little I really loved how cool Kissin’ Kate Barlow was. The characters in the story are just so unique and interesting, but still seem authentic. All the little details, from the rattlesnake venom nail polish, the smelly feet cure, the song for the pig, the story is just so wild and I love it. All those coincidences that usually bug me just make this movie even cooler. The peaches and onions as secret ingredients in Sploosh, Zero being a Zeroni, and the onions repelling those deadly lizards. Everything blended seamlessly and I love it. I even almost don't mind the early 2000s pop soundtrack. Almost.

For those of you who did not grow up with the magic that is Holes, it is about a guy named Stanley Yelnats the fourth. He is sent to a reform camp after being falsely accused for stealing a pair of a celebrity basketball players donated shoes. Ironically, his father is trying to cure smelly feet. All the still living Stanleys tell Stanley the fourth that the family is cursed because the first Stanley was cursed by a fortune teller. He had used her pig to try to pursue his love but, after rejection, did not carry out his part of the bargain. The camp Stanley goes to after his arrest is centered around a dried up lake. To reform the teenage criminals there, they dig holes in the lake. The reason the lake dried up? The town’s people lynched a guy because he was black and kissed a white woman. It never rained a drop after that. The woman he kissed? Shot the sheriff and became a bandit accumulating vast wealth and burying it somewhere in the lake. It’s a pretty empowering movie. 10/10 recommend

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Recently, a friend and I were at Barnes and Noble when she picked up a book called Cinder. Having already read the full series and loved it, I immediately recommended it. She then asked what it was about. Anyone who’s felt the pressure of trying to explain a full series in only a few sentences, and really sell it, understands why I faltered and simply stated “It’s a cinderella story, but in China, and Cinderella’s a cyborg.” True, but not that most persuading description of a book. Especially with so many fairytale adaptations saturating the market. It just doesn’t do the series justice.

This friend was a romantic. If I really wanted to sell the series to her, I should have told her this. Two star crossed lovers, kept apart by societal expectations, prejudice, arranged marriage, and a war fight to keep the earth safe. The book features four different couples, all of which are very cute and feature some nice kissing scenes.

If I were selling the book to someone focused on diverse and feminist books, I would explain the story like this: The series features a majority female cast, with both female protagonist and antagonist. The female characters have diverse interests and are not all cut from the same cloth. Some are more dependent on others, some are less, some have more feminine traits, some have more masculine traits. None of these things are seen as a bad thing. There are characters with real disabilities. At least half of the narrators are people of color, and the story doesn’t center around the U.S. The story follows the characters from China, to France, to North Africa. It’s a very diverse story with great female characters.

But what about the fans of dystopian and sci-fi? Will this book appeal to them? Yes. The various fairytales all revolve around a singular plot. A few hundred years in the future, Lunar, an ex-colony of Earth’s- is threatening to attack. The Earth is being weakened from the inside out by a mysterious plague, and the Lunar people are being kept under control by Queen Levana’s gift of mind control- possessed by most Lunar’s in some shape or form after evolving for a hundred years on the moon. Without spoiling too much, the story culminates with war and bloodshed.

Hopefully one of these descriptions of the book series will persuade people to read it. It is quite amazing and Marissa Meyer has artfully woven for fairy tales into one amazing sci-fi adventure.

Scream Queens initial thoughts

I recently finally started the horror comedy Scream reboot TV show Scream Queens, and woah, is it good. I expected some humor, pretty cinematography, and gore, but I was really surprised. The characters are so well written, it’s amazing. They’re quite obviously satire, but it’s so well done. I can tell exactly what type of person each character is meant to make fun of, and I know quite a few of those people in real life. It’s quite satisfying seeing such a well done parody of them. There’s also a lot of statements about classism, racism, and sexism in the show. It’s so accurate though. It’s like the writers transcribed actual conversations, but got rid of the subtleties. One scene, Chanel is talking about the party she hosts after rush week. She describes it as a white party, where you preferably wear white or be white. Another character is a self proclaimed feminist, but all she does is insult young  women and talk about how they objectify themselves. Classism is also touched on by Chanel’s obsession with keep her sorority exclusive- preserve its popularity and wealth. The cinematography is really cool, too. The shots where girl-next-door is about to enter the sorority house and sees the Red Devil are so cool. I also love the shots with the Red Devil in general. They’re very eerie and sinister, and the use of the wide angle shots add quite the drama. I’m excited for the plot as well, as it seems to be well thought out and I can’t help but suspect everyone of being the killers. What plot twists I have seen are well done and well thought out, and I can forgive the show for its at times ridiculous coincidences because it has a great sense of humor about it. I’ll probably finish this sometime in the next week, and I am super excited to see where it goes. There is going to be a second season, but hopefully there is not too much of a cliffhanger.

The Poisonwood Bible first impressionss

I recently picked up the book The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver from the Library. I was a bit worried about the book. It’s from the point of view of a white american baptist family moving to the Congo just before revolution hits. I was afraid this book would turn out like those action movies coming out of late, in which a white person goes to a foreign country dominated people of color, and has to survive this savage world full of nameless natives while shit hits the fan. I then found out that The Poisonwood Bible is in Oprah’s Book Club, and since I doubt Oprah would like a book with a racist narrative, I finally got past the first page. And wow is this book self aware. All four of the daughters are racist in some way, shape, or form, from very blatant to subtle. This is quite obviously done purposefully by the author, so I’m excited to see how the girls will grow. The first chapter quite surprised me as well, actually. It opened with a description by the girl's mother of taking them on a picnic through the Congo jungle. The mother states that she is in america again, and how the book will be about the experience of living in the Congo. She also talks about her daughter’s knowing that some are a lot less deserving of sympathy than others. It’s startling, and makes me wonder about what to expect from this book. I am excited to continue reading this book, and can only hope it will as interesting as the first ten chapters make it seem. I do want to learn more about the Congo and the state of colonization and segregation in that part of Africa. I don’t know much about Africa in that era in general, actually, except for some knowledge about Apartheid in South Africa. I’m excited to watch this prideful family learn humility, and learn a bit more about the Congo, myself. I'll keep this blog updated as I progress onward with this book.

December Reading List

Look at what I had in my drafts! I meant to have this out i December, oops. It's still pretty relevant, so...

This is a short list of highly anticipated books. Read one yourself, or maybe give one to that book-lover you know for the holidays.

Not If I See You First- by Eric Lindstrom

Out December first, this novel tells the story of a blind girl named Parker and the rules she lives by. She’s smart and witty, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have flaws. She’s trying to recover in the wake of her father’s death and the return of an old crush who broke her rules. This story promises to be bittersweet, with Parker’s  humor sprinkled throughout to lighten the mood.

Ashley Bell- by Dean Koontz

Out December eighth, this thriller is about a woman who, after being cured of her terminal illness in two days, sets out to find the reason she thinks her life was saved. Ashley Bell. What she uncovers involves so much more than she expected when she set out searching. Crime and conspiracy turns her California journey sinister.

Medici’s Daughter: A Novel of Marguerite De Valois- by Sophie Perinot

Out December first, Medici’s Daughter is a historical fiction depicting the bride of the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. Beginning with her summoning to France, this story reveals the twisted inner workings of the french court as Margot prepares for her wedding to Henri of Navarre. A story of self discovery, this tale leads to Margot having to choose. Her Family, or her Humanity.

The Relic Master: A Novel- by Christopher Buckley

Out December eighth, this is the story of a medieval indulgences procurer, seller, and forger. When the relic Dismas sells is found to be fake, he and his artist friend Dϋrer are forced to steal the Shroud of Chambéry, Christ’s alleged burial cloth. Humorous and historical, this is an adventure full of satire and wit for those that enjoy learning about the culture of the 16th century.

Valentine's Day Movies

Wanting to plan the perfect date? Here are some of the movies in the theater right now to make your Valentine's Day really special. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry, and some will get you so emotional you have an excuse to hold your dates hand.

The Boy- A movie about love and devotion, this movie is about a nanny who begins working for a family still trying to move on from their young sons death. As she helps them put their past behind, she finds herself falling for Malcolm, the grocery boy.

Deadpool- This movie is a study on what people are willing to sacrifice for love. Wade Wilson is a member of special ops who is diagnosed with cancer. To stay alive for the one he loves, he undergoes an excruciatingly painful treatment. Will he do what it takes to live?

Pride and Prejudice...- A fresh new take on the regency era classic, Pride and Prejudice... raises the stakes of Darcy and Elizabeth’s love. Will anything stop them from being together? The movie promises to have more action than it’s predecessor, and a faster paced plot, so it’s perfect for those of you that have trouble keeping alert during classic book adaptations.

Zoolander 2- A sequel to the romantic comedy Zoolander, our two favorite models travel to europe where they face new competition in the fast paced world of fashion. Will they make or break? I am excited to find out. The comedy should balance out the drama, and the romance throughout makes it perfect for Valentine's Day.

The Witch- This suspenseful movie is a great opportunity to hold the hand of that special someone as you watch a family in colonial america work to survive on their new farm. They learn the value of love, family, and trust along the way.