Waiting on Wednesday ... Electric Idol

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Electric Idol by Katee Robert

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

He was the most beautiful man alive.

And if I wasn't careful, he was going to be my death.

*A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Psyche and Eros that's as sinful as it is sweet.*

In the ultra-modern city of Olympus, there's always a price to pay. Psyche knew she'd have to face Aphrodite's ire eventually, but she never expected her literal heart to be at stake...or for Aphrodite's gorgeous son to be the one ordered to strike the killing blow.

Eros has no problem shedding blood. But when it comes time to take out his latest target, he can't do it. Confused by his reaction to Psyche, he does the only thing he can think of to keep her safe: he marries her. Psyche vows to make Eros's life a living hell until they find a way out of this mess. But as lines blur and loyalties shift, she realizes he might take her heart after all...and she's not sure she can survive the loss.

I just recently finished Neon Gods, the first book in this set of companion novels, and I am desperate to get my hands on this one. They're a fun, super sexy retelling of various Greek myths with the first offering up a great Hades and Persephone retelling.

The second book is Psyche and Eros and I am very excited to get their story after what we've seen/heard of them in the first book.

If you like sexy reads and mythology I highly recommend adding this to your reading pile. 

Expected release date - January 4, 2022

A Glass of Wine at the Movies - Are You Lonesome Tonight?

 

Are You Lonesome Tonight?

Rating:  Not Rated

Director: Shipei Wen

Language: Chinese (with subtitles)

Length: 95 minutes

Cast: Eddie Peng, Sylvia Chang, Wang Yanhui

Viewing Method: TIFF Digital Screening

Release Date: June 12, 2021 (China release date)

Synopsis: On a dark night, Xueming hits a pedestrian with his car and flees the scene. Desperate to escape his feelings of guilt, he decides to approach the dead man's wife, Mrs. Liang. Meanwhile, the body is discovered -- riddled with bullets. Chen, the detective in charge of the investigation, becomes obsessed with the case. Years later, all three remain caught in a tangled web of memories and lies, desperately searching for a truth that refuses to be revealed...

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Have you ever seen a movie where all the elements are there - the acting is good, the story is decent, the directing shows promise - only to end up feeling lukewarm towards the movie? That is Is You Lonesome Tonight for me. It just a movie that feels too similar to other movies like it and doesn't stand out as something all its own.

The plot is one that has been done before. A man is driving late one night and hits something. He discovers he has run over a person and they are dead. He feels guilty and decides to check in on the man's widow to see if she is okay/how he can help her. This sets off a chain of events that reveals that there may be more to the story and that the man he ran over may not be what he appears to be.

The director takes a few creative risks that make the film a little more interesting but it felt like something I had seen before. The gritty visuals match the story rather well, and the director makes great use of the setting to create something visually interesting. Nothing, however, stood out to me, particularly plot wise. The acting is perfectly fine, but nothing you would gush over. The tow leads, Eddie Peng and Sylvia Chang, offer subtle but effective performances. It is ultimately ends up being an okay movie that leaves you wishing it offered just a little bit more.

I left this movie feeling indifferent towards it. I neither loved not hated it. I didn't resent the time sent watching it but I also do not want to highly recommend it to others. If the genre is your thing, especially if you like foreign films, this may be for you. Otherwise I expect you have seen more than  a few movies like it.

A Glass of Wine at the Movies - The Power of the Dog

The Power of the Dog

Rating:  R

Director: Jane Campion

Language: English

Length: 126 minutes

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemmons

Viewing Method: TIFF Digital Screening

Release Date: December 1, 2021

Synopsis: Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.

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There are movies that ask something of its viewer. It demands your full attention and that you spend time digesting and dissecting what you have just seen. The Power of the Dog is one of those movies.

It is a movie that cannot be half watched. It requires your full attention to fully absorb everything. It may, in fact, alienate some viewers because of what it asks of its audience. It, in my opinion, only makes for a richer and more rewarding viewing experience.

The performances are all solid with Benedict Cumberbatch providing one of the best of his career. He is a deeply cruel man whose joy seems to be gained by hurting others. Kodi Smit-McPhee was a stand out to me with him being worthy of inclusion in Best Supporting Actor talks. It's a performance that doesn't snap fully into focus until later in the movie but it was his character I left the movie thinking about. I wish that both Jesse Plemmons and Kirsten Dunst had more to do. They are both solid as usual and do a lot with the material given but they are not given the same opportunity to shine that Cumberbatch and Smit-McPhee are given.

The atmosphere that flows through this movie is one of tension. The viewer is on edge dreading impending violence at every moment. Each moment is laced with the potential for it to abrupt and it makes you almost sick with it. It feels like waiting for the other shoe to drop but you cannot pinpoint why you feel this unease. You are reacting to something the actors are giving off and it is one of the most powerful elements of the movie.

Jane Campion is an esteemed director with awards recognition for her previous work. This movie looks beautiful but it is also sharply directed. I think fans of her previous films will find much to love here.

Masculinity and how it can effect someone is a large piece of the story being told. Cumberbatch's character is definitely a commentary on masculinity and the toxic side to it that can harden and darken someone. It is fascinating to see this reflected from a female director's perspective. 

This is the type of movie you are going to watch at least twice. You want to catch every nuance and dig into every layer. It also is a movie that sits with you. It's ending is one you will want to dissect with fellow film lovers and the performance are certainly awards chatter worthy. I cannot wait to dive into the book before I rewatch this one.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every week. 

BOOKS

Bee Merry by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone Annoucement

Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone have announced that they'll be releasing a holiday themed romance and it sounds amazing!

They referred to this as a raunch-com in the announcement and I am entirely here for it. I can't wait to get my hands on this and it doesn't come out until 2022 and probably not until fall 2022 to lead into the holiday season. 

MOVIES/TELEVISION

Nightmare Alley Trailer

We're in fall film festival season and that means we're getting a bunch of trailers for movies that are releasing in the later half of the year. 

First up is Nightmare Alley. It's based off the acclaimed book by William Lindsay Gresham. It's directed by Guillermo Del Toro. It's got a very stacked cast. It was basically in the wards conversation as soon as it was announced.

This is most likely going a cinematography nomination. Probably a bunch of other ones too. It's look is stunning and this is an impressive cast. It's a teaser so we can't tell too much from it, but I am definitely intrigued.

Hawkeye Trailer

The MCU television shows offered over at Disney+ have been a perfect distraction during this pandemic and their next offering centers the character of Hawkeye. It's first trailer is DELIGHTFUL!

The magic of setting it during the holidays is evidence. There is something incredibly charming about this entire trailer. Hailee Steinfeld is going to be a great Kate Bishop. I love the humour (seriously, who knew Hawkeye could be this funny) and the way that Hailee and Jeremy Renner play off each other. I think this may be one of the best Marvel television shows (which I definitely did not expect). 

 Don't Worry Darling Date Announcement and First Look 

Olivia Wilde released a first look at her upcoming movie along with its release date. It doesn't come out for over a year at this point, but the excitement has already begun.

In theaters only. 9.23.22 pic.twitter.com/S2wiqcmL9m

— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) September 13, 2021

Such a fun tease and I am very excited to see a full trailer once it is released. I want to get a better idea of what it is about but I am sold already.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday .... Hotel Magnifique

 Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Hotel Magnifique by Emily J Taylor

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

For fans of Caraval and The Night Circus, this decadent and darkly enchanting YA fantasy, set against the backdrop of a Belle Époque-inspired hotel, follows seventeen-year-old Jani as she uncovers the deeply disturbing secrets of the legendary Hotel Magnifique.

All her life, Jani has dreamed of Elsewhere. Just barely scraping by with her job at a tannery, she’s resigned to a dreary life in the port town of Durc, caring for her younger sister Zosa. That is, until the Hotel Magnifique comes to town.

The hotel is legendary not only for its whimsical enchantments, but also for its ability to travel—appearing in a different destination every morning. While Jani and Zosa can’t afford the exorbitant costs of a guest’s stay, they can interview to join the staff, and are soon whisked away on the greatest adventure of their lives. But once inside, Jani quickly discovers their contracts are unbreakable and that beneath the marvelous glamour, the hotel is hiding dangerous secrets.

With the vexingly handsome doorman Bel as her only ally, Jani embarks on a mission to unravel the mystery of the magic at the heart of the hotel and free Zosa—and the other staff—from the cruelty of the ruthless maître d’hôtel. To succeed, she’ll have to risk everything she loves, but failure would mean a fate far worse than never returning home.

I love stories set at hotels with secrets within them. This takes that notion and combines it with magic which only increases my need to read this one. The fact that the hotel moves locations has me intrigued. 

I am really excited for the world building in this one and cannot wait to unravel the secrets of Hotel Magnifique. 

This one has a bit of a wait, as it doesn't release until April of 2022, but you can add it to your wishlist and join me in (im)patiently waiting.

Expected release date - April 5, 2022

A Glass of Wine at the Movies - Dear Evan Hansen

Dear Evan Hansen

Rating:  PG-13

Director: Stephen Chbosky

Language: English

Length: 137 minutes

Cast: Ben Platt, Kaitlyn Dever, Amy Adams

Viewing Method: TIFF Digital Screening

Release Date: September 24, 2021

Synopsis: The breathtaking, generation-defining Broadway phenomenon becomes a soaring cinematic event as Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Ben Platt reprises his role as an anxious, isolated high schooler aching for understanding and belonging amid the chaos and cruelty of the social-media age.

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The Dear Evan Hansen musical has plenty of fans. It is a story that seems to have resonated with a lot of people who relate to some of the themes and the emotions that the title character experiences throughout the play. It's getting a big screen adaptation and I am not so sure that the impact the play has translates from stage to screen.

It is easy to see why Ben Platt won a Tony for his portrayal of Evan Hansen. There are plenty of online jokes detailing how he looks too old for this role, but you immediately understand why they wanted to capture his performance of this character. He's incredible and I finished the movie wishing I had gotten the chance to see him perform this role on Broadway. Sadly, all of the nuances that made Ben Platt amazing in this role on stage do not translate quite as well to screen. He's still great, but a lot of the larger mannerism and ticks that go into making the character of Evan come to life feel too loud when transferred to the more intimate feel of film. 

The supporting cast is equally well cast. Both Kaitlyn Dever and Amandla Stenberg are wonderful. Amy Adam and Julianne Moore shine in their perspective roles. Colton Ryan also stood out to me in the role of Connor. He's great in the few scenes he has and shines brightly whenever he is on screen. The casting is probably one of the strongest elements of the movie as I don't think anyone is miscast. 

The music is probably one of my favourite elements of both the play and this movie. Catchy and designed to be memorable, you'll be singing them long after you've watched the movie. The cast does well with their respective songs and Ben Platt's voice is a perfect match for the material. They are songs that are easy to infuse with emotion and will resonate with viewers. I expect it'll sell a lot of soundtracks after the movie is released.

The plot of the play has problematic elements to it and those elements are carried over to the screen adaptation. Evan's actions are certainly misguided and feel very cruel in the end. The biggest problem is the lack of consequences for his actions. We can forgive some of Evan's transgressions by taking his youth into account (something Ben Platt's age doesn't lend itself to) but there does come a point in which he should have known better. The pain his actions cause others is profound but little is made of how his lies would have weighed on Connor's family. It's a hard thing to get past and one that feels all the more glaring on screen.

Connor's death also feels like a footnote in the Evan Hansen story. His death is made to be all about Evan in retrospect. His life is made to be a catalyst in Evan's and that doesn't allow his loss to be registered by the viewer in any significant way. It's viewed through the prism of how it relates to Evan. This also feels by design because if we cared more about Connor than Evan's actions would feel even more egregious.

There are a lot of themes that this play delves into. I think would work well as a conversation starter between parents and young teens if this was watched together. Evan's actions could be dissected along with the more positive messages it offers. The 'it gets better/you are not alone' message is one that has been shared before but it never hurts to have it shared again and in a format that goes down pretty easy for the viewer.

I think fans of the play will mostly like this. I also think it will be a hit with most audiences. It's very watchable, and you cannot help but get swept up in the story and sympathize with Evan's pain. It will particularly appeal to younger teens who may seem themselves reflected in some of these characters. It requires deeper thought and reflection on the execution of its message, but I can't deny the power of the message being shared wrapped in good performances.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every week. 

MOVIES/TELEVISION

Mass Trailer

This movie has had lots of Oscar buzz since it debut at a film festival earlier in the year. It's trailer has finally arrived and I can see why people are calling it an acting showcase.

It appears it mostly takes place in one room so the focus will be on the actors and the emotions they are dealing with.

I think this is a movie dealing with the aftermath of a school shooting (just based on what we get in this trailer) but I am not one hundred percent sure. It's on my list for this fall and I am even more interested after seeing the trailer.

Only Murders in the Building

I listen to many true crime podcasts and have watched a lot of documentaries so I was immediately interested in this show that plays with some of those true crime podcast tropes.

It's got two good mysteries at its core, and some delightful performances (the casting in this is perfect) and it is a mix of thrilling and comforting. I've watched the first three episodes that were released twice since they were released and I am eagerly anticipating the next episode.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.