BethR

I can't believe we don't have a thread for this novel in the "Literature" forum (I checked, already knowing that if we did, PTC would have found it & linked it to the original post here ). As a missionary kid from the Congo/Zaire/Congo, I recognized the excellence of the writing, characterization, and structure, but generally disliked the experience of reading it. Mixed responses from my fellow Congo MKs, a few of whom had actually known the Kingsolvers. In an interesting twist, high school MK friends, now missionaries in the Kikongo region (near Kinshasa), posted photos of Kingsolver and her husband who were visiting the area this week, to revisit the place of her childhood memories (though some who knew her then say she rarely ventured out of the house) and to lecture at the university on the value of education and environmental preservation. A TV series is probably a better medium than a movie for this complex, multi-perspectival and decades-long novel. It will probably just reinforce anti-missionary prejudices, though.

I seconded Overstreet's nomination of Apted's documentary 35 Up, but I wonder why this particular installment of the series was chosen rather than, for example, 56 Up--or indeed, the entire 7 Up series? Any comments appreciated.

Just putting this here, FYI. I recording episode 1, but haven't watched it yet. Personally, I don't have high expectations. Not so good: https://www.vulture.com/amp/2019/02/miracle-workers-tbs-review.html Mashable says: "It's a daunting task to dive in alongside such heavy hitters [as The Good Place], yet Miracle Workers takes the plunge – and mostly falls flat. The jokes are generic, (often scatological – where the bar once raised by American Vandal is nowhere near met), and they feel incomplete, as if we've just heard the first draft and no one tried to improvise or push it further."

Ugh. I think Nicholas Hoult is a treasure, but I also believe biographical criticism is the most boring approach to literature. Reducing literary analysis to "based on the author's life experiences!" just turns everything into a cheap reality show and denigrates the imagination, hard work, and research that go into creating fiction.

Second Moonrise Kingdom Second 35 Up, but I have questions, which I'll ask in the discussion thread.

Second Stand By Me. Nominate: Title: Blast from the Past Director: Hugh Wilson Year: 1999 Language: English IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124298/ YouTube Link (a clip of/trailer for the film): https://youtu.be/9_mi3qoA_QY Link to the A&F thread on the film (if there is one): Of course not.

Second Return of the Secaucus Seven. Nominate: Title: Gods and Monsters Director: Bill Condon Year: 1998 Language: English IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120684 YouTube Link (a clip of/trailer for the film): https://youtu.be/Nn2G6YrvibM Link to the A&F thread on the film (if there is one): can't find it, though the movie is mentioned in a few other threads.

I nominated An Education. It received somewhat mixed reviews here back in 2009/10, but a few of us liked it very much. I think as coming-of-age/growing older/wise movies go, Lady Bird may be better, but I still think An Education is worthy of consideration as a story of a young woman who has to lose almost everything before she can see what is at stake. I noticed that the link to Ken Morefield's CT review in the A&F discussion is broken. I believe Ken was one of those who had a positive review, so if that review is archived elsewhere, maybe he can share it again? Thanks.

Title: An Education Director: Lone Scherfig Year: 2009 Language: English IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1174732/ YouTube Link (a clip of/trailer for the film): https://youtu.be/eRbp-dd1QvM

Having just re-watched The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (it was on TCM this weekend), I endorse Evan's analysis that the story is about growing older--and wiser.

Second Babette's Feast

Title: Amour Director: Michael Haneke Year: 2012 Language: French IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1602620/ YouTube Link (a clip of/trailer for the film): Link to the A&F thread on the film [an extensive thread with links to several reviews]: http://artsandfaith.com/index.php?/topic/25796-amour-aka-these-two/

I second The Lost City of Z

This is getting more interesting than expected...

I did watch it, but once was enough. It wasn't terrible, but I felt that having read the book filled in quite a bit of background info regarding rabbit traditions and culture. I don't know how someone who had not read the book would respond. Distinguishing one rabbit from another was a bit of a struggle (except for Bigwig, obviously), but that's true of real rabbits, too (sorry, rabbit fans). The stories of El Ahrairah (sp?) were effectively presented, though few. Yes, it's rather earnest, but also had some genuine moments of tenderness and jeopardy. I've seen the film, but it didn't make a huge impression on me.