media update: July

This is a sparse update because I treated myself to Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii for my birthday (a much better gift than last year, which was covid), and predictably it has eaten my life.  I don't know how RGG Studios keeps managing to absolutely obsess me with every game, but I ain't complaining!  Playing a new Yakuza game on the couch next to G is my idea of heaven.

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. Rage by Linda Castillo:  Ex-Amish police chief Kate Burkholder investigates when  a dismembered body is discovered in the woods.

2. Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie Yee:  Shortly after her husband announces that he's leaving her for a woman named Maggie, the unnamed narrator finds out she has breast cancer.

3. House of Beth by Kerry Cullen:  After ditching her big city life, Cassie flees to her hometown and ends up marrying her old friend Eli, whose wife Beth recently died.  Unfortunately for Cassie, Beth's spirit is still hanging around.

2025 TOTAL SO FAR: 15

NONFICTION

Nothing this month.

2025 TOTAL SO FAR: 7

MANGA/GRAPHIC NOVELS

1. Clementine vol. 3 by Tillie Walden

2025 TOTAL SO FAR: 8 volumes of manga and 5 graphic novels

MOVIES

1. The Last Showgirl:  A Las Vegas showgirl (Pamela Anderson) tries to cope with the news that the show she's starred in for decades is ending.

2. The Old Guard 2:  A group of immortal warriors battle a powerful foe in this somewhat disappointing sequel.

3. Heads of State:  The U.S.president and the British prime minister (John Cena and Idris Elba) must put their mutual dislike aside to stop a global conspiracy to disband NATO.  Some good action.

4. Sinners*:  In 1932, twin brothers (both played by Michael B. Jordan) open a juke joint in the Mississippi Delta, but they run into trouble with some unwelcome customers.  I think it was a little overhyped, but I still enjoyed it.

5. Ziam:  A martial artist fights to rescue his girlfriend from a zombie-infested hospital.  I was SO LOOKING FORWARD to this because come on, Muay Thai and zombies?  Unfortunately, it was not very good.

2025 TOTAL SO FAR: 53