"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" Book Review

 

by John Zenoni

‘The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian’ by Sherman Alexie is a great, entertaining read. Based on true life experiences of the author, the main character of the novel is Junior, a young Native American high school boy who decides he has to leave the ‘Rez’ in order for him to be able to make something of his life. This is a life changing decision for him, as it will cost him his best friend as well as the respect of the other Native American’s on his reservation. While the novel has many funny moments, the author also does a good job of highlighting and reflecting on many serious topics as well, such as alcoholism, abuse and poverty. There are some heavy themes but they are presented in a unique and interesting way.

"One Love" Review

 

by John Zenoni

What a great biographical film about the late, great reggae superstar, Bob Marley, entitled ‘Bob Marley: One Love.’ Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, whose 2021 film, ‘King Richard’, was nominated for Best Picture, Green does an amazing job of bringing to screen both the personal life of Bob Marley as well as his wonderful musical legacy in a well-balanced story. The performances by all in the film are so good but the acclaim has to go, of course, to Kingsley Ben-Adir for his portrayal of Bob Marley, but also to Lashana Lynch, who almost steals the show as his wife, Rita Marley. They both light up each scene they are in, whether together, alone, or with anyone else.

For those who are not fans of the genre, rest assured this is a not a musical, but a film which just happens to focus on a music legend and incorporates his songs, whose music is still important to this day. For those who want to hear what musical talent Marley passed on to his kids, check out Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. Ziggy and his siblings released an amazing album, ‘Conscious Party’, in 1988, which had a couple of hits at the time and deserves recognition for its overall message as well. A great film about an amazing man with a huge message for the world!

"The Shadow Box" Book Review

 

by John Zenoni

Talk about a nail-biter of a read! ‘The Shadow Box’, by Luanne Rice, is a suspense-thriller that I could not read fast enough. The story is about Claire Chance, an artist who makes shadow boxes using items she collects on the beach. She's married to Griffin Chance, an important and prominent prosecutor in the area who plans to run for governor. However, the truth behind him is that he's also an abusive husband and not a kind person at all. Claire and Griffin had a mutual friend when they were younger, who Griffin just happened to be involved with, who was found dead on the local beach, with the death being ruled a suicide. However, as Claire begins digging more and more into what really happened, she begins to find out things she did and did not suspect. This is a gripping read that you won’t want to put down.

"Argylle" Review

 

by John Zenoni

I'm late on my review - if you want to call it that - of this so-called movie because it's just horrible. I just cannot believe that actors the caliber of Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Bryan Cranston and Catherine O’Hara would agree to be in such a mess as ‘Argylle.’ I can’t believe Matthew Vaughn, who has made some pretty good films, directed this thing. It's disappointing too, as the trailer was pretty entertaining (aside from the ‘flying’ cat) so I thought the entire movie would be good. Wrong! The storyline is just dumb and it has to have one of the most stupid action sequences in the history of cinema. Unbelievable! Anyway, if you decide to see it don’t say I didn’t warn you.

"They Called Him Mostly Harmless" Review

 

by John Zenoni

Have you ever thought about just walking away from everything and everyone in your life and not being found? Well, such is the premise of the well-made documentary, ‘They Called Him Mostly Harmless.’ This is an absolutely intriguing story and it's hard to believe that one, it captured the attention of so many online groups and two, it took so long to figure out who the center of the story was. I don’t want to divulge too much as the ending turned out to be different from what I was expecting but it's a fascinating insight into someone, trail name ‘Mostly Harmless’, who decided to leave everything behind but was eventually discovered anyway.

"The Zone of Interest" Review

 

by John Zenoni

Went and saw ‘The Zone of Interest’ this evening and am just stunned by this film. I normally don't do this but I was reading some reviews by other filmgoers to get their take on it and this one by ‘On The Town with Tanya’ is something I have to share as she captures it perfectly!

“Jonathan Glazer is brilliant in telling us the story we all need to know the answer to: "What was happening right outside of the camp?" Who lived on the other side of the wall, outside the walls?? What were they doing? Didn't they hear the screams, smell the fires? Why didn't they do something? Because.....humans get ok with death IF its NOT them or their family....It takes courage to stand for something....and easy to fall for anything that is safe... He draws us in with brilliant views. Cinematography, nature and the sounds (Bravo Johnnie Burn and your team!!) the sound of children we are all familiar with, at first joyous....and then he does the unexpected, tells the story auditory....every sound mattered to bring the audience to that moment of horror, WITHOUT visually re-traumatizing us like most past stories do. Bravo to making the audience FEEL thru sound.....what it is like as a fly on the wall when humans become monsters and don't even have a clue they are. The picking thru jewelry, furs, while others suffered....showing the "vulture" in complacent people...it has happened before....#insanity, which makes us think...humans never learn and they are greedy in the worst of times thinking only of their needs and not that children - people - were being killed. They had NO thought of it, but I love the way Jonathan left it on us, the viewer, to see and hear....how this atrocity happened, because PEOPLE, in feeding THEIR needs and wants...became MONSTERS that contributed, and that is why it went on so long and so many died. This film should be a part of history as when you leave eerie sounds ring in your ears forever and hopefully IF an atrocity EVER attempts to happen we will all take a stand, not take the job, not take advantage of OUR privileged lives, and NOT allow one man to teach millions around the world...to watch as an atrocity happens in front of them. Bravo Jonathan and all the actors, crew, well done!