Crash

This certanly isn't the generic, shallow 2005 Haggis "Racism is bad" film. Cronenberg has always been absolutely obsessed with technology, and this manifests itself not in the sexiness of ars, or sex in cars, which is generally accepted, especially in Hollywood, but in the fetishization of car crashes. This leads to a lot of gratuitious imagery, particularly involving scars and wounds. I had a lot of strong reactions to the imagery (primarily disgust and repulsion, particularly because I'm squeamish), however, I was mostly bored. Cronenberg created a lot of controversy over his imagery, but thematically, this isn't all that interesting.

1/5

The Hanging Garden

This is a prime example of over the top Canadian melodrama, where you can hardly hear dialogue over overlapping shouting. The supernatural elements are fairly confusing and add little to what is a pretty typical Irish--specifically Cape Breton Irish--family drama. The characters are not particularly believable, nor are any motivations particularly believable themselves. This film adds little to a very common Canadian genre.

1/5

Sherlock Holmes

I have always associated Guy Ritchie with gritty films. And while the mis-en-scene was there, regardless of a downright silly Naziesque get-up for the--Pre-Nazi--villian, the way the film was carried out was downright silly. Gratuitious slow-motion, expensive fight scenes that fail to compell, and a boring case don't do Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr any favours, despite their effortless rapport with one another. Sadly forgettable.

2/5

Anagrams

Lorrie Moore is so wonderful. Her take on the novel is rooted in short stories, looking at, well, anagrams of what the protagonists could be. Moore enlivens what could be a typical narrative--middle age woman, now single, juggling a child and a relationship with a student--with clever language, interesting changes in point of view, sharp humour, and an imaginary(!) child instead of a real one. Moore refuses a typical narrative and a typical novelistic structure, and instead makes something better.

4.5/5

Beebo Brinker

This is a lesbian pulp novel from the 60s, one I am reading for a queer writing course. I was surprised by the fact it wasn't terrible prose, however, that happy surprise was mitigated by characterization that's impossible to believe. Character motivations seem false, and there are three (three!) instances of love at first sight that are not earned or believable. Also, honestly, for a book whose main purpose is to titillate, there should really be more sex.

Giovanni's Room

This is a little gem, quickly consumed, sparkling with brilliantr prose, realistic, well-rendered characters, and a gorgeous, devastating ending. I'm not sure why I haven't read James Baldwin before now, but I will make a point of devouring more of the novels from his tremendously prolific career.

5/5

Mole

This is an amateur work in every way. From clumsy popcorn related metaphors in an ode to Nicole Kidman, to cliche-ridden poems on subjects that have endlessly been tread, this was an awkward slog. The only interesting thing about this collection is the cover.

1/5