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

The Staircase Limited Series

It was recently announced that Colin Firth would be staring in an HBO limited series detailing the murder of Kathleen Peterson. He would, of course, be playing her husband Michael. Deadline just recently announced that the role of Kathleen will be portrayed by Toni Collette. This is shaping up to be a very well casted project and I cannot wait to see the first footage/photos. 

Halston Limited Series

Ewan McGregor looks fantastic in this and I cannot wait to binge watch it on May 14th. This seems like the perfect fit for Ryan Murphy and his team so I am excited to see what they do with this.

A trailer hasn't been released just yet but I am anticipating one any day. This image is enough to get me excited though.

OTHER

Badlands: Hollywood podcast 

I listen to every other podcast that Jake Brennan has created so far and I was especially excited to hear that he would be tackling Hollywood next. This trailer has me very excited for this to release and I think it, along with the new season of You Must Remember This, will be a great kick off to summer.

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This is supposed to dive into Marilyn Monroe, River Phoenix, and Natalie Wood just to name a few. I anticipate watching lots of classic Hollywood movies this summer as well.

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

The Other Mrs Miller by Allison Dickson

 

The Other Mrs. Miller by Allison Dickson

Release Date - July 16, 2019 

Publisher Website - Penguin Random House Canada
Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 343 pages
My Rating - 4/5

**borrowed from library**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Two women are watching each other.

Phoebe Miller isn't sure when the rusty car started showing up in the cul-de-sac she calls home, or why its driver would be spying on her. What could be interesting about an unhappy housewife who drowns her sorrows in ice cream and wine and barely leaves her house?

Only one knows why.

When a new family moves in across the street--the exuberant Vicki, who just might become the gossipy best friend Phoebe's always wanted, and her handsome college-bound son, Jake, who offers companionship of a different variety--Phoebe finds her dull routine infused with the excitement she's been missing. But with her head turned she's no longer focused on the woman in the car. And she really should be...

An addictive domestic thriller for fans of The Last Mrs. Parrish and The Couple Next Door, The Other Mrs. Miller serves up a delicious brew of dark secrets and stunning plot twists that will keep you captivated until the very last page.

Mysteries and thrillers are the sort of reads that are usually best enjoyed by knowing as little as possible going in. They work because of the twists and turns that the story takes readers on. The Other Mrs. Miller is exactly this kind of book. The less you know the better when it comes to this domestic thriller.

This book is both familiar feeling and offers just enough to make it feel uniquely its own. Fans of the genre will find recognizable tropes within this story which is part of the fun of reading any thriller. The atmosphere and writing help create a campy, fun tone which allows for this to be a compulsively readable book.

Phoebe, one of the Mrs. Millers from the title, is cut from a very familiar cloth - an unhappy housewife with a drinking problem and too many secrets. She manages to feel like a long time friend in her familiarity but one that can still surprise you. It should not be a surprise that she is a hot mess but it works for both the character and the story. When a new neighbour, Vicki, enters the picture things get even more interesting and twisty. I enjoyed all of the characters in this in some manner or another. It's key for the characters to match the tone of the book. They need to feel like they are part of the world that is being created and the author has definitely captured that here.

There is, like with most thrillers, a bit of suspension of disbelief that needs to happen for you to become fully immersed in the story. Allow yourself to be taken on the ride the story wants to take you on and you will be entertained. It is the type of book that begs to be enjoyed with a glass (or two) of wine.

The second half of the book, for me, was not as strong as the first. I flew through the first part of the book but I felt the second half felt longer thanks to the pacing of the second half.

The Other Mrs. Miller is one of those thrillers that is also fun to read. A book that leads readers to unexpected places and entertains along the way. If you love reading unputdownable thrillers I suggest giving this one a try. 

Cover Re-Reveal - Retrace by Sigal Ehrlich

Retrace, a standalone contemporary romance by Sigal Ehrlich, has a brand-new look! Check out this emotionally beautiful romance and grab your copy today!

About Retrace: The new Nia is a different person. She’s not afraid to make new friends, show her light-hearted side, and get serious about her job, or at least that’s how she sells herself to the world. Nia believes putting distance between herself and home will help her run away from her past. Former FBI agent Reeves Mitchell, sinfully attractive and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Nia needs to help her forget what she’s left behind. In contention with his own past, Reeves spends his nights bartending and his days as a private agent dealing with matters in the grey area of the law. A chaotic, sensual encounter leads to the perfect pact that will keep them safe: no commitment, just friendship…with benefits. But nothing in life is risk-free. When suppressed emotions emerge, a seemingly impossible decision has to be made. Do they fight their growing feelings or retrace their lives back to where wounded hearts can be broken once more?

   

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About the Author

Sigal Ehrlich is a bestselling author of refreshing, fun, and sweet romance books. She loves books, cold weather, and the occasional bubbly drink. Living as an expat for most of her life, Sigal has been lucky enough to visit many exotic places and meet some unique people from all corners of the world, while experiencing the sweet triumphs and travails of trying to acclimate to new "homes." Currently, Sigal calls the Czech Republic home where she lives with her husband and three kids. Connect with Sigal!

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#PopCultureResolution - Frankenstein

Frankenstein

Director: James Whale

Length: 71 minutes

Cast: Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Mae Clarke

Release Date: November 21, 1931

Synopsis: An obsessed scientist creates a living being from body parts, not realizing it has a madman's brain.

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The 1931 version of Frankenstein is considered a classic. One of the great older films whose influence is felt on so many modern films. It was one that I had long wanted to see and experience for myself. It ended up being a short (just over an hour) watch that shows exactly why Boris Karloff's performance is still so revered.

The movie opening with a fun little warning about the movie you are about to watch was a delightful touch. Also fun was the secrecy of who was portraying the monster.

The question mark made me giggle. Don't worry - Boris Karloff gets his due at the end of the movie. 

There are movies that become ingrained in popular culture with iconic moments that are familiar to a even those who have never seen the movie in question. This works as both a positive and a negative. It helps create cultural moments that we all share in but it can create almost an uncanny valley sensation if you come to the source material late. This is, for me, true with Frankenstein. The iconic scene in which Victor Frankenstein brings his monster to life (and it's iconic 'it's alive' dialogue) felt familiar to me. It created a strange sense of deja vu and perhaps weakened that moment for me. It is by no means the film's fault but something that coloured the lens in which I viewed the movie through.

There is a lot of pathos in the character of the monster. He did not ask to be thrust into what he experiences when he is brought to life. You can see the confusion, pain, and hurt that he feels. This is mostly thanks to Boris Karloff expressive eyes. He does so much with very few words. Any sympathy felt by the watcher is due to Karloff's skill and the physicality he brings to the role.

There is a case to be made for Victor being the absolute worst and this movie did not change my mind. The wise notion of just because you can does not mean you should applies here and Victor's arrogance is the crux of this entire situation. 

This movie is definitely a product of its time but there are some excellent performances, and beautiful shots to be found in this influential horror classic. Did I find it scary? A little, but not in the way I expect others did. I was not scared of the monster but rather humans thirst for knowledge and the dark places that could lead to in some circumstances. 

Waiting On Wednesday ... Animal

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 Animal by Lisa Taddeo

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Honestly, sometimes I think it’s the only recourse. Killing men in times like these .

Joan has spent a lifetime enduring the cruel acts of men. But when one of them commits a shocking act of violence in front of her, she flees New York City in search of Alice, the only person alive who can help her make sense of her past. In the sweltering hills above Los Angeles, Joan unravels the horrific event she witnessed as a child—that has haunted her every waking moment—while forging the power to finally strike back.

Here is the electrifying debut novel from Lisa Taddeo, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller and international phenomenon Three Women, which was named to more than thirty best-of-the-year lists and hailed as “a dazzling achievement” (Los Angeles Times) and “a heartbreaking, gripping, astonishing masterpiece” (Esquire). Animal is a depiction of female rage at its rawest, and a visceral exploration of the fallout from a male-dominated society. With writing that scorches and mesmerizes, Taddeo illustrates one woman’s exhilarating transformation from prey into predator.

This book immediately caught my attention with the line about the character transforming from prey into predator. This is most likely going to be an intense reading experience and I am always here for that.

This one seems to look at female rage, and has the potential to be really interesting and it definitely seems like a good beach read for those wanting something a little different.

Expected release date - June 8, 2021

Secret Movie Club: Movie #6 and 7

It is time for my last Secret Movie Club update! I am going to talk about the last two movies and give my overall thoughts about the program.

The sixth selection was The Courier. A movie that fictionalizes the story of Greville Wynne, a man recruited by MI6 to help transport intelligence during the Cold War.

This is a fairly standard movie of this genre. Benedict Cumberbatch is given a chance to flex his acting skills in the latter half of the movie and he does a fairly solid job as an 'every man' thrust into being a spy.

I am not sure how accurate this movie is since I did not know anything about Mr Wynne and his time with MI6 but I anticipate a few people wanting to fall down the rabbit hole to get more details after watching this.

If you enjoy spy movies I think this will definitely be for you. If that type of movie is not your thing I would recommend skipping it.

You can check out this movie in theatres and via Premium Video On Demand.

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The seventh movie selection was Together Together. A heartwarming, sweet story about a man who wants to become a father and the woman who agrees to be his surrogate.

The friendship that develops between these two characters is the heart of this movie. There is something joyful and uplifting about it and it is funnier than I expected. 

There is great chemistry between the two leads and it makes the movie that much more enjoyable.

You can check out Together Together in theatres and via Premium Video On Demand.

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Now that the event is over I am definitely going to miss it. I had a fantastic time attempting to guess the movies from the clues that were provided (I was usually wrong) and there was something nice about having a surprise to look forward to during this time.

This event is typically an in person event held in Toronto. I would have never been able to take part if it had not gone virtual this year out of necessity. It may have been one of the few good things given to me in a pandemic that took away so much. 

It would be hard to pick a favourite out of the seven movies I watched as I liked various things about each of them. There are some that I liked more than others and I would say that both Minari and Together Together are are the top of my list.

I would take part again if there was a virtual option offered for the 2021-2022 season. It is a fun way to be exposed to movies you may not have watched on your own.

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

Cover for Here's To Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera (goodreads)

Many of us read and love What If It's Us and were thrilled when it was announced that a sequel would be released. The cover was just revealed and it is perfect.

It compliments the other cover and I love the colours used in this one. Here is hoping that this book doesn't break our hearts. 

Announcement for Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson

After reading the synopsis of this book it should come as no surprise that I immediately wanted to read this. 

It mixes my love of romcoms with my fascination with true crime. I am very excited to see the cover for this one! Berkley has been releasing a some stellar romance books and I am happy to see this continue. 

MOVIES/TELEVISION

Zola Movie Trailer

I am probably the last person to watch this trailer or even hear about the origins of this movie, but I am now pretty interested in seeing it.

This movie is based on a Twitter thread that went viral and apparently many of the lines you hear in the trailer are right from the Twitter thread. I have heard from people who got to see an early screening that Colman Domingo is very good in this and I've liked Riley Keough in everything I've seen her in. Excited to check it out. Seems like a fun movie to go to with friends and grab some drinks after.. 

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