media update: October

A small media update this month because, once again, a Yakuza game took over most of my free time.  I'm still not sure if I'm going to play Yakuza: Like a Dragon, since turn-based RPGs aren't generally my thing, but I still have Lost Judgment to look forward to for sure!

Asterisks denote something I particularly enjoyed or found especially worthy of my time; double asterisks are reserved for the creme de la creme. As always, your mileage may vary.

FICTION

1. Out of Love* by Hazel Hayes:  A five-year romance told in reverse that manages to be both heartbreaking and hopeful.

2. No One Will Miss Her* by Kat Rosenfield:  After smalltown pariah Lizzie Oullette is found gruesomely murdered, the investigation points in an unexpected direction.  I would have given it double stars, except the author telegraphed a huge plot development and then I wasn't surprised when it happened.  Still, it's very clever and engrossing.

3. Everything We Didn't Say by Nicole Baart:  Fifteen years after a double homicide for which her brother was suspected, Juniper returns to her hometown in search of answers.

2021 total so far:  43

NONFICTION

1. Whore of New York by Liara Roux:  A memoir about the author's decision to make sex work a lifelong career.

2021 total so far:  12

MANGA/GRAPHIC NOVELS

Nothing this month.

2021 total so far:  12

MOVIES

1. The Guilty:*  A police detective (Jake Gyllenhaal) on 911 phone duty frantically tries to track down a caller who's been kidnapped by her ex.  Tense and well-directed, and Jake Gyllenhaal (who is the only person onscreen 99% of the time) is excellent.

2. Black Widow*:  After violating the Sokovia Accord, Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) goes on the run and collides into her past, including her sister Yelena (Florence Pugh, absolutely delightful).  Exciting and surprisingly funny; I would have liked to see it on the big screen, but as fun as this movie was, it wasn't worth risking the 'rona.

3. The Forever Purge:  The Purge, a period of time during which all crime is legal, has been outlawed, but a group of insurrectionists didn't get the memo.

4. Old:  A family is shocked to discover that time moves very differently on the beach they're visiting.

2021 total so far:  49