media update: August

This is a pitiful media update, at least as far as books go!  A couple reasons for that:  I was finishing up Pirate Yakuza and I spent waaaaaay too much time on Reddit and match 3 mobile games.  I did finally stop playing Hidden City after almost ten years and god knows how many hours, so I thought maybe that would help free up at least an hour a day, but nope!  Mindless scrolling and matching.  I know nobody is keeping a scorecard of how I spend my free time, but next month I definitely want to read more.

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. The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb:  After a tragic accident caused by his drinking, Corby is sent to prison, where he tries to find out if he can ever be forgiven.  I had a major problem with numerous aspects of this book, which---combined with a massive amount of melodrama, some breathtakingly offensive homophobia, and an unlikeable narrator---made me very happy when I finally finished.

2025 TOTAL SO FAR: 16

NONFICTION

Nothing this month.

2025 TOTAL SO FAR: 8

MANGA/GRAPHIC NOVELS

1. Confessions of a Shy Baker vol. 5 by Masaomi Ito

2025 TOTAL SO FAR: 9 volumes of manga and 5 graphic novels

MOVIES

1. I Love You Forever:  Mackenzie is thrilled when she begins dating handsome and charming Finn, but he begins to show a darker side.  It's a very tonally dissonant movie; it's a stark look at an emotionally abusive and manipulative relationship, but there's a lot of funny dialogue too.  I was also distracted by how much Ray Nicholson looks like his father Jack, which is hardly his fault, but it took me out a little.

2. Final Destination Bloodlines*:  A new generation tries to cheat death with predictably brutal results.  A wild opening scene and some delightfully complex kills.

3. Freelance:  An ex-soldier (John Cena) takes a job as security for a journalist (Alison Brie), but things go haywire.  A mediocre action comedy slightly elevated by the cast.

4. Until Dawn:  Clover and her friends go looking for her missing sister, but they get caught in a time loop fighting killers and monsters.  Ostensibly related to the video game, but they basically only share a title, plus the game is actually good.  

5. Thunderbolts*:  A group of antiheroes is forced to work together to stop a man with especially threatening superpowers.  Lots of great action and a terrific performance by Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Black Widow's sister.

Side note #1:  the title of this movie officially has an asterisk after it, but I did also give it a star!  I just didn't want to add "their" star because then it looks like I gave it a double star, and it's really good, just not double star good.

Side note #2: one of the writers' names looked familiar, so I looked it up and she writes for The Bear, which might explain why some of the more dramatic scenes hit so well.

6. Novocaine*:  Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) is a mild-mannered assistant manager who is unable to feel physical pain.  When his bank is robbed and a coworker he has a crush on is kidnapped, he uses his unique ability to go on a rescue mission.  It's BRUTAL---I covered my eyes a couple of times---but it's got solid action and some exquisitely dark humor.  A lot of fun if you can handle it!

7. Fight or Flight*:  A man (Josh Hartnett) tasked with protecting an important person discovers the plane they're on is full of assassins.  Funny and absolutely packed with terrific action scenes.  

8. Karate Kid: Legends:  After moving to New York City, Lee Fong decides to enter a karate tournament with the help of two especially accomplished sensei:  Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso (Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio).  Predictable, but it has some enjoyable martial arts scenes.

9. Borderline:  A stalker breaks into the home of the celebrity (Samara Weaving) he's obsessed with.  More of a quirky black comedy than a horror movie, but still fun.

Side note: this is the THIRD movie I've watched starring Ray Nicholson this month (1 and 6 on this list being the others) and the fourth this year (Smile 2 in January). Someone's agent is working overtime!

2025 TOTAL SO FAR: 62